Drive recommendations: NYC to ATL

z4m_06 · 08-01-2016, 03:45 PM

Hi guys,

Time for me to quit the corporate job in NJ and head south to ATL to pursue start-up dreams (

). I will be driving my Z4M Roadster down during the last week of August. Moving company is taking care of all the big stuff.

Looking for any recommendations to hit up on the drive down (restaurants, scenic views, TWISTY ROADS, etc.).

I would like to visit the Spartanburg facility and meet the team who was involved on the Z4M project (is this possible? anyone done it)? Also thinking about driving the "Tail of the Dragon".

Any and all comments are welcome!

Analog Imports · 08-01-2016, 03:54 PM

Congrats on taking the leap! I don't have anything to add regarding your drive, but what business are you starting just out of curiosity?

2jzn54 · 08-01-2016, 03:55 PM

i've done the drive a few times from ct to fl.. i did these in one shot so didn't really stop anywhere special. be ready to take your radar down for the painfully long stretch of va lol. tail of the dragon is pretty far out of the way.. though if your going to spend a few days doing the drive it is 100% worth it.

fecurtis · 08-01-2016, 04:04 PM

Whatever you choose to do, stay the fuck off of I-95 as much as you can.

EDIT: To give some actual recommendations, I'd take I-81 down to avoid traffic headaches since I-95 can be awful. As far as stuff to do, unfortunately I-81 basically goes through bumblefuck nowhere but I can give some ideas as to what to do in the VA portion:

If you want to add some hours to your trip, drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive that runs close to I-81, twisties galore but if you're a fan of Top Gear, you'll know that it has a painfully slow speed limit. It's also heavily patrolled so you can't have too much fun. It's also considered one of the most scenic drives in the country, the views in the fall are absolutely spectacular once the leaves start to change color.

South of Roanoke, VA there's a restaurant called The Homeplace in Catawba, VA. An excellent restaurant that I recommend to anyone who's visiting. There is a fun ass backroad you can continue down that's close to the restaurant (Blacksburg Road) that is full of twisties and pretty empty, just try not to throw up your dinner whole driving down there. You'll eventually wound up in Blacksburg, VA and from there you can hop back on I-81 S via US 460 east.

From there you can hop on I-77 S, head into Charlotte (sure there's lots to do there) then hop on I-85 S and head to Spartansburg, SC and eventually Atlanta.

z4m_06 · 08-01-2016, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daily Three

i've done the drive a few times from ct to fl.. i did these in one shot so didn't really stop anywhere special. be ready to take your radar down for the painfully long stretch of va lol. tail of the dragon is pretty far out of the way.. though if your going to spend a few days doing the drive it is 100% worth it.

I'm giving myself 4 - 5 days for the drive, not in any rush. Need to string together a plan and then map out a route. Most likely going to do Tail of the Dragon!

overcoil · 08-01-2016, 04:13 PM

Was the DelMarVa Peninsula something you thought was interesting or did you plan on using 95 or strattle 95 to the west?

The Parkways by Appalachia I find very appealing, definately out of your way on a western route.

Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Lincoln Highway, I would avoid.

As for food, in Maryland and southern Pennsylvania the peaches and tomatoes even the sweet white corn will be past their prime by last week of August.

Harrisburg PA by Interstate 83 to the Baltimore Beltway is a nice stretch, no high speeds if not familiar but a 70-80mph cruise will be just fine.

Baltimore and Washington both have their large swaths of poverty with gun play so pulling into those cities late at night you need to be aware where your GPS is routing you.

fecurtis · 08-01-2016, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z4m_06

I'm giving myself 4 - 5 days for the drive, not in any rush. Need to string together a plan and then map out a route. Most likely going to do Tail of the Dragon!

If you wanted to do Tail of the Dragon, then just take my recommendation and instead of hopping on I-85 S from I-77 S in Charlotte, I'd just take I-77 to I-40 W.

From there it's easier to check out nearby Asheville and then Tail of the Dragon. However, as stated it's a bit out of the way from Spartanburg but if you don't mind doing a bit of backtracking then you could fit both in.

z4m_06 · 08-01-2016, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Analog Imports

Congrats on taking the leap! I don't have anything to add regarding your drive, but what business are you starting just out of curiosity?

Thanks! Our company is called WonUpIt. Check us out here: www.wonup.it and here: www.fb.com/WonUpIt (give us a like to keep up to date with progress!)

We're essentially building a semi-private social media app that allows you to WonUp ("one-up") your closest friends in your everyday moments. Every WonUpIt moment is tagged with a single hashtag. Imagine you create #BMWLife, post an awesome pic of your BMW and then invite your closest friends to 'WonUp' you. They can respond with photo/video and we stitch together 'WonUp Threads' that all your friends can view and pick their favorite posts.

We have an interesting monetization strategy as well that I am hoping to execute when I go full time!

Let me know if you would like to learn more about what we do, love to talk about this

paliknight · 08-04-2016, 11:26 AM

You should definitely check out Charleston, if youre single.

Efthreeoh · 08-04-2016, 11:20 PM

78 to Bridgewater. Pick up 202 South to King of Prussia, PA. Past Prussia pick up 30 West to Lancaster, PA. Check out Intercourse, PA on 340 (little diversion). Take 30 West to Gettysburg. Pick up 15 South to Thurmont, MD. 15 to Frederick and pick up 340 South to Harpers Ferry. 340 to Charlestown (hit the casino). 340 to Luray - hit the caverns and stay at the Mislim Inn. In Luray, VA pick up 211 West to New Market, VA. Pick up 42 South to Harrisonburg eat at the Capital Ale House in downtown H-burg on the old town square. Grab 33 West to Franklin (you'll thank me later). At Franklin, take 220 South to 92 south and hit the Green Bank Radio Observatory. Then 92 South to 39 West to 219 South to Lewisburg. Hit up the Lewisburg Caverns. Stay at the Lewisburg Inn. 219 to Bluefield. 460 to 19 South to 613 to Gate City. 26 South to Kingsport to 411 West to 129 South (Tail of the Dragon). 74 South to 76 to 575 to Atl.

kunzjob · 08-05-2016, 10:02 AM

Some has been said before... I have covered all of these on a motorcycle and loved every second of it:
Skyline drive
Blue Ridge Parkway
Tail of the Dragon
Cherohala Skyway

fhaze3 · 08-05-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunzjob

Some has been said before... I have covered all of these on a motorcycle and loved every second of it:
Skyline drive
Blue Ridge Parkway
Tail of the Dragon
Cherohala Skyway

Another nod for this.

Also...eat at a Waffle House

zer0cool · 08-05-2016, 01:03 PM

Visit DC museums, then find Blue Ridge Parkway and drive all the way down to Asheville NC. From there go to Atl.

Efthreeoh · 08-07-2016, 09:31 AM

OP, I live 20 minutes from the Skyline Drive and 45 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway (it starts at Route 250 West of Charlottesville). I've driven both numerous times and have taken the entire Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive from Asheville, NC to Front Royal, VA. These are the most boring roads to drive. Yes they have wonderful views, and some great curves, and are well maintained, but the speed limit is 35 MPH on most of it (and patrolled) making it extremely boring to drive after about an hour. Assuming that your are looking for a decent driving experience based on the statement you are going to the Tail of the Dragon, find the back country roads in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina all of them are excellent driving roads. Find roads that follow rivers or cut between mountain chains (Pennsylvania mostly). I've driven these roads in this area of the country extensively for the past 20 years on both motorcycles and in sport cars, trust me, taking the BRP and Skyline Drive are the least fun to drive. Route 219 (MD/WV) or Route 220 (VA/WV) are really excellent roads to drive. Route 28/33 at Senca Rocks back over to RT 220 is one of my favorite sections to drive.

z4m_06 · 08-08-2016, 10:21 AM

Wow guys, thanks a lot for all the fantastic recommendations! Just confirmed who my co-pilot is going to be

. Will be working with him to finalize the route. I will keep this group updated!

z4m_06 · 08-31-2016, 06:19 PM

I made it to Atlanta at 11pm on 29th, still reeling from the epic-ness of that road trip!

My co-pilot had to unexpectedly travel a week before the drive, so I ended up doing it solo. I'm going to post a detailed description of the drive when I get some time to breathe (in the middle of moving in, etc.)

1,164 miles, 3 full days of driving. ~70 miles was on interstates, everything else was small highways and back country roads. HUGE shoutout to Efthreeoh for the recommendations. I used that route as a guideline and figured out the rest as I went on. Tried to use Google Maps as little as possible and that allowed me to discover some beautiful roads.

55mph back country roads are my new favorite thing

08-01-2016, 03:45 PM	#1
z4m_06 Enlisted Member 13 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Hoboken, NJ iTrader: (0)	Drive recommendations: NYC to ATL Hi guys, Time for me to quit the corporate job in NJ and head south to ATL to pursue start-up dreams (). I will be driving my Z4M Roadster down during the last week of August. Moving company is taking care of all the big stuff. Looking for any recommendations to hit up on the drive down (restaurants, scenic views, TWISTY ROADS, etc.). I would like to visit the Spartanburg facility and meet the team who was involved on the Z4M project (is this possible? anyone done it)? Also thinking about driving the "Tail of the Dragon". Any and all comments are welcome!
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08-01-2016, 03:54 PM	#2
Analog Imports Addict 130 Rep 345 Posts Drives: EBII 335 6MT Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Florida iTrader: (1)	Congrats on taking the leap! I don't have anything to add regarding your drive, but what business are you starting just out of curiosity? __________________ -ANALOG IMPORTS- Instagram @AnalogImports
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08-01-2016, 03:55 PM	#3
2jzn54 Captain 41 Rep 823 Posts Drives: 07 E90 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (6)	i've done the drive a few times from ct to fl.. i did these in one shot so didn't really stop anywhere special. be ready to take your radar down for the painfully long stretch of va lol. tail of the dragon is pretty far out of the way.. though if your going to spend a few days doing the drive it is 100% worth it.
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08-01-2016, 04:04 PM	#4
fecurtis Banned 3271 Rep 6,299 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (0)	Whatever you choose to do, stay the fuck off of I-95 as much as you can. EDIT: To give some actual recommendations, I'd take I-81 down to avoid traffic headaches since I-95 can be awful. As far as stuff to do, unfortunately I-81 basically goes through bumblefuck nowhere but I can give some ideas as to what to do in the VA portion: If you want to add some hours to your trip, drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive that runs close to I-81, twisties galore but if you're a fan of Top Gear, you'll know that it has a painfully slow speed limit. It's also heavily patrolled so you can't have too much fun. It's also considered one of the most scenic drives in the country, the views in the fall are absolutely spectacular once the leaves start to change color. South of Roanoke, VA there's a restaurant called The Homeplace in Catawba, VA. An excellent restaurant that I recommend to anyone who's visiting. There is a fun ass backroad you can continue down that's close to the restaurant (Blacksburg Road) that is full of twisties and pretty empty, just try not to throw up your dinner whole driving down there. You'll eventually wound up in Blacksburg, VA and from there you can hop back on I-81 S via US 460 east. From there you can hop on I-77 S, head into Charlotte (sure there's lots to do there) then hop on I-85 S and head to Spartansburg, SC and eventually Atlanta. Last edited by fecurtis; 08-01-2016 at 04:12 PM..
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08-01-2016, 04:13 PM	#6
overcoil Major General 3123 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Was the DelMarVa Peninsula something you thought was interesting or did you plan on using 95 or strattle 95 to the west? The Parkways by Appalachia I find very appealing, definately out of your way on a western route. Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Lincoln Highway, I would avoid. As for food, in Maryland and southern Pennsylvania the peaches and tomatoes even the sweet white corn will be past their prime by last week of August. Harrisburg PA by Interstate 83 to the Baltimore Beltway is a nice stretch, no high speeds if not familiar but a 70-80mph cruise will be just fine. Baltimore and Washington both have their large swaths of poverty with gun play so pulling into those cities late at night you need to be aware where your GPS is routing you. Last edited by overcoil; 08-01-2016 at 04:23 PM..
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08-04-2016, 11:26 AM	#9
paliknight fuck this field 2196 Rep 2,603 Posts Drives: 18 F80 CS/18 F80 ZCP/19 M2C Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: everywhere iTrader: (1)	You should definitely check out Charleston, if youre single. __________________ BMW family... for now.
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08-04-2016, 11:20 PM	#10
Efthreeoh General 19186 Rep 19,718 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	78 to Bridgewater. Pick up 202 South to King of Prussia, PA. Past Prussia pick up 30 West to Lancaster, PA. Check out Intercourse, PA on 340 (little diversion). Take 30 West to Gettysburg. Pick up 15 South to Thurmont, MD. 15 to Frederick and pick up 340 South to Harpers Ferry. 340 to Charlestown (hit the casino). 340 to Luray - hit the caverns and stay at the Mislim Inn. In Luray, VA pick up 211 West to New Market, VA. Pick up 42 South to Harrisonburg eat at the Capital Ale House in downtown H-burg on the old town square. Grab 33 West to Franklin (you'll thank me later). At Franklin, take 220 South to 92 south and hit the Green Bank Radio Observatory. Then 92 South to 39 West to 219 South to Lewisburg. Hit up the Lewisburg Caverns. Stay at the Lewisburg Inn. 219 to Bluefield. 460 to 19 South to 613 to Gate City. 26 South to Kingsport to 411 West to 129 South (Tail of the Dragon). 74 South to 76 to 575 to Atl. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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08-05-2016, 10:02 AM	#11
kunzjob Private First Class 40 Rep 111 Posts Drives: Harley Davidson Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cali iTrader: (0)	Some has been said before... I have covered all of these on a motorcycle and loved every second of it: Skyline drive Blue Ridge Parkway Tail of the Dragon Cherohala Skyway
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08-05-2016, 01:03 PM	#13
zer0cool First Lieutenant 106 Rep 300 Posts Drives: X3M Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Visit DC museums, then find Blue Ridge Parkway and drive all the way down to Asheville NC. From there go to Atl.
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08-07-2016, 09:31 AM	#14
Efthreeoh General 19186 Rep 19,718 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	OP, I live 20 minutes from the Skyline Drive and 45 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway (it starts at Route 250 West of Charlottesville). I've driven both numerous times and have taken the entire Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive from Asheville, NC to Front Royal, VA. These are the most boring roads to drive. Yes they have wonderful views, and some great curves, and are well maintained, but the speed limit is 35 MPH on most of it (and patrolled) making it extremely boring to drive after about an hour. Assuming that your are looking for a decent driving experience based on the statement you are going to the Tail of the Dragon, find the back country roads in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina all of them are excellent driving roads. Find roads that follow rivers or cut between mountain chains (Pennsylvania mostly). I've driven these roads in this area of the country extensively for the past 20 years on both motorcycles and in sport cars, trust me, taking the BRP and Skyline Drive are the least fun to drive. Route 219 (MD/WV) or Route 220 (VA/WV) are really excellent roads to drive. Route 28/33 at Senca Rocks back over to RT 220 is one of my favorite sections to drive. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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08-08-2016, 10:21 AM	#15
z4m_06 Enlisted Member 13 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Hoboken, NJ iTrader: (0)	Wow guys, thanks a lot for all the fantastic recommendations! Just confirmed who my co-pilot is going to be . Will be working with him to finalize the route. I will keep this group updated!
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08-31-2016, 06:19 PM	#16
z4m_06 Enlisted Member 13 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Hoboken, NJ iTrader: (0)	I made it to Atlanta at 11pm on 29th, still reeling from the epic-ness of that road trip! My co-pilot had to unexpectedly travel a week before the drive, so I ended up doing it solo. I'm going to post a detailed description of the drive when I get some time to breathe (in the middle of moving in, etc.) 1,164 miles, 3 full days of driving. ~70 miles was on interstates, everything else was small highways and back country roads. HUGE shoutout to Efthreeoh for the recommendations. I used that route as a guideline and figured out the rest as I went on. Tried to use Google Maps as little as possible and that allowed me to discover some beautiful roads. 55mph back country roads are my new favorite thing
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