BMW has long prided itself on creating the ultimate driving machine. However, most motorists only get a small taste of their vehicle’s power on short Sunday joy rides and weekday commutes. So, if you’re itching to take a longer, more scenic drive, why not hop in your whip and take a road trip?
Put pedal to the metal and explore new cities, take in spectacular views and experience the sheer driving pleasure that defines BMW. Add one of the following destinations to your list of stops to make your trip truly unforgettable.
1. New Orleans, Louisiana
If you’re a northerner who wants a taste of the south, take the Great River Road all the way from northern Minnesota to Louisiana. This 3,000-mile byway follows the Mississippi river through 10 states and takes about 36 hours to complete. Along the way, you’ll enjoy scenic views of rivers, valleys, farmland and towering bluffs.
End the trip in New Orleans with jazz, beignets, a mint julep or whatever else you fancy. Be sure to visit the Voodoo Museum and St. Roch Market before taking the long road back home.
2. Big Sur, California
Breathe in the fresh, salty air and enjoy miles of beautiful coastline on Calfornia’s scenic U.S. Highway 1. Take your M8 or Z4 for a top-down, sun-soaked drive up the west coast and make frequent stops to take panoramic photos. Enjoy stunning views of Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel and Big Sur all in one day on this 90-mile joy ride. Keep an eye out for wildlife like seals, dolphins, California condors and whales, too.
3. Clearwater, Florida
Florida is home to dozens of scenic drives, including the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. Sure, this half-mile-long drive is rather short. However, it offers great views over Clearwater Harbor and is part of FL 60, a cross-Florida highway that goes all the way to Vero Beach on the state’s Atlantic coast. If you start there, you can easily make Clearwater your final destination. There, you can go swimming at the beach or explore the many wineries and breweries that dot the city.
4. Cheyenne, Wyoming
The most popular sight in Wyoming is Yellowstone National Park, which is full of scenic views, natural landmarks and wildlife. However, if you want to skip the crowds, zoom on over to Wyoming’s capital city of Cheyenne.
Visit one of its many museums, hand-feed bison and llamas at the Terry Bison Ranch or drive around in search of all 25 eight-foot-tall cowboy boots located around the city. Along the way, you’ll learn more about western culture and the cowboys, Native Americans and outlaws that have left their mark on the land.
5. Glacier National Park, Montana
If you find yourself on Highway 2, dedicate a day or two to exploring Montana’s Glacier National Park. Hike one or two trails, visit its many glaciers or brave the Going to the Sun Road for a bird’s eye view of the park.
This beautiful, albeit nerve-wracking, drive features sharp twists and turns and narrow lanes that certainly make it one for the books. However, the 50-mile stretch of road is only open in mid-June and July when the snow melts away, so you might have to wait until next year to take this road trip.
6. Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Utah is full of beautiful drives and breathtaking rock formations but, if you have need for speed, the Bonneville Salt Flats easily takes the cake. This pristine, otherworldly landscape is about an hour and a half from Salt Lake City and is unlike any other place on earth. Here, a salt crust forms a perfectly uniform, even expanse of land that’s 12 miles long by five miles wide.
Visit the flats during August for Speed Week and watch professional drivers compete on the huge, white surface or slip into your driving moccasins and take your BMW for a spin. Test its horsepower and braking abilities and go home with bragging rights.
Prepping for the Best BMW Roadtrip
Are you ready to shift into high gear? Take your BMW on the trip of a lifetime and avoid any mishaps by prepping and planning well in advance. Map your route, assemble an emergency kit and take your vehicle to your favorite auto professional for an inspection.
Once you’re confident your whip can make the trip, it’s time to hit the open road and enjoy the ride. Just remember to keep an eye on tire air pressure and the gas gauge. Because the last thing you want is to get stuck in the middle of nowhere and miss out on all the fun.
