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Now I've done way more than 12 hour bus rides on far inferior bus lines than Greyhound in developing nations...but in the US? I'd head to the airport, or drive myself.
35 years ago when I was a teenager and young twenty something out to see the world, I rode the big dog (Greyhound) plenty of times on the long haul. CA to NY and all points in between. I've ridden buses all around Mexico and many places in South America too (Brasil, Argentina). Let's you see whats going on at ground level.
Most buses these days are fairly comfy, a few strange folks on board or at the stations, but it's always been like that. No big deal, part of the experience. The bus will get there approximately when the schedule says they will.
If Amtrak goes anywhere close to where you need to get, try them first, lots more comfy and you can walk around the train. Then if Amtrak gets you to a city in the vicinity of where you want to go, just hop a local bus for the last short part of the trip.
Bus is usually the cheapest way to go, and 12-15 hours would be doable. I guess it all depends on your inclinations, bank account balance, and sense of adventure.
I once gave serious consideration to riding the silver rocket from Ontario to Oregon, the 42 hour time estimate proved impractical.
Recycled hit the nail on the head, though.
Amtrak's coach fares, which get you a seat only, are very reasonable and only slightly more expensive than bus fare. The train's seats are considerably wider for comfort and sleeping, and the Amtrak stewards will even provide you with a pillow. Add in the available snack car, dining car, and room to roam and I'd take the train. It's one of the few US bargains still available.
I've taken a 6 hour bus ride. The Chinatown buses are THE cheapest way to travel. Round trip from New York to Norfolk is $35! One-way from NY to Boston on Fung Wah Bus is $15!!
35 years ago when I was a teenager and young twenty something out to see the world, I rode the big dog (Greyhound) plenty of times on the long haul. CA to NY and all points in between. I've ridden buses all around Mexico and many places in South America too (Brasil, Argentina). Let's you see whats going on at ground level.
Most buses these days are fairly comfy, a few strange folks on board or at the stations, but it's always been like that. No big deal, part of the experience. The bus will get there approximately when the schedule says they will.
If Amtrak goes anywhere close to where you need to get, try them first, lots more comfy and you can walk around the train. Then if Amtrak gets you to a city in the vicinity of where you want to go, just hop a local bus for the last short part of the trip.
I've been on a 22 hour bus ride from hell. It was a church ski trip. Bad weather and the fact the bus driver got lost TWICE did not help. Not comforting either to pass a greyhound in the ditch and we are still going on the frozen over highway, the ONLY vehicle ON the road moving too. Never again.
The train sounds MUCH better.
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Bad weather and the fact the bus driver got lost TWICE did not help. Not comforting either to pass a greyhound in the ditch and we are still going on the frozen over highway, the ONLY vehicle ON the road moving too. Never again. 
