Road trips are always exciting for the first few minutes, but as the hours drag on, the journey blurs together and the radio starts to repeat the same hits. Transport yourself to exciting lands, plots and adventures with an audiobook to help the time fly by! We’ve compiled a list of what we think are some of the best road trip audiobooks and where you can find them.
Some great audiobook providers include Audible, Libby and BorrowBox (both free with your library card), Spotify Premium, and BBC Sounds. With our top audiobooks picks for every type of reader and adventure, you’ll be disappointed when you arrive and have to hit pause.
Check out our list of the best road trip audiobooks below!
*As with all media, it is important to look into content warnings before reading as not all books will be appropriate for all audiences.
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
8 hours 21 minutes
From the podcasting mind of Amanda Montell, one of the hosts of “Sounds Like a Cult,” comes a linguist’s perspective on cults, fanaticism, and the language that surrounds them. From the seemingly harmless “cult” of CrossFit to the historical nightmare of the Jonestown massacre, Montell explores the fine line between persuasive speech and cult-like devotion. Though this consults academic sources for information, it is presented in an easily digestible, entertaining way.
Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
5 hours 10 minutes
Household legend Carrie Fisher, the actress that brought Star Wars’ Princess Leia to life, chronicles her time on the set of and the aftermath of being involved in this space adventure blockbuster franchise. She recalls her catapult to fame, her infamous affair with a co-star, and more. Reflecting upon this era, Carrie Fisher herself narrates the audiobook. She also includes excerpts from her diary kept at the time of filming, narrated by her daughter, Billie Lourd. This is a must-listen for any Star Wars fan.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
3 hours 25 minutes
This quick modern classic is a favourite of English teachers across the globe. Whether or not this was required reading for you in school, this book is well worth returning to – this time, in audio format! One of Orwell’s most famous novels, Animal Farm follows the animals of Manor Farm as they run out the humans, create their own community, and discover communism. This allegory for the rise of Russian communism includes recognisable figures from the political movement, like Old Major, Napoleon, and Snowball.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
5 hours
Great Gatsby is another modern classic which has influenced much of modern day media. Don’t believe us? It’s the book that informed the movie that inspired the world’s favourite gif: a 2013 Leonardo DiCaprio cheers-ing in a suit with a cocktail as fireworks explode in the background. This story exposes the American dream of rags to riches success, proving that no amount of money can buy love and loyalty. The imagery gives modern readers insight into the glitz and glam of the 1920s, as well as the era’s seedier underbelly. A fairly short listen, Fitzgerald’s popular novel is a well written, moving story told in simple prose. Not to mention, you can brag to your friends and understand obscure media references.
The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
10 hours 45 minutes
The People We Meet on Vacation, also known as You and Me on Vacation in some countries, follows globe-trotting friends Alex and Poppy. The two have gone on yearly holidays together until one summer ruins everything. Bouncing back and forth chronologically, follow the will-they-won’t-they friends in this laugh out loud adventure.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
9 hours 53 minutes
Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Ann Patchett, the Dutch House audiobook is narrated by the soothing tones of American royalty, Tom Hanks. The story spans 50 years following two siblings who grow up on a sprawling estate. When they are unceremoniously kicked out by their step-mother, they must cling to one another to survive. This quiet, off-kilter family story explores how we carry our cherished memories, as well as our traumas, with us.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
13 hours 52 minutes
The wildly popular Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow follows childhood friends Sadie and Sam who bond in the hospital over their shared love of video games. They reunite in university to build their own video game, soon creating a gaming empire. As this book often claims, it is “not a romance, but it is about love.” It explores male-female relationship dynamics, and more importantly, the dynamic of two people co-creating an artistic project.
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
12 hours 10 minutes
A heart-warming read with an engaging narrator, the Bandit Queens begins when members of a small Indian village believe that Geeta’s husband’s disappearance is due to her killing him. Geeta, though just as clueless as the next person about where her husband went, benefits from the rumours of her being a dangerous woman. This reputation assures she is safe and left alone by the community. When Geeta is asked by another woman in the community to help poison her husband, however, she becomes part of a comedy-of-errors-like story. Though humorous, it also navigates heavier topics such as feminism, caste, and religion.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
9 hours 3 minutes
This book is fun to read, but it’s even more incredible to listen to. Daisy Jones and the Six is written as a reporter’s transcript interviewing the most famous rock band of the 1970s and their mysterious breakup at their height. Each character in the audiobook has their own narrator, making for an engaging read. Loosely based on the dramatics of Fleetwood Mac, this story is a whirlwind that you won’t want to end.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
9 hours 54 minutes
The Guest List by Lucy Foley, modern queen of mystery, is less a “closed room” mystery and more of a “closed community” mystery. For an over-the-top celebrity wedding, friends and family come to a luxurious, isolated island off the coast of Ireland. The best part of this story is not only trying to discover who the murderer is, but also who the victim is. Each chapter is from a different character’s perspective, each voiced by their own narrator. This pacey audiobook will keep you on your toes and listening until the end. With lots of twists and turns, will you uncover who the killer is?
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
3 hours 34 minutes
This spooky read from the mind of Neil Gaiman follows only-child Coraline as she and her parents move house. Left to her own devices, she discovers a magical door. It leads to a version of her life, but better! The only difference is that everyone in this world, her parents, friends, and even the mice, have buttons for eyes. Everything is not what it seems, though! Coraline must find a way to save her family from the clutches of a growing evil. Though this scary children’s story is family friendly, it may not be suitable for very small children.
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
10 hours 24 minutes
This much beloved story was Tolkien’s prequel to the Lord of the Rings, dedicated to his children. As such, it reads in a much more playful, whimsical tone great for the whole family. Having read The Lord of the Rings is not a prerequisite for enjoyment. Follow Bilbo Baggins from the comfort of Hobbiton on a grand mission across Middle-earth. Accompanied by Gandalf and 13 dwarves, they endeavour to recover their stolen treasure from the diabolical dragon, Smaug.
The best road trip audiobooks for every trip
Make your road trip an exciting and engaging one, getting the whole car into an audiobook. Whether you’re a group of murder mystery enthusiasts, non-fiction academics, or a family looking for a compelling fantasy, you’ll find it amongst this audiobook compilation. Looking for other ways to keep the car entertained on a road trip? Check out our favourite podcasts to listen to on a trip here!
Let us know if we’re missing anything from this list of the best road trip audiobooks by visiting us on X (Twitter), Facebook or Instagram.
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