noun

haul

A demanding journey extending over a distance.

The drive across the desert is a long, exhausting haul.

Etymology

The journey sense grows from moving a load. A long haul emphasizes the distance and effort of the transport, even when the traveler is not literally pulling something.

More examples

  • It's a two-day haul from our farm to the coast.
  • The final haul up the mountain takes three hours.
  • We're committed to this project for the long haul.

Forms

haul · hauls

Similar words

journey
Describes travel over a distance without necessarily suggesting difficulty.
trek
Usually suggests a long, difficult journey made on foot.
trip
Names travel for a purpose without emphasizing sustained effort.