Distance is one of the factors into determining the Pathfinder obstacle, although it is abstracted.
Pathfinder Factors
Destination: Nearby, a short journey, a long journey, remote or isolated
The GM should choose which of these seems most relevant. There's no explicit speed listed or distances involved. The map doesn't even have a scale.
Refer to the conflict rules as to when travel might be a conflict.
Sometimes a moment is so important, we need to stop and focus on it.
In the game, we use conflicts to create those intense, detailed situations. These are the turning points of a story. Use them for big, important moments.
A conflict scene needs active opponents on at least two sides. Each side must want something. They have to have an immediate goal.
For example, it's not just getting there, but getting there before the weather turns bad leaving you stranded or worse, or in time to deliver the medicine before more mice die, or with the dignitary's safety in mind.
(All quotes from the first edition.)