Since airing, the episode has received mostly positive reviews from television critics. Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, the authors of the book "I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide", called it "a very good, very assured episode that has seen some viewers (particularly female ones) tearing out their hair at the conclusion". Nathan Rabin of "The A.V. Club" praised the episode, stating: "There would be many funnier and faster episodes of "The Simpsons" but few can match "Life on the Fast Lane" for emotional depth and characterization." IGN named Albert Brooks' guest performance in this episode, along with his four other appearances, the best guest appearance in the show's history.