6 ways to cut car commuting costs

The 9-to-5 work day is becoming less standard as more companies allow employees to work flexible schedules. A big benefit of flex time is that you'll spend less time on the road burning gas during stop-and-go rush hour traffic.

Some companies are taking flexible scheduling to the next level.

"Large companies like Boeing and Microsoft work with regional transportation planners to create shifts that begin before or after peak travel times," Ennis says.

This flexibility helps distribute demand over a longer time period and reduces the pressure on the traditional peak commute hours, he says.

"Even small businesses and freight distribution companies can take advantage of staggered work times," he says.

Working a flexible schedule offers other benefits. For example, employees can run errands during "typical" work hours instead of on weekends, thereby avoiding the crowds. And parents can alter their schedules so they can be home when school lets out.