For their commutes of up to four hours a day, the Hiers of West Virginia and Marc Turner of Charlottesville have enjoyed better pay and more affordable housing. But at what price?

Michael Leahy, who rides along, explores the nerve-jangling, marriage rattling reality of marathon commuting in this week's issue of The Washington Post Magazine.

A transcript follows.

Michael Leahy is a staff writer for The Washington Post Magazine.

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Michael Leahy: Thanks for joining us today to talk about commuting and the experiences of Darren and Vicki Hiers and Marc Turner. I see we have a lot of questions, so let's begin.

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Winchester, Va.: Hats off to you for your keen eye and a great piece of writing. As somebody who's been on the road a long time, I can tell you the Hiers are right. There is more traffic coming each year from their parts and we can all only hope that employers and transportation officials get their acts together and think of inventive ways to let people work more at home and stop sprawl and address real transportation needs. Do the Hiers ever run into people who say, "You must stop this"? Or does it go more the other way with people saying I want to go out there and get a cheaper house, too? Thank you for the first-class journalism.

Michael Leahy: Thank you for the nice comment. They receive both kinds of responses, actually. They'll be people who see the size of houses in their neighbhorhood, hear the prices, and blurt, Oh, my gosh, we need to look into living out here -- sure we could handle the commute to save a couple of hundred thousand on real estate.

And then there are others who are incredulous that they can commit so much of their lives to sitting in their cars. But it is not as if they feel besieged by this school of thought. And no one close to them as ever pushed for them to move closer in.

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Manassas, Va.: Thank you, thank you, thank you for a story that captured just right my tension and anxiety on so many days of my drives. I know I don't have the same commutes in time as the harried souls in your story, but my commute is terrible enough, I grit my teeth, I worry and I'm exhausted by the end of the week just like they are. And I know there are scads out there just like me. My question is about the Hiers. Have they ever thought of asking their employers for a flexible schedule or demanding it? Could they do some telecommuting on some days or for a portion of their days. Thank you again on a wonderful story.

Michael Leahy: I appreciate the kind comment. At least for the moment, the Hiers aren't in jobs where they can likely look to telecommuting as an answer. Both need to be on-site to do their work -- Vicki as an administrative assistant for an insurance company, and Darren in his job dealing with auto parts. It is easy to see the day, however, when Vicki in particular would be able to do such a job from her home -- fielding forwarded phone calls from clients, handling correspondence perhaps, etc. Everyone agrees that eventually employers will need to be more open to telecommuting out in places like West Virginia, and that more companies will be headed out that way in search of workers unwilling to endure such long commutes.

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Arlington, Va.: Why are the Hiers willing to trade all of their precious time for a larger home they don't even have a chance to enjoy together? He who dies with the most toys/biggest house wins?

Best wishes to Marc and his family for a longer and happier life together.

Michael Leahy: For a moment, try to look at it from the point of view of the Hiers. They are a very close young couple who have known each other since high school. They've shared the same dreams for many years: children, time with each other, and a house with plenty of room that they could enjoy with their children-to-come. Now they're out there with the wonderful house and, as they point out, there are challenges, unexpected challenges that they're trying to deal with -- most notably, the effect on their time together. (And, by the way, they ought to be applauded for so candidly and insightfully talking about those challenges.). It has never been about having the most toys to them. It has always been about space and affordable real estate. Like so many people in life, they've encountered the unexpected at times.

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Farragut West, Washington, D.C.: Thanks for the article. I have colleagues with these super-long commutes, and I don't think it's fair that they get more leeway to arrive late, telecommute, or leave early because of the distance they live from the office. It is their choice, just like it's my choice to live in the city, but with a smaller place. Did the folks you interview mention if their colleagues ever resented accommodations made for them (if that was true)?

Michael Leahy: Thanks for the comment and the very good question. Marc Turner said that his employers at the Tysons Corner law firm were very kind to him in granting him leeway to begin his day a little later than most people do. He also said that, notwithstanding the kindnesses, that there was some subtle concern expressed by superiors about the obvious fact that his long commute would bring him in later on some days.

The Hiers make a point of showing up to work when everyone else does. In fact, in Vicki's case, she shows up early, having built a 15-20 minute cushion into her commute, just in case traffic is particularly bad. That is another unseen cost of long commutes -- that "penalty time" built in just so commuters can safely feel they'll make it somewhere on time.

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Washington, D.C.: A 200 mile commute? A 120 mile commute? HAH! Last Friday it took me two hours and 20 minutes to drive 30 miles from Manassas to downtown D.C.! Things are tough all over!

Michael Leahy: Thanks for your comment. I had to publish it. Yes, this problem often has a region in its grip.

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Rockville, Md. : Three years ago I made a decision to move closer to work (My job moved from Shady Grove to Twinbrook) and my wife and I moved to an apartment at the Grosvenor Metro station. We were west of Gaithersburg in the North Potomac area. Now she rides daily to the Medical Center station and I did ride to Twinbrook until I retired last year. We drive once a day or so and get gas every six weeks on the average. But when I mention this as a solution people get very angry. Is this more of an emotional issue?

Michael Leahy: Thanks for writing in. This is an excellent question, too. What you're talking about here, of course, is the sense of people feeling a finger being pointed at them. There is something in the American character that resents having anyone else tell us that we should not have absolute autonomy in selecting where we live, what cars and roads we drive, etc. It's a sensitive issue. Since I see a lot of related questions about suggestions for mandates and "moral" or "policy" efforts, let me just add that most observers seem to believe that market incentives are the most do-able approach, incentives for telecommuting, etc.

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Potomac, Md.: Just wanted to say congratulations on a fascinating article. I thought the Hiers and Turners were wonderful to open themselves up to your project and having their commutes and lives explored. Good luck to them. How is Marc Turner enjoying his new job? Do the Hiers know of Marc Turner's life-change?

Michael Leahy: Thanks. Marc Turner is much enjoying his new job -- and has happily told me about his increased time on weeknights with his children. The Hiers and Turners do not know each other.

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Chantilly, Va.: What's interesting about your subjects is that both involve commutes TO the D.C. suburbs. There are thousands of people who START their commutes where these folks' end.

Did you find anyone who commuted from this far out all the way into D.C.? While that seems to be suicidal, surely it's being done.

Michael Leahy: As the story notes, Marc Turner actually did make such a commute once. I have to admit I chuckled when he talked about its nightmarish qualities. It sounded like a trek to Juneau or Fairbanks. He just shakes his head nowadays when talking about what it would be like to resume it. It really has the quality of a bad dream.

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Fairfax County, Va.: I grew up in the 60s and 70s in a somewhat similar situation, in upper Montgomery County far from any major roads. For any job, our first instinct was always to figure out two- or three-person carpool options. The idea was to have at least one other person you'd share rides with, alternating the driving days.

That not only saved money, but created some sense of social support and companionship during the long drives. (It might also have avoided neck and back problems since passengers can move around more freely.)

Were none of these people able to figure out arrangements like that? Had they made any effort? Or do you think today's commuters would feel that increased the stress instead of reducing it?

Michael Leahy: Darren and Vicki had checked around about such things. They didn't know or work with anyone who lived anywhere close to where they do.

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washingtonpost.com: Driven to Extremes ( Post Magazine, June 3)

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Falls Church, Va.: Had to write in to compliment the writer Mr. Leahy for the outstanding article. It showed the folly of living so far away from one's job just to pay for a "better lifestyle" or a bigger house. It was a sensationally revealing article and it was made very heartfelt by the stories of the people in it. I once had a commute a little longer than an hour and a half. But I junked that drive when I realized that what I needed most was real time with my family and that they needed real time with me. Now it only takes me about 25 minutes each away. We're all very happy I made the change.

Michael Leahy: We're receiving quite a few letters and comments along this line -- people who've given up "cheaper" houses and moved closer in "to escape" the commute.

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Alexandria, Va.: I've lived all over the world, in large houses and tiny apartments. I currently live in a studio apartment five miles from my job. I ride my bike to work everyday and pity the poor auto commuters. Having a big house isn't worth it if you're exhausted and stressed out all the time. Americans have an over-inflated idea of how much stuff they need and how much space they need. Throw it all out and get a little place close in. Your life will be so much better.

Michael Leahy: In the same vein, a comment from Alexandria...

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Greenbelt, Md.: My first job involved 100-mile roundtrip commute, and I swore I'd never do anything close to that again. And you know what, I haven't. When we made the decision to buy a home a few years ago, location was key. We have friends that comment on how small our house is, and how we'd have to move if we ever have kids, but I love to point out that generations of families have raised their kids in our "tiny" house. And you know, I feel we're living responsibly and doing our best to reduce our oil dependence and energy use. I grew up in house with rooms that were never used. What's the point of all that empty space?

Michael Leahy: And a similar comment...

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Richmond, Va.: Great, unexpected story. Did you go into it thinking you would focus on these people's relationships, how their commutes are just another excuse for not paying attention to their mates?

Michael Leahy: Thanks for the comment. Actually, all along my hope was to explore the effects of the commutes. The Hiers and Turners opened up about the challenges posed to their relationship only after research was already underway. Again, I'm very grateful to them for sharing their experiences and contributing to our understanding of the challenges here.

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Norfolk, Va.: This was a fantastic story. I'd wondered for a long time when some writer was going to get around to really seeing what commuters have to endure. I had to endure a bad ride myself for many years. The psychic cost, not to mention the hit to the wallet just kept mounting and mounting. I didn't really realize how hard it was on my happiness and nerves until I stopped doing it. All the people in the story seemed really in touch with what they've been going through, and I wish the Hiers luck in continuing to handle it or getting off the commute. Do you think they'll ever stop it or at least move in closer?

Michael Leahy: I appreciate the nice words. Darren has occasionally considered moving slightly closer in, especially late in weeks when he feels wiped out. But, as the story notes, his big hope is that his side business -- the selling of noni -- takes off in such a big way that he can stay at home.

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Laurel, Md.: This is a wonderful piece of reporting. Congrats and THANK YOU! It must have been quite a time consuming enterprise. I was so happy to read that in the end Marc Turner saw "the light" and chose to find a job in Charlottesville. I kept thinking as I was treading your piece that these people have choices that they might not be aware of.

Did you get the same feeling while interacting with them? And if so was it hard not to say something about it?

Hopefully your piece will make some other people like Marc and the Hiers think about what they really want from their lives and choose accordingly. I would have liked to see the Hiers make some sort of a change in their situation too, instead of just hoping that their only alternative enterprise works.

Michael Leahy: Thanks. You know, while talking to me, the much respected transportation expert Alan Pisarski was very eloquent about the urge that people have had, historically, to move AWAY from where they work -- to move FURTHER OUT. It is almost a dreamy urge, to find that imagined frontier where few people have set foot, to get your space (an acre, 60 acres, whatever). Pisarski lives much closer in (in the Arlington area), but he realizes that urge isn't going away. So we need to deal with it, he believes -- and that means imaginative public and private solutions that will include a recognition that some people are going to live way out. Seen in that light, the challenge means that big-time telecommuting is inevitable.

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Westminster, Md.: Why can't something be done about requiring companies to enable telecommuting? There are VERY few jobs in this are that can't take advantage of telecommuting at least once per week. And for those who absolutely cannot telecommute the roads would be much clearer with the telecommuters at home.

Michael Leahy: It's an intriguing question, of course. But the broad consensus is that mandates for such things are a political non-starter.

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Reston, Va.: I really enjoyed that you included the couple who can't telecommute to their jobs. It's so easy to forget that not everyone works in front of a computer all day. Telecommuting, while wonderful for many, will never be the answer for everyone.

Michael Leahy: Thanks. I really did want to find at least one subject who didn't have the option of sitting at his or her leisure in front of a computer screen -- because the reality is that most people don't have this luxury.

Even as more people come to enjoy this option over the next decade or two, there will still be many who need to make the long drive toward the city. Alan Pisarsi sees a time when so many skilled workers will be living out of the city toward places west (like West Virginia) that employers will have no choice but to go that way in search of talent.

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Michael Leahy: Unfortunately, we've run out of time. Thanks for all the intriguing questions and comments. I'll look forward to chatting with you again soon.

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