Quote:
Originally Posted by tekpro007
I am taking delivery of a new Z4 M40i in early April at the PCD center. I live in Seattle, so it will be a fun drive back home. I am doing this for the experience as I love driving. With that being said, I was thinking of going through the Badlands in South Dakota and seeing Mount Rushmore. After doing more research, I understand the weather could be very iffy in April, and I have heard of hailstorms which I would be horrified to be caught in with my new car.
So, I have two options. I can delay the PCD to May to hopefully give enough time for the weather to warm or I can go home through Denver -> Salt Lake City -> Boise -> Seattle.
I was wondering what the opinions are of whether it is worth it to wait until May to take delivery in hopes that the weather is drivable? Also, do you think the Denver and Salt Lake City area is a better drive (more scenic, more exciting, etc.) than the I90 to Mount Rushmore -> Billings -> Seattle route?
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I'll chime in some knowledge of the area in question. Been through all these areas several times. Only recently started to "document them." First, this is a trip I hope to do when we replace my wife's X3. Might be another X3 or possibly an X5. Either way, 3000 miles back to Portland will be a grand adventure.
I have 3 trip threads here that may offer insight (lots of photos and maps) on which route you might like.
From 2021 Rocky Mountains (Covers a lot of the northern route you seek: Badlands, Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower, Custer Battlefield, Montana)
https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1865068
From 2022 Colorado (Covers a ton of scenic roads thru Colorado plus Arches and Dead Horse in Utah)
https://f92.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1966646
From 2019 Utah (Utah National Parks Loop)
https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1784425
Weather could be a factor in early April. The northern route would be, well, more northern, but the Colorado route would take you over 11,000 foot passes. I tried to leave for Death Valley last year on April 20th and I needed snow tires to get out of the state because of a freak April snowstorm. I would vote for a delay to May to be sure.
What do you want to see? Things or grand vistas? The Badlands are great, Mt Rushmore awe inspiring, Custer humbling, Devils Tower cool, Montana grand. You'd probably be on a lot of freeways. Don't forget Deadwood, Bozeman, Butte and Coeur d'Alene.
The Colorado route is spectacular. Skip Denver and I-70. I would get myself to Colorado Springs, then over to Durango. Hwy 550 north through the Million Dollar Road. Black Canyon of the Gunnison, loop through Grand Mesa, drive through Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction. Hop on I-70 but drop down to Moab and pick off Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park if you haven't seen them. You'd be so close. Make your way to Park City, Boise and then home. Lots of 2 lane roads on this route. This would be my choice.
It would also depend on how much time you want to spend. We found 300 miles/day to be a limiting factor with all the sightseeing. 450 miles of freeway driving can work at 80 mph and the sightseeing is limited to mainly looking out the window.
We were also in a couple M5s and an M850. So, much roomier and a tad more luggage space.
Hope this helps.