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25 Essential Road Trip Movies of the Last 25 Years

We’re looking down the horizon and beyond for some of the best road trip movies that defined the genre over the last 25 years! To rev up this list, we selected American movies movies, journeys that begin in the States (where they actually finish is part of the fun). The movies celebrate the sights and sounds of the country, or at least will inspire you to pull out that camping gear, putting the convertible top down, and hitting the open road. These rides can be cross-county ( Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle ), on the freeway ( Dog , Sideways ), trekking across a few state lines ( Little Miss Sunshine , Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ), hitting a new time zone ( Road Trip ), or even runnin’ coast-to-coast ( Rat Race , Transamerica ). Even the Academy has felt the need for reasonable speed, awarding Best Picture to both Green Book and Nomadland . Carpool lane? Of course: we’ve got an Oscar strapped in the passenger seat!

So whether you’re looking for a map to a long summer drive or fixing a flat in your life, turn to these essential 25 road trip movies of the last 25 years (in chronological order)!

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) 50%

The Straight Story (1999) 94%

Tumbleweeds (1999) 82%

Almost Famous (2000) 91%

Road Trip (2000) 57%

Rat Race (2001) 45%

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) 75%

Sideways (2004) 97%

Transamerica (2005) 77%

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) 91%

Cars (2006) 75%

Zombieland (2009) 89%

Away We Go (2009) 67%

Paul (2011) 70%

We're the Millers (2013) 48%

Chef (2014) 87%

Grandma (2015) 91%

Mississippi Grind (2015) 91%

Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016) 83%

Green Book (2018) 77%

Nomadland (2020) 93%

The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021) 97%

Bad Trip (2021) 79%

Dog (2022) 77%

Joy Ride (2023) 90%

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10 Movies That Will Inspire You to Travel, According To Reddit

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There are those special films that inspire viewers beyond the movie screen. From amazing settings to adventurous storylines, movies have to power to leave fans wanting more. So, which flicks evoke the desire to travel? A conversation unfolded over at Reddit exploring this topic.

Maybe it's the beautiful backdrop, or perhaps it's that intangible feeling of being far from home. Either way, the following films have a magical hold to move people out of their comfort zone to try something new in an unfamiliar place. See which movies travel films Redditors loved.

10 'The Motorcycle Diaries' (2004)

No movie will make viewers want to sell their belongings and embark on an adventure like The Motorcycle Diaries . It tells the story of Che Guevara 's (played stunningly by Gael Garcia Bernal ) motorcycle road trip throughout Latin America. The cinematography is stunning, bringing to life the rich backdrop.

RELATED: The 10 Best 2000s Movies, Ranked According To IMDb

Reddit user Clause-Video-Archive wrote about the film, "I did a two-month, no plane, solo trip when I was a poor college kid studying abroad in Chile in 2000. This movie pretty much sums it up. Even hits a ton of the same places." It's not only a travel movie, but it's a poignant coming-of-age story.

9 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' (1999)

Director Anthony Minghella (the man behind Cold Mountain and The English Patient ) chose Italy as the setting for the thriller film The Talented Mr. Ripley . The plot centers around an underachiever who is hired to retrieve a playboy and bring him back to America when shocking events change everything.

A Redditor wrote, " The Talented Mr. Ripley will make you want to move to Italy immediately." Filmed in the Bay of Naples, Venice, and Palermo, Italy, the only aspect more beautiful than the natural scenery is the ensemble cast. The movie features Jude Law , Matt Damon , and Gwyneth Paltrow in their prime. It's a feast for the eyes.

8 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' (2014)

Wes Anderson 's The Grand Budapest Hotel is part murder mystery and part adventure, but the hotel itself (which looks like a delicious birthday cake) is the real star of the film. Set in the imaginary town of Zubrowa, the movie is actually filmed in Germany. Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori give stand-out performances in this must-watch flick.

RELATED: Every Wes Anderson Movie, Ranked According To IMDb

Reddit user LampLapTravel wrote, " The Grande Budapest Hotel . It evokes the feeling of wanting to stay at an old hotel with character and explore the old world." The color-drenched setting coupled with Anderson's twee movie-making makes the viewers feel like they're on a vacation. Anderson fans can't wait for the release of his next venture Asteroid City .

7 'Nomadland' (2020)

Frances McDormand won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Nomadland . The movie is about a woman who hits the road after losing her job and her husband to live a nomadic lifestyle. The American West is practically a character in and of itself as she travels across the country looking for work.

Reddit user, staywickedlost wrote about the film, " Nomadland was intensely beautiful and heart-wrenching. It showed the raw perspective of a woman living in her sprinter van around the U.S. following some difficult life events. Totally worth a watch if you're ready for all the emotions."

6 'Lost In Translation' (2003)

Sophia Coppola' s sophomore film Lost In Translation is another movie that evokes the desire to travel in viewers. The premise follows a has-been movie star (played by the hilarious Bill Murray ) and a neglected married woman (Scarlet Johansson shines in the role) who cross paths in Tokyo, Japan.

User nadel69 took to Reddit to add the movie to the conversation. " Lost In Translation . It successfully makes Japan look like a whole different planet." From the bustling streets to the neon lights of the city, Coppola captures the spirit of Tokyo with flawless precision. Murray and Johansson's on-screen chemistry only adds to the magic.

5 'Into The Wild' (2007)

Looking for a movie that will inspire you to drop everything and go exploring? Look no further than the film Into the Wild. Based on a true story, it follows Christopher McCandless, who sold all of his earthly possessions to hitchhike across Alaska. Starring Emile Hirsch and directed by Sean Penn , the scenery is beyond breathtaking.

RELATED: 10 Most Rewatchable Adventure Movies Of All Time

"When watching Into The Wild I just go the feeling that I wanted to give up all materialism that most individuals of our modern society have . Just throw it all away and return to the wild," Thehunterforce shared on Reddit. "That was until I remembered that with my wildlife skills, I would be lucky to last a week."

4 'The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants' (2005)

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants features four best friends who pass off a pair of magical jeans, as they separate for the summer to embark on their own adventures. Based on the adult novel by Anne Brashares, the film stars Amber Tamblyn , Alexis Bedel, America Ferrera, and Blake Lively.

Reddit user Lynzie13 wrote, " The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants inspired me to go to Greece . First trip outside of North America and been an avid traveler ever since." From filming in Santorini Greece to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, this movie gives viewers wanderlust, for sure!

3 'The Beach' (2000)

When it comes to a dreamy tropical setting, The Beach has every other movie beat. It tells the story of a vacationer named Richard (played by Leonardo DiCaprio ) that follows a secret map to a hidden paradise in Thailand. The setting (it was filmed in Phuket, Thailand) is lush and beautiful.

"I remember this movie really resonating and stirring something inside me before I had ever left my country," InternatonalBorder9 wrote on Reddit. "To this day my favorite trip was when I went to the Thai islands. Something magic I can't put my finger on. I love the book too." In other words, this movie takes you on a magical journey.

2 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' (2001)

Peter Jackson 's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring boosted tourism in New Zealand as the trilogy was shot in the gorgeous landscape. Based on the books of J.R.R., Tolkien, the story follows the adventures of Frodo Baggins and his quest to return to The One Ring to Mount Doom.

Reddit user johnwriter87 wrote, " The Lord of the Rings makes me want to pack a bag, find some adventure, and food-loving friends and just go on an adventurous road trip around the world not knowing when I will return." Not bad for a movie based on the pretend land of Middle Earth. It's hard to believe there are new Lord of the Rings movies set to be released .

1 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' (2013)

One film popped up the most in the Reddit conversation about movies that will make you want to travel the world. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty takes the top prize. Walter Mitty (played by Ben Stiller ) embarks on a journey to save his job and travels to places he never imagined he would go.

User sallyskneesocks wrote on Reddit, "I watched that movie in theaters and booked a five-week backpacking trip to SE the next day. I have never watched it again, and yet I completely credit that movie for giving me my insatiable adventure travel bug." A word of caution before viewing this one: be prepared to be inspired!

KEEP READING: 10 Modern Adventure Movies Destined To Become Classics

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The 10 Best Road Trip Movies, from ‘It Happened One Night’ to ‘Easy Rider’

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A good road trip is one of the most cinematic experiences that a person can have in real life. Different cities and landscapes blur together as scenery flies by your windows and day gradually turns into night. The car can begin to feel like an isolated bubble where nothing matters except the people inside. Whether you’re laughing and singing with friends, fighting with your family, or simply letting your thoughts settle while you drive solo, road trips seem to stop time and create distinct memories that can be revisited over and over again .  

So it’s not surprising that filmmakers have been inspired by road trips for as long as there have been movies. From the titans of the Old Hollywood studio system to international arthouse auteurs and contemporary independent directors, virtually every great filmmaker has tried their hand at a road trip movie at one point or another. Locations and genres can change, but the motif of people going from one place to another in a car is one of the building blocks of the international language of cinema.  

Road trip movies are versatile enough to encompass a wide variety of subject matter, but they often fall into two genres: comedies and contemplative dramas. The road trip comedy is a Hollywood standard because its built-in structure (characters need to get somewhere in a finite amount of time and are stuck together in a small space) lends itself to endless funny scenarios. From disgruntled fathers driving their badly-behaved children to strangers who fall in love after being forced to travel together, cars serve as confined spaces that allow a variety of relationships to flourish. On the other end of the spectrum, you have dramas from auteurs like Wim Wenders and Ingmar Bergman that see the road as a place for humans to think. Those films prioritize the destination much less than the self-discovery that can take place when you’re not in any particular rush to get somewhere.  

The road trip movie has endured for over a century, and its timeless appeal means that it’s unlikely to disappear any time soon. Keep reading for ten of our favorites, listed in chronological order.  

“It Happened One Night” (1934)

What It Is:  The archetypal Hollywood romantic comedy, Frank Capra’s “It Happened One Night” stars Claudette Colbert as pampered socialite Ellie, who boards a Greyhound bus from Florida to New York City to reunite with her new husband, pilot King Westley (Jameson Thomas), after her father attempts to annul the marriage. Unused to fending for herself, she ends up relying on the help of sarcastic newspaper reporter Peter (Clark Gable) to make the journey, despite despising his personality. At least at first — hitchhiking adventures and stays in motels quickly cause sparks to fly between the mismatched pair.

Perfect For:  Couples looking for date night films, “Looney Tunes” fans who want to watch the Gable performance that inspired Bugs Bunny, and lovers of pretty much every romantic comedy made in the last nine decades. —WC

“Wild Strawberries” (1957)

What It Is:  Not exactly the fun road trip romp the genre usually promises, “Wild Strawberries” uses a long car ride as the backdrop for a surreal exploration of aging, loneliness, and death. Ingmar Bergman’s film stars Victor Sjöström as cold-hearted professor Isak Borg, who is set to receive a lifetime achievement award for his career in bacteriology. On the drive to the university where the ceremony will take place, he’s accompanied by his pregnant daughter-in-law Marianne (Ingrid Thulin) and a group of young hitchhikers — one of whom is a double in looks and name for his childhood sweetheart Sara (played by Bibi Andersson). Over the course of the trip, Isak slowly warms to his younger companions, and experiences a series of flashbacks and dreams that forces him to confront the impending end of his life and his many regrets from his empty existence.

Perfect For:  Existential types, dying old men, and those whose only exposure to Bergman’s films are the HBO “Scenes From a Marriage” remake and the chess scene from “Seventh Seal.” —WC

“Easy Rider” (1969)

What It Is : A counterculture classic, Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider” stars the director and Peter Fonda as two drug-smuggling motorcyclists on a journey from Los Angeles to New Orleans, where they’re hoping to celebrate Mardi Gras. Along the road, they encounter a colorful cast of hippies, free love commune residents, addicts, prostitutes, and other outsiders. Their free-wheeling adventures are contrasted by the judgment they face from small town types and law enforcement looking to lock them up.

Perfect For:  Rebels, stoners, general miscreants everywhere, and fans of the iconic rock bands like The Byrds, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Steppenwolf that soundtrack the film. —WC

“Two-Lane Blacktop” (1971)

What It Is: “Two Lane Blacktop” is so clearly a product of its time that we could never hope to reverse engineer it. But when watched in 2023, it’s a fascinating countercultural artifact and a remnant of a film industry that now looks completely unrecognizable. Monte Hellman’s portrait of youthful angst and the freedom of the open road stars James Taylor and Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson as speed-obsessed drifters whose encounter with a mysterious driver named GTO prompts them to embark on a cross-country race.

Who It’s For:  Anyone with a need for speed and pop culture geeks who enjoy seeing famous non-actors trying to act. —CZ

“Paris, Texas” (1984)

What It Is: After making a name for himself in the German arthouse scene with his Road Movie Trilogy consisting of “Alice in the Cities,” “The Wrong Move,” and “Kings of the Road,” Wim Wenders brought his brand of contemplative cinema to America and made his magnum opus. “Paris, Texas” tells the story of a broken man (Harry Dean Stanton) wandering through the desert before his brother finds him and convinces him to reconnect with the family he walked out on. Wenders continued to find poetry in the loneliness of the road, and the desolate American scenery and Stanton’s heartbreakingly expressive face ended up being the best muses of his career. 

Perfect For:  Fans of slow cinema and anyone looking to brush up on the 20th century’s most impressive works of filmmaking. —CZ

“Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985)

What It Is: After developing a cult following from his stage show at the Roxy, Paul Reubens brought his comedic persona known as Pee-Wee Herman to the big screen in a whimsical road trip comedy directed by a young animator named Tim Burton. The film sees the idiosyncratic man-child traveling across the country to recover his stolen bike — and using his charm and joie de vivre to defuse conflicts with all of the shady characters he meets along the way. 

Perfect for: Loners, rebels, and anyone who wants to revisit the work of a comedic genius at the height of his powers. —CZ

“Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” (1987)

What It Is:  John Hughes’ holiday classic stars Steve Martin and John Candy as a mismatched pair of travelers who team up to make it home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. Martin’s suave ad executive constantly clashes with Candy’s bumbling shower curtain ring salesman as their cursed trip leads them onto — you guessed it — planes, trains, and automobiles in an attempt to get home before the holiday ends. Utterly ridiculous until it gets touching, the film is one of the strongest entries in the seemingly endless string of hits that Hughes churned out in the 1980s. 

Perfect For:  Families at Thanksgiving and anyone on a delayed flight who wants to remember that things could be so much worse. —CZ

“Thelma & Louise” (1991)

What It Is:  Ridley Scott and screenwriter Callie Khouri flipped the script on the conventional gender roles of the buddy comedy genre, opting to tell a story about two women having a blast while running from the law. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis give career-best performances as the eponymous duo — and both picked up well-derved Oscar nominations for Best Actress. The film is best remembered for its shockingly bold ending, but stands out as one of the 20th century’s most vibrant portrayals of friendship and the highways of America.

Who It’s For:  Ridley Scott completionist s, feminist film scholars, and anyone in the mood for a great time. —CZ

“The Straight Story” (David Lynch, 1999)

What It Is: Perhaps the biggest anomaly in David Lynch’s filmography, “The Straight Story” saw the beloved auteur shifting away from surrealism to tell a G-rated story of a man who travels the country on a riding lawnmower. While the Disney movie doesn’t feature any of the twisted nightmares that define many of Lynch’s best works, it’s filled with the wholesome Americana imagery that appears throughout his filmography. The film is a reminder that for all of his signature stylistic flourishes, Lynch is a filmmaker whose grasp of the fundamentals allow him to tell compelling stories without hiding behind bells and whistles.

Perfect for:  Anyone whose favorite parts of “Twin Peaks” were the wholesome small town antics. —CZ

“Little Miss Sunshine” (2006)

What It Is:  One of the most darkly amusing road trip comedies in recent memory follows the plight of a dysfunctional family who takes an 800-mile road trip to support their daughter’s entry in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. Piling into a van that’s breaking down almost as rapidly as the familial ties that bind them, they find themselves confronting their delusional dreams and long-simmering resentments (and a horn that never stops honking). While “Little Miss Sunshine” is a classic example of the “Sundance road trip movie” trope that’s often maligned in indie film circles, there’s no denying that it’s one of the best entries in the subgenre. 

Perfect For:  Anyone who is beginning to question their belief that child beauty pageants are an unambiguous societal good. —CZ

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The 27 best road trip movies to watch so you forget you're stuck at home

• Can't go anywhere right now? A good road trip movie could put you in a better mood.
• Here are the 27 all-time best.
• Classics like "Easy Rider" and "Thelma & Louise" are on our roundup.
• There are also more recent movies like "Logan" and "Magic Mike XXL." 
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

Hollywood has always had a soft spot for road trip movies, and some have become memorable not just for what was shown on screen, but what the spirit of the movie meant for the people who saw them.

Take "Easy Rider" for example, whose no-rules approach launched a new way that movies were made for decades. Or "Thelma & Louise," which was as much about female empowerment as it was about a movie about two people on the run from the law.

Here are 27 road trip movies (listed alphabetically) you should check out before heading on your own adventure:

"Almost Famous" (2000)

Cameron Crowe's love letter to the 1970s rock and roll scene, which he covered as a writer for Rolling Stone, is a fun look at adolescence, fame, and highlights the non-stop grind of a band being "on the road."

"The Blues Brothers" (1980)

John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd play two brothers on a mission from God. Trying to get on the straight-and-narrow after getting out of prison, Jake Blues (Belushi) and his brother Elwood (Aykroyd) decide to help raise the money the Catholic home they were raised in needs to stay open. That leads to a road trip around Illinois to get the band back together.

"Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" (2006)

With the help of director Larry Charles, Sacha Baron Cohen creates one of the funniest road trip movies ever made as he takes his character, Borat, to America to marry Pamela Anderson. But in the process, the movie highlights the US itself, as Borat travels the country doing everything from singing the Kazakhstan national anthem at a rodeo to hanging out with some fraternity kids.

"Dumb and Dumber" (1994)

In this Farrelly brothers classic, friends Lloyd (Jim Carrey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) are convinced the gas man is out to get them after the death of their bird, so they decide to drive to Aspen to hand-deliver a briefcase the beautiful Mary (Lauren Holly) "forgot" at the airport. Oh, and they are hitting the road in a truck that's made up to look like a dog.

"Easy Rider" (1969)

It's the movie that launched the "New Hollywood" era of the 1970s and was made with little money and lots of drugs.

Directed by Dennis Hopper, the Hollywood bad boy also stars alongside Peter Fonda as two hippie bikers (Jack Nicholson also shows up) who travel from LA to New Orleans after cashing in on smuggling cocaine from Mexico. On their freewheeling trip, they find an America that's split between the stuffy establishment and the younger generation that is starving for change.

"The End of the Tour" (2015)

The days of conversations between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) are beautifully profiled in director James Ponsoldt's intimate story that has the two men interacting while on the road for Wallace's book tour.

"Into the Wild" (2007)

Based on a true story, Christopher McCandless' quest to go off the grid and hitchhike to Alaska to live in the wilderness is a powerful exploration of human desire and the kindness of strangers.

"It Happened One Night" (1934)

Frank Capra's famous movie is romantic comedy at its best. Claudette Colbert plays a spoiled heiress running from home, and Clark Gable is a reporter who finally thinks he's found a story that will get him some attention as he follows her to New York. But it will be forever known for its hitchhiking scene in which Colbert's character gets them a ride by pulling up her skirt to show off her legs.

"Little Miss Sunshine" (2006)

Filled with an all-star cast including Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Paul Dano, Alan Arkin, and Abigail Breslin, we follow a dysfunctional family as they jump in a VW bus to drive the young Olive (Breslin) on a cross-country trip to the finals of a beauty pageant she's competing in.

"Logan" (2017)

Marking the coda of the Hugh Jackman era as Wolverine, director James Mangold delivers a somber drama of the superhero's final days. Here he and Charles Xavier set out to drive a young mutant to a refuge in North Dakota. That sounds simple, but it definitely isn't.

"Magic Mike XXL" (2015)

In this fantastic sequel to the 2012 original, Mike (Channing Tatum) sets out on the road with the remaining members of the Kings of Tampa in a food truck to Myrtle Beach for one final performance.

"Midnight Run" (1988)

Robert De Niro is fantastic in this foul-mouthed comedy as bounty hunter Jack Walsh who plans to cash in when he tracks down a sneaky accountant (played by Charles Grodin) who has jumped bail.

But with the FBI, other bounty hunters, and the mob also trying to get their hands on his bounty, things aren't easy for Jack.

"The Motorcycle Diaries" (2004)

Based on the Che Guevara memoir he wrote before becoming the Marxist revolutionary, Gael García Bernal plays young Guevara who, in 1952, went on a trip across South America with his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna). The experience shaped Guevara's life as it showed him the injustices of the world.

"The Muppet Movie" (1979)

Marking the first time the Muppets appear on the big screen, Kermit, Fozzie Bear and the rest of the gang go on a cross-country drive to Hollywood in hopes of making it big. A load of cameos, songs, and hilarity occur along the way.

"National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983)

This classic from director Harold Ramis stars Chevy Chase as one of his most memorable characters, Clark W. Griswold, the ambitious father whose vacation plans always never work out.

Clark takes the family cross-country to Walley World and in the process leaves chaos in his wake.

"On the Road" (2012)

Based on the iconic Jack Kerouac novel, Sam Riley plays the book's narrator, Sal Paradise, who after meeting Dean (Garrett Hedlund) and Marylou (Kristen Stewart), head on a free-spirited road trip across the country.

"Over the Top" (1987)

Sylvester Stallone plays trucker and arm wrestling pro Lincoln Hawk who needs to get to Las Vegas to compete in the world arm wrestling tournament. But he also has to get his estranged son to his dying mother. This all leads to a big-rig father-and-son road trip.

"Pee-wee's Big Adventure" (1985)

A loose parody of Vittorio De Sica's classic "Bicycle Thieves," Tim Burton makes his own classic around the zany antics of Paul Reubens' hit character Pee-wee Herman.

The movie follows the "boy" as he goes to search of his stolen bike, which he's been told by a psychic is in the basement of the Alamo (spoiler alert: there's no basement in the Alamo).

"Planes, Trains & Automobiles" (1987)

Steve Martin and John Candy play two men who suddenly have to become travel companions as they try to get home for the holidays. Written and directed by John Hughes, Martin and Candy together are a delight.

"Rain Man" (1988)

Tom Cruise plays sleazy Charlie Babbitt and Dustin Hoffman is his brother Raymond, who suffers from savant syndrome. Hoping to cash in on the fortune Raymond got from their father, Charlie sets the two out on a cross-country trip leading to a lot of self-discovery.

If you've never seen Barry Levinson's Oscar-winning movie, now's the time.

"Road Trip" (2000)

Of course "Road Trip" was going to be on this list. Todd Phillips' insane raunchy comedy about four college friends on a race against time to retrieve a sex tape sent in the mail to one of their girlfriends is always a fun watch.

"Smokey and the Bandit" (1977)

Burt Reynolds teams with his pal and longtime stunt double Hal Needham for his first directing effort, and it would go on to become a classic road trip movie.

Reynolds plays a fast-driving bootlegger who has to transport 400 cases of Coors beer safely from Texarkana to Atlanta. But things get complicated when Reynolds picks up a runaway bride (played by Sally Field) along the way.

"The Straight Story" (1999)

In one of David Lynch's most traditional storytelling offerings, Richard Farnsworth plays a man who sets out on a trip via riding a lawnmower to make things right with his ill brother.

The story is based on a real-life event, in which Alvin Straight traveled 240 miles from Iowa to Wisconsin on a lawnmower.

"Stranger Than Paradise" (1984)

Jim Jarmusch's second feature film follows Willie and his friend Eddie as they set out on a road trip to Cleveland to visit Willie's cousin from Hungary, Eva.

The movie went on to be regarded as a landmark work in the independent film world for its unconventional long takes and do-it-yourself aesthetic.

"Thelma & Louise" (1991)

Ridley Scott's look at the road-trip-turned-manhunt adventure of friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) is arguably more powerful today because of the #MeToo than when it opened in the early 1990s.

"Tommy Boy" (1995)

Perhaps the best Chris Farley/David Spade collaboration, in this one Farley plays an underachieving college graduate who suddenly has to travel the nation (with Spade as the geeky sidekick) to keep the accounts for his auto-parts family business after his father dies. This one truly shows off Farley's high-energy comedy greatness.

"Y Tu Mamá También" (2001)

Director Alfonso Cuarón received a best screenplay Oscar nomination with his brother Carlos for this powerful road trip movie that made Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal international stars.

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The 25 Best Road Trip Movies Ever

Nomadland is the latest in a long and treasured genre.

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Nomadland is the latest in a long line of movies that suggests packing up your belongings, speeding off, and exploring as many cities and countries as possible really is the right way to live.

Writer and director Chloe Zhao and the always imperious Frances McDormand have rightfully received critical acclaim for their work on the drama, which is released on Hulu on February, 19, and is fully expected to be a frontrunner during awards season.

Nomadland will be particularly resonant for travelers when you consider how excruciating the last 12 months have been. Rather than visiting sun-drenched and exotic places across the length and breadth of the globe, the Coronavirus pandemic has forced people to stay indoors and watch everything that the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max have to offer instead.

But while we all obviously want to be exploring new cities and butchering foreign languages, one way of scratching the traveling itch has always been to watch movie characters do it for us.

A perfectly made road trip movie can make you feel as though you’re actually embarking on the adventure and journey with those on-screen. Plus there’s the added bonus that you don’t have to pay for gas, stay in cheap and dirty motels, or get into fistfights with the locals over a simple misunderstanding.

Of course the road trip movie is so popular that plenty of entries to the genre suggest they’re capable of being this transportive and escapist, only to quickly bore and disappoint.

So which road trip movies are actually worth your time then?

Lucky for you, we here at Men’s Health have got viewers covered. So tighten up your helmets, put on your aviators, and start revving up that engine, as we take a look at the 25 best road trip movies ever made.

Easy Rider (1969)

Remembered mostly for the iconic image of Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper riding on their motorbikes as Steppenwolf’s "Born To Be Wild" blasts out, their cross-country expedition is both an illuminating and terrifying look at America.

Almost Famous (2000)

Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical tale of being a teenage music journalist in the mid 1970s is primarily a love letter to rock ’n’ roll, writing, and being young. But Patrick Fugit’s wide-eyed exploration of America as he tours with Stillwater also makes it an engrossing road movie, too.

Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002)

Alfonso Cuaron’s masterpiece didn’t just introduce the world to Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, it also blends drama, comedy and sex into a highly emotional, smartly constructed, and thought-provoking coming of age examination of Mexico.

Stream It Here

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Undoubtedly the stupidest movie on this list, Harry and Lloyd’s jaunt from Providence,Rhode Island, to Aspen, Colorado, to return a briefcase is also probably the laugh out loud funniest entry, too.

It Happened One Night (1934)

A much different comedy to Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels’ above effort, It Happened One Night depicts Clark Gable’s cunning newspaper reporter slowly fall in love with Claudette Colbert’s spoiled heiress during their enchanting trip from Florida to New York. Rightfully regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time.

Logan (2017)

Planes, trains, & automobiles (1987).

Everything about Planes, Trains, and Automobiles just works. Not only does writer and director John Hughes expertly throw obstacles in the way of Steve Martin and John Candy as they try to make their way from New York to Chicago, but he leaves us with a heartfelt and beautiful ending, too. However, it’s Martin and Candy’s dynamic that has really allowed it to stand the test of time.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Unfortunately the blistering trip from Immortan Joe’s Citadel to the mythical “Green Place,” with a permanent stop off in Vallhalla for some, isn’t actually doable for movie fans. But if it was, the legion of die-hard Mad Max: Fury Road aficionados would ride through the roughest sandstorm to prove their love for the rollicking blockbuster, which is regarded by many as the best action movie of all time.

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

A deeply sad yet oddly profound and darkly funny look at the life of a folk-musician in Greenwich Village during the early 1960s, Oscar Isaac shot to fame as the titular character, who voyages from New York to Chicago and back again to try and prove his talents.

Sullivan's Travels (1941)

One of the most under-rated movies to emerge from the Golden Age Of Hollywood, Joel McCrea’s rich and successful comedy director makes himself homeless so he can oversee an authentic, socially conscious movie in Preston Sturges’ brilliant and hilarious look at the power of cinema.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Thelma & Louise just keeps on getting better and better and better with each passing year. Sure its ending is iconic, but the titular duo’s joyride down to Mexico is also full of laughs, heart, and plenty of action, too. In fact, while most moviegoers would say it’s Alien, Gladiator, or Blade Runner, there’s an argument to be made that this is actually Ridley Scott’s greatest movie.

Midnight Run (1988)

The quintessential buddy comedy, Midnight Run revolves around Robert De Niro’s bounty hunter taking Charles Grodin’s mob accountant from New York to Los Angeles. It thrives thanks to the leading pair’s hysterical chemistry, and is elevated because it’s genuinely dark, moving, and thrilling, too.

The Muppet Movie (1979)

If you find yourself really down in the dumps because of the pandemic, then The Muppet Movie will provide the perfect cure. Just the sight of Kermit the Frog navigating his way from Florida to California to start his movie career, and picking up Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo et al along the way is a delight for people of all ages.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

National Lampoon’s Vacation might just feature the most impressive comedic team ever assembled. Directed by Harold Ramis, written by John Hughes, and starring Chevy Chase in arguably his most memorable role, it simply revolves around him taking his family on a trip from Chicago to Wally World in California, only to be met by increasingly hilarious setbacks.

The Daytrippers (1996)

Greg Mottola’s debut as a writer and director isn’t as much of a comedy as the likes of Superbad and Adventureland , as it sees Hope Davis traveling from Long Island to New York with her family to confront her husband, who she assumes is cheating. Instead it’s deft, claustrophobic, witty, full of surprises, and features stand out performances from Parker Posey and Liev Schreiber.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

The second Coen Brothers movie on this list is another one of their most underrated. George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Turturro are three convicts on the run across the South during the Depression, and while the acting is flawless, it’s Roger Deakins’ sumptuous cinematography, Joel and Ethan’s breakneck script, and the endless stream of glorious music that makes O Brother, Where Art Thou? really shine.

The Blues Brothers (1980)

One of the most expensive comedies ever produced, thanks to its chaotic production,John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd’s musical siblings might only travel through Illinois, but they still manage to create a ridiculous amount of destruction, all to save their orphanage. Still arguably the finest film based on a Saturday Night Live sketch.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Never has taking a drug-induced trip across the Mojave desert to Las Vegas looked so fun. Not everyone thought that, though, as Terry Gilliam’s adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s novel proved to be incredibly divisive upon its release. That didn’t stop its exploration of drugs and Sin City from blossoming into a cult classic with a devoted audience.

The Straight Story (1999)

David Lynch’s most coherent film might also be his most heartwarming, too. Based on the true story of Alvin Straight, who in 1994 rode his lawn mower through Iowa and Wisconsin to see his ill brother, The Straight Story is a wonderfully delicious slice of Americana that celebrates the Midwest and the people that live there.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

Sacha Baron Cohen’s outing from Kazakhstan to America, and then across the country to try and fall in love with Pamela Anderson, is about as ridiculous as movies can get. It’s also relentlessly funny, and if any film was ever going to genuinely make your side’s split, Borat would be it. Plus, you know, 2020 had a sequel too .

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10 best road trip movies from the 2020s on prime video (ranked by imdb).

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Fast & Furious 11's Familiar Location Tease Can Help Return To The Franchise's Roots

Hugh jackman's underrated sci-fi movie becomes global netflix hit, bad boys 4's syd reference makes gabrielle union's absence even worse.

Don’t Make Me Go  was recently released on Prime Video and is about a father-daughter road trip after Max, the father, learns he has a terminal illness. Max decides not to tell his daughter, Wally, the real reason why they're making this trip, and it's from this withholding of information that the true melodrama starts.

Don't Make Me Go is a classic road trip-style movie where the journey is far more important than the destination, and the growth the characters find within themselves is the true point of the movie. Even with the 2020s in their early years, there has already been a fair number of "road trip movies" that examine these exact topics.

She's In Portland (2020) 5.7

She's in Portland is a movie about two old friends who, envying each other's lives, take a road trip to find "the one that got away." Through the course of their road trip, the two men bond and rekindle their friendship that doesn't rely on machismo for the two men to be taken seriously.

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She's in Portland is a movie about two men's friendship that is not typically seen on screen. Many movies with two male leads rely on stunts and heavy action, whereas  She's in Portland relies on the two men's budding friendship and the lessons they learn along the way. Taking place along the Pacific Coast Highway, viewers will be stunned by the gorgeous views the pair stop at along the way.

Stop And Go (2021) 5.9

In this hilarious comedy, two sisters take a cross-country trip to rescue their grandma from a Covid outbreak at her nursing home. This movie was created during the Coronavirus pandemic and very much showcases the fear that many people had in interacting with others during this time.

Despite their circumstances, the sisters find humor in their situation that doesn't quite land with all viewers. It's true that while the entire human race went through the pandemic, it doesn't necessarily mean it can be joked about with much success. Despite this, the film certainly has its moments of whimsy and is a great movie to while the time away with.

Unpregnant (2020) 6.4

Apropos of the time,  Unpregnant  is about two teenage girls, Bailey (Barbie Ferreira) and Veronica (Haley Lu Richardson) who embark on a harrowing and emotional, yet hilarious journey to another state to be able to obtain an abortion without requiring parental permission. Along the way, they are accosted by pro-lifers and policemen and get a ride from an anti-government survivalist.

While this movie deals with heavy topics, it's done so with comedic timing and heart and doesn't skirt around the reality of Veronica's situation. The film is a great true road trip style movie with many obstacles thrown their way, as is typical of the genre. It very much gives  Booksmart and even  Superbad vibes in a way that makes a difficult situation funny.

The Man In The Hat (2020) 6.4

The Man in the Hat  is a beautifully cinematic film that has almost no dialogue, as the speaking is done through music. It's a classic road trip movie that, in the words of Ciarán Hinds , who plays the main character, "won't take too much of your time... you can just be a human being and watch this little journey and feel things."

The Man in the Hat is beautifully orchestrated with music instead of prose, simple yet emotional scenes like a man eating olives out of a jar that'll have viewers reaching for the Kleenex and the small moments that make humans, human. It's the type of movie that is simply experienced rather than relying on stunts or heavy action to make it memorable. It just is.

Dog (2022) 6.5

Starring Channing Tatum as Briggs,  Dog is about an Army Ranger who suffers from PTSD and isn't eligible for service. To get on his commanding officer's good side, he agrees to take an aggressive dog, Lulu, to his late partner's funeral. Through their hilarious and sometimes scary interactions, Briggs and Lulu learn more than they ever thought they could have from each other.

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The film is inspired by true events that Tatum experienced with his own dog. Viewers have become weary of movies with dogs as it seems that they are destined for a bitter end, however, the marketing for  Dog assured viewers that the dog does not indeed die, which made viewers keener to watch.

The Trip To Greece (2020) 6.6

The Trip to Greece is a comedy film following fictionalized versions of two actors, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, as they traverse the steps of Odysseus from Troy to Ithaca. It's the fourth installment in the franchise, following  The Trip  to Italy,  The Trip to Spain,  and the original iteration centered in England.

Along with the  hilarious banter between Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, viewers are dazzled with gorgeous shots of the delectable food the pair dine on throughout their journey. The movie released at the start of the 2020 pandemic and was an outlet for people to "travel" without actually leaving their homes.

Supernova (2020) 6.8

Starring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci,  Supernova  is about Sam ( Firth, in arguably one of his best movies of all time ) and Tusker (Tucci) embarking on a road trip through the English countryside after Tusker has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Similar to  Still Alice , this movie explores the grief, heartache, and denial of losing a loved one before they're even gone.

Though the film was ultimately snubbed by the awards circuit, it shows an achingly accurate portrayal of dementia and the trials and tribulations the couple face through their hardships. The two leads give a performance of a lifetime that will leave viewers remembering their characters more than the specifics of the film.

Hit The Road (2021) 7.3

Hit the Road is an Iranian comedy/drama about a family driving to the Turkish border to smuggle their eldest son out of the country. Despite the often comedic moments of the movie, there is a constant note of fear running through everyone in the film but the young boy, who hasn't been told the truth about why his older brother is leaving Iran.

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Hit the Road was met with critical acclaim and was director Panah Panahi's debut film. The film is shot almost exclusively from the inside of the car and uses humor as a way to keep the family from falling too far into anguish and heartbreak, though it is there just below the surface.

Nomadland (2020) 7.3

After being a smash success on the film festival circuit,  Nomadland  went on to win Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress (Frances McDormand) at the Academy Awards. Based on a non-fiction book, Fern (McDormand),  recently widowed and unemployed, sets off in a newly acquired van around the U.S. to live as a nomad.

Throughout her travels, she meets fellow nomads who teach her valuable lessons about living on the road as well as invaluable lessons about life, death, love, and family.  Nomadland is meant to show what real American life can look like without glamorizing it the way Hollywood has been known to do.

C'mon C'mon (2021) 7.4

In this heartwarming and earnest film, Joaquin Phoenix impresses as an uncle who forges a bond with his young nephew, Jesse, who he hasn't seen in over a year. When Jesse's mom asks Johnny (Phoenix) to come and stay with Jesse, and when she needs to extend her trip, Johnny and Jesse start a cross-country road trip together.

Shot completely in black and white, this movie is not about the end goal, but about the journey, and the lessons Johnny and Jesse learn along the way. Viewed through the eyes of a child, and through the eyes of an adult, it asks viewers to reflect on the circumstances in their own life and if it's possible to move on.

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• Nomadland (2021)

10 Best Road Trip Movies of All Time

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Road trips have served as the basis for some of Hollywood's best stories for decades, especially in the comedy genre. These movies often follow characters who, through shared adversity, become closer as friends. Everything from buddy-style dynamics to family trips makes the road trip one of the most enduring, successful formulas on film, merging elements of adventure with relatable situations as characters battle the odds to reach their destinations.

Road trips can take on a variety of forms, from tense modern Westerns to comedic adventures, but all of them share the same focus on character growth and overcoming adversity. There aren't nearly enough of these movies, but some stand out as a testament to the value of a good road-faring adventure. Whether through a modern cross-country story of self-discovery or an old-school crime tale, these films are the best road trip movies out there.

10 Every Which Way But Loose Is Silly Fun

Every which way but loose (1978).

The San Fernando Valley adventures of trucker turned prize-fighter Philo Beddoe and his pet orangutan Clyde.

10 Best Comedy Adventure Movies

Adventure films are full of larger-than-life heroes and fun adventures and comedy adventure movies like The Goonies are some of the best it can offer.

Every Which Way But Loose focuses on a bare-knuckle boxer, Philo Beddoe, who hustles his way through off-the-books fights to make a living. When he meets an aspiring country music singer, Lynn, he falls in love but must contend with a seemingly-violent ex-boyfriend of hers. After spending the night with her, he is shocked to discover that both she and her trailer have disappeared. Not content to let things end there, he sets off with his orangutan friend, Clyde, and brother, Orville, to head to Lynn's hometown of Denver so he can find her. However, he draws the ire of a violent motorcycle gang and a pair of angry cops, who pursue him down to Colorado.

Every Which Way But Loose is a charming buddy comedy, casting Eastwood in one of the more upbeat roles of his career. A box office success, the movie earned a sequel, Any Which Way You Can , which continues the adventures of Philo and Clyde. The movie includes plenty of action as the hero takes on hustlers and enemies, proving himself the toughest guy around.

9 The Gauntlet Is An Action-Packed Road Trip

10 best clint eastwood movies (that aren't westerns).

Clint Eastwood is best known for his prominent roles in Western films, but that is far from the only genre he's appeared in.

The Gauntlet follows an alcoholic Arizona cop, Ben Shockley, who is sent to Las Vegas to find a criminal witness, Gus Malley, and bring her back so she can testify in court against the mob. When he finds her hiding out in her house, Shockley discovers that there's a bet against them making it back to Phoenix, as the mob and corrupt cops make their move against them.

The Gauntlet is one of Clint Eastwood's best action movies, one that slowly sees his character prove he's not a washed-up cop as he fights his way across state lines. With the odds stacked against them, the pair fall in love and use an armored bus to try and survive the hail of gunfire orchestrated to keep Gus from making it to court.

8 Zombieland Follows Survivors of the Apocalypse Fighting the Undead

*Availability in US

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A shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, a gun-toting bruiser in search of the last Twinkie and a pair of sisters striving to get to an amusement park join forces in a trek across a zombie-filled America.

Zombieland takes place in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, one that has left humanity all but extinct. The movie follows and is narrated by Columbus, a young man who abides by a series of rules to stay alive. When he meets a twinkie-loving, gun-obsessed modern-day cowboy, Tallahassee, the pair join forces, and soon cross paths with a pair of con artists, Wichita and Little Rock. Setting their differences aside, the four decide to travel the country together, realizing strength in numbers. At every turn, they're forced to contend with the brain-eating zombies who stalk the Earth.

Zombieland is a hilarious zombie movie, but makes the road trip of its four heroes the heart and soul of the story, with the four eventually running into Bill Murray . The movie is something of a cult classic of its decade, and one of the best modern zombie movies there is, effectively serving as a relatable "what if you survived the zombie apocalypse?" style movie.

7 Road Trip Adapted American Pie's Formula To The Open Road

Four college buddies embark on a road trip to retrieve an illicit tape mistakenly mailed to a female friend.

After the success of 1999's American Pie , the comedy genre took a notable turn towards fun, juvenile, and raunchy humor. The first and most obvious successor of the movie was Road Trip , which follows college freshman Josh, who cheats on his long-distance girlfriend and accidentally mails her a tape of the tryst. Hoping to race from New York to Texas so he can intercept the tape, he enlists three friends, E.L., Rubin, and Kyle to join him on a road trip. When they destroy their car, the four friends are forced to lie and steal their way to Austin.

Road Trip is a brilliant comedy for people who enjoy the '90s style of humor, even casting Seann William Scott in the road of E.L., a character modeled after Steve Stiffler. The movie is full of timeless humor centered around youth and friendship, alternating between Josh's trip and the story of his delinquent friend, Barry, who narrates the whole thing.

6 Midnight Run Is A Comedic Bounty Hunter Movie

Every martin scorsese and robert de niro movie, ranked.

Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro are two of the most legendary figures in Hollywood, and they've teamed up to make some of the greatest films ever.

Midnight Run focuses on a Los Angeles-based bounty hunter, Jack Walsh, who agrees to take on a high-profile job to find Jonathan "the Duke" Mardukas, a mob accountant who has skipped his bond. He locates the fugitive in New York and tells his bail bondsman employer he'll have him back soon. However, when Mardukas pretends to be afraid of flying, he forces Jack's hand, and the pair begin an epic cross-country road trip, taking trains and coaches along the way. With the mob, FBI, and a rival bounty hunter after them, the pair develop a respect for one another as they learn about the other's lives.

Midnight Run covers a range of topics and even genres in one movie, combining a mob crime movie, a comedic buddy story, and an old-school road trip. With hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line and trained killers close behind, Jack decides to flip the script on his gangster enemies to save the Duke but collect on his fee. The film is one of DeNiro's best, as he makes for a great partnership alongside Charles Grodin's Mardukas.

5 The Blues Brothers Combines Musical Comedy With The Road Trip

The blues brothers.

The Blues Brothers begins with the release of Jake Blues from prison, with his brother, Elwood, waiting for him. Reunited after years apart, they visit the Penguin, an elderly nun who runs the orphanage they grew up in. When she informs them that the building is facing foreclosure if they can't pay $5000 in property taxes to Cook County. After visiting a church, the brothers have a revelation: they have to reform their old band, the Blues Brothers, to raise money, declaring a mission from God. They head out on a trip to find the old members and get them back in, touring the state to raise cash as they go.

The Blues Brothers is a brilliant combination of musical and road trip comedy, as Jake, Elwood, and the band win over the hearts of everyone through their music. The film includes a variety of brilliant cameos from blues musicians, such as Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, and Ray Charles, all of whom turn in one of the best musicals of the decade. With a growing list of enemies chasing them down, the film follows the heroic singers on their quest to save the orphanage.

4 National Lampoon's Vacation Follows A Dysfunctional Family Trip

National lampoon's vacation (1983).

The Griswold family's cross-country drive to the Walley World theme park proves to be much more arduous than they ever anticipated.

National Lampoon's Vacation tells the story of Clark Griswold, a well-meaning but hapless family man from the suburbs of Chicago. One day, he decides to treat his family to a vacation at the vaunted Wally's World, situated in California. Intent on ensuring his family has the trip of their lives, he insists on driving the entire journey. As they cross America, they experience crime, a family tragedy, personal tensions, and the hospitality of the family's oddball cousin, Eddie.

National Lampoon's Vacation started a movie franchise centered around the misadventures of the Griswold family, with sequels exploring their attempt to host a Christmas dinner for their trip to Las Vegas. However, the original movie remains king, thanks to Chevy Chase's brilliant, career-defining performance as the lovable yet bumbling Clark Griswold.

3 Mad Max: Fury Road Is Hell On Wheels

Mad max: fury road.

In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper and a drifter named Max.

Chris Hemsworth Enjoyed His 'Sick and Twisted' Role in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Chris Hemsworth discusses his role in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, revealing he thoroughly enjoyed playing Dementus.

Mad Max: Fury Road begins when Max Rocketansky is captured by desert raiders, who report to the tyrannical ruler of the water supply, Immortan Joe. However, when one of Joe's finest warriors, Furiosa, flees with his wives, he leads a war party into the desert to stop her, with Max strapped to a car as a blood bank for its half-life boy driver, Nux. After a sandstorm throws everything into chaos, Max escapes, and forces his way into Furiosa's war rig, aiding the women in their escape to avoid the wrath of Joe.

While Mad Max isn't the traditional road trip movie, it still follows all the basic rules of one, with the characters growing closer along their journey. As they flee into the desert, the characters begin their plan to liberate the Citadel from Immortan Joe's rule, narrowly escaping the violence of the villain and his allies along the way. Not only is the movie a brilliant action romp, it brings high-octane energy to the road trip.

2 Logan Is A Dystopian Superhero Neo-Western

In a future where mutants are nearly extinct, an elderly and weary Logan leads a quiet life. But when Laura, a mutant child pursued by scientists, comes to him for help, he must get her to safety.

Logan takes place at the end of Fox's X-Men timeline , and features an aging, dying Wolverine as he is charged with escorting his young female clone, Laura, to Canada to escape a team of mercenaries, the Reavers. He brings along Professor X, whose ailing health and old age have made it difficult to control his abilities, leading to occasional bursts of harmful psychic intrusions in the minds of those around him. Pursued by the cybernetically enhanced mercs, the hero makes his way north, fighting off villains along the way.

Logan is a fun twist on several genres, from dystopian science fiction and superheroes to Westerns and road trips. The film marks the conclusion of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine story arc and serves as one of the best character send-offs in modern cinema. James Mangold's story borrows expertly from classics like Shane, reminding everyone of the hero Logan is as he helps families and children against the violent and corrupt.

1 Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Is the Definitive Road Trip Movie

Planes, trains and automobiles.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, an advertising executive on his way home to Chicago for the Thanksgiving holiday, but his journey is besieged with one problem after another. Things turn for the worst when a boisterous but lovable shower ring curtain salesman Del Griffith (John Candy) crosses paths with him. Now somehow stuck with Del, Neal will attempt to make it across the country in a series of increasingly zany incidents to make it home for the holidays.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles begin when an advertising agent, Neal Page, tries to make his way home from New York to the suburbs of Chicago for Thanksgiving. However, with a raging snowstorm, his flight is delayed indefinitely. He meets a jovial, optimistic shower curtain ring seller, Del Griffith, and the pair attempt to pool resources to make it back. While Neal's more abrasive, frustrated mood clashes with Del's endless upbeat nature, the two do become friends as they make their way across the country. Along the way, they face bad weather, thieves, a car fire, and more, setting them back at every turn.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles doubles as the ultimate road trip movie as well as the perfect Thanksgiving story, revolving around the importance of friendship and understanding. As one of John Hughes' best films, it casts John Candy and Steve Martin as Del and Neal, with the two comedy icons turning in some of their best work as mismatched companions.

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50+ Best Road Trip Movies to Watch Tonight

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Who doesn’t love a good road trip movie? Movies that capture the thrill, the fun, and, yes, sometimes the dangers of hitting the open road. Here are some of the best road trip movies to watch tonight, films that epitomize car travel. You’ll find something for everyone: comedies, dramas, family-friendly, horror, classics, and more.

Ready to watch? I’ll make the popcorn!

Can’t get enough road trip movies? Check out our lists of The Best Road Trip Horror Movies and The Best Road Trip Movies on Netflix .

The 50+ Best Road Trip Movies

National lampoon’s vacation (1983), rain man (1988), pee-wee’s big adventure (1985), planes, trains & automobiles (1987), thelma & louise (1991), little miss sunshine (2006), the muppet movie (1979).

• Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

Tommy Boy (1995)

Kodachrome (2017), road trip (2000), road trip: beer pong (2009), sideways (2004), to wong foo, thanks for everything julie newmar (1995), almost famous (2000), johnson family vacation (2004), the fundamentals of caring (2016), crossroads (2002), on the road (2012), the wizard (1989), zombieland (2009), into the wild (2007), mr. pig (2016), zindagi na milegi dobara (2011), it happened one night (1934), college road trip (2008), lost in america (1985), boys on the side (1995), easy rider (1969), it’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world (1963), a goofy movie (1995), 4l (4 latas) (2019), motorcycle diaries (2004), nebraska (2013), cars (2006), dumb and dumber (1994), letters to juliet (2010), interstate 60 (2002), the straight story (1999), joy ride (2001), the adventures of priscilla, queen of the desert (1994), seeking a friend for the end of the world (2012), alice doesn’t live here anymore (1974), we’re the millers (2013), the long, long trailer (1953), tammy (2014), follow that bird (1985), the guilt trip (2012), kalifornia (1993), nomadland (2021), pin this list of the best road trip movies:.

In National Lampoon’s Vacation , Clark Griswold takes his family on a 2,460-mile quest for fun. The destination: Walley World (think, knock off Disney meets Six Flags). The family of four hits the road in a metallic pea Wagon Queen Family Truckster station wagon stopping to at fun roadside attractions like the Dodge City old west town and the “House of Mud”, visiting family, and hitting every roadblock imaginable along the way.

Hot shot Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) travels back home for his estranged father’s funeral only to discover that he has an autistic savant brother (who is getting his entire inheritance). With an ulterior motive, they pack up in their late father’s 1949 Buick Roadmaster to drive to Los Angeles.

After Pee-wee Herman’s beloved bicycle gets stolen, a psychic tells him where he will find it: the basement of the Alamo. Pee-wee heads off on the adventure of a lifetime to find it, encountering convicts, bikers, ghosts, and the California roadside attraction Cabazon Dinosaurs along the way. Watch this road trip movie and be sure and tell’em, Large Marge sent ya!

Neal Page (Steve Martin) just wants to get home to his family for Thanksgiving. It’s a plan that’s easier said then done when his flight gets cancelled and he encounters Del Griffith (John Candy), a traveling shower curtain ring salesman. What starts as an innocent offer to help with a hotel room turns into a road trip nobody bargained for.

Best friends Thelma and Louise take off on a weekend road trip to escape their problems with the men in their lives. Their problems only worsen when a detour goes awry and they become fugitives on the run from the law.

When seven-year-old Olive Hoover gets the chance to compete in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant in Redondo Beach, California, the whole family (including mom, dad, a brother who has taken a vow of silence, a suicidal uncle, and a heroin-addicted grandfather) pack in a VW bus for a cross-country road trip from Albuquerque. After numerous setbacks, they make it to the pageant and Olive has a chance to show the audience her signature moves.

With a dream of stardom, Kermit the Frog leaves his small-town pond and takes off for Hollywood. Along the way he picks up some new friends (including Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and Gonzoa) and dodges the advances of the evil Doc Hopper, who wants Kermit as the mascot for his Frog Legs food chain.

Y Tu Mamá Tambié n (2001)

Two teenage boys, Tenoch Iturbide and Julio Zapata, try to convince Tenoch’s cousin’s wife, Luisa Cortés, to join them on a road trip to made-up fantasy beach (Boca del Cielo, Heaven’s Mouth). After confirming that her husband has been cheating on her, she agrees to go. Their road trip, set against the backdrop of Mexico, challenges the boys, their friendship, and their sexuality.

After seven years of school, dim-witted Tommy Callahan Jr. is finally a college graduate. He returns home to work for his father, Big Tom Callahan, at the family’s auto parts factory in Ohio. When Big Tom suddenly dies, Tommy Boy hits the road with his late father’s right-hand man Richard, to try to sell brake pads and save the company.

No products found.

A struggling music executive (Jason Sudeikis) ends up on a road trip with his estranged father (Ed Harris), a dying photojournalist on a journey from New York to Kansas to have his last lost rolls of Kodachrome film developed before the discontinued ink is no longer available at the lab. While the relationship plot line itself isn’t based on a true story, the premise is, with inspiration stemming from the real-life end of the road of Kodachrome as documented in “ For Kodachrome Fans, Road Ends at Photo Lab in Kansas ” by A.G. Sulzberger.

College student Josh (Breckin Meyer) accidentally sends his long-distance girlfriend a sex tape that he made with another girl. Him and his friends embark on a cross-country road trip to get to her college to intercept the tape before she sees it.

A semi-sequel to Road Trip , this movie follows a college beer pong team that hits the road to join a bus full of models on their way to compete in the National Beer Pong Championship. The team faces many roadblocks along the way, leaving their future in the championships (and relationships) up in the air.

A week before Jack’s (Thomas Haden Church) wedding day, his best friend, the struggling writer Miles (Paul Giamatti), plans a road trip around California wine country to relax before the big day. Oenophile Miles wants to sit back and savor the vino, but Jack has other plans for them both. The friends spend the week dealing with divorce, love, heartbreak, and merlot.

New York drag queens Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze) and Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes) win a local pageant and the chance to compete in the Drag Queen of America pageant in Hollywood, California. After meeting the green Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) and taking her under their wing, they cash in their plane tickets, buy an old Cadillac, and set off on a cross-country adventure. Along the way the three face adversity and forge unexpected friendships.

High-school student and aspiring rock journalist William (Patrick Fugit) is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone Magazine about up-and-coming rock band Stillwater. He travels around the country with them on their tour bus as he tries to get the story.

Nate Johnson (Cedric the Entertainer) and his family take a cross-country road trip to attend a family reunion to face off against his brother for “Family of the Year.”

Retired writer Ben (Paul Rudd) tries to escape his past by becoming a caregiver for a disabled teen. Trevor (Craig Roberts), who has muscular dystrophy spends his days stuck to routine, eating nothing but waffles and watching a news program about roadside attractions day after day. Together, they break out to take a road trip to see the world’s biggest pit: picking up stragglers, confronting their emotions, and testing their limits along the way.

Three estranged childhood friends, Lucy (Britney Spears), Kit (Zoe Saldana) and Mimi (Taryn Manning) take off on a cross-country road trip where they face their past, prepare for the future, and rediscover their friendship.

Though purists for the iconic novel might be disappointed, there is still no more iconic road trip story than On The Road . The movie version chooses to focus on the relationship between writer Sal Paradise (Sam Riley) and his friend Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund) as they traverse the country, cuts out the solo adventures of Sal, and pulls inspiration from many sources.

Jimmy (Luke Edwards) is always running away from home. after his parents put him in a mental institution his brother Corey (Fred Savage) breaks him out and, together, they set off towards California. Along the way they meet a girl named Haley (Jenny Lewis), discover that Jimmy is a video-game prodigy, and dodge the bounty hunter the parents hired to track them down.

After a virus outbreak turns most of America’s population into zombies, an unlikely foursome of survivors takes a post-apocalyptic road trip across the country, in search of sanctuary (and Pacific Playland) in California.

Based on a true story and a book of the same name, Into the Wild follows recluse Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), AKA Alexander Supertramp, as he hitchhikes around the country, eventually making his way to Alaska , where he intends to live off of nothing but the land.

An aging pig farmer (Danny Glover) crosses the border from Southern California into Mexico to sell his prized pig to an old friend’s son. When the deal doesn’t go as planned, he keeps driving, eventually joined by his reluctant daughter (Maya Rudolph), in a last-ditch effort to find a home for the cherished hog.

In order to save his job, Bob Munro (Robin Williams) cancels his family’s Hawaii vacation and convinces them to take an RV trip to Colorado . Along the way they run into road problems, bizarre campers, and familial tension.

Three friends take a bachelor party road trip through Spain. Along the way they hit some roadblocks, confront their past and future, and have an adventure of a lifetime.

Heiress Ellie (Claudette Colbert) runs away from her father and fiancee. While escaping by bus she meets a man (Clark Gable) who helps her on her way, in exchange for her story.

High school overachiever Melanie (Raven-Symoné) really wants to go to Georgetown. But, her overbearing father (Martin Lawrence) is hoping to keep her close to home. When the opportunity to interview for her dream college comes up, her dad reluctantly agrees to take her, with the idea that he can change her mind along the way.

When David (Albert Brooks) loses his job he convinces his wife Linda (Julie Hagerty) to quit hers, get a Winnebago, and leave conventional society behind. But when plans quickly get derailed, the couple has to change course.

Musician Jane (Whoopi Goldberg) accepts a rideshare from Robin (Mary-Louise Parker) to go from New York to Los Angeles. Along the way, they stop to see Jane’s friend Holly (Drew Barrymore), run into trouble, and settle down far from their original destination.

After gaining a large profit from a drug deal in Mexico, hippies Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) outfit themselves with motorcycles and set off to discover “the real America.”

A convict on the run crashes and uses his dying words to tell the group of motorists who witness the crash about his buried treasure sparking a cross-country race to see who will find it first.

Goofy just wants some father-son bonding time. His son Max just wants to impress his crush Roxanne. When the two go on a road trip, destination Lake Destiny, Max schemes to change course and get his way.

Two old friends, Tocho (Hovik Keuchkerian) and Jean Pierre (Jean Reno), travel to visit their old friend Joseba (Enrique San Francisco) one last time before he dies, taking his estranged daughter (Ely, Susana Abaitua) along for the ride. Their journey takes them across the Sahara, crossing Africa to get to Mali, recreating and recalling the adventures the three men shared in their youth.

Based on a true story, Motorcycle Diaries depicts a road trip across South America taken by medical student Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Gael García Bernal), who later went on to be recognized as a Marxist guerrilla leader and revolutionary.

After aging Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) gets a letter claiming he’s won a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize, his son David (Will Forte) agrees to drive him from Montana to Nebraska to claim the alleged prize. (Look for a cameo by the L.P. Anderson Tire Co. Muffler Man in Billings, Montana .)

After getting turned around on the road, anthropomorphic race car Lightning McQueen ends up in trouble in Radiator Springs, a rundown Route 66 town that pays homage to all the famous sites on the Mother Road.

After watching the woman he drove to the airport leave a briefcase behind, limo driver Lloyd (Jim Carrey) and his friend Harry (Jeff Daniels) take off after her in a dog-shaped vehicle while facing one dumb situation after another.

While visiting Verona, Italy, on a pre-honeymoon with her busy chef fiancé Victor (Gael García Bernal), Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) stumbles upon the “Secretaries of Juliet,” a group of women who answer lovelorn letters left at Juliet Capulet’s balcony. She ends up answering a letter herself, sparking an overdo road trip looking for a long-lost love.

Aspiring artist Neal Oliver (James Marsden) learns to be careful what you wish for when he encounters the mysterious O.W. Grant. His overheard birthday wish catapults him onto an off-the-map road trip to find the girl of his dreams and figure out what he wants in life.

Retired Iowa farmer, Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth), learns that his estranged brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke in Wisconsin. Determined to see him again, he sets off on a journey using the only vehicle he can drive: an old lawn mower.

College freshman Lewis Thomas (Paul Walker) buys a car to pick up his friend and crush Venna (Leelee Sobieski) on their way home for summer break. But plans go awry when his brother, Fuller (Steve Zahn), convinces him to pull a prank over a car’s CB radio with deadly consequences.

A trio of drag queens and transsexuals hop in a colorful bus to travel across the Australian desert to get to a new gig. Along the way they run into both trouble and compassion, and learn the real reason they are taking the trip.

As an asteroid heading towards Earth threatens humanity, insurance salesman Dodge (Steve Carell) and his neighbor Penny (Keira Knightley) set off together to revisit the past in their last days.

After her husband dies, aspiring singer Alice (Ellen Burstyn) hits the road with her son in search of a new life.

After getting robbed, small-time pot dealer David (Jason Sudeikis) needs to repay his supplier. He’s sent on a big-time mission to Mexico disguised as a family man on vacation, complete with an RV and a fake family.

Newlyweds Nicholas Collini (Desi Arnaz) and Tacy (Lucille Ball) buy a motor home so they can see the country. They quickly learn the ins and outs of living on the road.

After being fired from her job Tammy (Melissa McCarthy) comes home early to find her husband having an affair. Desperate to get away, she takes a road trip with her grandmother, Pearl (Susan Sarandon) towards Niagara Falls.

At the suggestion of a social worker, Big Bird leaves Sesame Street to live with a family of Dodos in Illinois. When he realizes he had already found a home, he leaves to walk back. But the journey is a little farther than he accounted for and trouble is around every corner.

Andy Brewster (Seth Rogen) is traveling across the country to try to sell his environmentally-friendly cleaning product to big-box stores. When he learns about his mother ‘s (Barbara Streisand) long lost love, he invites her along with the secret mission of reuniting them at the end.

Brian Kessler (David Duchovny) and his girlfriend Carrie Laughlin (Michelle Forbes) are working on a book about serial killers. To cut costs on their road trip to explore murder sites, they set up a ride share with strangers, Early Grayce (Brad Pitt) and his girlfriend, Adele Corners (Juliette Lewis). But they soon learn that they didn’t have to travel far to find a killer.

Fern (Frances McDormand) packs her van and explores an unconventional life s a nomad in the vast landscape of the American West. Along the way, she forms unbreakable bonds with others in locations like Wall Drug and beyond.

More movies that feature road trips:

• Duel ( watch )
• Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion ( watch )
• Getting There: Sweet Sixteen & Licensed to Drive ( watch )
• Wristcutters: A Love Story ( watch )
• True Romance ( watch )
• Flirting With Disaster ( watch )
• Bonnie and Clyde ( watch )
• Mad Max: Fury Road ( watch )
• Inside Llewyn Davis ( watch )
• Magic Mike XXL ( watch )
• Paris, Texas ( watch )
• Sullivan’s Travels ( watch )
• Wild Strawberries ( watch )
• Midnight Special ( watch )
• The End of the Tour ( watch )
• Over the Top ( watch )
• Stranger Than Paradise ( watch )
• Grandma ( watch )
• Pierrot le Fou ( watch )
• The Daytrippers ( watch )
• Smoke Signals ( watch )
• Last Day Of Summer ( watch )
• American Honey ( watch )
• Two for the Road ( watch )
• Smokey and The Bandit ( watch )
• Bad Trip ( watch )
• The Road Ahead ( watch )
• Hit the Road ( watch )
• Unpregnant ( watch )
• Hooking Up ( watch )
• Uncle Frank ( watch )
• Supernova ( watch )
• The Unknown Country ( watch )
• Bones and All ( watch )
• The Long Dumb Road ( watch )
• She’s in Portland ( watch )
• Green Book ( watch )
• I’m Thinking of Ending Things ( watch )
• The In-Between ( watch )
• Mags and Julie Go on a Road Trip ( watch )

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Valerie Bromann

Founder & road trip expert.

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book , she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

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Last modified: December 28, 2023 Category: Road Trip Movies & Books

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The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything you need to have and record an epic road trip, by valerie bromann.

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.

Silly America

Silly America is a roadside attractions blog designed to help travelers find unique stops for their next road trip. The website is a tribute to the great American road trip, devoted to all that is odd in America: roadside attractions, tourist traps, peculiar destinations, bizarre events, road food, fun festivals, and more! It’s a travel website and trip planner for those seeking an offbeat road trip.

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‘sacramento’ review: michael cera and kristen stewart star in a slight but winning road comedy.

A free-spirited man convinces his best friend to go on a road trip in Michael Angarano's Tribeca-premiering film, also featuring Maya Erskine.

By Lovia Gyarkye

Lovia Gyarkye

Arts & Culture Critic

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In Michael Angarano ’s understated buddy comedy Sacramento , a flighty man coaxes his estranged friend to road-trip with him from Los Angeles to California’s capital city. The drive is a madcap adventure dotted with interactions that help both men untangle the knots in their friendship and confront fears of the future. 

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These two men became friends as children, during a swim class in which Ricky almost drowned Glenn. Their relationship has been fraught for years, and Glenn has been trying to “phase” Ricky out of his life: He rarely checks in and doesn’t tell his friend that he’s having a baby. Still, they share history and, whether they like it or not, a kind of emotional avoidance predicated on trepidation about what’s next.

Angarano and Chris Smith’s slight screenplay details the relationship between Ricky and Glenn just enough to keep the narrative moving, but more information, especially about the two men, would have elevated Sacramento . It’s through these anecdotes about the past that a real story — a prickly account of arrested development and the awkwardness of growing apart — emerges out of a collection of otherwise engaging enough conversations and solid comedic bits. 

Ricky is a less volatile figure, but still vaguely sketched. While he might be more in tune with his emotions, he’s unreliable. An early glimpse into his life takes place a year before Sacramento ’s main timeline. While on a camping trip, Ricky meets Tallie ( Maya Erskine ) and the two begin a woodsy romance. Ricky proclaims boldly that they should run away and build a commune. Tallie stops him: That future could never exist, because Ricky would surely bail. 

The truth of her statement becomes clearer as Ricky and Glenn drive north. In order to get Glenn on board with the trip, Ricky tells his reluctant friend that his father died a month ago and he wants to fulfill the old man’s dying wish by spreading his ashes in the city. Even though the two are estranged, Glenn concedes.

The guilt trip morphs into a more emotionally complicated (and antic-filled) journey the closer they get to Sacramento. A few energetic scenes in the car reveal just how close Ricky and Glenn once were. The standout moments in Sacramento highlight behavioral and conversational quirks of old friendships, in scenes that recall the drollness of Joanna Arnow’s recent The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed . 

So it’s disappointing when Sacramento cuts away too quickly from these scenes, padding its narrative with a few too many repetitive and distracting hijinks instead of burrowing into the difficulties between Glenn and Ricky. After all, Sacramento is, at its best, about embracing the vulnerable insights that emerge from these encounters.

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