Greg records his sixth grade experiences in a middle school where he and his best friend, Rowley, undersized weaklings amid boys who need to shave twice daily, hope just to survive, but when Rowley grows more popular, Greg must take drastic measures to save their friendship.

The Heffley family road trip starts off full of promise, then quickly takes several wrong turns, with everything from a fender bender to crazed seagulls. However, even the worst road trip can turn into an adventure, and this is one the Heffleys will not soon forget.