I try to only do merchandising that is either within 10 miles of my house, or has a drive time / mileage component. I just did a 288 mile merchandising route on Wednesday that paid me more in drive time than the actual work. I love those kind of jobs, but, I love driving. I usually accept the odd jobs that companies don't have people already in place in those areas. They pay better, and will work with you on drive time/ mileage. I never accept work in large cities. I can drive and do two or three small towns in the time it would take to just get across some large cities in traffic. That is why I don't ever accept work in Chicago anymore. You people that work down there are truly road warriors! I feel for you, I've been in three 4 hour commutes from the Loop to the state line (WI). Yikes!