I do these all the time. I live in a state where the metro loan officers call out to the rural areas. I just did one tonight for $250, did a couple a little shorter for $225(tonights wash 270 miles round trip.) Picked up at local title co.
The other night I called and the borrowers hesitated. I said fine. If you are unsure, I will not come. Called the LO. They called back and told me to come. They had poor credit and judgement, but had to refinance.
On long distances trips you have to be quasi guaranteed payment because your costs are so great. By that I mean, get the documents, call the borrower to confirm the major terms before you go. Settlement, cash back, rate, payment, prepayment etc. If you do this and the borrower change their mind, you should get paid or at least a partial payment. You should not get paid if you make a notarial error or you have to get it corrected.
Sometimes after I get the package, I go to priceline, bid on a car at the airport for $15 to $20 bucks and drive that instead. I live close to the airport and can take a bus for $1.00 each way.
Also, keep in mind, if you can one local signing may be a $100 or possibly two, you need to weigh the risk of long distance verses local. If you make an error locally it is easier to fix.
Thus, where you might travel 40 miles around trip in two hours and make a $100, is it worth it to travel 4 hours and 1 hour of the the signing, for the incremental $150? What if you make a mistake? If I could do two local around and make north of $175, I would probably stay local.
Good luck.
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