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Usually shortest time. I did drive to and from Big Bend National park and took the long way home just for different scenery but 99.9% it’s shortest time
I typically will choose highway vs back roads when deciding on a route.
If I'm just looking for a scenic drive, back roads are great. But for a normal "road trip" I'll take the highway anytime.
Case in point, there's two ways to get to a big city located approximately 1.5 hours away. The route on the highway is 88 miles, the "back road" route is 68.5 miles, but the drive time is pretty much the same, depending on traffic of course.
The shorter way mileage wise is made up of very twisty and windy roads, whereas the highway route is pretty straight by comparison. Lots of changing of speed too to go around turns and such, whereas the highway maintains a consistent speed.
So for me, I'll take the route that's shorter by time and driving effort on my part.
See, I'll do just exactly the opposite, I would go for the "quality time" rather than a utilitarian drone on the highway. In good weather anyway.
I can sort the responses into guys like me who generally live in less crowded areas, and who derive at least some enjoyment from driving, particularly on twisty roads, and people who slog through traffic and bad roads, and find driving to be a chore.
Having my car break down in the worst part of the city rather than to take the beltway cured me of that.
Yeah, well, there's that.
Day-to-day, my options, literally only save a minute. So most wouldn't even debate the issue of "which route."
It's just the lights (short route) vs highway (out of the way, higher speed) issue.
Other examples might be, driving overnight, sometimes I've had to go from DC or Philly to Hampton Va or VA beach.
The shortest way is down 301.....through every nook, cranny and hamlet.
The fastest way is 95.
Or the beltway around Richmond/Petersburg, VA.
Driving, one overnight, I stayed on 95 through Richmond -- the shortest way. (50-55 mph) (got to watch out for the "man"!)
Another time, I took the beltway around, faster 65 mph (still, looking out for police).
But -- AT THAT TIME OF overnight, when there's really no traffic to speak of on the straight route which is faster?....I don't know.
I declare with the beltway being so far around, I don't know if you make up the time over the shorter route, or not.
See, I'll do just exactly the opposite, I would go for the "quality time" rather than a utilitarian drone on the highway. In good weather anyway.
I can sort the responses into guys like me who generally live in less crowded areas, and who derive at least some enjoyment from driving, particularly on twisty roads, and people who slog through traffic and bad roads, and find driving to be a chore.
I'll assume you have an M3 E30 or newer. I definitely cannot fault you for your preference towards twisty roads; driving a fun car in a straight line is rather boring.
If the short way is say 5 miles or less, stop and go, that likely won't get your motor oil up to temperature. If the long way is say 10 miles at highway speeds, you would keep your engine cleaner by going the long way, not to mention, wear on your brakes, that ain't free either.
A shorter, slower route probably will result in less tire wear though.
I don't have stats in front of me, but, I would think the risk of collision is less on the highway rather than a "downtown" type environment.
If the short way is on pothole infested roads, and the long way is on decent highways, I'll go the highway.
I'll assume you have an M3 E30 or newer. I definitely cannot fault you for your preference towards twisty roads; driving a fun car in a straight line is rather boring.
Yes, an E30. The only "real" M3, if you ask me. Or the MG-B, 1972 model. One thing about running the MG top down on the Interstate is that it gets really windy in the cab, if you have any papers lying about they will fly out of the car. It works better at 60 or below, on back roads. Preferably a back road where 60 would be a really fast pace -
Yeah, the M3 seems sort of uncomfortable at a steady 70 or 80. And wearing out good tires for no useful purpose. Even more so with the bikes, I damn near won't ride on the Interstate on a bike.
When the time is the same, sometimes I switch routes just for a change of pace -- maybe to check out a different road just to see if I like it.
After a heavy snow, I always take the roads which are most likely to be plowed, even when Google Maps tells me it will take longer. Or when I know traffic will be getting progressively heavy somewhere along one of the routes. I use my own judgement when I think Google Maps is wrong.
time.
i can buy more gas.
cannot buy any more time.
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