The daily commute can be a tedious nightmare for area drivers.

The average ride to work for Pennsylvanians is just under 24 minutes. In New Jersey, it's 28.5 minutes. And in Delaware, workers are behind the wheel about 23 minutes.

That's not counting the trip home, NBC 10's Dawn Timmeney reported.

"It is nerve-wracking," said Jheri Cunningham, who commutes to and from work every day.

It's not just her nerves that are being affected. Each time, the back pain sufferer has a tough time climbing out of the car.

"It takes a minute to straighten up. I get out bent -- literally, bent over," Cunningham said. "It's almost like I have to have crank myself in an upright position."

Doctors said it's a common problem.

"I think we all start to see these reports that our commutes are just getting longer and longer, and because of this, I think people are finding they have more instances of low back pain simply because they're in the car so much longer," back specialist Dr. Jeff Phelps said.

The cartilage in the spine is like an organic shock absorber. The vibrations of vehicles can eventually wear that cartilage out.

"It's not unlike taking a piece of metal or a spoon and repeatedly bending that spoon back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, until that spoon fails," Phelps said. "I think the majority of people generally complain of just a core, uncomfortable tightness in their lower back after they've been in the car for 30, 45 minutes, or something like that."

That includes back pain sufferer Bill Fox.

"Which is the hardest thing for you, sitting, standing or walking?" the doctor asked.

"I commute about a half an hour, more than half an hour every day to and from work. I notice if the car seat isn't just right, it creates a lot of pressure on my back," Fox said.

Doctors said the more adjustable your driver's seat, the better. If your seats don't have lumbar support, putting a rolled towel behind your lower back can help.

If you're already suffering from back pain after your drive, check with your doctor about a physical therapy program, Timmeney reported.