We usually think of travelling as just a way to get from point A to point B. Commutes, errands, and school runs often feel like wasted time. But science says otherwise: daily travel shapes your mood, brain health, and overall happiness. Let’s explore what researchers have found and more importantly, how you can use those insights to make your everyday trips less stressful and more joyful.
Travel shapes emotions more than you think
In Luxembourg, working people report spending an average of 41.5 minutes commuting by car (67%) and 59.7 minutes by public transport (17%) from their home to their workplace—meaning many of us spend nearly two hours each day just getting to and from work (STATEC, RP2021) . That’s a huge slice of life—and it’s not neutral time. Research shows that how we travel affects how we feel (e.g., cycling and walking are linked to higher emotional well-being compared to driving or public transport) (Zhu & Fan, 2018), (De Vos et al., 2016).
Tip: If your destination isn’t too far, try swapping one weekly bus or car trip for a walk or bike ride, you might be surprised how quickly your mood and energy will improve.
Trip length matters
No surprise: longer trips are linked to lower emotional well-being (Zhu & Fan, 2018; Wener et al., 2003). Multiple bus transfers, long drives, or hour-long walks drain energy. Interestingly, commutes home from work don’t feel as bad—probably because the workday is done and you’re headed to freedom (Ettema et al., 2012).
Tip: If you can’t shorten your commute, make it pleasant. Queue up a favorite podcast, audiobook, or playlist so the time feels rewarding.
Fun trips boost mood
Your reason for traveling makes a big difference. Trips for recreation—like dining out, meeting friends, or doing sports—are strongly associated with higher happiness than work commutes (Zhu & Fan, 2018). Redefine your travel time as the time in your day for learning something new or for enhancing your personal or professional skills.
Tip: Break up routine trips with fun ones. Even a short detour for coffee with a friend can flip the emotional script of your day. Listen to audiobooks, podcasts or practice a new language while commuting.
Companionship counts
Who you’re with on your trip matters more than you might think, such as travelling with parents tends to feel least stressful and travelling with children is less sad and painful than travelling solo, according to Zhu & Fan (2018). Companionship generally boosts positive emotions, but who you travel with matters most.
Tip: Carpool with a friend, take a walk with a neighbour, or call someone during your commute. Make travel social.
Travel and brian health
Travel isn’t just about mood, it’s also about long-term brain health. For older adults, travel can be a kind of “cognitive workout”.
The social causation view says travel builds cognitive reserves by exposing you to new environments, social interaction, and decision-making challenges (Hua, Peng & Cole, 2024).
The social withdrawal view says declining cognitive health makes travel harder, leading to less stimulation and a vicious cycle of decline (Hua, Peng & Cole, 2024).
In reality, it works both ways: travel helps the brain, and brain health helps travel.
Tip: For older adults, prioritise travel over indoor activities, whether it’s day trips, social outings, or regular walks. It supports both mental health and cognitive fitness.
The power of choice
Being able to decide how and when you travel matters. For older adults, driving supports independence and autonomy, while relying on others can feel limiting (De Vos et al., 2013).
Tip: Even if you can’t control your mode of travel, reclaim small choices—pick your departure time, route, or soundtrack. Those tiny choices under your control boost well-being. Listen to movie soundtracks for an escapist experience – a commute by train feels less of an obligation if imagining yourself a character in a Bond movie!
Where you live matters
Neighbourhood design affects travel happiness. People in dense, walkable areas tend to report higher well-being because they can reach more activities with less effort (De Vos et al., 2013). Suburban sprawl often means long car trips and more stress.
Tip: When choosing a place to live, think about travel convenience. Proximity to work, shops, and leisure activities can make daily life smoother and happier.
Travel as the activity itself
Sometimes the trip is the joy. Leisurely bike rides, road trips, or evening walks are enjoyable not because of the destination, but the journey itself (Jakobsson Bergstad et al., 2010).
Tip: Don’t rush every trip. Set aside time for “travel as activity” like a weekend walk or scenic drive or just to enjoy the movement itself.
Wrapping it up
Daily travel isn’t wasted time. It’s part of your well-being toolkit. The way you travel, why you’re travelling, and who you’re with all matter.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Walking and biking make your brain happier than a commute by car
- Long commutes hurt, but adding fun detours once in a while alleviates burden
- Fun trips boost mood
- Companions make a big difference
- Travel doubles as brain exercise in later life
- Choice and independence matter
- Dense, walkable neighbourhoods support daily happiness
So the next time you’re heading out the door, remember: how you travel today could be shaping your happiness and brain health tomorrow.
For better readability of the text, the assistance of Microsoft Copilot, an AI language model based on the GPT-4 architecture, secured with UL enterprise data protection, has been used.
- Car dependency persists for commuting. STATEC Statistics Portal – Luxembourg. https://statistiques.public.lu/en/recensement/dependance-automobile-deplacements-domicile-travail.html
- Bergstad, C. J., Gamble, A., Gärling, T., Hagman, O., Polk, M., Ettema, D., Friman, M. & Olsson, L. E. (2010). Subjective well-being related to satisfaction with daily travel. Transportation, 38(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-010-9283-z
- De Vos, J., Schwanen, T., Van Acker, V. & Witlox, F. (2013). Travel and Subjective Well-Being: A Focus on Findings, Methods and Future Research Needs. Transport Reviews, 33(4), 421–442. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2013.815665
- Hua, C., Peng, S. & Cole, S. (2024). Travel and mind: a bidirectional analysis of travel participation and cognitive functioning among Americans over 50. Work Aging And Retirement. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/waae013
- Wener, R. E., Evans, G. W., Phillips, D., & Nadler, N. (2003). Running for the 7: 45: The effects of public transit improvements on commuter stress. Transportation, 30(2), 203-220.
- Zhu, J. & Fan, Y. (2018). Daily travel behavior and emotional well-being: Effects of trip mode, duration, purpose, and companionship. Transportation Research Part A Policy And Practice, 118, 360–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2018.09.019
