Ask HN: Is Google Maps avoiding secondary roads?

Recently when I use Google Maps it mostly provides routes using the main roads and it ignores the routes through secondary roads.

I know my local area, and when I ignore Google and turn onto the shortcut through a secondary road, the arrival time immediately drops with 5 to 10 mins.

We moved to this (more rural) area 8 months ago, so I don't know whether routing was always poor here, or whether Google changed the algorithm?

Thanks