Was in a three year long distance relationship. Did not work out because neither one of us could move. He lives in LA and I lives in FL though, so that's completely different than a 3.5 hour drive. I guess if you both have an awareness in terms of the time it'll take for you to live in the same place (ie finishing school, finishing a contract, etc), it has a higher chance of survival than something that will indefinitely be long distance. Also, if there's enough trust and commitment you'll probably be fine.
I'm still a big advocate against long distance after my three year fiasco.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"