As SSG Fred Cheaver (Tim Robbins) comes home after completing his military service, he is filled with anticipation to reconnect with his family in suburban St. Louis. At the same time, PFC Colee Dunn and SSG T.K. Poole (Michael Peña) are enjoying a 30-day leave, aiming for a trip to Las Vegas. Colee is motivated by a heartfelt visit to the family of her deceased boyfriend, while T.K. is on a personal quest to find a sex surrogate to help him cope with his shrapnel injury. Their paths unexpectedly cross at John F. Kennedy International Airport, which is engulfed in chaos due to a sudden blackout that disrupts all flights. Left with no other option, they decide to rent a minivan and kick off an unplanned adventure heading west.
As they traverse the highway, Cheaver's homecoming turns out to be more complicated than he anticipated; his wife Pat is seeking a divorce, and their son Scott has been accepted at Stanford University. Faced with the financial implications of Scott's schooling, Cheaver plans a detour to visit his brother in Salt Lake City, but first, he generously offers to take Colee and T.K. to the airport. Recognizing Cheaver's emotional distress, they choose to accompany him, understanding that his state of mind could lead to dangerous driving conditions.
Their journey is filled with an array of unforeseen events. After attending a revival led by Pastor Jerry Nolan, they are invited to a lavish birthday bash at a member's grand home, where clashes arise with the host's adult children over their anti-war views. Subsequently, Cheaver finds himself caught in a seductive trap orchestrated by a guest who expects him to join her and her husband Bob in a steamy rendezvous.
As their travels continue, Colee and T.K. make the choice to leave Cheaver at a campsite for a bit of independence, but are soon forced to flee from a looming tornado, seeking shelter in a drainage ditch while they hold onto each other for safety and support. It is in that vulnerable moment that T.K. discovers an unexpected sense of hope, making him reconsider his persistent search for a sex surrogate.
Just as Cheaver's situations appear to be improving, he ditches Salt Lake City for the glimmering allure of Las Vegas, driven by dreams of a jackpot that could alter his reality. Meanwhile, Colee stumbles upon a guitar online—one reminiscent of her boyfriend's—which is selling for an astonishing $22,000. Although tempted to gift it to Cheaver, she ultimately decides to stay focused on her original purpose.
Upon arriving at her boyfriend's family home, Colee is warmly welcomed by Tom and Jeanie Klinger, only to realize that the narrative she constructed about their son is built on lies. The family dynamic becomes even more complicated with the arrival of Shannon, the mother of her boyfriend's illegitimate child. Faced with these revelations, Colee opts not to stay longer but requests to keep the guitar, which the Klingers graciously allow.
Later, at the local police station, the trio experiences another unexpected reunion. T.K. confesses to committing a robbery at a casino to escape military life, only to discover he was unintentionally caught in yet another web of deceit. Stunned by his admission, Cheaver shares the good news of obtaining the $20,000 he needs for Scott’s education through a serendipitous re-enlistment bonus. In a twist of fate, weeks later, they all find themselves back at the airport, preparing to head toward the perilous terrain of Iraq, their destinies now forever intertwined.
