How back-to-school season makes life hectic for parents

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

HOW MUCH TIME DO PARENTS SPEND DRIVING THEIR KIDS AROUND DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR?

TRY ALMOST THREE FULL WORKWEEKS.

A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 MILLENNIAL-AGED PARENTS FROM BOB EVANS FOUND THE AVERAGE MOM OR DAD SPENDS ABOUT 38 MINUTES A DAY DRIVING TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND ACTIVITIES.

OVER THE COURSE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, THAT ADDS UP TO THE EQUIVALENT OF NEARLY 15 EIGHT-HOUR WORKDAYS BEHIND THE WHEEL.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, FOUND MORE THAN THREE-QUARTERS OF PARENTS SAY BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON MAKES LIFE FEEL MORE HECTIC, WITH MANY GIVING UP SLEEP AND PERSONAL TIME JUST TO KEEP UP.

SO WHAT TAKES UP MORE OF YOUR TIME DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, THE DRIVING OR THE HOMEWORK?

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 U.S. millennial parents of school-aged kids who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Bob Evans and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 28 – June 4, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.