How do I confess to a long-distance friend?

We've been talking for about a year now, with them living a good driving distance away from me. Over time, I've developed a crush on them and there's a chance they like me back. I know the pros of confessing in-person and they live close by. However, online gives room to think and reply without any feeling of a time limit or awkward silence. There's no rush to give a response and you can plan about what to say.

Though, I don't want to do flat out texting. Would sending audio messages work? What do you think?