Both DH & I commuted.
I first attended our local community college, & the commute was about 15ish minutes. After I graduated from there, I transferred to our local public university, &, depending on traffic, the commute was 20-25 minutes. DH lived a little closer to the university, & his commute was about 15 minutes.
I had scholarship offers to several different colleges & universities, but I was really shy & didn't like the idea of a dorm. I was actually pre-enrolled through a scholarship at a private liberal arts college, but, over the summer prior to my freshman year, I volunteered at a kids' camp at the community college. I decided I liked the campus & wanted to stay home. Additionally, w/ my scholarship plus a tuition discount since my mom worked at the community college, I ended up actually getting a check each semester - I was getting paid to attend the community college, even after purchasing my textbooks.
However, while I loved our community college, I HATED our local public university & never felt like I meshed well or found my niche. Going from the community college to the university as a junior was like reliving freshman year all over again - but, instead of having other freshman around me, I was taking junior level classes w/ other students who had been there for 3 years & had already found their places within the university, if that makes sense.
I think, for some people, transferring from a community college to a 4 year institution works just fine - I wasn't one of those people, however! LOL!
So, based on my experience, I've told our kids that, unless they're only wanting an actual 2 year degree & have no plans to continue for a 4 year degree, they should find a 4 year college or university & enroll as a freshman.
Our DD is currently attending a private liberal arts college & commutes. Her commute is about 45 minutes each way. Our older DS is a senior in high school & thinks he wants to attend the same college that DD is attending. While I think the college is exactly right for DD, I'm worrying a bit about DS. I would love for them to be at the same college & be on the same schedule, but I just don't have the same peace about it for DS as I had for DD.