We have all said or heard someone on a car trip utter that vehicular symbol of impatience “Are we there yet?” It expresses the level of anticipation of arriving at a destination whether it be a family gathering, a movie theater or just a restaurant.

Eventually the clan bundles back into the Clark Griswold inspired family truckster and begins the drive home. While doing the physical “180” to head home eventually someone in the car will opine “Why does it always seem faster on the way back?

The feeling of getting back to your starting point quicker is called the “Return Trip Effect.” If you have experienced the sensation that despite returning on the same route you sense it was a shorter trip, you are not alone.         

There have been many participating experiments by a variety of scientists to see if they can clarify what is going on. It is interesting that regardless of the mileage of the journey, the return trip effect indicates that it feels about 20% shorter than the original drive.

The various experiments indicate that the effect is most prevalent when you are driving with anticipation to a destination. Your eyes are busy checking the scenery as you anticipate arriving. During the return trip your mind sees all the bits and pieces of scenery and buildings that you saw on the incoming trip. There’s little anticipation associated with returning to your original spot.      

Another theory suggests being unfamiliar with the trip where you are headed takes your mind off the time. Your subjective possession of time slows down resulting at the outbound journey feels longer than the return trip.

I am familiar with almost all the roads, lanes and highways that get us from one place to another. However, I often experience the return trip effect while driving to destinations in our county.

The sensation of the return trip effect that often comes to my mind deals with the Forestburg Playhouse. When my friend and I drive to see a show at the Playhouse we usually arrive when it is still daylight. After dinner and watching one of the always entertaining shows at the Playhouse, the sun has long set as we begin the ride back to Monticello. 

And even though I have been on this route hundreds of times I still marvel and express the fact that it seems so much quicker driving back to Monticello than it did driving to Forestburg. So, my theory is that the return trip effect has something to do with what you anticipate doing when you arrive at your location.

I have spoken to many of my friends who drive to and from work the same way five days a week. Of course, at this point they are familiar with everything along the way and yet there are times when the return trip still seems shorter. So, I am leaning towards anticipation as the cause. 

While you are driving to work you anticipate projects you are working on, meetings you might have and catching the coworker culprit who has been eating your morning yogurt snack. With your workday over, your return trip back home is fairly devoid of anticipation. You know that you will probably fall into your usual routine.

There have been many funded research projects that have indicated two things about the validity of the return trip effect. First of all, the sense that the return trip seems quicker is a common observation possibly associated with anticipation. Second of all, with all the problems in the world, those organizations doling out grant money should be more selective. Relax, enjoy your drive and remember that time flies when you are having fun.

Hudson Cooper is a resident of Sullivan County, a writer, comedian and actor.