Lot of work by crowhugger; makes me cringe at the thought.

The best way is by car, staying at motels, and taking your time. Not exactly cheap either. We did a big circle once- Calgary to New Mexico to Louisiana to Georgia to Virginia and New York, Quebec and Toronto, then across Ontario and Manitoba to the prairies and home. Lots of memories, saw lots of relatives, but once was enough. One week breaks with relatives in New Mexico and Georgia.