In 1971, at a fraternity house on the University of Texas campus in
Austin, a graduation party is going on. Gardner Barnes is a member of a
clique called the Groovers, whose other members include Kenneth Waggener, engaged to be married, and
ROTC geek Phil Hicks. Phil's parents arrive at the fraternity house in time to see Groover Lester pass out. They also meet the
seminary student Dorman. Kenneth interrupts the festivities by announcing his
student deferment has expired and he is now to be drafted into the Vietnam War. Gardner's own notice came weeks before. Kenneth has decided to call off his engagement to his girlfriend on account of being drafted. The Groovers decide to celebrate their last days before the draft by going on a road trip, intending to visit a notorious
roadhouse, then "dig up" someone - or something - named Dom near the
Rio Grande. They drive all night before making a rest stop. Some, including Phil, resist continuing, but Gardner presses them on. Phil's car runs out of gas and the Groovers must decide whether to walk to the nearest town or hitch. Phil is adamant about not leaving his car behind, when someone gets the idea to lasso a train passing on the railroad track parallel to the road. Dorman attaches the front bumper with fence cable to the back of the train, but the car's front end is pulled off, leaving the car in place. The Groovers push the car to a garage in the nearest town and eat at a
Sonic Drive-In. They meet up with townie girls and eventually end up playing in a cemetery operated by one of the girls' undertaker father, where they come upon a fallen Vietnam War soldier's tombstone. They sleep at the former movie set of
Giant. The next morning, with the car repaired with a front end from a different make and model, the Groovers continue. Phil wants to go back, prompting Kenneth to shout angrily at him. Gardner confesses that they only let Phil hang with them because they felt sorry for him. Humiliated, Phil retorts that he will take on any challenge. The group sees a sign for a
parachute school giving jumping lessons. Gardner cons the instructor, Truman Sparks, into giving Phil a free lesson. Phil is terrified, but goes up into Truman's aircraft. However, he is carrying Truman's dirty laundry instead of a parachute. The boys try desperately to warn him from the ground without success. Phil, however, manages to open an emergency chute with much prompting from Truman by
walkie-talkie. The Groovers get a picture for their efforts. After discovering the charred, abandoned remains of the roadhouse, the Groovers press onward. They eventually reach a bluff overlooking the Rio Grande and dig up Dom – which turns out to be a magnum of
Dom Pérignon champagne. Each takes a drink before Gardner toasts to "freedom and youth." Kenneth starts having second thoughts about calling off the engagement. Pondering on the nature of love, Gardner decides to make things right. He calls Kenneth's girlfriend, gets her to reaccept the engagement, and arranges for Truman Sparks to fly her from
Dallas to the border town and back. When they arrive, it is revealed that Kenneth's girlfriend is Debbie, Gardner's ex. Through some trickery, reminiscent of
stone soup, he sets up a wedding for Kenneth and Debbie, as Lester regains consciousness. After the ceremony, Gardner and Debbie share one last dance, a fandango. As they finish, Gardner leans in to kiss Debbie. But she shakes her head, kisses him on the cheek, and walks away. Phil then gives Kenneth and Debbie his car as a wedding present. Lester goes to hitch a ride "anywhere", and Phil and Dorman shake hands before parting ways. Phil says "Goodbye friend." Dorman says to his friend, "Have a nice life." Perched atop a cliff overlooking the town and watching the wedding reception, Gardner lifts a beer in salute to his friends. ==Cast==