I believe the "distance box" you are referring to is the Tracker.
Go to Options > Work Environment > Tracker and Coordinate Input -- make sure the box next to "Show Tracker" is checked.
MacBook Pro Apple M2 Max, 96 GB of RAM
AC27 US (5003) on Mac OS Ventura 13.6.2
Started on AC4.0 in 91/92/93; full-time user since AC8.1 in 2004