RE: GPS routing
Keep in mind that the GPS is going to select either the shortest or fastest
route, depending on what you select in the various menu options.  And if you
select an option such as 'Avoid Major Highways' you will get a really
obscure backroads 'up the alley' type route.  This happened to me one time
when I'd accidentally selected 'Avoid Main Highways'  and produces a good
laugh.
Here is a another example that I've see twice now.  When passing through
Reno, south bound, my GPS kept trying to take me off the freeway and through
town on surface streets.  That was the shortest route.  Since I knew the
road I ignored it but it kept trying to reroute me that way.  After I got to
the point where the surface streets were no longer the shortest route the
GPS quit bitching at me and told me to continue on on the highway I was on.
In another case the GPS wanted me to take a toll road that I didn't want to
take.  Consequently I was routed through a very high traffic area that I
could have avoided.  This was in an area that I'd driven several times
before but by the time I realized what was happening it was to late to take
what would have been a quicker route (considering traffic).  And at the same
time I was experimenting with allowing the GPS to select the route.  So
lesson learned and passed on to you.