Of Gondorians and Rohirrim...

[The Might]

The road chose by Isildur, north next to the Vales of the Anduin, then crossing the High Pass.

It was a long journey, but the only other way, west and then north to the road-meeting in Arnor, and then east to Imladris, was far longer. 6 As swift, maybe, for mounted men, but he had no horses fit for riding; 7 safer, maybe, in former days, but Sauron was vanquished, and the people of Vales had been his allies in victory. He had no fear, save for weather and weariness, but these men must endure whom need sends far abroad in Middle-earth. 8

Also check the notes for exact descriptions of the distance that would have been saved.