Idiocracy Filming Locations
A dystopian tour through the future of the U.S.
By Erik Nachtrieb, SetJetters CEO & Cofounder
This seemed familiar like I had seen this movie before...
I recently watched Idiocracy (2006) and for a comedic satire, it was terrifying. If you’ve ever watched Idiocracy and thought, "Wow, this is just ridiculous," you might want to take a look around. The film, a satire about the United States that has descended into anti-intellectual chaos over 500 years, sometimes feels more like a documentary with each passing year.
But let's stay focused on the real-world locations where this cult classic was filmed. Because, yes, you can actually visit the places where the future of the U.S. was hilariously, and terrifyingly, brought to life.
Welcome to the Future: Filming Locations of Idiocracy
Idiocracy was primarily shot in Texas, with Austin and San Antonio providing most of the dystopian landscapes. While CGI and set design played a role in making the future look gloriously dumb, many of the film’s most iconic scenes were filmed in real locations.
1. The Dystopian Cityscape - Austin, Texas
That crumbling, trash-laden city where Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) wakes up in the year 2505? That was Austin, a city known for keeping things weird - but usually not this weird - standing in for Washington D.C.
Many of the futuristic, and crumbling buildings were filmed near downtown Austin, with post-production effects adding in the skyscrapers wrapped in ads for questionable energy drinks.
The film’s overgrown streets filled with garbage were shot in a mix of real locations and dressed-up sets in Austin.
> Location: Downtown Austin, Texas (30.2672° N, 97.7431° W)
2. The White House of President Camacho - Austin, Texas and the actual White House, Washington D.C.
The headquarters of President Dwayne Elizondo "Mountain Dew" Herbert Camacho (Terry Crews), the gun-toting, ex-wrestler-turned-commander-in-chief, was filmed at two locations:
1: President Camacho drives down the main approach to the "U.S. Capitol" in the distance with Joe.
> Location: Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, towards the Texas State Capitol
2: The front of the White House looks like an abandoned building, the grounds in disrepair.
> Location: The White House, Washington, D.C., with a CGI makeover.
3. “Ow my balls!” reality show balcony scene - Austin, Texas
Social media and reality star from the most popular show in the U.S., “Ow my balls!”, is kicked from behind off a balcony in a presentation in the Arena before Rehabilitation.
> Location: The balcony of Austin City Lofts, Austin, Texas
4. Brawndo Headquarters – Austin, Texas
The Brawndo electrolyte drink “The Thirst Mutilator” has replaced water in the U.S., making Brawndo Inc. one of the most powerful companies in America.
> Location: Now referred to as the Portals II Building, Washington D.C., it was once the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) at the time of filming.
5. Jet Skiing on the National Mall - Washington D.C.
As the U.S. descends deeper into idiocracy, all reverence for the national parks and monuments is lost on the populace, and once hallowed ground like the National Mall is now only used as a glorified RV campground and water sports park for jet skiers.
> Location:The National Mall, Washington D.C.
6. Brawndo Water Tower - San Francisco, California
As Brawndo "The Thirst Mutilator" electrolyte drinks take over as the chosen water supply for U.S. citizens, Brawndo makes sure everyone knows about it by branding water towers with the Brawndo logo.
> Location: The Alcatraz Island Water Tower, Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California
7. Identity and Aptitude Processing Center (IPPA) - Austin, Texas
After being wrongly convicted of stealing from the hospital, Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) is escorted to a prison IQ and Aptitude Test to assess what he is good at and what job he'll be assigned while locked up.
> Location: Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas
8. House for Particular Individuals (prison) - Austin, Texas
Unsure of where he is and what is happening around him, Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) arrives at the House of Particular Individuals (prison) after being convicted for not paying for his hospital visit and not having an identification tattoo.
> Location:Historic Seaholm Power Plant, Austin, Texas
9. Monday Night Rehabilitation Arena (Monster Truck Show)
Thinking that his one-day "rehabilitation" will be easy, Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) soon realizes he's actually been sentenced to a live arena match where a roaring crowd will watch him try and stay alive as he goes up against a giant monster truck.
> Location: Travis County Luedecke Arena, Austin, Texas
10. Abandon elevated highway
After waking up from a forgotten military experiment 500 years in the future, Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) and Rite (Maya Rudolph) are led to the local Costco by Frito Pendejo (Dax Shepard) where they hope to catch a shuttle to the time travel machine. This shot was taken while the elevated highway was under construction. There is a dispute over which Austin interchange was used in the filming of this scene, however, the TX45 junction with TX130 was the only elevated highway interchange under construction in 2005 during filming. You can also identify the unique cross beam atop the third pillar to identify the exact spot.
> Location: Pickle Parkway (TX45 junction with TX130), Austin, Texas
Plan Your Own Idiocracy Film Tour
Feeling inspired (or deeply unsettled)? You can visit the filming locations yourself! Use SetJetters to track down each scene, take your own ShotSyncs, and see how close the real world is getting to Idiocracy (spoiler: uncomfortably close).
Download the SetJetters App and explore filming locations for Idiocracy and countless other films, TV shows, and even video games.
Share your photos, prove you’re smarter than the average 2505 citizen, and climb the SetJetters leaderboard!
For an easier way to discover and visit movie locations, try the SetJetters movie locations map. Who knows? Your next trip might just take you to a piece of cinematic history.
Final Thoughts: Are We Already in Idiocracy?
If you take this film location tour and feel like you’ve stepped into Idiocracy, don’t panic - yet. While the movie exaggerates its satire, it serves as a cautionary tale about where we could be headed. Visiting these locations is a fun way to relive the comedy, but also a chance to reflect on how society shapes its own future.
So, grab your camera, hit the road, and remember: It’s got electrolytes!
