远 (traditional 遠) is the walking radical 辶 stretched by the sound 元: a distance measured in steps. Far, in a walking civilization, meant far on foot.
远 measures space and vision: 很远 (very far — the taxi-fare negotiation word), 远方 (the far-off place — where Chinese poetry keeps its longing), 永远 (forever — 'eternally far'). Confucius: 有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎 — 'friends coming from afar, is it not a joy?' — still the standard welcome-banner quote. 眼光要放远 says every mentor: set your gaze far.
A long, long walk 辶 ahead — FAR.
有朋自远方来 'a friend from afar' — Confucius's welcome line greets you at airports and school gates all over China.