Keegan-Michael Key Says Road Trips Have Become a ‘Lost Art’ and Explains Why That Needs to Change

The ‘Only Murders in the Building’ actor thinks 2026 is a perfect year to hit the road

NEED TO KNOW

• Keegan-Michael Key said road trips foster unique connections and problem-solving, unlike the communal experience of flying
• Key reflected on childhood road trips to national parks and called the tradition a “lost art” in the digital age
• He said 2026 is a perfect year for road trips because of milestones such as the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the 250th anniversary of the United States and the World Cup

Keegan-Michael Key thinks people are "craving a certain type of connection" and believes a road trip could be the perfect solution.

The Key & Peele actor opened up in a recent interview with the BBC, reflecting on his history going on family road trips — and thinks the road trip has become a "lost art" with the rise of technology.

"Back in the old days, you'd get out your map and your dad was, like, 'Hold on, I gotta figure this out,' " he explained. "The excitement started to build when you'd undo [the map] on the bed and everyone [decided where to go next]. You can change your mind on a road trip."

Key, 55, pointed out that 2026 is a special year that warrants a road trip — whether you're celebrating the World Cup, the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the 250th anniversary of the United States or simply a birthday or family festivity.

He recalled that he would travel west with his family growing up, as his father was from Salt Lake City.

"When we were kids, we would go to national parks in [our] pop-up camper; the Grand Canyon, the Tetons, Yellowstone and Yosemite," Key said. "Once you get to the outskirts of the Midwest, it's flat and then the hills start to roll. I remember being able to see miles in the distance. There's an excitement because you can literally see your destination."

The comedian explained that he still has "dreams about that time" purely because of how "breathtaking" it was.

"Now because of work, I travel by plane a lot because you got to get someplace quicker," he added. "I don't really have the luxury to [travel by car]. But I encourage anybody who has any kind of wanderlust to take a road trip with your family. There's a really special connection that happens between people when you have to problem solve."

While Key pointed out that both flying and road trips can be "communal experiences," most people have opted to take to the skies for a preferred travel method — even if it means losing out on a unique memory.

"The only time you share something on a plane is if something untoward happens, and it's 200 of you collectively having that experience," he said. "But a road trip consists of four to eight people at the most, so you're having a much more individual experience. On the plane, we're all doing the same thing. But anything can unfold on a road trip."

As for who Key's dream road trip guests would be, he picked Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jane Fonda and Christopher Walken, for the fact that he enjoys "hearing about people's history." He also added a "wild card" pick with Jim Carrey.

Key also used to frequently road trip with his Key & Peele costar Jordan Peele, as they would fly into a city and drive to another. He described Peele, 47, as a "very calming influence."

"I think we had left St. Louis and we were driving to Columbia, Mo. — and we were driving on the road and I just felt a real sense of brotherhood with him, but there were no words spoken," Key said. "It was an epiphany for me. We had such a good time with each other. And sometimes those good times were times where we were just existing."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

The two appeared together on the Comedy Central sketch comedy series Key & Peele from 2012 to 2015. Since then, Peele has directed films like 2017's Get Out and 2022's Nope.

Key has continued acting, appearing in season five of Only Murders in the Building as New York City Mayor Beau Tillman.

"It's one of the warmest, one of the most collaborative, one of the friendliest sets I've ever been on in my career," he told PEOPLE in September 2025 about his castmates, "They are wonderful people to work with."

"Here's what I learned about Martin [Short] and Steve [Martin]. Martin and Steve are basically not even playing characters. Charles and Oliver, their dynamic is pretty much Steve and Martin's dynamic in real life," he added.

Read the full article here