marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct; "the explanation was circuitous and puzzling"; "a roundabout paragraph"; "hear in a roundabout way that her ex-husband was marrying her best friend"
A circuitous route is long and complicated rather than simple and direct. The cabdriver took them on a circuitous route to the police station = roundabout. going from one place to another in a way that is longer than the most direct way
deviating from a straight course; "a scenic but devious route"; "a long and circuitous journey by train and boat"; "a roundabout route avoided rush-hour traffic"