Miss adventures on the road

Have you eve noticed how many movies there are with a female protagonist and a car as key players? We did. Whether she’s making a run for it, cruising with her bestie, or finding her way in life, women and cars is a cinematic thing. And you should never underestimate the power of a woman behind the wheel — or the impact of a drive down the lane or across the country on her heart and mind. 

Here’s a list of our favorite road trip movies to inspire your next jaunt. 

Driving Miss Daisy

This film demonstrates how something as commonplace as a daily car ride can ease the differences between us — so much so that Miss Daisy becomes close to Hoke, a man she probably never thought could become her best friend. Through their daily journeys, Daisy must confront her own prejudices and, in doing so, realizes that she has experienced them herself as a Jewish woman in the south. 

Bonnie & Clyde

Feeling the call of the wild child? Meet Bonnie, who goes from bored small-town Texas waitress to outlaw in her time with Ford man Clyde. If their gang’s crime spree proves anything, it’s that for some women, notoriety on the road is more desirable than any other kind of life. Made heroic public enemies in the troubling times of the Great Depression, it’s sometimes tough to reconcile their coldbloodedness with their fame. They were bank-robbing (and gas stations and stores) killers, and we don’t recommend this part of the adventure, but the fashion from the film is certainly worth emulating. 

Almost Famous

As we meet the band Stillwater, they are crisscrossing the country on their breakthrough tour — and meeting Rolling Stone writer (and 15-year-old) William Miller along the way. We are also introduced to manic pixie dream girl, Penny Lane, and the rest of the Band-aids along for the ride. A standout scene has to be everyone on the bus singing Elton John’s hit Tiny Dancer together. Although Penny is a vulnerable, flawed figure, her loyalty to William wins out in the end as he not only literally saves her life, but inspires his first great feature story about the band.

Y Tu Mama Tambien

There is no sexier road trip movie than Alfonso Cuaron’s arthouse cult classic —  and perhaps none so poignant either. Almost on a dare, the film’s heroine, alluring and older Luisa, agrees to drive to a mythical beach with two teenage boys. On the journey, taboos of sexuality dovetail with mortality. Pairing raunch and nuance and gorgeous film-making isn’t exactly easy, but you’d never know it by watching this cinematic journey. Spoiler alert: three’s company.

Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion

While the road to their high school reunion is paved with good intentions and little white lies about inventing Post-Its, Romy and Michelle spend so much time trying to appear successful that they almost forget what true victory was – remaining best friends all this time. 

Little Miss Sunshine

When you’re a little girl with big pageant dreams, nothing is more liberating and supportive than your family having your back as you all journey 800 miles in a sunny VW microbus to compete to become “Little Miss Sunshine.” And this film successfully toes the line of sweet, funny, and warm all at once — no easy feat. Olive’s delightful family adventure reminds us all that everyone’s clan is weird (and loveable) in their own way. 

Gone Girl

This movie must be included for the sheer ingenuity of anti-heroine Amy Dunne. And her epic drive away from her sold-down-the-river husband and into her own future freedom. Revenge is a dish best served cold, but even the most mean spirited among us have to get chills as Amy’s elaborate plot unfolds. Talk about driving in the stake right through the heart of “the perfect marriage.”

To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar

Three drag queens journey to Hollywood for a Miss Drag Queen of America pageant in a Cadillac convertible. In a common plot point for any road trip movie, their car breaks down in a small town where the local folk don’t take kindly to them. However, they refuse to be treated badly and are willing to mess up anyone trying to dole it out. These gals can teach us a thing or two about being proud of what you are, even when others seek to punish you for it.  

The Sweetest Thing

Cameron Diaz’s Christina has a happy-go-lucky approach to finding Mr. Right — until she meets a sexy stranger. On a whim, she and her pal (played by the amazing Christina Applegate) road trip to chase him down... only to find out he’s about to get married. Wherever we fall on the gross-out comedy factor, we can all appreciate Christina’s impulsive tenacity. Gals love a raunchy comedy as much as the next guy, and let’s admit, we’re not all sweet little things.

Thelma & Louise

Perhaps the queen of the female-empowered road trip cannon. In a road trip turned a run for their lives, Thelma and Louise burn up the highway as they burn down the patriarchy. In a star-making turn, we also get to meet a very young Brad Pitt as a stick-up training expert. At the end of the line, when confronted with staying together or submitting again to life in a man’s world, they decide to stay friends forever. Ride or die, indeed.