The 50 Best Roadtrip Horror Movies Ranked By IMDB Score
Road trips are meant to be exciting, but in horror movies, they often turn into terrifying ordeals. From eerie hitchhikers to desolate highways, these films use the open road to create suspense and dread, proving that danger can lurk around any corner.
This list ranks the 50 best road trip horror movies by their IMDb scores, starting from the lowest and ending with the highest. Each film delivers unique scares, showing how a simple drive can become a nightmare. Buckle up for a chilling ride through the best of the genre.
50. The Forsaken (2001)
A young man driving cross-country picks up a hitchhiker to fight off a gang of vampires. The film mixes road trip thrills with supernatural horror. It’s fast-paced with a gritty early 2000s vibe. The desert highways add to the sense of isolation.
The road trip sets up encounters with bloodthirsty creatures. The movie leans on action and gore, making it a fun, if flawed, horror flick. It’s a reminder to be cautious about who you let into your car.
49. Dead End (2003)
A family takes a shortcut on Christmas Eve and encounters eerie events on a snowy road. A mysterious woman in white adds supernatural chills. The low-budget film uses its setting well. It creates a creepy holiday atmosphere.
The drive through empty backroads builds a claustrophobic feel. The mix of psychological and supernatural horror keeps you guessing. This movie shows how a wrong turn can ruin a festive night.
48. Blood Salvage (1990)
A backwoods family kidnaps travelers to harvest their organs. A young girl becomes the target after a car breakdown. The film’s low-budget charm adds to its gritty horror. It’s raw and unsettling.
The road trip element traps the victims in a remote area. The movie’s dark humor and gore make it a hidden gem for horror fans. It warns against trusting strangers in isolated places.
47. Carriers (2009)
Four friends flee a viral outbreak, driving through a deserted America. They face tough choices to survive. The film’s bleak tone and moral dilemmas create tension. It’s more about human nature than jump scares.
The road trip shows a world falling apart, with empty highways amplifying despair. The focus on survival and betrayal keeps you hooked. This movie highlights the dangers of a post-apocalyptic road.
46. Splinter (2008)
A couple’s camping trip turns deadly when they’re carjacked and trapped in a gas station with a parasitic creature. The film’s body horror is intense and gruesome. It’s a tight, claustrophobic thriller.
The road trip leads them to a remote location where the monster attacks. The creature’s unique design and gory effects stand out. It’s a lesson in avoiding rundown gas stations.
45. The Hitcher II: I’ve Been Waiting (2003)
A woman and her boyfriend face a vengeful hitchhiker on a desert highway. The sequel keeps the original’s tense chase vibe but adds new twists. It’s a solid follow-up with plenty of suspense.
The open road makes the characters vulnerable to the relentless killer. The film’s action and psychological horror keep the pace fast. It shows why picking up strangers is a bad idea.
44. Highwaymen (2004)
A man hunts a serial killer who uses his car as a weapon. The film’s high-speed chases and revenge plot make it thrilling. It’s a lean, action-packed horror. The road itself feels like a villain.
The road trip is a deadly pursuit across empty highways. The cat-and-mouse game keeps the tension high. This movie warns you to watch out for dangerous drivers.
43. The Funhouse (1981)
Teens on a road trip visit a creepy carnival and get trapped by a monstrous family. The film’s eerie atmosphere and bizarre setting create unease. It’s a cult classic with gritty visuals.
The road trip leads them to a place they can’t escape. The mix of slasher and carnival horror makes it unique. It’s a reminder to avoid sketchy roadside attractions.
42. House of Fear (2007)
A group of friends on a road trip crash and seek help at a creepy mansion. They’re hunted by a sadistic killer. The film’s low-budget style adds to its raw horror. It’s simple but effective.
The remote setting isolates them, making escape impossible. The movie’s straightforward scares and gore deliver for fans. It shows the danger of seeking help in the middle of nowhere.
41. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
A DJ and a ranger face Leatherface and his cannibal family in Texas. The film’s wild tone and dark humor make it a chaotic ride. It’s less serious than the original but still gruesome.
The road trip element comes from chasing the killers across rural roads. The over-the-top gore and quirky characters keep it memorable. This movie proves some roads lead to madness.
40. Kalifornia (1993)
A couple researching serial killers shares a ride with a real murderer. The film’s psychological tension and strong performances grip you. It’s a dark, character-driven thriller.
The road trip across America exposes the killer’s true nature. The mix of crime and horror keeps you uneasy. It’s a warning about who you travel with.
39. The Hills Run Red (2009)
Film students search for a lost horror movie and find real terror in the woods. The film’s meta approach and brutal violence stand out. It’s a bloody love letter to horror fans.
Their road trip to a remote location sets up the horror. The movie’s twists and gore make it a wild ride. It shows how obsession can lead to danger.
38. Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007)
Contestants on a reality show are hunted by cannibals in the woods. The film’s fast pace and gory kills make it a fun sequel. It’s over-the-top but entertaining.
The road trip to the filming location traps them in a deadly game. The movie’s action and humor keep it engaging. It’s a reminder to avoid shortcuts through the wilderness.
37. Death Proof (2007)
A stuntman stalks women with his deadly car. Quentin Tarantino’s grindhouse flick mixes action, horror, and dark humor. The car chases are thrilling. The dialogue is sharp.
The road trip vibe comes from the women driving through rural areas. The film’s retro style and intense crashes make it unique. It warns you to watch for dangerous drivers.
36. Southbound (2015)
An anthology of five creepy stories connected by a desert highway. Each tale brings new horrors, from demons to cults. The film’s eerie vibe ties it together. It’s unsettling and creative.
The road trip setting links the stories, with the highway as a cursed path. The variety of scares keeps you hooked. This movie makes you rethink lonely drives.
35. Vacancy (2007)
A couple’s car breaks down, and they check into a creepy motel with hidden cameras. The film’s tension comes from their fight to survive. It’s a tight, suspenseful thriller.
The road trip strands them in a trap they can’t escape. The movie’s realistic horror and fast pace grip you. It’s a warning to avoid shady motels.
34. Turistas (2006)
Backpackers in Brazil crash their bus and face organ harvesters. The film’s exotic setting and brutal premise create fear. It’s a gritty survival horror. The jungle adds to the dread.
The road trip through a foreign country sets up their isolation. The movie’s focus on human cruelty is chilling. It shows the risks of traveling off the beaten path.
33. The Houses October Built (2014)
Friends hunt for extreme haunted houses and find real danger. The found-footage style adds realism to the scares. It’s creepy and builds suspense well.
Their road trip across America leads to a terrifying discovery. The film’s mix of fiction and reality keeps you uneasy. It’s a caution against chasing thrills.
32. Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead (2008)
Friends on a road trip steal a car and anger a vengeful trucker. The sequel keeps the original’s tense chase vibe. It’s a solid, action-packed horror.
The highway setting makes escape impossible. The film’s relentless pace and brutal traps grip you. It warns against crossing the wrong person on the road.
31. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Criminals on the run hide in a bar full of vampires. The film’s mix of crime and horror is wild and fun. It’s bloody with a dark sense of humor.
The road trip across the border leads to a supernatural nightmare. The movie’s action and iconic characters make it a classic. It shows how a pit stop can turn deadly.
30. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
Friends on a road trip encounter a young Leatherface and his family. The film’s brutal violence and dark tone amplify the horror. It’s a prequel with raw intensity.
The drive through Texas sets up their gruesome fate. The movie’s focus on the killers’ origins adds depth. It’s a grim reminder to avoid remote areas.
29. The Hitcher (2007)
A couple picks up a hitchhiker who turns out to be a psychotic killer. The remake delivers intense chases and brutal violence. It’s fast-paced and gripping.
The open highway makes them easy prey. The villain’s relentless pursuit keeps the tension high. This movie warns against helping strangers on the road.
28. House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Couples stop at a roadside attraction and are captured by a sadistic family. The film’s chaotic visuals and dark humor create a wild ride. It’s a cult favorite.
The road trip leads them into a trap they can’t escape. The movie’s over-the-top gore and quirky characters stand out. It shows how curiosity can lead to horror.
27. Wolf Creek 2 (2013)
A backpacker faces a sadistic killer in the Australian outback. The film’s relentless violence and stark realism hit hard. It’s a brutal sequel with high stakes.
The road trip through a vast landscape isolates the victim. The killer’s charm makes the horror worse. It’s a warning about trusting locals in remote places.
26. The Devil’s Rejects (2005)
The Firefly family flees the law, leaving a trail of bodies. The film’s gritty violence and dark humor make it intense. It’s a bloody road movie with horror roots.
Their escape across rural roads fuels the chaos. The movie’s raw energy and twisted characters grip you. It shows how dangerous a family on the run can be.
25. Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)
A bus of teens is hunted by the Creeper on a rural road. The film’s creature horror and tense atmosphere deliver scares. It’s a fun, action-packed sequel.
The road trip traps them with nowhere to hide. The monster’s relentless attacks keep the pace fast. It’s a reminder to stay alert on empty highways.
24. Race with the Devil (1975)
Couples on an RV trip witness a cult ritual and are hunted. The film’s mix of action and horror creates suspense. It’s a 70s classic with a paranoid vibe.
The road trip through Texas makes them easy targets. The movie’s chases and occult elements keep you hooked. It warns against stumbling into dark secrets.
23. Duel (1971)
A businessman is chased by a mysterious trucker on a desert highway. Steven Spielberg’s debut is a masterclass in tension. The minimalist plot grips you. The truck feels alive.
The road trip becomes a deadly game of survival. The film’s simplicity and relentless pace make it timeless. It shows how the road itself can be a threat.
22. The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
A family’s desert road trip leads to an attack by cannibals. The film’s raw violence and survival theme are gripping. It’s a gritty classic that influenced many.
The RV breakdown isolates them in a hostile wasteland. The movie’s focus on family survival adds emotional weight. It’s a warning to stick to main roads.
21. Wrong Turn (2003)
Friends crash their car in West Virginia and face cannibalistic mountain men. The film’s brutal chases and raw energy deliver. It’s a tense, bloody ride.
The shortcut through the woods traps them in danger. The movie’s relentless villains and gore keep you on edge. It shows the risks of leaving the highway.
20. Joy Ride (2001)
Brothers prank a trucker over a CB radio, sparking a deadly chase. The film mixes humor with intense suspense. It’s a lean, thrilling ride.
The road trip starts fun but turns into a nightmare. The unseen trucker adds mystery and fear. It’s a lesson in not provoking strangers on the road.
19. Road Games (1981)
A truck driver and a hitchhiker hunt a serial killer in Australia. The film’s Hitchcockian style and suspenseful pacing stand out. It’s a smart, tense thriller.
The open road sets up a cat-and-mouse game. The movie’s clever twists and strong leads keep you engaged. It warns against ignoring red flags while driving.
18. The Invitation (2015)
A man drives to a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife, suspecting dark motives. The film’s slow-burn tension and psychological horror grip you. It’s subtle but chilling.
The road trip to the remote house sets the stage for unease. The movie’s focus on trust and paranoia makes it unsettling. It’s a reminder to trust your instincts.
17. The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
A family’s desert road trip ends in a fight with mutant cannibals. The remake ramps up the gore and intensity. It’s brutal and visually striking.
The breakdown in the desert leaves them vulnerable. The film’s survival theme and shocking violence hit hard. It shows why you shouldn’t stray too far.
16. Children of the Corn (1984)
A couple driving through Nebraska stumbles into a town run by murderous kids. The film’s creepy atmosphere and cult horror make it iconic. It’s eerie and unsettling.
The road trip through cornfields isolates them in a strange world. The movie’s supernatural elements and chilling kids keep you on edge. It warns against small-town detours.
15. Wolf Creek (2005)
Backpackers in the Australian outback meet a sadistic killer. The film’s stark realism and brutal violence hit hard. It’s raw and disturbing.
The road trip through a vast, empty land sets up their doom. The killer’s charm makes the betrayal terrifying. It’s a warning about trusting strangers abroad.
14. Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Siblings driving home spot a creature dumping bodies and become its prey. The film’s supernatural horror and tense chases stand out. It’s creepy and memorable.
The rural roads make them easy targets for the monster. The creature’s relentless hunger keeps the stakes high. It shows the danger of lonely highways.
13. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Siblings visit a grave and face a zombie outbreak. The film’s raw horror and social commentary make it a classic. It’s tense and groundbreaking.
The road trip to a rural cemetery starts the nightmare. The movie’s claustrophobic feel and zombie chaos grip you. It warns that even family trips can turn deadly.
12. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Friends drive to a family home in Texas and meet Leatherface. The film’s gritty realism and brutal horror are iconic. It’s a raw, shocking classic.
The road trip through rural Texas isolates them with cannibals. The movie’s relentless pace and disturbing imagery linger. It’s a warning about remote places.
11. Halloween (1978)
A babysitter is stalked by Michael Myers after he escapes an asylum. The film’s simple plot and chilling score create terror. It’s a slasher masterpiece.
The road trip element is subtle, with Myers driving to Haddonfield. The movie’s suspense and iconic villain make it timeless. It shows how evil can follow you anywhere.
10. The Descent (2005)
Friends on a road trip to a cave face monstrous creatures. The film’s claustrophobic horror and intense survival theme grip you. It’s raw and terrifying.
The drive to the remote cave sets up their isolation. The movie’s mix of psychological and creature horror is relentless. It warns against exploring uncharted places.
9. The Strangers (2008)
A couple at a remote vacation home is terrorized by masked intruders. The film’s minimalist horror and random violence are chilling. It’s tense and realistic.
The drive to the isolated house leaves them vulnerable. The movie’s “because you were home” motive adds dread. It shows the danger of secluded getaways.
8. Near Dark (1987)
A man joins a group of nomadic vampires after a chance encounter. The film’s mix of horror and western vibes is unique. It’s gritty and stylish.
The road trip across rural America fuels the vampire chaos. The movie’s dark romance and violent scenes stand out. It warns against falling for strangers.
7. Train to Busan (2016)
A father and daughter on a train face a zombie outbreak. The film’s emotional depth and fast-paced horror grip you. It’s a modern classic.
The train journey traps them with the undead. The movie’s mix of action and heart makes it unforgettable. It shows how a trip can turn into a fight for survival.
6. 28 Days Later (2002)
A man wakes up to a zombie apocalypse and joins survivors on a road trip. The film’s raw energy and bleak tone redefine zombie horror. It’s intense and gripping.
The journey through a ruined England amplifies the despair. The movie’s fast zombies and human conflicts keep you hooked. It warns against trusting a broken world.
5. Get Out (2017)
A man drives to meet his girlfriend’s family and uncovers a sinister plot. The film’s mix of horror and social commentary is brilliant. It’s unsettling and smart.
The road trip to the suburbs sets up the creepy reveal. The movie’s psychological tension and twists make it a standout. It shows how danger can hide in plain sight.
4. The Wicker Man (1973)
A policeman travels to an island to investigate a missing girl and finds a pagan cult. The film’s eerie atmosphere and shocking ending are iconic. It’s a folk horror gem.
The journey to the remote island isolates him in a strange world. The movie’s slow burn and cultural horror grip you. It warns against diving into unknown communities.
3. The Shining (1980)
A family drives to a remote hotel for a winter job and faces supernatural horror. The film’s psychological depth and eerie visuals are masterful. It’s a horror classic.
The road trip to the isolated hotel sets up the terror. The movie’s mix of madness and ghosts keeps you uneasy. It shows how isolation can break you.
2. Psycho (1960)
A woman on the run stops at a motel and meets a deadly owner. The film’s iconic twists and chilling score redefined horror. It’s a timeless masterpiece.
The road trip to escape her past leads to her doom. The movie’s suspense and shocking moments grip you. It warns against trusting quiet motels.
1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Friends on a road trip pick up a hitchhiker and face a cannibal family. The remake’s intense gore and relentless pace make it terrifying. It’s a brutal modern classic.
The drive through Texas traps them with Leatherface. The film’s raw horror and iconic villain linger long after. It’s a stark warning about picking up strangers.
Which road trip horror movie gave you the biggest chills? Drop your thoughts in the comments and share your scariest road trip tale!