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Cassidy keeps himself occupied on the road talking by phone to his wife, kids and extended family, who all live within about 15 minutes of each other in West Virginia. If it’s past bedtime, he turns to books on tape and National Public Radio.

Still, he suspects the monotonous, autonomous hours are getting to him.

“I’ve developed this crazy, crazy habit of talking to myself when I’m in the car, and I don’t necessarily stop when I get around other people sometimes,” he said.

The commute also has taken a toll on his health. Once an avid exerciser, Cassidy now can only summon the energy for an occasional 15 minutes on the exercise bike. He estimates he has gained 20 pounds from his habit of eating out, often in his car.