I think it's good to experiment with various routes if you have that option. Last year I continued commuting later into the fall and winter than I had previously -- yes, I was previously more of a fair weather commuter. Because it was getting darker on my ride home I wanted to find a route on a less high speed road than I was accustomed to using.

I found another route that used more quiet, out of the way residential streets and it turned out to be a little shorter as well. I had more stop signs to stop for (yes, I am trying to get in the habit of stopping for stop signs), but so much more pleasant. I even have one short but very steep hill that I get the challenge of going up at about the halfway point on my way home. I like my new route!