It takes an hour one way - truly (6)
I believe the answer is:
honest
'it' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun but the answer is not.
'an hour one way truly' is the wordplay.
'an hour' becomes 'h'.
'way' becomes 's' (Compass direction - South).
'truly' becomes 't' (this might be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'h'+'one'+'s'+'t'='HONEST'
'takes' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for honest that I've seen before include "Without dissimulation or guile" , "Objective mediator" , "Truthful and trustworthy" , "Uncorrupt - open - genuine" , "Frank" .)