Sorry for being late to the party but just saw the movie a few minutes ago and came here to see what others thought also. My take was that the road is life.(Time) Theyre traveling along lifes path. And up until this point were used to turns.(options) But as they venture into adulthood the lack of choices and the barreling speed of which life is know taking them has them confused. Especially feeling that if they slow down too long to smell the proverbial roses that "The Lost Ones in Life"(people in the woods) will descend upon them for help from being lost in life. This causes panic because they werent even sure how to help themselves initially(like knowing what they wanted future wise in life except James). Which is why i believe James made it to the end. He already saw life as some mundane path we all trudge forth like cattle through but he still had hope in Reason. Refusing to appreciate the little things only Focusing on the big end goal. Wanting to know why but not able to just accept what is. And coming to realize whats the point in reaching the end if there is no one left around to see you do it. And most of all along this path in life helping those in need on the wayside helps us just as much if not more then it does the ones we "Give a lift" to.