In full disclosure, I have just recently joined a club that is 75 minutes each way from my house and office. I felt it provided the best course(s) for my long-term interests, but the driving time was always going to be a concern. Now, it's too soon to make a judgement (and the weather too bad to play much golf), but I feel like I have made the right decision. It's a fairly easy drive without much traffic, which certainly reduces stress. Playing pace is also very good (as it has a lot of national members). Of course, I'm saying all of this without yet starting a family, so that could (and will) all change. My wife, though, seems supportive (I suppose that could also change).
My biggest issue with driving long distances is whether you miss the real benefits of club membership. Of course, all of us on this board would likely drive long distances to play great golf courses. But club membership is more than just golf. There's a great deal of comradery that comes with being a member of a club. If you are traveling a great distance, and all of your club members are also traveling great distances, then it makes sense. Maybe that's why a national club has a large appeal. But if you're driving 2 hours to play golf and everyone else lives close by, maybe your experience will be different than theirs.
Mainly, I was thinking out loud with my question. Of course, there's no right or wrong answer, but I was curious what others though and what has worked from them.