Garmin Nuvi 650

You probably need to change the preference to faster time.

I have tried both faster time and shorter distance

I've only used my 650 a couple of trips. didn't have problem yet. The routes were almost the same as what I found on msn map and google map.
By the way, I've updated the firmware two weeks ago.

I have a 660 and recently updated using WebUpdater. What an improvement. I would strongly recommend a regular update. That will fix a lot of problems.

Thanks for the advice, I just checked, and I have to most recent software, and I have the newest maps (though I find them lacking). I am just not sure why it would avoid freeways like it does.

I too have a 650. Mine seems to prefer freeways whenever possible.

I have my avoidences set to avoid traffic only. MIght try that and see if it makes any difference.

You do have car/motorcycle selected as vehicle type I assume?

Have you tried the route it suggested to see if it was in fact the fastest and shortest route (in theory)? Say you live south of a freeway and you are going somewhere south of the freeway as well. The GPS may calculate that going north to get on the freeway then back south to the destination will take more time then just taking back roads straight to the destination from where you are.

Try the same thing on Google Maps and see what it does. Most likely it will do the same thing. Note the travel time and distance, then click and drag the route in Google Maps to force it onto the freeways you think it should take, then check the time and distance again.