50 Best Excuses for Being 2 Hours Late to Work (With Realistic Options)

We’ve all been there—staring at the clock, two hours behind schedule, mentally scrambling for a believable reason to tell your boss why you’re not at work yet. Whether your delay was due to traffic, a personal emergency, or just a morning that spiraled out of control, the key is having an excuse that sounds both reasonable and honest.

Here’s a list of 50 realistic, creative, and varied excuses you can use for being two hours late to work—some serious, some funny, and some completely valid for the modern workplace.

Transportation and Travel-Related Excuses

1. There was an unexpected accident on the highway, and traffic was completely stopped.
2. My car wouldn’t start and I had to wait for a jump from roadside assistance.
3. I missed my usual bus/train and had to wait for the next one.
4. There was a flat tire and I had to pull over and replace it.
5. I got stuck behind a major road closure and had to reroute across town.
6. Public transit was delayed due to mechanical issues.
7. My Uber/Lyft driver canceled last minute, and it took forever to get a new ride.
8. The weather created hazardous driving conditions.
9. I was pulled over for a minor traffic violation and it delayed me.
10. My GPS took me the long way around due to construction and detours.

Personal or Health-Related Excuses

11. I wasn’t feeling well this morning and needed time to assess if I could come in.
12. I had a sudden migraine and needed to wait until the medication kicked in.
13. I had an allergic reaction and had to take antihistamines before driving.
14. I accidentally took nighttime cold medicine instead of daytime and overslept.
15. I had unexpected stomach issues this morning.
16. My anxiety was flaring and I needed extra time to ground myself before leaving.
17. I had a dizzy spell and didn’t want to risk driving until I felt stable.
18. I had a doctor’s appointment that ran much longer than expected.
19. I had to take care of a personal hygiene issue that couldn’t wait.
20. I had to wait for a prescription refill that couldn’t be postponed.

Family and Household-Related Excuses

21. My child was sick and I had to arrange backup care last minute.
22. My pet had an emergency and needed immediate attention.
23. There was a plumbing issue at home I had to handle urgently.
24. I got locked out of my house and had to wait for someone to bring a spare key.
25. A power outage reset all my alarms and I overslept.
26. My babysitter canceled and I had to find a last-minute solution.
27. My elderly parent needed unexpected assistance this morning.
28. I had to stay home until a repair technician arrived for a time-sensitive issue.
29. The smoke alarm went off unexpectedly and I had to double-check everything was safe.
30. My neighbor had an emergency and I stayed to help until someone else arrived.

Work-Related or Administrative Excuses

31. I was on a work call from home that ran over unexpectedly.
32. I was dealing with an urgent email issue before I left.
33. I got caught in a long conversation with a client and lost track of time.
34. I thought I was scheduled to start later today.
35. I accidentally set my alarm for PM instead of AM.
36. I misread the calendar and thought today was a remote workday.
37. I had to stop by another work site before coming in.
38. There was a scheduling mix-up with my shift start time.
39. I needed extra time to prepare for a critical meeting this morning.
40. I was waiting on access to the building after being locked out.

Lighthearted and Less Conventional Excuses

41. My coffee machine broke and I couldn’t function without caffeine right away.
42. I spilled something on my clothes and had to change multiple times.
43. I got caught in a deep cleaning spiral and lost track of time.
44. I was up all night with a crying baby—mine or a neighbor’s.
45. I had a major wardrobe malfunction and had to fix it before leaving.
46. My phone died overnight, and my backup alarm didn’t go off.
47. I had a vivid dream I was already at work—then realized I wasn’t.
48. My cat wouldn’t come inside and I couldn’t leave it out in the rain.
49. I forgot it was a weekday and thought it was Saturday.
50. I saw my ex at the coffee shop and needed extra time to emotionally recover.

Tips for Using These Excuses

Not every excuse works in every work environment. Here are a few quick tips to help you communicate your delay professionally:

• Be honest when you can. Truth almost always builds more trust than fiction.
• Own your responsibility. Acknowledge the delay and express your commitment to your job.
• Don’t over-explain. Keep your excuse short and respectful. Avoid drama unless necessary.
• Offer a solution. Let your employer know how you plan to make up for lost time or minimize disruption.

Final Thoughts

Being late happens—it’s human. What matters most is how you handle it. With a little honesty, humility, and a solid excuse in your back pocket, you can show up late without throwing off your entire day or your reputation.

Whether your delay is due to life chaos or a true emergency, the right words can make a big difference. And remember: your boss is human too. They’ve probably been late once or twice themselves.