Long-Distance Friendships That Last: How to Stay Close When You’re Far Apart
- Friendship Appreciation Team
- Jul 4
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 27
Sometimes, life sends you and your bestie in different directions—literally. But you don’t need to be physically close to feel close. Long-distance friendships are proof that meaningful connections endure all challenges, including geographical separation.
When done right, long-distance friendships can be just as rewarding as those with your in-town buddies. Sometimes, they’re even more fulfilling because the time you do spend together is focused and high-quality. But how can you nurture ties and navigate distance and friendship? We’ve got ideas for a sustained miles-apart bond.
What Is a Long-Distance Friendship?
A long-distance friendship is more than just knowing someone who lives more than a quick drive away; it’s a meaningful connection you share with someone, despite geographical separation. You can feel your connection through phone calls, texts, and simple voice memos.
When you are lucky enough to reunite? It’s as if you were never apart. You instantly fall into rhythm with each other and enjoy a deep sense of comfort. Though long-distance friendships take more work than traditional friendships, they can certainly be worth it.
Why Are Long-Distance Friends Important?
There’s a good chance you and your besties won’t remain in the same place forever. So, if you want to enjoy bonds that last a lifetime, you’ll need to adapt to the distance. You’ll be glad you did, because a friendship from afar provides plenty of perks.
Emotional support. When times get tough, talking to a friend who’s seen you through thick and thin can be immensely soothing. Even if that person is miles away, they’re always just a phone call away.
Focused friendship. It’s easy to take local friends for granted. Long-distance friends, however, require your full focus, leading to more meaningful interactions and a stronger bond.
The toughest of ties. Friendships built on convenience (like physical proximity) don’t usually last. But long-distance bonds are built on shared values, which can keep a friendship alive, from miles away.
Many friendships become long-distance at some point. If you’re willing to put in the work to keep them going, the payoff can be priceless.
What Are the Common Challenges in Long-Distance Friendships?
If you’ve ever had a long-distance friendship, or even relatives who lived far away, you know it’s not always easy to maintain a bond across the miles. Between different time zones and different schedules, most remote relationships face these challenges:
Scheduling difficulties. Finding time for a phone call that fits everyone’s calendars can be a struggle. Between jobs, family obligations, and in-person social engagements, scheduling that catch-up session can take a few tries.
Digital fatigue. Talking through a screen isn’t as relaxing as in-person conversations are. Even if you have the time for a video call, sometimes, you might not feel like staring into a device.
Misreading the room. Vibes don’t always translate through the phone. Body language, facial expressions, and overall energy are things we often only pick up on in person. So sometimes, you might not fully understand how your long-distance friend is feeling.
Planning visits is costly and complex. Whose turn is it to make the trip? Whose home is most equipped for visitors? Is one person more financially capable of traveling than the other? These are questions that just don’t come up with in-town buddies.
Missing out on the minutiae. Because time together is so rare, you have to make it count with special outings and exciting activities. But, that means your far-away friend misses out on the minutia of your life—and there’s value in those moments, too.
Your connection might be without borders, but it won’t be without challenges. Understanding that long-distance friendships won’t feel the same as local ones can help manage expectations.
What Is Important to Maintaining a Long-Distance Friendship?
Maintaining long-distance friendships is a skill. And, like with any skill, practice makes (almost) perfect. Prioritizing communication, managing expectations, and making the most of in-person time are essential for nurturing long-distance bonds.
How Can You Prioritize Communication With Your Long-Distance Friend?
Talking regularly isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible, either. Here are ways to ensure you don’t let too much time pass between catch-up sessions.
Maintain a check-in routine. Deciding you’ll talk “Whenever works” usually leads to rarely talking. Commit to a routine, whether it’s the same day and time every day, week, or month.
Commit to your calls. Treat your phone call appointment with as much respect as you’d treat an in-person meetup. Don’t let other obligations/invitations take up that time slot. That’s how one week without talking quickly turns into one year.
Keep a list of highlights. So much can happen between phone calls. Keep a little journal where you write down the highlights, so you don’t forget to share them with your bestie.
Pictures are worth a thousand words. When you don’t have time for a call, send your friend photos from your big moments (like vacations or milestones). It helps them feel like they’re a part of your life.
Making catch-up sessions a priority will help you and your long-distance friend feel connected.
How Do You Set Expectations in Friendship From a Distance?
Setting expectations early on is important for any relationship, but especially for long-distance friendships. You don’t want your bestie to misinterpret a lapse in communication as a conflict. Here’s how to get on the same page.
Be open about communication constraints/needs. If you don’t like talking on the phone weekly, tell your friend that. If you love a daily text, tell them that, too! Sharing how and how often you like to chat sets you both up for success.
Accept flexibility. Some days are busier than others. Even with your routine calls, there might be days you or your friend are too wiped out to chat. It’s okay to admit that, and not to take it personally when your friend needs a break.
Prepare to adapt to life’s changes. From new jobs to new family members, life’s changes might call for a new communication schedule. So adapt, and extend your friend some grace when her schedule shifts.
Long-distance friendships evolve, just like local ones. Going with the flow of these changes is the best way to keep your connection alive.
How Can You Make the Most of In-Person Visits?
Time with your long-distance friend is precious! So make sure it counts. Here are ideas for creating memories that last long after the trip ends.
Plan it around a milestone. Think birthdays, friendiversaries, and other significant occasions. This gives you an excuse to get together and not let significant life events slip through your fingers.
Treat visits like adventures. Having new experiences together deepens bonds. So even if your friend is visiting you in your hometown, live like a tourist. Check out local attractions, try that new restaurant, and explore landmarks together.
Make time for downtime. Don’t forget to set aside time to do nothing together. That can mean a lazy night at home, ordering pizza, and watching bad TV. It can be nice to create the type of evening you’d have together if your friend lived in town.
Visit new destinations. You don’t have to travel to someone’s hometown. You can meet up at an exciting new destination. In fact, traveling removes you both from your regular obligations, which can distract from your time together.
When it’s time to connect in person, these tips can help you create memories that will sustain you until the next visit.
What Are Creative Ways to Stay Connected With Long-Distance Friends?
When dropping by unannounced isn’t an option, there are plenty of other ways to keep the spark alive in long-distance friendships. Here are just a few ideas!
A DIY “Sisterhood of the Traveling item of your choice.” If you haven’t seen the classic coming-of-age movie, friends forced to spend the summer apart mail a pair of jeans back and forth to stay connected. You and your bestie can do the same with a scarf, hat, sweatshirt—you name it.
Host virtual events. When chatting turns stale, keep the digital friendship dates fun with events like bake-offs, wine tastings, or cooking sessions. You’ll learn (and laugh) together, without the pressure of conversing the entire time.
Game together. Playing online or virtual games, like board games, trivia, or video games, keeps interactions playful. Conversation can naturally flow between rounds, and you can have some competitive fun.
Start a collaborative project. If real-time calls are hard to coordinate, you can collaborate on a virtual project. Add to a playlist, write an e-book together, or create a virtual vision board. You’ll both look forward to seeing what the other recently added.
Create virtual scavenger hunts. Put on your Go-Pro and hit your respective streets together, but apart. A scavenger hunt allows you to feel like you’re enjoying a day out, even when you’re separated.
Long-distance interactions aren’t limited to phone calls. These creative activities make for more lively, meaningful virtual hangouts.
Stay Close No Matter the Distance with Friendshipbox.com
Staying close to a faraway friend isn’t always easy, but we promise—it’s worth it. Local friends may come and go, but a long-distance friend has stood the test of time and miles. These bonds often begin in childhood, college, or other defining seasons, and they have a way of nourishing us for life.
With a little intention and a lot of creativity, friendship from a distance can be incredibly fun and fulfilling.
Missing a long-distance buddy? Show them what their friendship means to you with a Bestie Box or Bro Box! Fill it with thoughtful touches—custom t-shirts, framed messages, and personal keepsakes—to create a one-of-a-kind Friendship Box. Whether you go with a ready-made option or curate your own, your friend will feel like they’re getting a long-distance hug in a box.
Between regular calls, virtual fun, and one of our curated boxes, you’ve got everything you need for a long-distance friendship that lasts.
With love,
The Friendship Appreciation Team 💛
P.S. We’d love to see how you’re celebrating your long-distance friendship! Follow us on Instagram @FriendshipBox_ and on all socials @FriendshipBox. Tag your pics and videos with your BFF or BRO showing off your box—we can’t wait to see what you picked out!
friendship long distance, long distance friendship
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