Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has arrived at several of life’s crossroads all at the same time. To begin with, he is retiring from a lifetime of service as an actuary for Woodmen of the World Insurance Company and he feels utterly adrift. Furthermore, his only daughter, Jeannie (Hope Davis) is about to marry a no-hoper. And his wife, Helen (June Squibb) dies suddenly after 42 years of marriage. With no job, no wife and no family, Warren is desperate to find something meaningful in his thoroughly unimpressive life. He sets out on a journey of self-discovery, exploring his roots across Nebraska in the 35-foot motor home in which he had planned to drive around the country with his late wife. His ultimate destination is Denver, where he hopes to bridge the gulf between himself and his somewhat estranged daughter by arriving early to help with her wedding preparations.