For millions of Americans, commuting is a daily routine that quietly drains both time and money. Long hours behind the wheel, rising fuel prices, and sedentary travel habits can take a serious toll on your health and finances. In fact:
- The average American spends 51.6 minutes per day commuting
- Drivers spend up to $1,026 per year on fuel alone
- Cycling commuters burn 5.4× more calories than drivers
What if your commute could actually help you save money, stay active, and arrive faster?
Key Insights from U.S. Commuting Data
We’ve just determined that cycling to work, as opposed to driving, can have benefits. But what does the average commute look like for American workers? Here, we’ll look at how people commute and how long it takes them.
Our analysis of workers’ commutes across the 50 largest U.S. cities revealed several surprising trends:
- New York has the longest average car commute at 71 minutes
- But only 34.4% of employees there commute by car
- Boston leads the nation in alternative commuting, with 22.2% walking, biking, or using other modes
- Bike commutes were faster than car commutes in 45 out of 50 cities
These numbers suggest that the traditional car commute may not be the most efficient option after all.
The Real Financial Cost of Driving to Work
We’re all familiar with paycheck deductions such as taxes, 401(k)s, and health insurance. But what about gas expenditures? Finally, we analyzed the average fuel costs for U.S. city workers based on average commutes, gas prices, and fuel-efficiency.
Fuel is only one part of the true cost of commuting, but it’s one of the most visible.
Based on national averages:
- Typical annual commuting fuel cost: $1,026
- Range across cities: $663 to $1,745 per year
- Gas prices rose an estimated 49% in early 2022
And that doesn’t include insurance, maintenance, parking, or depreciation. For many workers, commuting is one of the largest hidden expenses in their monthly budget.
Commuting by Bike Instead of Car
So, how would your commute by car measure up against commuting by Ebike? To find out exactly how much money and time can be saved (and exercise gained!), we created this easy-to-use commuting calculator. In a world of record-high gas prices, automobile MSRPs, and maintenance costs, it’s worth taking a look!
With a few simple details, we can calculate and compare the features of your commute by car versus cycling. To get started, enter the basic details of your commute, including:
- Your origin and destination addresses
- How many days per week you commute
- Desired arrival time
- The MPG of your vehicle
- Your weight
For a commute by car, we calculate a recommended departure time (based on your desired arrival time), the total minutes and dollars you’ll spend per week, and how many calories you’ll burn daily and weekly.
For a cycle commute, we calculate recommended departure time, total minutes spent commuting per week, and the total calories burned daily and weekly.
Using these variables, we also compare the two modes of transportation:
- The time each commute will take
- How much you can save on gas by cycling to work
- How many more calories you will burn cycling versus driving
The Health Impact of Your Commute
Driving to work burns very little energy and can also save time. But what about its effects on our bodies? Next, we analyzed the number of calories burned during the average city worker’s commute in a car versus on a bike.
On average:
- Car commuters burn about 70 calories per trip
- Bike commuters burn up to 692 calories per day
Car commuters in all 50 cities burned around the same number of calories during their drives — an average of around 70 per commute. But bike commuters burned 5.4 times more. Many factors affect the number of calories burned while cycling, including pace, duration, resistance, intensity, and the cyclist’s height and weight.
Kansas City and Orlando cyclists burned the most during their daily commutes — an average of 692 and 684 calories, respectively. Even in the city with the lowest number of calories burned per cycle commute, Minneapolis, bike commuters still burned 4.9 times more calories than their driving counterparts.
Why an Electric Bike Makes Commuting Easier
Traditional bikes are great for short trips and fitness rides—but for daily commuting, an electric bike can make the experience far more practical and sustainable over time.
An electric commuter bike adds pedal assistance, which helps you ride faster and farther with less physical strain. This makes it easier to replace car trips, even if your commute includes hills, longer distances, or stop-and-go traffic.
Here’s how an ebike improves your daily commute:
-
Reduce effort on hills
Pedal assist provides extra power when climbing, so steep inclines feel manageable instead of exhausting. -
Maintain a consistent, comfortable speed
Electric assistance helps you cruise smoothly through traffic or bike lanes without overexerting yourself. -
Extend your comfortable riding range
With motor support, distances that once felt too long—like 10–20 mile commutes—become realistic daily options. -
Arrive less sweaty and more refreshed
You can choose higher assist levels to reduce physical strain, especially on hot days or before meetings. -
Carry more with less effort
Whether it’s a backpack, groceries, or work gear, the motor helps offset extra weight.
With an electric commuter bike, you still enjoy the health and financial benefits of cycling, but with far less strain and more flexibility. It transforms commuting from a tiring task into a smooth, efficient, and enjoyable part of your day.
Recommended Commuter Ebike: Velotric Discover 3
If you’re considering a smarter, more efficient way to get to work, the Velotric Discover 3 is built specifically for modern commuters. It combines strong motor performance, long range, and comfort-focused design to make daily riding easier, smoother, and more enjoyable.
Key commuter-friendly features:
- 750W quiet yet powerful motor delivers smooth acceleration and confident hill climbing without harsh noise or vibration
- Up to 80 miles of range on a single charge, ideal for longer commutes and multiple trips throughout the week
- Comfort-focused upright geometry with breathable saddle, suspension seatpost, and adjustable air suspension fork to reduce fatigue on daily rides
- SensorSwap™ system lets you switch between torque and cadence sensing for a more personalized riding feel
- Integrated lighting system, Apple Find My & Android Find Hub tracking, and NFC keyless unlock for added visibility, security, and convenience
- UL 2849-certified electrical system for proven safety and reliable everyday performance
- Smart features including Auto Mode for adaptive assistance, Smart Tuning for personalized settings, Cruise Control for steady-speed riding, and One-Touch Class Switching for quick performance adjustments
Learn more about Velotric Discover 3
Whether your commute is a few miles across town or a longer ride through mixed city streets, the Discover 3 is designed to keep the experience smooth and stress-free. The powerful motor helps you keep pace with traffic, while the long range means fewer charging worries during the week.
Its upright riding position and suspension system are built for real-world roads, absorbing bumps and reducing strain on your back, shoulders, and wrists. Smart features like integrated tracking and keyless unlocking add convenience and peace of mind for daily use.
Conclusion
Your daily commute is one of the few routines you repeat hundreds of times every year. Small improvements can lead to big long-term benefits. Switching even a few days per week from driving to biking can save hundreds of dollars per year and add hours of activity to your routine
For riders looking to replace car trips, cut commuting costs, and enjoy a more comfortable ride to work, the Discover 3 offers a balanced combination of power, comfort, and practical commuter features in one versatile electric bike.
