Actually, the prospect of traveling cross-country, seated cheek-by-jowl, flank-by-thigh next to a young cousin who has unexpectedly blossomed, might dangerously lure some of us from other, more worthwhile pursuits.

Then again, one could always keep a journal, and later turn it into a memoir, and still later a film script.

Hmmm.  Deep down, I guess the wisest counsel after all is Umbra's suggestion: Just Stay Home.

In general, though, she is right about train travel.  It is pretty criminal of the feds, isn't it, to keep bailing out the airlines, while letting Amtrak wither and die.

Piece does an excellent job, and a witty one too, of dealing with the important variables.

It might be wise to say a bit more about one of the options: bus.  A first-time rider on an Intercity bus in this country might be surprised, confused, or alarmed by some of the [unstated or not obviously] rules, practices, and procedures.

The most expensive option.  But the honest eco saver and convenience winner.

The airlines, credit card, and car rental companies team up to offer car rental rebates somehow, do they not?  

I guess Amtrak would not have that option, it seems to be the stepchild in the big bizz/government transportation lobbyist campaign "contribution" clan.  

No one wants a train on their lap.

Speaking of our abysmally bad train system, which would, as JH Kunstler says, would shame Bulgaria, there is a way to get a slight break on fares:  join the Natl. Assn. of Rail Passengers (NARP, at narprail.org) and you can get a 10% break on your travel tickets (with lots of restrictions). But your NARP dues are tax-deductible, so you're getting double-good karma (helping Amtrak and keeping some money out of the hands of the airlines).