Cat is lost

Question
Good Evening

Last Tuesday night I got a new cat.  It is 3 yrs old and came from a home about 3 miles away and the owners were moving abroad.
The next day (and I've no idea how) the cat had gone.  We have put up posters, put fliers through letter boxes, alerted the postmen, local shops and schools but absolutely no-one has seen this cat. Ads on two local radio stations and the local paper.
He was not a happy camper when we got him  home and I realised then he  was missing its family and house.
Is it likely that he is trying to get back to his old home?  If so, will he go as the crow flies or will he take detours along the way? Terrain is woods and field and he can skirt round a housing estate. There are two roads to cross.  One not too bad, and the one near his old home is a dual carriageway. Is he likely to be travelling at night?
Or is he more likely to be holed up in a garden nearby?
As we have had no response, but people I have spoken to are all keeping an eye out, it makes me think we are looking in the wrong places.

If going home how long will it take him to travel the three miles?
I feel so reponsible for his loss and am desperate to find him as his previous owners are distraught and so am I.
Please reply to my e-mail address asap.
I have had cats since 1975 and have never lost one until now.
Each one is so precious.
Your advice much appreciated.
Kind Regards
Susan

Answer
Hi Susan.  Try not to take this too personally.  It happens to the best of us.  It's happened to me, too.  Twice with the same cat!  It's highly likely he's finding his way back home.  

My cat was a few miles from our old home when he snuck out and started his journey back.  He was missing an entire month, and we thought for sure he was gone for good.  But one day, the person who moved into our old home called and said there was a cat who had taken up residence in their garage, and could he be ours.  Sure enough, when we took a look, it was him!  He was raggedy and skinny, but happy to see us!  A couple months later, he escaped again.  This time it took him less than a week to get to the old home.  The new residents called us once again, and we finally found a way to escape-proof the house.

Cats are generally most active at dawn and dusk, when there is SOME light, but the temperature is not too hot for exercise.  Don't forget that they sleep about 14 hours a day and also take the time to eat up to 11 meals, so this will take much time out of the day for him to be traveling.

It's found that tomcats who are microchipped for surveillance will typically travel about one to two miles a day when actively in search of a female.  Hunting and relaxation are not priorities to them.  Cats who are not so driven will usually travel less quickly, deviate from the path often, and stop to smell the roses, so to speak.  About 1/2 mile a day is typical.

I wouldn't give up hope!  It's very possible he's just taking his time.  Cats have a magnetized cluster of cells in their brains that makes it virtually impossible for them to get lost when they're traveling such a short distance as three miles.