The film stars Wyatt and Billy, a pair of freewheeling, drug-smuggling motorcyclists. Having recently sold their latest haul of cocaine in Los Angeles, their next destination is New Orleans, Louisiana, hoping to arrive in time for Mardi Gras.
Along the way, the pair end up making a few pitstops. First, while stopping to repair a flat tire, the duo share a meal with a family of Arizonan farmers. Next, Wyatt helps a hitchhiker get to his hippie commune, and experience the "free love" movement firsthand before leaving with the gift of LSD.
After that, they end up in New Mexico, where they decide to spontaneously join a parade before getting arrested for lacking permits. While in jail, they meet George, a lawyer that was put in a cell following an alcohol binge. With George's help, they all get out of jail without issue, and since George is familiar with Louisiana, they decide to travel together. Wyatt and Billy attempt to give George some drugs, but having experienced what too much alcohol can do to him, George is too scared of getting addicted to try.
Once they get to the Louisiana outskirts, they're accosted by the locals, with the girls fawning over how cool they look while the guys make disparaging remarks. The main trio end up camping outside of town, but the local men attack them in the night, so Billy pulls out a knife and scares them away...though sadly, not before George has been bludgeoned to death. Wyatt and Billy gather George's belongings while vowing to return them to George's family.
The remaining duo end up reaching New Orleans in time for the festivities, hook up with a pair of prostitutes in a brothel George recommended, and indulge in the LSD...leading all four to experience a bad drug trip.
The next morning, while on their way out of town, Wyatt and Billy have a spat with some rednecks. Unfortunately, the rednecks have a shotgun, and shoot them both dead. The film ends with Wyatt's motorcycle aflame in the aftermath.
