160,000km commuting - in a year

Gary Egan lives in Porthcawl, Wales and commutes 3 hours each way to his job in Watford, Hertfordshire just north of London. Photo / supplied

A dedicated worker drives the equivalent of four times around the Earth every year as he has what could be the longest commute in Britain.

Gary Egan travels 160,000km every year between his home in Porthcawl, South Wales, and his workplace in Watford, Hertfordshire, so he can still live the country life with his partner Sarah.

The father-of-two - who works as the head of production for Rocket Graphics Ltd - has to set his alarm for 3.30am every day before setting off on the six-hour round trip in his eco-friendly Renault Clio.

The 46-year-old said: "My job is absolutely worth the gruelling commute every day. The company I work for are great and let me work around my journey to and from the office.

"The industry I work in is quite narrow and there just aren't the same job opportunities in Wales for me as there are in London.

"I can't say it wouldn't be nice to get a job that was closer to home, but at the moment that it just not possible and I am very happy where I am."

Egan has worked as the head of design at the large-format printing company for the past 18 months.

The costly commute sets him back £15,000 ($30,256) a year after he has paid his monthly diesel bill of 900, toll fees of more than 1600 and his insurance, MOT and servicing costs.

His time travelling means Egan loses out on quality time with his partner Sarah and has had to cut down his exercise regime.

"I have quite a stressful job so I use the journey home to sort my day out in my head and to make a plan for the following day," he said.

"But there are times when I have to get Sarah [who works for South Wales police] to call me to make sure I don't fall asleep at the wheel.

"I use the time to take important conference calls - hands free, of course - and my car is quite tech-savvy.

"We have discussed the options for a move, but we feel that our quality of life is much better here than it would be closer to my workplace in Watford."

Tell us: Do you know anyone with a commute as long or longer? Contact newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz