That's correct.
The longer, straighter and flatter a route, the more money the vehicle will make (though planes automatically take the straightest/flattest route
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
).
This is one reason why complex junctions are bad things. They slow trains down, unllike direct lines.
Routes should always try to go THROUGH an obstruction (i.e. hill etc). Generally by knocking it down.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Water you should raise into flat land. Bridges slow down trains.
Optimising routes is an art. Having looked at some of the screen-shots some peeps have posted to this forum, it seems not everyone has realised the above rules of money-making.
Unfortunatly the AI seems to think that taking convoluted routes over short distances to make them longer is the best way to make money. :/
There are a few details i'm not sure of though:
1) What is the distance measured from and to. Is it between the stations, or between the industries/towns?
2) When does the timing start for the trip? When the train leaves the station, or as soon at it starts loading.