Doug and his friends are getting ready for the end of sixth grade and are graduating from Bluffington School. Doug feels a bit sad about leaving so he tries to find Principal Buttsavitch to talk to him. But when he finds out that Roger is as reluctant to leave the school as he is, Doug convinces Roger (and himself) that the new school will be great. As the summer begins, the Funnies plan to drive across the country to visit the Great Painted Gorge. Phil is committed to keeping to a schedule, but Doug and Judy convince him to stop at several tourist traps along the way. The family isn't having any fun on the trip, until they finally reach the stop that makes it all worthwhile.