The film stars Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, Paulo Costanzo, and DJ Qualls, with Amy Smart, Tom Green, Rachel Blanchard, and Fred Ward in supporting roles.

The film follows Josh Parker (Meyer), who enlists three of his college friends to embark on an 1,800-mile (2,900 km) road trip to retrieve an illicit tape mistakenly mailed to his girlfriend, Tiffany (Blanchard).

Released theatrically on May 19, 2000, Road Trip received mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office success, grossing $119.8 million worldwide.

Josh asks his friend and roommate Rubin to mail his latest tape to Tiffany before leaving for his Ancient Philosophy class.

After leaving the interstate in Bedford for what they thought was a "shortcut", they find a small bridge collapsed, realizing they will waste five hours backtracking.

Rubin tries to buy marijuana from the unsympathetic motel clerk, but is informed that Kyle's credit card is maxed out.

After a series of misadventures, the group finally gets to Austin and Tiffany's dorm, Josh intercepts the tape, just as she arrives.

Josh passes the philosphy course and begins a relationship with Beth (happily making videos); Jacob eventually dies as a result of leading a cult staging a mass suicide, which no one but himself carried out; Rubin becomes a successful marijuana cultivator; E.L., inspired by his sperm donation, begins dating a pre-med student; and Kyle starts dating Rhonda and reconciles with Earl.

The site's critics consensus reads: "Some humor is hit or miss, depending on the audience tastes, but the movie is funny overall.

[10] At the 2000 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards, Green won both Worst Supporting Actor and Most Unfunny Comic Relief for his role in both this film and Charlie's Angels.

[12] Only two of the original cast or crew appear in the sequel film, DJ Qualls as Kyle Edwards and Rhoda Griffis as Tour Group Mom.