living in SoCal north of San Diego...getting anywhere was the long route an hour to downtown, 45 minutes to ASB, two hours to LA, 30 minutes to Corona, 45-50 minutes to Ontario, an hour to the coast via the Ortega Hwy, an hour plus to Big Bear...
I frequently set my GPS to take the shortest route, not necessarily the fastest. This will sometimes take you over some interesting "roads" - which in the Mountain of NC, can be quite an adventure.
Not usually.
When I first got a bike... yes, everyday. Never went straight home.
Now, I commute directly and ride on the weekends to wander.
Although, I did have to renew my license one day while off work... so I rode to a small town 2hrs away, taking the scenic route... to "avoid the lines at the busy Houston DMV". Totally worth it.
it all depends. if i plan on a long ride, ill plan it out. otherwise if im on my way home from work i just might take a longer route just for the hell of it.