A long dusky road, a trusty vehicle, and a story worth telling: these seven video games represent a genre that may be lost in mainstream chaos.

Many games let you take the wheel, but only a few become memorable for doing so. These are the games that take you on an emotional journey.

Whether it's spiritually or actually, here are seven games that feel like an American road trip from various sub-genres.

Some of these entries are taken from The Gamer's article.

American Truck Simulator - SCS Software (2016)

American Truck Simulator is the perfect place to start if you're looking for a long journey. Its methodical approach lets you haul cargo using realistic American trucks through states like Arizona, Nevada, and California.

The game features deep simulated environments and some of America's greatest landmarks such as The Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam.

As you continue hauling cargo across the country, you'll be able to manage and grow your own company. The game has a Metacritic rating of 76 and boasts Overwhelmingly Positive reviews on Steam.

The Oregon Trail - Gameloft (2021)

There are many versions of The Oregon Trail in the video game form, the earliest of which trace back to 1971. However, the most recent version was developed by Gameloft and released in 2021.

In this modern retelling of the tale, the player is in charge of their customized party. This group of people must take a perilous journey through the American West without falling prey to snakebites, broken legs, illness, and more.

The Oregon Trail has deeply historic roots and tells a significant story. It delivers on its premise by offering seven historically significant quests and more.

On Steam, it has Mostly Positive reviews, while the mobile version received a Metacritic score of 76.

Pacific Drive - Ironwood Studios (2024)

Pacific Drive combines a fictionalized version of the Olympic Peninsula with mind-bending sci-fi horror. In this game, the protagonist ends up driving to a strange zone where his van gets destroyed.

Lost and confused, he manages to find himself a Station Wagon. Players are tasked with discovering the mysteries of the strange zone, which was the site of a secretive experiment. They must also find a way to survive and make it out alive.

However, challenging anomalies are haunting the Olympic Peninsula, and the players must remain wary as they try to collect resources in the game. Pacific Drive received a Metacritic score of 79, and a Very Positive rating on Steam.

Final Fantasy 15 - Square Enix (2016)

Final Fantasy 15 may be the ultimate road trip game and one that is spiritually American. The game essentially captures the journey of the protagonist, Noctis, as he travels across Eos with his friends in the Regalia.

Noctis is the crown prince of a nation who begins his journey to reach his wedding destination. However, during this time, he finds out that his father, the king, has been assassinated by an opposing country.

Like any other Final Fantasy game, FFXV is also full of rich characters and masterful storytelling. More than anything, it's essentially a long road trip where you even camp on the side of the road to get to know your party members. The game received a rating of 81 on Metacritic.

The Ultimate USA Road Trip 2026 - OH Games Studio (2026)

This retro-inspired 2D game lets you drive throughout the United States. You can cover ground from New York to California, with each state having its own unique design.

The game offers players a variety of environments ranging from neon hotels to deserted gas stations. Players must manage fuel, fatigue, money, and more to manage their entire trip. This game is currently unrated.

Road Trip Adventure - E-Game Inc. (2002)

After the President grows tired of his role in the office, he declares that the winner of the World Grand Prix will be handed the country's presidency. This is the plot of Road Trip Adventure.

You must race your car across USA-inspired locations, drive across various zones, and maintain your economy to continue onwards.

If you manage to achieve everything you need, you might just become the President. On Metacritic, the game has a score of 80.

The Last of Us - Naughty Dog (2013)

The entire premise of The Last of Us is the protagonist, Joel, escorting a teenager, Ellie, from one place to another.

On the road, Joel and Ellie encounter various threats, including hostile rebels, cannibals, and, of course, zombies. As Joel drives with Ellie by his side, he grows an almost paternalistic bond with her.

This ultimately changes the way he sees his journey and the end goal. The Last of Us is perhaps one of the greatest American road trips a video game has ever attempted. It has a Metacritic score of 89 and also happens to be the recipient of numerous awards.

Which game do you think represents the American road trip the best? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Prit Chauhan