The season begins in Beverly Hills, where the eight competing teams are instructed to prepare a signature dish that must be sold for at least $20. Later, they are given a second challenge to compete in San Francisco.

Tyler Florence sends the seven remaining teams to Portland, Oregon, where they are unable to restock their supplies. Later, they are told geoduck must be their main ingredient in all menu items.

In Pocatello, Idaho, the teams face a potato (what else?) challenge. They are told to remove all starches from their menus. Their next challenge finds them digging up spuds at a local farm.

The five remaining teams meet Tyler at Mount Rushmore, where they are given money to shop for supplies in Rapid City, S.D., but without use of their cars. The next day, a side of bison must be butchered and use it in all their dishes.

Four teams face the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) challenges, which includes serving food on a stick and cooking with spam.

The teams face a pizza challenge, judged by Chicago's mayor, Rahm Emanuel. Later, the teams must incorporate hot dogs in all of their menu items.

In the "Great Food Truck Race" finale, the teams go all over the East Coast, beginning with a stop in Annapolis, Maryland, followed by a crab challenge - and a surprise elimination - at a Chesapeake Bay wharf.