Train, planes and automobiles.

[Blitzvogel]

Despite the associated costs, it surprises me that there are not more high speed trains in states with many large population centers, like where I live - Texas. It's not hard at all for me to imagine practical routes and stops. I think California is the only state with a "real" high speed rail system that is truly in the works, and no I don't really consider Amtrak Acella high speed rail. High speed rail has been shot down numerous times when it came to state legislature voting on it. As for crossing the US, I think it would be cool to have a 250+ MPH train service that like the Chunnel trains, let's you drive your car onto the carriages. It would mean quick transport across the country, and you still have your vehicle for when you get there.

 

[jme5343]

The cost of building rail line is over 1MM per mile. So, do the math. On a train, over a set of tracks, for 2000 miles, point A to B, not to mention all the outlying points.

There's surveying, soil conditions, real estate, electric, crossings, signals, blocks, bridges, overpasses, tunnels, massive amounts of steel and material, rock, dirt, etc, etc, etc to consider...for each and every of those miles.