[flybigjet]

You might take a look at Butler Maps-- they're made for motorcycles, but list (by color-code) a lot of the very best rides in each state. I use them when I Road Trip on my R1200GS, but they'd work equally well with a car. I did 8500 miles last summer with only about 200 miles of interstate-- the Butler Maps were the key to success there.

Just my 0.03.

R.

[BimmerDimmer6]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I just shared your great comment with my wife. We both got a big laugh out of it.

I am really quite lucky in that respect. We've known each other since high school. We've been married for 47 years (and counting). She and I both love traveling. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. Besides, she has a G05 X5 I want to try out.

How cute.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

You might take a look at Butler Maps-- they're made for motorcycles, but list (by color-code) a lot of the very best rides in each state. I use them when I Road Trip on my R1200GS, but they'd work equally well with a car. I did 8500 miles last summer with only about 200 miles of interstate-- the Butler Maps were the key to success there.

Just my 0.03.

R.

That's a great idea. Thanks!

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

That's a great idea. Thanks!

Here are a few examples, so you get the idea. The maps are EXCELLENT for Road Trips.

Bear in mind that there are dirt and street versions. Street (i.e. paved) might work best in a BMW coupe.

[Gritty]

My dad did a cross country trip a number of years ago and really enjoyed the drive. At the time he was living in Florida, they often have great rental car deals there for tourist and older folks who come to stay for a month or two. He rented a brand new Cadillac for like $199 a week including insurance and unlimited miles and put over 10,000 miles on the car. He said the guys jaw dropped when he brought it back 6 weeks later and told him the mileage...

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Gritty

My dad did a cross country trip a number of years ago and really enjoyed the drive. At the time he was living in Florida, they often have great rental car deals there for tourist and older folks who come to stay for a month or two. He rented a brand new Cadillac for like $199 a week including insurance and unlimited miles and put over 10,000 miles on the car. He said the guys jaw dropped when he brought it back 6 weeks later and told him the mileage...

Yes, the rental deals are really good. It crossed my mind to do the same thing. But, this new X5 has just been sitting due to the shut in. Its a shame not to drive it.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

Here are a few examples, so you get the idea. The maps are EXCELLENT for Road Trips.

Bear in mind that there are dirt and street versions. Street (i.e. paved) might work best in a BMW coupe.

I'll make sure to get the paved version!

[W///]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

When I worked in Europe, my family was back home in California. It was hard at first, but I got used to getting out there and traveling on my own. I learned to really enjoy it. Go take that trip!

As for which car you should take, that's a tough one. What a problem you have! (sarcasm)

We will most likely take my wife's X5 and cruise. I love my 3er but I think X5 is begging for a long road trip.

Haha thanks. All my M's are well used, and frankly all keepers, so miles don't concern me much. It'll be all about the experiences, which is exactly what a road trip like this should be.

I did the same thing you did, but was/am single. I did 3 month business trips to Munich a couple of times, and every weekend, I was doing a road trip in a rental car. It was so cool to get to experience new things like that (Nurburgring, Stelvio Pass, Salzburg, Lake Como...).

Personally, I'd be more than happy to do a trip like that in a G05. Big fan of that car. Like I said, Z4MR would be fun on paper, but I might regret that decision not too far into the road trip

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by E92 M Sport

I wasn’t wowed by Niagara Falls Canada. But if you insist, check out the town Niagara on the Lake, and get some ice wine at the wineries in the area. Good stuff. Enjoy.

Niagara Falls Canada is pretty touristy and a bit run down. The gardens are really nice. If you're going to come into Canada in Niagara cross at Buffalo into Fort Erie and drive the Niagara Parkway. It goes the length of the Niagara River from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, about 30 miles. It's a really nice drive although there are usually a lot of tourists who drive below the speed limit as it's a narrow road with lots to see. It goes through Niagara Falls right at the falls which is probably the nicest part and goes through Queenston and ends in Niagara on the Lake, this is where I live. It's a very pretty little town, very historic. Lots of wineries, and yes the Ice Wine is excellent.

Your trip across the Canadian West from the foot hills of the Rockies in Alberta to Winnipeg is flat, straight and boring. They say you can watch your dog run away from home for 3 days in Saskatchewan. The speed limit in Canada is 100KHM in most places but most drive at about 115-120KMH without too much worry from LEO.

[Torgus]

When you get to the New England area I can be of assistance. If you will be up here in the fall I would say time it for prime leaf peeping. That being said after the fall everything gets barren and cold quick. I would go for a spring or summer trip. For the best weather and viewing pleasure of the country.

I would recommend you spend at least a day or two in Boston. Also when in Maine you have to go to Bar Harbor to Brown's Lobster pound.

Skip RI as your map shows.

Stop in CT for some Pepe's pizza.

Detroit is kind of a shitty city but you are going to drive right past it. If you have never been might as well and check out the Motor City and spend a night at a Casino.

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

My wife and I are thinking about taking a cross country road trip from Northern California this Fall if things open up or next year if the shut down continues.

Here is a map of one of the routes I'm thinking about taking. For sure, we want to see:

The New England states
Washington DC
Niagra Falls
Victoria, MN (visit my sis. I miss her cooking!)

Everything else is open to ideas.

We picked up her X5 in Spartanburg last year and drove the Southern route back to California. We took 3 weeks and had a blast. This time we want to go a more Northern route and take 8 weeks or so.

I'd love any advice you all have on routes, roads, highways, locations, B&Bs, unique bars or restaurants. Our plans are wide open. We just want to see the country by car and not be in a hurry.

Thanks in advance for any ideas you offer.


Here is one possible route I am thinking about that would include Southern Canada also. Happy to stay in the US also. This is just an idea.

Great Salt Lake area visit Antelope Island for wildlife (bison, etc). Fee to drive in but lots of places to stop and take pics.

I agree with others about Yellowstone (try staying in West Yellowstone if not in the park), and the Tetons. Worth the time for sure. Unfortunately that means it will be hard to get to Dinosaur National in/near Vernal, UT.

Lots of choices east of there. Really a matter of time and preferences.

After Niagara I would suggest staying in NY and then going across VT and NH. Pretty areas and if fall, you’ll want reservations. Then from Maine come down the coast to CT, cut over to PA and visit Hershey (take the tour, it is pretty interesting).

There is all kinds of history in the northeast, from revolutionary war through civil war. I always enjoy Boston and Gettysburg for the history.

Others have commented on driving back slowly through Canada, but it is pretty. Price of fuel is higher, too. For a shorter bit, cross at Buffalo and follow the lake coast to the upper peninsula of MI, then across the northern US route. Montana is beautiful, Idaho too. Little Big Horn, Corn Palace, Badlands, all kinds of places to visit along the way or a bit out of the way. Not a huge fan of Rushmore but if you haven’t been, be sure also to see Crazy Horse nearby.

Be prepared for cold weather (tires). We were in Yellowstone two years ago September and got snowed in because all we had were summer tires. Had to wait for a melt to move the car! Would do A/S or even put the winters on if going after mid-sept myself.

Obviously where you stop depends on what you’re interested in. Lots of nature, birds, wildlife along any route. Historic sites, neat architecture, little tours, quirky roadside attractions. There are unlimited choices so good to have a useful guide or map app. But there remain stretches of interstate (and of course back roads) with no cell service.

[wdb]

Your transit through Pennsylvania may be more entertaining along US Rte. 15. It's a surprisingly pleasant drive in many parts. Gettysburg battleground is along there for example, Hershey PA is not far off as well.

Also another good tool for finding fun roads is twistyroadfinder.com. I frequently use it for vigorous weekend day drives; find a road, let google maps get me there, do the road, then let google maps get me home. Be sure to flip the 'avoid highways' switch!