(ARA) – The daily commute to work can be a time of hassle and frustration, especially for the 35 percent of U.S. commuters who are on the road longer than 30 minutes each way to work. More than 132 million people make the trip to work and back every week day, according to commuting expert and consultant to Thermos Alan Pisarski.

“The American commuter has to deal with the daily stresses of pushy fellow commuters, poor facilities and services, emotions and money spent,” Pisarski says. “Despite that, by making smart decisions, many commuters not only are able to put up with it but actually thrive and enjoy the ride.”

It’s not surprising that commuters look for any opportunity to make their travels both shorter and more enjoyable. From the time your alarm goes off in the morning until you are back home for dinner, you can do many small things to make your commute less stressful.

Follow these useful tips to improve your commute, whether it’s 10 minutes or 90 minutes:

Use a Global Positioning System (GPS). Having a GPS is handy because commutes are always full of surprises. If a traffic jam or an accident blocks the roads you normally use, a GPS is a great way to quickly find an alternate route so you can make it to work on time.

Bring a hot beverage of your choice with you on your commute. The No. 1 thing that matters most to commuters in the morning is a cup of coffee or tea (even before their smart phones), a recent survey shows. Keep your beverage hot by using a quality insulated mug like the Sipp by Thermos insulated travel mug. Thermos Brand insulated travel mugs keep hot beverages hot for two to six hours, so you can enjoy a hot coffee during your entire commute and even well into your workday.

Consider carpooling with coworkers, neighbors or even your spouse heading to the same part of town as your office. It’s a great way to save gas money as well as spend some time relaxing since drivers and passengers can rotate.

Listen to the news or talk radio during your commute. You may not have time to sip coffee and read the newspaper during the week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep up with the news. The radio is not only a great source of news, it offers information about commute-affecting traffic and weather as well.

By employing these tips, you can make your commute less stressful and maybe even a little enjoyable. For more information visit www.Thermos.com.