Try having an East & West division since the cities are so spread out. Driving 60 minutes for games and practices is nothing plus its all rural xways with hardly any traffic.
Try driving every other weekend from Chicago to Detroit to play in a AAA league which I did for quite a few years. With Canada so close I can't believe hardly any teams travel there to play games.
You have to go where the competition is.
If you want to be the best you have to play with and against the best.