A new survey has revealed that parents spend the equivalent of almost three full working weeks each school year driving their children to extracurricular activities, adding further pressure to households already grappling with rising back-to-school costs.
Parents are losing a staggering number of minutes every year ferrying their children to activities designed to keep them active and engaged, according to a new survey. Soccer, baseball, music lessons, dance, chess and visits to friends’ houses all form part of the typical family routine, and a survey conducted by Talker Research has now totalled up the time parents spend behind the wheel getting their children to these commitments. Over an average 180-day school year, parents lose nearly 7,000 minutes, or 116 hours, the equivalent of almost 15 eight-hour workdays, simply driving to and from activities.
Nearly three working weeks spent driving
The survey, commissioned by the Bob Evans Farms portfolio and carried out by Talker Research among 2,000 millennial parents of school-aged children, found that families make an average of eight trips a week transporting children to extracurricular activities during term time. Jason Roche, vice president of the Bob Evans Farms portfolio, said: “When you look at the numbers, parents are spending the equivalent of nearly three full workweeks each school year just driving to and from activities.”
After-school sports were identified as the single biggest contributor to time spent driving, followed by music lessons, tutoring and social activities. Researchers noted that the rise in extracurricular participation means many families now spend several hours a week in the car, even when the activities themselves take place relatively close to home.
How families are coping
Many parents said they try to coordinate carpools with other families in an effort to reduce driving time and fuel costs, though scheduling conflicts often make this difficult to manage consistently. Others reported trying to combine multiple errands into a single journey, such as grocery shopping or collecting prescriptions, while transporting children to activities in an effort to save time.
The impact extends beyond time spent driving. Many parents said the demands of transporting children have affected family meal times, with several reporting they eat dinner later than they would like, or rely more heavily on takeaway food because of packed schedules. Nearly half of those surveyed said they often feel they have too little time for themselves because of the ongoing demands of transporting children to activities and appointments. Experts have also pointed out that lengthy school-run and activity commutes can contribute to higher household fuel and vehicle maintenance costs, adding further financial strain during the school year.
Wider back-to-school pressures
The survey also explored broader challenges parents face as the back-to-school season approaches. More than 77% of parents admitted the season makes everyday life feel more hectic, while roughly 55% expressed concern over rising prices for school supplies and materials. Some 71% said the amount they now have to spend when their child returns to school has increased compared with the previous year.
These concerns are reflected in wider retail data. A recent report from the National Retail Federation found that back-to-school spending is expected to reach an all-time high of $146.8 billion in 2026, covering clothing, electronics and other goods needed by school and college students alike. According to a separate survey by the Federation, roughly 62% of shoppers had already begun searching for school supplies and deals, as household budgets remain stretched by inflation. Mark Mathews, the Federation’s Executive Director of Research, said: “Affordability is a concern for families and a top priority for retailers as we enter the back-to-school season. Shoppers are keeping value front and center as they look for ways to make their dollars go further.”
The toll on parents
Adjusting to new school-year routines was cited as a challenge by 42% of parents interviewed by Talker Research. The survey also found that half of parents sacrifice their own personal time and hobbies for the benefit of their children, while 40% reported losing sleep as a result of these pressures.
Separate data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that parents of children under the age of six spend just over two hours a day, on average, caring for and helping their children. Of that time, physical care takes up the largest share, at just under one hour, with the remainder split between playing with children, helping with schoolwork and reading to them.
