How long should a date last?

You're right, there is no time limit per se. If you are looking for a guideline, I'd say less than three hours. However, it is generally best to end things while they are still going well. It is best to keep her wanting more.

Well, as you mentioned it all depends on how the date is going, but recently a good friend brought up an interesting concept. The first date should be something that you can do together and wouldn't take a long time. I would say do something that wouldn't take more than 30 min and the logic behind it is that this way if any of you aren't feeling the other person you won't feel obligated to stay longer since what you are doing doesn't require a lot of time such as maybe getting coffee together. But in case the date did go very well, by leaving early you will leave the other person wanting more. You know how it is people want what they can't have. And that way next date you both will feel more comfortable since you have already gone past the first date.