Road trips have long been a popular storytelling trope, offering characters a chance to escape, explore and change along the way. Some of the most memorable journeys on screen started on the page. 

The three that typically come to mind—Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road,” Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and Che Guevara’s “The Motorcycle Diaries”—but there are several gems that aren’t typically mentioned.

Here are five road trip movies that began as books.

‘Nomadland’

Based on Jessica Bruder’s 2017 nonfiction book, “Nomadland” follows a widow who leaves her life in Nevada behind to travel the United States in a van, taking on seasonal work and making new connections along the way. Directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Frances McDormand and David Strathairn, the 2020 film won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress at the 93rd Academy Awards.

‘The Fundamentals of Caring’

Adapted from Jonathan Evison’s 2012 novel “The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving,” the film follows a retired writer, Ben (Paul Rudd), who becomes a caregiver to Trevor (Craig Roberts), a sarcastic teen with muscular dystrophy. The pair embark on a road trip to places that Trevor learned about watching the news—including the World’s Deepest Pit. Selena Gomez also stars in the 2016 film. 

‘Paper Towns’

Based on John Green’s bestselling 2008 novel, “Paper Towns” follows a high school senior, Quentin, who goes on a road trip to find his missing neighbor, Margo, after she leaves behind a trail of clues. The 2015 film, a mix of road trip, mystery and romance, stars Nat Wolff and Cara Delevingne.

‘Everything Is Illuminated’

Elijah Wood and Eugene Hütz star in “Everything Is Illuminated,” a film based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s 2002 novel. The story, part comedy, part drama, centers on a young man who travels to Ukraine to uncover the story of his grandfather’s past during World War II. The film, which premiered in 2005, was directed by actor Liev Schreiber.

‘Sideways’

“Sideways” is often remembered as the wine movie, but it’s also a road trip story. Adapted from Rex Pickett’s 2004 novel, it follows friends Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Hayden Church) on a wine-tasting trip through California during a tough time in their lives. Directed by Alexander Payne, the 2004 film won Best Adapted Screenplay at the 77th Academy Awards and also stars Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen.