Honestly, tracking down a specific show these days feels like a second job. You remember a hilarious scene, maybe the one where Jason Jones is frantically trying to explain the "birds and the bees" to his kids in a minivan, and you think, "I need to rewatch that." But then the hunt begins. If you are scratching your head wondering where can i watch The Detour, you aren't alone. It’s one of those TBS originals that didn't just disappear from the airwaves; it sort of drifted into the digital ether of licensing agreements and streaming "purges."
The show is a masterpiece of discomfort. It’s a family road trip comedy that feels like a fever dream. Written by the powerhouse duo of Jason Jones and Samantha Bee, it ran for four seasons from 2016 to 2019. It was raw, it was vulgar, and it was surprisingly heartfelt in its own twisted way. But since TBS’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, started slashing their library to save on residuals and taxes, finding the Parker family has become a bit of a scavenger hunt.
The Current Streaming Landscape for The Detour
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. As of early 2026, The Detour is not currently sitting on a "free" major subscription service like Max (formerly HBO Max) or Netflix. You can’t just click play because you pay a monthly fee. It’s annoying. It’s frustrating. It’s the reality of modern media consolidation.
Right now, the most reliable way to access all four seasons is through Digital Purchase. This means you’re looking at platforms like:
- Amazon Prime Video: You can buy individual episodes or full seasons. This is usually the cleanest interface for most people.
- Apple TV / iTunes: If you are deep in the Apple ecosystem, this is your best bet for high-quality playback.
- Vudu (Fandango at Home): Often runs sales on "Complete Series" bundles which can save you a significant amount of cash compared to buying by the season.
- Google TV / YouTube: You can purchase the seasons directly through the YouTube Movies & TV section.
Is it ideal to pay $20 for a season of a show that aired years ago? Maybe not. But if you want to see the Robin and Nate Parker dynamic in its full glory, this is the only "permanent" way to ensure it doesn't vanish from your library next month when a CEO decides they need a tax write-off.
Why Did It Leave Max?
It’s a fair question. The Detour was a TBS show. TBS is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Logic dictates it should be on Max. However, the industry shifted. David Zaslav, the CEO of WBD, made headlines for removing various titles from their streaming platform to license them elsewhere or simply to stop paying the ongoing costs associated with keeping them live.
This "content purging" is why the question of where can i watch The Detour has become so common. It wasn't a lack of popularity. The show had a dedicated cult following and critical acclaim. It was simply a casualty of corporate restructuring. Sometimes, these shows end up on "FAST" channels—Free Ad-supported Streaming TV. You might occasionally see it pop up on services like Roku Channel or Tubi, but these listings are notoriously "here today, gone tomorrow."
👉 See also: Diego Klattenhoff Movies and TV Shows: Why He’s the Best Actor You Keep Forgetting You Know
What Makes The Detour Worth the Search?
If you haven't seen it, or only caught a few episodes on cable back in the day, you might wonder if it’s worth the $1.99 per episode. It is. Most family sitcoms are sanitized. They have a problem, they solve it in 22 minutes, and everyone learns a lesson. The Detour rejects that.
The Parkers are a mess. Nate (Jason Jones) is a whistle-blower who stole a bunch of documents from his company. Robin (Natalie Zea) has a past that is—to put it mildly—complicated. The kids, Delilah and Jared, are growing up in the backseat of a blue van while their parents lie to them constantly. It’s the anti-Modern Family.
Season by Season Breakdown
The show changes its DNA every year. That’s rare for a sitcom.
In the first season, it’s a linear road trip from Syracuse to Florida. It’s claustrophobic. It’s sweaty. By the second season, they are in New York City, dealing with Robin’s past and a very persistent federal agent. The third season takes them to Alaska, where the show goes full "community of misfits" mode. By the fourth and final season, they are searching for a runaway daughter across the globe.
The writing stays sharp because it stays grounded in the idea that these four people actually love each other, even when they are making the worst decisions possible. It’s the kind of show where a simple stop at a roadside diner can turn into a legal standoff or a medical emergency involving a very confused veterinarian.
International Options: Are You Outside the US?
If you are reading this from the UK, Canada, or Australia, your options for where can i watch The Detour might actually be slightly better or worse depending on local licensing.
✨ Don't miss: Did Mac Miller Like Donald Trump? What Really Happened Between the Rapper and the President
- Canada: Often, CTV or Crave carries older Bell Media/TBS content, but licenses expire. Currently, buying on Apple or Amazon remains the most stable path.
- United Kingdom: The show aired on Comedy Central UK. For streaming, it occasionally appears on Sky Go or Now TV, but check the "leaving soon" section frequently.
- Australia: Stan has been known to host TBS content in the past, but the availability fluctuates.
If you find that it isn't available in your region at all, some users turn to a VPN to access US-based digital storefronts, though that often requires a US-based payment method. It’s a lot of hoops to jump through for a show about a guy who accidentally joins a cult in Alaska.
Technical Specs: 4K or Bust?
Don’t expect 4K. The Detour was shot for cable television. While it looks great—especially the sprawling landscapes in Season 3—most digital retailers only offer it in 1080p High Definition. Honestly, for a comedy, you don't need the extra pixels to feel the secondhand embarrassment of Nate Parker trying to speak "street" to a group of teenagers.
The sound mixing is surprisingly good, especially the chaotic overlaps of the family arguing. If you’re buying the series, just make sure you aren't accidentally buying the "SD" (Standard Definition) version to save a couple of bucks. The difference in clarity on a modern TV is noticeable.
Common Misconceptions About Streaming The Detour
People often think that because a show was on a specific network, it stays there forever. "It’s a TBS show, so I’ll just go to the TBS app!" Unfortunately, the TBS app usually only keeps current seasons of active shows. Since The Detour ended in 2019, it’s considered "legacy content."
Another misconception is that it’s on Hulu. While Hulu has a great deal with FX and some other networks, The Detour isn't part of that package. You might find it if you have Hulu + Live TV, as you can sometimes access "on-demand" content from cable networks, but that’s an expensive way to watch one show.
How to Get the Best Price
Since purchasing is the primary way to watch, you have to be smart.
🔗 Read more: Despicable Me 2 Edith: Why the Middle Child is Secretly the Best Part of the Movie
- Watch for Season Bundles: Buying Season 1-4 as a single package is almost always 30% cheaper than buying them separately.
- Use Price Trackers: Websites like CheapCharts can track the price of shows on iTunes and alert you when they drop.
- Check Physical Media: Don't laugh, but eBay is a goldmine. You can often find the DVD sets for Season 1 and 2. Curiously, Season 3 and 4 had very limited physical releases, making them somewhat rare. If you are a collector, the physical discs are the only way to ensure you own the show regardless of what happens to digital "ownership" rights.
Why We Still Talk About This Show
There is a specific brand of comedy that feels like it’s disappearing. It’s the "brave" comedy—the kind that isn't afraid to make its protagonists look like absolute idiots. The Detour never asked you to think the Parkers were "cool." It asked you to realize that everyone’s family is a little bit of a disaster behind closed doors.
The chemistry between Jason Jones and Natalie Zea is the engine. Zea, in particular, is a comedic revelation. She plays Robin with a mix of "done with this" energy and "I will bury you if you touch my kids" ferocity.
Moving Forward With Your Rewatch
So, you’ve decided to commit. You want to see the Parkers navigate the absurdity of life.
First step: Check your existing digital libraries. You might have bought a season years ago and forgotten. It happens.
Second step: Compare the "Complete Series" price on Amazon vs. Vudu.
Third step: Buckle up. The first season starts with a simple drive, but by the time you hit the finale, you’ll realize why this show is so hard to categorize and even harder to stop watching.
The search for where can i watch The Detour might be a bit of a trek, but much like the show itself, the destination is worth the chaotic journey. Grab some snacks, find your remote, and prepare for one of the most underrated comedies of the last decade.
Practical Checklist for Viewers
- Verify your region's digital storefront availability.
- Opt for the "HD" version over "SD" for the best experience.
- Check if your cable provider offers "On Demand" access to TBS's back catalog.
- Consider a "Complete Series" purchase to avoid the frustration of missing seasons.
- If you find it on a free service like Tubi or Pluto TV, watch it immediately before the license rotates out.