The Ultimate BMW Road Trip Guide

BMWs are great cars for long road trips because they’re comfortable, spacious and will likely make everyone else on the road jealous. 

If you happen to own one of these beauties and can’t make it to Germany to visit their birthplace, plan a road trip through the United States. 

Hit the road this summer in your shiny new coupe or convertible and fall in love with BMW all over again. 

Gather the Essentials 

Before you head out on your grand cross-country adventure, gather all the essentials. Along with the standard pack of clothes, toiletries and shoes, there are a few things you’ll be grateful to have on your journey. Keep sunglasses, a hat, a phone charger and a light jacket in the passenger seat and create an ultimate road trip playlist for the long drive ahead. 

You should also bring your license and registration, documents showing proof of insurance, your driver’s manual, a spare tire or repair kit, some tools and a roadside emergency kit. This kit should include a flare, whistle, tire pressure gauge, window breaker, battery booster cable, blankets, water and snacks. You might also pack an emergency beacon and extra gas in case you get stuck in the middle of nowhere.  

Service Your Car

If you aren’t renting a BMW, you must prepare your own whip for the long haul by getting it serviced before you depart. Zip on over to the mechanic for an oil change and, while you’re there, have them switch out the fluids that lubricate and compress the brakes, transmission radiator and power steering. Ask them to fill your windshield fluid reservoir as well so you can keep that glass shiny and clear no matter where you are. 

As you’d expect, keeping your tires in good condition is key to a smooth, stress-free road trip. Check their pressure every 1,000 miles and rotate them every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. You should also keep a close eye on the tread and use the penny test to determine when to replace your tires. Ask your mechanic to inspect the brakes, air filters, and belts and hoses as well to make sure everything is in working order before you take off. 

Hit The Open Road 

Once you and your BMW are ready to rumble, it’s time to buckle up and hit the open road. Of course, your destination and the road you take to get there will depend on your starting location. However, if you don’t have an agenda — or gas budget — the following states would make for some of the most scenic destinations in the U.S. 

Maine 

Few pleasures are as unique as a summer drive up the coast of Maine. Here, you’ll enjoy views of granite-strewn shorelines, breathtaking mountains and thick forests. You might even catch a glimpse of a moose or black bear. 

Start your trip in Portland with a visit to the iconic Portland Head Lighthouse, one of the oldest original lighthouses in the state. Then, hop on Route 1 at Freeport and make your way up the coast. Taste lobster rolls in Wiscasset, pick up souvenirs in beautiful Bar Harbor and finish your trip in Frenchville where the road ends. 

California 

If you’re looking to capture some SoCal vibes, take a drive up the California coast on Highway 101. The route stretches along the Pacific Ocean for 790 miles all the way to the Oregon border so there’s plenty to see and do along the way. 

You might also consider exploring Death Valley, which has more miles of roads than any other national park. A four-wheel-drive BMW like the X3, X5 or X6 is ideal if you want to access roads like the Racetrack Playa. However, a trusty sedan would handle State Route 190 just fine if you don’t mind neglecting the road less traveled. 

Montana 

Montana’s Going to the Sun road isn’t for the faint of heart. This 50-mile cliff-hugging mountain drive cuts through Glacier National Park and is as dangerous as it is beautiful. Those brave enough to take it will enjoy lush green forests, glacial-covered mountain tops and gushing waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain sheep, elk and bear. 

Montana is also home to Beartooth Highway, Grand Loop Road, Highway 12, Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway and Blacktail Plateau Scenic Drive, all of which make for memorable trips through the state. In fact, you could easily spend a few days putzing around these scenic roadways looking for wildlife and enjoying the ride. 

Utah 

Utah is full of scenic places you won’t find anywhere else, including the Bonneville Salt Flats. This salty stretch of desert is twelve miles long and five miles wide, allowing you a chance to hit top speeds in your BMW. Several drivers have set land speed records on these flats and every August the state hosts Speed Week, a racing tradition that’s nearly 75 years old. 

While you’re there, take a drive down Route 12 and visit Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon. Drive through Red Canyon tunnels, take in the colorful cliffs in Grand Staircase-Escalante and explore Petrified Forest State Park. Whether you stop and take in the views or keep zooming along, this 123-mile byway is sure to make you ooh and ah the entire way.

Planning Your Road Trip

Wherever you go, you’re sure to have a magnificent time as long as you plan ahead. Start prepping and packing a few weeks in advance and organize a few stops along your route. By the time you’re ready to go, you’ll simply be along for the ride. Enjoy it!