Are We There Yet?

When I drive to my friend's house, one road is long and it seems to take forever to get to the turn. The last time I drove that road, I looked way ahead and saw the grey house on the corner. Suddenly, even though the distance wasn't shorter, seeing the turn ahead, made it feel shorter. Why?

I think it's the same with maps. As a kid, some trips seemed endless, even though I knew to expect that. But once I learned to read a map and could plot the distance between here and the next town, suddenly an interminable drive went faster.

Have we somehow shortened the distance by bringing something of the distance up close?

Just asking.