Should I visit a guy I'm interested in who lives 12 hours away?

Okay, details. We were friends in high school but fell out of touch and I haven’t seen him since. He went to college near me but recently graduated and now he’s in Indiana for his phD. For the past two weeks we’ve been messaging each other and we both agree that we have a connection. Yes it’s been about two weeks, no we have not talked on the phone yet. I really like this guy and I am willing to visit him. Here’s the problem, if I want to see him before December (when he’s coming for Christmas) then it would have to be before he starts his doctorate program in August. Yes, I would have to visit him this month if I wanted to see him. Now he’s not a bad guy, he never was and judging from our conversations he’s not. But I have the worst taste in men most of the time and I always do stupid things for guys who end up being a waste of time. I am interested in starting a relationship with this person but I’m a little nervous about the long distance. He’s going to be there for 6 years (sigh) so he’s not going anywhere, it’s just those 4 months he’ll be busy just starting school.

My mother says I shouldn’t be the first one to visit him, he should visit me. My best friend says that if I really want a serious relationship with him and if he’s really worth the 12 hour drive/5 hour flight, then 4–5 months shouldn’t matter. She recommends getting to know him better on the phone, through aim, and video chatting until december.

I really want to see him but deep down, I know they are kind of right. I want to throw my inhibitions out the window and just say “Fuck this overthinking, it’s 2009, I’m going!” but I just don’t know. I know I sound stupid, I haven’t even heard his voice in 5 years. I’m really interested in him, he’s the first guy in months that Ive been about to talk(message) to all day everyday about anything and everything. What do you guys think?