[SixOfSpades]

I think that, over long walks, it's pretty much random who gets there first, as the game puts the same amount of effort into pathfinding for each of your party members. Whoever bumps into the most stuff gets there last, I suppose--but when it so happens that your Mage was the one to blunder headfirst into a nest of Sword Spiders, you tend to remember that episode a lot more vividly than if it had been your Tank.

Either A) Have the map completely memorized, so nothing nasty's going to jump out & surprise you, B) Scout ahead, or C) Put the Boots of Speed on your Tank, and your Mage won't blunder into anything ever again.