Oppo: I'm on a road trip this June on the East coast. Suggest me good driving roads and meet me! UPDATE 3: I'm in DC

"ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability" (italianjobr53) 05/11/2018 at 09:58 • Filed to: None

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UPDATE 3: I dont like the roads and the traffic here. Planelopnik photodump incoming.

UPDATE 2: I’ve been in SC since the last week and have discovered that I have a ton of my high school friends here; so I haven’t been on Oppo lately.

That said I did drive some fun roads and I got videos:

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is picturesque as well, but the road up to the summit is better! The first half of the downhill was very foggy/cloudy but it cleared up later.

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is the craziest road that I have ever driven! It is barely as wide as the Mini. The pads were cooked when I stopped after the run; thankfully they came back once they cooled down. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have pushed so hard and I won’t again.

I’ll go karting tomorrow in Moorsville, NC, do the Tail on Monday and drive some of the roads that you guys suggested later in the week.

UPDATE: We will be going to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which has a 1.5 miles long outdoor go-karting track! We will be taking back roads (mostly !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which is one of the best driving roads around). Join me if you can/want!

Also, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is an awesome app! I drove the following route which was fun:

Lots of 60ish mph corners with elevation changes mid corner.

Original post:

Before I tell the details of the trip, I realized I never introduced myself on Oppo. So, I’ve just graduated from school as a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering (not related to cars) and will start working full time later this year. I’m not an American and have been in the US for the past 2 years. I drive a 2004 Mini Cooper S and I intend to own it forever!

My route this summer:

I’ll be stopping in the following cities:

Detroit, MI

Columbus, IN

Greenville, SC

Washington, DC

Lebanon, NH

Buffalo, NY

Maybe Cleveland, OH

I’ll be heading to southern Indiana sometime during the last week of May and will be going to the Indy 500 on the 27th May.

I will be going to the ‘Kart Kountry’ near Louisville, KY on the 26th. Later, we plan to drive to Greenville on the 27th after the race and do the tail on the 28th. Meet me on the Tail if you can!

I’m not exactly sure in which city I’ll be at any given time, but I’ll keep updating this post when I reach the next city.

So, ping me if your on the route and we can meet for a drink and/or go karting! Suggest me some fun driving roads too!

Cheers!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:04

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I’m near Asheville, as are a couple of others.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 05/11/2018 at 10:06

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I’ll probably be in Greenville for 3 4 days starting on the 28th. We could do a mini meet if there are enough of us.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:06

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You could definitely try coming over to Nashville and hitting up the Lane. I would absolutely stop in Knoxville at Tomato Head or Stock and Barrel in Market Square.

Nibby > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:07

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stop by NYC and drive on the BQE around 5pm on a weekday

Eberle-Hills-Cop > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:07

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If you can finagle it, take VT 100. Beautiful stretch of tarmac.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:09

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Looks like your map begins and ends in Detroit. Are you coming to Metro Detroit OPPO Meet?!?!?!

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/metro-detroit-oppo-meet-2018-location-confirmed-1825609910

CalzoneGolem > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:11

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It is a bit North of your stop in Lebannon but the Kancamagus Scenic Byway is some great cruising.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways/2458/maps

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 05/11/2018 at 10:12

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I can’t unfortunately.

I have to go back to school (Upper Peninsula) to complete a 3 day course which ends on the 18th and have some more stuff to take care of :(

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 05/11/2018 at 10:13

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I’ll try go come to the Nashville meet but I’m not sure as of now if I can make it.

ttyymmnn > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:14

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National Museum of the Unites States Air Force in Dayton is a must-see, though it’s a bit out of your way, unless you skip Ft. Wayne (not much there, TBH).

Say HI to my Mom when you’re in Lebanon.

E90M3 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:15

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Know the exact dates for Greenville? If I’m free I’m more than willing to meet up.

PartyPooper2012 > Nibby 05/11/2018 at 10:18

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Second that! Lots of fun! Doesn’t even have to be BQE. LIE - 495 is fun around 5 PM during the week. I95 is loads of fun. I highly recommend driving through Lincoln tunnel once or twice (for reference, see Sopranos theme song video)

nermal > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:27

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See that big green splotch on the map in between the labels for Washington and West Virginia? Go there. It’s some of the best driving roads in the country. Make sure you watch your fuel supply, because it can get pretty remote. Try to pick up Rt 250, there’s a section of it with what seems like endless slow switchbacks climbing a mountain that would be amazing in a Mini.

Don’t pick up any passengers if you’re near the maximum security prison, however. (There are multiple signs reminding you of this in case you forget).

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > E90M3 05/11/2018 at 10:29

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Not quite, but I’ll be there from the 28th (tbh I’ll be driving in the smokies most of the 28th) and i will stay at least 3 4 days there.

I’ll update the post when I’m sure

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > CalzoneGolem 05/11/2018 at 10:31

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Thats nice!

I plan to drive up to Mt Washington, so this road should be on the way!

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > ttyymmnn 05/11/2018 at 10:32

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I have been to the museum in Dayton! It is extremely awesome and extremely time consuming. I’ll try to go there again before the 27th May weekend

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > nermal 05/11/2018 at 10:35

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Thanks!

I’ve read that there are a ton of good roads in the Smokies; that SC to Washington DC route is like a placeholder in the map.

I’ll take any and all roads that are fun!

CalzoneGolem > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:39

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Yeah it’s on the top right of that map.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:44

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Wrong answer, try again, I’ll wait.

Just kidding I get it. Especially at the end of the road on the Masters you gotta do what ya gotta do to finish up!

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 05/11/2018 at 10:46

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Lol.

I’m in Detroit right now. We can go karting at k2k if you want!

ttyymmnn > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:50

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Last summer, my family visited my brother-in-law who lives in Ft. Wayne. I told my wife that my oldest son and I were going to Dayton and nobody was going to stop us. We got there when they opened the doors, and they locked them behind us when we left. I probably could have spent three days there.

E90M3 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 10:53

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Ok cool. Just let me know.

facw > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 11:10

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Of course if you want to see planes, you’ll also have the opportunity for the Air and Space Museum in DC and its annex at the Udvar-Hazy center in VA.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 11:24

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Ha, if I had time to hang out tonight/tomorrow I’d be working on the Rally Capri! I was thinking about doing some work on it tonight but I don’t think I’ll be able to. Might grab a couple parts on the way home just in case though...

I’ve got electrical gremlins - I suspect grounding issues.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 11:41

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Between Washington and Roanoke, take the Blue Ridge Parkway the entire way! It is well worth the detour. I would highly recommend taking some further detours onto some other roads along the way if you have time. But if you are pressed for time, just take the BRP instead of i-81.

When passing through the NYC area, unless you had planned on spending time in the city you should make a detour to Bear Mountain. A lot of fun roads to drive there and a very pretty area.

When passing through NJ, you could instead stay on i-80 and head to the water gap and then make your way down through PA. Honestly I would rather go all the way out to i-81 from there, there are some fun routes you could take that wouldn’t add too much time. Then you can take i-81 down into VA and skip the whole DC traffic mess. Lots of fun roads specifically in Northeast PA, although pavement is often bad up there.

One more thing, if you are headed to the Buffalo area, it could be an easy detour to Niagra falls if you havent been. The US side is kind of shitty but its still a cool sight to see anyways. Detroit to Buffalo is probably also an easier drive on the Canada side if it doesnt take too long to cross the border.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > PartyPooper2012 05/11/2018 at 11:42

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Yall motherfuckers need jesus

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Eberle-Hills-Cop 05/11/2018 at 11:45

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While the scenery is certainly beautiful, the tarmac in Vermont is anything but that lol. Moreso northern vermont but still lol. My Miata does not have enough ground clearance to handle the paved roads in Vermont. When they just put up “rough road” signs instead of fixing them, that seems like a problem. I suppose the constant freeze/thaw cycles are hell on the pavement, but man its annoying.

PartyPooper2012 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/11/2018 at 11:52

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Well, that’s just rude!

If you were to travel to Russia, I would highly recommend driving in something like this

if you were to travel to middle east, I would highly recommend driving in something like this

Therefore, it is only natural that if you come to NYC area, you experience something like this

As for our religious needs, please keep your opinions to yourself.

itschrome > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/11/2018 at 11:56

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Looks like your planning to take route 7 from albany up into vermont. instead try this:

take route 2 from troy ny to williamstown MA then shoot north on 7 to your original route.

edit: also fuck buffalo, Rochester is much nicer.  

Eberle-Hills-Cop > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/11/2018 at 14:52

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Maybe in the North, but Rt 100 from Sugarbush to Killington is super smooth and new tarmac.

Chuckles > nermal 05/11/2018 at 14:56

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250 from Staunton Virginia to Philippi WV (home to the only covered bridge on the US numbered highway system) is my favorite road ever.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Eberle-Hills-Cop 05/11/2018 at 15:05

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Haha well yeah they actually paved that section. I am pretty sure Sugarbush paid for that if i remember correctly. Since that is the main way to get to the resort. I had a season pass at the Bush for a couple of years. Its the mountain passes getting over from the West to VT100 that are especially bad. And before they recently paved that part of 100, it was also scary bad.

Either way, its worth going there. I have never been in the summer and I regret that. Now that I am living out West I doubt I will get a chance to get up there again.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/25/2018 at 09:35

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Asheville - Go to the Top of the Monk. Best cocktails I’ve ever had. Also Wicked Weed is best for food and beer in the city. Get Tyrnat(Double Red Ale) and the apple crisp burger.

Knoxville - Tomato Head in Market Square. Some of the freshest food you will ever have.

TorqueToYield > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 05/25/2018 at 10:16

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Do not Do not Do Not take the GWB or 95 through NYC or CT unless you’re stopping there. There will be traffic. You will hate your life.

You have a few much better options depending if you want fun backroads or major highways.

Non-fun options that resemble your route:

You can take 287 N in NJ to 287 E in NY then over the Tapenzee bridge then 15N (Hutch River to Merrit) to 91 N

You can take the NJ Parkway N to the Tapenzee bridge then 15N to 91N.

15N is reasonably fun, but often very trafficy.

You can replace 15N with 684 to 84 depending on traffic.

Do not take 95N through CT. It always has traffic. It’s one of the worst highways in the country for traffic. Just dont.

Now, the more fun routes:

NJ Parkway N to 7 lakes drive, explore backroads in Harriman State Park, then cross the Hudson on Bear Mtn Bridge then proceed as above.

OR - what I would recommend for maximum fun back roads: 287N (or NJ Parkway depending on traffic) to NY Thruway N then start heading east around Lake George (or really anywhere N of Newburgh). There are absolutely fantastic 2 lane (1 each direction) 55mph speed limit empty county roads all through that area of NY and VT. NY 22, 9N, US 4, 7. Just turn on terrain on google maps and look for squiggly lines. Just watch out for where the roads turn to 25mph zones through the little villages. There’s also a ton of super cute back country villages, camping, and rural type stuff to do.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > TorqueToYield 05/25/2018 at 11:08

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Thanks!

I’ll take the fun roads :)