Hi, I'm looking for some advice - I'm finally gonna be able to realize an ambition of mine, to travel from NY to SF playing as many open mic type things I can along the way. Any feedback on the following would be appreciated........

1. I've got two weeks for this trip, is that enough time ?

2. should I rent a car, or take the greyhound bus ?

3. places to stay - affordable accomodation ? camping ?

4. I've never played a solo gig before, and it frightens the shit out of me, but i've always wanted to do it, any tips ?

5. What are the best states ? I will be travelling the mid to upper states - what is S. Dakota, Wyoming like etc.

any feedback on anything would be helpful. cheers.

thanks themajormiller, any ideas for accomodation along the way ? what price would a motel typically be per night ? or is camping realistic ?

If you're playing open mikes in cities, it might be hard to get from whatever city you're playing in to a campsite in the same evening. Out west it might work, but in larger cities (Chicago, L.A., etc.) you'd have to drive a ways at night. But if you google the states you're visiting and the "state parks," you should be able to find campground sites.

As long as you're 25 or older, renting a car is a good way to go -- www.orbitz.com shows rates (not including insurance) for renting cars. Are you planning to drive from NY to SF and back too? If you're driving one way, make sure the car company is OK with that (Budget, I think, has gotten cooler -- i.e., cheaper -- about one-way trips). Orbitz also shows rates for hotels/motels, so that should give you an idea of what you would pay per night in different parts of the country.

Amtrak would be another way to travel and better than Greyhound -- they have 30-day unlimited passes (including Canada, I think) -- although some U.S. cities are spread out in a way that might leave you stuck in one part of town without easy transportation if you're going by train. Still, fewer hassles than driving.

I'll agree with Flaneur: camping may not always be an option. I would always consider hotels/motels as a last resort. If you'll be hitting open mics and clubs/bars along the way, you'd be surprised at how many people will let you crash on their floor (unless you're a complete asshole, creepy looking, etc.)

I've used Enterprise several times for one-way car rentals. It's been a while, but I remember them being very reasonably priced.

http://www.couchsurfing.com

Never used this, but saw it and thought it seemed like a cool idea.

Book hostels if you can. Warm bed, hot shower, kitchen, company etc...
Good luck!