The game puts the player in the position of a driver of a high-performance car, racing across the United States while passing through its major cities.

Obstacles include weather, road conditions, limited fuel, and the highway patrol.

The changing time of day affects gameplay, because the other cars drive faster at night.

The Great American Cross-Country Road Race was designed by Alex DeMeo, who had been inspired by the film The Gumball Rally.

DeMeo programmed the original version of Road Race on an Atari 800 including sound, music and some graphics.