Mine is about 13.5 miles each way. I don't have many hills, but one of them is very steep.

I've been riding mostly with cleats for a very long time. I had medical foot problems, so on my podiatrist's recommendation, I moved my cleats way back, and it has helped tremendously. When I ride without cleats, I find it hard to position my feet far back on the pedals because my habits are so old. So my feet move around, and I feel a little insecure. Now cleats make me feel safer than no cleats. But to each his own. Ride whatever works for you. I've let go of the belief that cleats give an indispensable improvement in pedaling efficiency, so I don't proselytize their use any more.