The New Breed of Super Commuters

After two years of remote work, many workers reluctant to return to the office are compromising with less frequent, longer ‘super commutes.’

1 minute read

April 17, 2022, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


California and Nevada

Lake Tahoe is a popular pandemic destination for tech workers from San Francisco and Silicon Valley. | DTM Media / Shutterstock

“Super-commuters aren’t a new phenomenon. In sprawling countries like the US, for example, some workers, mainly senior executives, have been commuting long distances for years.” Now, reports Bryan Lufkin, the phenomenon is becoming more common with all types of workers who moved away from their office locations during the pandemic. 

“The group of super-commuters has expanded as companies have allowed middle-class knowledge workers to come into the office two days a week, or one week a month,” says Bill Fulton, director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University. Lufkin asks, “Could this new form of commuting be the future, as workers embrace hybrid, and build lives further away from urban hubs?”

The article describes several workers in the U.S. and England who are adjusting to their new super-commuting lives. While there are logistical challenges and some tension with employers who have a hard time letting go of constant supervision, most workers seem keen on continuing to work mostly remotely.

Thursday, April 14, 2022 in BBC News

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Urban sidewalk shaded by large mature trees

Cool Walkability Planning

Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

June 1, 2023 - Todd Litman

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.

The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

May 30, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Wildfire threatening hillside homes in Yucaipa, California

Home Insurers Are Fleeing California

Homeowners in the state are finding it increasingly difficult to secure insurance policies thanks to the growing risks of wildfire, drought, and other climate threats.

June 7 - Curbed

Aerial view of terminus of Los Angeles River and port infrastructure in Long Beach, California

Los Angeles County Initiates Effort to Advance Equity in Infrastructure

L.A. County Public Works has launched an initiative to center equity in all of its processes, programming, and services as it plans, designs, builds, and maintains modern infrastructure that uplifts all communities of the county.

June 7 - Los Angeles County Public Works

Aerial view of pickleball court with players illuminated for nighttime play

Addressing the Noise Impacts of Pickleball

Pickleball may be America's fastest growing sport, but it is not universally loved because of the noise it causes. Learn one expert's ideas for mitigating the noise impacts.

June 7 - The Hustle

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.