Grab a glass of Pinot Noir and hit the road through California's stunning Santa Ynez Valley with "Sideways." This wine-soaked comedy follows two friends on a bachelor party road trip, showcasing the picturesque vineyards and charming towns of Santa Barbara County.
From the quaint Danish-inspired village of Solvang to the rolling hills of Los Olivos, the film captures the essence of wine-country living. Notable stops include the Hitching Post II restaurant in Buellton, Foxen Winery, and the windmill-dotted streets of Solvang. "Sideways" will have you yearning for scenic drives, wine tastings, and the kind of misadventures that make road trips unforgettable.
"Thelma & Louise" takes viewers on a wild ride through the American Southwest, turning a weekend getaway into an iconic feminist odyssey. The film's breathtaking landscapes span from Arkansas to the Grand Canyon, with much of the shooting done in Utah and California.
Key locations include the Colorado River near Moab, Utah, doubling as the film's climactic Grand Canyon scene. The neon-lit streets of Las Vegas make a brief but memorable appearance. From dusty highways to majestic canyons, "Thelma & Louise" showcases the raw beauty of the Southwest, inspiring road-trippers to embrace freedom, friendship, and the open road – just maybe with a less dramatic ending!
"Little Miss Sunshine" turns a dysfunctional family's cross-country journey into a heartwarming adventure. The Hoover family's yellow VW bus chugs from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Redondo Beach, California, with plenty of quirky stops along the way.
While much of the movie was actually filmed in Arizona, it captures the spirit of a Southwest road trip. Memorable locations include a roadside diner in Arizona, standing in for one in New Mexico, and the San Bernardino National Forest. The film's final scenes at the beauty pageant were shot at the Flamingo Hilton in Redondo Beach. "Little Miss Sunshine" reminds us that sometimes the journey – and the people you're with – matter more than the destination.
The ultimate family road trip comedy, "National Lampoon's Vacation" follows the Griswold family's misadventures from Chicago to the fictional Walley World in California. While Walley World doesn't exist (those scenes were filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain), the movie showcases real locations across America.
The Griswolds' journey includes stops at the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley on the Arizona-Utah border, and Dodge City, Kansas. The film humorously captures the essence of the great American road trip, complete with tourist traps, family squabbles, and unexpected detours. It's a reminder that sometimes the best memories come from when things don't go quite as planned.
"Rain Man" takes viewers on an emotional cross-country journey from Cincinnati to Los Angeles. The film showcases various American landscapes as Charlie and Raymond Babbitt travel west. Key locations include Las Vegas, where the brothers' casino adventure was filmed at Caesars Palace.
The iconic Wallbrook Institution scenes were shot at a ranch near Dallas, Texas. Other notable stops include Santa Monica Pier in California and the beautiful desert vistas of Utah. The film's road trip serves as a backdrop for the brothers' evolving relationship, reminding us that sometimes the most important discoveries on a journey are about ourselves and our connections with others.
Based on a true story, "Into the Wild" follows Christopher McCandless's journey from Atlanta to Alaska, showcasing the raw beauty of the American wilderness. The film features breathtaking locations across the United States, including the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, the Colorado River in Arizona, and the stunning landscapes of Alaska.
Key scenes were shot in Carthage, South Dakota, and the abandoned Fairbanks City Transit System Bus 142 in Alaska's Denali National Park (now removed). This poignant road trip movie inspires viewers to seek adventure and self-discovery while also serving as a cautionary tale about the importance of preparation and human connection.
"Green Book" takes viewers on a poignant journey through the 1960s American South, following pianist Don Shirley and his driver Tony Lip. While addressing serious themes, the film showcases various locations from New York to the Deep South. Key stops include Pittsburgh, Memphis, and various towns in Louisiana, though much of the movie was actually filmed in New Orleans and its surroundings.
The film captures the atmosphere of old-school nightclubs, segregated establishments, and the open roads of the mid-20th century South. "Green Book" reminds us that road trips can be transformative experiences, challenging our perspectives and fostering unlikely friendships.
This classic comedy turns a straightforward trip from New York to Chicago into a hilarious odyssey across the Midwest. While the exact route is hard to pin down, the film features various locations meant to represent different states.
The iconic burned-out car scenes were filmed near Braidwood, Illinois. Other notable locations include the Dayton International Airport in Ohio, doubling for the Wichita airport, and St. Louis, Missouri, standing in for... Kansas. The film humorously captures the frustrations of holiday travel and the unexpected connections that can form on the road, inspiring viewers to find humor in travel mishaps.
"Road Trip" follows four college friends on a wild journey from Ithaca, New York, to Austin, Texas. While the story spans half the country, much of the filming took place in and around Atlanta, Georgia.
The movie features various locations standing in for different states, including the University of Georgia, doubling as the fictional University of Ithaca. While not a guide for actual locations, "Road Trip" captures the spirit of youthful adventure and the unpredictable nature of cross-country journeys.
The quintessential counterculture road movie, "Easy Rider" follows two bikers as they ride from Los Angeles to New Orleans. The film showcases the stunning landscapes of the American Southwest and South, with notable locations including Monument Valley on the Arizona-Utah border, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in New Mexico, and the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Key scenes were also shot near Las Vegas, New Mexico, and in Death Valley, California. The movie's journey through small towns and open highways captures the freedom and danger of the open road, inspiring generations of viewers to seek their own adventures across America's diverse landscapes.
