Summer Commute Survival Guide: Tips to Mark Your Commute Smarter

Summer in Hampton Roads isn’t just a season - it’s a test of patience, scheduling, and whether your car’s AC can keep up. 

If your daily commute feels just slightly more miserable than usual - with your shirt sticking, your patience thinning, and the traffic crawling like it's auditioning for a slow-motion montage - you’re not alone. 

No, you’re probably not melting. Yes, your car has AC. But still... summer traffic hits different. 

Here’s the thing - your commute doesn’t have to feel like a sweaty emotional experiment. You just need to play it smart with real, no-fluff commuter solutions that save gas money, your sanity and maybe even give you something to look forward to. 

Carpool like you’re upgrading your social life 

Carpooling sounds like a sitcom setup, but it’s more like your daily ride with a built-in comedy show and cheaper gas bills. You get to swap stories, complain about the bridge-tunnel and maybe find your new commute BFF. 

With the goCommute ridematching feature, you find nearby folks who want to share the ride so you’re not just talking to your dashboard.  

Pro tip: rotate drivers so no one’s stuck playing designated traffic martyr forever. 

Bike commute: sweat is just your body celebrating 

Biking to work in summer? Sounds brutal, but it’s honestly a power move. Early morning rides beat traffic, give you free cardio and maybe even a little cool breeze (the kind that’s not from your AC). 

Bonus: goCommute supports bike commuters with programs that get local businesses to add bike racks, repair stations, and incentives. If your office goes bike-friendly, you’re ready to flex those Lycra shorts like a champ. 

Transit: for real, it’s not just for tourists and college kids anymore 

If you’re still rolling your eyes at public transit, time for an update. Hampton Roads’ buses and light rail have stepped up their game - cleaner, more reliable and way less stressful. 

Imagine catching up on podcasts, people-watching or just chilling instead of trying to keep the cursing at bay while sitting in traffic. Plus, log your trips in the ConnectingVA app and get rewarded. Yes, the universe pays you for riding the bus. 

The secret weapon: ConnectingVA Ride Home Rewards program 

Life throws curveballs. Maybe your carpool buddy’s kid gets sick, your boss drops a last-minute meeting bomb or Mercury goes full chaos mode again. 

When your commute plans fall apart, the free ConnectingVA Ride Home Rewards program swoops in. Through goCommute’s partnership with DRPT, you get a free emergency ride home when your usual plan flakes out. 

No sweat (well, hopefully less sweat), no panic, no “now I have to drive solo in 95-degree heat” nonsense. It might save your summer commute sanity! 

Commuter options for businesses: the sauce to happier employees 

Employers, listen up. Offering a variety of commuter options isn’t just good for the planet (okay, a little) or the traffic (definitely). It’s a power move to keep employees happy, reduce parking drama and save on costs. 

goCommute works with businesses to tailor commuter programs - carpools, vanpools, biking, transit - and rewards that fit your workplace vibe. Basically, it’s like giving your workforce a little extra love every day. 

Cool things to do (and eat) on your summer commute 

No survival guide would be complete without some just-for-funsies. Plus, surviving summer heat isn’t just about how you get to work - it’s also about how you treat yourself along the way. Here are some fun, slightly ridiculous but totally valid ways to stay cool on your commute: 

• Slurpee stops. Find a 7-Eleven, grab a Slurpee and pretend you’re a kid again. Bonus points if you get the most obnoxious flavor combo possible. 

• Ice cream detours. Sometimes the best commute hack is pulling over for a scoop of mint chip or cookies and cream. Extra life points if you get it in a waffle cone. 

• Cold brew pit stops. For those who run on caffeine, swapping your usual hot coffee for a cold brew mid-commute is basically summer survival 101. 

• Frozen fruit snacks. Keep some frozen grapes or mango chunks in a cooler bag in your car or bike bag. Snack and chill at your desk without that sugar crash. 

Why bother at all? 

Solo driving in the summer heat sucks, and mixing it up a couple days a week with smarter commuter solutions helps your wallet, your blood pressure and yep, the air we all breathe. 

You’re not signing up to be a bike activist or ditch your car forever. Just try something new, earn rewards through goCommute and keep that emergency ride home option handy. 

Rewards? Heck yes. 

goCommute rewards you for being smart about your commute. Earn points for logging trips, redeem for gift cards, discounts, and more. And don’t forget the ConnectingVA Ride Home Rewards program. It’s your summer commute safety net. 

The takeaway? You can make your summer Hampton Roads commute cooler, smarter, and a heck of a lot less miserable. Whether that’s carpooling with a new crew, biking like you mean it, hopping on the bus, or just treating yourself to an ice-cold Slurpee mid-drive, goCommute has your back.