Toss the kids in the back and chart a winding course to a kitschy destination — we’re at the wheel of three American road trip comedies this week. Pit stops include a deep psychological analysis of Clark Griswold, a theory on how you market indie pop and questions about whether Netflix is making the new cable movie.

Chance begins the episode in conversation with writer Saul Austerlitz. They discuss his book, “Another Fine Mess” (a history of American comedy film), as well as the 1941 road trip classic “Sullivan’s Travels.” You can read Saul’s work in The New York Times, The LA Times, The New Republic and more. Find more about his books on film and television at saulausterlitz.com.

At 15 minutes, Noah and Chance transition to “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” At 26:30, they give “Little Miss Sunshine” a push. And at 37:45, why does nothing bad happen in the Netflix original “The Fundamentals of Caring”?

You know, some might say life is a, uh, highway.