Next time, we took the train, and had a few hours (intentionally) to kill in DC, so we checked out the Smithsonian. We then went to bed somewhere in Virginia, and woke up in FL. It does take a long time, but a fair amount of that was devoted to meals and sleeping. I was also surprised at how many stops the train made, and how many people got on or off at those stops. For many places, it is the most convenient way to go.

EDIT: I also knew we were on to something when it was my teenage son, who's by no means a train buff, suggested taking the train for our next trip to FL as well. I think there's something about our very busy and hurried lives that a train addresses.