what is the best way to transport a goldfish across country?

This depends on the time frame. If your driving straight through? Get a large plastic container, bigger then the fish but not overly so, fill with water from the tank and then get a battery operated air pump. With a container you can have a lid, that you can fix on as tight as you can with a air hose coming out of it..you can even cut a hole in the top for the hose to come out of. Fast your fish for a couple of days before the trip and do not feed while on it. It will be fine for a few days without food. This will cut down on any waste (or at least cut down on the amount)

If it's going to take a couple of days, this will be harder. I would suggest either re-homing the fish now or trying the above with some extra water carried along. Even with fasting there will be some waste produced and with extra tank water you can exchange some as you take out the waste.

It's not aways easy to give up a pet, but if this is a long drawn out trip, it might be best.

Good luck!

Put it in a bucket and place it in your car. If you have some money to spare, you can buy a battery operated air pump. These air pumps can work when plugged in like regular ones, but have a battery back-up incase power fails. In your situation, you can use it to provide oxygen for your fish during the drive. If you don't want to pay for one, you can provide oxygen by making a "waterfall" with a cup or water bottle. The waterfall will break the surface tension, allowing for gas exchange between the surface of the water and the air.

Good luck, I live in New York :P

pretty much the fish will die...to much movement,vibrations,sounds,lack of oxygen,possibility of the fish jumping out..its a risk that shouldn't be taken. the right thing to do is to give it to a pet store...its just a gold fish...

In water.