Go over there and listen to x lines of dialog only up go back and listen to y lines of dialog only to return to the first person and listen to more…

Other games use similar mechanics at times but often not with characters that are so far apart and/or not without some kind of fast travel system that can make the whole process faster.

IMO the problem is character writing.

As an example, AC Odyssey had some great gems, like the underworld, that island intrigue quest, anything involving Phoebe, though many “mundane” quests had quirky characters too. Kassandra's VA killed it through the whole game. I still remember all that, and I remember enjoying the in-between because I loved the characters and scenery. It was such a compelling reward.

It did have filler quests though.

…If talking and exploring itself feels like a chore, then that’s the problem IMO. It shouldn’t be a low point between gameplay.