In the horror genre, a character can’t simply hit the road and make it from Point A to Point B without SOMETHING going wrong. Today, I’m sharing my favorite “Road Trip From Hell” horror movies. In these films, our protagonists try to reach a destination and they meet some very deadly hurdles along the way. I hope you enjoy and let me know some of your favorite “Road Trip From Hell” horror movies!

Nothing But Trouble

While on their way to Atlantic City, a financial publisher and his friends ended up captured and held hostage in the home of a corrupt judge and his psychotic family. This movie is just so goofy and ridiculous in the best ways! It’s one you can just sit back and have a blast watching. It has a hell of a cast, interesting characters, and even a killer musical number. This one was a big part of my childhood and honestly, I’ve never grown tired of it.

Joy Ride

While traveling to Colorado to meet up with the girl of his dreams, Lewis Thomas (Paul Walker) made a stop to pick up his ne’re-do-well brother, Fuller (Steve Zahn). While traveling together, they used their radio to prank a random trucker, Rusty Nail, unaware that he didn’t take too kindly to jokes made at his expense. Rusty Nail (Ted Levine) is a terrifying antagonist. He was very sadistic, dedicated, and completely unforgiving. He will follow you across the country just to make a point and then some. That’s why you always make sure you don’t anger any strangers on the road. You never know who you might run into.

Riding The Bullet

After his mother had a stroke, Alan Parker (Jonathan Jackson) hopped into any ride willing to pick him up. After getting picked up by a ghost/soul collector, Alan was now forced to choose to save either his life or his mother’s. This film was a great example why you should always be careful of whose car you get into. This poor protagonist was really put through the wringer here. It also has great commentary about morality, mortality, and regrets. You can definitely tell it’s a Stephen King story wrapped with a Mick Garris bow.

The Hills Have Eyes

While traveling to California, a family was given the wrong directions and they ended up stranded in the middle of the desert with nothing for miles around. While trying to find some type of civilization, they ended up finding it in the form of psychotic cannibals who dwell within the nearby hills. This is one of my all-time favorite road trip horror movies. It has everything from terrifying villains to strong and intelligent heroes. It was brutal, bloody, and the desert atmosphere really adds to the terrifying isolation.

The Monster

After their relationship was damaged beyond reconciliation, an alcoholic mother drove her young daughter to live with her father. After almost hitting an injured animal and crashing their car, the duo became stranded on a deserted road, where they had to face the monster that lurked in the nearby woods. This film had the perfect combination between horror and tragedy. We see these two have to fight for their lives and we also see the events that led up to that point. It’s intense in so many ways and it keeps you hoping and intrigued.