Why does my GPS take me totally different directions on the way to and from a place?

For example, I went on a job interview that was an hour away today and the directions the GPS gave me for the way there and the way home were completely different. Also, I have used my GPS to go to a friend's new house a few times, each time leaving from my house, and the GPS took me a different route every time. This doesn't make sense to me. I also feel like it takes me a very round-about way sometimes instead of sending me on the quickest way. Why is this?|||Since we don't know the make/model of your GPS, we can't get into specifics.





GPS units may indeed compute different routes coming and going. The speed limits in opposing lanes or the number of stops or expected traffic may be different. There may be one lane roads. If you have a unit that includes traffic or time of day updates, that'll factor in, too.|||GPS satellites are only used to calculate your current location. Then the "best" route is calculated using the receiver's software based on your current location and any preferences you have set. So, any differences in the route when going the opposite direction are caused entirely by the receiver's software. The location of the satellites in the sky does not affect how the route is planned, they are only used to figure out where you are on Earth.





I don't own a GPS unit, but I've noticed from experience with the routes the receivers tend to pick can be a little funky. Annoying, huh?|||Mine occasionally does the same thing. Usually on shorter trips. Depends on where the sats are when you enter the trip data.|||Your GPS has it in for you. I'd keep away from it!|||its where you are and the fix from the satellites //its always the shortest route from where you are/if you know the route start on your own and it will correct itself//i do it all the time because i dont want to go on a certain street etc