Set-Jetting Itineraries: Road Trips Inspired by Famous Films and Shows

Lights, Camera, Adventure: The Rise of Set-Jetting

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and thought, “I have to go there”? You’re not alone. Set-jetting, traveling to destinations featured on screen, is one of the biggest travel trends of 2024 and 2025. In fact, one survey found 1 in 4 people admit movies or shows have influenced their travel plans. With beloved series and blockbusters as our inspiration, we’re hitting the road to see those iconic sights in real life.

Why road trips? Because many filming locations are spread out, and a road trip lets you string them together in one epic itinerary. Instead of a quick guided tour, you can immerse yourself, driving the same highways as your favorite characters and discovering hidden gems along the way. Buckle up, it’s time for some film location tours on wheels!

1. East Coast Movie Trail: New York to D.C.

Start in the Big Apple and wind your way to the nation’s capital, hitting legendary film spots on the way. This movie location road trip spans about 230 miles and covers multiple classics:

• New York City, NY: It’s a movie buff’s paradise. Pose with breakfast pastry in front of Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue, like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Play Chopsticks with your feet on the FAO Schwarz floor piano, as seen in Big. Don’t miss the Ghostbusters firehouse in Tribeca (Hook & Ladder Company 8), a must-snap for fans.
• Philadelphia, PA: Head south (~1.5 hours on I-95). Channel Rocky Balboa and run up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, humming “Eye of the Tiger” is optional but encouraged. Nearby, visit the Sixth Sense house at 2302 St. Alban’s Place to see where “I see dead people” was first uttered.
• Baltimore, MD: A quick detour off I-95 brings you to the high school from John Waters’ Hairspray. It’s actually Mergenthaler Vocational Tech in real life. And horror fans, take note: Seneca Creek State Park in Maryland stood in for the eerie woods of The Blair Witch Project, you can hike there and freak yourself out!
• Washington, D.C.: End in the capital. Stroll Georgetown to find the infamous “Exorcist steps” from The Exorcist, where the climactic fall occurred. Then visit the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, Forrest Gump waded through it in a poignant reunion scene. It’s a powerful spot to reflect (pun intended) on your journey.

Why It’s Great: This route packs a ton of nostalgia and variety in a short distance, big city bustle, historic landmarks, and film trivia galore. Driving means you can see multiple sites in one day if you hustle, or stretch it out. It’s also family-friendly; kids might enjoy the mix of pop culture (superheroes in NYC, say) and U.S. history in D.C., truly something for everyone.

2. Hollywood to Sin City: Road Trip Through the Movies

The American Southwest has starred in countless films. This itinerary takes you from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, roughly 300 miles, through cinematic landscapes:

• Los Angeles, CA:Begin at the heart of the film industry. Visit Griffith Park, where La La Land’s dance scene took place, you can twirl under the lamppost like Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. Window-shop (or actual shop) on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to relive Pretty Woman’s iconic strut. And for 1950s musical fans, Venice High School’s exterior was Rydell High in Grease, check out the bleachers where “Summer Nights” was sung.
• San Diego, CA (Optional Stop): If you have time, swing 2 hours south to San Diego. Here you can grab a drink at Kansas City Barbeque, the bar from Top Gun where “Great Balls of Fire” was sung. It’s a quirky pit stop for aviation movie buffs.
• Yuma, AZ: Head east along I-8 (about 5 hours from L.A.). In the sands outside Yuma, the Imperial Sand Dunes doubled as the Sarlacc Pit in Return of the Jedi. Yes, you can actually visit Star Wars filming locations on Earth!. Bring your inner Jedi and imagine Jabba’s barge parked nearby.
• Lake Havasu, AZ: As you turn north, detour to Lake Havasu City. It’s home to the original London Bridge and was the backdrop for campy horror flick Piranha 3D. More family-friendly, it’s just a beautiful desert lake to cool off in.
• Las Vegas, NV: Finish in glitzy Vegas, a setting for countless films (Ocean’s 11, The Hangover, Casino, etc.). But before you hit the Strip, stop at the Ghostbusters-esque Neon Boneyard where old casino signs retire. It feels like a movie set. And if you’ve got time for one more nature detour, Red Rock Canyon just outside Vegas gave us wild west vibes used in many old Westerns, you might recall those panoramic desert shots.

Why It’s Great: This route combines city and desert, which gives you that road movie feeling. You’ll literally go from Hollywood glamour to remote dunes to neon nights, mirroring the journey of many film characters who “find themselves” on the road. And speaking of characters, keep an eye out for quirky roadside attractions too. The Southwest is full of them (giant dinosaurs off I-15 near Palm Springs, anyone?) that have appeared in background shots of movies and music videos.

3. Bonus: International Set-Jetting Ideas

While the above trips are U.S.-focused (and use U.S.-based destinations where relevant), set-jetting can also inspire overseas road trips. Two quick examples for the die-hard film fans:

• New Zealand, Lord of the Rings: Fly into Auckland or Wellington, rent a campervan, and drive to Matamata (Hobbiton Movie Set), then down to Tongariro National Park (Mordor landscape), and onward to Queenstown area (many LOTR scenes). New Zealand actively markets this, and you’ll find yourself literally in Middle Earth. It’s the ultimate film location tour for fantasy lovers.
• UK & Scotland, Harry Potter & TV Hits: A UK road trip can take you from London’s King’s Cross (Pose at Platform 9¾) up through Oxford (Hogwarts inspiration), then to Yorkshire for Downton Abbey sites, and further north to Scotland’s Glenfinnan Viaduct to see the real “Hogwarts Express” train crossing. Along the way, castle hopping covers everything from Game of Thrones (though filmed in Northern Ireland) vibes to Monty Python sketches (find Doune Castle for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, also Outlander).

Even though our focus is American road trips, it’s fun to remember the set-jetting trend is global, The White Lotus drove huge tourism boosts to Hawaii and Italy when those seasons aired, and now Thailand is bracing for fans with season 3. If you ever travel abroad, consider renting a car and tracing the path of a favorite international film or show.

Tips for a Blockbuster Set-Jetting Trip

• Do Your Research: Before you go, list the key locations you want to hit. Many tourism boards have guides for popular TV show locations. For example, New York City has a map for Marvel’s The Avengers and other blockbuster scenes. Apps and websites often detail exact addresses once you start looking.
• Embrace the Cheese: Some spots are pure tourist cheese (think: a cafe renamed after a movie scene, or a cutout of a celebrity on site). Roll with it! Take that photo. Reenact the scene. It’s part of the fun. Other locations might be totally unmarked and ordinary looking, use your imagination to picture the scene as it was on film.
• Plan for Crowds or Make Odd-Hour Visits: Extremely famous spots (like the Steps of the Philadelphia Museum for Rocky or Hobbiton in NZ) can get crowded. Hitting them early in the morning or on weekdays can help. Or simply be patient and courteous with fellow set-jetters, take turns snapping those pics.
• Mix Reel with Real: While on your movie-inspired quest, don’t forget to enjoy the non-film attractions. Grab local food (Philly cheesesteak in Philly, beignets if you detour through New Orleans for The Princess and the Frog vibes, etc.). Often these cinematic road trips take you through amazing general-interest areas (national parks, cultural sites) that deserve your attention beyond their screen claims to fame.
• Soundtrack & Rewatch: To really get in the mood, curate a road trip playlist of soundtracks. Driving through Monument Valley? Cue the Forrest Gump Suite (the spot on US-163 in Utah where Forrest ends his run is iconic and exactly road-trip accessible). Heading into D.C.? Blast the Forrest Gump soundtrack or maybe House of Cards theme for drama. It’s cheesy and delightful. And consider rewatching key scenes on a tablet or phone the night before you visit a location, it will make the next day’s stop feel even more exciting when you recognize the angles.

Finally, share your experiences! The set-jetting community is huge on social media. Use those hashtags (#setjetting, #filmlocation) and you might connect with other fans or even get new tips for your next trip. After all, as one travel trend piece noted, “set-jetting is changing how people choose to spend their time and money”, why not join the fun? Your road trip album will be the envy of your film club.

Now, action! Your set-jetting road trip awaits, may your tank be full and your heart fuller as you live out a real-life adventure inspired by fiction.