Terminally ill truck driver John Howard sneaks out of a Los Angeles, California hospital and steals the eighteen-wheel tractor-trailer, a Kenworth truck he calls “Eleanor,” that was repossessed when he became sick. Known as “Elegant” John due to a career of delivering cargo over long distances safely and on time, he wants to make one more cross-country haul. At a roadside diner, John runs into a rival truck driver, Charlie La Pere, who taunts him for being too old and too sick to continue driving. Furthermore, knowing that John stole his truck and is no longer licensed to transport loads, Charlie predicts that the police are going to catch up with John. John then declines Charlie’s offer to give up his quest and sell his truck. As John drives out of California, he picks up a hitchhiker named Beebo Crozier, then finds some freight to haul. As John finishes loading his truck, however, the supplier discovers that the truck is stolen and demands John return the cargo. Dejected, John acquiesces, then gets back on the road with Beebo. Meanwhile, in Wyoming, the police raid and shut down Penelope Pearson’s brothel. Penelope and the five prostitutes who work for her are packing their things when John stops by. During their joyful reunion, Penelope admits hearing that John was sick, but he assures her he is healthy. After John and Penelope make love, they discuss their respective plights and decide that he will help her and her girls relocate to South Carolina by transporting them in his truck. The next night, when John wakes up in pain, Penelope comforts him, realizing he is much sicker than he admitted. On the road the next day, the group hears radio reports that the police want to apprehend John for grand theft auto and arrest the women for prostitution and interstate flight. In Missouri, Sheriff Harley Davidson catches the truck in a speed trap and jails the occupants. However, the group escapes when the women lure Harley and his deputy into their cell, strip them, take their keys and lock up the policemen. Later, the travelers stop at a diner where they happen to run into Charlie. When Charlie insists John’s situation is hopeless and repeats the offer to buy John’s truck, John grabs him and pushes him down. Charlie angrily leaves. The next night, the group stops at a bar and sees a television news report outlining their story. Former disc jockey Bobby Apples approaches John and expresses support for his mission. Bobby says that John is getting bad press, but Bobby will help him improve his image. Later, John confides in Penelope his idea to take the new Route 9 through Georgia, since he expects all the other roads to be blocked by authorities hoping to catch him. If John can cross the Palachee Bridge, there should be no other obstacles on the way to the Carolinas. When Charlie reports to law enforcement his belief that John will take Route 9, the police set up a roadblock at the bridge. While stopping to take a rest, Bobby informs John that the trucker has inspired a great deal of local support; with the help of those people, John can run the blockade on Route 9. John doesn’t want to endanger anyone but Penelope persuades him to complete this final cross-country trip and they get back on the road. As news of John’s intent to drive through the blockade goes out over police and Citizens Band (CB) radios, several cars and trucks drive behind John to show solidarity. Waiting with police at Palachee bridge, Charlie gloats about John’s troubles until John drives his truck through the roadblock, forcing Charlie and several policemen to jump off the bridge to save themselves. After a brief stop to celebrate their victory, John and his friends resume their drive east. When the truck comes to an unexpected stop, Beebo gets out of the trailer and goes to the cab where he finds Penelope cradling an unconscious John. As Penelope urges John to hang on, Beebo takes over driving the last twenty miles to the Carolina coast.