What is the fastest, safest way to Calgary from New York, NY?

Question

I have many options:
1. Straight to Toronto, around the lakes and many days on Highway 1 West.

2. Through PA, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota north to Manitoba and west on Highway 1.

3. Through PA, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and north to Alberta.

4. Through PA, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and north to Alberta.

5. Other.

Answer 1

Fly. Rent car in Alb.
If driving, #4. Drive in USA as much as possible. Wisc and Minn ND are nicer than Iowa.... It's the journey, not the destination.
#3
#2
#1
Train. Rent car in Montana.
Bus. Rent car when you can't take it any more.

Answer 2

Any route south of the Lakes beats going through Northern Ontario.

Answer 3

Here's directions according to Google Earth. It usually says the fastest way to get places.

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=New%20York%2C%20NY&daddr=Calgary%2C%20AB%2C%20Canada