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In the United States, Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday of June. This year, we’re celebrating dads on June 15, 2025. Here on our blog, we’re kicking off the holiday by imagining which dads from our favorite television shows and movies we’d most want to join on a road trip.
Why a road trip? Well, the road trip is the quintessential Dad Adventure. Your whole family and a few choice possessions get packed up into the car, hauled scores (or even hundreds) of miles across state or country borders, and deposited somewhere majestic. And the captain of this great, sometimes foolhardy endeavor is usually dad.
We’ve collected some of the most beloved dads in pop culture to feature on this list. These are dads that might not be the most seasoned explorers – or even particularly patient – but who would definitely guarantee an entertaining trip across the country.
1) Clark Griswold – National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Okay, hear us out. Is the Griswold patriarch a little uptight, overconfident, and prone to delusions of grandeur? Sure. Should he maybe have been jailed for taking an innocent security guard hostage? Debatable. Should he maybe have been jailed for his many other crimes while en route to Walley World? Hey, nobody’s perfect! And you’ll never find a more committed dad (or a dad more liable to be committed).
And that’s why we’d willingly get into Mr. Griswold’s creaky, old stationwagon. Frankly, he’s not the most competent man to lead a vacation, but he is dedicated to getting the family on the road and seeing everyone to their final destination. Even if that destination is Cousin Norman’s backyard…
2) Goofy – A Goofy Movie (1995)
Goofy is, by definition, a goofy dad. He’s clumsy, somewhat oblivious, and frequently gets himself into the most ridiculous situations. But he loves his son Max with all his heart. That’s a big reason why A Goofy Movie remains a nostalgic favorite for all Millennials to this day.
If the Goof’s your dad, sure, you might end up at grotesque roadside attractions, get attacked by Bigfoot, or lose your car down a waterfall, but you’re gonna end that road trip knowing The Perfect Cast like the back of your hand.
3) Wolverine – Logan (2017)
At 200 years old, Logan (also known as James Howlett and, most famously, the Wolverine) is definitely the oldest dad on this list. No surprise, he’s also the grouchiest. If he brings you on a road trip (probably fleeing from some existential threat to mutants, humanity, or both), Logan isn’t going to make an itinerary, he’s not going to take a selfie with you, and he definitely won’t stop at a diner to share a milkshake.
What he will do, without question, is seriously mess up any evil henchmen that come after you. Thanks, dad!
4) Benjamin Sisko – Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
We’ve been on the internet long enough to know it’s wise to stay out of debates over who’s the best captain in Star Trek history. But surely we can agree Captain Benjamin Sisko is one of the franchise’s greatest dads? He has a war to fight with the Dominion, a wormhole to another quadrant of the galaxy to supervise, a shaky peace to maintain with the Cardassians, and yet he still makes time to take his son solar sailing.
It’s not easy being a single father or running a space station, but Sisko always made it clear his son Jake was his top priority. And when he did get a rare moment to himself, Sisko wanted to spend it playing ball with his kid or encouraging him in his literary pursuits. Who wouldn’t want the Prophets’ Chosen One taking them on a road trip across time and space?
5) Gomez Addams – The Adams Family (Multiple Series / Films)
With Gomez behind the wheel, you just know your trip is gonna get weird. Granted, Gomez will probably leave the driving to his butler Lurch, since the wealthy head of the Addams clan will spend the trip enjoying a Gloria cigar, fencing on top of the limo, or gazing seductively into the eyes of his true love, Morticia.
The trunk of your limo will be full of spiders and ghouls, your rest stops will be populated by kooky members of your spooky extended family, and you will probably be run out of town by residents carrying torches and pitchforks. If that isn’t a classic family vacation, we don’t know what is!
6) Uncle Phil – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
He might seem stuffy and bourgeois at first, but once you get to know him, Uncle Phil is a big teddy bear. More than that, he proves himself time and time again to be loving, loyal, and dependable. He raised Will as his own son, providing him a principled model of manhood when Will’s own father fell short.
Phil might not be the most comfortable dad on the road, but he’ll do anything for his family. You can’t ask for more than that.
7) Bandit Heeler – Bluey (2018 – Present)
There may not be a more inspirational dad in television history than this blue, animated, Australian Cattle Dog. He’s constantly willing to play pretend with his kids, teach them life lessons, and totally embarrass himself in public for the sake of their imaginations.
A road trip with Bandit and his equally game wife Chilli would be packed full of fun games and laughter (and set to the soothing strings of a ukulele).
8) Hal – Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006)
Hal Wilkerson may be inept at times – and you can’t trust him around a steamroller – but he’s a sweet man and always up for an adventure. Sure, compared to Lois, he can be a little bit of a pushover when dealing with his sons’ demands, but when the chips are down, Hal’s got your back.
If you go on a road trip with Hal, there will absolutely be some mischief involved (possibly mayhem and property damage, as well), but you can rest assured you’ll learn something and laugh about it in the end.
Conclusion
Did this Father’s Day list trigger some deep nostalgia for the best dad shows and movies? If you’re looking to stream some of your favorites, or catch them on cable, we’d love to help you with that. Contact the experts at SmarterHome.ai to grab the best deals and bundles for home TV providers in your area. Your dad will thank you.
