The phenomenon you’re referring to is often called the “return trip effect.” It’s a common experience where the journey back from a destination feels shorter than the journey to get there, even when the travel times are the same. There are several psychological factors thought to contribute to this effect:

1. **Expectation**: When heading to a new location, especially if it’s unfamiliar, people often aren’t sure what to expect, which can make the initial trip feel longer. On the return trip, the route and destination are familiar, which can make the journey seem quicker.

2. **Attention**: On the way to a destination, people are more likely to pay attention to the passage of time and the details around them, especially if they are navigating or looking out for landmarks. This heightened attention can make time feel like it’s passing more slowly. On the way back, this novelty is reduced, and people may pay less attention to the passage of time, which can speed up the perceived duration of the trip.

3. **Relief and relaxation**: The return trip often has a psychological component of relief or relaxation, especially if the journey is back home. This emotional state can influence how time is perceived, often making it feel like it passes more quickly.

4. **Goal gradients**: The theory of goal gradients suggests that as we get closer to a goal (in this case, getting home), our perception of progress speeds up. This can make the latter part of the journey feel shorter than the beginning.

These psychological elements blend together to create the sensation that the return trip is quicker than the trip out, a curious aspect of how our brains perceive and measure time.