MINI Takes the States is the ultimate MINI road trip so it deserves the ultimate route guide. We’ve taken MINI USA’s official info, added our own thoughts and created what we think is an essential guide to the “Camp MINI” aka MTTS 2024. If you’re at all interested in attending, this is a must read.
This year’s MTTS will be the first that’s solely focused on the western US and will wind its way north and through the Rockies before turning to the Pacific Northwest. If you’re itching for a scenic road trip (whether you’re based in the US or not) this might be the ultimate MTTS to attend.
MINI Takes the States 2024 (MTTS) Route & Schedule
DAY 0: JULY 12 | ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Check your oil and rotate your tires – MINI TAKES THE STATES is about to kick off! Get to Albuquerque on July 12th to take in one of America’s coolest cities. Albuquerque is the capital of New Mexico, of course, but it’s also the cultural gem of the Southwest. This high desert boasts a variety of architecture, artwork, and cuisine, making it one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country. With 310 days of sunshine and blue skies, it’s no wonder New Mexico’s largest city is the perfect backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy the Hot Air Ballooning Capital of the World before we head off on our epic adventure.
Come join us for early check-in at Sandia MINI. Collect your credentials and your goody bag as you roll into town.
VENUE: Sandia MINI
6001 Pan American West Fwy NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
TIME: 11am – 7pm
PARKING: Pull into the lot and we’ll direct you to an open spot
PETS: Pets are allowed
DAY 1: JULY 13 | ALBUQUERQUE, NM – DURANGO, CO
What better way to kick off our rally than with the launching of hot air balloons in the famous Balloon Fiesta Park! Prepare for lift off with your fellow MINIacs!
VENUE: Balloon Fiesta Park
9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
TIME: 7am – 10am
PETS: Pets are allowed on the grounds
DAY AT A GLANCE
It’s time! Hop on I-25 to get out of the city and into the wilderness… Say goodbye to Albuquerque and Santa Fe as we head north toward Highway 84 alongside the many reservation lands that make up New Mexico. Ooh and ahh as we divulge into expansive desert with marvelous red rock formations lining the road. Get ready for surprising and sudden greenery as we cross the border into Colorado and head for Pagosa Springs, known for its hot springs and the abundant trout that jump down the San Juan River. The mountains in the distance will be calling your name as we wind our way to Durango.
START CITY: Albuquerque, NM
FINISH CITY: Durango, CO
EST. TIME: 5 hours
SEE YOU IN DURANGO
Climb higher and cross the Colorado border to this sweet town with a Wild West legacy. Nestled in the Animas River Valley, Durango gives the best of both worlds – beautiful green mountains and awe-inspiring red rock formations. Purgatory Resort takes advantage of those steep mountains and 260 inches of snowfall each year-voted as having the best ski weather in America by SKI Magazine more than 10 times! Mountain biking, skiing, and fishing are just a few of the adventures you might find in this quaint town founded by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company.
DAY 2: JULY 14 | DURANGO, CO –GRAND JUNCTION, CO
Meet us back at Fort Lewis College – a public liberal arts school that originated as a military fort! This stunning campus sits at 6,872 feet atop a natural mesa that overlooks the Animas River Valley.
VENUE: Fort Lewis College
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, CO 81301
TIME: 7am – 9am
PETS: Pets are allowed on the grounds
DAY AT A GLANCE
Into the mountains we go! Say goodbye to the desert for a moment as we delve into the San Juan National Forest just north of Durango. On the 550 N, we’ll be surrounded by mountains – Purgatory Resort to your left and Animas Mountain to your right. Take in the snow-capped mountains with your windows down as we near Silverton, the start of the world-famous “Million Dollar Highway.” We’ll give those MINI gears a work out as they climb mountain paths, navigate winding roads and take us to places we’ve never seen. Savor every moment as you make your way to Ouray, a popular ice climbing destination where the “Million Dollar Highway” comes to an end. If you missed Telluride Ski Resort on your left, don’t sweat it. There’s plenty more where we’re headed! Enjoy the wide-open spaces as we make our way to Delta, where the spanning desert and the 50 W will take us all the way to Grand Junction!
START CITY: Durango, CO
FINISH CITY: Grand Junction, CO
DRIVE LENGTH: 165 miles
EST. TIME: 4 hours
SEE YOU IN GRAND JUNCTION
Looking for some classic Western history on this route? Look no further! Discover dinosaur fossils, historic orchards, Native American artifacts and cowboy memorabilia in one of Colorado’s most timeless cities. Mountains, rivers, canyons and lakes continue to mesmerize in Grand Junction – somewhere you can river raft, mountain bike and hike all in the same day. A whopping 76% of the area is made up of public land like Colorado National Monument, also known as the “mini” Grand Canyon-a term we don’t take lightly! The Grand Mesa and Rattlesnake Arches show off some of the finest red rock formations Colorado has to offer.
DAY 3: JULY 15 | GRAND JUNCTION, CO – SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Gather at beautiful Lincoln Park to stroll along the grass and marvel at the more than 60 different types of trees in this gorgeous park complex. Take your furry pals for a quick walk, lay out a picnic blanket or just take a big, deep breath of the fresh air!
VENUE: Lincoln Park Complex
910 N 12th Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
TIME: 7am – 9am
PETS: Pets are allowed on the grounds
DAY AT A GLANCE
Say goodbye to Colorado on I-70 with one last look at the Colorado National Monument! The high desert will take us through red rock formations and tall mountain peaks as we cross over the Utah border! As we pass Cisco, you’ll see Arches National Park, home to some of the most iconic rock arches in the U.S. We’ll veer off I-70 at Green River and embark on the 191, where you’ll be surrounded by unique mesas and natural rock formations. Trade in the wide-open spaces as we make our way into beautiful Price Canyon, opting to take the scenic route along Highway 264 at Colton. “The Energy Loop” winds through the mountains, opening up at shocking locations like Electric Lake and Beaver Dam. The 89 N will help us re-emerge into civilization when we come upon Provo, our first introduction to the Salt Lake Valley. Pass Utah Lake on the lefthand side of I-15 and Mt. Timpanogos on the right. Catch your first look at the Cottonwood Canyons and hike-able Mt. Olympus as you drive north into downtown Salt Lake City.
START CITY: Grand Junction, CO
FINISH CITY: Salt Lake City, UT
DRIVE LENGTH: 350 miles
EST. TIME: 5.5 hours
SEE YOU IN SALT LAKE
Let’s drive north to the greatest snow on Earth (don’t argue with the locals on that one)! Nine world-class ski resorts surround the Salt Lake area and in the summer they make some of the best biking, hiking and climbing you can find in the West. Take in the beauty of the Cottonwood Canyons from Snowbird Ski Area or one of the many local breweries with a view. Just up Little Emmigration Canyon, you’ll find the Utah Olympic Park, one of many venues where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held. The city has a rich pioneer heritage, hosts the wildly popular Sundance Film Festival and boasts an emerging diverse food scene.
EVENING EVENT
Let’s close out leg 1 in style! Upon reaching Salt Lake City, drop off your gear or pull right into the Gallivan Center, Salt Lake City’s premier outdoor space in the downtown area for an evening of good food, local music and fun.
VENUE: Gallivan Center
239 S Main St
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
TIME: 7pm – 10pm
PETS: Pets are NOT allowed at the venue
DAYS 4 & 5: JULY 16/17 EXPLORE GRAND TETONS, BRIDGER NATIONAL FOREST & YELLOWSTONE
It’s time to explore on your own through arguably the most beautiful part of the United States.
DAY(S) AT A GLANCE
After departing Salt Lake City, UT drivers will have the opportunity to explore-on-own nearby national treasures including Yellowstone and Grand Tetons and Bridger National Forest. Continuing through north through Big Sky country, MTTS 2024 will stop in Bozeman.
Knowing this area incredibly well we’d highly recommend heading to western Wyoming and north via 189. This will take you through Jackson (a great place to stay the night) before heading into Yellowstone itself.
Yellowstone can be very busy this time of year but is still highly worth a visit. From there we’d highly recommend heading north into Paradise Valley (it’s called that for a reason), staying or just taking a dip at Chico Hot Springs, catching a show at legendary Pine Creek lodge and grabbing a drink while watching the sunset at the Sage. Want to hike? Be sure to check out All Trails or how about a guide to take you off the beaten path? And don’t pass up a chance to see Livingston Montana (one of our favorite little towns in the world) before heading to Bozeman.
Want recommendations for places to stay on your days off? Here are our suggestions for the area that have a bit of local flavor:
Livingston & Paradise Valley: Chico Hot Springs, The Murray Hotel, The Sage Lodge, Under Canvass
Bozeman: The Lark, The Kimpton Armory
DAY 6: JULY 18 | BOZEMAN, MT – MISSOULA, MT
RISE & RALLY: BOZEMAN, MT
Giddy up to Hardscrabble Ranch – a popular wedding venue, retreat destination in the Bridger Mountains. It’s also MTTS’s Rise & Rally location! Enjoy the views of the Bridger Mountains and don’t forget your cowboy hats.
VENUE: Hardscrabble Ranch
15660 Brackett Creek Road
Bozeman, MT 59715
TIME: 7am – 9am
PETS: Pets are allowed on the grounds
DAY AT A GLANCE
Greenery awaits! Hop on I-90 as we leave Bozeman and head out through the lush mountains and expansive ranches along the highway. Take a right onto 287 N toward the southern point of Canyon Ferry, a mecca for boaters and fisherman every day of the year. Enjoy the serene, open spaces as we make our way to endearing Helena, the capital of Montana and a former gold rush jewel. On the 12, our MINIs will hug the winding mountainside of the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The beauty continues when we rejoin I-90 to make our final push into Missoula!
START CITY: Bozeman, MT
FINISH CITY: Missoula, MT
DRIVE LENGTH: 230 miles
EST. TIME: 4 hours
SEE YOU IN MISSOULA
A fisherman’s paradise! Missoula is known for its blue-ribbon trout fishing, made famous by a little movie called A River Runs Through It. This lush mountain town is often explored by bicycle on the more than 20 miles of bike lanes throughout the city. Don’t be shocked when you see surfers catching a wave in the middle of the Clark Fork River on the man-made Brennan’s Wave. Locals are partial to their many craft breweries and have grown accustomed to sightings of some of the nearly 13,000 black bears local to the area.
DAY 7: JULY 19 | MISSOULA, MT – SPOKANE, WA
RISE & RALLY: MISSOULA, MT
Nothing like a gameday in the middle of summer! Join us near Washington-Grizzly Stadium on the University of Montana’s campus. Take a peak 😉 at the iconic “M” and even hike to the top if you’re eager to break a sweat! Go Grizz!
VENUE: Phyllis Washington Park Amphitheater at Washington-Grizzly Stadium
32 Campus Dr
Missoula, MT 59812
TIME: 7am – 9am
PETS: Pets are allowed on the grounds
DAY AT A GLANCE
Freeways? Who needs ’em! We’re opting for the scenic route once more as we take 93 N through Lolo National Forest and Flathead Reservation. Making our way deep into the forest of pines, you can catch glimpses of McLeod Peak on the right and Ch-Paa-qn Peak to your left. At Ravalli, we’ll turn onto 200 to steer around lakes, mountains and rivers in this gorgeous countryside. Enjoy a quick trip through Idaho as we cross the state border to get on Highway 95 to Washington! I-90 will give us our first look at the peaceful Spokane Valley.
START CITY: Missoula, MT
FINISH CITY: Spokane, WA
DRIVE LENGTH: 260 miles
EST. TIME: 5 hours
SEE YOU IN SPOKANE
Descend upon the Spokane Valley, where you’ll find one of the largest urban waterfalls in the country! This city is a gateway to the northwest Rockies, Glacier National Park, the Columbia Valley Wine Region and even the Canadian Rockies. The historic downtown has been well preserved so you can revel in the rich history of this small city. Whether marveling at the many Lilacs grown throughout the town or trying to sneak your way into the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, Spokane’s small-town charm will have you smiling ear-to-ear.
DAY 8: JULY 20 | SPOKANE, WA – YAKIMA, WA
RISE & RALLY: SPOKANE, WA
Soak up the morning sun in stunning Comstock Park! Get lost among the trees but don’t forget to make your way back to your MINI for the homestretch!
VENUE: Comstock Park
3012 S Howard Street
Spokane, WA 99203
TIME: 7am – 9am
PETS: Pets are allowed on the grounds
DAY AT A GLANCE
Wake up slow with this tranquil drive out of Spokane on U.S. 2. Be sure to finish your coffee before we hit Coulee City and jump on Highway 17! We’ll curve along Lake Lenore, whose water is so alkaline that only Lahontan Cutthroat Trout can survive in it. Continue on to Soap Lake and the 283, where you can breathe easy as you take in the spanning greenery and farmland. When the 283 hits I-90, we’ll pass over Columbia River until we find Yakima River alongside Highway 811! Wind your way through the gentle canyon until we emerge into the Yakima Valley!
START CITY: Spokane, WA
FINISH CITY: Yakima, WA
DRIVE LENGTH: 260 miles
EST. TIME: 3 hours
SEE YOU IN YAKIMA
Hops, hops and more hops! It’s no surprise Yakima has earned the nickname “Hop Country” as the valley has over 90 wineries and is the oldest grape-growing region in the state. This Washington town has a surprising amount of unique history. Yakima Brewing & Malting Co. was the very first brewpub to open after prohibition and the Yakima Valley Trollies you’ll see servicing downtown have been running for more than 100 years! Yakima is the heart of Central Washington and it’ll hopefully steal yours along the way.
DAY 9: JULY 21 YAKIMA, WA – SEATTLE, WA
The last drive is finally upon us… but rather than shed a tear, enjoy the beautiful scenes at Fullbright Park – one of many lush parks in the Yakima Valley.
VENUE: Fullbright Park
4508 Main Street
Union Gap, WA 98903
TIME: 7am – 9am
PETS: Pets are allowed on the grounds
DAY AT A GLANCE
Take off up the 12 for our last drive of MTTS 2024! Our shortest drive yet will certainly become an instant classic. On the 410, we’ll divulge into the Cascade Mountain Range, first with a view of Mt. Aix on your lefthand side. Keep a look out for Chinook Pass – a jaw-dropping way to make your way through the crest of the Cascades. On your left, is Mount Rainier, an active volcano and the most glaciated peak in the contiguous country! Worry not – the last volcanic activity was recorded in 1854. Enjoy the peaks as we make our way to Enumclaw, taking the 164 to the outskirts of Tacoma. Then Hop on the 5 and follow the asphalt road to the Emerald City where we will wrap up our incredible adventure together. See you in Seattle!
START CITY: Yakima, WA
FINISH CITY: Seattle, WA
DRIVE LENGTH: 140 miles
EST. TIME: 2.5 hours
SEE YOU IN SEATTLE
The Emerald City! Seattle is known to many for its iconic landmarks like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and the Fremont Troll. Those who have visited will know the city is expansive and diverse – each neighborhood boasts its own culture, its own cuisine and its own sights to see. Seattle proudly supports its sports teams like the Seahawks, Sounders, Mariners and Kraken. This beautiful seaside city is surrounded by national treasures like the Olympic National Park, Mt. Rainier and North Cascades National Park. From tours of the underground ghost town to coffee shop-hopping, Seattle provides an endless to-do list.
EVENING EVENT
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened! Fly on over to the Museum of Flight as we celebrate an amazing journey through the Rockies and into the Pacific Northwest.
VENUE: Museum of Flight
9404 E Marginal Way S
Seattle, WA 98108
TIME: 7pm – 10pm
PETS: Pets are NOT permitted inside the venue
The MTTS 2024 Route at a Glance
Want a handle guide for the entire trip? Look no further.
Day 1 – Saturday, July 13 Albuquerque, NM – Durango, CO
Rise & Rally: Balloon Fiesta Park, 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Day 2 – Sunday, July 14 Durango, CO – Grand Junction, CO
Rise & Rally: Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301
Day 3 – Monday, July 15 Grand Junction, CO – Salt Lake City, UT
Rise & Rally: Lincoln Park, 910 N 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Evening Event: Gallivan Center, 239 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Day 4 & 5 – Tuesday & Wednesday, July 16-17
Build Your Own Adventure
Knowing this area incredibly well we’d highly recommend heading to western Wyoming and north via 189. This will take you through Jackson (a great place to stay the night) before heading into Yellowstone itself.
Yellowstone can be very busy this time of year but is still highly worth a visit. From there we’d highly recommend heading north into Paradise Valley (it’s called that for a reason), staying or just taking a dip at Chico Hot Springs, catching a show at legendary Pine Creek lodge and grabbing a drink while watching the sunset at the Sage. Want to hike? Be sure to check out All Trails or how about a guide to take you off the beaten path? And don’t pass up a chance to see Livingston Montana (one of our favorite little towns in the world) before heading to Bozeman.
Want recommendations for places to stay on your days off? Here are our suggestions for the area that have a bit of local flavor:
Livingston & Paradise Valley: Chico Hot Springs, The Murray Hotel, The Sage Lodge, Under Canvass
Bozeman: The Lark, The Kimpton Armory
Day 6 – Thursday, July 18 Bozeman, MT – Missoula, MT
Rise & Rally: Hardscrabble Ranch, 15660 Brackett Creek Road, Bozeman, MT 59715
Day 7 – Friday, July 19 Missoula, MT – Spokane, WA
Rise & Rally: University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812
Day 8 – Saturday, July 20 Spokane, WA ? Yakima, WA
Rise & Rally: Comstock Park, 3012 S Howard Street, Spokane, WA 99203
Day 9 – Sunday, July 21 Yakima, WA ? Seattle, WA
Rise & Rally: Fullbright Park, 4508 Main Street, Union Gap, WA 98903
Evening Event: Museum of Flight, 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108
Departures – Monday, July 22
Seattle, WA – Return Home
MTTS 2024 Events and Experiences
The Camp MINI theme for MTTS 2024 will be visible throughout the nine-day rally through a number of digital and “in real life” (IRL) experiences for the whole MINI family. Special evening events are planned for, Salt Lake City and Seattle.
Registration fees will vary between $40 for a single day to $200 for “going all the way”. Leg 1 tickets, from Albuqurque to Salt Lake City, are available for $100. Leg 2 tickets, from Bozeman to Seattle, are available for $125. All registration fees also include an official event goody bag. You can register at www.minitakesthestates.com
