It depends a lot on each way of flying VFR. Some prefer going from nav points to another navpoints as VFR flight pleasure for them is to run the VFR navigation. Some prefer go DCT TO destination 
Personnaly, it depends on my type of flight. If it’s a relatively long navigation going from A to Z, I fly direct as much as trafic and airspace allow. If it’s for the pleasure of
In overcrowded airspace and for US with Bravo airspace, I don’t know if you are considering the FLY chart that give you VFR flyways designed to avoid major controlled traffic flows ? For example, in San Francisco (source Skyvector San Francisco FLY) :
The large blue arrows are suggested VFR Flyway and altitude. And the VFR transitions requiring ATC clearance are also displayed in purple emptied arrows.