20 Years Of Carving Community

Explore the schedule, routes, and register for MINI Takes the States 2026.

MINI Takes the States is more than your average road rally. It’s a community ritual—one that winds through mountain roads and along coastal highways, bringing people together to celebrate the pure joy of driving, camaraderie, and individualism.

First launched in 2006 and held every two years, MINI Takes the States has grown into one of the most celebrated road-trip traditions in the United States.

At its heart, MTTS has always been about bringing people together. Thousands of owners travel hundreds—and sometimes thousands—of miles to be part of it, while MINI and its philanthropic partners work to extend that spirit beyond the road. Past partners have included Feeding America, Best Friends Animal Society, Motoring Hearts, and more.

2006 was the beginning of something new. The very first MINI Takes the States took pole position in Monterey, California on August 21, 2006. Partnering with Motoring Hearts, it spanned 14 days and 19 states—culminating in Lakeville, Connecticut. The inaugural MINI Takes the States celebrated the delivery of the first 45 limited-edition MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kits.

Gabriel Bridger from Motoring File wrote, “MINI Takes the States turned into something closer to a traveling festival than a corporate event. Owner meetups felt organic, not orchestrated. Even the now familiar wave between drivers carried a sense of authenticity that is difficult to manufacture.”

In 2008, MTTS was split into four weekend events in Miami, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Owners began heavily decorating roofs, adding custom vinyl wraps, rally spotlights, and personalized badges—all of which became an MTTS signature.

Racing legend Rauno “The Flying Finn” Aaltonen was on site throughout the Miami kickoff weekend, meeting and greeting fans, as well as sharing motoring stories from his past.

Mini Takes the States 2008

MTTS in 2010 was an epic tour marked by music, local drives, and an exclusive introduction to the new MINI Countryman. In partnership with Ryan’s MINI, the experience began in five cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta and converged in Denver for the grand finale—a climb into the Rockies. Hundreds of colorful MINIs found themselves parked against the red sandstone monoliths for a closing concert that stayed with participants long after they returned home.

Go forth, go west, go MINI. That was the rallying cry heard through sixteen states during the 2012 MINI Takes the States. Kicking off with fireworks in New York on the Fourth of July, the caravan continued on a cross-country trek that culminated in a red-carpet arrival in Los Angeles eleven days later. Averaging 1.45 states conquered per day, 2012 stood as a symbol of the adventurous and unstoppable spirit MINI owners tend to have in common. In this case, 6,400 of them came out to prove it.

Which brings us to 2014—the year we flipped the script. Spanning 15 days and 18 states, MINI Takes the States took its starting position in San Francisco, California on July 26 for a cross-country adventure in partnership with Best Friends Animal Society. To mark the beginning of another unforgettable trip across the states, Tony Hawk performed thrilling skateboard tricks over MINIs before the fleet made its way to Boston, Massachusetts. As one owner summed it up,

There was nothing quite like the summer of 2016—and MINI Takes the States was no exception. The 2016 crew made stops at racetracks, railroad tracks, and even a horse track along the way. Starting at Atlanta Motor Speedway on July 9, the convoy wrapped up the rally on July 23 with a few victory laps at The Thermal Club private track.

Most importantly, it was an event marked by purpose. During MTTS 2016, the MINI community helped raise 1.3 million meals for those in need. Every dollar helped provide at least 10 meals, secured by Feeding America on behalf of local food banks.

In 2018, MTTS took a two-pronged approach that converged in the middle. With simultaneous kickoff events in Portland, Oregon, and Orlando, Florida, the East and West routes set their sights on Keystone, Colorado, where they came together for a fun-fueled weekend amid the spectacular Rockies. No matter where participants took pole position, one thing was certain: it was a nine-day marked by cross-country beauty and pure driving bliss.

MINI Takes the States got back on track in 2022, setting off to explore some of the best backroads along the eastern seaboard. Starting in Burlington, Vermont, and ending in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, route highlights included the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Tail of the Dragon.

Following the 2020 postponement, the 2022 rally was an emotionally charged reunion for MINI friends who hadn’t seen each other in four years. It was a beautiful gathering filled with joy and camaraderie, right when the community needed it most.

Fresh in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts is the iconic 2024 installment: Camp MINI. Summer camp hit the road for the ninth MINI Takes the States, celebrated with nine days of deep immersion into the American West.

Starting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and ending in Seattle, Washington, participants motored through Big Sky Country, were wowed by majestic Mount Rainier, and carved the Million Dollar Highway—a breathtaking 25-mile stretch of U.S. Route 550 in southwestern Colorado.