[allovernow]

Unlikely. Usually a suboptimal route is chosen when there's traffic somewhere else. Sometimes traffic might clear up after the path is chosen. Its an appropriate theory though, given that this is Google we're talking about.

[perl4ever]

There is a class of routes I take, which involve going through a cross street between two east-west roads. Google Maps sometimes directs me to take one that does not end in a traffic light, which would leave me at a stop sign trying to make a left onto a major road across traffic. The last time I was stuck in that position, I basically made a right and then a U-turn.