Mother’s Day is coming up Sunday, May 11. If you need an idea of what to get the car-loving mama in your life, whether it’s your mom or the mother of your children, take a look at the list below. It’s possibly too late to gift them for this year, but at least you’ll be prepared for 2026.
EXPERIENCES
If the mother in your life prefers experiences over gifts, there are plenty of those out there. Land Rover offers a variety of Experience Drives, which start at $275 for one hour, and Family Experiences, priced from $450, that will allow her to learn more about the capability of Land Rover vehicles while she’s surrounded by the beauty of nature.
There are also several high-performance driving experiences available from various manufacturers. At the National Corvette Museum, Mom can zoom around the Motorsport Park‘s road course in a C7 Stingray, C8 Stingray, Camaro, or all three. Is she more of a luxury car kind of lady? Then book her an AMG Experience in a 577-horsepower SL 63.
Maybe Mom prefers the quiet of a museum. There’s a place for her. Actually, there are quite a few, such as the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn, Indiana. It houses an average of 120 vehicles from the three brands as well as artifacts on three floors. Mom can even see 1925–1937 models in the museum’s Art Deco Company Showroom, which has a “terrazzo floor, lit by Art Deco chandeliers and sconces that highlight the elegance, beauty, and depth of this impressive space, just as it did in 1930.“
Another great place to go with Mom? The Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Fall Auction, which will be taking place October 15-18. Get your tickets for it by clicking here.
For something a little closer to home, try a local car show. There’s a good chance it’ll be in the parking lot of a restaurant, so you can treat Mom to lunch or dinner afterward.
ONE-ON-ONES
No matter what Mom does on Mother’s Day, she wants to do it with you. To keep crowds of strangers out of your plans with her, you can take a long drive to a place she’s always wanted to see or, if Mom is the outdoorsy type, go car camping in a picturesque area. Your mom may just want to watch an old car movie, such as “Smokey and the Bandit,” like she did when you were a kid. You know what would maximize her viewing pleasure? A Diablo sandwich and a Dr. Pepper.
KEEPSAKES
Let’s say Mom would rather have something she can look at every day that reminds her of you. A car will definitely get the job done. Sure, if you have the means, you can get a showroom-fresh one (such as a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD) delivered to her house with a giant bow on it. But you can also go the pre-owned route. In fact, you have to if Mom wants a 1965 Ford Mustang like the one she drove in college.
On a much smaller scale (literally), you can get Mom a model of a car that’s attractive or meaningful to her. Maisto covers a lot of makes and models at an affordable price. For more detail (and a higher price), try out AutoArt. Really looking to impress Mom (while terrifying your accountant)? Buy her a 1:8-scale Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic from the Amalgam Collection for $24,995.
Has Mom always wanted a framed photo from an epic road trip you two went on several years ago? Now is the time to give it to her.
SMALL GESTURES
You can also show the gearhead mom in your life how much you care by doing little things. Out running errands in her car? Surprise her by filling her gas tank or getting her car washed. Back at the house, you can add to her peace of mind by changing her oil, airing up her tires to the perfect psi, or installing fresh wiper blades.
Any other ideas you’d add to this list? Post them in the Comments below.