The road outlay in the opening credits sequence is from a map of north central New Mexico. However, the road names have been changed and the landmarks and town names have been changed or new fictitious ones added.
The original opening in the script shows Jeff Taylor as a photographer in an unnamed war-torn area. He blames himself for the death of a woman, and upon returning to America, quits freelancing and takes a job in San Diego
In the original script, Red talks briefly to Amy in the gas station store at the beginning of the film.
In the script there's another scene after the bridge climax, with Jeff and Amy back at the farm talking to the FBI. The film finishes with the line by Amy, "Next time, we fly". This was deemed out of place and dropped.
Writer/Director Jonathan Mostow got the idea for the film while driving through Las Vegas with his wife.
Kurt Russell was helicoptered in and out of the areas of shooting so he could be with his family in Los Angeles at night.
Red's ('JT Walsh' 's) 18-wheeler is visible in the background behind Earl (M.C. Gainey) when he first approaches Jeff at the gas station.