I can relate. I try finding new routes to extend my commute and end up riding in circles - fortunately, a state park is just north of my office and everyone rides around and around through it. My normal, 7 mile street commute is easily extended to 11.5 miles with a detour through the park, and if I go up and around the lake, i can get 22 out of it.
But, there was construction on the road to the park for a while and i was "stuck" with 7 miles each way.