10 Iconic American Road Trip Movies

There is something uniquely American about hitting the road and driving endlessly through changing landscapes, either toward the promise of something better or to escape real or imagined oppression. While running the gamut from liberating to terrifying, American road trip films share a common thread: through the act of driving, there is an opportunity for discovery. Characters often discover something new about themselves, others, or a larger principle or purpose.

CoPilot researched the history of road trip cinema and chose 10 of the best, most iconic movies people drive in across the United States. American road trip. Metascore is provided for critical context.

Some road films reveal that running away is futile or even cowardly, while others crystallize the fact that we cannot escape the consequences of our actions even if we drive indefinitely. At the same time, the genre reminds us that there is great potential in removing ourselves from the monotony or comfort of everyday life – that the act of leaving can be a powerful affirmation of agency.

The history and diversity of American road trip films spans decades and generations and encompasses countless genres. From the lawlessness and violence of “Natural Born Killers” to the horror of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and even the bittersweet optimism of “Little Miss Sunshine,” road trip films reflect the politics and the sense of national identity of their time and place.