[Mail4loys]

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Last year we did 10day vacation trip, went west to canyons and deserts, If you are interested, you can read it here => https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1841861

This year we wanted something different and thought of mountains and Oceans, so after lots of planning we decided to go east and cover Hot Springs - AR, Smoky Mountains - TN and Emerald Isle - NC. This trip is going to be covered in 16days.



In preparation for the trip, had a detailer come to my house and give X7 and good wash





I had roof rack in mind, but never got it, because we were able to get all things needs for two adults and two kids well packed in the car itself.

This time we are doing our trip with 21" A/S RFT tires (last time was 22" Summer RFT). Will see if there are any notable differences.

Based on our experience packing last time, we took real essentials to the trip. Also, in comparison to last trip, this time all our stays are well within reach to restaurants and stores. So we didn't take our cooler with us this time. I had setup an additional battery to run dash cam 24/7 without draining car's battery.

Event after moving the bench seats back to the further most seat setting there is a visible gap between seat and the cargo cover. So we had to use blanket to cover the visible space.





All things packed for two adults and two kids and all set to start our trip



This thread is going to be picture heavy. I'll keep posting as we make progress with out trip...

[streborx]

Just returned from a 5400 mile/22 day journey myself. Safe travels to you - and remember that nearly every other driver out there is either not attentive, abusing substances, or is simply stupid.

[huskerdoc2020]

Looks great. I just don't understand why people blank out their license plates. Makes no sense.

[Mail4loys]

Originally Posted by streborx

Just returned from a 5400 mile/22 day journey myself. Safe travels to you - and remember that nearly every other driver out there is either not attentive, abusing substances, or is simply stupid.

Thanks and agreed … expect the unexpected!

[Mail4loys]

Originally Posted by huskerdoc2020

Looks great. I just don't understand why people blank out their license plates. Makes no sense.

Why do you say this? There are few things I do mask while post it on a forum and it's one of them

[bimmer268]

Nice ! Keep posting cool pictures pls. Plan to take a similar trip in Aug, only in opposite direction - going from boston to dallas. Is Dash Cam a must ? Dont have one now and debate if i need one. What about those green fluid you had in the back ? Windshield fluid (and why)? Curious what else are essential to bring ?!

[streborx]

Originally Posted by huskerdoc2020

Looks great. I just don't understand why people blank out their license plates. Makes no sense.

Too much identity theft going on. It's spooky how the smallest bit of info can be used to unlock a trove of personal data. Post you birth year and state and I'll send you the first 5 digits of your SS#.

[streborx]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

I dunno what this guy has in his trunk. But,

I recently picked up my X7 from the factory in South Carolina (supposedly with a full washer fluid reservoir) and spent the next two days in the Great Smoky Mountains area. The low windshield fluid alert came on when I was leaving the hotel on the morning of the third day.

This thing has a pretty big windshield fluid tank, but, based on my (short) observation it also consumes the fluid pretty quickly. Three sprayers in front which have a good flow rate, and the rear window also needs a good bit of fluid to clean up dust.

It's also used for the headlight washers that auto-squirt a couple times every several windshield cleanings.

[Mail4loys]

Originally Posted by bimmer268

Nice ! Keep posting cool pictures pls. Plan to take a similar trip in Aug, only in opposite direction - going from boston to dallas. Is Dash Cam a must ? Dont have one now and debate if i need one. What about those green fluid you had in the back ? Windshield fluid (and why)? Curious what else are essential to bring ?!

IMHO I would recommend dash cam as an insurance protection in case of eventualities.

Green fluid is windshield fluid, The entire route I'm anticipating bugs, rain and elements. When I fill gas, I get the windshield cleaned and windshield wiper tank topped up

This is my essential list for travel :

• First aid kit, Flash light
• Water
• Medicines (for all travellers)
• Masks - There are certain states with mask mandate on federal buildings (National Park Services etc)
• Windshield washer liquid, windshield cleaner spray and squeegee
• Jumpstart battery
• Engine oil - 1 liter (just in case)
• Microfiber cloth and tissue papers
• Contacts of BMW dealers in the route

I keep First Aid kit, Water, Windshield washer liquid, windshield cleaner spray and squeegee in the end of the trunk, so that its easily accessible without disturbing the other items (I learnt this mistake from last trip)

[bimmer268]

Great list. You seem to be well prepared. Being in northeast, I usually only prep for winter trip (shovel, extra cloths, sleeping bag, snow chains, lighter, water, extra food) in case got stuck.

With your list for the summer, i might add
Window Sun Shade
Clean water
Cooler full of ice waters
Extra jacket (smoky mtn top peak could get cold at night or early morning)

[Mail4loys]

Day 1 (July 18): From Austin, TX to Hot Springs, AR - 475 miles



Starting Odometer: 18,431

We started Round Rock, TX as planned and hit I-35 going north. Our options for fuel station was either Costco or Buc-ee's. Along the way after crossing Dallas, TX we stopped in Costco which was on I-30 Rockwall, TX



As we crossed into Arkansas, dry lands became more green on either side of the roads





We came across lots of unique place names:

Arkadelphia
Texarkana



While on our way we hit heavy traffic and for the first time I was able to use "Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for limited access highways". It was super helpful and stress free for little more than 15mins

First mode, follows the vehicle in the front, but it needs driver steering the car:



Next mode, It follows the vehicle in the front and also steers the car, no steering input is required, but you need to keep your eyes straight on the road:





When I turn my eyes off the road and talk to the passengers, the car promptly messages to touch the steering . Also, the speed was limited to 20mph


Reached Hot Springs, AR by 6:15pm and checked-in to the Hotel. We got a nice Mountain View




The entire drive I was using Adaptive drive mode. I'm planning to use Eco mode for the next stretch to see how much of a difference it makes to mileage. Also, I'll be re-fueling tomorrow to know the mileage for this section of the drive

Planning to visit national park and few hot spots tomorrow.

[bimmer268]

Curious what planning tool you used to map out your trip? It doesn’t look like Google or Apple Map ?

[Mail4loys]

Originally Posted by bimmer268

Curious what planning tool you used to map out your trip? It doesn’t look like Google or Apple Map ?

I use https://roadtrippers.com for travel planning (I have subscription). It is very neat tool and provide good recommendations. it has free version too and I think it limits the number of places that you can add to the trip

[streborx]

Hey, how 'bout some stats??? Miles driven, elapsed time, avg speed and mpg?

[U235]

I'm also in Austin, and while my roadtrips of late have been limited to ski trips during Covid (4x to Colorado and 1x to Utah). While in town, I pretty much always refuel at Costco (183/Braker one) as I live in NW Hills/Cat Mountain.

I read your earlier travel thread and now following this Day 1 update. I do have to ask how you manage to perfectly time so many Costco refuels? I find while traveling long haul that I tend to avoid exiting in major population areas and try to find more convenient refueling stops (more akin to a Buceyes). Costco's typically have a line unless you hit them early in the morning or late in the evening, any perceived price savings is killed by the time, and unless you're into $1.50 hotdogs, the quick pitstop and eat is out too.

Anyways, love the posts, but am I missing something by not planning my refuels around Costcos?

[Mail4loys]

Originally Posted by streborx

Hey, how 'bout some stats??? Miles driven, elapsed time, avg speed and mpg?

I'll post it tomorrow.

[Mail4loys]

Originally Posted by U235

I'm also in Austin, and while my roadtrips of late have been limited to ski trips during Covid (4x to Colorado and 1x to Utah). While in town, I pretty much always refuel at Costco (183/Braker one) as I live in NW Hills/Cat Mountain.

I read your earlier travel thread and now following this Day 1 update. I do have to ask how you manage to perfectly time so many Costco refuels? I find while traveling long haul that I tend to avoid exiting in major population areas and try to find more convenient refueling stops (more akin to a Buceyes). Costco's typically have a line unless you hit them early in the morning or late in the evening, any perceived price savings is killed by the time, and unless you're into $1.50 hotdogs, the quick pitstop and eat is out too.

Anyways, love the posts, but am I missing something by not planning my refuels around Costcos?

Nice to meet another Austinite ... I pretty much always refuel at Costco 183A/Cedar Park.

when I plan I do two things : 1) look for Costcos on the way, criteria is that it should be on the interstate. 2) I pick a hotel that is close to interstate and Costco for overnight stays

Generally my observations is that, there will be variety of food joints around Costco. This keeps passengers happy. Also, I want to keep gas retailer variation as less as possible.

There was only once I had to wait for 15mins in the line for refueling (Albuquerque, NM), other wise its less than 5mins.

[Mail4loys]

Day 2 (July 19): Hot Springs, AR

The hotel that we stay is closer to the National Park, so in the morning we hit the street walking to Hot Springs National Park... One of the uniqueness to this park is that its right in the downtown



There are free parking structures distributed across downtown. The one closer to national park fill up pretty quickly



The Bathhouse Row has eight bathhouse buildings that were constructed between the years of 1892 and 1923.



Few of the Bathhouse has been taken over by national park and is used as antique shop and welcome center





Then we hit Grand Promenade Trail that runs parallel to bathhouse row, behind the bathhouses. It's about a half mile long and made entirely out of brick.



The bathhouse row street has many thermal water fountains. You can bring your own bottle and fill it with hot natural water .




Hot Sprints Rehabilitated Army & Navy Hospital, the first general hospital in the nation that provided treatment to both Army and Navy patients. It was opened in January 1887 and has lots of history (including World War II)




We walked back to our hotel and took some rest. After having our lunch, we headed to Hot Springs Mountain tower. The drive was very short and windy. It can be reached through trails too. It provides a nice view of Hot springs and surrounding mountains

View point near mountain tower



The Hotel that we stayed from observation deck



Birds eye view of Hot Springs downtown



Parking space from observation tower



Mountain tower from the base with scorching sun




We bought some souvenirs and returned to Hotel. We originally planned to stay for two days to go around, But with most of the things covered, we felt that there is not much in here for more than a day. So we had change of plan and thought of driving half way to Smoky mountains and stay there so we would do two 4.5hrs drive than one 9 hrs drive.


Drive Summary:

Total Miles driven: 484 miles

First re-fuel : 215 miles (Rockwall, TX)
Fuel cost per gallon: 4.039 (Costco)
Fuel Type : 93 Octane
Mode : Adaptive, Adaptive Cruise
Speed Maintained: ~75miles/hr
A/C : 73
Milage : 20.6

Second re-fuel : 269 miles (Hot Springs, AR)
Fuel cost per gallon: 4.639 (Phillips 66)
Fuel Type : 93 Octane
Mode : Eco Pro, Eco Pro cruise
Speed Maintained: ~75miles/hr
A/C : 73
Milage : 21.4

I was using Apple Maps through Apple CarPlay and it disconnected couple of time. I think it might be because I'm running Apple iOS beta 16.0 ( I didn't have this issue in the past). We had stored as favorites all locations that we are visiting in Car's Navigation and it help while having issues with Apple CarPlay

[streborx]

Enjoying much my vicarious vacation! How are fuel prices? Southeastern region is supposed to be lowest in the country right now. Any chance you can start live streaming from your dashcam (lol)?

[Mail4loys]

Originally Posted by streborx

Enjoying much my vicarious vacation! How are fuel prices? Southeastern region is supposed to be lowest in the country right now. Any chance you can start live streaming from your dashcam (lol)?

I added fuel cost to the summary… so far Dallas, TX area was the cheapest. I don't have any option for live streaming … will be adding few videos though

[streborx]

BTW, being the thorough guy you are, did you take any tire tread measurements prior to departure? I'd be interested in knowing how the wear is across the distance traveled (assuming you're riding on run flat summer performance tires).

[U235]

$4.11 for 93 today at Costco in Austin.