How would you like to add 12 days to your year?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans spend an average of 50 minutes a day commuting, not including traffic jams, detours, errands or any other stops along the way.

That's over 100 hours -- 12 days -- spent getting to and from work.

Here are a few suggestions to help you claim that lost time.

Use The Radio

Get caught up on the news. Find out how your favorite sports team is doing. Listen to a talk radio show.

"The point is to keep you mind engaged so you're not aimlessly watching the miles crawl by," says Tom Echevarria whose daily commute is almost double the national average. "I used to listen to music stations but I got bored hearing the same songs over and over again," he says. "Now I sometimes get to work and wish I hadn't gotten there so fast because I wanted to keep listening to an interesting discussion between a talk show host and a caller."

Remember that taking your eyes off the road to station surf while driving can lead to an accident. So, stick with one station or wait until you're stopped to change it.

Of course, there's more than talking on the airwaves. In the 1970s, a catchy song by the Carpenters urged us to "sing out loud, sing out strong." Try it in your car. Not only will it help pass the time, it's good for you.

"Studies have linked singing with a lower heart rate, decreased blood pressure and reduced stress," says Patricia Preston-Roberts, a board-certified music therapist in New York City.

So, while everyone else's blood pressure is going up during a traffic jam, you're expanding your lung capacity and having fun.

'Read' A Book

"The only thing I miss about the NYC subways is my reading time," says Bob Shanley, a former New Yorker who now commutes 45 minutes each way from his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to his office in downtown Miami. Shanley, who says he used to read a book a week, now "reads" in the car.

"I never thought I'd enjoy books on CD, but I've gotten very attached to them," he says. "I've gotten some of my friends hooked on the concept, and now we get together every couple of weeks to trade CDs."

Get Things Done

You can also use the time in the car to plan your day. Make a mental checklist and prioritize what you want to accomplish, both at work and after your workday is over. Go over your goals and outline the steps you'll take to get things done.

"I even visualize a possible crisis and plan strategies to overcome it," says Tim Gordon, a veterinarian whose days are often interrupted with emergencies.

Some things you can even take care of from the car. You know those people you've been meaning to call but never have the time? Commuting gives you the time. Whether it's your mom, an old college roommate, or a friend you haven't caught up with in a while, somebody is waiting to hear from you.

"I once got stuck in a huge traffic jam at 6:30 in the morning and decided to call my mom," Echevarria says. "I completely forgot about the three-hour time difference between Miami and L.A., where she lives. She was so happy to hear from me she didn't seem to mind I had woken her up from a sound sleep."

Remember to check the laws in your area before phoning and driving. Some states now mandate a hands-free device for using your cell phone in your car.

And if you can't talk to others, talk to yourself. Rehearse that presentation you're about to give, practice asking for a raise, work out problems you've been facing, or give yourself a motivational pep talk.

"There's nothing like talking to yourself out loud about your problems to make them more manageable. And you'll laugh out loud at the weird looks you get," says Isabel Fernandez, who travels an hour each way to and from work.

Fill Your Tanks

Breakfast is often said to be the most important meal of the day. But when you're pressed for time, it's one of the first things you neglect to do. Prepare something healthy the night before and grab it to go in your car. That way you won't get stuck in the line at the drive-through with everyone else who decided to eat on the road.

Spiritual Growth

"I know it sounds corny, but I talk to God in the car," says Shanley. "I also do life evaluations, goal evaluations and think about the big picture questions like, 'Am I on track with my life? Why am I here? Where am I going?'"

Shanley admits he doesn't always find answers to his questions before his commute is over, but he enjoys adding what he calls a spiritual element to his drive.

"Every time someone cuts me off, instead of getting mad, I send them a blessing and a prayer," he says.

You can also think of your commute as the alone time you've been craving. Welcome it as a time to think, dream and work on your goals. No screaming kids, no nagging spouse, no barking dogs ... just you.