SCHEDULE
Route at a Glance.
Monterey → Sonoma
Monterey Rise & Rally: Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave, Seaside, CA 93955
7:00am-10:00am
Sonoma MINI Mixer: SOMO Village Event Center, 1100 Valley House Dr, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
7:00pm-10:00pm
Sonoma → Lake Tahoe
Sonoma Rise & Rally: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1450 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
7:00am-10:00am
Lake Tahoe Headliner Event: Palisades Tahoe, 1960 Olympic Vly Rd, Olympic Valley, CA 96146
7:00pm-10:00pm
Lake Tahoe → Home
Lake Tahoe Coopers & Coffee: Palisades Tahoe, 1960 Olympic Vly Rd, Olympic Valley, CA 96146
9:00am-11:00am
Departures Home
Buffalo → Syracuse
Buffalo Rise & Rally: The Falconwood, 107 Beaver Is Pk Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072
7:00am-10:00am
Syracuse MINI Mixer: NBT Bank Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Dr, Syracuse, NY 13208
7:00pm-10:00pm
Syracuse → Lake Placid
Syracuse Rise & Rally: NBT Bank Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Dr, Syracuse, NY 13208
7:00am-10:00am
Lake Placid Headliner Event: Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
7:00pm-10:00pm
Lake Placid → Home
Lake Placid Coopers & Coffee: Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
9:00am-11:00am
Departures Home
Fort Myers → Miami
Fort Myers Rise & Rally: JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913
7:00am-10:00am
Miami MINI Mixer: Wynwood Walls, 2516 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
7:00pm-10:00pm
Miami → Key West
Miami Rise & Rally: Haulover Park, 10800 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33154 (Access Statement)
7:00am-10:00am
Key West Headliner Event: Key West Amphitheater, 21 Quay Rd, Key West, FL 33040
7:00pm-10:00pm
Key West → Home
Key West Coopers & Coffee: Truman Waterfront Park, Southard St, Key West, FL 33040
9:00am-11:00am
Departures Home
Charity
Best Friends Animal Society
MINI is continuing to support our 4 legged co-pilots and rallying to help Best Friends Animal Society provide supplies and infrastructure so that we can all help Save Them All. Together, we're helping give animals in need the care, resources and support they need to find loving homes. Every mile, every act of kindness and every contribution can help make a difference for pets waiting for their forever families.
GALLERY
Relive memories from 2024.
Be sure to check out some of our favorite images from the trip by clicking on the photos by day links below.
FAQ
So many miles. So many questions.
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WHAT IS MINI TAKES THE STATES?
What began in 2006 as a cross-country journey to commemorate the launch of the MINI GP, has continued for 20 years as a celebration of the MINI Community. We have covered a lot of territory over the years, mixing up the format, exploring new locations, and revisiting some fan favorites. This year's event offers three (3) long-weekend road trips in California, New York, and Florida with roughly three weeks between each event. You can join just one or go all in and attend all three.
After a morning Rise & Rally, where you can check out hundreds of modified MINI's and grab a light breakfast, we rally together on scenic roads to the next city stop. Drive days are typically 4-5 hours with time for you to stop and explore along the way. Lunch is on own. But don't worry, no matter where you go; there will be a mob of MINIs in the mix. Each evening, we meet up to share some refreshments and stories from the road.
This is the 10th edition of MTTS, and it's sure to be another epic experience.
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WHAT ARE THE DATES AND LOCATIONS OF THE 2026 EVENTS?
Our first weekend will start in Monterey, CA on Friday, October 2, 2026. After the Rise & Rally morning event, we'll rally to Sonoma ending the day with an informal MINI evening mixer. On Saturday, October 3 we'll rally to picturesque Lake Tahoe and end the days with some good tunes and good vibes. On Sunday, October 4 we'll share one final morning event and complete the Tahoe loop before participants head toward home.
The second event will kick off in Buffalo, NY on Friday, October 23, 2026. We will begin with a Rise & Rally in the morning then rally to Syracuse on a beautiful scenic fall route through the Finger Lakes coming together at the end of the day for a MINI mixer. On Saturday, October 24 we will rally to Lake Placid through the Adirondacks and finish the day with live music. On Sunday, October 25 we'll regroup for a final farewell before heading home.
Our third and final weekend will begin in Fort Myers, FL on Friday, November 13 with a Rise & Rally morning event. From there, we'll rally through the Tamiami Trail arriving in Miami for a lively MINI happy hour. On Saturday, November 14, we'll rally to the southernmost point in the continental US - Key West - concluding the day with an evening full of music and MINI community. On Sunday, November 15, we'll convene at the waterfront before heading back over the iconic 7 Mile Bridge to return home.
HOW AND WHEN DO I REGISTER?Registration is now open on minitakesthestates.com.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN MTTS?Owners and future owners (along with their friends and family) from all over the country are invited to participate. To access our main MINI parking at our morning Rise & Rally and Coopers & Coffee events, you must drive a MINI. Parking for future owners will be in designated area. Future owners can test drive our MINI family of vehicles at a local MINI dealer.
IS THERE A FEE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MTTS RALLY?Yes, the fee is per person and is non-transferable and non-refundable. All tickets must be purchased in advance. Pricing is $150 per person for each long-weekend event. Single day passes are also available for purchase for $50 per person.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE REGISTRATION FEE?In addition to the event goodie bag, MINI hosts a morning Rise & Rally drive-off event which includes a light breakfast. On both Friday and Saturday night, MINI will host a meet-up so you can share your day's adventures, some light bights and some good tunes.
WHERE DO I STAY?All participants make and manage their own accommodation arrangements. Some book months ahead, some adopt a more last-minute approach, some use points, and there are even some participants who camp. We recommend finding accommodations within 25 miles of the Rise & Rally locations.
HOW CAN I LEARN ABOUT MTTS UPDATES?Join the email list and check back on minitakesthestates.com periodically to see what is new. You can also follow MINI USA on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
WILL THERE BE A MTTS MERCHANDISE COLLECTION?As always, at each Rise & Rally event, MINI will offer a limited selection of event logo'ed items for sale.
CAN I CREATE MTTS RELATED MERCHANDISE TO SELL?While we appreciate your enthusiasm for MTTS, any unauthorized use of the MINI trademark symbols, or clear derivative of a registered trademark, or the official MTTS event logo is considered trademark infringement. Unauthorized use of registered trademarks can be misleading to the consumer appearing to be an authorized product produced and distributed by MINI or produced and distributed under license agreement with MINI.
I OWN A MINI COOPER SE BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE. WILL MTTS OFFER A CHARGING SOLUTION?Average drive distances are 150+ miles per day, and public charging opportunities along the planned route are minimal. Charging opportunities will not be built into the daily drives and will not be available at the morning Rise & Rally locations.
DOES MINI USA ASSIST WITH VEHICLE TRANSPORT?As participants start from so many different start locations, MINI USA does not coordinate transportation on a national level. We recommend that participants coordinate with a local group or club or manage individually.
CAN I RENT A MINI AND PARTICIPATE?Some car rental companies do have MINI vehicles in their fleet, but there is no guarantee that if you book a MINI, you will get a MINI. MINI USA does not coordinate car rentals.
DOES MINI PROVIDE ROADSIDE SERVICE ON MTTS?Each morning of the rally we will have Technicians available to consult on service issues you may have encountered while on the road. However, the services our Technicians can perform on-site are limited. Most repairs - damaged tires, windshields, brakes, engine, etc. - will need to be referred to the closest MINI dealer. On MTTS, MINI does provide courtesy towing service to the closest MINI dealer (even if your MINI is outside of warranty), but all repair costs are the responsibility of the participant. We strongly advise you to schedule a service appointment at your MINI dealer before hitting the road.
ARE PETS WELCOME AT MTTS?You are welcome to bring your pet along for the ride, however, please be aware not all venues accommodate pets. Participants must honor Service Animal Only policies and be cognizant of weather conditions, e.g. high heat, that can impact pet health.
Please note specific pet policies per route and venue:
California
- Cardinale Stadium: pet-friendly
- SOMO Village Event Center: pet-friendly
- Sonoma County Fairgrounds: service animals only
- Palisades Tahoe: pet-friendly outside only
New York
- The Falconwood: pet-friendly
- NBT Bank Stadium (Friday evening): service animals only
- NBT Bank Stadium (Saturday morning): pet-friendly
- Mt Van Hoevenberg: service animals only inside, pet-friendly outside
Florida
- JetBlue Park: pet-friendly
- Wynwood Walls: service animals only
- Haulover Park: service animals only
- Key West Amphitheater: service animals only
- Truman Waterfront Park: pet-friendly
DO YOU OFFER VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, OR GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS AT THE RISE & RALLY BREAKFAST?Where possible, we try to include a fresh fruit option, but this is not always achievable. Participants with food allergies or restrictions are advised to plan accordingly.
HOW AND WHEN WILL I KNOW WHAT ROUTE TO DRIVE EACH DAY?The route directions will be released closer to the event date.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS?Typically, Rise & Rally timing is 7:00am - 10:00am and evening events are 7:00pm - 10:00pm.
CAN I OPERATE A DRONE AT MTTS EVENTS?To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all our guests, MINI USA strictly prohibits the operation of or use of any unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as "Drones," on, from, or above MINI TAKES THE STATES 2026 premises, events or venues. This includes all UAVs regardless of size, weight, or purpose. The official MTTS photo and video crew is authorized to use drones in accordance with the FAA, local law enforcement and venue policies.
HOW CAN I FIND A GROUP IN MY AREA TO RALLY WITH TO THE START LOCATION?Great idea. We recommend you reach out to the MINI Motoring Club of America minimca.org to connect with other local motorers.
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