THIS IS THE ROUTE I WOULD TAKE.
First, the Northeast, then I'd head into Canada, visit whoever's there, then come down through the northern Midwest, zig-zag down all the way to Florida then head west near the southern edge of the United States until I hit California and then go north from there.
:D
[Image: http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/8413/maptravel.png]
Ignore the yellow scratch marks.
About 182 hours of driving (7 weeks). ~11,000 miles traveled.
Let's say $3 for a gallon of gas. And let's say an average of 20 miles per gallon.
Gallons needed = 11,000 miles / (20 miles per gallon) = 550 gallons.
Money needed for whole trip = 550 gallons * $3 per gallon = $1650.
So in order to accomplish the trip, I'd need an average of $1650 just for the travel alone. This excludes food and assumes that I drive at 60 mph constantly and that I will make it safe and sound throughout the whole trip (i.e. no broken tires, damages or accidents).
8D