For some Chicago-area residents, the morning commute is anything but relaxing.
It can be long, daunting and often unpredictable.
As people choose to live far away from city centers, trading short drives for space and quieter neighborhoods, the daily commute has become a major source of stress.
That strain is especially apparent in certain areas, including one Chicago suburb.
A Mission for Michael, a mental health treatment provider, surveyed 3,002 drivers across the U.S. to identify the commutes associated with burnout. The study factored in congestion, roadworks and time spent getting to and from work.
The results revealed a series of “burnout belts,” with Naperville ranking among the top at No. 10.
“The commute from Naperville into Chicago reshapes everything around it—mornings surrendered early, evenings arriving halfway spent,” the entry on the rankings stated. “What’s left for personal time feels borrowed rather than earned. The strain doesn’t build in any single dramatic moment; it seeps in day after day. For many here, switching off feels like a luxury the schedule can’t quite afford.”
The other top burnout belts were tied to other major cities – a finding that’s likely not surprising.
The top 10 can be found below:
| Rank | Suburb | State | Metro Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palmdale | California | Los Angeles |
| 2 | White Plains | New York | New York City |
| 3 | Tracy | California | San Francisco |
| 4 | Homestead | Florida | Miami |
| 5 | Temecula | California | San Diego |
| 6 | Tacoma | Washington | Seattle |
| 7 | Sandy Springs | Georgia | Atlanta |
| 8 | Frederick | Maryland | Bethesda/DC Metro |
| 9 | Katy | Texas | Houston |
| 10 | Naperville | Illinois | Chicago |
