I suppose having the G.P.S. he did know how far and on what bearing the town was and I would guess he made the judgment call that he should strike out before his condition deteriorated to where he'd be unable. I'm not sure if they knew the distance of this "shortcut", but before you set out on a strange gravel road you'd check the local knowledge first if it was to be a great distance. I would also be alerted by the absense of directional signs.