Science

Have You Ever Wondered Why the Return Trip Home Seems Faster?

You’re about 30 minutes into a family road trip, though it feels like an hour and you inevitably hear “Are we there yet?” Ah, the question dread by all parents. But have you ever noticed that this question is less frequently asked when you’re on your way back home?

You may have attributed this to the fact that you’ve already seen the landmarks along the way before, giving you a point of reference, or maybe shear exhaustion from the end of a family trip. But in all seriousness, whether the trip is taken by plane, train or automobile and whether the length is long or short, a researcher says the “return trip effect” is a real phenomenon and thinks he can pinpoint its cause: pessimism.

NPR has the story:

Niels van de Ven, a psychologist at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, says the conventional wisdom is the trip back seems shorter because it’s more familiar, so people recognize landmarks. “And that might help to increase the feeling of speed, of how fast you travel,” he says.

But that didn’t seem right to him. “When I take, for example, an airplane, I also have this feeling, and I don’t recognize anything on my way, of course. When I look out of the window, I don’t see something I recognize,” van de Ven says. [...]

“Often we see that people are too optimistic when they start to travel,” he says. So when they finish the outbound trip, they feel like it took longer than they expected. That feeling of pessimism carries over to when they’re ready to return home. “So you start the return journey, and you think, ‘Wow, this is going to take a long time.’”

But just as initial optimism made the trip out feel longer than expected, this pessimism starting back makes the trip home feel shorter.

Other psychologists think pressure to arrive at your destination on time influences how long you think it takes. When you’re returning home, you don‘t have the stress of getting there on time and therefore feel like it’s a shorter trip.

Comments (77)

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  • Dustyluv
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:07pm

    For those that have wondered if you are flying East you will arrive sooner than if you fly West…Why? The Earth moves dumbass…

    Report Post »  
    • mrqstixx
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:33pm

      Your the dumbass.

      Report Post »  
    • neidermeyer
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:49pm

      If you’re referring to East Coast USA to West Coast USA , e==>w is far longer than w==>e due to headwinds. The earths rotation has nothing to do with it.. prevailing winds matter and they change roughly every 30 degrees of latitude .

      Report Post » neidermeyer  
    • DDD
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:44pm

      It’s called a “tail wind” idiot.

      Report Post »  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 9:23am

      If you’re talking about time zones, you are backward. From West to East you go forward in time, East to west, you go back.

      Report Post »  
    • MadhatterL7
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:07am

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_stream

      Report Post » MadhatterL7  
    • MadhatterL7
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:13am

      neidermeyer-Although I don’t think this is what he was going with. The Earths movement does indeed have something to do with Jet streams. So in a round about way. His comment has some validity.

      Report Post » MadhatterL7  
    • Tom K
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 4:15pm

      DUSTYLUV: The earth rotates EAST, so flying East the earth is turning in the same direction that you are traveling; what a drag. However, when flying West, the Eastward moving earth is moving away and behind you so you are gaining ground mileage faster. For this experiment, both the Eastbound and Westbound aircraft are going the same speed.( Let’s not even get into flying West at the speed of light and arriving at your departure point BEFORE you left ! ) YIKES !

      Report Post »  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 9:01pm

      @TomK
      That doesn’t happen.

      @Dustyluv
      In fact the earth‘s rotation has no effect on travel time because in the same way you don’t notice it spinning when you’re standing on the ground you also wont notice it in the air. Throwing a ball straight up ends with that ball coming straight down (tangential velocity is maintained). So, when a plane takes off going east or west, it’s going the same relative speed to the surface of the earth.

      Wind currents are the things that make travel times different (which is caused in part by the rotation of the earth, but also by temperature and pressure differentials). If we removed all the air from the earth and sent planes in to different directions they would crash into one another on the exact other side of the planet.

      Science.

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
  • Country
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:04pm

    A psychologist had to figure that out for us?

    Report Post »  
    • rockstone
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:16pm

      Must have been the grant money. I’m starting to think that the kookier the study, the more money you get with the least amount of hassle.

      “Oh… you want to find out why gay men lisp? Yes…. we’ll fund that… how much do you need?”

      Report Post » rockstone  
  • Bernard
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:57pm

    I have noticed this with my Scottie (now long passed away) when returning home would be asleep but the moment I enter the state I live, he would wake up and smell the air. This doggie knew that he was coming home by simply smelling the air and knowing the difference.

    Report Post »  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:26pm

    Watch scenery going and sleep most of time coming home (no I wasn’t driving)

    Report Post »  
  • USAqh
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:01pm

    Pessimism sure isn’t making the last year and a half of Obama go any faster …

    Report Post » USAqh  
  • PoleSitter
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:15pm

    Neurochemistry/Neurospychology is pretty clear on this phenomenon… when you take a long trip, especially some place you don’t typically go, the trip is “novel” and the brain works harder to interpret places, events, landmarks, etc. One the way home, you‘ve already processed most of it so you’re brain goes a bit passive and you just let the time pass… Example: When you drive to work, sometimes it’s so *automatic* you don’t even remember driving. You’ve long since mentally processed the trip… noting only those things *different* (signs, new construction, etc.).

    Not Pessimism… sheesh! That neurophysiology is completely different.

    [Note: this also explains why you're more tired at night when traveling, especially to new cities.]

    Report Post »  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:07pm

    It doesn’t. Usually the opposite if anything.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • justafollower
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:54pm

    I respectfully disagree. I would attribute it to anticipation primarily, and exhaustion secondarily. The high level of anticipation makes getting there feel like it takes forever. The trip is full of new experiences and memories. This is often coupled with lack of sleep and improper diet. On the trip home, there is little anticipation of any new experience so, mentally there is no reason for excitement. Secondly, you much less mentally aware on the return trip, making the passing of miles seamless.

    That’s my theory, probably more accurate and provable in the setting of some “major study.” But, I doubt The Blaze will every quote me. lol

    Report Post » justafollower  
    • neidermeyer
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:53pm

      I’d put forward the proposition that the return trip IS shorter in time as you have on the outbound leg discovered all the tricks as far as detours and what roads were the “wrong” ones to take… heading towards a familiar destination reduces the errors made , especially in the critical final hour or two when you’re on smaller/slower roads and making critical routing decisions.

      Report Post » neidermeyer  
  • blownaway
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:28pm

    Family Truckster… cool!

    Report Post » blownaway  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:25pm

    If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.
    Yogi Berra

    Report Post » biohazard23  
    • ecurbyy
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:11pm

      Yogi said some great things. One of my favorites is, “This is the earliest I’ve ever been late”.

      Report Post » ecurbyy  
  • swampbuck
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:03pm

    I live in Roswell GA and own hunting land near Savannah TN which is 6 hours away.. The first two trips up that way always seem long, but after a few trips the drive seems to get shorter and shorter…

    Report Post » swampbuck  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:29pm

    Lol, my comment got removed!!! I said:

    “Anyone ever wonder why 6 socks go into the washer and only 3 come out?”

    And it got removed! Way to go Blaze. I truly thank you for that. I started out a year ago enjoying this site because it was relevant news on the conservative front that brought like minded posters together. I enjoyed the comments and had many good conversations. Then the articles started getting inane. Like this one. Then the trolls started showing up, like Encinom/Monicne/Rycom/clive or the other 20 identities this single troll goes by. Okay…A little less serious but still fun enough I suppose…Then the spammers show up selling ipads for $30 in every post…

    And now my innocent comment above gets removed? Why? Because it is off topic? Like this silly news(?) article is even a topic to begin with? Like anyone is going to come up with a relevant comment to this excuse of a story?

    Really?

    Report Post »  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:52pm

      I hear ya. The blaze put up a story the other day about farts, and I thought how silly! So I made a silly little comment (nothing vulgar) not off topic and it was removed!

      So I’m beginning to wonder if this is turning more into a tabloid than a conservative site. I found an interesting article on fox the other day about Obama suing a trucking for firing an alcoholic driver http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/02/government-sues-trucking-company-for-taking-keys-away-from-alcoholic-driver/ And yet that story never made it here. But fart stories, Dutch researchers, and brawls at Ihop seem to be the norm.

      Report Post » KickinBack  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:53pm

      The basis by which the Blaze Thought Police remove posts is totally subjective on the part of those who screen them. I’ve seen it many times. You can post a well thought out comment that gets removed for no apparent reason. Then there are the comment’s which are permitted which are vulgar, profane and threatening which they choose to leave. They claim to have “comment policy” but those policies are vague, allowing for the censers to be totally subjective depending on their mood of if they got some the night before. They will put stories on the sight which inflame the readers passions. But then they will remove comments which those stories provoked. The Blaze censors are a bunch of hypocrites who, I believe, purposely try to enrage commentators. I also believe they have a list of people to give extra attention to, of whom I am one. So don’t feel alone in your frustration.

      Report Post »  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:57pm

      @Kickinback

      Tabloid…???? I’ve had those same thoughts.

      Report Post »  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:06pm

      Propaganda

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:15pm

      I have actually wondered if our favorite troll or trolls, (I still haven’t quite figured out of the encinom camp and the beckisnuts camp are one or two separate people), are actually SUPPORTED by the Blaze for some reason or another! It seems that this troll has gotten away with way too much when a simple IP check would determine where all these posts are coming from.

      Don’t get me wrong, I actually like trolls, they are stupidly entertaining, but the games get old. I do not understand why The Blaze has not put an end to this but they have banned and censored good conservatives that want to take this site seriously.

      Anyway, it is what it is and no one is forced to come here. I just find it a shame that what started out as a decent site has ended up like this. I suppose it was inevitable though…

      Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:22pm

      Captain Crunch writes:

      “They will put stories on the sight which inflame the readers passions. But then they will remove comments which those stories provoked. The Blaze censors are a bunch of hypocrites who, I believe, purposely try to enrage commentators.”

      ———————————————————————-

      These are my thoughts and my conclusion EXACTLY! I am sure there are a great many of us that feel the same. Take note Blaze, this is what you have become.

      Report Post »  
    • J-Law
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:41pm

      Between the inanity of some of the articles, the simple reposting of AP stories (really? You think I just want a conservative site to get my AP liberal slant from?) and the extremely non-user-friendliness of the site, I maintain my suspicion that someone is trying to take it down from the inside. I said tabloid long ago.

      Report Post »  
    • justafollower
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:03pm

      Wonder if GB will notice this thread or if maybe He’s too busy playing 1 of the “two prophets.” ooooooh. that hurt. I’m jus playin tho. I love Glenn and what he’s trying to accomplish. But many that read this will know what I’m saying.

      Report Post » justafollower  
    • outsidethebox
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:15pm

      The Blaze has just turned into another TMZ. I liked it when it first came out because it just reported the news, but it’s just gotten to be the same as the other news networks. They just bash everyone that has different beliefs or is of a different political party, etc. That‘s why I’m neither Republican or Democrat, I’m “outsidethebox”.

      Report Post » outsidethebox  
    • squeaker
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 7:14pm

      @trolltrainer – so what happened to the other 3 socks…? lol

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:55pm

      I‘m not sure it’s The Blaze editors causing some of the posts to fail. I think it might be that their servers are overwhelmed at times. If you take into account all the GB fans, all the GB haters and
      all the rest it might just be a bandwidth issue during peak times.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 2:18am

      @Squeaker “so what happened to the other 3 socks…?”

      Obama is redistributing them. Next it will be the shirt off Trolltrainers back.

      Report Post »  
  • Carolina Infidel
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:20pm

    I just figure life sucks so whenever I want to get somewhere it takes forever and whenever I don’t want to go somewhere time flies by. Here’s to pessimism!

    Report Post »  
  • SREGN
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:17pm

    No matter where you go, there you are.

    Report Post »  
  • Uncurable wound
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:17pm

    sock monsters,they make my life h.e.ll

    Report Post »  
  • YepImaConservative
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:14pm

    I’m not sure about this study. When travelling to work it feels like it takes forever. When travelling home it feels like an eternity. Damn traffic!

    Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • Tear Em Up
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:13pm

    I Imagine our recovery, once we get a new administration in place, will feel faster than this downhill slide has felt….

    http://traffic.libsyn.com/mikeleeandterrymartin/Number_79_September_4th_2011.mp3

    Report Post » Tear Em Up  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:12pm

    Personally when I am going somewhere or back home, it takes forever — I just want to get there and enjoy the time I have availible. The best thing for me is when I am gone anywhere, no cell phone or other ways for anyone to reach me, complete comm blackout, and loving it.
    http://artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (cat folk art)

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • justafollower
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:58pm

      that is hilarious that you say that @SnowLeopard because you seem like the type that spends much of the day on the net. You probably are like me and spend an hour a day or more on The Blaze =) It’s ok we see the comments… we know your a comm junkie. =P But, I always enjoy your comments. Here’s to the occasional comm blackout. (*cheers*)

      Report Post » justafollower  
  • mdalton_5117
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:10pm

    I think it has to do with the rotation of the earth. Of course it’s faster to travel against the spin that with it. Duh!

    Let’s see how many more silly theories we can cook up.

    Report Post » mdalton_5117  
    • izzy1127
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:17pm

      LOL Hey, you might have something there worth putting a few billion dollars in researching. I’ll be glad to help. A nice comfortable ride is all I require, and 5 star hotels of course………… Maybe a nice looking assistant wouldn’t be too much to ask for….. Yeah, that sounds nice, huh….. Oh, and maybe an office in NYC and LA. And would probably need a descent apartment in both cities, and maybe a house in the middle of the fly over states, with a pool……… Not too much to ask for…….. However, the more you have to look forward too, the better the results I would think…………….

      Report Post »  
  • Exrepublisheep
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:09pm

    Washer tax.

    Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:08pm

    I have never ever seen a baby pigeon?
    And another thing – where does the leather go when worn off of shoes?

    Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:07pm

    I don’t care why .. I can’t wait to go home from my summer in the DEPRESSING state of Michigan .. my old home state. I pray the trip home feels shorter than the LONG trip here.

    Report Post »  
  • RobArtRees
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:05pm

    Wouldn’t it be great if the Obama administration could commission a study like this to create jobs in America? If the American study comes to the same conclusions as the Netherlands study, would it be a conclusive scientific theory?

    Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:02pm

    I think the boys got it right.
    Getting my cloths off before sex seems like forever.
    But putting them back on and out the door – like a rocket!

    Report Post »  
  • YepImaConservative
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:01pm

    Lmao!

    Report Post » YepImaConservative  
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