Why did European explorers use the Gulf Stream on return voyages from the Americas?

European explorers utilized the Gulf Stream on their return voyages from the Americas because it formed a critical part of the natural, clockwise-rotating circulation system of the North Atlantic Ocean.12

While explorers relied on the steady, westward-flowing northeasterly trade winds to reach the Americas, they took advantage of the Gulf Stream and the prevailing westerly winds of the North Atlantic to facilitate their return trips to Europe. By aligning their navigation with these established current and wind patterns, seafarers could optimize their travel efficiency across the ocean.2