I live in the tri-state (NYC Metro) area, so I deal with this a lot. One side of the region can be two hours from the other. Advice for bagging semi-long distance chicks.
1st date:
Go to the city for something other than the date with her. Women are flaky so have another reason to visit the city other than her. Make plans independent of her. Go to a concert, sports game, or just to a bar to mack on other women. Then invite women in that city to join you for drinks before or after your event.
2nd date:
IF she shows up to date 1, kisses you, and displays high interest, you make the 2nd date near her and you go take her out on a real first date. You have to invest a little, because she is about to invest in you for date 3. Offer to pick her up. If she lives a lone and the date goes well, you can seal the deal on date #2.
3rd date:
If logistics don't play out for the sex in date #2 and her interest is still high, you invite her out to your place. You can either take her out again (you'll drive), then take her back to your place to ****, or you can just invite her over to your place to ****. You be the judge, based on how much esclation you were able to get on date #2. I usually lean towards going out again, because chicks feel like a piece of meat if they drive an hour to get ****ed and kicked out of some guy's place. Chances of post-date sex are pretty good here, so it's worth it.
4th date and beyond:
If you haven't ****ed her by date 3 at your place, don't contact her anymore unless she is coming directly to your place to **** you.
If she is unwilling to travel to visit you for date #3, you simply don't initiate with her anymore until she is willing to come. High interest chicks will make the trip.