If you are using an airplane for transportation you will want to get your instrument rating.  Without the IFR certificate your 500-mile cross-country trip could take a half day or half a week.

50 hours of cross-country

• 10 hours in airplanes
• 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time

15 hours of instrument flight instruction from an authorized instructor

• 3 hours a flight training in preparation for the practical test within 60 days preceding the date of the test
• One cross-country under IFR
  • A distance of at least 250NM along airways
  • Three different kinds of approaches