Lodi to Sac isn't outside of his metropolitan area. For a temp job to apply, the commute has to be over 50 miles. But I agree that temp job to Sch C biz is deductible. Then back home is commute.
My first CPA job was a commute from Sac to Stockton. 55 miles, and a nasty commute in fog season, which of course, coincided with tax season.