Hi - if commuting is your reason for wanting to become an abstractor - I would cold turkey that thought immediately - you will triple your time in communting on roads than in your current situation.  And as far as starting now, I would hold off even further - right now only the best and well-known abstractors with company history are lasting right now.  Last Friday I did 5 counties and literally wanted to die afterwards - that was a first - never got past 4 totally over 300 miles.  I have gone over 300 miles in a day but not to 5 counties and that does make a difference because we have lots of security here - take everything out of pockets , put purses through, etc. and finding parking at each courthouse isn't easy either when you are pushed for time.  Starting out is hard - starting out at a very difficult time would be like hanging yourself!