I love a good road trip movie. Whether it’s for the scenery, a hidden quest, the building of relationships, self-discovery, embracing freedom, or seeking the meaning of life, I always feel that the trip adds poetry to the script. So it wasn’t difficult to watch and rewatch movies that make us longing for a drive.

On The Road – Walter Salles – 2012

Writer Sal Paradise befriends a young couple as they travel across the country . Adaptation of the famous Jack Kerouac’ book. This is a classic of the theme, definitely a must-watch to get started.

Kalifornia – Dominic Sena – 1993

A writer, Brian, and his lover Carrie, a photographer, embark on a road trip across the country following the path of American serial killers all the way to California. They take with them a mysterious couple, Early (Brad Pitt) and Adele (Juliette Lewis), to share the cost of the trip. Rough and raw vintage-trailer-park vibe. Liked it a lot.

Little Miss Sunshine – Dayton & Faris – 2006

A cross-country trip in a van for quite the unusual family and its goal to reach the beauty pageant finals in time. A beautiful film that makes you think and feel about body image and the true meaning of winning, and be true to ourselves.

Thelma & Louise – Ridley Scott – 1991

What starts as a simple getaway for two girlfriends trying to escape their life for a weekend turns into two fugitives on the run after committing a crime. It’s a bold and liberating movie portraying friendship and the impact of choices. And still very relevant. If you haven’t watch you definitely ought to add this classic to your watch list.

Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas – Terry Gilliam – 1998

Epic road trip of a journalist (Johnny Depp) and a lawyer (Benicio Del Toro) driven by a huge amount of psychedelics. One of the greatest misfit characters played by Johnny Depp. It’s fun, absurd, and creative. Again a classic.

The Darjeeling Limited – Wes Anderson – 2007

A year after the death of their father, three brothers, Francis, Jack, and Peter, embark on a train trip across India in the hope of a reconciliation. A fun ride and spiritual journey with colorful characters.

Rain Man – Barry Levinson – 1988

As Charlie (Tom Cruise) learns that his distant father has died, he discovers that he has an autistic older brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) and that his dad has left all his fortune to his brother’s mental institution he lives in. With selfish motives, he decides to bring his brother back to LA with him not knowing this road trip is about to change both their lives.

Into The Wild – Sean Penn – 2007

The iconic road trip movie based on the book of the same name from Jon Krakauer. The journey of self-discovery and pursuit of solitude of a young man, named Chris (Emile Hirsche), who ventures into Alaska seeking freedom in nature. 

Transamerica – Duncan Tucker – 2005

Bree (Felicity Huffman) awaiting a sex-change operation, receives a phone call from seventeen year old Toby (Kevin Zeggers), looking for his father. Bree decides to drive her son from New York to LA without telling him who she is. Follows an unexpected journey that reveals a completely different look about family and parent figure.

Grandma – Paul Weitz – 2015

Sage (Julia Garner) , a teenager who just finds out about an unplanned pregnancy seeks help from her grandma Elle (Lily Tomlin).

Nomadland – Chloe Zhao – 2020

A modern-day nomad tale about Fern (Frances MacDormand) in her sixties who sets off on the road exploring an unconventional way of living in the rural American west and surviving the economic collapse of our modern society. The story features real nomads that Fern meets on the road.

Queen & Slim – Melina Matsoukas – 2019

What started as a pretty common first date turned into an unforgettable night for Queen (Jodie Turner Smith) and Slim (Daniel Kaluuya). At first arrested for a minor infraction, the situation escalates quickly and soon our couple turns into fugitives on the run. A movie about discrimination and police brutality.

Easy Rider – Dennis Hopper – 1969

Two bikers (Peter Fonda & Dennis Hopper) embark on an epic road trip through the open country and desert between L.A. and New Orleans. A portrait of America through the lens of hippies and passers-by.

Natural Born Killers – 1994

Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis), two irregular lovers embark on a deadly road trip. Everywhere they stop they kill and leave only one to live so the story survives and becomes a media obsession and “glorified violence”. As usual Juliette Lewis sets my heart on fire.

Away We Go – Sam Mendes – 2009

Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph), a young couple expecting a baby, embark on a journey to find the perfect home to raise their child. Meeting old friends and family they reflect on life and what really matters to bring children in a happy and healthy home and family.

My Own Private Idaho – Gus Van Sant – 1991

Very loosely based on Shakespeare’s historical drama, Henry IV, Van Stan explores youth, pain, and love. Scott (Keanu Reeves) and Mike (River Phoenix) two young hustlers from different upbringings travel from Portland to Idaho and finally Italy, longing for someone to care for them.

American Honey – Andrea Arnold – 2016

From the same director as Fish Tank and Bird, American Honey is a beautiful road trip movie about youth, love, and the hard ways we enter adulthood. A teenage girl (Sasha Lane) run away from home and join a traveling community. Starts then the beginning of her new teenage life.

Voilà!

Ready to hit the road from your couch? Hope you found something here that triggered your cinephile brain and maybe made you want to watch something right away. I know I would.

If you don’t find your favorite road trip movie here this might be because I haven’t watched it yet. Or just didn’t like it. But please educate me and help me update this list by sharing your top 4 in the comments!