We love our automobiles here in America. We love driving cars and fixing up cars… but not every experience on the open road is a good one. This week I’m recommending four road trip films that turn out to be bad trips.

Duel (1971)

David Mann is just trying to make his way through a lone desert highway when he begins being tormented by an 18-wheeler for no apparent reason. Despite Mann’s attempts to outrun, outmaneuver, and outsmart his pursuer, he is unable to get away. If Duel sounds a little like Jaws but with cars, that’s no coincidence as Duel was the directorial debut of Steven Spielberg. Non-stop tension from beginning to the exciting climax.

Motorama (1991)

Ten-year-old Gus hits the road after stealing his parents’ Mustang with hopes of winning Motorama. Collect all eight winning cards for a chance of winning $500 million dollars! Unfortunately for Gus, things aren’t easy in this hellish nightmare wasteland. By the time Gus makes it to the Motorama headquarters he’s lost an eye and his hair has turned gray… and things are about to get worse.

Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974)

Driver Larry and his mechanic Deke plan to fund their new racing team by robbing a local supermarket and laying low until the heat blows over — an escape plan that falls apart when Larry’s former one-night stand Mary is hiding in the getaway car. The film turns into a long police chase and getting there is half the fun! Starring Peter Fonda and Vic Morrow.

Palmer’s Pick-up (1999)

Palmer and Pearl, owners of a cargo shipping company, are hired to transport a large crate from California to Florida. The crate must be delivered to the Devil’s Triangle prior to the stroke of midnight on Y2K, else something bad will happen. What the two don’t know is if they do make it on time, something much worse may happen. Starring Robert Carradine, Morton Downey, Jr., a dozen unexpected cameos, and one of the highest death counts in any movie I’ve ever seen. What an ending!

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