We are picking up our second MINI in Florida and will be driving it home to Everett Washington in August. We do not have exact dates yet but it will be after the middle of the month sometime. We are starting to plan the route and are open to suggestions. We are a little pressed for time so we do not have the luxury of taking MINI roads the whole way - but we want to make the trip as enjoyable as 4,000 miles in August can be.

Main thing we are looking for is roads that don't take us too far off the Interstates but would add some Interest along the way. We would also appreciate information on routes to avoid - for what ever reasons. Our sightseeing preferences are Natural Parks, Historical Landmarks, picturesque communities, and scenic views - we have seen enough big cities. We have no preconceived routes in mind so we are open to and will appreciate any and all suggestions.

 

Wow! What a fun adventure you have awaiting you. I also live in WA (Tacoma area), and picked up my MC last week in Dallas. Right now I'm in Columbia, SC. The motoring here was spectacular.

Since you are driving from Florida, consider hitting THE DRAGON in the Smokey Mountains. You could motor up the Eastern seaboard and then head west through Asheville, NC to the infamous 129. We did The Dragon yesterday from the northern route out of Maryville. Other than watching out for those devilish motorcyclists, the trip was a once in a lifetime. I haven't written up my post yet, but the MINI did her duties very well.

The roads through Utah near Bryce Canyon and then staying east of the interstate on up to Salt Lake City are spectacular. Twisty, scenery, history......

Of course, Highway 1 up the CA coast from San Diego all the way up to
Astoria, Oregon is a don't miss.

Then, you might consider hitting the mountains north of Albequerque, through Taos, and on into Colorado to motor on up to the Badlands.

I have a personal dislike for I-20 that goes through Louisiana and Mississippi on into Texas. Just boring as heck. But, the backroads in those two states are worth a nibble.

I-40 out of Texas into NM and AZ is also boring. In fact, anything in West Texas isn't my cup of tea.

Come to think of it, America is made for motoring and it's easy to avoid the interstates

Happy trails, and keep us posted.

 

IMHO, I-75 thru Atlanta{try and avoid rush hour and stay on I-75 and skip the by-pass} to I-24 in Chatanoogie. I-24 to I-65 thru Nashville I-65 No.{Bowling Green Ky. has the Corvette Museum.very interesting} I-65 to Indy to I-465 around Indy to the West and get off at the Speedway exit at I-74{ the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is about a mile East of I-465 from the speedway exit and easy on to I-74 West. They have a great Hall of Fame Museum at the track and you can get a bus ride around the track} I-74 thru In. and Ill. to I-80 and thru Iowa.{The Village Inn in Iowa City serves a great Breakfast check for signs] I-80 to I-680 to I-29. I-29 No. to
I-90 in Souix Falls S.D. I-90 to Rapid City{visit Wall Drug and Mt. Rushmore in S.D.} I-90 in to Wy.{Devils Tower is about 30 miles off I-90 right after you get in to Wy.} I-90 all the way to Seattle. I'm sure there are many more side trips thru Mt., Id., and Wa. and sites to see. I hope you have a safe trip and I only wish I was going too.

 

I've done S.D. to Washington Wy.is real nice,going south thru Texas will be boring but then you can go up HWY.1 in Cali.probably the best drive ever once you get past La ,tough choice.

 

You may want to go slightly west of Chattanoga coming north from Atlanta. That way, you can easily fit the Dragon (Rt. 129 from Deal's Gap, NC to Calderwood, TN) and The Great Smokey Mountains (absolutely beautiful and moderate in temperature) into your journey. Then you can head up to Knoxville and pick up the Interstate of your choice for your trip onward.

We just got back last week from Atlanta, via the Dragon and the GSM in our MINI, and will go out of our way to revisit that area...it's that good!

Have a safe trip!

Theo

 

Blue Skies -
Small world! Thanks for the ideas. I spent 4 years in west Texas (Big Spring - Webb AFB) did enough trips on I-20 that I don't want to do that again...

Doing the Dragon would be great - how many hours was the trip from Dallas to Maryville? Looks like it would add a couple of days to our trip...

Hadn't thought of Bryce Canyon - will have to look into that.

Hope you will look into Joining Puget Sound Mini Motoring Club when you are back in WA - check it out at: http://www.psmini.org/

Silverbullit -
Your northern route looks very interesting - and looks like we could tack on a visit to Yellowstone - will have to do some checking on that. The visit to INDY is very tempting - something I have always wanted to do.

Thanks for the ideas!

 

I certainly will join Puget Sound MINI when I return to Tacoma in August It's on my short list of "to dos" before I start teaching again.

Our trip from Dallas to Columbia, SC was done in chunks. First leg was an 11 hr ride to O'Fallon, Illinois just outside of St Louis. Then, a gorgeous drive into Lexington, KY and a long haul yesterday from Lexington through THE DRAGON and backroads into Columbia. It wasn't the "short route", but it was a trip to visit family, break in the little beauty, and to see some of America's most beautiful country through KY and the Smokies.

I can't recommend enough that you make your way to The Tail of the Dragon. As we rounded the curves in Deal's Gap, we noticed a photographer: killboy.com. I just checked out the website and they post snaps of the cars rounding the curves so that you can buy them. Of course, who is going to look for Tawanda so that I can frame her glamour shot

Bryce Canyon is breathtaking. We were there on a road trip back from NM on spring break. Didn't have the MINI then, but the little Civic coupe is a road hugger, also.

Take care!!!!!! Happy Trails!! Will probably meet up in August at the MINI round up at Southcenter.... I don't know how many OBs are up in Seattle. I think one was spotted in Seattle, or so I read on psmini.org a while back.

 

Hi CINIMINI

Just wanted to say hi since you're in Everett too (me too)

(We met at AMVIV I believe)

I've driven the Washington-Florida/ Florida Washington route twice now, no MINI though.. my routes were "Get the driving done as fast as possible" routes.. so I would be of no help LOL

 

Where in Florida will you be picking up your new Mini?

 

OK - The Dragon is going to be part of the trip -

Suzann - We have not done AMVIV - YET. Which route was the quickest? (Just in case we have to make this a rush trip). Hope you will join in some of the PSMINI activities -

cfoley - MINI is not new - 2005 MCS -in Fort Myers

Koopah and Korby - thanks for the comments.

 

Well, it was February and I was avoiding moutains LOL, I went down I-5, to Bakersfield California near Bakersfield, across on 40 till Memphis TN (I was seeing my dad there, so I stopped LOL) then over 78 to birmingham, then 20 to atlanta, then straight down 75 into Florida LOL

 

[quote=CINIMIN;1622263]Blue Skies -
Small world! Thanks for the ideas. I spent 4 years in west Texas (Big Spring - Webb AFB) did enough trips on I-20 that I don't want to do that again...

I spent four years as an AF brat at Reese AFB in Lubbock during the 60s. Lizards, cotton fields, country music and dust storms: West Texas.

Yahoo that ya'll are doing The Dragon. Be sure to stop in the Punkin General Store at the north end of 129. Lotsa cool stickers, pins, hats. If you want to just haul it back to WA from there, you can. But, to be in this part of the country and not do it

I'm going to be looking for Tawanda on killboy.com.

 

As an after thought, if you take the North route and go thru So. Dak. you'll go thru Sturgis. The BIG biker get together is sometime in Aug. I think but I'm not sure the date. Who knows, you may drive into Sturgis in your MINI
and leave on a Harley Hog. Going to the Dragon sounds like great fun and no matter how you go have a safe trip and most of all have FUN!!

 

I pretty much did this entire route in 1995 but I went from Seattle to Orlando. Took 4.5 days Great trip!!!

 

If you are thinking about Yellowstone I HIGHLY recommend going in from Red Lodge, MT to Cooke City. That will take you into the Northeast entrance and over Beartooth Pass. Beartooth is considered by many to be among the 10 most scenic stretches of highway in the USA. It is VERY impressive (just been over it this week). You will not make very fast time from Red Lodge through Yellowstone - probably average about 40mph - at best - for that distance but it is amazing. Make sure you're ready for switchbacks, have checked your brakes, and don't be afraid of using a lower gear for engine braking on the steep downhill sections. Don't forget to smile

 

Thanks beedeejay - that is exactly the kind of information we are looking for. I'll be doing more research on Yellowstone - and Glacier N.P. any idea how long it takes to drive from Yellowstone to Glacier?

 

I'd guess about 6 hours from the Yellowstone Park boundry assuming you got on Interstate system as quickly as possible. In this part of the Rocky Mountain states you can generally figure you can average about 65mph on the interstates, about 60mph on US numbered highways and 55mph on state numbered highways. In National Parks speed limits are usually 45mph or lower - and enforced.

But then there are only three seasons here - Winter, More Winter and Road Construction!

In can easily take the better part of a full day to make the tourist circle in Yellowstone Park. But that would be too fast to do justice. With limited time I suggest picking just 2 or 3 highlights.
Beartooth Pass into Northeast Entrance.
Down to Canyon Junction. Go a few more miles south and go to Inspiration Point (waterfalls). If you're feeling healthy take the 368? steps that go down near the bottom of the canyon at the first stop. But definitely go to the second stop which is Inspiration Point.
If time permits the Mud Geysers (Dragon's Mouth) between Canyon and Lake is one of my favorite thermal areas. Otherwise press on to Old Faithful.
Time permitting head back north to Mammoth Hot Springs and the Gardner Entrance. Otherwise go out the West Yellowstone entrance and take US 287 or US 191 north to get onto I-90 then over to I-15.
Entrance fee to Yellowstone/Grand Teton is $25 for cars. Keep in mind that concessions inside the park are tourist oriented and priced accordingly (food, fuel, lodging).

Feel free to inquire furthur about the Yellowstone area - this is my part of the world.

I have never driven through Glacier but it is on my list to do soon - maybe about your travel time. I am told the east-west highway through the center is quite impressive.

 

+1

Yellowstone is one place on Earth you've got to experience in your life. The wildlife, the vista, the clean crisp air, and the remembrance of simpler times is an instant charge to the batteries.

Don't crowd the bison though...They're either ignorant of you or they're not... the in between is your only "I shouldn't have done that" moment...