40 Best Audiobooks for Road Trips to Snag ASAP

Seriously, can we make the communal audiobook time a thing?! There’s nothing better than being on a roadtrip with friends and listening to a whodunit. The only thing you have to figure out is how to adjust the speed time to everyone’s preferences (and decide who did it!).

These are the best audiobooks for road trips, for different occasions and scenarios.

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

None of This Is True is a chilling psychological thriller. The audiobook is fantastic and includes all kinds of add-ons to make it immersive, including podcast episodes, news and documentary clips, etc.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

None of This Is True was published on July 202, 2023, from Atria Books.

Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter

Such a Bad Influence is definitely one of my favorite top thrillers of 2024. It’s an influencer-gone-wrong story with low-key suspense and 10/10 family drama.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Such a Bad Influence was published on June 4, 2024, from Quirk Books.

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The audio production for this book is sooo good. It feels like you’re listening to a real Rolling Stones interview! This is a fun one to listen to with other people if you’re on a road trip with friends.

This one’s also on my list of the best books for music lovers.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Daisy Jones and the Six was published on March 5, 2019, from Ballantine Books.

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

I didn’t realize this book was narrated by Lauren Graham until I started it, and as a huge Gilmore Girls’ fan, I was so delighted.

This is one of the best audiobooks for women, so if you’re looking to dig in to a new romance audiobook with a little time travel thrown in for your road trip or summer vacation with your girl friends or your best friend, this is definitely the way to go.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

One Italian Summer was published on March 1, 2022, from Atria Books.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Oh Emily Henry. She’s just the best, isn’t she? You know I loved Happy Place (my review!) when it came out, and Funny Story (my review!) quickly became a favorite. If you’re looking for funny audiobooks or rom-coms, this is the way to go.

This is a great audiobook for adults, but I will say this: There are some spicy 🌶️ scenes, so if you don’t want to listen to that with other people 🙃 you may want to save it for a solo trip.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Funny Story was published on April 23, 2024, from Berkley.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures is such a feel-good story with quirky characters, and the audio narration is the best. Marin Ireland is the top audiobook narrators for me! She’s my absolute favorite.

This is such a great road trip book, and it will likely make you and your passengers cry by the end of the story!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Remarkably Bright Creatures was published on May 3, 2022, from Ecco.

Sula by Toni Morrison

SUCH A GOOD BOOK. When you’re on the road, why not tackle your classics to-be-read list?! Sula is a fantastic audiobook because it’s narrated by Toni Morrison herself (slay), and it’s a shorter book, so you can finish it in a shorter road trip.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Sula was published on April 5, 2002, from Plume.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is narrated by Neil himself, and my goodness, it is sheer perfection. Gripping, sufficiently creepy, nostalgic, dark. . . all the best vibes, and it’s relatively short, so it’ll work well with a shorter road trip. The Graveyard Book is excellent, too.

As a side note: I’ve found anything by Neil Gaiman could be listed among some of the best audiobooks for men. Men just love Neil Gaiman! That, and science fiction.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane was published on June 18, 2013, from William Morrow.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

I clearly can’t stop talking about this book! The Heiress is such a fun read with your best friend! Also a great book club book, just FYI. The audiobook brings a new side to Ruby (one of the fabulous, morally grey characters). This gothic suspense mystery is twisty and perfect for a long drive.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Heiress was published on January 9, 2024, from St. Martin’s Press.

Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory by Sarah Polley

This book is astounding. Truly such a remarkable experience. I didn’t know much about Oscar-nominated screenwriter, director, and actor Sarah Polley, but that doesn’t matter.

If you like hearing about life as a child actor, definitely check it out, especially if you have a long car ride to process.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Run Towards the Danger was published on March 1, 2022, from Penguin Press.

All My Knotted Up Life by Beth Moore

This audiobook is one of my all-time favorites. The memoir is narrated by Beth Moore, which is icing on the cake. It feels so intimate to hear her tell her story. I laughed and cried from the same sentence!

I don’t see a ton of people talking about this book. I know it’s not Amy Poehler celebrity-level memoir, but it is honestly just as funny, while also being incredibly vulnerable and heavy.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

All My Knotted Up Life was published on February 21, 2023, from Tyndale House Publishers.

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

Listen, this might not be one a man would pick straight away (lol), but it’s soo funny and would spark a lot of conversation about marriage.

Nora Ephron is a queen, and the audiobook is narrated by Meryl Streep, which is perfection. It also reads more like one big monologue or essay, which I’ve found can work well in one sitting.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Heartburn was published on January 1, 1983, from Random House.

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

We can’t talk about the best audiobooks without mentioning The Dutch House! Narrated by the wonderful Tom Hanks, this book is completely perfect. My husband and I both loved it—it’s a great audiobook option for couples!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Dutch House was published on September 24, 2019, from Harper.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

I said Neil Gaiman was one of the top authors to read for men, didn’t I?! American Gods is a road trip story through the United States, so it’s extra perfect to read with your spouse or partner on the open road!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

American Gods was published on June 19, 2001, from William Morrow.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

This book is such a touching literary fiction book, with a little romance without being too fluffy or overly saccharine. It’s a beautiful book that will only bring you both closer—especially if you’re both literary lovers! Perfect for long road trips!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry was published on April 1, 2014, from Algonquin Books.

Educated by Tara Westover

If you’re looking for some of the best nonfiction audiobooks to listen to together, this one should be on your list. This coming-of-age memoir is going to keep your attention for a long car ride and spark so much conversation.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Educated was published on February 20, 2018, from Random House.

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell

This audiobook, narrated by the author, is ideal for any couples who are podcast junkies. The host of Revisionist History offers the best social science, and even though it’s hard to listen to at times, it’s eye-opening and fascinating.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Talking to Strangers was published on September 10, 2019, from Little, Brown and Company.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

This is a beautiful, epic coming-of-age story, and the narrator gives Grandpa-by-the-fireplace-reading-a-story vibes. You and your spouse will fall in love with the characters in this story.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

This Tender Land was published on September 3, 2019, from Atria Books.

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

This book is a little polarizing, and it wasn’t a five-star for me, but I do think it would be such a good road trip audiobook for couples. Listen, the irony is not lost on me that this is a book about a breakup 😂 . But hear me out!

There’s so much to unpack in this book, and Dolly really provides a lot of commentary on emotional intelligence and vulnerability in male and female friendships, expectations of motherhood and family life, and so much more—if you’re into that. The audiobook narrator is wonderful.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Good Material was published on November 7, 2023, from Fig Free.

Zoey Sassafras Series by Asia Citro

The Zoey Sassafras series, starting with Dragons and Marshmallows, is such a fun fantasy early chapter book to read aloud or listen to on audio! This series has kept my four-year-old entertained for road trips, and the narrator is awesome.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Dragons and Marshmallows was published on March 14, 2017, from The Innovation Press.

The WellieWishers series by Valerie Tripp

This American Girl series, the WellieWishers, has completely captivated my toddler and preschooler! Emerson and the Princess Peep is one of their favorite early chapter books.

The illustrations are great, so maybe get the physical copy as well, but the audio is so fun! If you’re just starting with early chapter books, this series really encourages a love of reading in little ones.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Emerson and the Princess Peep was published on June 18, 2018, from American Girl Publishing.

Rosie and the Pre-Loved Dress by Leanne Hatch

We stumbled upon this picture book by chance, and the audiobook is perfect! If you need a quick reset to capture your kids’ attention on a road trip, this one will do it! It’s sooo cute and unique, too.

If your little one struggles with outgrowing things and saying goodbye to items, you have a good reason to pick this book up.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Rosie and the Pre-Loved Dress was published on June 14, 2022, from G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers.

The Llama Llama books by Anna Dewdney

The best thing we did on a road trip with kids was get the Llama Llama series on audio. The author, Anna Dewdney, reads all the books back to back, so it’s a looooong story time.

And of course, she’s very animated and entertaining. We love Llama Llama Red Pajama the most! Go grab your library card and place a hold on her whole series!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Lllama Llama Red Pajama was published on May 5, 2005, by Viking.

Little Blue Truck books by Alice Schertle

The Little Blue Truck series is a favorite in our house, but have you ever tried them on audio? They’re so entertaining. There’s already a sing-songy nature to the book, so it’s really fun.

We love Little Blue Truck Leads the Way the most—I could definitely recite it in my sleep, haha! The series is seasonal, too, which is why it’s on my best children’s book read-alouds about fall list and my best winter books for toddlers list.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Little Blue Truck Leads the Way was published on October 19, 2009, from Clarion Books.

Winnie-the-Pooh series by A. A. Milne

We love to watch Winne-the-Pooh, so why not listen to it on audio for the next road trip? I will say, the language is much more mature, so this may not work for every preschooler. But it’s a classic children’s book, and it’s fun for the whole family.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Winnie-the-Pooh was republished on October 1, 2001, by Dutton Juvenile.

Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel

This is a beloved series for the whole family! It’s perfect for a road trip because you can listen to all the stories together. We love Frog and Toad Together, the second book. This is a classic, which won’t be for every kid, but we love it!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Frog and Toad Together was published on March 6, 1999, from HarperCollins.

Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo

If Kate DiCamillo isn’t on your kids’ book list, what are you even doing? This is a fun early chapter book series, and it’s fun on audio, too. Funny, silly, and entertaining the whole way through. The first book is Mercy Watson to the Rescue.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue was published on August 23, 2005, from Candlewick Press.

Starla Jean series by Elana K. Arnold

We love this series so much!! The first book, Starla Jean: Which Came First: The Chicken or the Friendship? is silly and fun. Tilly, my four-year-old, wouldn’t let me read anything else for a solid week!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Starla Jean: Which Came First: The Chicken or the Friendship? was published on January 19, 2021, from Roaring Brook Press.

The Complete Tales of Peter Rabbit and Friends

If you’re looking for another classic kids’ book to listen to on your road trip, The Complete Tales of Peter Rabbit is the way to go. The narrator sounds like a grandmother reading to your kids in the back seat of the car! What’s better than that?!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Complete Tales of Peter Rabbit was published on January 1, 1991, from Courage Books.

Unicorn Academy series by Stephen Groo

This one has a cult following, y’all! We haven’t gotten into the Netflix show yet, but the audiobooks are fantastic. Start with the first one, Sophia and Rainbow. What’s not to love about rainbows and unicorns?

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Unicorn Academy: Sophia and Rainbow was published on January 7, 2021, and independently published.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Listen, I named my daughter Matilda, I’m going to have to include Roald Dahl on a list of the best audiobooks for kids!

Matilda is a wonderful listen (it’s narrated by Kate Winslet, people!!), and the audiobook reviews agree with me, but you could do any Roald Dahl book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, the list goes on! We haven’t done Roald Dahl yet with my daughter since she’s too young, but I’ve listened on my own.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Matilda was published on June 1, 1998, by Puffin.

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

Charlotte’s Web is just one of those classics every kid remembers reading for the first time. Why not make your road trip extra special by listening to this gem of a book altogether? This one is full cast production, and one of the narrator’s is Meryl Streep. 😍

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Charlotte’s Web was republished on October 1, 2001, by HarperCollins.

The Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall

If ever a book was made for eight- to -twelve-year-olds but enjoyed but adults as well, it’s this one. I adore the Penderwick sisters and all the adventures they go on!

It’s also a great book to gently introduce heavier themes like grief and loss in a safe way. A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy is the first book in the series.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Penderwicks #1 was republished on March 1, 2007, by Yearling.

Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis

I mean, it kind of goes without saying that this is one of the best audiobooks for tweens to listen on a road trip—or literally anywhere! The adventure, heart, humor, love . . . it’s just such a wonderful, gripping series.

You can listen to the Chronicles of Narnia in a number of ways, from audiobooks and audio dramas with sound effects to read-alouds on YouTube. So if you’re looking for audiobooks for kids for free, this is a great series to go with.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was republished on January 1, 2005, from HarperCollins.

Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca

This is another obvious one, but if your tweens haven’t read the Magic Tree House series, you’re all missing out! The first book, Dinosaurs Before Dark, is jam-packed with adventure, intrigue, and fun dinosaur facts! Seriously, it’s like a short history book for dinosaurs, haha.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Dinosaurs Before Dark was published on July 28, 1992, from Random House.

Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend

This is one of the best audiobooks for road trips, adults or children category! My kids aren’t even old enough for this one, and I’ve already read the first three books in the series. The audiobook narrator really brings the characters to life. Nevermoor is one of the most heartwarming middle grade books out there.

It’s a relatively new book series, so it will be fun to start them now and wait with anticipation for every other book! This is Harry Potty–vibes kind of magic. Quirky, fun, and atmospheric!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow was published on October 31, 2017, from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Another magical, sweet middle grade book! Kelly Barnhill writes lots of books for kids, but they’re so enjoyable for adults as well. The Girl Who Drank the Moon has some of the most lovable characters, and the audiobook narrator is excellent.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon was published on August 9, 2016, from Algonquin Young Readers.

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

This fantasy middle grade story is so engaging! The magic system has to do with colors, which kids have a lot of fun with. It’s a very whimsical audiobook!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

Furthermore was published on August 30, 2016, from Dutton Books for Young Readers.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

This is the PERFECT listen for your family! Start with The Lightning Thief, book one in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, and you and your tween will have a blast on your road trip! It’s the ultimate childhood fantasy series.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Lightning Thief was published on March 1, 2006, from Disney Hyperion Books.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

What a delightful realistic fiction middle grade book! Some heavier topics in this book, so just be aware, but this one is fun with some quirky characters you won’t soon forget. And it’s a road trip story, which is just perfect!

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise was published on January 8, 2019, from Henry Holt & Company.