But commuters of the very-near future may be granted some respite by taking to the skies in a flying car.

The US company behind the concept vehicle TF-X is hoping a prototype will be ready to fly in just two years - and it will go on general sale within eight.

According to Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, a full-size unmanned prototype is expected to be ready by 2018.

The firm's concept car has fold-out wings with twin electric motors attached to each end.

These motors allow the TF-X to move from a vertical to a horizontal position, and will be powered by a 300 horsepower engine.

Thrust will be provided by a ducted fan, and the vehicle will have a cruising speed of 200 mph (322 km/h), along with a 500-mile (805 km) flight range.

Terrafugia said its aim is to provide 'true door-to-door transportation,' with the vehicle capable of being parked in a home garage like an ordinary car.

The planned four-person TF-X will be semi-autonmous and use computer-controls so that passengers can simply type in a destination before taking off.

'The TF-X operator will have final say over whether an approved landing zone is actually a safe place in which to land, and they may abort the landing attempt at any time,' the company says.