Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 9 Best Podcasts to Listen to On Your Commute

A man listening to a podcast while waiting for public vehicle.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Undoubtedly, commuting has completely changed. It’s always been hell — and it still is — but a whole new layer was seemingly added because of the pandemic. I work entirely from home, and I dread the commute from my bed to my desk every morning. Regardless, a great podcast on a long or short commute can make it worthwhile.  

Some people want a podcast to wake them up. Some want to listen to work-at-home podcasts. Some just need the best fiction podcasts to take them away, not only from the commute but from the oncoming workday. These are some of our favorites that are sure to make your commute more bearable and, dare we say, enjoyable. 

Related Guides

The Daily New York Times' The Daily podcast logo in blue, turquoise, and yellow.

You may need another podcast on deck, depending on your commute, but you owe it to yourself to stay informed every day! New York Times’ The Daily, hosted by Michael Barbaro, gives you a quick and in-depth rundown on the most important thing you need to know every single workday. 

Apple

Spotify

ESPN Daily ESPN Daily podcast logo in white font on red banner.

In fact, if you finish up The Daily and want a sports-centric podcast, ESPN Daily is the one for you. Every day, Pablo Torre brings you one sports story you should know, and one sports story he wants you to know Monday through Friday, and the results are informative, entertaining, and fascinating.

Apple

Spotify

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Animated logo of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz podcast.

Maybe brought to you as a sports show, but The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz does everything it can to get away from sports every day. Recently a podcast after being a radio show for 10-plus years, the show itself is down to three days per week, but there’s an entire network of podcasts under the Le Batard & Friends network to dive into on your commute when you run out of the roughly four hours of show released most mornings. 

Apple

Spotify

This American Life This American Life podcast logo in red background.

This American Life is a staple of radio and podcasts — it’s what so many different shows aspire to. At this point, the strength of TAL is in its back catalog. Every episode is truly evergreen, and (especially In These Times) it’s often a peek into a world from the past. There are new episodes released every week and they’re certain to make your commute that much better.

Apple

Spotify

The Accidental Creative The Accidental Creative podcast logo in black background.                

On your commute to work, it’s a good idea to get into a healthy headspace where you’re ready to work. Accidental Creative interviews artists, authors, and business leaders to help you be your best at work and in life. A new episode every week in just under 30 minutes? Certain to fit in almost every commute.

Apple

Spotify

Fresh Air Fresh Air podcast logo in black background.

Terry Gross is a blessing. And with a new episode every day, your commute will be blessed as well. Fresh Air is just a classy experience. And it’s often star-studded! A daily deep dive on arts and culture is a great way to pass the time on a tough commute.

Apple

Spotify

The Rewatchables The Rewatchables' spiraling arrow logo podcast.

Remember that one movie from the 1980s that you’ve watched at least a dozen times on cable or Netflix? The Rewatchables definitely does, and they’re as obsessed as you are. Rotating hosts from The Ringer help answer why we stop on certain channels when certain movies are on, no matter how many times we’ve seen them.

Apple

Spotify


Planet Money Planet Money podcast logo that features Einstein as an astronaut.

Another NPR offering, Planet Money promises to make the economy entertaining. The world of cash and how it works can be so daunting and so complicated — it was literally designed to be that way — but Planet Money at least makes an effort to make it less confusing to the layman.

Apple

Spotify

The Big Picture  The Big Picture podcast logo that features film spiral rollers.

The Ringer’s main event movie podcast hosted by Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins is another favorite. Smart conversations about current releases, fascinating interviews with directors, and deep looks into how the Academy Awards and film industry works, The Big Picture is a great place to start if you’re looking into movie podcasts.

Apple

Spotify

Editors' Recommendations

Colin Ainsworth
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Colin Ainswroth is a feature contributor for The Manual who covers culture, fashion, and literature. From Austin, Texas…
The 15 Best Christmas Albums to Listen to This Year
record player christmas tree lights

If you play your cards right, you can get all the way from Thanksgiving to the New Year without getting tired of holiday music. But you can't often do that by just playing passenger and allowing the FM dial or your so-called "music-savvy" friend to take the lead with their respective playlists. You need great albums that offer both timelessness and straight-up jams.

It's 2021, people. Songs like "Baby, It's Cold Outside" should have been buried long ago. While Christmas powerhouses like Bing Crosby are fun, you can be more creative. We tend to treat the holiday music scene kinda like the karaoke notebook at your favorite dive bar: Here are the options, take it or leave it. Turns out, a lot of great artists have made some incredible seasonal albums, from icons like Mahalia Jackson to guitar gods like Delicate Steve.

Read more
How To Stay Focused at Work and Avoid Distractions
how to stay focused at work avoid distractions and retain your laser like focus

Let's cut to the chase -- have you ever spent a chunk of your working hours viewing adorable cat videos and getting sucked into the internet rabbit hole? You’re not alone there. In fact, one of the challenges that busy professionals face is staying focused at work.

Learning how to keep your laser-like focus at work may not be as fun as chilling out in cyberspace, but it can help boost your productivity and improve your employment prospects. So, are you ready to stay focused and finish your tasks with a bang? Here are our top productivity tips for professionals, whether you're working from home or getting back to the office.
Get Comfortable

Read more
The Best Mystery Books To Sink Your Teeth Into
Young man reading a novel with a cup of coffee next to stack of books.

It's no secret that people love a good scare, and what better place to indulge in your love of intrigue than in the pages of a well-written thriller.

With the seasons quickly changing from summer to fall and the long cold days of winter not far behind, it's time to stock up on novels to fill the frigid and mundane days with a superb page-turner.

Read more