Turbo OutRun has the player make a journey across the United States of America, from New York to Los Angeles. It is a more linear game than its predecessor, offering no forks in the road and therefore less of an incentive to play the game again after completion.
For the most part, the game is very similar to its predecessor, save for new graphics and music. Turbo OutRun offers several new features however, such as weather effects and obstacles which can slow your journey down. Like its predecessor, the player drives a car which looks suspiciously like Ferrari, however rather than being a Ferrari Testarossa, it is a Ferrari F40. You are also set against a rival opponent, driving what appears to be a white Porsche 959 (a nod towards the rivalry between Ferrari and Porsche at that time).
