[Pete Peterman]

Just completed a round trip from western North Carolina to Boston and back. Put 3000 miles on the odometer and averaged 33.1 mpg. Not bad since I like to accelerate now and then. But the short wheelbase and run-flat tires take their toll on long trips. OK on smooth roads but when the going gets rough on some interstates and bridges one's back and teeth suffer. Other than that it was fun and the little car performed all of its functions flawlessly.

[Windshadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pete Peterman

Just completed a round trip from western North Carolina to Boston and back. Put 3000 miles on the odometer and averaged 33.1 mpg. Not bad since I like to accelerate now and then. But the short wheelbase and run-flat tires take their toll on long trips. OK on smooth roads but when the going gets rough on some interstates and bridges one's back and teeth suffer. Other than that it was fun and the little car performed all of its functions flawlessly.

Sounds like you had a great time
Which were the best and which the worst? I am starting a trip down to Florida via the blue Ridge parkway in about a month (perhaps in time to make the Dragon run )and if any roads are very bad I would be glad of detour side trips to avoid them I have no time constraints on the trip I just need to be in Bar Harbor Maine on the 17th to rest up fo the MOT run.
Bridges are not a problem but 40 miles of bad washboard might be less than fun on my 17" runflats.

Then starting in July I will be doing a 3 to 4 month trip around the whole country.
HUMMMM
Paul how about a thread in the USA national with pointers in the U.S.A. regional sections about MINI unfriendly highways and ways around the bad sections?

[Pete Peterman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Windshadow

Sounds like you had a great time
Which were the best and which the worst? I am starting a trip down to Florida via the blue Ridge parkway in about a month (perhaps in time to make the Dragon run )and if any roads are very bad I would be glad of detour side trips to avoid them I have no time constraints on the trip I just need to be in Bar Harbor Maine on the 17th to rest up fo the MOT run.
Bridges are not a problem but 40 miles of bad washboard might be less than fun on my 17" runflats.

Then starting in July I will be doing a 3 to 4 month trip around the whole country.
HUMMMM
Paul how about a thread in the USA national with pointers in the U.S.A. regional sections about MINI unfriendly highways and ways around the bad sections?

~~~~~~~
Windshadow: Left here (Brevard, NC) and proceeded north via I-26, I-81, and I-95. I-26 is fine through SC and NC, I-81 is fine thru VA, MD, W.VA, but deteriorates in PA. I-81 and the PA Turnpike are not good roads. Headed east on I-78 to the Garden State Parkway, Tappan Zee Bridge and finished on I-95 (horrible, horrible road surface!).

Passed thru the Bridgeport, CT area just a few hours ahead of the big accident. Since that portion of the road was to be closed for a few days I elected to head west via the Mass. Turnpike (not a bad road) and eventually back home via I-81.

Did take one small detour down the Taconic Parkway in NY. Lousy choice. Miserable road and few facilities. Pretty drive tho.

My wife and I make the trip to Boston at least twice a year and know, by the condition of the roads, when we have crossed over into PA and head into the northeast. That portion of the country always uses tough winter weather as an excuse for pot holes, etc. Well, I've traveled throughout Europe many times and our DOT's could use some lessons from the Germans for instance. There is no excuse for rough road surfaces. None!

As for your trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great choice, great scenery. Just be prepared to travel slowly (average about 35), especially as traffic builds in warmer weather.

For your trip around the country, avoid using the interstate thru Oklahoma City. It is really a mess with construction, etc. And be careful should you pass thru Byron, Wyoming, just east of Yellowstone. Byron is a one-horse town. Two eye-blinks and you are thru it. But sure enough there is a revenue collecting local cop snagging folks (mostly tourists) who exceed the speed limit. Fortunately we were warned by a former resident of the area.

Anywhooooo...have a great trip south and around the country.

[URU]

i stepped from a 5 series into my MCS and am extremely happy with the change except the long distance driving aspect. i no the MCS is not specifically built for this and the 5 series was (an autobahm special) but i was actually struggling to hold the MINI on some roads when you get the wheels stuck in 'tram lines' in the roads made by lorries...

newayz, your 'road trips' sound like great fun guys, good luck on the national 1.

[Windshadow]

Many thanks Pete that is just the sort of info I was hoping to get

Uru, I have had cars that react badly to badly worn motorways and tramline in the ruts before. my main plan is to avoid them where I can as I am not in any hurry or forced to any schedule if i only do 3 or 400 miles a day that is fine as is stopping for a few days to explore an area that strikes my fancy

[ninethreeeleven]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pete Peterman

Did take one small detour down the Taconic Parkway in NY. Lousy choice. Miserable road and few facilities. Pretty drive tho.

Welcome to New York State road ways... none are good, but along the Thruway (I-87), and especially the Parkway, the scenery is nice. Lots of open farm lands the whole way through.

[Ottawa Guy]

Last summer I did Route 66 in my 02 MCS (see the link below). Total distance for return trip was 12,146 km (7,547 miles).

Except for one whopper of a pothole in Chicago, nothing but good to report. An excellent highway car and even better on the backroads.

Of course some of the abandoned sections of Route 66 need an SUV and 4-wheel drive -- so you just have to avoid that

Feel like doing it again this year. But maybe I'll find somewhere else to drive.

Tony

[Windshadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ottawa Guy

Last summer I did Route 66 in my 02 MCS (see the link below). Total distance for return trip was 12,146 km (7,547 miles).

Except for one whopper of a pothole in Chicago, nothing but good to report. An excellent highway car and even better on the backroads.

Of course some of the abandoned sections of Route 66 need an SUV and 4-wheel drive -- so you just have to avoid that

Feel like doing it again this year. But maybe I'll find somewhere else to drive.

Tony

Terrific webpage! that is exactly how I plan to make my trips... thanks and while my reports will not be as fancy as yours I do plan to keep my .mac page updated with captioned photos...

and anyone else with advice about MINI Friendly and Unfriendly roads their additions will be gladly added to my travel log

[gtshnzr]

We just did 3000 miles, chicago to NY for the RDR2, then to DC and back to chicago, and then to Des Moines IA. Most of I-80 is okay from Des Moines thru Youngstown OH. But the Pennsylvania turnpike is bad in parts, as are parts of I-87 near NY. And then going from CT thru NY to get on I-95 south, some of the exit ramps are just one big pothole and patch. I-95 thru MD is good. Happy motoring.

[Ezzer]

MC - Geneva to Paris twice.... once on 15" 175 winters.... no problems. once on 16" runflats..... same ride until 10km from Paris! My GOD, nearly shaken all my teeth out! (I'm under 25!)..... That's my car with standard sports suspension! I don't know how you guys with S/S suspension and 17" cope! And the noise on the washboards!

Minis need 100& smooth tarmac I think!

[htrout13]

I 95 in PA is horrible - lots of construction and big holes - I've managed to hit most of them! If you head throught Jersey you miss most of them - taking the NJ Turnpike (also I 95) which is in good condition vs 295 which is also under construction. Delaware and MD (as above) are both good. PA roads are going to be a toss up because no matter which road you're on - turnpike (76), 80, 81, 476, 79, etc. there is going to be a portion of it that is under construction... they start at one end and when they're done they go back to the beginning... torture for the rest of us!

I 80 once out of PA tends to be good through Iowa (although I haven't driven it in about a year or so), and I've never known a road in CT to be smooth (please correct me if wrong!).

Headed to Plymouth this past weekend (your neck of the woods Windshadow) and CT is still horrible. The road to the cape from RI isn't bad though...

Even cobblestones are better than some highways... regardless - not sure how much longer I'm going to live with the 17" !

h