transferring funds between two banks

How long would it take if I asked for a money transfer from my account (Fleet Bank) to someone else’s (Wachovia) in separate states?

Depends largely on the receiving bank and how quickly they process EFTs. Typically a few hours to a day or so. If you need to move the money to someone more quickly, Western Union is the way to go.

What about using the Fedwire system, if it is a rather large amount and it is critical to receive the funds in a timely manner?