Yearning for the open road? Look no further! Hollywood is no stranger to producing entertaining road trip movies that feature iconic cross-country adventures. While some audiences just can’t seem to get enough of this comedy staple, others flock to theaters for films that take a more heartfelt approach to the genre, utilizing the road trip as a way to express maturation, character development, and coming-of-age themes. Sometimes it’s nice to live vicariously through the lives of these big-screen characters. With such an impressive list of beloved classics to choose from, determining the greatest among these films is difficult.
So whether you’re yearning for some comedic relief from life’s difficulties or are just wanting to see the world from a new perspective, these films, with their array of hijinks and chaos, will prove entertaining for audiences of all ages. Instead of needing to hop in the car, sit down, grab the remote, and explore the open road from the comfort of your home.
Here is our deep dive into the best road trip movies throughout cinema history.
14
‘Girls Trips’ (2017)
Featuring a vivacious cast of Hollywood’s brightest stars including Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Queen Latifah, and Jada Pinkett Smith, the spirited 2017 comedy Girls Trip focuses on a group of four tight-knit pals who decide to let loose and have some long overdue fun by heading down to the Big Easy to attend the Essence Music Festival. While on their once-in-a-lifetime adventure in New Orleans, the gals learn new things about not only one another but also themselves as they rekindle their bond and sisterhood.
Sisterhood Is Celebrated in ‘Girls Trip’
The magnetic energy between the talented leading ladies and the uproarious hijinks they get into while running around the city of New Orleans is what helped Girls Trip become both a critical and commercial knockout, with the comedy receiving numerous accolades, including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture. After years of speculation, it was confirmed in March 2025 that a sequel was officially in the works and that a script was completed, and that the original four stars would also be returning.
13
‘Dumb and Dumber’ (1994)
The iconic buddy-comedy Dumb and Dumber stars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels as two dimwitted yet well-meaning friends who set off on a cross-country road trip from Providence, Rhode Island, to Aspen, Colorado, in order to return a briefcase full of money.
Carrey & Daniels Become a Hilarious Dynamic Duo
The charm of this film lies in the delightful ignorance of Lloyd and Harry, whose personas simply don’t allow for a light bulb moment. They have absolutely no desire to either learn or grow during their hilariously harrowing journey and, as a result, they ultimately go off on a zany adventure without learning all that much. Dumb and Dumber found great success at the box office upon its release, becoming one of the most iconic of 1994.
12
‘Y Tu Mamá También’ (2001)
Y Tu Mamá También is the coming-of-age tale of two teenage boys who set out on a road trip with an older woman in her late twenties. This Alfonso Cuaron road movie features a talented cast, including Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal, and Maribel Verdú, who shine against the backdrop of Mexico’s economic and political realities in 1999.
An Intimate Exploration of Sexuality & Innocence
This intimate and tender story is also an exploration of sexuality and maturity. The young men’s journey leads to self-discovery and a loss of innocence amidst the stunning road trip setting. The film uses travel and journey as a metaphor. As a result, audiences are able to witness the transformation of the leads from adolescence to adulthood in a fresh and authentic way.
11
‘Easy Rider’ (1969)
Easy Rider is arguably one of the most important road trip movies in cinema history. This film, which received critical praise upon its release, is credited with helping to spark the New Hollywood era of the 1970s. This 1969 independent road drama tells the story of two bikers who embark on a journey through the American South and Southwest, transporting the proceeds of a cocaine deal.
‘Easy Rider’ Becomes a Transcending Road Trip Classic
The film stars Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper as the lead bikers, alongside the memorable performance of Jack Nicholson as the boozy lawyer they pick up along the way. This classic flick focuses heavily on the journey, not the destination, as the free-spirited bikers get a harsh dose of reality during their travels across the country.
10
‘It Happened One Night’ (1934)
It Happened One Night is an infamous screwball comedy, and with good reason. Widely considered the first, it soon became the roadmap for others to follow after its release in the early 30s. The movie also arguably launched the careers of stars Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. In the film, Colbert played an heiress on the run back to her true love. Gable, meanwhile, played the intrepid reporter following shortly behind. They travel from Florida to New York in increasingly jerry-rigged modes of transportation and, of course, wind up falling in love in the process.
An Iconic Screwball Comedy That Defied the Hollywood Status Quo
At the time, a film about an unmarried couple traveling together was sure to ruffle a few feathers. Considered a Pre-Code film this movie managed to skirt the censors by covering any sense of impropriety with snappy dialogue, cheeky humor, and endless innuendo… thus creating the screwball comedy. For example, Frank Capra and crew got around the pair sharing a room together by dividing said room with a bedsheet that the characters literally nickname “The Walls of Jericho.” Any source of seduction was at most a suggestion, as demonstrated by Colbert’s last-ditch use of her *gasp* bare leg to hail a passing car, though that too was considered rather scandalous in passing.
9
‘Rain Man’ (1988)
The touching and deeply endearing 1988 classic Rain Man tells the story of conceited jerk Charlie Babbitt who, upon his wealthy father’s death, discovers the inheritance has been left to his unknown autistic-savant brother Raymond. Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman deliver powerful performances as Charlie and Raymond, for which the latter earned an Academy Award.
‘Rain Man’ Thrives Thanks to Cruise & Hoffman
As the brothers travel from Cincinnati to Los Angeles, Charlie witnesses the restrictions of Raymond’s condition and, in turn, gains a new perspective on life. The film’s unique premise and the chemistry between Cruise and Hoffman as they travel the country is what helped make Rain Man a road trip staple and a must-see classic nearly forty years later.
8
‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (2006)
The Oscar-winning dramedy Little Miss Sunshine features an all-star cast (including Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, and Abigail Breslin). It tells the story of a barely-functional family who are determined to get their daughter to the finals of a beauty pageant. Setting off in their VW bus (which requires a rolling start), the Hoover clan soon embark on an 800-mile road trip to California. Their goal of reaching the beauty pageant is what ultimately brings the family together.
A Winning Blend of Humor & Heart
The script for this film is both funny and heartfelt, and Michael Arndt received the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his effort. The colorful characters add depth and humor to the plot, which is tied up nicely by the end. Little Miss Sunshine was one of those indie films from the 2000s that broke out with mainstream audiences, and part of that is it perfectly captures what it is like to be stuck with one’s family for a long road trip.
7
‘Into the Wild’ (2007)
This film is for those whose wanderlust leads them to less tread pastures. Based on the book by Jon Krakauer, Into The Wild tells the true story of an Emory college graduate and athlete who renounces his family fortune and sets off on a hitchhiking adventure that leads him deep into the Alaskan wilderness. Written, directed, and produced by Sean Penn, the film version stars Emile Hirsch as Chris McCandless, a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp.
Penn Creates a Thought-Provoking Tale of Adventure
Upon its release, Into the Wild was nominated for many awards, including Golden Globes and Academy Awards. It was soon added to many of the top lists that year. The abandoned bus that housed the final days of the real-life McCandless even became a pilgrimage site for fans until it had to be airlifted to a safer location. Those wanting to dive into a smaller, safer venture should carve out the 2 ½ hours for this film.
6
‘Almost Famous’ (2000)
The critically acclaimed Cameron Crowe dramedy Almost Famous is the ultimate coming-of-age film with an ensemble cast of Hollywood heavy hitters like Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand, and Jason Lee. The movie is loosely based on Crowe’s own experience as a writer for Rolling Stone magazine.
Crowe’s Spellbinding Coming-of-Age Dramedy
Almost Famous tells the story of a young 1970s Rolling Stone journalist William Miller and his epic journey of self-discovery as he travels with the fictitious rock band Stillwater. As he follows them across the country, William experiences the highs and lows of adolescence: falling in love, being rejected, making friends, and ultimately accepting himself. The movie received critical acclaim and numerous accolades and is included in many lists of the greatest films ever made.
5
‘Thelma & Louise’ (1991)
Arguably the ultimate female buddy movie, 1991’s Thelma & Louise tells the unforgettable tale of two best friends who take off for the open road after a tragic event forces them to flee for greener pastures. Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon star as the ride-or-die duo who zip across the country in Thelma’s 1966 Ford Thunderbird.
‘Thelma & Louise’ Is Epic From Beginning to End
The iconic friendship of the film’s titular leads, impressively performed by Davis and Sarandon, firmly cements it as a landmark feminist film. The movie also features a young Brad Pitt in one of his first major roles as a drifter who catches Thelma’s eye. The iconic ending of Thelma & Louise remains one of the greatest in Hollywood history to this day.
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