Family Guy is known for its experimental episode formats and running jokes. The "Road To..." episodes of Family Guy combine both of these tropes, sending Brian and Stewie on a number of journeys to various places. This set of episodes is based on the Road To... series of comedy films starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour from the 1940s-1960s.
From Brian and Stewie's journey to Europe to their bout around the multiverse, here are all eight "Road To..." episodes of Family Guy, ranked.
8. ROAD TO EUROPE
As the second installment in the "Road To..." series, "Road to Europe" is the weakest of the series. When Stewie becomes obsessed with a British children's television show called "Jolly Farm Revue," he decides he would rather live there than in Rhode Island. This sets Brian and Stewie on a bumbling journey around Europe to locate Jolly Farm.
While the episode is entertaining overall, it has the least compelling storyline of the "Road To..." series. The musical number "You and I Are So Awfully Different" saves the episode, although when compared to some of the pair's later musical numbers, this one also falls short. The episode also includes a Peter and Lois subplot, which is honestly more enjoyable than the Brian and Stewie storyline.
7. ROAD TO INDIA
The most recent "Road To..." installment, "Road to India" finds Brian falling in love with an Indian customer service representative named Padma, and brings Stewie along on a trip to India to locate her. After breaking up Padma's arranged marriage, Brian goes on the game show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire to repay her father's dowry. When Brian demonstrates he knows nothing about Padma's culture, and she breaks up with him.
"Road To India" is one of a number of episodes playing into Brian's insufferable (albeit hilarious) personality, although the storyline feels somewhat weak. The episode relies on clever but still moderately lazy jokes about Indian culture and also doesn't include a musical number, making it a weaker inclusion of the "Road To..." series. The subplot involving Peter taking over Joe's spot at his beloved Bingo night also misses the mark.
6. ROAD TO GERMANY
"Road To Germany" follows Stewie and Brian as they travel to Germany to rescue Mort, who accidentally wandered into Stewie's time machine, mistaking it for the bathroom. The pair arrive in Poland on the day the Nazis invade, starting the second World War, and ultimately save Mort from ever entering the machine.
The episode overall is entertaining and received high praise from audiences and critics. The jokes were edgy in the typical Family Guy way fans love, and the story was compelling, making it a strong episode. However, while the inclusion of Mort to the Brian and Stewie dynamic makes the episode entertaining, it takes away from the "Road To..." format.
5. ROAD TO RUPERT
In Season 5, Episode 9, Brian accidentally sells Stewie's beloved teddy bear Rupert at a yard sale, prompting the two to pair up to retrieve him. Ultimately, Stewie has to participate in a ski race to win back his bear, and upon losing simply steals him.
The episode includes one of the best musical sequences of the Family Guy series, with Stewie dancing "The Worry Song" alongside Gene Kelly from the film Anchors Aweigh, in place of Jerry Mouse from the original number. This sequence is what makes the episode one of the better "Road To..." installments, despite the borderline unoriginal plot and very thin subplot.
4. ROADS TO VEGAS
When Brian and Stewie win tickets to see Celine Dion in Las Vegas, they hope to use Stewie's teleportation device instead of flying. The device duplicates the pair, creating two realities: one pair that flew to Vegas, and one that used the device.
The plot and subplot of Season 11, Episode 22, are technically one and the same, with each version of the pair having their own experiences in Vegas. The format is a unique spin on the "Road To..." episodes, making this installment more entertaining than some of the others.
3. ROAD TO THE NORTH POLE
In Season 9, Episode 7, Stewie decides to venture to the North Pole to confront Santa, with a reluctant Brian in tow. Upon arrival, they discover the North Pole is actually a desolate industrial wasteland with an exhausted Santa, feral reindeer and inbred elves -- prompting Brian and Stewie to take over Santa's duties.
This episode has a fun story, well-executed jokes and another of the series' best musical numbers, including "Christmas Time Is Killing Us." The episode was met with critical praise, partially due to the episode's overall positive message -- despite some particularly violent jokes.
2. ROAD TO RHODE ISLAND
In the first-ever "Road To..." episode in Season 2, Brian decides to search for his mother after picking up Stewie from staying at his grandparent's. The pair travel together across the country, ultimately giving Brian's deceased mother a proper burial before returning home.
As the first of the "Road To..." episodes, the dynamic between Brian and Stewie was being tested and experimented with. The episode manages to be funny and emotional, with a subplot that doesn't take away from the main storyline.
1. ROAD TO MULTIVERSE
In Season 8, Episode 1, Stewie reveals to Brian his remote control allowing the pair to explore parallel universes. The pair travel to a number of different dimensions, including one where humanity is far more technologically advanced, one where dogs rule over humans and a Disney-based universe.
The episode uses a creative format, allowing the show's creators to experiment with a number of ideas. The Disney-based universe is what makes this episode as great as it is, with an amazing musical sequence and stunning animation portraying the cast as Disney characters.