It's a funny old world.
We regularly travel between Occupied North Berkshire and daughter who lives in Letchworth (Garden City). Quickest route is M40 / M25 / A1, but sometimes we go North-about via Milton Keynes just for a laugh and to enjoy the roundabouts.
Likewise, son and daughterinlaw and the two mini-triquets live in York and we have developed a huge portfolio of routes and stopping places to keep us entertained, particularly in view of the ludicrous M1 road works. With a good road atlas you can sneer at the stupid Satnavs and take to the byeways ....