Smokey and the Bandit sponsored a racer in Atlanta's Southern Classic and wants to celebrate in style when he wins. They find local legend Bo "Bandit" Darville at a roadeo at Lakewood Fairgrounds in Atlanta and offer him $80,000 to pick up 400 cases of Coors from Texarkana (the closest place it could be legally sold at that time), and bring it back to Atlanta in 28 hours. Bandit takes the bet and recruits his partner Cledus "Snowman" Snow to drive the truck, while Bandit drives a black Pontiac Trans Am bought on an advance from the Burdettes as a "blocker" to divert attention
Smokey and the Bandit mishaps cause his cruiser to disintegrate around them. Bandit's antics attract more attention from police throughout Dixie while Snowman barrels on toward Atlanta with the contraband beer, but they are helped along the way by many colorful characters via CB radio. Neither Sheriff Justice nor any other officials know of Snowman's illegal manifest, while Bandit is likewise unaware that Sheriff Justice is pursuing him because of Carrie. The chase begins to intensify when, moments after crossing back into Georgia, Snowman is narrowly rescued by Bandit after being stopped by a motorcycle patrolman, and state and local police escalate their pursuit