I think the intent was for GMs to feel free abstracting long trips if they felt that making PCs roll 5 days in a row felt silly. You don’t have to abstract it at all if you have things for the PCs to interact with on the way.

I feel like maps are similar to travel diaries, in that they are useful tools that should be filled in by the players. I suppose Andy and I can write up something about how to use the map sheets that come with the game, but I don’t know how useful it would be. What sort of guidance are you looking for?

There are more detailed rules about maps and using them to plot out adventures in future supplements, maybe that’s what you’d like to hear about?