22 of the Best Audiobooks for Road Trips

Road trips can be a fantastic adventure… or a mind-numbing bore. Make sure your next road trip is all that you hoped for by tipping the scales in your favor with an entertaining audiobook! Whether you’ve got a family road trip with hard-to-please kids in tow or are striking out on the open road alone, this list of the best audiobooks for road trips will help you find the perfect listen to make the miles fly by. From laugh-out-loud memoirs to spine-chilling mysteries to epic science fiction and fantasy, our best audiobooks for road trips list is chock full of awesome entertainment options. Happy listening!

Where'd You Go, Bernadette: A Novel
Narrator: Kathleen Wilhoite
Run time: 09:36:01
Why it's worth a listen: Bernadette Fox — a once-famous architect turned infamous mother — goes missing, leaving her precocious tween daughter to unravel the mystery of where she could have gone. If you’re looking for a funny and witty audiobook, look no further. Wilhoite is a master voice actor who treats readers to a divine theatrical reading reminiscent of the radio shows of old.
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Run time: 12:10:17
Why it's worth a listen: On multiple best books of the year lists (including BookBub’s Best Books of 2018 roundup), this memoir follows Westover as she leaves her survivalist family in Idaho at the age of 17 and enters modern society. Without any formal education, Tara’s long-withheld quest for knowledge eventually propels her to Harvard and later Cambridge University. Julia Whelan’s strong narration beautifully captures the indomitable spirit of Westover, whose story will engage even the most discerning audiobook listener.
Magpie Murders
Narrator: Samantha Bond & Allan Corduner
Run time: 15:47:30
Why it's worth a listen: An NPR Best Book of 2017, Magpie Murders is an incredibly suspenseful listen. Will you be able to solve this whodunit? Editor Susan Ryeland comes to believe a hidden story lays within the pages of a popular author’s new manuscript. A mystery within a mystery, Magpie Murders is exceptionally clever, and the narrators’ British accents transport you to merry ole England, making the mystery landscape exceptionally vivid.
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Narrator: Richard Matthews
Run time: 18:22:57
Why it's worth a listen: Award-winning travel author Bill Bryson takes readers on a different kind of exploratory journey in A Short History of Nearly Everything. This time, he asks big questions about both human civilization and the universe; explorations he undertakes with his trademark wit intact. Narrator Richard Matthews chats knowingly about Bryson’s findings and has perfect comic timing!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Narrator: Stephen Fry
Run time: 05:51:33
Why it's worth a listen: Nominated as one of America’s most beloved books by PBS’s Great American Read, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is humorous, whimsical science fiction at its best. Arthur Dent is plucked from Earth mere seconds before the planet is demolished to make way for an intergalactic highway. What follows is pure comedy genius. Acclaimed British actor Stephen Fry masterfully narrates this romp, which is sure to have you laughing out loud!
Long Way Down
Narrator: Jason Reynolds
Run time: 01:43:28
Why it's worth a listen: If you’re looking for a quick book for a short road trip, check out this young adult novel by acclaimed author Jason Reynolds. Reynolds narrates this poignant story of one teen boy with a gun and the elevator ride that’s going to change his life. Long Way Down would be a great selection for any roadtrip with a teen, as it’s a novel meant to be mulled over and discussed.
Ready Player One
Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Run time: 15:40:15
Why it's worth a listen: Wade spends his life in Oasis, a virtual realm that protects him from the harsh outside world of 2044. When Wade stumbles onto a puzzle by the creator of Oasis, one which offers riches to the first to solve it, he becomes embroiled in a deadly game. A worldwide bestseller, Ready Player One was nominated as one of America’s most beloved books by PBS’s Great American Read. Star Trek alum Wil Wheaton’s narration sucks you right into this science fiction masterpiece.
The Hate U Give
Narrator: Bahni Turpin
Run time: 11:40:28
Why it's worth a listen: A thought-provoking and essential young adult book, The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr Carter, a black teenager who witnesses the fatal police shooting of her best friend. A media frenzy follows, and Starr faces immense pressure to share — or hide — the truth of what happened that night. Narrator Turpin inhabits each character’s voice and personality so distinctly, you’ll be questioning whether it’s really only one person narrating each part (it was)!
Bird Box
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Run time: 09:09:04
Why it's worth a listen: A thrilling mix of horror and suspense set in a dystopian world gone mad, Bird Box isn’t for the faint of heart. Something terrible is out in the world — something that must go unseen or a person will go violently mad. Cassandra Campbell narrates with creepy efficiency, creating a viscerally haunting world.
The Wife Between Us
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Run time: 11:13:31
Why it's worth a listen: Gone Girl fans will love The Wife Between Us, a 2018 Indie Next Pick and instant bestseller. This story about a wife replaced by a younger woman is full of clever, shocking twists. Can you read between the lines and guess what’s going to happen next? Probably not, but the miles will pass quickly as you give it your best shot! Whelan does a fantastic job of creating distinctive voices for the three main characters, and perfectly captures the husband’s condescension towards the people in his life.
Everything I Never Told You
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Run time: 10:01:54
Why it's worth a listen: Named to more than 15 best books of the year lists — including NPR and Entertainment WeeklyEverything I Never Told You is an emotionally complex exploration of family dynamics. Lydia is the favorite child of a white mother and Chinese father living in 1970s Ohio. In a time ripe with racism, her parents’ shared hope for Lydia’s future binds them together, but when her body washes up dead at the local lake, the family’s tenuous balancing act begins to unravel. Cassandra Campbell, whose voice is soft and silky, is the perfect choice to narrate this cerebral literary offering.
A Wrinkle in Time
Narrator: Collected Narrators
Run time: 06:26:54
Why it's worth a listen: Join Meg and her friends on a grand adventure as they travel through space and time in search of her missing father. A Wrinkle in Time is a science fiction classic and won the 1963 Newbery Medal. It’s the perfect audiobook for a family road trip — it’s age appropriate and engaging for everyone. Hope Davis serves as the primary narrator and does a fantastic job of capturing the youthful voice of 13-year-old Meg.
Red Rising
Narrator: Tim Gerard Reynolds
Run time: 16:12:02
Why it's worth a listen: Red Rising follows Darrow, a member of society’s lowest caste, as he risks his life to infiltrate the elite Golds and bring down the overlords that have been oppressing his people for generations. Tim Gerard Reynolds masterfully portrays the large cast of characters, giving each their own distinct voice. Fans of sophisticated science fiction with epic-scale worldbuilding will find this audiobook offering captivating.
Narrator: Craig Wasson
Run time: 30:38:44
Why it's worth a listen: President Kennedy was shot and killed in November 1963. But what if he wasn’t? What if someone travelled back in time to save him? How would the world change? 11/22/63 transports the listener back in time as Jake Epping seeks to change history. Craig Wasson’s narration adds searing dramatic tension to King’s slow-boil alternative history.
Narrator: Steven Crossley
Run time: 12:00:04
Why it's worth a listen: Those looking for a laugh-out-loud audiobook will find a lot to love in Jonasson’s tale about a centenarian that decides to leave his nursing home for a grand adventure. Steven Crossley’s whimsical narration adds another layer of fun to this story, which is far-fetched in the best possible way. Prepare to be charmed!
Travels With Charley In Search Of America
Narrator: Gary Sinise
Run time: 07:59:46
Why it's worth a listen: Classic literature fans will love this Gary Sinise-narrated audiobook. In 1960, John Steinbeck took a road trip across America seeking to reacquaint himself with the country of his novels, accompanied by his poodle Charley. Listening to Travels with Charley is like accompanying an American writing legend on an odyssey of discovery, and Sinise’s voice adds a philosopher’s gravitas to the journey.
American Gods
Narrator: George Guidall
Run time: 20:53:03
Why it's worth a listen: In American Gods, Neil Gaiman masterfully mixes satire, mystery, and adventure into a road trip saga, in which traditional gods struggle to stay relevant in the age of new gods, like media and money. Guidall captures Odin’s crusty persona, and his narration adds a unique noirish atmosphere to the tale. With American Gods, you’ll get the adventure of two road trips for the price of one!
A Game of Thrones
Narrator: Roy Dotrice
Run time: 33:48:05
Why it's worth a listen: If you’re looking for an epic novel to accompany your epic road trip, then the Game of Thrones series is a perfect choice. Fans of the show who haven’t read the books will enjoy the deeper storytelling of the novel, and those who haven’t yet delved into the Game of Thrones universe will find themselves quickly captivated by the power struggles, betrayals, deaths, and of course, dragons. There’s a reason Game of Thrones is an international sensation, and Roy Dotrice’s audiobook version ups the dramatic tension of an already intense experience.
Narrator: Davina Porter
Run time: 32:37:45
Why it's worth a listen: Outlander, a lavish time-travel romance, has legions of fans and spawned a hit TV series. If you haven’t read the books, it’s time to find out what all the fuss is about. While the over-600 page novel may feel intimidating, the audiobook is a delight, as narrator Davina Porter has a gift with accents and beautifully captures Jamie’s sexy Scottish brogue. You’ll swoon for Jamie, and be downloading the second book in the series in record time.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
Narrator: Collected Narrators
Run time: 04:37:09
Why it's worth a listen: Looking for a light but thoughtful audiobook for your road trip? If you love Nora Ephron and Tina Fey, don’t miss Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Kaling fans will enjoy an inside look at her life, and those unacquainted with Kaling will be entertained by her witty ponderings on friendship, romance, and fame. Kaling narrates much of the book, and her enthusiasm for the material is infectious.
Narrator: Collected Narrators
Run time: 11:07:20
Why it's worth a listen: In the world of Dry, residents of California wake up to find their taps have run dry. Separated from her parents and in charge of her brother, Alyssa is forced to make choices no teen should face in order to keep her family alive. The narrators do an excellent job of ratcheting up the tension and pacing as the stakes for the young protagonists grow ever more dire.
Failure Is An Option
Narrator: H. Jon Benjamin
Run time: 04:58:38
Why it's worth a listen: David Sedaris fans will love H. Jon Benjamin, the funny man behind Archer and Bob’s Burgers. Benjamin takes on the challenge of a memoir and succeeds with aplomb, chronicling the ups and downs of his life and highlighting some of his epic failures that turned into springboards for future successes. His narration feels like you’re listening to a really funny and insightful friend at your local hangout!