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. 

Most outdoorsy folk prefer to drive some sort of sturdy SUV like a Jeep Wrangler or Subaru Outback. They strap their tents to the top, string hammocks inside and can take on rough terrain without batting an eye. But if you couldn’t resist the sporty, driver-centric experience that is BMW, you might be wondering if your car is made for such a wild ride.

 Well, the good news is you can still go camping in your BMW. It just might look a little different — albeit more luxurious — than your friend’s setup. Use the following hacks to take your upcoming camping trip to the next level, have even more fun and make those rugged tent campers jealous. 

1. Get an Off-Road Package 

BMW has come a long way in terms of style and design. Now, the company is even adding extra passenger and cargo room to some vehicle lines. Off-road packages are also available for some models, including the recent and ever-popular X5. These packages include features like underbody protection, two-axle air suspension and rear differential lock, all of which can come in handy when you face rough terrain. Add one of these off-roading packages to your vehicle, throw it into four-wheel drive and get moving.

2. Use a Sled for Transport 

If your make and model didn’t come with an off-roading option, you can still blaze trails through the wilderness. You’ll just have to do so on foot, preferably with a sled in hand. You’ll likely have to park further away and hike into your campsite, which means you’ll be carrying your gear a ways. Use sleds to easily transport food, clothes and other supplies from the car to the campsite without breaking a sweat.

3. Park on Level Ground

You’ve found a spot to park and set up camp, but is your BMW level? Sure, you might have a good eye, but you’re going to want to whip out the bubble level for this one. That’s because you’ll be sleeping in or on your car and, if your bed isn’t flat, you won’t be comfortable. Use blocks to elevate your wheels and a level to ensure your car’s, well, level. Turn on the emergency brake and chock the tires to prevent dangerous roll-aways.

4. Sleep in a Rooftop Tent

If you do happen to have one of the X series SUVs, consider sleeping in a rooftop tent. You heard that right. As long as you have roof racks, you can pitch a tent on top of your BMW and call it home for the weekend. This sleeping arrangement is much comfier than a sleeping bag and cold, hard ground. Plus, it protects you from wild animals, creepy crawlies and things that go bump in the night.

5. Hang a Hammock 

You brought a hammock but your campsite doesn’t have any trees. Unfortunately, you can’t just use your side mirrors or b-pillar to string it up. No, you’ll have to be much savvier. Look for poles, posts or stands that can support you and your hammock without the help of trees. Set it up right beside your shiny ride or take it on long hikes so you always have a place to sit and enjoy the view. 

6. Pack an Emergency Kit

Whether you’ve been camping 100 times or just once, it’s absolutely crucial that you pack an emergency kit in your car. Accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared in case anything bad were to happen to you or a friend. Of course, this kit should contain first-aid supplies and a mylar bag or blanket to keep warm. However, it should also include jumper cables, an ice scraper, a map and cat litter or sand for improving tire traction. 

7. Keep the Interior Clean 

Leather seats or not, it’s important to keep your vehicle interior clean and tidy. Invest in a waterproof trash bin to hide garbage from view and prevent spills or leaks. Keep food and drinks in a cooler in the trunk and buy removable rubber floor mats to catch sand, dirt and mud. Last, but certainly not least, hang a little tree air freshener to nix odors. These simple hacks will protect your BW’s beautiful interior and make clean-up easy as pie. 

Sheer Driving Pleasure

BMW has been in the business of providing sheer driving pleasure for more than a century. Now, you can also enjoy a complete camping experience with your luxury sedan, coupe or SUV. All you need is the right location and a few smart hacks to have the time of your life. 

Since Tesla released the most popular electric vehicle on the market, other companies began developing similar sustainable technology. Businesses are responding to the recent increase in eco-consumerism values. Individuals work towards shrinking their carbon footprint by adopting energy-efficient devices.

The transportation sector contributes significantly to high greenhouse gas emissions in the environment, driving climate change. At the end of their life, vehicles also generate surface pollution when they pile up in a junkyard. Consumers can ensure the eco-friendliness of their vehicle purchases by investing in power-efficient, long-lasting products.

Consumer and Manufacturer Responsibility

Together, the industrial and transportation sectors generate 52% of national greenhouse gas emissions. Conventional, fossil fuel-powered vehicles contribute to the manufacturing and tailpipe pollution causing climate change. Both consumer and manufacturing habits must change, initiating a decrease in atmospheric degradation.

Car owners can preserve the longevity of their products by reading the manual. Many drivers leave their handbooks in the glove box, collecting dust rather than facilitating efficiency practices. Understanding the safety features and dashboard signals of a vehicle can prevent damage and ensure adequate maintenance procedures.

You can also extend the life expectancy of your vehicle by driving efficiently. Limiting speeding can preserve the longevity of an engine and reduce unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing a car’s sustainability. Luxury vehicles like BMWs can reach high speeds, and letting your foot off the pedal can boost one’s fuel economy.

Additionally, drivers can preserve their vehicle’s energy efficiency, decreasing adverse ecological impacts, by practicing optimal maintenance and upkeep. Changing your oil for sustainability purposes depends on one’s driving patterns. Individuals can increase their car’s eco-friendliness by changing the oil for less active drivers at least twice a year.

Drivers who commute to work daily and travel extended distances can go longer between oil changes. Many are unaware of the optimal maintenance practices and change the elements frequently, increasing surface pollution. Additionally, the manufacturer is responsible for producing long-lasting, energy-efficient vehicles, enhancing sustainability.

Sustainable Models

BMW jumped on the eco-friendly bandwagon and developed a fully electric vehicle. They recently released two versions of the car, an i4 eDrive40 and an i4 M50. Both models generate zero tailpipe emissions, eliminating smog production and atmospheric pollution when in use.

The eDrive40 can travel 300 miles on a single charge, and access 108 miles after an owner plugs it in for just ten minutes. The M50 has a 245-mile travel range and may reach 60 miles per hour in under four seconds. BMW also sells an older electric vehicle model labeled the i3.

The i3 is a two-door sedan containing a 42-kilowatt-hour battery and driving range of 153 miles. Researchers expect more i3 cars to reach the used sales lot as the company develops more advanced models. Purchasing a used car is significantly more sustainable than buying a new version from the manufacturer.

When you are purchasing a used vehicle, it is essential to conduct prior research. Unmaintained cars can contain costly deficiencies and utilize higher quantities of environmentally degrading energy. You can examine an automobile’s service history and other essential information with the vehicle identification number (VIN).  

BMW also recently developed a hybrid plug-in vehicle, offering an alternative approach to sustainable transportation. The 530e offers over 28 miles of electric transportation before accessing gas power. They are working on expanding the model’s style and size variations, providing diversity in the market.

Sustainability Elements

As you evaluate the sustainability of each BMW model, you must consider the owner’s use and the system’s efficiency. Utilizing vehicle transportation daily is ecologically degrading because of atmospheric and surface impacts. Individuals can increase the efficiency of their transportation methods by diversifying their sources.

Rather than using your hybrid vehicle to get to work every day, you can transition between driving and riding an electric bike. E-bikes utilize significantly less electricity and increase a consumer’s savings. Charging a bike costs nearly 50 cents, decreasing economic waste over time.

Your charging source for vehicles also determines their sustainability. About 80% of the U.S. energy source derives from fossil fuels. During combustion, the elements generate environmentally degrading greenhouse gas emissions. Individuals can reduce their vehicle’s carbon footprint by charging it with solar power.

When you place solar panels on your roof and charge your BMW i4 at home, you can generate the most efficient vehicle transportation model. Environmental engineers and scientists are also developing solar charging ports for gas stations, generating energy from a panel canopy. On-the-go renewable electricity charging could increase individuals’ emission-less driving accessibility.

The Future of Transportation

President Biden plans on developing an electric grid, transitioning the country’s energy reliance away from fossil fuels. He will power the grid with renewable sources, decreasing power costs and greenhouse gas emissions. As our access to fossil fuels decreases, individuals must adopt electric systems and appliances.

Investing in an electric BMW now can increase the efficiency of your energy transition. They are more sustainable than conventional vehicle models and offer various economic and environmental benefits. When you purchase an energy-efficient automobile, you enhance your climate change prevention efforts.