Google maps (and route-finding software in general) is notorious for depending on the single the metric "find the shortest route" even when this is counterprodu

Google maps (and route-finding software in general) is notorious for depending on the single the metric "find the shortest route" even when this is counterproductive, e.g. "if you go via the side streets here - instead of straight on the main street, go left, third right, left at the stop sign and second left again, this route is 12 meters shorter. That must be faster!" This is just an extreme example of that optimisation.