[adolph]

Yes, this specific specific duration has to do with the choice of launch vehicle. (No shade for any particular program as all have different tradeoffs and I'm gratified to see the probe successfully on its way.)

The SLS option would have entailed a direct trajectory to Jupiter taking less than three years. ... The move to Falcon Heavy saved an estimated US$2 billion in launch costs alone. NASA was not sure an SLS would be available for the mission since the Artemis program would use SLS rockets extensively, and the SLS's use of solid rocket boosters (SRBs) generates more vibrations in the payload than a launcher that does not use SRBs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_Clipper

[foobarbecue]

Wow, I had forgotten the SLS plan was that much faster.