If most of commute involves the backroads it can be rather relaxing.
Some people dedicate their free time and spare days to go on cruises just to hit the back roads and it should be a pleasure to do it daily on your way to work.
A highway commute on the other hand is a chore, especially in traffic or if you care for your license.
However time spend in a car is not always a waste of time, especially us being car guys.
If you’re seriously worried about the time you spend and lack of benefit from it, get some books on tape/CD that could actually teach you a think or two.
Think about it, one hour each way, two hours a day, ~700 hours a year to learn something.