Suggested Citation:
Jain, Aakansha and Susan L. Handy (2025)

How Does Commute Well-Being Affect Life Satisfaction? Evidence From UC Davis

The experiences that one has while commuting have a substantial effect not only on commute-related well-being but also on overall life satisfaction. This study employs the Satisfaction with Travel Scale as a measure of commute experiences and examines how these experiences relate to commute well-being and life satisfaction. Data for this study was collected online as part of the annual University of California, Davis Campus Travel Survey. Overall, students and employees who travel to campus by bike are more satisfied with their commute than those using transit or driving. The analysis shows that commute well-being has a significant impact on overall life satisfaction. However, the study also highlights that other domain-specific satisfaction factors such as financial situation, mental health, and physical health play an even stronger role in shaping life satisfaction. Gender differences emerge as a notable factor, with women reporting lower commute well-being but higher overall life satisfaction. This study provides new insights into commute well-being in a university context, yet many of the transportation challenges identified are common across the U.S., including the need for improved transit services, the incorporation of gender-sensitive transportation planning, and attention to housing options.