There's something magical about a road trip. The open road, the changing scenery, and that unbeatable feeling of freedom. But let's be real: long hours behind the wheel can get dull fast. That's where audiobooks come in.
For me, a great audiobook can make a road trip unforgettable. Audiobooks keep me entertained, whether I'm laughing at a comedy, gripping the wheel during a thriller, or getting lost in a fantasy world. They make the miles fly by. Plus, they're the perfect hands-free way to enjoy a good story while staying focused on the road.
If you're looking for the best audiobooks for road trips, you're in the right place. In this guide, I'll share my top picks for 2025. You'll find the best audiobooks for road trips. I'll also include recommendations for family trips, couple trips, and some funny and mystery book picks at the end. For a bouns tip, I'll walk you through the best ways to play audiobooks in your car, so you can start listening right away.
Part 1. Best Audiobooks for Road Trips in 2025
#1. Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir
Narrator: Ray Porter
Genre: Science Fiction
Length: 16 hours, 10 minutes
Target Audience: Sci-fi geeks and puzzle lovers.
Plot:
Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there. His crew is dead, and he's humanity's last hope to reverse a solar dimming that threatens life on Earth. It's a thrilling mix of problem-solving, humor, and cosmic stakes.
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
This audiobook sucks you in from the first minute. The pacing is fantastic, and Ray Porter's narration makes every scientific concept sound thrilling. It's like listening to The Martian meets Interstellar, making it one of the best audiobooks for car trips if you love sci-fi.
#2. 11/22/63 – Stephen King
Narrator: Craig Wasson
Genre: Historical Fiction/Thriller
Length: 30 hours, 44 minutes
Target Audience: History buffs, thriller lovers, and King fans.
Plot:
Jake Epping, a high school teacher, discovers a time portal and sets out to stop JFK's assassination. But messing with history comes with unexpected consequences—and a dash of King's signature suspense.
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
This is one of the best books on tape for road trips if you love history, time travel, and suspense. I remember listening to this while driving through the Midwest, and I was so engrossed that I nearly missed my turn. It's long, but it never drags.
#3. American Gods – Neil Gaiman
Narrator: Full cast (led by Ron McLarty and Daniel Oreskes)
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 19 hours, 39 minutes
Target Audience: Fantasy enthusiasts and road trip romantics.
Plot:
Shadow Moon, a recently released convict, gets caught in a war between old gods and new gods. His journey across America is filled with bizarre encounters, ancient myths, and supernatural twists.
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
Gaiman's storytelling mixed with a stellar full-cast narration makes this an epic audiobook for long car trips. The story itself is a road trip across America, so it feels fitting when you're out on the open road.
#4. Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Narrator: Stephen Fry
Genre: Mystery
Length: 62 hours, 52 minutes (Note: A shorter curated version is available at 18+ hours)
Target Audience: Mystery lovers and classic lit fans.
Plot:
Follow the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson as they crack cases like The Hound of the Baskervilles and A Study in Scarlet. It's brainy, witty, and timeless.
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
Stephen Fry is a storytelling genius. His voice makes you feel like you're sitting by a fireplace, listening to a masterful storyteller. If you're on a mystery audiobook road trip, this is the one to pick. Plus, the short stories are ideal for quick stops or long hauls—you can pause and pick up without losing the thread.
#5. Unbroken – Laura Hillenbrand
Narrator: Edward Herrmann
Genre: Nonfiction/Biography
Length: 13 hours, 56 minutes
Target Audience: History buffs and fans of survival tales.
Plot:
This is the true story of Louis Zamperini. He was an Olympian and later a WWII pilot. He survived a plane crash, weeks on a raft, and harsh POW camps. It's raw and inspiring.
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
I cried (safely!) listening to this on a solo trip. Herrmann's gravitas makes Zamperini's grit leap out, turning a mundane drive into an emotional journey. If you're on a long drive and need something gripping yet uplifting, this is one of the best audiobooks for road trips.
#6. World Travel: An Irreverent Guide – Anthony Bourdain with Laurie Woolever
Narrator: Full cast (including Bourdain's own recordings)
Genre: Travel/Nonfiction
Length: 12 hours, 12 minutes
Target Audience: Foodies, wanderers, and Bourdain fans.
Plot:
Bourdain takes you on a global jaunt, dishing out unfiltered takes on food, culture, and quirky travel tips—told by his longtime assistant..
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
If you love road tripping and food, this audiobook is perfect. It's like having Bourdain riding shotgun, sharing travel stories while you drive. I played this on a coastal drive, and Bourdain's voice felt like a wise, sarcastic co-pilot.
#7. The Four Winds – Kristin Hannah
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 15 hours, 2 minutes
Target Audience: Fans of epic family sagas and strong female leads.
Plot:
Elsa Wolcott fights to keep her family alive during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. It's a heart-wrenching tale of resilience amid drought and despair.
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
Whelan's warm narration hooked me on a Midwest trip—perfect timing as I passed endless fields. It's a slow burn that matches the rhythm of a long drive. If you enjoy historical fiction, this is one of the best audiobooks for a car trip that will stick with you long after the drive.
#8. On the Road – Jack Kerouac
Narrator: Will Patton
Genre: Fiction/Beat Literature
Length: 11 hours, 8 minutes
Target Audience: Free spirits and lit lovers.
Plot:
Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty crisscross America in a haze of jazz, freedom, and restless energy. It's the ultimate road trip vibe.
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
I cranked this up on a spontaneous weekend getaway, and Patton's jazzy delivery made me want to ditch the GPS and just keep going. It's pure wanderlust fuel. If you want a free-spirited, poetic, and adventurous vibe, this is a must-listen audiobook for road trips.
#9. Born a Crime – Trevor Noah
Narrator: Trevor Noah
Genre: Memoir
Length: 8 hours, 44 minutes
Target Audience: Comedy fans and memoir readers.
Plot:
Trevor Noah recounts growing up in apartheid South Africa as the son of a Black mother and white father—a "crime" at the time. It's funny, poignant, and eye-opening.
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
Noah's storytelling is pure gold. I laughed so hard listening to this one on a solo drive that I had to pull over. It's perfect for a funny audiobook for road trips.
#10. Becoming – Michelle Obama
Narrator: Michelle Obama
Genre: Memoir
Length: 19 hours, 3 minutes
Target Audience: Inspirational seekers and history fans.
Plot:
Michelle Obama shares her journey from Chicago's South Side to the White House, blending personal struggles with her time as First Lady. It's honest and uplifting.
Why It's Great for Road Trips:
I listened to this on a family drive, and her voice felt like a warm hug. It feels like you're having a deep conversation with a wise friend while driving. It's inspiring enough to make you want to chase your own dreams—maybe even on the road! If you're looking for something meaningful, you can't miss out on this one.
Part 2. How to Play Audiobooks in Your Car
All the audiobooks I've shared—like Project Hail Mary and Born a Crime—are on Audible. It's my go-to for road trip stories. But getting them to play in my car took some trial and error.
At first, I tried Bluetooth and CarPlay. They worked, but reconnecting was a hassle every time I stopped. So, I switched to downloading my Audible books, converting them, and saving them on a USB drive. Now, I just plug it into my car's media player, and it works flawlessly. I've used this trick on long trips through dead zones, and it never cuts out. Plus, I download several books before hitting the road, so I can switch from a sci-fi thriller to a comedy memoir anytime. For some detailed tutorials on how to play Audible books on different car systems, go check the articles below.
✔️ FYI: How to Play Audible in a Car
✔️ FYI: How to Play Audible on Android Auto while Driving
✔️ FYI: How to Listen to Audible Books on Tesla
✔️ FYI: How to Listen to Audible on Apple CarPlay
The catch? Audible books have DRM protection, so they won't play on most car systems as-is. I use ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter to remove DRM and convert them into MP3s at 100x speed—super fast! It supports 15 audio formats, so it works on almost any device. You can try it free by clicking the trial button.
Key Features of ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter
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- Convert Audible audiobook to unprotected audio formats like MP3
- Split Audible book into several smaller segments by chapter or by time
- Support playing Audible audiobooks on any device or media player
- Handle the conversion of Audible audiobooks up to 100× faster speed
Whether you stream with Bluetooth or go the USB route, test your setup first. Nothing's worse than hitting the road and realizing your audiobook won't play—trust me, I've learned the hard way!
Part 3. More Recommendations about Best Audiobooks for Car Trips
Q1.What are the best family audiobooks for road trips?
A1. Harry Potter series – J.K. Rowling (Fantasy, Adventure)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis (Classic, Fantasy)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl (Fun, Whimsical)
The Penderwicks – Jeanne Birdsall (Heartwarming, Family-Friendly)
Q2.What are some funny audiobooks for road trips?
A2. Born a Crime – Trevor Noah (Memoir, Comedy)
Is This Anything? – Jerry Seinfeld (Stand-up, Humor)
Bossypants – Tina Fey (Memoir, Comedy)
Good Omens – Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett (Satirical Fantasy)
Q3.What are the best mystery audiobooks for a road trip?
A3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson (Thriller, Crime)
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty (Suspense, Drama)
Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn (Psychological Thriller)
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency – Alexander McCall Smith (Cozy Mystery)
Q4.What are the best audiobooks for couples traveling together?
A4. The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion (Romantic Comedy)
The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern (Fantasy, Romance)
Me Before You – Jojo Moyes (Romance, Drama)
People We Meet on Vacation – Emily Henry (Lighthearted, Romantic)
Conclusion
A great audiobook makes any road trip more enjoyable. Whether you prefer thrillers, comedy, or family-friendly stories, there's something for everyone. Just set up your playback method, download your favorites, and hit the road. If you need a reliable way to play audiobooks in your car, try ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter! Happy listening and safe travels!
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Matt Smith, a digital entertainment industry enthusiast at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing insightful commentary and solutions for music and media-related topics, including industry trends, analysis, and recommendations.
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