I got mine last March and it took about 3 weeks. Call ahead to the post office and ask them in particular what you need and if you need an appointment. I was lazy and had them take my picture.

Looks like I have to drive to lawrence if I want them to take my picture too. Where can I get a picture taken if I don't want to goto Lawrence?

Took me about 2 weeks with an expedited shipping option. Wife requested one about the same time using standard shipping, took about 3 weeks.

what is teh difference between a passport and a visa and how do you know if you need a visa?

You can actually print a digital picture now and use that. Actually, I used that for mine like eight years ago.

any drug store... walgreens or CVS have passport photo options

I think most Walgreen's take them.

Where are you goin?

With most countries we are friends with and around us (and including Europe) you don't need a tourist Visa. For some countries though you need to apply for a tourist visa which embassies agree on and allows you to stay in the country for a certain period. Japan is a notable one, mostly because the visa covers an entire page of your passport and it fills up quick.

I sent my application using all routine processing in September last year. I had my new passport back in 16 calendar days.

A couple of years ago when I went to Peru I got denied access to board because my dumbass left my passport in my jeans and it got damaged in the wash. It was still readable but the guy at the ticket counter said I would be denied entry into Peru if I tried to give them my damaged passport. Luckily the federal building in Dallas processes passports same day. My flight was on a Sunday, the ticket agent booked me for no charge a flight Monday night.
Monday morning I show up bright and early to the federal building and had to pay $250 to get my passport done. I literally had a friend drive me straight from the federal building to the airport for my trip. If I didn't live in a city where passports were processed I would have been screwed and not able to make the trip.

I just got mine a week ago, it took less than a month.

I'm black so they suspected me of lying about my certificates and never got one.

Do you mean a real passport or the illegal one?

You can do the application online and print off what you will need to take to the post office. This site will tell you what you need. It is really easy and quick. Don't just walk into the post offices out of nowhere. We did ours a few months ago and it was super easy.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html