Research is continuing. I will make one last post here and then check back in when things are a lot more fine-tuned.

I have gone back and forth with the mode of transportation, but currently the van idea seems to be losing out. If I can get the right combination of cheap motels, hostels, couchsurfing (though see my previous concern with this), and family and friends, with perhaps some camping thrown in, then I think it will just do fine. My main concern with camping is that I don't really like it, and have little experience with it. I think having to camp solo is compounding my hesitancy. Of course, I realize the economic benefit cannot be ignored, so I will not rule it out by any means.

Here is the basic route as of now:

1. Oakland, CA across Nevada to Salt Lake City, UT
2. Salt Lake City - Taos, NM
3. Taos across Texas to Natchez, MS
4. Natchez to Selma, AL
5. Selma to northwest South Carolina
6. Northwest SC - Alexandria, VA
7. Alexandria - Louisville, KY
8. Louisville - Indiana
9. Indiana - Madison, WI
10. Madison - Mt. Rushmore
11. Mt. Rushmore - Int'l Peace Garden
12. Int'l Peace Garden - West Yellowstone, MT
13. West Yellowstone - Salt Lake City, UT
14. Salt Lake City across Nevada to Oakland

Weather will be taken under consideration and this route is definitely not set in stone. There are family stops in UT, NM, VA, IN, WI, and MT. I am hoping that others will pop out of the woodwork once the trip is publicized.

I can push the trip back some; but the idea was to skip the summer due to heat and tourism season.

Thanks again for all your help and any follow-up posts to this one would be amazing.