Economical way of traveling in the USA?

I can give you some help. If you want to travel the cheapest way possible, take the train. You will also see more of the US this way. One thing that a lot of people don't know is that if you take a train and decide to get off, and look around - you can catch another train going the same direction later - in other words you don't have to stay on the same train the whole trip - you can get off, take a carry-on bag with you and stop in any place you want, find a room for overnight, and get on the next train going the same direction - you can do this across the whole country (Two things, has to be the same train line all the way through and it has to be going the same direction - you can't get on in florida, head through Georgia and then go back to Florida - you have to keep traveling on the line you started on but this is a great thing for someone traveling on a budget and still wanting to see as much as they can - you can do all this stopping and sightseeing, and still only pay the one faire for your train ride north. - Ask the train line about your luggage - they should hold it for you at the destination stop)

you can get an Amtrak ticket that allows you to get on and off a couple times on each line. I understand it to be cleaner, more comfortable, safer, and faster than greyhound. it may cost a little more but I think it would be worth it. also look for hostels in the big cities, or the ymca is also a cheap alternative to expensive hotels.