Something else you seem to be missing is often, a lot Americans live off highways. 20 miles may only take 20 minutes of drive time. When I lived in slightly more rural area, most driving took almost exactly minute per mile. Our entire country is designed around vehicles moving at high speed. My city is wrapped in a 60 mile interstate. An unbroken loop around the city who’s speed limit is 70mph. Outside of rush hour, you can take it all the way around at 80mph without ever braking in the slightest, unless there is a slow moving car camping the passing lane.