Wa `alaykum as-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

There is no problem to shorten prayers upon taking the longer of two routs provided that it is for reason such as the fact that this route is easier to take or safer or one wants to pass by a friend according to the view of Shafi`i scholars. This is confirmed in Nawawi’s Minhaj (p. 44). They stated that if he did it for a permissible reason, it is sufficient to do the concession that Allah has facilitated for him.

Allah Almighty knows best.