The census was in spring.
Discussion
People back then would have avoided traveling during the winter, especially wisemen. I think it is more rational of a decision for Joseph and Mary to have travelled during the summer and early fall to the place where the census was to take place, shelter there for the winter, be there for the census in the spring, and then do what March was named for...beating feet.
Since the entire society wouldn't take off over half a year of work, do you have an explaination that explains specifically why Joseph and Mary would? It sounds like a huge amount of speculation with zero data.
Do you think people back then had 40 hour per week jobs with benefit packages and 401k retirement plans too?
If you have to go check in for a census, it is what it is. If she was already pregnant, they were in a delicate situation. The pregnant mother is fragile as is the mother and child post birth.
I don’t think you’re capable of thinking from the perspective of people who were living life back then. Your conceptions of how they lived are extremely tainted by your experiences living in modern times.