Anyone has an idea on how this works? Moving between two relative closed points on horse seems faster in game time then using fast travel.
I'm curious most if fast travel takes in consideration roads or straight line between two points. Eg: I was able to go down from Throat of the World directly to Riverwood...will fast travel go on the shortest straight path and compute the game time according to that or will be calculated going down the 7000 steps stair then on roads?

Fast Travel to Whiterun. You pop up next to the Warmaiden's armory. Then Fast Travel to the Reach (the Jarls keep). Takes about 40 minutes. You can run there in less than 15 minutes.

Only thing I take in consideration is if the shops are open or not when I get there.