Alright, I've had a bit of a revalation and I'd like some clarification if anyone can help me out. So, I was under the impression that the 9 galaxies in each system were closest, and that the systems moved out in groups... Ie... going from system 300 to 301 would be farther then going from galaxy 9 to galaxy 1 in the same system.

But, IPM distance is calculated by systems, does that mean that systems are closer and galaxies are farther away? or do I have some base misunderstanding...

Currently the distance between galaxies is almost equal to 184 systems.
Distance from galaxy 1 to galaxy 2 is always equal. Wherever you launch or wherever the target. ie. Distance from G1:1 to G2:499 is equal to G1:499 to G2:499