Ah, the road trip — a time-honored tradition in the United States. There isn’t much better than packing a car with the right snacks, the right music, and of course, the right passengers.
Having the right companions in the car can make a long day seem shorter and a boring state seem more interesting. We know this from firsthand experience, having driven the length of the country four separate times.
But what makes the best companion for a road trip? Who would we pick from if given the choice?
The answer, as it turns out, features prominent characters from film and television who previously made trips of their own.
No. 1 – K.I.T.T. from “Knight Rider”
Is there a better road trip companion than a high-powered car? Absolutely not! The best part of the road trip is the experience of driving, and K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand) delivers.
This artificially intelligent computer module only builds upon the strong foundation of the 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. It makes the sports car smarter and more capable of taking on any adversity.
If you think about it, K.I.T.T. is also a better version of Siri or Google Assistant. It can have full conversations with the driver while suggesting music choices or providing information about key locations in the real world.
It also doesn’t hurt that K.I.T.T. has an auto drive mode for those late nights when you are struggling to stay awake.
No. 2 – Martin from “Chef”
Every quality road trip requires some quality food. This is where Martin will shine.
Originally a sous-chef in Los Angeles, Martin (John Leguizamo) gave up his job in a high-end restaurant to support his best friend, Chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau).
Martin flew across the United States to Miami to help build out a Cuban food truck. He accompanied Casper and Casper’s son Percy as they drove across the country, slinging food to hungry customers.
As the 2014 film showed, Martin is a master in the kitchen. It doesn’t matter if he is making expensive dishes or Cubano sandwiches. He is adept at keeping the mood light with jokes and stories, but he will also get serious to offer some advice if necessary.
No. 3 – Flash from “The Dukes of Hazzard”
A lovable Basset Hound, Flash was Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane’s loyal companion for several years. Flash wasn’t much of a police dog, per se, considering that she didn’t stop crimes, but she was smart enough to recognize that Boss Hogg was a dastardly figure.
What makes Flash a great sidekick for a road trip? The obvious reason is that dogs make everything better, especially road trips. They love to watch traffic and share snacks, and they don’t mind any off-key singing.
Flash also showed that she was extremely smart. Each time she climbed into Sheriff Coltrane’s police cruiser, she wiggled underneath the seatbelt so that she was secure. Safety first!
No. 4 – Police Constable Danny Butterman from “Hot Fuzz”
A Police Constable from the fictional Sandford in England, Danny Butterman spent most of his time in a car. He and Nicholas Angel ate frozen treats while keeping an eye on the local populace. If they saw a crime taking place, they jumped into action.
Butterman’s experience spending long hours in a car automatically makes him ideal for a road trip. He won’t get antsy. He will also come prepared with ice cream.
Another reason why Butterman would be a great road trip companion is his extensive knowledge. He can rattle off movie trivia for hours, which would make for some fascinating conversation.
No. 5 – Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne
This will certainly be a divisive choice. After all, the two main characters from 1994’s “Dumb and Dumber” got on the nerves of their last road trip partner.
However, it’s hard to deny that these two men have some appeal. First off, they love to sing while logging some miles. That’s something we can always appreciate. They also come prepared with snacks for the drive.
Also, it’s impossible to deny the appeal of the Mutt Cutts mobile. This delivery van disguised as a dog turns heads as it rolls through town. It also has power to spare, which Harry and Lloyd showed by catching some air.