long haul

1. A long distance: It is a long haul from New York to Los Angeles.
2. A long period of time: Over the long haul the candidates performed well.

Long distance. Long haul implies traversing a state or a country. Contrast with short haul.

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1.  A considerable distance over which something must travel or be carried. For example, It's a long haul from my house to yours. This usage dates from the late 1800s, as does the antonym, short haul, as in The movers charge just as much for a short haul as for a long one.
2.  A considerable length of time, an extended period, as in This investment is one for the long haul. It is often put as over the long haul, as in Over the long haul we needn't worry about production. [c. 1930] Also see in the long run.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: a journey over a long distance

Meaning #2: a period of time sufficient for factors to work themselves out
  Synonym: long run