In the U.S., the average working individual spends 26.1 minutes in the car driving to work each day. For a typical 5-day-a-week job, this adds up to about 114 hours of morning commute every year. Knowing this, our team at Caliber Collision has revved up to revamp your morning ride with some tips and tricks to make the most of your time behind the wheel.

Upgrade your Audio
Finding something engaging to listen to is one of the best ways to make your commute go by faster. Not only will this bump up the entertainment in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but it can actually improve your mood throughout the rest of the day. There are countless options for music, audio books, podcasts, news stations and even sound effects such as storms, rainforests and beach shores. So, while you’re stuck dealing with traffic-triggered tremors, why not discover a new artist, learn a new skill, solve a mystery murder, keep up with your favorite sports team or simply settle in to a soundtrack during your shuttle to work.

Take the Road Less Traveled
There are few things worse than heading out to work only to find out that your typical route is at a standstill due to a collision or object in the road. The good news? There’s an app for that. The latest technology has enabled GPS apps such as Waze to generate moment-to-moment traffic reports to keep you on time, and on the right path. Waze is able to update your route based on real-time reports and, true to their tagline, outsmart traffic. To keep your commute as short as possible, remember to always check your course before you leave the driveway and prepare to change lanes—and routes—when the unexpected occurs.

Soup Up Your Shades
We’ll be the first to tell you to keep your eyes on the road, but that can be hard when the sun is staring right back at you. For those peak commute hours between 7-9 a.m., when the sun is usually near the horizon, we recommend investing in a solid pair of sunglasses—even a pair specifically for driving. It’s a little-known fact that not all sunglasses are created equal when it comes to functionality behind the wheel. The best glasses for driving are those that let in between 18-43% of light (for optimal vision), while still preventing glare. And hey, if you invest in a pair specifically for your car, you’ll never have to worry about leaving your sunnies behind.

Circumvent Caffeine Collateral
If you’re anything like us, your morning cup of joe is one of the highlights of waking up. And, if your mornings are more about rushing than relaxing, it might also be one of the best parts of your commute. We understand that some of our readers are just as passionate about their coffee cups as we are about our cars, and would do anything to keep them safe and secure. Some cars now come standard with heated and cooling cupholders, but there are still a wide variety of accessories built for traveling with your caffeinated companion. From USB-powered warming cups, to spill-proof thermoses, inventors have thought up just about everything to keep your coffee warm, and your commute cool.

No matter if your commute is down the road or across the state, the odds of getting into an accident don’t discriminate. If your morning drive takes a turn for the worst, and you find yourself in need of collision repair, remember that your friends at Caliber Collision are always ready to keep Restoring the Rhythm of Your Life.®