While on a business trip, Tom Phillips is in a car accident caused by a reckless driver. Tom survives the accident with but a severe chronic back injury leaves him unable to continue with his career. The Phillips' buy a motel in the California desert and Tom with his wife Peg and their two children, Tina and Jamie make the long road trip to their new home. As they approach their destination they are terrorized by reckless teenage hot-rodders looking for kicks.