Hitting Escalation Window

[Casanovelis]

I am going to keep this short and simple:
I met a girl at work who gave me her number briefly then left. I text her and things are great, I am not investing too much but keeping her interested. A day later we also Skype and things are great as well and are escalating. Problem is she lives a couple hours away (which albeit isn't too far). She has strongly hinted interest in meeting up and expresses disappointment that we live that far apart. Assuming that I do want to go for this, what is the best way to go about it? I have no problem with driving there and getting a room (If agreed that we would take turns visiting) but I fear that the idea would be too much investment and the clock is always ticking.
The way I see it there are 3 options:
1) Meet in her area (city)
2) Meet in my area (rural, not much to do date-wise and a 2 hour drive to come over and "chill" seems a bit awkward)
3) Meet halfway (city)

Of course there is only so much one can do over Text/Skype before attraction expires.

My first time on the forum and any reply is much appreciated. Glad to be here.

 

[Light]

Option 2) is out of the question if there is nothing to do there.

Option 3) is your best choice for the FIRST date.

Option 1) thereafter ... disguised with Law of least effort.

Example:
"Hey, I'm going to be in the city tomorrow (or over the weekend), how would you like to meet up and catch lunch /dinner together?"

What you do is, you are displaying to her that you only "Happen" to be there, and so you aren't really making an effort. She won't think you're doing this all for her (even though you are).

The key here is that she must oblige to meet at YOUR own terms and schedule for this to work. If she says she can't meet on that date then you have to just be cool and let it go, and try again another time.