The real problem is that Larian decided they wanted to make DoS 3 instead of a Baldurs Gate game, so instead of multiple segmented and distinct areas, we get a few areas that are just giant blobs of map.
When you think about it, BG 1 and 2 had 'fast travel'. You fast traveled between maps and areas of the cities. But it wasn't teleportation (for the most part). That meant random encounters, story development opportunities, etc.
