Hello all,

It has been awhile since I've posted on NAM, but the MINI has just been detailed, taken through a dealer servicing, and most importantly, I have learned that my parents will be lending it to me for college! Thus, I am feeling very MINIish this week. I have one last long trip before the massive 17 hour drive to Melbourne (Florida, that is, not across the pond ), and that is from my home outside Philadelphia up to Rockland, Maine for a week of R&R. I am planning to use the usual arsenal of Interstates (predominantly 95 and its variations), however I do want something to shake the trip up a bit, while keeping it around ten hours (hopefully).

I have been poking around on the interwebs quite a bit, and the best site I have come across for finding such diversions has been motorcycleroads.com. (Anyone up for working on MINIroads.com? ) I have devised three short sections from the information on that site that mixes inn with my route quite well, however I'm sure there is more expertise to be found here on NAM. I have the Google map up for the trip, and I'd love to hear from locals of the areas I will drive through about more roads to try. Here are some criteria:

1. Twisties are king! I would be thrilled to drive on some local gem roads.

2. Good scenery is a plus, but it is still second to a great driving experience.

3. it can't throw me too, too far from my current route - I am really trying to make it in less than ten hours.


Here is the map, give it a stern look and see if you can't find a better way for me to "unwind" and, well, "wind"!

 

Hi Paul, If you are going north on I95 look into getting off at the Hampton tolls in Hampton N.H. and taking Rt101 south to Hampton beach. When you get there I would suggest going north on coastal Rt 1a through Hampton,N Hampton, Rye ,this is a really pretty drive along our short coastline that allows great views of the Atlantic as well as, most importantly, great curves.After you pass Ordione State Park in you'll come to a roundabout(small traffic circle),take first exit will take you to Portsmouth which is a great little city or taking second exit (coming out on opposite side) will take you back to I95 via Rt 1 taking right at lights opposite Market Basket. Have a good drive. Jim

 

Check out the route we followed for The Great Ice Cream Run 2. Probably want to look at days 2 and 3, maybe a bit of day 4. It included Rt 1 noted above.