More than 10,000 commuters whose journeys to work are likely to be badly delayed by major roadworks, are being urged to adopt new working patterns.
A £10m improvement programme for the A40 between the Forest of Dean and Gloucester begins on Monday.
Gloucestershire County Council is asking staff to consider car sharing, using public transport or altering working hours to avoid the jams.
Councillor Stan Waddington said the changes could be adopted permanently.
"I hope its going to change people's habits in the longer term," he said.
Boat travel
"To make it work, it will require people to adopt these different habits and having adopted them, may it'll be for the long-term, particularly the way the price of fuel's going."
Other employers have already introduced changes to cope with the expected travel misery.
Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust has made temporary buildings next to Lydney hospital available to save its health workers in the Forest commuting to Gloucester.
And one man who lives in Rodley and has a business in Quedgeley is said to be preparing to travel to work by boat from Monday.
The works include complete resurfacing, drainage improvements and new street lighting.
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