Telephonic interview request?

Would it be a bad thing to request a telephonic interview when a potential employer calls?? I mean, considering my state of unemployment, whether flying out to one or driving will cost mucho dinero. I suppose it wouldn't hurt much to at least ask for one, or will it. What do you guys think?
I don't think it's out of line to talk on the phone through a phone interview before flying somewhere for a position. But for a staff bedside position in this day and age....most HR's won't bother unless you are truly planning to relocate. Then I would fly to the area where I was going to maybe live and line up multiple interviews.

Is this a staff position, or leadership/management?If it's the latter they will often pay to have you come out there, but even that is preceded by a phone interview to see if your "serious" I've done a number of phone interviews, and it certainly doesn't hurt to ask if they can do the initial screening/interview over the phone.

If the position is more than a couple of hours away, I don't see why they wouldn't approve of your request for a phone interview. It's a win/win for both parties. If the phone interview goes well, then maybe a face to face can be arranged.