GReen Mountain Road Trip
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
The Long Drive North
We left Florida on Friday, October 4, and made our way north, stopping overnight at a Holiday Inn in Pennsylvania before continuing the drive to Vermont. In total, it was a 24-hour trip with a six-hour stop in the middle. Oddly enough, the GR86 proved to be comfortable for such a long haul. The car’s exceptional handling even showed itself on long stretches of highway, avoiding traffic and near misses in a perfectly controlled and well-mannered way—the same attitude the car always carries. At one point in New Hampshire, a near-death experience highlighted just how capable the 86 truly was, saving us from what could have been a head-on collision caused by another driver’s sudden appearance on our side of the road.
While the road noise was loud and the stereo far from premium, the system was loud and clear enough to handle hours of playlists and podcasts on the long drive north. There was, however, a random issue with CarPlay. One iPhone wouldn’t connect, another worked with a different cord, then developed its own problem, before we finally switched back to the first phone again. It was at this time the stereo proceeded to pretend that whatever issue had been plaguing it was non-existent for the rest of the trip. Likely an intermittent issue, perhaps due to a damaged cable or lint buildup in the iPhone's port.
We finally made it to uncle Dave's house in Essex, Vermont late on Saturday night where we were cheerfully greeted by Tico, the German Shepherd. Road weary from the hurried drive up to make the most of our vacation time, we briefly greeted the family and resigned to catch up with everyone in the morning.
Sunday in Stowe
Sunday began with breakfast at a local diner with Uncle Dave and cousins Marea and Justin. After some much needed fuel for our bodies, we found some for the car and headed toward Stowe Ski Resort. On the way, we passed through Wendy’s hometown and visited her old neighborhood. The GR86 handled fifteen to twenty minutes of packed dirt and gravel roads with ease, never breaking composure. The climb up the hills highlighted the car’s torque, and we enjoyed twisty backroads and stunning countryside scenery in the cool autumn air. It was the kind of drive that made me think this car would be perfect, if only it came with a targa or T-tops.
At The Notch, a narrow mountain pass once used by smugglers along the Canadian border, we encountered heavy traffic. Peak leaf season brought too many tourists, creating stop-and-go congestion up steep grades that left the faint smell of clutch in the air. Once we reached the resort, we took a gondola ride to enjoy the views before making the drive back down.
The return trip was far more enjoyable: less traffic, sweeping turns, and room to let the GR86 stretch its legs. Its tight handling allowed me to take the curves at breakneck speed, chasing cars ahead after giving them a head start. With windows down, crisp air flowing in, and orange and red maple leaves swirling around us, our time spent with the switchbacks were sublime. That's "switchbacks" as in turns in the road down the mountain, not the locally famous Vermont Switchback Ale. Although I'd be lying if I said we didn't enjoy a few of those as well later that night at a local brewery.
Rainy Monday: Mansfield Hike
Monday was set aside for hiking, and though a steady drizzle threatened the day, we pushed on and drove three miles of dirt and gravel to the trailhead on Mount Mansfield. Once again, the 86 impressed with surprising ground clearance and never made a single worrisome noise. Even in the rain, the car felt tame unless provoked with a quick throttle flick. Forgiving in all conditions, the 86 proved itself far more versatile than most would expect.
It struck me that this trip to the trailhead was the kind of journey Subaru Outbacks and Foresters are supposedly built for—if their drivers ever actually lived up to the “outdoorsy” image. Vermont is Subaru country, thanks to its winters and the demand for all-wheel drive. Yet some automotive journalists often argue that cars like the BRZ and GR86 are just as capable with the right tires, if only enthusiasts weren’t afraid to drive them year-round.
At the trailhead, we found a Volkswagen SUV and an older Audi quattro, but curiously no Subarus. Their owners were no doubt smart enough to stay in on this overcast day. We picked a supposedly “easy” green-marked trail, only to find it was far more demanding than expected. Roughly half an hour into the hike, we found ourselves asking one another "are you SURE this is the easy path?" The mist soon turned into a downpour, proving the local weather man wrong and soaking the two of us and our gear. Though we could have continued, the call of a warm beverage by a fire was too strong. Our descent was far swifter than the climb, hurried along by the rain.
Back at the car, we tossed muddy shoes into the trunk without worry, thanks to the 86’s protective all-weather floor mats. The drive back down Mount Mansfield was pure fun. Even in hiking shoes with poor pedal feel, the 86 carved drenched corners with ease. Toyota's "poor man's Porsche" earned an A+ in smiles. Once again proving the mantra true: it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slow.
A momentum car like the 86 shines on twisty mountain roads. In Toyota's GR performance arsenal, the Supra is an axe capable of destroying anything in its path with raw power, and turbo derived torque that builds almost immediately at any RPM. Meanwhile the GR86 is a scalpel, precise and perfectly balanced. Though often lambasted by enthusiasts for not being as powerful as its big brother, the 86 takes full advantage a low center of gravity thanks to the placement and shape of its flat 4-cylinder power plant. The balance of this 2.4-liter boxer makes all the difference, allowing the driver to place the car exactly where they want at any given moment (usually with their foot much closer to the firewall than it would be for the same corner in a Supra). After bombing a few backroads en route to Burlington, we found refuge and warmth at Dobra Tea.
Southbound to Bristol
Tuesday brought sunshine as we packed up and headed south toward Bristol and the family farm. We stopped at the Jericho Country Store for breakfast sandwiches before following Vermont State Road 100 down to Waitsfield, en route to Mount Ellen. Thousands of acres of pasture, forest, and family-owned farms set the scene for this showdown between the 86 and miles of sweeping curves through the heart of the Green Mountain state.
At a stop for fuel along the way I noted the depths of the debris on the car’s black bodywork. Though no scrapes or scratches had been incurred from our light off-pavement adventure, it was covered in enough dirt to make it’s rally-bred cousin, the Celica GT-Four, proud.
Setting our sights on Mt. Ellen’s peak, we struck out from Waitsfield up the twisty mountainside. Miles of curves marked the lines of her face as we navigated sometimes hairpin tight turns on our way past Mad-River ski resort. Reaching the peak felt like an achievement for the little car. Not because the premium fueled 4-banger wasn’t strong enough for the climb, the increased displacement and tuning in the latest version of the 86 has silenced any notion of that. But because this car had spent most of it’ life cruising down the flat roadways of Florida since it’s purchase in the Summer of 2023.
At the summit, we stopped to admire the views before making our way down. Back in the car, we ripped down the western side of the mountain range. Where the car practically begged us to go faster. I of course, obliged. Pushing it harder and harder into each successful turn, all while an un-relenting chassis assured, even urged the driver that it could handle even more. Stability and braking were perfect, the car didn't make a single protest on the drive down the mountainside.
When the battle of man & machine vs. mountain had concluded, we arrived at the family farm, greeted by a hero's welcome. Merlin, the local sheriff and and Shepherd dog of the premises met us at the door. The 80-lb Aussie recognized Wendy immediately, and proceeded to mug my partner with love and affection, begging to go outside and play. The peak leaf season of central Vermont soon set a stunning backdrop for an epic game of catch with Merlin. The rest of the day was spent settling into the guest house and reconnecting with family.
Creemee Quest
Wednesday started late after a night of catching up with relatives. We grabbed lunch at Snap’s Diner in Bristol before heading toward Charlotte in search of a hike. Rolling clouds and rain quickly shut down those plans, so instead we set our sights on another goal: finding a maple-flavored Creemee.
This late in the season, most ice cream stands had already closed, and every lead from Vergennes to Shelburne came up empty. Locals seemed to have traded cones for cocoa. At last, a country store clerk pointed us toward Papa Nick’s in Hinesburg. There, we found not only a full selection of Creemee flavors but also an attached Italian restaurant. A delicious meal followed by perfect maple Creemees sealed the day as a success.
Shipping Out to Boston
Thursday morning brought another gray Vermont sky as we packed the car and headed for Boston. Along the way, a harrowing near-miss with a Massachusetts SUV reinforced just how much trust I had in the 86’s agility and control. Tires squealed, but we dodged the "Mass-hole" and we carried on.
Arriving in Boston, we checked into The Verb, a music-themed hotel styled like a recording studio, complete with posters, vinyl records, and room key “VIP passes.” That night, we geared up in Bruins attire, grabbed dinner at a bustling pub, and made our way to the arena for opening night. The Bruins won, and Fenway Park stood nearby as a beacon guiding us back to the hotel.
The Journey Home
Friday, October 11, we headed west through Pennsylvania’s Poconos, enjoying sweeping views and peak-season colors. By Saturday, October 12, we rolled back into Florida after nearly 3,000 miles of travel. The backroads of the Sunshine State couldn’t compare to Vermont’s twisty mountain passes, but we were grateful to avoid snowy conditions on summer tires.
Road Trip Impressions
After nine days, thousands of miles, and countless memories, the question remained: was the GR86 the perfect road trip car? Surprisingly, yes—though with caveats. Storage was ample for two duffel bags, backpacks, and souvenirs, with folding rear seats adding flexibility. The front seats were among the best I’ve ever experienced, bolstered and supportive for spirited driving, yet still comfortable on a long haul. The rear "+2"seats served as a handy shelf. Road noise was the biggest drawback, and the infotainment left something to be desired. Cupholders and phone storage were laughably impractical.
But the fun factor? Absolutely priceless. A grand tourer (i.e. the 2023 Nissan Z I purchased in late 2024 to replace the GR86) might have been more comfortable. But could it have made the trip more enjoyable with softer suspension, more space, more tech, and (worst of all) more weight? Not a chance.
Our friends and family questioned why we would take the trip in this car. They just couldn’t wrap their heads around this idea. I adore my lovely minister of finance for entertaining my need to drive the roads of her home state in this car. I was already planning to move on to another dream car of mine in the near future, but this trip was something I had to do. I NEEDED to experience these roads in the GR86. Without this trip, I would always have felt like I had missed out on something important. Something essential to understanding the essence of this car. I’ve found smiles in droves while driving this car. Both for the road trip and every day around town.
The GR86 is a car that allows you to push to it’s limit safely, extracting every bit of the performance it has to offer, delivering the driver an opportunity to truly go all-out while maintaining a speed that (probably) won’t land you behind bars.
While I’ve moved on to enjoy the Z-car, I will forever appreciate the GR86 for everything it was to me and still is to so many enthusiasts across the world. The GR86 gave me an unforgettable road trip, and a reminder of why driving matters more than any spec sheet.
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