Based on real life: The story draws heavily from Kerouac's cross-country road trips with friends like Neal Cassady, who are represented by characters in the book. Fictionalization: While the events are largely based on reality, character names are changed and certain details are fictionalized. Autobiographical elements: Many consider "On the Road" to be a semi-autobiographical novel, with the main character "Sal Paradise" serving as a stand-in for Kerouac himself.