You’re not wrong.
But long range VFR still exists and can be done up to FL195 in Europe (generally much lower because 99% of leisure planes use piston engines).
In France (in Europe ?), you’re not supposed to land from a cross-country flight with less than 30 minutes worth of fuel. The rules are a bit fuzzy for VFR flights, they mainly determine that you’re guilty if you run out of fuel. 
You have to take into account : your route, the wind, enough fuel for an alternate airfield FROM YOUR DESTINATION, “any situation likely to change your fuel consumption”. A lot of pilots translate these rules in “take-off with full tanks, and don’t be too optimistic”.