itch.io

It's not, (maybe it could be through grinding, but i don't think it's worth it) but you can go straight from the starter area to Santorini and save time for exploring the new area.

The tunnel benefits from time reduction when used both ways, and there's one less step where you don't have to first drive away from Laurion before setting course. Since from Talos it's one button press.

In other words, the road has less traffic lights and is smoother /higher speed limit. And, narratively, the route taken by the crew didn't have the benefit of cheaty time loop hax to perfect it.