For many people who live in El Dorado Hills, the workday starts and ends on the road. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts, the mean travel time to work for El Dorado Hills residents was 31.2 minutes each way in the 2019–2023 American Community Survey. That is an average. Many commuters spend far longer on bad days.
At the same time, more professionals here can choose where they work, at least part of the week. If that includes you, there is a third option between the long drive and the kitchen table: a professional workspace close to home.
What the commute really costs
A 31-minute trip each way adds up to about an hour a day. Over a five-day week, that is roughly five hours. Across a typical working year of about 230 days, it comes to around 240 hours, or six full 40-hour work weeks spent behind the wheel. That is time not spent with family, exercising, or on focused work, before you count fuel, wear on your car, and parking.
Your numbers will differ, but it is worth doing the math with your own commute. Even cutting the drive two or three days a week gives back a meaningful amount of time.
Why working from home isn’t always the answer
Remote and hybrid work removed the commute for many people, but home has its own costs:
- Distractions. Household tasks, deliveries, and family members compete for your attention.
- Isolation. Weeks without seeing colleagues or other professionals can wear on motivation.
- No place to meet. Hosting a client at your dining table, or on a video call with a busy background, isn’t the impression most professionals want to make.
- Blurred boundaries. When the office is down the hall, it is hard to stop working at the end of the day.
The middle ground: an office near home
A local workspace gives you a short drive, a professional setting, and a clear line between work and home. It can work in several ways:
- Hybrid employees can use a nearby office on their remote days instead of working from home.
- Remote workers for companies based elsewhere get a dependable place to work and a community of other professionals.
- Local business owners and independent professionals get a private office and meeting rooms without signing a long-term lease.
How to make the case to your employer
Many companies support remote employees with a workspace stipend or reimbursement. If yours doesn’t yet, a short proposal can help:
- Explain what you need, such as a quiet office or coworking membership a few days a week.
- Show the benefits: fewer interruptions, a reliable internet connection, and a professional place to meet clients or join video calls.
- Share the monthly cost and compare it with the cost of travel to a company office, if there is one.
- Offer a trial period, such as three months, and agree on how you’ll measure success.
Choosing the right setup
Think about how you work most days:
- If you need a quiet room, confidential calls, or space to leave your things, a private office is the best fit.
- If you want a productive environment and some interaction with other professionals, coworking is a flexible, lower-cost option.
- If you mostly work from home but need to meet clients now and then, book a meeting room only when you need it.
- If you want a professional business address without a daily desk, a virtual office covers mail and presence.
Workspaces at Business Workspaces
Business Workspaces has been part of the El Dorado Hills business community since 2011, at 5170 Golden Foothill Parkway. We offer private offices for individuals and teams of up to four, with utilities, amenities, and 24/7 building access included in the monthly rate. We also offer coworking memberships, meeting rooms for client meetings and team sessions, and virtual office plans. For more ideas on making local work work for you, read Work-Life Balance in El Dorado Hills.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the average commute from El Dorado Hills?
The Census Bureau reports a mean travel time to work of 31.2 minutes for El Dorado Hills residents, based on 2019–2023 survey data. Individual commutes vary widely.
Is coworking a good option for hybrid employees?
Yes. Many hybrid employees use a nearby coworking space on their remote days to stay focused and avoid working from home.
Can I rent an office in El Dorado Hills without a long-term lease?
Flexible private offices are typically available on much shorter terms than a traditional lease, with furniture and services included. Ask about term options when you tour.
Take back your time
If you’re ready to spend less time on the road and more time on the work that matters, come see what a workspace close to home feels like. Schedule an appointment to tour Business Workspaces.
