Not saying the moves are right or wrong but one thing to consider is that the host site for Sectional or Regional (Semi-state for that matter) is usually not located in the center of that district. So yes in some cases the drive time may be shorter to a different host site, but that's only due to the host site being located farther from that districts "central location," as well.
It is also helpful to understand that in many areas there is only so many "main roads" that lead to the host site. Some of which are not direct point to point connections between your school and the host site. So yes, to get to the host site on those main roads it is conceivable that some schools may pass by another school district which attends a different host site on the way to their own site.
While this does not solve all the issue, looking at it that way does help show why some schools travel time has changed.