I might ride at a relaxed pace or push a bit depending on my mood, or how I feel that day. For some reason, my road bike "wants" me to ride harder, so I tend to push more when I take the road bike to work than with my usual commuter.

Also, I tend to take it easy going to work, so I don't arrive sweaty, but on a nice day I'll make a real ride of it going home, riding faster or farther. It's not rare for me to take the 40 mile route going home on my 6 mile commute.