16 Road Trip Movies That Make Us Want To Hit The Road
One type of film that always tends to put a smile on your face by the end is the road trip movie. You get all of your main characters stuck with each other in a car or any other form of transport and you watch how their relationships are forced to grow. The best road trip movies also tend to put you in the mood to go on a road trip of your own.
They make you want to take a week off of work, pack up the suitcases, fire up a playlist, and hit the road with friends and family. Still, a spontaneous road trip isn’t always possible. That’s okay! Just watch these films and enjoy the ride with your favorite characters.
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1
Tommy Boy
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- Tommy Boy
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? After his father dies from a heart attack, man-child Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) tries to save his father’s company. Being joined by his father’s assistant, Richard (David Spade), the two set off on a cross-country trip to find more clients. As with any Chris Farley film, hilarity ensues along the way.
Highlight Of The Trip: Tommy is not the best salesman, and he’ll be the first to tell you. Tommy tries to sell a client brake pads, using toy cars for an all-too-vivid demonstration of what would happen if the wrong brakes were used. Tommy goes so far as to light one of the toy cars on fire directly on the desk, all with the great physical comedy that only Chris Farley could do.
Fun Fact About The Movie: According to , David Spade and Chris Farley got into a fight on set. This was due to Chris being jealous of David hanging out with Rob Lowe so much.
- Actors: Chris Farley, David Spade, Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek, Dan Aykroyd
- Released: 1995
- Directed by: Peter Segal
- Also ranks #2 on Stupid Comedies That Actually Deal With Really Serious Issues
- Also ranks #3 on The Funniest Road Trip Comedy Movies
- Also ranks #3 on ‘Classic’ Comedies With The Worst Rotten Tomatoes Score
Great road trip movie? - Photo:
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2
We’re the Millers
- Photo:
- We’re the Millers
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? In order to smuggle a large haul of drugs in Mexio, drug dealer David (Jason Sudeikis) hires a stripper named Rose (Jennifer Aniston) and two local teens to pretend to be his family. Looking like a normal suburban family should hopefully help them get past customs while crossing the border.
Highlight Of The Journey: David and Rose try to act like actual parents by meeting the man that’s picking up Casey (Emma Roberts) on a date. Meet Scottie P., a carnival worker with a chest tattoo with the saying “No Ragrets,” a simple credo he lives by. The irony is not lost on anyone.
Fun Fact About The Movie: Will Arnett and Jason Bateman were both considered to play David in the film, before the job went to Jason Sudeikis.
- Actors: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Will Poulter, Emma Roberts, Ed Helms
- Released: 2013
- Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber
- Also ranks #1 on 16 R-Rated Comedies That Were More Successful Than We Realized
- Also ranks #1 on All Of Jennifer Aniston’s Movies, Ranked
- Also ranks #5 on The Best Emma Roberts Movies
Great road trip movie? - Photo:
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3
National Lampoon’s Vacation
- Photo:
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to take his family to Walley World. While they could’ve easily flown from Chicago to California, Clark pines for that picture-perfect family road trip instead, cramming everyone into his metallic pea-colored Family Truckster.
Highlight Of The Trip: Despite having been on the worst road trip imaginable, the Griswolds finally make it to Walley World, only to discover it’s closed for two weeks. Clark, always wanting the best for his family, uses a BB gun to hold a security guard hostage and force him to take everyone on the rides.
Fun Fact About The Movie: The original ending saw Clark show up at the house of Walley World owner Roy Walley (Eddie Bracken), and holding him hostage for closing the park. Test audiences didn’t like this ending as they felt cheated out of the Walley World payoff.
- Also ranks #1 on Every ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation,’ Ranked By How Much They Make You Dread Your Next Trip
- Also ranks #7 on 15 Movies Where The Characters DON’T Learn A Lesson
Great road trip movie? - Photo:
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4
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
- Photo:
- Paramount Pictures
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? Neal Page (Steve Martin) is an uptight marketing executive who just wants to get home for Thanksgiving. However, due to bad weather, his plane to Chicago is forced to land in Kansas. Neal has no choice but to travel by car alongside the talkative but kind-hearted Del Griffith (John Candy), whom he met at the airport.
Highlight Of The Journey: An infuriated Neal tries to rent a car in St. Louis but no longer has his rental agreement. This causes him to go on a legendary tirade to the poor rental agent, dropping the f-bomb for about every other word he says.
Fun Fact About The Movie: Writer/director John Hughes based the film on a very similar experience he had when he was an advertising copywriter. He was flying from New York to Chicago, but bad weather forced the plane to land in Kansas, just like in the film.
- Actors: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean, Kevin Bacon
- Released: 1987
- Directed by: John Hughes
- Also ranks #1 on The Best Movies About Thanksgiving, Ranked
- Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Road Trip Comedy Movies
- Also ranks #1 on Silly Comedies That End With An Emotional Gut Punch
Great road trip movie? - Photo:
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5
Zombieland
- Photo:
- Zombieland
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? Zombieland follows four characters who eventually cross paths on their journeys. You’ve got zombie survivalist expert Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) trying to find his parents. Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) are con artist sisters who want to get to the Pacific Playland theme park. Then there’s Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), who’s just enjoying the open road, killing zombies in the coolest way possible.
Highlight Of The Trip: In one of the best cameos of all time, the characters find themselves exploring the Hollywood Hills, eventually taking shelter in the house of comedy legend Bill Murray. While Murray pretends to be a zombie to scare Columbus, he’s unceremoniously shot in the chest due to Columbus’s quick survival instincts. Whoops.
Fun Fact About The Movie: Zombieland was originally sold to CBS as a TV show, but like many scripts, it didn’t have a chance of seeing the light of day. Thankfully, producer Gavin Polone loved the script so much that he took it to Columbia Pictures to have it turned into a film.
- Actors: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Ruben Fleischer
- Also ranks #2 on The 30+ Best Zombie Comedies
- Also ranks #2 on The Funniest Movies About the End of the World
- Also ranks #3 on The Greatest Horror Parody Movies, Ranked
Great road trip movie? - Photo:
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6
Road Trip
- Photo:
- Road Trip
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? While trying to mail a tape to his long-distance girlfriend detailing his life in college so far, Josh (Breckin Meyer) accidentally sends a tape of him cheating on her instead. His other friends join him on long road trip to Austin to prevent her from seeing the tape.
Highlight Of The Journey: The gang ends up being stopped by a broken bridge on the road, requiring them to have to jump the gap instead. One of the friends Rubin insists that the physics are correct and that they could make it. Against all odds, they do make the jump, though the car itself doesn’t survive the fall.
Fun Fact About The Movie: The man who tries to lick Beth’s (Amy Smart) feet on the bus is the film’s writer/director Todd Phillips. Yes, the same Todd Phillips would go on to direct smash-hits such as The Hangover, Old School, and Joker.
- Actors: Seann William Scott, Breckin Meyer, DJ Qualls, Fred Ward, Andy Dick
- Released: 2000
- Directed by: Todd Phillips
- Also ranks #2 on Tom Green Movie List, Ranked
- Also ranks #2 on The 30+ Best Seann William Scott Movies
- Also ranks #5 on The Best Movies Directed by Todd Phillips
Great road trip movie? - Photo:
Tommy Boy
- Photo:
- Tommy Boy
- Tommy Boy
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? After his father dies from a heart attack, man-child Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) tries to save his father’s company. Being joined by his father’s assistant, Richard (David Spade), the two set off on a cross-country trip to find more clients. As with any Chris Farley film, hilarity ensues along the way.
Highlight Of The Trip: Tommy is not the best salesman, and he’ll be the first to tell you. Tommy tries to sell a client brake pads, using toy cars for an all-too-vivid demonstration of what would happen if the wrong brakes were used. Tommy goes so far as to light one of the toy cars on fire directly on the desk, all with the great physical comedy that only Chris Farley could do.
Fun Fact About The Movie: According to , David Spade and Chris Farley got into a fight on set. This was due to Chris being jealous of David hanging out with Rob Lowe so much.
- Actors: Chris Farley, David Spade, Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek, Dan Aykroyd
- Released: 1995
- Directed by: Peter Segal
- Also ranks #2 on Stupid Comedies That Actually Deal With Really Serious Issues
- Also ranks #3 on The Funniest Road Trip Comedy Movies
- Also ranks #3 on ‘Classic’ Comedies With The Worst Rotten Tomatoes Score
We’re the Millers
- Photo:
- We’re the Millers
- We’re the Millers
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? In order to smuggle a large haul of drugs in Mexio, drug dealer David (Jason Sudeikis) hires a stripper named Rose (Jennifer Aniston) and two local teens to pretend to be his family. Looking like a normal suburban family should hopefully help them get past customs while crossing the border.
Highlight Of The Journey: David and Rose try to act like actual parents by meeting the man that’s picking up Casey (Emma Roberts) on a date. Meet Scottie P., a carnival worker with a chest tattoo with the saying “No Ragrets,” a simple credo he lives by. The irony is not lost on anyone.
Fun Fact About The Movie: Will Arnett and Jason Bateman were both considered to play David in the film, before the job went to Jason Sudeikis.
- Actors: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Will Poulter, Emma Roberts, Ed Helms
- Released: 2013
- Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber
- Also ranks #1 on 16 R-Rated Comedies That Were More Successful Than We Realized
- Also ranks #1 on All Of Jennifer Aniston’s Movies, Ranked
- Also ranks #5 on The Best Emma Roberts Movies
National Lampoon’s Vacation
- Photo:
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to take his family to Walley World. While they could’ve easily flown from Chicago to California, Clark pines for that picture-perfect family road trip instead, cramming everyone into his metallic pea-colored Family Truckster.
Highlight Of The Trip: Despite having been on the worst road trip imaginable, the Griswolds finally make it to Walley World, only to discover it’s closed for two weeks. Clark, always wanting the best for his family, uses a BB gun to hold a security guard hostage and force him to take everyone on the rides.
Fun Fact About The Movie: The original ending saw Clark show up at the house of Walley World owner Roy Walley (Eddie Bracken), and holding him hostage for closing the park. Test audiences didn’t like this ending as they felt cheated out of the Walley World payoff.
- Also ranks #1 on Every ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation,’ Ranked By How Much They Make You Dread Your Next Trip
- Also ranks #7 on 15 Movies Where The Characters DON’T Learn A Lesson
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
- Photo:
- Paramount Pictures
- Paramount Pictures
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? Neal Page (Steve Martin) is an uptight marketing executive who just wants to get home for Thanksgiving. However, due to bad weather, his plane to Chicago is forced to land in Kansas. Neal has no choice but to travel by car alongside the talkative but kind-hearted Del Griffith (John Candy), whom he met at the airport.
Highlight Of The Journey: An infuriated Neal tries to rent a car in St. Louis but no longer has his rental agreement. This causes him to go on a legendary tirade to the poor rental agent, dropping the f-bomb for about every other word he says.
Fun Fact About The Movie: Writer/director John Hughes based the film on a very similar experience he had when he was an advertising copywriter. He was flying from New York to Chicago, but bad weather forced the plane to land in Kansas, just like in the film.
- Actors: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean, Kevin Bacon
- Released: 1987
- Directed by: John Hughes
- Also ranks #1 on The Best Movies About Thanksgiving, Ranked
- Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Road Trip Comedy Movies
- Also ranks #1 on Silly Comedies That End With An Emotional Gut Punch
Zombieland
- Photo:
- Zombieland
- Zombieland
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? Zombieland follows four characters who eventually cross paths on their journeys. You’ve got zombie survivalist expert Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) trying to find his parents. Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) are con artist sisters who want to get to the Pacific Playland theme park. Then there’s Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), who’s just enjoying the open road, killing zombies in the coolest way possible.
Highlight Of The Trip: In one of the best cameos of all time, the characters find themselves exploring the Hollywood Hills, eventually taking shelter in the house of comedy legend Bill Murray. While Murray pretends to be a zombie to scare Columbus, he’s unceremoniously shot in the chest due to Columbus’s quick survival instincts. Whoops.
Fun Fact About The Movie: Zombieland was originally sold to CBS as a TV show, but like many scripts, it didn’t have a chance of seeing the light of day. Thankfully, producer Gavin Polone loved the script so much that he took it to Columbia Pictures to have it turned into a film.
- Actors: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Ruben Fleischer
- Also ranks #2 on The 30+ Best Zombie Comedies
- Also ranks #2 on The Funniest Movies About the End of the World
- Also ranks #3 on The Greatest Horror Parody Movies, Ranked
Road Trip
- Photo:
- Road Trip
- Road Trip
What Kind Of Journey Do They Take? While trying to mail a tape to his long-distance girlfriend detailing his life in college so far, Josh (Breckin Meyer) accidentally sends a tape of him cheating on her instead. His other friends join him on long road trip to Austin to prevent her from seeing the tape.
Highlight Of The Journey: The gang ends up being stopped by a broken bridge on the road, requiring them to have to jump the gap instead. One of the friends Rubin insists that the physics are correct and that they could make it. Against all odds, they do make the jump, though the car itself doesn’t survive the fall.
Fun Fact About The Movie: The man who tries to lick Beth’s (Amy Smart) feet on the bus is the film’s writer/director Todd Phillips. Yes, the same Todd Phillips would go on to direct smash-hits such as The Hangover, Old School, and Joker.
- Actors: Seann William Scott, Breckin Meyer, DJ Qualls, Fred Ward, Andy Dick
- Released: 2000
- Directed by: Todd Phillips
- Also ranks #2 on Tom Green Movie List, Ranked
- Also ranks #2 on The 30+ Best Seann William Scott Movies
- Also ranks #5 on The Best Movies Directed by Todd Phillips
