What do the best TV road trips all have in common? They give viewers the chance to see the characters they know and love in a new light. A change in scenery can breathe new life into a long-running series. When characters leave their comfort zones and embark on new adventures, a true fan travels alongside them - whether they're visiting that college they’ve always dreamed of attending, confessing their feelings to a coworker, or picking up a friend from rehab.
Just like in the best road trip comedies, these episodes aren't just about getting from point A to point B. The best television episodes about taking a road trip give viewers a new perspective on a fictional world, or advance the plot in an interesting new direction. In some cases, they also merit a few well-deserved laughs along the way. It’s all about the journey.
So, what are the greatest fictional road trips on TV? Vote up your favorites!
Where Do They Go?​​​​​​​ To track down Sam, who is possessed by the angel Gadreel.
What Happens Along The Way?The gang visits the NSA. They retrieve the Impala, which was previously stolen. Crowley enters Sam’s mind and helps him expel the angel. Abaddon and Crowley face off. The Winchesters fight.
Why Is The Episode Great?​​​​​​​Supernatural basically runs on Winchester internal torment; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Here, it does. Plus, everything about the road trip is fun.
Actors: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, Alexander Calvert, Mark A. Sheppard
Who Goes On The Trip? Rory and Lorelai. They take an impromptu trip after Lorelai realizes she isn’t ready to marry Max.
Where Do They Go? They leave without any clue about their destination, but end up visiting Harvard, where Rory was dreaming of attending college.
What Happens Along The Way? All sorts of classic Gilmore adventures. They almost starve to death. They argue over maps. They stay at a creepy motel and have to make small talk with other travelers. The horror!
Why Is The Episode Great? What really makes the episode shine is the fact that it puts both characters at a juncture. When they eventually arrive at Harvard, Rory is scared and hopeful for the future. Meanwhile, Lorelai contemplates the life she would have had if she had gone to college herself. It’s a touching installment that pushes both characters forward instead of allowing Lorelai to wallow after running away from her fiancé.
Who Goes On The Trip?The Save Greendale Committee. In other words Abed, Britta, Dean Pelton, Elroy, Annie, Frankie, and Jeff.
Where Do They Go? The gang travels to deliver a giant hand that Dean Pelton bought to its new owner.
What Happens Along The Way?​​​​​​​Elroy's RV breaks down. Abed provides meta commentary and flashbacks. They drain the secondary battery by charging their phones. The giant hand falls off the top of the RV, causing havoc.
Why Is The Episode Great? In typical Community fashion, the episode pokes fun at its own story structure, especially by having Abed trying to telepathically take everyone back to three weeks earlier for an establishing flashback. But ultimately, it's wonderfully absurd, packed with great dialogue, and reveals more about the study group and their relationships.
Actors: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong
Where Do They Go? They go to visit Grandma Blanche, Zeke’s mother, for her birthday.
What Happens Along The Way? A chair gets stolen. Everyone bickers, family style. Zeke has a special moment with his mom. Adam and Haddie struggle to make conversation. Sarah and Drew have an extremely awkward talk.
Why Is The Episode Great? While "Road Trip" is almost a standalone episode in Season 3, it’s great at reminding fans of how much they like to hang out with the Bravermans, especially when they’re all together in a big group. There’s no shortage of emotional scenes in the episode, but there are amusing moments as well. Balance achieved.
Actors: Peter Krause, Dax Shepard, Craig T. Nelson, Lauren Graham, Max Burkholder
Where Do They Go? They tour Dunder-Mifflin branches so that Michael can give business lectures.
What Happens Along The Way?​​​​​​​ They visit the Utica branch, where Jim's ex-girlfriend Karen is regional manager, and the Nashua branch, where Michael's ex-girlfriend Holly is an H.R. rep. Michael insults everybody and asks Holly’s boyfriend intimate questions.
Why Is The Episode Great?​​​​​​​ Pam and Michael make for a hilarious duo. The other plots aren’t too shabby, either.
Actors: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms
Where Do They Go?Tony takes his daughter on a trip to Maine to visit colleges.
What Happens Along The Way? Meadow asks Tony if he is "in the Mafia." Tony spots Fabian Petrulio, a former member of the DiMeo crime family who turned FBI informant. After a few obstacles, he strangles Petrulio with a wire. He continues his trip with his daughter nonetheless.
Why Is The Episode Great? This episode is considered to be one of the best of the series. It’s filled with emotional conflict, confessions big and small, and some strangely funny scenes. "College" takes its time with the hunt after Tony spots Petrulio, and balances him following the rat with him spending time with his daughter beautifully.
Actors: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese
