Route planning in an open world is about keeping options visible. You do not need to clear every location on the first pass.
Mark unresolved locations
Save places you want to revisit so changing direction does not mean losing track of progress.
Use detours to build strength
Side exploration can improve equipment and resources without forcing a difficult encounter.
Leave when progress stalls
If attempts are repeating without useful learning, another route may be more productive.
Return after meaningful upgrades
Old obstacles are useful benchmarks for testing whether your build and understanding have improved.