By Chloe Dobinson,Ewan Gleadow

Copyright dailyrecord

A motorist gearing up for a lengthy journey was presented with a barmy alternative route by Google Maps that would have added on four hours to his travels. His trek through the High Desert and Reno, from Nevada into California, would normally take eight hours and 50 minutes at a consistent speed on Interstate 80. However, Google Maps put forward another path that would pile on four extra hours. It would have sent Twitter /X user @the_thin_air northwards towards Kennewick, Washington, only to loop back down through Bend and beyond Mount Shasta. The initial post stated: “Thinking about adding 4 hours and 200 miles to my trip tomorrow cause I hate turning.” A screenshot revealed how Google Maps presented the driver with an alternative route featuring “fewer turns” that would have taken four additional hours. Despite the extended travel time, social media users on X urged him to opt for the 12 hours and 37 minutes journey as it would provide a “breath-taking” adventure. One user commented: “Real talk that drive up through bend and through to mt. hood and the dalles is one of the most breath-taking I’ve ever done. “Especially in the warm springs reservation, just absolutely desolate and beautiful. [sic]” Some individuals stated they would opt for the route not due to the scenery, but because their vehicle was not in the best condition. “I would definitely choose that because my car can’t turn,” one commented. Another highlighted the irony of a road with “fewer turns” passing through a place named “Bend”. They quipped: “Not sure if they can still call it Bend after you take that route.” Another remarked: “The route with ‘fewer turns’ going through a city called ‘Bend’ is quite funny tho.” A final user drew attention to what seemed to be a significant bend in the route, contradicting Google Maps’ description, and noted: “Looking suspiciously like a turn here, perhaps even two.”