Morning all. Does anyone here have any experience driving the length of BRP before the summer months. I'll be driving my M3W from Upstate NY to Los Angeles in 2 weeks and I'm hoping make this stretch of road part of my trip. The National Parks website shows that it's littered with road closures so I imagine this may be challenging.

I've never driven down there before so I'm not sure how easy it is to jump on/off at closures. I fear it may be too time consuming and straining to deal with the closures, but it would be lovely to make this part of my trip. You folks have so many good things to say about this drive.

Any and all information about BRP and I-40 West, long distance motoring in the 3W, etc. would be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers

Mateo

A beautiful route. Speed limit is 45 mph. Traveling in early morning or near dusk, watch out for wildlife, deer and bear are common. Still going to be cold at this time of year, I have run into snow in April.

I am sure others will have better information for you. I have driven it's length in my +8 in 2018 but that was in October. Came down from Gettysburg to Charlottesville VA on Skyline Drive. Then down to Primland at Meadows of Dan on BRP and continued the following day along BRP to Asheville NC. Would love to ship the car again and do the drive. I-40 only on its Western end.

For long distances I’d recommend in addition to the obvious clothing needs:
- a motorcycle helmet for higher speed sections, saves you from a lot of wind noise and buffeting
- ear plugs, save you even more noise
- Bluetooth speakers in the helmet to hear navigation instructions, and also potential entertainment
- a Ram ball mount on your dash with an arm and phone holder, and a charger for the phone

There are a number of threads here about the ball mount

I drove Roanoke VA. To Asheville NC to Deals Gap and drove The Dragon and then to Mt. Rushmore and onto Sturgis and then to Devils Tower and finally Seattle in April. Highly recommend it since the Winnebagos have not bloomed yet, but i did it 5 years ago in a hotrod mini cooper. Weather kept us out of Banff and Lake Louise Canada, SNOW!

You are staying south so should be good.

Great stuff! Road trips in an M3W are fun, and road trips in the US of A are amazing!

If 1-up, then choose a waterproof bag for the passenger footwell (I drive with the half tonneau on). Water bottle in bag on the passenger seat, sat-nav or phone on the RAM mount under the tonneau to be shaded. Suitable headware and goggles of course (agree, helmet for freeways - insect or stone kicked up by a tire would not be nice). Easy access to waterproofs and if touring in Summer appropriate sun protection. Carry at least 1 inner tube, maybe AAA etc list of local tire shops to help with any fixes (for long distances I might be tempted to buy a new wheel+tire and put it on the trunk rack like classic M3Ws!). Optionally add a GoPro on the headrest as a "dashcam" to record more interesting experiences, but note when you get out it adds to the list of thinks to secure before leaving the car.

Most important, have fun and post photos here

Drove it second week of April years ago. Early spring in the lower valleys. Late winter on the mountain tops
and cold. Camped and it was cold. Only one there most places so be prepared. Don't know about VA.& N.C. but
Tn. has had a lot snow this winter. It does occasionally snow in late March down here.

In 2 weeks time - SNOW and ICE a distinct possibility.

SAND is the other thing to look out for on the bends, in the winter conditions sand and grit is spread on the corners to help with grip. Four wheeled vehicles disperse the sand into the center of the road which plays havoc with the rear wheel, you need some good rainfall to wash it away. I have had many an "exciting" moment on mountain roads.

How about a gun as well?

Thanks for the many tips, all!

After doing some research I decided Skyline Drive would be a better fit for this time of year as they aren’t currently reporting any closures. I’ll save Blue Ridge for the spring, which is a-okay with me.

RAM mount on its way. A heated jacket for the first few days for driving too. Haven’t decided on GoPro and I don’t have goggles yet - I usually only wear sunglasses. Do you guys recommend goggles for comfort or for looks? I can’t imagine goggles being very comfortable. Any specific brand for me to try out?

I’ll be bringing some box wrenches, allens, spark socket, spare tube, and spare rectifier. Any other tools/spares? I imagine if certain things go I will just have to make due or abort - can’t bring the entire shop with me.