Highlights: Papaya is among the most consumed fruits by the Brazilian population. As it is a very perishable fruit, its logistics depend on successful management. In this sense, the food miles concept seeks to ensure the quality of food and the reduction of losses and waste, through the adoption of a more efficient distribution and marketing logistics chain, with shorter distances between production and consumption.Objective: Assess whether the distance traveled during the transportation of papaya for sale interferes with losses and waste.Designs/Methodology/Assessment: Application of the food miles concept in a quantitative way through the Weighted Average Source Distance (WASD) method to promote more efficient logistical strategies for perishable products.Results: Most of the papaya routes fall into the long and medium-long routes category. The main result found was an average distance of food miles of 1,359 km from different producing municipalities and different levels of production volume. This value is classified as a medium-long distance route.Research limitations: Detailed assessment of operational practices during transport.Practical Implications: The long distances traveled between the origin and destination added to the impacts caused during transport can contribute to an increase in the rates of losses and waste. This is because during transport the papaya is packed in inappropriate packaging and in non-refrigerated trucks, not guaranteeing the preservation of the fruit. In addition, long distances imply not only an increase in transport costs, but also a higher CO2 emission.Originality/value: The use of the concept of food miles in an applied and quantitative way allows decision makers to think about a more adjusted logistics, in order to seek more sustainable and efficient routes, not only in terms of cost but also in routes that have less impact on the environment.