In Laurens, Iowa during the year 1994, we meet Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth), a frail 73-year-old man who suffers a fall in his kitchen, prompting his slow-witted daughter, Rose (Sissy Spacek), to take him to a doctor. Despite his numerous health issues, including diabetes and emphysema, Alvin ignores the doctor's advice and relies on two canes for mobility. The turning point comes one stormy night when he learns that his estranged brother, Lyle (played by Harry Dean Stanton), has had a stroke. After ten years of silence due to a past dispute, Alvin feels an urgent need to reconnect with Lyle, who lives 370 miles away in Mount Zion, Wisconsin.
Faced with the obstacles of not being able to drive due to his failing health, and with public transport unavailable, Alvin devises a remarkable plan: he decides to journey by riding his Rehd lawn mower. Gathering supplies, including a trailer for the mower, he prepares himself for this long trek. Although Rose expresses concern, Alvin encourages her to look up at the stars that night, hinting at the adventure ahead.
As he sets out, Alvin's determination stands strong despite warnings from friends who view the journey as reckless. However, the journey begins with a setback when his mower breaks down shortly after leaving town. Defiant, he returns home and ends its misery with a shotgun blast. With renewed resolve, he purchases a new lawn tractor from a kind salesman at the John Deere shop, marking the start of his journey once more on September 5.
Traveling during the day and camping in fields at night, Alvin meets a variety of characters. One poignant encounter is with a pregnant hitchhiker (Anastasia Webb), to whom he shares warmth and wisdom, recounting his experiences as a father and the essence of family through a memorable lesson about unity: “together we are stronger.” He also finds solace in watching a rainstorm from the cover of an abandoned farmhouse and interacts with RAGBRAI cyclists who acclaim his spirit.
As days pass, Alvin continues to forge ahead, overcoming hurdles including close calls with large trucks and finding food after encountering a distraught woman who has hit a deer. He turns this misfortune into a tribute by cooking the deer, honoring its sacrifice. However, as Alvin nears the Mississippi River, the journey becomes more challenging, yet he receives generous help from local farmers and mechanics who relate deeply to his pursuit of reconciliation with Lyle.
In a heartfelt moment, Alvin converses with a priest (John Lordan) who is aware of Lyle's condition and encourages him in his quest for peace. Finally, Alvin reaches Mount Zion, only to face more engine troubles. With the assistance of a passing farmer on a tractor, he makes the final stretch to Lyle's dilapidated home.
Upon arriving, with his two canes aiding his frail frame, Alvin calls out for Lyle. Their long-awaited reunion unfolds with a shared moment of reminiscence as they look up at the night sky, reflecting on the bond of brotherhood that, despite years of separation, remains unbreakable. "I did, Lyle," Alvin affirms simply, signaling the depth of his journey and the love that has endured through time and distance.
