Top 15 Road Trip Movies

A quintessential genre in Hollywood is the Road Movie, where the narrative unfolds primarily on highways, packed with exhilarating races, dramatic collisions, and intense pursuits. Below is a curated list of the fifteen greatest Road Movies ever made.

15. Convoy (Dir. Sam Peckinpah, 1978)

Truckers unite to create a massive “convoy” in solidarity with a fellow driver’s fight against a corrupt sheriff…Inspired by the country hit of the same name by C.W. McCall.

Ellie Andrews, after reluctantly marrying aviator King Westley, is taken to her father’s yacht to escape her new husband. Determined to return to King, Ellie flees and finds herself on a bus heading back to him. Along the way, she has no choice but to rely on Peter Warne, an unemployed reporter. Peter insists on helping her in exchange for an exclusive story, threatening to expose her to her father if she refuses. What follows is a journey filled with unexpected twists and revelations.

During a brief weekend escape, Louise kills a man attempting to assault Thelma. Fearing the consequences, the two women flee, pursued by law enforcement. While a sympathetic local officer shows understanding, federal agents are relentless. As they race across the country, Thelma and Louise rediscover their bond and uncover hidden strengths within themselves, transforming their desperate flight into a journey of self-discovery.

“The Motorcycle Diaries” draws from the travel journals of Che Guevara, the iconic Cuban revolutionary. The film chronicles the epic journey Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado undertook across South America in the 1950s, capturing their adventures and the profound experiences that shaped their lives.

An elderly man reminisces about a transformative journey six decades earlier, from rural Mississippi to Memphis, marked by a horse race and his own coming-of-age. When Lucius’s grandfather acquires the region’s first automobile, a vibrant yellow Winton Flyer, the family handyman, Boon Hogganbeck, hatches a plan to borrow the car, bringing Lucius and a stowaway, Ned—a mixed-race relative—along for the ride. Their escapade leads them to Memphis, where Boon reunites with his lover, Ned swaps the car for a racehorse, and Lucius gains a deeper understanding of adulthood.

Kowalski, a car delivery driver, accepts the challenge of transporting a 1970 Dodge Challenger from Colorado to San Francisco in under 15 hours. His journey quickly turns into a high-speed pursuit as he evades motorcycle cops and highway patrol. Guided by Supersoul, a blind DJ with a police scanner, Kowalski’s adventure is filled with thrilling chases, eccentric characters like gay hitchhikers and a nude motorcyclist, and plenty of Mopar action, cementing the film as a cult classic of the 1970s.

Bandit and Cledus, two Southern truckers, take on a bold challenge from Big and Little Enos: transport a truckload of beer from Texas back to them within a tight deadline. While the pickup goes smoothly, their return trip takes a wild turn when Bandit picks up Carrie, a runaway bride who left her fiancé, Junior, at the altar. Unbeknownst to them, Junior is the son of Sheriff Buford T. Justice. When Buford and Junior learn of the situation, they launch a relentless high-speed chase across the Southeast to capture Bandit.

Set in a dystopian future, Australia’s highways are overrun by violent gangs who pillage fuel and terrorize civilians. Max Rockatansky, a dedicated policeman, loses everything when a ruthless motorcycle gang, led by the menacing Toecutter, kills his partner, wife, and son after Max eliminates their leader, “The Knight Rider.” Consumed by rage, Max abandons the law and embarks on a vengeful quest to hunt down the gang, transforming into the legendary “Mad Max.”

Stuntman Mike, a deranged former Hollywood stunt driver, uses his “death-proof” car to prey on women. In the first act, he targets a group of friends in Austin, Texas, including Jungle Julia, a charismatic radio DJ, and her companions. Unaware of Mike’s sinister intentions, they fall victim to his twisted games. In the second act, Mike shifts his focus to a group of women in Tennessee, all connected to the film industry. This time, however, his victims fight back, turning the tables on their tormentor in a thrilling showdown.

David Mann, an ordinary man with an unremarkable job and a timid demeanor, finds himself in a life-or-death struggle during a desert drive. After overtaking a sluggish, dilapidated tanker truck, he unknowingly provokes its driver, who unleashes a relentless campaign of terror. The unseen trucker’s road rage escalates into a deadly game of cat and mouse, with the truck itself becoming a menacing, almost sentient force.

5. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (Dir. John Hughes, 1987)

Neal Page’s only goal is to make it home for Thanksgiving, but his plans are derailed when his flight is canceled due to a storm. Forced to rely on alternative transportation, he encounters Del Griffith, a chatty shower curtain ring salesman with an endless supply of jokes, stories, and unsolicited advice. Despite Neal’s efforts to escape, Del becomes his unwelcome travel companion, turning the journey into a chaotic and unforgettable adventure.

4. Breakdown (Dir. Johnathan Mostow, 1997)

A couple traveling cross-country from Massachusetts to San Diego faces a nightmare when their new car suddenly breaks down. A seemingly helpful truck driver offers assistance, taking the wife to a nearby diner to call for help. However, his true intentions are revealed as he kidnaps her, forcing the husband to embark on a desperate mission to rescue his wife and confront the kidnapper.

3. Cannonball Run (Dir. Hal Needham, 1981)

Inspired by the real-life Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, this film captures the spirit of a cross-country race organized to protest the 55 mph speed limit. Named after Ernest G. “Cannonball” Baker, a legendary motorcyclist from the 1920s, the race features a colorful cast of characters based on actual participants and their creative strategies. The straightforward premise—racing from coast to coast—delivers high-octane entertainment.

2. Easy Rider (Dir. Dennis Hopper, 1969)

Wyatt and Billy, two free-spirited bikers, set out on a journey to Mardi Gras. Along the way, they encounter a series of unforgettable experiences, including hitchhikers, a drunken lawyer, a stint in jail, a visit to a brothel, and the tragic loss of a close friend. Their adventure becomes a poignant exploration of freedom and the American counterculture.

1. Death Race 2000 (Dir. Paul Bartel, 1975)

In a dystopian future, the most popular sport is the ‘Deathrace,’ where drivers earn points by mowing down pedestrians as they race across the nation. The event has a cult-like following, with fans even willing to sacrifice themselves to the drivers. A covert organization, aiming to end the barbaric race, plants an operative as a navigator within the competition. As the race reaches its climax, the fate of the drivers, the President, and the future of the ‘Deathrace’ itself hangs in the balance.

Bonus: TransAmerica

Just days before her gender confirmation surgery, Bree learns she has a 17-year-old son from a past relationship. Her psychiatrist insists she address this before proceeding with the operation. Reluctantly, Bree travels to New York City, bails the teenager out of jail, and offers him a ride to Los Angeles—without revealing her true identity as his father. Their cross-country journey becomes a transformative experience for both.

Notable Omissions: Mary Sweeney

Contributor: StewWriter