long road trip activities

Road Trip Activities for Adults: Fun Ideas for a Long Car Ride

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I (The Winding Road Tripper) earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more . 

Ready to have some fun in the car on your road trip? 

Whether this is your first time on the road or you’re a seasoned road trip adventurer, those long stretches on the highway can get a little monotonous. 

So if you are looking for a list of fun things to do in the car on a road trip for adults, you’ve come to the right place.

This list will give you plenty of ideas on how to enjoy your time in the car and make some travel memories.

We’ve got fun games for couples, introspective activities for the solo road warrior, and adventurous ways to make surprising uses of the technology you already have. 

Who says that doing fun things in the car on a road trip is only for kids? 

Listen to Music

If you’re headed out on a long adventure, make an exciting road trip playlist for you and your travel companions. 

Here are a few tips for making an absolute banger of a playlist that will become a memory all on its own.

• Explore new genres and artists you normally wouldn’t listen to.
• Put on some of the tunes that were big in your high school days. Finding out which songs still hold up and which should have been retired is a daring journey in itself.
• Share DJ duty. Exploring music your travel companions love will give you a chance to get to know more about them. Who knows, you might find out that French pop songs from the 50s are your thing!

Play Carpool Karaoke

Want to live your very own James Cordon’s Carpool Karaoke like you’re on The Late Late Show? Carpool Karaoke lets everyone take center stage. 

Carpool Karaoke gets better the more people you have on the ride. If you got a full van full of friends, then you were traveling with the band.

You can even throw in one of these Bluetooth microphones to take your carpool karaoke experience to the next level. 

Listen to a Podcast

Podcasts are contemporary radio. You’ve got episodic fiction podcasts that keep you on the edge of your seat. And also informative shows that give you insight into the world you’re driving through. There’s a podcast out there for you, no matter what your tastes are. 

Here are a few exciting podcasts that you can take on the road with you.

• The Black Tapes — This serialized fiction podcast takes a thriller spin on the NPR formula. You’ll follow a journalist as she explores not only her past but a globe-spanning mystery that gets more intense with each episode.
• Working People — This is a down-to-earth show with an eye towards important social issues. Journalist Maximilian Alvarez interviews everyday people, from construction workers to college professors, about their jobs and what’s important to them in their lives.
• This Paranormal Life — Join two “professional” paranormal investigators as they explore everything from UFO sightings to mysterious disappearances in this irreverent comedy podcast.

For even more podcast recommendations for a boredom-free road trip check out: Best Podcasts to Listen to on a Road Trip

Get Artistic

Even if you’re no Rembrandt, a road trip is a surprisingly good place to start exploring your artistic side.

Here’s a game with a spooky title that everyone on your road trip can enjoy: Exquisite Corpse. Each player takes a turn either writing a section of a story or drawing a section of a picture before passing it off to the next player, who then adds their contribution. 

When it’s all said and done, you’ve got a unique piece of artwork made by everyone on the ride.

The Museum of Modern Art has a great primer on the history of the Exquisite corpse . 

You can also pull over on the shoulder of the road and try your hand painting a beautiful sunset or pull out your phone and get in touch with your photographic side.

No matter which way you go, your next road trip is a great way to explore your hidden love of the arts.

If none of these podcasts strike your fancy, open up your favorite podcast app and take this as an opportunity to start exploring new shows you wouldn’t normally listen to. 

Listen to an Audiobook

The open road is one of the best places to throw on an audiobook. 

A little secret about audiobooks and road trips is that they give you something interesting to listen to as well as give everybody in the car a little break from socializing.

Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential is a great book for road trips. This book shares a chef’s behind-the-scenes view of restaurants. You’ll get to explore the unseen parts of the restaurant world while you explore the countryside. 

For more audiobooks that will keep you entertained throughout your long drive check out our list of the best audiobooks for road trips .

Play a Trivia Game

Trivia games never get old when you’re on the road.

There are countless trivia games out there. When picking a trivia game, a solid piece of advice is to find a game or subject where no one is the clear expert. 

These games are a fun way to test your knowledge and pick up new and exciting facts. They’re also a great way to start conversations.

There are some exciting trivia apps available on our smartphones that you can check out our list of the best road trip game apps .

Or if you want to test your road trip trivia knowledge, check out our 20 Intriguing Road Trip Trivia Questions .

Play the Question Game to Spark Conversations

If you’re looking to fill the silence, you can always try some fun and deep road trip questions.

Games like Table Topics present you with interesting questions designed to fire up a memorable conversation. Table Topics has a wide variety of additions, including one specifically for couples.

We also created an amazing list of road trip questions that both couples and friends can use.

Check it out here: Road Trip Questions: 149 Fun and Deep Conversation Starters

Play a Classic Road Trip Game

Now let’s talk about some classic road trip games.

These are timeless hits for a reason. When your phone is running low on batteries and you’re getting a little tired of The Epic Road Trip Playlist, you can always rely on these old throwbacks.

Games like 21 Questions and the License Plate Game are iconic staples of entertainment while on the road. They’re also a great way to relive the nostalgia of going on road trips as a kid.

Check out our list of 15 Ridiculously Fun Road Trip Games for more games to keep you entertained.

Find Fun Places to Stop on Your Road Trip

Part of the excitement of being on a road trip is giving yourself the freedom to stop whenever you want. While you’re out there on the road, your co-pilot can be looking for exciting places to stop.

Google Maps is a good place to start, but if you really want to see what’s out there, make sure to download the Roadtrippers app before you leave home. 

Roadtrippers will help you find everything from great mom-and-pop diners to historic destinations that you can swing by on your road trip.

The whole point of a road trip is to get out there and explore and make memories. Years down the road, that photograph of the two of you standing in front of The World’s Largest Candle in Indiana is going to be worth its weight in gold.

Turn Off the Radio

Turning off the radio may be the opposite of what you think of when you are looking for activities to keep you entertained on a road trip. 

Our lives have never been busier. And we don’t have many opportunities just to be. 

So if you find those long stretches starting to get a little monotonous, turn off the radio and sit with your thoughts. 

There’s something about the open road with the scenery rolling by that allows us to be honest with ourselves. Turning off the radio gives you the mental space to puzzle through those lingering thoughts.

While we love the quirky tourist traps and the adventures along the way, a road trip is also an opportunity to explore yourself and/or get to know your traveling companion.

Find More Road Trip Fun Here: 15 Ridiculously Fun Road Trip Games for Two People Road Trip Questions For Couples: 149 Fun and Deep Conversation Starters

The 12 Most Fun Things to Do on a Long Road Trip

Roadtrips have always been a fun way to travel – whether it be short trips across states or traveling across the country. 

You get to see a variety of new places, check out once-in-a-lifetime pit stops, and make memories on the road that’ll last a lifetime – but when you find yourself on never-ending roads without a good view in sight, there are bound to be times where you find yourself bored out of your mind. 

Check out this list of 12 fun things to do on long road trips to liven up your adventure and keep the good times rolling – even when things start to get dull. 

Table of Contents

1. Listen to an audiobook. 

Long road trips can get pretty boring if you don’t find ways to preoccupy yourself, but listening to an audiobook is a great way to stay engaged while also staying focused on the road. 

There are so many different types of audiobooks to listen to whether you’d prefer something nonfiction to learn something new or a fictional story to channel your inner creativity. 

Stay on the edge of your seat with an exciting mystery, pull at your heartstrings with a love story, or laugh until you cry with a relatable memoir. 

If you struggle with following a storyline for long periods of time, there are also plenty of options for short stories to enjoy here and there. 

2. Take a detour .

If you have time to spare on your road trip, you can almost never go wrong with taking a detour to explore some of the world’s many wonders along the way. 

Venturing to places you’ve never been before will give you an opportunity to get out and stretch your legs. It’s a win-win! 

Whether it be visiting a quirky roadside attraction, going on a short hike in a state park , or grabbing a drink at a local coffee shop, there are plenty of ways to spend your time. 

Some road trip apps (like Roadtrippers) can even help you decide which places to stop – and can find popular attractions between your start and endpoint. 

3. Listen to a podcast.

Not a fan of books? Another way to keep yourself busy while driving long distances is by listening to a podcast. 

There are so many podcasts out there and new podcasts are entering the world every single day – so there’s always something to listen to. 

Even better is the fact that most podcasts are completely free of charge, so you don’t need to dole out any cash to enjoy the experience. 

Depending on the mood you’re in, you can listen to podcasts that have you questioning the philosophies of the world or laughing your head off to something less serious.

Most phones even come already packed with a podcast app, so it’s easy to start streaming right away! 

4. Take photos.

There are bound to be areas that you drive through on a long road trip that will have you oohing and aahing, so why not stop and take pictures to document your trip?

Even if you don’t own a fancy camera, mobile phones nowadays make for a great substitute – and can capture some pretty cool images. 

While you can always stop on a whim to snag a great photo, planning ahead of time can score you some even better opportunities. 

This may mean taking the road less traveled and adding on extra few miles to your trip – but the scenic route is always more interesting. 

When you’re admiring the world around you, it can make a long, possibly boring trip fly right by. Plus, if you happen to be on a long enough trip, you’ll be rewarded with stellar photo opportunities at sunrise and sunset. 

5. Jam out to music.

Music has a way of brightening up the mood – and the lengthy, usually dull road trip is no exception to the rule. Scientists believe that music helps the brain solidify memories, which is why you may remember a particular event when you hear a certain song. 

While listening to music is a great way to keep yourself entertained, it’s also an amazing way to help your mind store the memories of your trip for years to come. Plus, there’s no better way to bond with friends, family, or your significant other than by jamming out to your favorite songs together. 

Prior to your road trip, create a playlist that you think will fit the mood or simply fill it up with songs you can’t help but sing along to. 

6. Take a nap.

If you’re traveling with a partner or a group of people, there’s nothing wrong with taking a nap… given that you’re not the driver, of course! 

Long naps can make hours seem like minutes – but if you feel bad about leaving your driver to ponder their thoughts, power naps can help you stay an energized copilot. In fact, scientists have proven that power naps are better than long naps since they lessen the chance of grogginess while enhancing productivity, awareness, and even your memory. 

These naps can also come in handy when your driver needs to take a break. You’ll be fully charged to safely take on the road while your partner gets a turn at some shuteye. 

7. Play a game. 

With so many games to play in the car and plenty of ways to make them your own, you can easily keep your entire group entertained as you watch the hours just fly by. 

Most games follow simple rules that any person of any age can follow along with, but this doesn’t make them any less exciting – especially when you can play multiple different games at once. 

A lot of games don’t require constant attention so you can be playing a game based around the songs on the radio while you also play games that revolve around the world that surrounds you. 

For example: play a game where you try to name the artist of a song before your partner does, count how many different states you can find on license plates, or begin with A and look for road signs that start with the letters of the alphabet. The person with the most points at the end of the trip wins! 

You can even play games that have nothing to do with your road trip, such as a classic game of 20 Questions, In My Suitcase, or Would You Rather. 

If you’re bringing kids along for the ride, a good way to keep them entertained is by playing a game of Backseat Bingo – but you’ll need to come prepared with premade/printed bingo cards.

8. Document your travels .

There are so many reasons why starting a travel journal is a great idea, but number one on the list undoubtedly is its ability to keep you distracted on long road trips. While you’re busy writing about your adventures, you won’t even realize how quickly time passes you by. 

Take notes about your favorite parts of your trip to reminisce about later, jot down places you see along the way (but don’t have time to stop at) to fuel a future vacation, or just write about anything that comes to mind. 

These travel journals can become a great tool to plan other trips, provide recommendations to friends and family going on similar drives, and help keep the memories of your travels alive.

You can even utilize the travel journal before you ever get on the road to create a game plan to better decide how you will spend your time. 

9. Use a paper map.

It is always a good idea to keep a paper map handy just in case you end up in a situation where you can’t use your GPS – but it is also a fun way to keep yourself busy on the road. 

Put away the technology and try to tackle the drive on your own using a paper map to guide you through the process and test your abilities. 

This may sound pointless since there’s an easier way to navigate, but the challenge of trying something new is a great way to pass the time. 

10. Stretch your legs.

Sitting in a car for long periods of time is bound to take a toll on your body, so do yourself a favor and stop every once in a while to do some stretches and keep yourself feeling good. 

Long rides can put a strain on your upper body, so make sure to dedicate time to do neck, chest, and back stretches – which can be done right from the passenger seat of the car. 

You should definitely still make pit stops along the way in order to stretch out your entire body and give yourself a break from sitting so long in an upright position. 

This can be done by making simple breaks at rest stops or dedicating some extra time to go for a short walk in a nearby park. 

11. Learn a new language. 

There’s never a bad time to learn a new language – and what better way to keep yourself busy on the road than by doing something that can better your life?

There are so many reasons why learning a new language can be beneficial, whether it be to help build your resume, make new friends, or prepare you for a trip out of the country. 

It’s amazing just how fast time can fly when you’re engaged with something as exciting as learning something new – and there are plenty of programs that offer fun ways to take on the challenge. 

12. Catch up with old friends.

It’s hard to make time to stay in touch with friends and family with the craziness of everyday life – but there’s no better time to catch up with the people you love than when you’re on the road. 

This is a great way to connect with people you haven’t spoken to in a while, vent about any problems that may be bothering you, or even discuss current events. 

Talking to someone on the phone while you travel is a great way to keep you focused during tiring drives and can make long, boring road trips into amazing opportunities. 

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25 Practical Tips for Long Road Trips

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

• Last Updated on May 25, 2024
• Published on July 7, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

You’re finally ready to embark on that epic road trip that will take you across the country from sea to shining sea. The gas tank is full, you’ve checked off every item on the packing list, and you’re ready to hit the road. But are you actually ready for a long road trip?

The longer a road trip, the more complicated it can get. I didn’t say would get, but it certainly can get complicated. Have you packed enough clothing for the entire trip, or will you need to do laundry along the way? Are you ready for chilly nights, rain, and unexpected adventures? Unfortunately, these are the kinds of questions many people don’t consider until the road trip is underway – and it’s too late to make many changes.

These 25 practical tips for long road trips will help you get prepared long before you leave home, save money along the way, and help you spend more time enjoying the road trip and less time dealing with those pesky complications.

Buy food at grocery stores instead of gas stations

Road trip snacks are almost as necessary as gasoline for the car – they even perform similar functions. But one of the worst things a person can do on a road trip is to buy the snacks spontaneously at random gas stations along the way.

Save money and time with those snacks at grocery stores or bulk purchase stores. Stock up on all the snacks, drinks, and coffee at a fraction of the price of buying it along the way. The more you save, the longer you can drive.

Get your car inspected

Before leaving home, get your car inspected. Most national chain auto repair shops offer free inspections because they want your business when they find something wrong with the car.

But it’s an excellent way to get all the fluids topped off, tires rotated and balanced, and the hundreds of moving parts of a car inspected before you leave. Spur of the moment auto repairs during a road trip can be prohibitively expensive – not to mention you might have to shack up at a roadside motel for a few days while the work is done.

Keep your car maintained

Did you know properly inflated tires can lead to better gas mileage? Under-inflated tires cause a drop of 0.2% miles per gallon for every 1 PSI of all tires. That may not seem like much, but it can add up on long road trips.

Consider a 5,000-mile road trip in a vehicle that gets 30 miles per gallon. This would require 167 gallons of gas to complete the trip. However, if all four tires are underinflated by an average of 4 PSI, that means the vehicle is only achieving 27.6 miles per gallon. This would require 182 gallons to complete the trip – an increase of 15 gallons.

Beyond tire pressure, be sure to maintain fluids for the radiator, brakes, and engine oil to prevent damage to the engine. Replaced burned out headlights and taillights immediately. Keep up with oil changes and tire rotations for trips longer than 5,000 miles.

20 Essential Travel Apps for Awesome Road Trips

Set a reasonable daily mileage goal

The point of a road trip is to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Driving 500 miles per day on the interstate highways doesn’t make for a very enjoyable road trip adventure. Driving that far on two-lane roads is incredibly tedious and exhausting.

By the time you stop at a couple roadside attractions, go for a hike in a state park, sit down for lunch, and take a short detour, the number of miles you’ll be able to cover in a single day will be limited at best. But that’s the point of the road trip! Set a limited number of miles to drive each day, giving yourself plenty of time to enjoy everything you’ll discover along the way.

Avoid rush hour traffic and peak dinner times

Sitting in congested traffic and waiting for food are two of the biggest examples of losing time on a long road trip. In fact, those are the biggest time wasters for just about any kind of travel. But there is a simple way to avoid losing time: avoid rush hour and peak dinner times.

Eat breakfast after 9 a.m., get lunch around 2 p.m., and consider dinner either early at 4 p.m. or wait until 7 p.m. During those time frames, you’ll get seated faster, and food served quicker. Also, when driving around town or between destinations, avoid the rush hours of 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

As an added bonus, use a navigation app or dedicated GPS device in your car that includes traffic information – this information will help you spot potential traffic jams from congestion, construction, or accidents and usually includes optional detours. Using an app like OpenTable ( iOs | Android ) will allow you to make reservations at many restaurants – cutting down the time spent waiting for a table to open.

Road Trip to the 8 Presidential Sites Throughout Northern Ohio

A void Small Town Travel on Sundays and Mondays

Roll into almost any small town with a population of less than 20,000 on a Sunday or Monday, and you’re likely to find every restaurant, museum, and attraction closed. It’s not from the owners’ lack of business sense but rather because the owners often work in their businesses, and they want a couple of days off each week.

Sundays and Mondays tend to be the most common days these local businesses are closed. However, it may also include mid-weekdays like Tuesday and Wednesday. Instead of visiting the small towns, consider spending the night in state or national parks, driving scenic routes, or just taking a couple of days to relax.

Pack everything – including the kitchen sink

I own six rain jackets, four sets of trekking poles, and two pairs of Crocs Swiftwater shoes . It’s not because I want a particular color combination for each day of the week, but instead because I kept leaving the items behind, thinking I wouldn’t need them.

Pack everything you can possibly fit into your vehicle for a long road trip. Go beyond your tentative itinerary and think about things you enjoy doing that you might want to do along the way. Take those golf clubs or stunt kites, pack the fleece hoodie, and bring more than two pairs of shoes. Although it’s impossible to prepare for every eventuality, every little bit helps save money in the budget.

Fill the gas tank on Monday

GasBuddy ( iOS | Android ) conducted a survey a few years ago to determine the best and worst times for gas prices. Interestingly, Mondays were the cheapest day of the week to get gas on average, with the best time coming around 10 a.m.

Also, interesting – though not surprising – was that the worst day to get gas was Friday or the day before a major holiday. During those days, gas prices tended to spike first thing in the morning.

18 Essential Items That Belong on Every Road Trip Packing List

Don’t rely on cellular service

One universal constant of any long road trip is the eventuality of running into a cellular dead zone. Rural areas in the Midwest, rugged terrain in the Rockies, and sporadically throughout the Southeastern United States are areas in between cellular towers that will leave your cellphone or tablet as useful as screen doors for submarines.

Be prepared to eventually lose cellular service during your long road trip. Download Google Maps ( iOS | Android ) for offline use, make sure all your apps are up to date, and download movies for entertainment. Doing as much of this as possible while connected to WIFI will prevent you from breaching a monthly data limit.

Plan to do laundry on the road

Depending on the length of the road trip, the activities you plan to enjoy along the way, and your fashion style, it just might not be possible to pack a new outfit for every single day. So rather than pack five suitcases stuffed with every stitch of clothing you own, consider doing laundry somewhere along the way.

As a rule of thumb, pack at least five of each type of clothing. Shorts, pants, tees, polos or blouses, underwear, and socks. On top of that, pack something for chilly nights and rain. This will give you about a week of clothing – but you’ll need to get used to wearing those shorts and that shirt more than once in between washing.

Buy a laundry bag and take it with you on the road trip. However, do not buy laundry detergent ahead of time. The heat and humidity will ruin most detergents and leave your car with an overwhelming smell. When you finally decide to do laundry, be sure to take enough quarters to complete your load, never leave your laundry unattended, and always use a laundromat during daylight hours.

Get organized

Organizing all your clothing, gear, food, and accessories is a crucial and often overlooked aspect of any long road trip. But, after two, three, or four weeks of restacking bags, hunting for that small item, and shifting cargo around every curve of the road, you’ll be on the edge of losing it.

Buy stuff sacks or use gallon-sized Ziplock bags to organize smaller items. Buy midsized duffel bags or plastic totes for organizing smaller bags. Stackable totes that can lock together are best for keeping the totes from sliding around in the vehicle. Label everything and always leave the most frequently used items on top.

Get plenty of sleep

The first few days of a long road trip, you’ll likely feel energized by the excitement and tempted to stay up 18 hours a day. I can typically keep that level of stamina going for about the first three weeks of constant travel – but eventually, everyone slows down.

Getting plenty of sleep is important to maintaining your mental and physical health, not to mention keeping morale high. Spending too much time traveling and not enough sleeping will eventually lead to exhaustion, depression, and moodiness.

On a long road trip, plan to take one or two days a week off from travel. Find a nice roadside motel, splurge on a super nice hotel with a free hot breakfast, or settle into a campground for two nights. Avoid the temptation to go out and explore the area – just focus on rest and relaxation.

Road Trip Along the Scenic Route from Gatlinburg to Asheville

Keep the car clean (inside and out)

The day before any road trip begins, I always find one of those really nice car washes with the conveyor belt that pulls the vehicle through a wash cycle. Then, after getting the exterior cleaned – included RainX and a tire shine – I visit the vacuum cleaners. There is no greater feeling than starting a long road trip with a squeaky-clean vehicle.

On long road trips, it will probably be necessary to do a little cleaning along the way. Car washes are easy enough. Instead of relying on their vacuum cleaners – or paying for them – consider buying the THISWORX Car Vacuum Cleaner . It uses 12v power with a removable collection bin and comes with a nice travel bag.

For an added touch, the Little Trees Vent Wrap Car Air Freshner’s “new car smell” will make your vehicle smell brand new after getting it clean.

Join a roadside rescue plan

Most auto insurance companies and cellular providers offer some sort of roadside assistance rescue plan. If you don’t have the option for either of those, consider buying a AAA membership to access their roadside rescue plan.

At the very least, roadside rescue plans will unlock a vehicle, tow your vehicle to safety, and provide gas in case you run out. Better plans will include longer towing distances and more gas. It’s the one thing you never think about until you need it – so this time, plan ahead.

Road Trip on the Scenic North Carolina Waterfall Byway

Keep up with monthly bills

Only about 40% of Americans use auto pay for monthly bills like utilities and credit card payments – I’m not one of them. One of the biggest mistakes with long road trips that last more than a month is forgetting to take care of those bills before you hit the road or somewhere during the trip.

It’s easy to pay those bills with the home computer with your login information saved, but could you pay those bills on the road with a cellphone or tablet? Be sure to take your login information with you and keep it in a safe location like a locked glovebox or portable security case. Add the due date for any bills to your travel itinerary – and remember that cellular service is not a guarantee everywhere.

Life Pro Trip: Many credit card companies and certain utilities allow you to choose a due date for your monthly bill. Aligning all these bills for the same due date makes it easier to keep up with – especially while you’re traveling.  

Leave room for souvenirs

I know I said “pack everything – including the kitchen sink” earlier, but don’t go overboard and fill the entire vehicle before you hit the road. More than likely, you will want to buy some souvenirs along the way.

Smaller souvenirs like clothing, décor, and Christmas ornaments – my favorite type of souvenir to buy – are easy enough to pack into a bag or tote in the vehicle. But if you buy more oversized items like artwork, glassware, or large gift items, ask the retailer if they can ship them to your home or a relative’s home for safekeeping. Often, the shipping is included, especially in areas of high tourism where they expect the buyers to be non-locals.

Insider Tip: An easy way to keep up with souvenirs on a long road trip is to mail them to a friend or relative. The Flat Rate boxes at the United States Postal Service come in several sizes and are indeed a single flat rate – ranging from about $5-$15 per box – no matter where you ship it in the continental U.S.

Bring your favorite ___________

Do you have a favorite coffee mug? Slippers? Or what about a television series you love to watch? Just because you’re going on a road trip doesn’t mean you can’t bring some of those with you.

Bringing your favorite items with you on a long road trip can help you feel more at home and relaxed. Instead of missing that perfect coffee mug or comfortable slippers, you’ll feel much better having them with you.

Have an itinerary but leave room for spontaneity

It’s always good to have a travel itinerary. It’s essential to know the business hours of museums, restaurants, and attractions, so you don’t arrive too late or on a day when they are typically closed. Building an itinerary can help you avoid those frustrations.

However, leave room for spontaneous detours that will inevitably come along during a long road trip. Be prepared for entire destinations to change as your route progresses. Take advice from locals and be willing to give something new a try!

Road Trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Fill all prescriptions and bring extra

For three years, I worked as a certified pharmacy technician at CVS/Pharmacy in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. During the hectic – sometimes chaotic – summer months, we would sometimes fill thousands of prescriptions in a single day. The most common type of prescription was for someone who had left the medication at home.

If you have any kind of regular medication, be sure to pack that for your trip. But for long road trips that last more than 30 days, you might run out while on the road. Make sure your prescription has refills on file with your pharmacy or take a new prescription with you – as long as it is not a controlled substance. If your insurance allows, consider getting two or three months’ worth filled at one time for your long road trip.

Watch out for 140-degree heat in the car

On sunny days during the summer months, vehicles’ internal temperatures can rise 30-40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. When I was a kid, I remember going for a walk to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse during a family vacation. When we returned, my mom opened the back of the car to make snacks – only to discover the Cheese Whiz had exploded all over the car!

The high internal temperatures of vehicles can ruin more than just pressurized cans of food. Contact lenses, prescriptions, electronics, and coolers are all susceptible to damage from temperatures over 100 degrees.

You can reduce those internal temperatures by using a windshield sunshade. Close the sunshade on the moonroof. You may even consider buying curtains for the side windows – it’s not as silly as you might think.

Set a daily and final budget

My first road trip adventure of 2021 was a spontaneous, itinerary-free adventure along the Gulf Coast from Gulf Shores, Alabama, across Florida to Vero Beach. After a week exploring that area of Florida, I was considering heading south to Key West for what would have been my first visit. But when I looked at my bank account, my heart hit the floor when I realized my travel budget was at an end.

I’ve never been good at creating or keeping to a travel budget, and that resulted in a road trip cut short. So the better method is to create a daily budget and stick to it. But also give yourself leeway for those rare opportunities to do something awesome and set a final budget for the entire trip.

The advantage of a long road trip is that if you’re on the road long enough, you might just get an extra paycheck while you’re traveling. So how many vacation days do you have saved up for your long road trip?

Only travel by day

Some people only travel at night to avoid any traffic congestion at all – and that’s a good idea. But driving on unfamiliar roads at night poses some safety issues – not to mention what would happen if your vehicle broke down at 3 a.m.

The safest and surest way is to only travel by day. It will be much easier to keep aware of the unfamiliar road ahead, and you’re certain to get roadside assistance faster during normal business hours.

The Ultimate Road Trip on the Skyline Drive Through Shenandoah National Park

Choose the best road trip route

My #1 Rule for Road Trips is no interstate highways. There is just no reason to take a road trip route onto the interstate – you’ll miss everything along the way.

But what is the best road trip route? National scenic byways are a good start – there are dozens across the country. But sometimes, the most scenic or exciting road trip route is just a simple country road connecting interesting destinations. The best way to find those is to ask the locals – they always know the best route.

Document the trip

After returning home from an epic long road trip, it might be difficult to remember precisely where you found that amazing cheeseburger or savory salted caramel ice cream cone or watched that stunning sunset. It can be downright frustrating when you realize you don’t have a single photo to share or any clue where to find the name of that restaurant.

But what exactly does it mean to document the trip? I am not advocating for ten thousand photos plus an additional five thousand selfies from your long road trip. Don’t become one of those people who jump out of the car on the Blue Ridge Parkway just long enough for a selfie and then leave just as quickly.

It starts with the photos. Capture an exterior photo of every restaurant, museum, and attraction you visit – and be sure to include the name of the business. Capture an interior photo and then one or two photos of every meal or activity.

Take a journal. Jot down notes of the places you visit. Feelings. Smells. Sights. Take note of the business name, details of the food you eat, and reaction to museums. Draw pictures and maps, create word maps, put any word to paper that comes to mind. It will all be wonderful to see all the photos and notes again when your long road trip is finished.

Keep in touch with regular updates

One of the most important safety measures you can take during a long road trip is to let someone know where you are and where you are going by the end of the day. Particularly in places where cellular reception could be spotty, it’s good to tell someone that by nightfall, you should be at a particular destination and able to call them again.

That way, if your vehicle breaks down while in a cellular dead zone with little traffic, at least someone knows the route you were driving to send rescue your direction.

5 Responses

Great tips. Do you have a good app that we can use to track how our car is doing. So like we put in the mileage and it does the calculations for us of how many miles to gallon and stuff like that?

The best app I know about is called Mile IQ. It’s meant for contractors who have to keep up with their mileage for bookkeeping, but it works for road trippers as well. Give that a look and let me know if it works~!

Wrote down some of the tips that I want to remember before the trip. Changed the idea of minimizing clothing to being sure to cover (see what I did there) all bases. Like having a warm hoodie even though I am planning a trip, late June, to the South. Having something & not needing it is so much more logical that getting something I already have but not bringing it. Thank you for your tips.

Thank you very much for taking the time to put these tips together! Very helpful!

Great tips, thank you! My son is traveling the month of May on a solo road trip for the first time so wanted to pass these tips on to him!

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17 BOREDOM BUSTING THINGS TO DO ON A ROAD TRIP (FROM A FULL-TIME ROAD TRIPPER)

Looking for some fun things to do on a road trip to pass the time? Whether you’re traveling with friends, on a family road trip, or driving solo, we’ve compiled a list of things to do in the car to save you from the dreaded road trip question, “Are we there yet?”

After our own cross-country road trip adventure and our years of living as a full-time travel family , we have come up with an arsenal of things to do on long road trips. Everything we suggest is things we’ve done ourselves and truly find entertaining . So while the license plate game is a classic road trip game…does anyone actually have fun playing it?

Whether you’re looking for unique road trip activities or fun road trip games, you’re sure to find something that will help pass the time. Scroll through our list of the best things to do on long car rides and see what gets you excited.

WANT MORE ROAD TRIP CONTENT? CHECK OUT THESE POSTS:

How To Plan A Cross Country Road Trip How To Survive A Road Trip With A Toddler The Only Road Trip Packing List You’ll Ever Need How We Renovated Our 1979 Camper For $650 An Epic Itinerary For A Road Trip Through Utah’s Five National Parks 160 Road Trip Questions To Keep The Conversation Flowing The Ultimate Road Trip Food List

*This “Things To Do On A Road Trip” post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely think are helpful.

17 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON A ROAD TRIP

• CONVERSATION STARTER GAMES

Before you dive into the endless scroll on Instagram, how about getting to know your travel mates better? The open road is a great place to put down your phone and have an engaging conversation. Scroll through our list of fun, deep, and silly road trip questions to get the conversation rolling. Perhaps you’ll learn something you never knew before!

• DREAM UP A BUCKET LIST

We’ve been road-tripping together for over 15 years now, and one of our favorite things to do on a road trip is to dream up an adventure together. We pull out some pen and paper and write down our top ten places we want to go. On a car ride to Northern California, is where we first started to dream up our grand trip to Croatia . Some advice–dream big and don’t get caught up in the grounded reality of “how” it’s going to happen. Figure that part out later. For now, it’s about dreaming up all the places you would love to visit. You can use an old-fashioned notebook or have a special bucket list journal as we do. You can also check out our bucket list for families post if you need some inspiration.

• ROAD TRIP TRIVIA

I’m a trivia lover. Inside my head is a bunch of totally useless information that is only helpful for when I’m playing a game like trivial pursuit. The best way to pass an hour or two on a long car ride is to test out your own trivia knowledge. You can narrow the topic down to a specific topic like 2000’s trivia and travel trivia or you can go for a general trivia deck. If you don’t want to purchase a trivia deck, you can also check out our post with 41 road trip trivia questions about the USA, travel, and road trips.

• MUSIC GAMES

If you’re more of a music buff, play a fun music trivia game to test your music knowledge. Are you sure you can remember the name of that top 40 hit from the ’90s? Download a music trivia app and play it into your car speakers so everyone can play together.

• AUDIBLE BOOKS

If you’re looking for things to do on a car ride by yourself, then an Audible book is the reigning champion of car activities. Long car rides are a perfect place to learn about a new skill, read a murder mystery, or a frivolous comedy that quickly passes the time away. If you don’t have an audible membership, you can look at doing a free 30-day trial here . Don’t forget to download the books before leaving so you aren’t using data or relying on a good signal.

Also, if not everyone wants to listen to the Audible together, make sure to bring your headphones (if you’re the passenger), so you can listen to your heart’s content.

For more road trip essentials, check out our complete road trip packing list.

If you’re looking for road trip entertainment, a podcast can offer a more engaging experience since they tend to have interviews and a more traditional talk radio format. The range of topics is immense, from family-friendly storytelling to educational discussions to creepy murder plots, so do a quick search in a subject you might be interested in or look through a list of the most popular podcasts .

• LEARN A LANGUAGE

Now is the time you will FINALLY learn how to speak Cantonese. Live out your dream of fluently speaking a different language and mixing in with the locals by downloading a language-learning app and listening to it in your car. Top language learning apps are Rosetta Stone and Babbel .

• 20 QUESTIONS GAME

Twenty Questions is the quintessential car ride game to pull out when you’re brainstorming things to do on a road trip. If you haven’t played the game, the basic idea is that someone can ask 20 yes or no questions to help them guess what you’re thinking about. You’ll set a topic like “celebrities” and ask away. For example, “Is this person a singer?” or “Are they alive?” and so on until you can guess the person.

This game is so trivial, but gosh darn it, we love playing this game when we need things to do on a long road trip. I honestly think we’ve managed to pass an entire hour away going back and forth with the ABC game. The game goes like this: You set up a general category like “fruit” or “animals” and then go back and forth, listing fruit in ABC order. For instance, partner A says “apple,” and partner B says “banana,” and so on.

• CHECK OFF YOUR TO DO LIST

I might be revealing how much of a parent I am right now, but long drives in the car are where I can often get banal stuff done. Something about being strapped into a car with nowhere to run allows me to check things off my list, like planning out our meals for a month or plotting out a content calendar for our blog. If you’re a passenger, grab your calendar and check things off your to-do list you’ve meant to do but never manage to. Maybe that long car ride is when you finally clear out your inbox with 10,000 emails dating back to 2001.

• PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

On the flip side of trying to fill every moment in your life with something to do, you can go the opposite way and meditate, do breathwork, or practice mindfulness in the car. When I used to have a 45-minute commute from work, I would often put on my breathing app and listen to it the entire ride home so I could ground myself before going into the onslaught of mom life. Even if you’re not a parent, our minds chatter away all day, so having a dedicated time to ground and listen to a guided meditation or guided breathwork is a fantastic alternative to getting stressed by traffic and everything that life throws your way. You can choose to do it self-guided or download an app that guides you through the process. I used Headspace, but there are hundreds to choose from. Check out this article for some good recommendations.

Also, if you’re the driver, it’s best to stick to guided breathing rather than a meditation that suggests you close your eyes. Because, you know…road safety.

• HAVE A PINTEREST PICNIC

Road tripping can often mean gas station burritos or fast food burgers that leave you feeling sluggish and guilty. Change it up by having a Pinterest-worthy picnic complete with gourmet charcuterie, pinot noir, and a red checkered picnic blanket. You don’t have to have those specific things, but having a pre-packed picnic with nicer food is a fun change in energy when you’ve been spending a few hours on the road. Instead of packing a cooler or an oversized wooden picnic basket, use a picnic backpack like this that comes with silverware, wine glasses (for the passengers), plates, cutting board, blanket, napkins, and more. Check your Google Maps for a park that’s right off the highway, or try out a picnic table at a rest stop.

For food suggestions, check out our post on the best road trip foods .

• SCOUT FOR ROADSIDE ODDITIES

While getting from Point A to Point B, take a detour to see some oddball roadside attractions. Oh gosh, there are so many weird things to see in the US. We stopped by Cadillac Ranch, an outdoor art installation featuring 10 Cadillacs buried face down, when we were driving through Amarillo, Texas. Visitors are encouraged to grab a can of spray paint and leave their own artistic mark on the retro cars. You can see videos and pictures of it here on our Instagram. Fun, quirky, and totally worth the 30-minute stop! Finding peculiar roadside attractions feels like a must-do when looking for what to do on a road trip. You can use an app like RoadTrippers to discover what’s on your route.

How long has it been since you’ve played Mad Libs? I think it might be time to bring them out when you’re scheming up things to do on a road trip. There are various mad-lib games available to you, so search for the booklet that hits up your demographic whether you’re traveling with kids or going on a road trip with friends. Start here on your search for the most epic game of road trip mad libs.

• YOUR TOP 5 GAME

A great conversation starter game is to have everyone list their “top 5.” Someone comes up with a topic like the top 5 songs of all time or your five favorite meals of all time. If you are playing with kids, you might want to reduce the number to your top 3. You can write it down, but I find it’s more relaxed to talk about your answers as they come. Other fun topics are the five people who would be at your dinner party, your top five movies, your top five celebrity crushes, or your top five travel destinations.

• CROSSWORD PUZZLES + SUDOKU

For those moments when you’re looking for quiet things to do in a car, pull out a booklet of challenging brain puzzles. I’m always a fan of crossword puzzle booklets and sudoku booklets , but you might like a general brain teaser book with an assortment of puzzles and trivia.

• DOCUMENT THE JOURNEY

Document the road trip journey in a creative way. You can make a travel scrapbook where you collect mementos like postcards or kitschy roadside gifts, or you can take photos or videos of the trip. One fun idea is to ditch the iPhone or Go Pro and opt for an updated but old-fashioned Polaroid camera like this one . If you have kids, you can buy a kid-friendly camera like this one . Just be sure they realize that the camera doesn’t have an infinite supply of photos! The road trip is such a classic adventure that going old school with a Polaroid feels kind of perfect.

Here’s to hours of fun things to do on a road trip! If you have your own unique things to do on a road trip, let us know in the comments below.

We hope the journey is as fun as the destination.

Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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40 Best Things to Do on a Long Car Ride

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Don’t let hours of a long car journey pass you by, and use these creative things to do on a long car ride to pass the time in fun, productive, and entertaining ways.

Things to Do on a Long Car Ride or Road Trip

Fun Things to Do

1. record the trip.

To ensure you remember the trip for a long time, record some footage of what you get up to. Then, when you get home, you can edit your footage into a video that commemorates your trip.

Then, if you’d like to share your video with the world, post it on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok and watch the likes and comments roll in!

2. Take an Unexpected Detour

If you’re in the mood for an adventure and have the time, why not take an unexpected detour?

Take an alternative route to where you’re heading, or just go where the wind takes you. You never know where you’ll end up! 

3. Stop at a Beauty Spot and Take Photos

Regardless of your destination, you’re bound to come across a few beauty spots on your journey. So stop the car and go and take a few shots of the surrounding scenery.

It’s also a good excuse to stretch your legs for a few minutes before hitting the road again.

4. Record a Timelapse Video

Timelapse videos are a wonderful way to capture long journeys and tell an intriguing visual story of getting from A to B.

You can set up a GoPro, camera, or your smartphone on the top of the dashboard or get one of the passengers to document the journey using a timelapse app.

Road Trip Games to Play

5. number plate game.

A popular car journey game is the number plate game. It can be played in various ways. The easiest way is to find number plates from different countries and award points based on the amount each participant finds.

However, if you’d like to mix it up a little, you could also try to make words out of number plates and vote on which you like best!

6. ‘I Spy’

‘I Spy’ is a classic road trip game that many of us will have played at some point in our lives. It’s easy enough for younger travelers to understand and allows everyone in the car to get involved.

Just make sure that you pick something that can be seen at all times, such as the sky, trees, road, and other similar options.

7. ’20 Questions’

The game ’20 Questions’ is as straightforward as it sounds. Simply think of a person, a place, or an object and get other participants to ask “yes” or “no” questions until they reach the correct answer. 

8. Name the World’s Capital Cities

Another popular game is to name the world’s capital cities. Pick a continent and ask others in the car to name the capital cities.

You’ll be surprised at how fun the game is, especially if you’re interested in geography!

9. ‘Guess the Tune’

Warm up your vocal cords with a game of ‘guess the tune!’ Participants simply have to hum a famous tune, and others have to guess which tune they’re humming.

You can spend hours playing this fun game that all passengers can get involved in.

10. ‘Would You Rather?’

Get everyone in the car involved in a game of ‘Would You Rather?’ Ask questions such as “would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?” and “would you rather have a pause or a rewind button?”.

This game gives you a chance to come up with some really creative questions and learn more about everyone playing!

If you need a little inspiration, take a look at our 100+ “would you rather?” questions to give you plenty of ideas.

Productive Things to Do

11. take a nap if not driving.

If you’re not driving, why not have a little snooze to help the time pass quicker? If you’re finding it hard to sleep in the car, put in your headphones and listen to relaxing instrumental music or a calming audiobook to help you drift off to sleep.

12. Write a To-Do List

Kill some time on a long journey by writing a to-do list for when you get home. It’ll help you feel more organized and get important tasks done.

Additionally, by writing tasks down, you can forget about them until you get home, meaning you can fully concentrate on the road trip.

13. Take Exercise Breaks

Long stints of driving can make you feel tired. Stopping for regular breaks to stretch your legs will help you stay alert and feel good in yourself.

It’s best to take a break every 3-4 hours to get your blood flowing and joints moving before hitting the road again. 

14. Listen to Audiobooks

Platforms such as Audible offer a wide variety of exciting audiobooks. If you’re bored in the car, put on an entertaining audiobook that everyone else in the car will enjoy.

15. Learn a New Language

If you’re not driving, why not install language apps such as Duolingo on your phone and start learning a new language?

After a couple of hours of using the app, you’ll be surprised at how much you learn in such a short period of time.

16. Write a Meal Plan

Get yourself prepared for a new week by writing a delicious meal plan to pass the time on a long journey. To ensure the meal plan is varied, research some new recipes that you haven’t tried before.

17. Stop at a Car Wash

Stopping to go through a car wash is a productive way to take a well-deserved driving break. If you want a more comfortable journey, you might choose to pay for your car to be cleaned on the inside, too.

A trip in a clean, clutter-free vehicle will help reduce your stress levels as well as those of your passengers.

By Yourself

18. call a family member or loved one via a handsfree set.

How many times do we let time slip us by when meaning to call and catch up with an old friend or a dear family member?

Use your time in the car to call some friends and family who you haven’t spoken to in a while. Use Bluetooth and a hands-free set or your car’s Bluetooth to make sure you’re calling in a safe way.

19. Sing Your Favorite Songs

A solo car journey is an ideal time to belt out a few of your favorite songs with no one around to judge your singing voice!

20. Listen to a Podcast

Apps such as Spotify have a wide variety of podcasts to choose from. So whether you’re into history, science, entertainment, nature, or anything else, someone out there will have created a podcast that interests you.

21. Go for a Drive-thru Coffee Break

You must take regular driving breaks to rest and refresh yourself before hitting the road again. So why not grab a coffee and relax for 30 minutes before you get back behind the wheel? The caffeine will help keep you awake and alert. 

With Friends

22. tell each other jokes.

If you’re on a road trip with friends, pass the time by telling each other your best jokes. You’ll have each other laughing in no time.

Laughter reduces stress and can boost your well-being due to the release of the ‘feel-good hormone’ endorphins. 

23. Discuss Past Adventures

Reminisce about old times by discussing your past adventures as a group. You can recount all the exciting, funny memories created with your closest friends.

Nothing feels nicer than remembering all the wonderful times you’ve had with the people you love.

24. Camp for a Night

If you’re not on a strict schedule, camping for a night can turn a good trip into a great one.

Find a local campsite, pitch your tents, light a bonfire and spend the evening discussing the trip so far and planning your next steps.

25. Have a Heart-to-Heart

A car journey is a perfect time to bond with your friends by having a good heart-to-heart. By sharing your hopes, dreams, and aspirations, you’ll feel much more connected as a group.

26. Plan a Future Trip

If you’re avid travelers, you might want to plan a future trip while you’re all together in person.

27. Find a Unique Roadside Attraction to Visit

Wherever you’re traveling, you’re bound to find some unique places to visit while you’re on the road. Pull up a map, and see if there’s a one-of-a-kind landmark or place of interest you can stop by.

For Couples

28. watch a sunrise or sunset.

One of the most romantic things you can do as a couple is watch a sunrise or sunset. If you’re on a road trip, set some time aside to watch either a sunrise or sunset with your loved one. You won’t regret it!

29. Have a Picnic

Food and drink outlets at service stations are expensive. Instead, save money and enjoy some time outdoors by having a picnic with your partner.

Some service stations have green areas with benches where you can enjoy a peaceful picnic before you resume your journey.

Or, you can simply find a beautiful place to stop and have your picnic in the great outdoors.

30. Stop for a Romantic Dinner

If you’ve got time, why not stop for a romantic dinner in a nearby town? Out on the road, you’re likely to pass plenty of nearby towns you can stop at for a quiet, intimate meal together.

31. Take Driving Shifts 

For a more comfortable journey, take shifts driving if you’ve both got a driving license. It gives each of you some time to relax before you start your next shift.

32. Play the Quiet Game

If the kids are getting loud and overexcited, playing the quiet game can give you a few moments of peace.

Simply ask your kids, “who can stay quiet the longest?” to buy yourself a few minutes of quiet. 

33. Give them a Sticker Book

Kids love sticker books! You’ll be surprised at how long little ones can spend decorating a sticker book.

You can even purchase sticker books based on your children’s favorite movies. They’ll be occupied for hours, giving you some much-needed peace and quiet. 

34. Coloring Books

If your child isn’t interested in stickers, they may get hours of fun out of a coloring book. Again, you can purchase themed coloring books based on your child’s favorite movies and TV series, which will make them love the book even more!

35. Play Some Music for them to Sing Along to

Children love a good singsong. So put on a few nursery rhymes or tunes from their favorite shows, and have a sing-along with them.

It’ll make them feel happy, help them use up energy, and help them nod off to sleep easier afterward.

With Teenagers

36. play car games.

Games such as ’20 Questions’ and ‘Would You Rather’ are a great way to get teenagers involved on car journeys.

These games are easy to tailor to any age group, meaning you can get adolescents interested with questions they’d find entertaining. 

37. Document the Journey on Social Media Together

Most teenagers are avid social media users. To pass the time on a long journey, they’ll want to interact with friends and post updates such as photos and videos.

If they’re feeling up to it, they might also create entertaining TikTok videos to share with their followers.

38. Pack Snacks

If you don’t want to stop regularly, pack the car with accessible snacks that your teens can reach for whenever they feel hungry.

Good snack options include popcorn, cereal bars, fruit, and if you’re craving sugar, chocolate bars. You’ll thank us later!

39. Have Honest Conversations About Their Futures, Hopes, and Dreams

Sometimes, it can be hard to get a teenager to open up. By asking the right questions and using the time in the car to listen, you can start deep and meaningful conversations about their futures, what they like doing, and where they see themselves in the future.

Such conversations will help you bond as a family and let them know you’re listening to them and taking their futures seriously.

40. Play Video Games

Today, thousands of games are available on phones and portable consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and tablets such as the iPad. The beauty of these consoles is that they can be taken anywhere and are easy to use on the go.

Hours of tedium and boredom when you’re hitting the road for hours at a time can be a thing of the past with these fun and simple ideas.

Be you traveling alone, with friends, or with the whole family, a little intuition and planning can go a long way to making sure the trip is fun for everyone involved.

You Might Also Like to Read

• Best Things to Do When Bored
• Best Topics to Talk About
• Would You Rather Questions

Go a long journey on the horizon. Keep these things to do on a long road trip in a safe place, by saving them to one of your Pinterest boards.

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The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist: Tips and Tricks for any Epic Road Trip Adventure

last Updated: September 12, 2023 road trip

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Heading out on road trip in the near future and looking for the ultimate road trip checklist? Keep reading for tons of these long road trip tips and tricks from highly experienced roadtrippers, and learn what to do before, during, and after your drive!

Road trips are always a good time. However, if you come unprepared, road trips can take a nasty turn for the worst. Should we book a hotel in advance? What about gas? Will there be food and restaurants nearby? How can we entertain ourselves for hours on end? Won’t the kids get bored? Am I allowed to do x in x country? AHHHH! It’s all so much!

That’s why this road trip checklist will definitely come in handy – I know I’ve learned a thing or so from my travel companions! Be sure to keep these long road trip tips handy!

I love me a good road trip. Over the past few years, we’ve road tripped the National Parks of Utah , through Fjords and glaciers in Norway , down the California coast , dreamed of driving from San Francisco allll the way to Seattle , hiked our way through Crater Lake National Park , moved from NYC to San Francisco on a massive cross-country road trip , and driven to a multitude of California hot spots ( Big Sur , Mendocino , Yosemite , Lassen National Park , and Napa Valley – I’m looking at you). I’ve even compiled the best long weekend trips from San Francisco that I’m eager to check off – many being road trips.

There’s nothing like throwing caution to the wind, grabbing those keys and driving off into the sunset. In reality, a road trip needs careful planning with a number of things taken into consideration. Enter this road trip checklist! Make sure to read each and every point before your next road trip adventure!

So get reading, understand the importance of each tip on this road trip checklist, and plan your next epic road trip adventure.

Psst: I commonly use this booking site when searching for low-cost car rental options, and like Skyscanner  (which I use to find low-cost flights) , I frequently find great deals on there!

I like to search  via this site  in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price.

Road Trip Checklist: Long Road Trip Tips and Tricks

Safety tips.

Know the Laws Where You’ll be Driving

The most important advice I can give you before setting out on a road-trip is to brush up on the laws for the country you’ll be driving in. The world may seem to be getting smaller by the day, but the road laws around the world can be very different. Did you know that it’s illegal to drive barefoot in Spain?

Or that you have to have your headlights on 24hrs a day in Sweden? And that it’s illegal to stop on the Autobahn on Germany? I’m not saying you need to know them all the laws, but 10 minutes of browsing Google before you set out could save you some embarrassment, frustration or, worse in the long run.

Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

• What are the basic speed limits?
• What should you do if you have an accident?
• What type of license do you need? – Hopefully you checked this before hiring a car!
• Is there any equipment you have to carry?
• What is the drink-drive limit?
• Who has the right of way at junctions and on roundabouts?

Ben | The Sabbatical Guide

Share the Long Drives

Taking a road trip is a worthwhile travel experience. One of the challenges of a road trip is the long drive. It could be several hours, half a day, or even days before you reach your destinations. For drivers, fatigue kicks in after driving for hours. We handle this situation on our road trip by dividing and conquering the task. One person drives for at least 2 hours while the other person in the front passenger seat navigates.

Even if we use the GPS navigation device for directions, it helps to have another set of eyes to watch for upcoming signs, landmarks, and even other vehicles. After the 2 hours is up, we find the nearest rest stop off the highway or somewhere safe off the road for a quick break and then switch roles. It helps to share the driving and navigating responsibilities with others and to have a more enjoyable ride.

Jackie and Justin | Life of Doing

Do Pre-Car Checks

If you are not renting a car for your road trip, it’s a good idea to do a few quick checks to make sure your car will run smoothly.  It will only take a few minutes but could catch a problem that would derail your trip. First, inspect your tires to make sure that the tread is not too worn.  

If the tread doesn’t look good, you might want to get new tires before heading out on the road. Also, check your tire pressure and adjust so that it meets the level recommended in your owner’s manual.  This will help prevent a blowout or flat tire.

It’s also a good idea to check your oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid levels and add more if you are running low.  Then check to make sure all your lights are working, Finally, it’s a good idea to fill up with gas before your road trip so you don’t have to stop right away.

Anisa | Two Traveling Texans

Always Have a Paper Map and Know How to Read It

Having a paper map can be a lifesaver if you don’t have a GPS or cell signal. Even if you do have a GPS, you can’t always count on technology. Sometimes the power cords break, the device breaks, or for one reason or another, it just doesn’t work. Or, if you’re like me, you still get lost with a GPS because you turn down the wrong road 85% of the time when it says “turn here.”

Like with anything else, though, what good is it if you don’t know how to use it. I suppose it could still be of use in the form of kindling to start a fire if you get really lost.

Reading a paper map isn’t really that hard of a thing to do. One way to learn how to read a paper map is to find your home or a notable location on the map. It’s the same concept when you are out and about.

Chasing Departures

The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

Before heading out on an epic road trip, get a good night’s rest the night before. To avoid drowsy driving, it’s recommend that you sleep an absolute minimum of 4 hours, but 7-8 hours comes highly recommended. In reality, who can even function, let alone drive long distances, on only 4 hours of sleep. Also if you plan to drive at night consider delaying your trip by a few hours or wait until the morning if you are feeling sleepy. Remember, safety first!

Danielle | The Thought Card

Practice Driving on Difficult Roads Beforehand

Try and take the driver’s seat and practice driving on challenging and twisted roads across valleys and other difficult terrain before heading off on your road trip. You don’t exactly know what types of roads you’ll encounter, and it’s best to improve your driving skills and feel comfortable before setting off! I have seen lot of improvements in my driving skills now after implementing this strategy over time.This has helped me to drive on the most challenging and deadliest roads without any problems or issues.

Somnath | Travel Crusade

PLANNING TIPS

Leave Yourself More Driving Time Than You Think You’ll Need

The reason that road trips are so wonderful is that anything is possible. Leave yourself a large buffer of time, so that you can follow the road markers or signs you see on the side of the road to the magical places that the world has to offer that you didn’t even know existed. Most countries have a certain sign to mark historic sites. Sweden has three different kinds to show what kind of attractions you may find. Enjoy your road trip!

The Daily Adventures of Me

Plan Multiple Stops on Long Driving Days

What’s the point in going on a roadtrip if all you see is the highway itself? For us, the most essential thing while being on the road is to make a list of things we want to see on the way – and this is our top priority. We rather have a smaller distance of kilometres travelled, but at least see lots of things.

The best thing to do is to start you travel day by making a list of things that you pass along the route that you want to travel today. Doing so, you won’t miss anything and still have a super relaxed and fun day on the road.

Also, when it comes to stopping on the way, why not plan a picnic at a lake you wanted to see anyway? Having lunch has probably never been that nice before.

Travellers Archive

Forget the Map and Just Drive

Orrrr how about you just don’t plan at all sometimes? I’m not sure I could actually do this, but it’d sure make for a fun adventure!

Whenever you say road trip, people will instantly think about maps. Planning ahead, watching the map so that you know which roads to follow. But what if you forgot about any maps whatsoever? What if you just hop in your car, van, camper, bike, and just go wherever the road takes you.

Being curious on a road trip may prove to be the key ingredient for having memorable experiences. If you happen to spot a road that surprisingly doesn’t appear on your map, you might want to explore it. It could lead you to some incredible places, to some off-the-beaten trails and authentic destinations.

Don’t just stick to the main roads. You might just wake up in a forgotten village, or in a picturesque place, surrounded by wildlife. Don’t be afraid to get lost as the best road trips are not the ones when you simply follow the dotted lines!

Andra | Our World to Wander

Choose Your Travel Companions Wisely

If you are going to go on a road trip, choose your travel mates wisely. For days on end, you will be sharing close quarters and you don’t want to be stuck with someone that doesn’t travel the way you do or gets on your nerves.  Before committing to a long road trip, spend some time together when possible as a trial run.

Consider each other’s travel style and personality. Do they thrive on structure when you like to plan as you go?  Does one of you like to make record time while the other likes to make random stops along the way? Do you eat similar foods? If one people is a vegan who will only eat at Whole Foods while the other prefers fast food all the time, you are going to run into some issues.  

As you are planning, talk about budget and priorities to make sure you align on the types of things you will do and see on your trip. You don’t have to be a perfect match, but you need to know what you are getting into so you can prepare to have a great time.

Dan | HoneymoonAlways

Download Offline Maps

If I could give someone just one road trip tip it would be to download an offline map before you go. Google Maps allows one to easily do this with their app. We have been using it for years and find it to be the most reliable app out there for navigation. Simply go to the area you will be road tripping and download it to your phone.

Then you won’t need a WiFi connection to get turn by turn navigation. It’s all saved in your phone for 30 days. No GPS rental, no WiFi, and no hassle needed. Just make sure not to lose your phone!

Natasha & Cameron | The World Pursuit

Overcompensate for Time

My top road trip tip is to allow yourself extra time, even if you think you don’t need it! Overcompensating for the journey is crucial not only practically speaking, but also to lets you really get the most out of your trip.

You’re bound to stop along the way when driving through incredible landscapes. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the best views would you?! Additionally, stopping off will allow you to just enjoy your surroundings rather than being cooped up in a stuffy car all day. Enjoy the outdoors when you can!

Practically speaking, on unfamiliar roads you should allow yourself time to make mistakes, drive slowly, check directions, and find a parking spot. Finally, getting lost is both the best and worst thing about road trips. You’ll never know what you’ll find, but off-the-beaten-track also means extra travel time!

Keeping time-conscious will help you have more fun while sticking to the schedule, so it’s always worth remembering to add a little extra on the clock.

Suzy | Suzy Stories

Book Your Hotels and Accommodations in Advance in More Remote Areas

A road trip is a perfect time to just throw the plan out the window and just let open road flow.  This sounds really idealist. Except when you are ready to stop for the night, and suddenly find that the next hotel is an hour or three away.  This can be a horrific end to your day.

This issue is especially prominent in the mid-western regions of the United States.  These states are sparsely populated and towns can be few and far between. Towards the end of your day, start checking how long to the next town before leaving a town with hotel options.

Jennifer | National Park Obsessed

PACKING TIPS

Take Along a Spork and Water Bottle with Filter

One of the best items you can bring on a road trip is a spork and a water bottle with built in filter. With these two you can save lots of money and at the same time reduce your use of plastic. A spork is a fork, spoon and knife in one, which is perfect if you just want to buy some foods from the supermarket or some takeaway food – it’s not always that they offer cutlery!

And with a water bottle with built in filter you don’t need to buy water bottles. You just fill up the bottle with tap water, and it filtrates out 99,9% of the bacteria and gives the water a better taste. Even though the tap water is safe to drink in many countries, it’s not always that it tastes so good – and that’s where the filter water bottle comes in handy.

I never travel without my spork and filter water bottle, because they make life a little bit easier and saves me money!

Christine | Christine Abroad

Carry Water and Toilet Paper

Always carry water and lots of it. Not only for drinking but for a variety of reasons. You may need it for cleaning hands, shoes or worst case scenario filling up a radiator in an overheated car. Having baby wipes on hand can also cover cleaning, spillages, sticky fingers and freshening up.

My other top tip is to always have a spare toilet roll in the boot of the car. When nature calls, it calls! You may have to find a public toilet on the road and sometimes they aren’t maintained regularly. Don’t rely on there being a fresh supply of toilet paper at every public toilet. There is nothing worse than going to grab some paper and find out there is nothing there!

Travel Drink Dine

Pack More than Enough Activities for the Car

Long hours on the road can be difficult.  Having activities readily available for children, and some adults, will reduce the stress on the whole family.   Today, this is not as big of a problem as it once was, with cell phones and tablets, but a continuous stream of screen time is not the best way for our families to spend the drive.

Solve this problem with personalized entertainment packs.  Packs can contain a number of things, including magnetic games, small coloring books, puzzles, and reading material.  

We also recommend including a journal and camera, and some learning activities based upon the destinations to be visited.  This encourages discussion among the whole family. For learning activity ideas try online homeschooling resources, or a subscription service such as Little Passports.  

To minimize space impact, keep packs compact and convenient, by using a neatly organized lunch boxes.  Each child can keep it in their own space, and their snacks for each day can be kept inside too.

Roxanna | Gypsy With A Day Job

Cooler for Drinks and Snacks

I grew up road tripping around the United States, and one thing we never left home without was a small cooler for drinks and snacks. Buying drinks at gas stations and rest areas gets expensive, so before we left home, we’d hit the grocery store and grab bottles of our favorite drinks (bottles can be resealed, cans can’t) and bags of candy and chips to keep us going in between meals.

Pro tip: don’t buy anything that can melt like chocolate and gummy bears if you’re traveling in the summer.

We’d stash the cooler on the floor between our seats so we’d always have access to cold drinks. Hotels usually have ice machines, so you can refill your cooler with ice before setting out for the next leg of your trip. You’ll save tons of time and money on your road trip by bringing along a cooler full of drinks for everyone to share.

Kris | Nomad by Trade  

Take Along a Car Inverter

A car inverter is a fantastic road trip accessory and one we never knew we needed but now we can’t travel without! So what exactly is a car inverter? Simply said, an inverter allows you to charge your electrical gear in your car via the cigarette lighter charger in your car. It can be used to charge through both electrical plugs and USB. We use ours to charge all our travel gear such as our laptops, camera batteries, cell phones and drone batteries while on the road.

The ability to charge our gear in the car during a long journey between destinations is so useful and it ensures we never miss a photo due to a dead battery. Our inverter has saved us so many times, especially as we use our cell phones for navigation on road trips which runs down the battery very fast!

Elaine & David | Show Them The Globe

and with all that being said…

Don’t Take TOO Much Stuff

My best road trip tip is not to overload the car with stuff, though the temptation will be great! If you’re playing Tetris in the trunk at the beginning of your trip, you’ll face a disaster by the end. As with any other trip, take just a few days’ worth of clothing and plan to do laundry. Staying organized and having a place for everything is important so that you don’t have to re-pack the car at every stop.

You might have one small suitcase each for cold weather and warm weather clothing (if you’re changing seasons), a bag for things you’ll need at every overnight stop (like toiletries and chargers), a separate bag for swim gear, a cooler and snack bag in the back seat.

If you’re traveling with kids, try to minimize toys and other “kid junk” since it takes up plenty of space and seems to explode everywhere.

Melissa | The Family Voyage

STAYING SANE on the road / in the car

Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks

Music is essential for a road trip, everyone knows that, but I find music can only hold my attention for so long. I like to take a variety of audio with me, particularly for long road trips where I’m driving all day.

Podcasts, especially serialized podcasts like Serial and S-Town, are great for keeping you entertained, especially during the least interesting sections of road. Some podcasts are so gripping that you actually want to keep driving just so you can find out what happens next.

As well as podcasts and music, I also make sure I have some audio books and standup comedy to hand. You never know when you’ll want something different, and it’s great to have options to hand.

Some people just prefer music, of course, and that’s fine, and the rule should be that whoever is driving gets to listen to what they want to listen to.

James | This Travel Guide

Create A Memorable Trip Playlist

No road trip is complete without its very own soundtrack in my humble opinion. Make yourself a

playlist of your favourite tunes of the moment, or songs in the theme of your trip. It’s so fun to groove along while you’re on the road but even better when you get home. Hearing those road trip tunes  immediately takes you back to your vacation.

I love hearing Bastille’s epic pop anthem Pompeii. It transports me back to our trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy, driving along the winding cliff top roads. I can almost taste the salty air, seafood pasta and Aperol  spritz cocktail as soon as the opening bars come on the radio.

Deeper in my past, Paul Simon’s Graceland album was the soundtrack of the beach road trip vacations  of my childhood. And these are some of the sweetest travel memories of all.

So put some thought into your road trip soundtrack and pump up the volume as you take to the road.

Katy | Untold Morsels

Have Your Camera Ready

One tip for a memorable (with photographic proof) road trip is to have your camera ready to go at a moment’s notice.  You never know when you might come across a fox with a baby in a field or a moose on a lake or an elk in a forest. Or maybe you will find an incredible view with nowhere to pull off the infrequently traveled road.  Or maybe you’re in Africa or Asia and you drive by a local event along the road.

I always have my camera by my side ready to go. If you have time, make sure you roll down the window to avoid glare and reflections. Please only follow this tip if there are no cars around or you can safely pull off to the side of the road.

TheHotFlashPacker

CAR RENTAL TIPS

Choose Your Car Rental Company and Car Insurance Wisely

One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a roadtrip is the rental car. It’s very important to choose it smartly, because you are going to spend many hours in the car and it has to be as comfortable as possible.

The first thing to have in mind is choosing the car rental company that suits your needs for the trip. There are many websites that compare the different car rental companies and offer you the best price.

Once you choose the car rental company, you should choose the size of the car, which should be adjusted to the number of passengers and the number of suitcases you want to carry inside. Also, if the road trip destination includes mountains or unpaved roads, it’s better to rent a 4×4.

The last thing you have to keep in mind when renting a car for your roadtrip is the car insurance. Normally car rental companies include basic insurance, but it’s recommended that you extend it to full risk insurance, as that way you will avoid problems and pay a lot of money if you have an accident or you have a flat tire.

Sara | Mindful Travel by Sara

Know the Limits of Price Comparison Websites

Price comparison websites will almost always find the best prices and options for car hire, but it is also important to follow and fully understand the conditions of the hire. As almost all car hire companies will require credit cards these days when booking online, and these must be under the name of the driver. But even if the car hire company offers a refund in failing conditions, the online booking agents rarely share the same policy. So refunds are unlikely. Also, it is best to hire a car that best suits the conditions and terrain of a road trip, for example, engines of cheaper budget cars will likely struggle with mountainous terrain. And before driving from the lot, be sure to report and photograph any damage to the hire, know the fuel type and the fuel policy (full-to-full is generally best), as well as how to open the tank.

Allan | Live Less Ordinary

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

Rent and Return the Car in the Same City

A road trip is definitely my favourite way to discover a region. Flexible, you meet more local people and visit not-renown spots. I have a tip to give to say some money when organising a road trip. A tip that I learnt making this mistake myself. If you need to hire a car, organise starting point and arrival in the same place because rental agencies charge extra fees to bring back the car to the original location.

You can travel in a circle, as I did in Spain. I started from Madrid and visited Avila, Salamanca, Valladolid and Segovia, before going back to the Spanish capital. On the other side, when I visited Romania, I booked a flight to Timisoara and bought a return ticket from Bucharest.

While it was my favourite road trip, I had to pay the extra-fees for returning the car to Timisoara. Plan better, save money and use it for other activities!

Mario | Human Italian

KID-SPECIFIC TIPS

Bring the car seats for your kids along

It is really very easy to bring your car seats when you’re flying somewhere before your start your road trip. Low cost carriers will probably charge you to bring the car seat but it is worth it. You can just check it in.

The airline will put it in a plastic bag in most cases and you will find your car seat at the ‘unusual luggage spot’ which is mostly located next to the carousel where your normal check-in luggage arrives or at a special desk.

Car rental companies do offer car seats but nobody knows how to put them in the car AND for THEIR insurance, employees are not allowed to help you install the car seat. So to save yourself the frustration of trying to figure out a car seat you don’t know, just bring yours along. It is more practical, probably cheaper and most importantly you KNOW that your child will be safe.

Jessy | Planet Pilgrims

Take Regular Breaks

One of my best tips for road trips with little kids is taking regular breaks. We lived in Sydney for a while and would regularly do the Sydney to Melbourne drive which is 8 hours if you drive directly. We would do it in about 10 hours with a few 30 minute breaks here and there for the kids. We always found somewhere that had a little park so they could stretch their legs and expel some of their energy, we then found they would better settle into the next part of the drive.

We alway found just stopping for a toilet break was not enough and we would get back in the car and they would be fighting before we hit the highway again. A little play and run around made all the difference and if we were really lucky, at least one of the three would have a little sleep after a bit of a run about.

I also recommend regular healthy snacks with water only, we didn’t need any sugar highs in the back seat.

Sally | Our 3 Kids v The World  

A tip that has helped us in a pinch is when driving late at night, with the intention to stop and sleep at a hotel, call the hotel about 20 minutes in advance of your arrival to have the pull-out couch made up if you are needing one. That way you can just carry a sleeping child into the hotel and put them right to bed!

Momma To Go

Hopefully these long road trip tips have taught you a few things! When is your next road trip?!

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August 27, 2020 at 4:56 am

I love to camp and travel. Thanks for sharing such an amazing list. It is truly a great and useful piece of info.

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14+ No-Fail Fun Things to Do on a Long Car Ride

So you’re embarking on a road trip!

Maybe you’re bringing your kid to college, maybe you’re going to see the world, or maybe you just have a really long drive with toddlers to get to your family’s house for Christmas.

These things to do on a long car ride are mostly great for the passengers.

The driver should always be concentrating on driving, and maybe taking part in some of the games listed where safe, but mostly, this is a list of what to do on a long car ride assuming you’re not driving!

Also check out these more extensive road trip tips for other ideas on planning your trip.

1. Listen to a Podcast

Podcasts, which are usually about 30 minutes to an hour long or a bit more, are really great to listen to during a long road trip.

It’s sort of a halfway house between listening to music and listening to a book on tape, but you can find podcasts on any topic imaginable.

There are true crime podcasts, there are crafting podcasts, there are history podcasts, there are news podcasts, there are gardening podcasts.

Any interest you have is likely covered in a podcast somewhere, and they can be either completely entertaining, purely informational, or a mix of both.

2. Turn On an Upbeat Playlist

“Road trip playlists” are iconic because they’re awesome.

There’s no better feeling than sailing down the open road listening to favorite road trip jams like “Sweet Home Alabama” or some old school Taylor Swift.

Make a playlist for the whole car based off of everyone’s favorite songs, or just make your own playlist that you can put your headphones in for if the driver has it on boring talk radio.

One of my favorite things when I’m a passenger on long car rides is to have playlists that sync up to my mood and the weather outside, because there’s nothing that speaks to your soul as much as some ballads while the rain is falling down the windows and you’re reflecting on your life.

3. Read a Book or Listen to One on Tape

I get incredibly car sick when reading in the car, so I prefer to listen to books on tape, but whichever method you prefer, come prepared with your reading list.

This can be a great idea for kids who actually do have a school reading list they need to get through, or it can be just your personal reading list.

Sometimes, in the busy pace of everyday life, we always say we’re going to read, but never do.

But a long car ride is a great time to get some in!

4. Call Someone You Haven’t Talked to in Awhile

If everyone in the car has the same family or friends, it can be a great time to put someone on speakerphone or connect them to the car’s bluetooth if it has it and get some talking time in.

Maybe you haven’t talked to grandma in a while and you can all call her while you’re in the car, or maybe it’s a friend.

Whoever it is, reach out and use the extra time you have to catch up with people.

It’s something productive to do when you’re bored , and you’ll be connected when you hang up!

5. Research Things to Do in Your Destination

We’ve all got smartphones these days, which means you can do plenty of research on your destination on the way there.

Whether you’re going to Tuscaloosa , Erie , Duluth , Greensboro , or Orlando , look up places to eat, things to do, extra tips that you hadn’t come across yet.

This can be a fun activity for kids to keep them busy on a long car ride, as you can task each of them with planning out a day of your trip each or choosing a restaurant each if they’re old enough to use phones for research.

6. Play Road Trip BINGO

Go back to the old school things to do on a long car ride and play road trip BINGO!

You can download BINGO sheets or other road trip activity sheets and then everybody crosses squares off as they spot certain things out the window or various things happen in the car.

You can print out tons of BINGO sheets to have in the car for a spare moment, and come up with some sort of incentive or prize so the person who wins get to pick where to stop for lunch or something fun like that.

Yes, it’s old school, but honestly, sometimes we need to ditch the electronics and get back to pen and paper.

7. Use Your Phone to Play Games

Okay, and sometimes we should use our phones to the best of their abilities!

There are plenty of games on the phone like Words with Friends that you can play with each other in the car or get the kids to play together.

Obviously you can just play your games alone if you want, but it’s more fun if you get everyone involved in some sort of competition.

8. Meditate

Need a breather?

There are plenty of meditation apps that will help guide you through a meditation, which are particularly good when everyone else in the car is asleep or quiet (besides the driver, obviously).

Close your eyes, lean your head back, and follow the instructions on grounding yourself and trying to keep your thoughts trained on the meditation.

9. Count How Many Cars Of a Specific Type You Can See

Need another game for the kids in the car?

Have them try and count how many of a specific type of car they can see, or a specific color, throughout your entire journey.

It gives them a constant reason to be doing something other than asking when you’ll get there, which is the real purpose of the game.

10. Watch a Movie or TV Show

From tablets to phones, we now have the capabilities to watch movies or TV shows on the go.

Load up your device with plenty of movies or TV shows that you want to catch up on and watch them while on a long car ride.

You can also get hanging organizers for the back of the car seats, so the people sitting in the back can simply pop their tablet into the holder, turn on the movie, and watch.

This helps from straining necks for hours on end.

11. Do Crocheting or Knitting

If you’re interested in any type of knitting that you can do with your supplies in the car, bring it along!

Obviously you won’t have access to a sewing machine, but you can still do hand stiching, crocheting, and some other hand-based crafts that aren’t messy and just involve yarn.

This could also be a great time to learn a new hobby if you haven’t yet, as you could bring the materials and learn as you go.

12. Eat Snacks or Meals

You’re going to need to eat along the way, but why not pack snacks beforehand so you don’t have to stop?

Make cute sandwich faces or colorful desserts or anything fun to eat, like a Lunchable, that will take up a bit of time and make eating on the road trip a fun event rather than just something that you have to do.

Put the snacks in a fun bento box like this to make it even more exciting.

13. Play Video Games

Portable video games have been people’s favorite thing to do on long car rides since they were invented.

From the Gameboys to the Nintendo Switch, get everyone a personal video game console and some games and go for it!

Typically, encouraging people to play more video games isn’t necessarily the best idea, but when you’re in the car for hours on end?

Yes, please.

14. Learn a New Language

Wondering what to do during a long car ride?

Get cultured and learn a new language!

You can either put on a language learning app for the whole car to listen to, or you can do it individually if the rest of the car doesn’t share in your language learning

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1 thought on “14+ No-Fail Fun Things to Do on a Long Car Ride”

I feel like some things a person should do during a road trip is okay I spy with my little eye and Tic-tac-toe also like you can sketch and make a list of things you except to see like that one episode in peppa pig

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Everything You Need To Keep Kids Entertained During Long Car Rides

Senior Staff Writer, HuffPost

Summer road trip season is upon us, and with it, the whines and wails of children who have been cooped up in the backseat of a car for far too long. Whether you’re traveling with babies , toddlers , school-aged children or teens, keeping kids happy and occupied is a vital component of stress-free travel.

Screen time is helpful, but it’s not the only option — especially for small children who can get easily overstimulated. And although nothing beats getting lost in a good old-fashioned book, it’s not an option for those of us who get carsick the second we step into a moving vehicle.

Luckily, there are tons of options for parents looking to keep kids entertained during long car rides, from audiobooks to magnetic board games and more.

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Bucket List: The 12 Best Road Trip Routes In The World

• Road trips offer freedom and flexibility, allowing travelers to explore at their own pace and stop as long as they want. No schedules or time constraints to worry about.
• The world is full of incredible road trip routes, from scenic coastal drives to traversing challenging mountain passes. There are options for every type of traveler.
• Some of the top road trip routes include Route 66 in the US, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Ocean Road in Australia, Trollstigen in Norway, and the Ring Road in Iceland. These routes offer amazing views and unforgettable experiences.

Traveling by train, like enjoying an adventure on Amtrak's epic sleeper train routes around the world , can be a comfortable way to explore a destination (and multiple, at that!). However, there's far less freedom when traveling by rail because passengers are limited to the time constraints and stops on the journey. What's better than rail travel for folks with wanderlust hoping to be free from the clutches of time limits? Road trips, of course!

Going on a road trip is an amazing way for travelers to discover the world at their own pace; explorers can go wherever their hearts desire and stop for as long as they wish without having to worry about schedules. Moreover, there are countless options for road trip routes that range from scenic coastal drives to traversing rugged mountain passes and immersing oneself in the culture and history of an area (or an entire country, in many cases).

For aspiring roadtrippers looking to see the world, here are the top ten best road trip routes around the globe to add to the bucket list. From the breathtaking vistas of Scotland's North Coast 500 to the remote and challenging terrain of Pakistan's Karakoram Highway, these amazing bucket list road trips offer unforgettable experiences and awe-inspiring views for those who crave adventure on the open road.

UPDATE: 2023/11/30 12:40 EST BY NOAH STAATS

Who's Up For A Drive? These Are Some Of The Most Beautiful Routes To Take

This list covers a number of the most beautiful road trips in the world (in other words, the best!). However, there's always room for more! As such, this article has been updated with two new bucket list road trip routes, both in the US and the most beautiful to embark on ASAP. From Route 66 across the Western United States to the Blue Ridge Mountain Drive, there are endless places to travel by vehicle. Have fun!

Related: Road Trip Bucket List: 12 Major Cities To Stop At Along Route 66

Route 66, United States

Welcome to the wild west: route 66 is the perfect desert adventure.

One of the most famous road trips in the world is Route 66 in the United States. Not only has this iconic road-inspired movie like Cars , but it also boasts endless scenery, history, and communities worth stopping in for the night. Most notably, Route 66 offers tons of epic stops and spans over 2,400 miles across states like Arizona, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico and ends in Los Angeles, California.

This is undeniably one of the best driving ideas for a road trip itinerary and should keep everyone occupied from mile one to 2,488. Moreover, Route 66 boasts an eight-state coverage, with something to see and do at nearly every turn. However, much of this route goes through desert landscape, so make sure and bring plenty of water!

• Distance : 2,448 miles
• Time to Drive: 10 days (minimum) , but 2 weeks is an ideal timeframe

The Blue Ridge Parkway, United States

This road trip route is known to be the most scenic drive in the united states.

Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most stunning drives in the United States and arguably North America. Here, people can embark on a 469-mile adventure through this famous mountain range, traveling through states like Virginia and North Carolina. Moreover, the Blue Ridge Parkway detours into places like Shenandoah National Park and the Smoky Mountains National Park system. This makes it a perfect choice for mountain lovers and hikers, plus it is a pretty scenic route from start to finish.

It's also worth noting that while on this road trip route, you will drive through countless towns, including Linville Falls, Blowing Rock, Boone, Sparta, Roanoke, Virginia, Bryson City, Mouth of Wilson (Grayson Highlands State Park), West Jefferson, and so on.

• Distance: 469 miles
• Time to Drive: ~9-10 hours

The Blue Ridge Scenic Highway through North Carolina is another epic US road trip route in this region!

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Coastal views and cliffside driving make the great ocean road a top road trip.

Covering a distance of 413 miles, The Great Ocean Road is a picturesque coastal route that starts from Torquay and ends in Allansford, near Warrnambool, located on the southeastern coast of Australia.

Constructed by Australian soldiers in remembrance of their fallen colleagues, the road is renowned for its scenic beauty, with stunning oceanic views, cliffs, and rainforests. Exploring this road with its gorgeous scenery is one of the best things to do in Australia.

• Distance: 413 miles
• Time to Drive: ~9.5 hours

Trollstigen, Norway

Get ready to turn (a lot) in norway while driving trollstigen.

Trollstigen, which translates to the "Troll's Path" or the "Troll's Road", is a mountainous road located in western Norway, running from south to north from Sylte in Fjord Municipality to Åndalsnes in Rauma Municipality. It is approximately 20 kilometers long and contains 11 hairpin turns that ascend the steep mountainside, with gradients as steep as 10%.

The road was built between 1925 and 1936 and has since become a popular tourist attraction due to its breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and mountains, earning a spot on many lists of the world's most scenic drives. Even though it is not included as one of the things travelers should not miss out on in Norway because it's a bit off the beaten path (and tourists without a car will have to rent one), it provides a breathtaking experience for road trip fans.

• Distance: 31 miles
• Time to Drive: ~1-2 hours

Ring Road, Iceland

Also called route 1, this route offers glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, and falls.

The Iceland Ring Road, also referred to as Route 1 or simply the Ring Road, is an 828-mile-long highway encircling the entire island country of Iceland. The road provides access to some of Iceland's most popular tourist spots, such as volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs, and waterfalls.

Completed in 1974, the Ring Road has emerged as a major tourist attraction in Iceland, offering visitors stunning vistas of the country's diverse landscapes and unique geological formations. Several charming towns and villages in Iceland (other than Reykjavik) dot the road, providing essential services and accommodations to travelers. From Icelandic culinary adventures to marveling at Iceland's unique beaches , Iceland's Ring Road is worth the bucket list because it promises a deep exploration of the entire country.

• Distance: 828 miles
• Time to Drive: Approximately 6 days in summer and 12 days in winter , at a minimum

The Garden Route, South Africa

190 miles of beaches, mountains, lagoons, and forests.

Located on the south-western coast of South Africa, The Garden Route is easily one of the most scenic drives in the world; it's a 190-mile-long scenic route between Mossel Bay and Storms River, passing through a range of breathtaking landscapes such as lush forests, pristine beaches, towering mountains, and tranquil lagoons.

As a popular tourist spot, The Garden Route offers visitors an array of attractions and activities throughout the journey, making it an ideal road trip destination. Drive down this road and discover what South Africa is really like .

• Distance: 190 miles
• Time to Drive: 2-3 hours (but it's recommended to take a few days to complete it and appreciate the sights along the way)

Amalfi Coast, Italy

High-class living and mediterranean views make the amalfi coast an upscale road trip choice.

The stunning Amalfi Coast is a 31-mile road that winds along the southern coast of Italy, connecting the cities of Sorrento and Salerno. The road passes through a series of charming coastal towns, such as Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi, each with its own unique character and attractions.

The narrow, winding road features hairpin turns and steep drops, providing breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and cliffs. Travelers can stop at scenic overlooks, indulge in local cuisine, and explore historical sites and cultural attractions.

• Time to Drive: ~2 hours

A82, Scotland

Catch a glimpse of the lochness monster on scotland's a82 route.

In Scotland, the A82 is a major road that spans approximately 167 miles from Glasgow to Inverness, passing through some of Scotland's most stunning landscapes, such as Loch Lomond, Glencoe, and Loch Ness.

Initially constructed in the 18th century as a military route to the Highlands, it has become a vital transport link and popular tourist route. The A82 goes through several towns and villages, including Fort William, the gateway to Ben Nevis, which is the highest mountain in the UK.

• Distance: 167 miles
• Time to Drive: ~3 hours (but it's better to take one's time to enjoy the stops and views along the way)

Related: Discovering The Beauty Of The Palisades Parkway: A Road Trip Adventure In Northern New Jersey

The Karakoram Highway, China/Pakistan

Peaks, glaciers, and valleys from kashgar, china to islamabad, pakistan.

The Karakoram Highway, also known as the Friendship Highway, is one of the best travel routes for road trippers on this list for those who crave adventurous terrain. The route spans over 1,300 kilometers from Kashgar in China to Islamabad in Pakistan. The road traverses through some of the most remote and rugged terrain on earth, including the Karakoram mountain range, which houses some of the world's highest peaks, such as K2, the second-highest mountain in the world.

The construction of the Karakoram Highway was completed in 1986, and it is recognized as a remarkable engineering feat involving the construction of numerous bridges and tunnels through some of the planet's most challenging terrain. The highway provides breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and deep valleys while also providing an opportunity to experience the culture and history of the region.

• Distance: 810 miles
• Time to Drive: ~4-5 days (but travelers can spend longer if they wish to take their time)

Related: From Canyons To Wildflowers: Discovering Anza Borrego On A Scenic Road Trip

The North Coast 500, Scotland

Castles, cliffs, pubs, and water views in the scottish highlands.

The Scottish Highlands is a picturesque region in Scotland that boasts natural beauty, rugged landscapes, and historical landmarks. Many scenic routes and roads are scattered throughout the area, offering visitors breathtaking views of the region's unique culture and history. However, none are quite as enchanting as the North Coast 500 drive, which easily earns its place among the world's best road trips for its scenery alone (and the quintessential Scottish pubs en route!).

One of the best road trips in Scotland (or indeed the UK overall) is the North Coast 500, a 516-mile road trip showcasing some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. The journey begins and ends in Inverness, taking travelers through small villages, historic towns, dramatic mountain ranges, and rugged coastlines. There are plenty of ancient castles, scenic overlooks, and traditional Scottish pubs to stop and enjoy along the way.

• Distance: 516 miles
• Time to Drive: ~ 8 hours 30 minutes

The Overseas Highway, Florida Keys, USA

This is the drive between the florida keys and miami beach.

The Overseas Highway , located in the Florida Keys of the USA, is a 113-mile-long road that connects Miami to Key West, the southernmost point in the continental United States. The highway spans a series of islands, providing awe-inspiring views of the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Originally built as a railroad track in the early 20th century, it was later converted to a highway to connect the Keys' islands. Today, the highway is one of the best road trips in the world for coastal scenery, passing through several towns and villages, including Islamorada and Marathon, each with its own unique attractions and activities.

• Distance: 113 miles
• Time to Drive: ~4 hours one-way

Related: From Waterfalls To Wildlife: Exploring The Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway On A Road Trip Adventure

The Atlantic Road, Norway

This route in norway makes its way to the little island of averøy.

The Atlantic Road in Norway is a 5.2-mile road that runs along Norway's coast, connecting the mainland to the island of Averøy with eight bridges. It passes through some of Norway's most stunning coastal landscapes, offering views of the open sea, rugged cliffs, and tiny islands.

This road is an engineering marvel, completed in 1989, as it required the construction of several bridges and causeways in one of the most challenging marine environments in the world. The Atlantic Road is a popular tourist attraction that offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery to those visiting Norway.

• Distance : 5.2 miles
• Time to Drive: ~10 minutes

This road is short but sweet; however, if travelers want to extend it, they can drive the whole of the super scenic Route 64 ( Route 64 includes the Atlantic Road ). Doing so will add around an hour and 15 minutes to the journey.

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25 Romantic Things To Make a Long Drive FUN

Are you looking for couples road trip activities to make a long drive a lot more fun? I’ve got experience and ideas! Here are some romantic things to do on a long drive.

But first, what does “romantic” mean to you and your significant other? Think about this a bit as you scan the list of ideas below. Some will be spot on and others totally off. Obviously, pick what works for you on your couples road trip.

WARNING: Whenever you want to make something “romantic,” it can put a whole lot of pressure and expectations on you guys. This is the exact opposite of romantic. A better question might be, How do you two have fun together? What makes you laugh together? Aim to make a couples road trip FUN, and the romance will follow.

You may also like: HOW TO PLAN a Romantic Getaway

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links to excellent travel-related products. If you use the links below to make a purchase, we’ll receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

What Are Some Romantic Things To Do on a Long Drive?

1. make your car romantic..

You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your car, so make it a place you WANT to be romantic in. Clean it up. Add some cozy blankets and cushions for rest stops. Maybe string up some lights or get some lights that sync to your playlist. Find more ideas at How to Make a Car Romantic .

2. Bring along fun conversation starters.

Simple but useful couples road trip activities are conversation starters. Order a box of conversation cards for couples from Etsy, or print off these conversation starter printables . Both show questions that are actually fun and not super cheesy.

3. Pack a few games.

When looking for great couples road trip games as romantic things to do on a long drive, aim for something that actually sounds fun. Not everything needs to be “romantic” relationship focused! Backpacker: The Ultimate Travel Game is a low-key and super-portable travel card game where you travel the world, right from your car. Other great ideas are Mad Libs word games , 21 Questions and a roll-up checkers set to get outside on your rest stop.

4. Plan a few car dates.

You can find plenty of car date ideas out there, so plan a few of them as romantic things to do on a long drive. To turn a couples road trip activity into a car date, you need just a few things. A special snack or treat. Some type of activity. And agreement that it’s a date! It can be as simple as watching the sunrise from the comfort of your car while sipping your favorite coffee. Or as elaborate as a fancy takeout dinner at a favorite local lookout, with interior lights dancing to your playlist. (Tip: Check out How to Make a Car Romantic for more ideas!)

5. Take selfie breaks.

Something romantic to do on a long drive is to take plenty of selfies. Don’t just take the traditional smiling selfies (although these are great, too!). You’re bound to see odd, quirky things on your couples road trip. So, get out of the car and take those goofy selfies to capture the fun! A fantastic helper is this flexible tripod that you can wrap on any random tree limb or stick on your car with the magnetic feet.

6. Take a few dance breaks.

You have to stretch anyway, so make it a dance break for a fun and romantic thing to do on a long drive! Turn up your favorite song, roll down the windows and twirl it up! (Isn’t this pic SO fun?!)

Before heading out on your trip, beef up your playlist with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime Music .

7. Stop to meet the locals.

Local animals, I mean. One of the funniest moments when exploring Islay’s distillery tours was when we came across some cows and sheep grazing by the road. My husband makes a pretty good moo, but it was pretty hilarious when he got a moo back. And nuzzling a horse that came up to our window and chatting with the shaggy highland cows was pretty great, too.

8. Explore a few sideroads.

Highways just aren’t nearly as interesting as the sideroads. On a long couples road trip, you do have to be selective so you don’t add a ton of extra time to the already long drive. But with a bit of advance planning, you can take a few side treks to cute little villages or through pretty scenery.

9. Climb a tree.

Yup, you read that right. Climbing a tree together is such a fun and romantic thing to do on a long drive! Yes, it’s a bit silly and makes you feel like a kid again. And because of this, it’s a couples road trip activity that gets you laughing and helping each other, connecting physically and purposefully. Plus, climbing a tree together gives you a shared, elevated view. Perfect for a fun selfie.

10. Plan a few picnics.

Picnics are a classically romantic thing to do on a long drive, so plan a few of them. Ideally, do a little research beforehand to find some pretty lakes and waterfalls you might want to stop at anyway. Before you leave, pack a baguette and a cooler of cheeses, meats, antipasto and olives. Then, either top up your stash along the way at local delis, or pick up take-out and eat it in a pretty spot.

My favorite picnic accessories include a wine cooler , roll-up waterproof blanket , and folding picnic table . For colder weather and picnics inside, bring a portable kettle and delicious international organic teas to try.

11. Bring along a hammock.

Even though long couples road trips typically mean you wanna get there , romantic things to do on a long drive include cuddle breaks. Combine your stop with a picnic or meal break at a pretty spot. And while you can cuddle in the backseat, a much better idea is to string up a double hammock overlooking a view!

12. Bring some fun snacks.

With a bit of advanced planning, you can pack international snack boxes to make a couples road trip fun. Trying new treats not only helps to fill your snack quota, but makes for fun conversations, too! Check out the Turkish snack box and Japanese snack box available on Amazon.

You may also like: CABIN Packing List for Romantic Getaways

13. Plan some great stops.

Sure, you wanna just get there on a long couples road trip. BUT you also want to make fun memories! Do a little research before you leave and pick a few stops that look fun. This obviously depends on the road trip route you’re taking, but maybe it’s as simple as a quick stop at hot springs, a paddle-boat on the lake, or a short hike at a national park. A round of golf at an epic course or checking out a highly-rated museum. Pick a couples road trip activity unique to the area. (It’ll also give you something to talk about.)

14. Plan a few date nights.

When researching great places to stop, plan in a few places you can have fun date nights, too. Again, this obviously depends on fun things to do along your long drive. This might be a wine tour, sports game, festival or other big event. Maybe a hot air balloon ride, escape room, or indoor skydiving (unless you’re both up for the real thing!). 

15. Stop at local eateries.

Stopping at top-rated local restaurants and craft breweries on your long drive is a fun thing to do on a couples road trip. You need to eat anyway, so you might as well turn it into a couples road trip activity that gives you a taste of the areas you’re driving through. It’ll also create memories and conversations!

16. Stay at great local accommodations.

A fun and romantic thing to do on a long drive is to pick great accommodations along the way. And change it up, by embracing the area you’re stopping in. In a cute little town, go with a highly-rated bed and breakfast or boutique inn. When passing through a city or resort community, indulge in an elegant hotel or spa resort. And don’t forget cozy cabins or glamping at national parks. Changing it up again gives you awesome couples road trip memories and conversations.

You may also like:

• Romantic Getaways in USA and Canada
• How to PLAN a Romantic Getaway
• How to Pick BETTER Travel Accommodations

17. Remember the simple things.

Among the most romantic things to do on a long drive are the same as those things we do when first in love! Hold hands. Open the door for each other. Talk (and listen!) to each other. Bite your tongue when they do something that bugs you. Let them choose the playlist or audiobook (or, if it’s truly awful, negotiate one you’ll both like!).

18. Pre-discuss what’s off-limits.

Before you leave, talk about what’s off-limits to head-off any serious annoyances. Maybe you each veto three albums the other can’t pick for your playlist. Or agree to what your default volume will be. If one person is a no-stop road tripper, negotiate a few quick stops per day and maybe a date-worthy event every few days. You need to stretch and fuel up anyway, so you might as well make the stop count!

19. Pre-discuss what you most want to do.

When my husband and I drove from London to Edinburgh , we each picked a main stop. Him: Sherwood Forest. Me: Oxford University. Neither of us rushed the other through their stop, and we were both happy!

20. Agree to a general budget.

A practical way to keep the fun and romance on a long couples road trip is to talk about the budget before you go. Get a sense of where each of you is at, so both of you can manage your expectations and negotiate where you’ll prioritize your spending. Do your best to meet in the middle, so you’re both comfortable. Comfortable = fun and romance.

You may also like: How to PLAN a Romantic Getaway

21. Gift something for your couples road trip.

Something fun and romantic to do on a long drive is to build some anticipation! You can do this by giving your significant other a gift related to your trip. Maybe it’s something they’ll need for it, like a cozy car blanket or new backpack . Or, maybe you use a scratch-and-reveal card or gift box to share a couples road trip activity y12ou’re planning.

22. Count down to your trip.

Another way to make the lead-up to your couples road trip fun and special is a countdown. This could be as simple as a cute text every day during the week before you leave. Or a little love note tucked into their briefcase. Maybe a piece of a puzzle they build at the end to find out about that special romantic accommodation you booked along the way.

23. Plan some low-key backup activities.

No matter how thoughtful you are with finding fun and romantic things to do on your long drive, chances are you’ll have some down time. You’ll likely want some down time, without pressure to fill the time with “meaningful” couples road trip activities. Plan some low-key, low-pressure things to do, like a few audiobooks and podcasts you can alternate between, depending on your moods.

Check out Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans and Audible Plus for thousands of audiobooks and podcasts.

24. Choose comfy, cute road trip outfits.

A very practical thing to do to make a long drive romantic is to carefully pick road trip outfits that are both comfortable and cute. Choose undies and clothes you can comfortably sit in for hours, AND that you’ll feel great in when you stop for that picnic or round of golf. If you’re planning a more elaborate date one day, keep your backup outfit handy so you can easily and quickly change.

25. Get a GPS! 

My husband and I agree that our GPS saved our marriage on our UK road trip . Mobile phones can be fine for short local road trips where cell coverage is strong and reliable. But on a long drive with weak or unpredictable cell coverage and signage, getting a proper GPS is a very good idea (we love our Garmin GPS ). Another benefit is that it keeps your phone free for managing your playlist and for last-minute research on local stops. A GPS is also ideal for exploring those sideroads!

Need a new car adapter for all those gadgets? Check out this fast-charging car adapter charger with four plugs and an LED light display to tell you the voltage level.

• How to Make a CAR Romantic
• HOW TO PLAN a Romantic Getaway
• PACKING LIST for a Romantic Cabin Getaway
• ROMANTIC GIFTS for Her and for Him

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35 Things To Do On a Long Car Ride With Kids for a Happy Road Trip in 2024

Road trips can be a blast, but it could be another story if you’re traveling with the kids . We’ve learned that preparing for the drive is just as important as planning what to do when you get to your destination. That umpteen-hour drive to and from Disney World can have you cursing Cinderella before you even make it to the panhandle.

I mean, while we know we can’t expect joy-filled giggles or total peace and quiet the entire drive, I do have some great ideas to make the drive more enjoyable and to help keep the kids from declaring total mutiny in the backseat. If you’ve got a road trip planned, you’ll definitely want to keep reading for sanity-saving things to do on a long car ride with kids .

This post may contain affiliate links to products that earn me a small commission. These come at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business!

Kids’ Activities and Games for a Long Car Ride

Whether your long car ride is 2 hours or 20 hours, you’ll want to be prepared. Depending upon your kid’s age, stage, and ability to entertain themselves, you might need just a few fun ideas or an entire arsenal of activities that will help beat boredom without an overload of screen time. Be sure and add some of these items to your road trip packing list!

LCD Writing Tablet

I love these LCD writing tab lets! Kids can write, draw, and erase all day. The battery lasts about 12 months of use and is replaceable when it goes out, so you don’t have to worry about keeping it charged. Just toss it in a diaper bag or backpack and you have an instant creative outlet for the car ride.

Reusable Sticker Books

For little ones on a long car ride, I love these reusable sticker books ! They’re safe for the car because the stickers easily peel off a car window or seat back. Whoever created these deserves a medal, says every parent who has scraped old stickers from their door panels after a long car trip.

Sticker Activity Books

There are lots of options for sticker/activity books, but I especially love these beautifully illustrated travel-themed ones for older kids. This 50 States sticker book is fun and is a great geography lesson, especially if you’ll be crossing several state lines during your road trip. This National Park book is also a great idea if you’ll be road-tripping to any of these incredible parks.

Travel Activity Desk

If your kid prefers drawing on paper, then a travel activity desk is awesome. Find one that has pockets for all of their supplies and easily zips open and closed, so you’re not hunting for markers and loose crayons the entire road trip.

Magnetic Puzzles and Games

There are all kinds of magnetic puzzles and games available, from tangrams to chess. I love that the pieces stay attached, so there’s less chance of losing them. My kids love Minecraft , so I’m excited to pull out this puzzle for our next road trip!

Magnetic Drawing Board

The magnetic drawing board is similar to a writing tablet, but in this case, the stylus moves tiny magnetic beads to the surface of the board. When you want to “erase” it, simply push the beads back down. This is a great sensory, mess-free activity for kids for long car rides.

Play Travel “I Spy”

No road trip is complete without road trip games. Here’s a game you can play the old-school way or get a pack of travel cards to play this game with your family as a way to pass the time. It’s a great way to get the kids engaged in the world outside the car and sharpens their observation skills.

Lacing Toys

My girls loved these lacing toys when they were little. They felt like they were learning to sew, while at the same time strengthening their fine motor skills. They’re great for car rides since there are no small pieces, plus they’re easily packable for your road trip.

Busy Boards

A busy board is an engaging, sensory experience for your toddlers or preschoolers. Your little kids will be able to practice skills, such as zipping or buckling. They’ll love the textures and colors and learn basic skills that every school-age kid needs to know. These busy boards make it a fun way to pass the time on a road trip, as well as learn life skills in the car.

Play the Alphabet Game

Similar to “I Spy,” the alphabet game gets your kiddos looking for letters of the alphabet on road signs, billboards, and license plates on your long car ride. It’s a great way to get them reading without realizing they’re doing it on the long car ride. I love these free printable alphabet games from Military One Source.

You’re probably laughing right now, but seriously… This idea from MammaPapaBubba is genius. You can create your own travel Lego kit that will let your kiddos build in the car for hours without dropping dozens of tiny Legos in the bottomless pit of your back seat.

Play a License Plate Game

Here’s one of my favorite road trip games. I used to play the license plate game as a kid. Of course, we did it the old-school way with paper and pencil, but you can find some really neat games to bring along in the car, like this Melissa and Doug version or these License Plate Travel Bingo cards.

Surprise Bags

Packing some DIY blind bags with some figurines your kids would love is so much fun. They’ll be thrilled about the surprise as they pull out unexpected fun things. On our trip to Disney, I ordered a big pack of little Disney toys on eBay for WAY cheaper than I would have paid at the park. And because it was a surprise to my kids, they were over the moon excited.

Road Trip Bingo

There are tons of free, printable Bingo games your kids can play on your long car ride, like these from the Travel Channel or these for your Bluey fans .

Pro tip: Put them in page protectors in a binder, so you can continue to add to your travel Bingo collection over the years.

Game on a Nintendo Switch

If you don’t have one of these super popular handheld gaming devices, it might be worth investing in one or borrowing one if you’ll be in the car for hours. While we typically try to avoid excessive amounts of screen time, desperate times call for desperate measures. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to help the kids stay entertained. (The Switch is also available in a Lite version at a lower price point. )

Activities for Everyone for a Long Car Ride

The opportunity to spend hours together on a long car ride can be a great time to bond, plan, and enjoy some road trip entertainment. Here are some great ideas for family activities that little kids, teens , and adults can either enjoy together or separately when we need a break from each other.

Save the Trip Planning For the Car

If you have a flexible week ahead of you at your destination, take the time to plan on your car ride instead of nailing it all down before. Let the kids weigh in on meals, activities, etc. It will fill the time and let the kids have more buy-in on your road trip. This is especially important if you have older kids/teens who might be more reluctant about a family trip.

Listen to a Podcast

It seems there are endless podcast choices available. Depending upon the age and interests of your family, choose one to listen to together, or download podcasts on individual devices for some quiet listening time. There are even podcasts made for children as young as two years old, so there’s definitely something for everyone.

Listen To Your Own Music

If you have a music subscription, download music to your child’s tablet or phone ahead of time when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. We have a Spotify family account, and each of us can create our own library of music. Having control over music on the drive gives everyone a little sanity and control over their environment when everyone is in need of some personal space and time.

Learn a New Language

An extended amount of time in the car is a great time to work on your second language skills. You could choose a podcast to listen to or practice on a free language learning app, such as Duolingo . There are lots of options for practicing the language of your choice.

Listen to an Audiobook

I love that I can download audiobooks on the Libby app from my public library. Listening to a novel is one of the other best ways to pass the hours on long car rides. It’s free and there are tons of choices. You can also sign up for an Audible membership if your public library doesn’t offer this service.

Tip: if your local library doesn’t offer this or has many audiobooks available, check with a bigger city in your state. Some of them will allow residents of the state to create an account for free. If you’re in TX, you can get an online card from the Houston Public Library and get FREE access to tons of books and audiobooks!

Find an Interesting Gas Station

The south has its Bucees and the Northeast has its Wawa. If you’re into gas stations that seem to offer it all, you’ll find it at one of these locations.

There are also some incredibly unique gas stations across the US that are worth a stop and might even be worth going out of your way to visit.

Make Foodie Stops

If speed is your thing, then you might want to skip right over this. But if you love to try local food, then plan your drive around it. Some of our favorite stops have been at local spots that we’ve found on our drive. It’s much better than wolfing down some greasy fries while you’re driving, IMO.

Play “While You Were Sleeping”

This might be one of my favorites. 😂 When someone in the car falls asleep, everyone else QUIETLY creates a story about what happened while the sleeping passenger was snoozing. The goal is to make them believe you, so depending upon the gullibility of your crew, you can go as big as you want with your story.

Forbidden Words

This is a hilarious game to get everyone involved in. At the beginning of the trip, you set some words that are forbidden from being spoken, like “bathroom” or “hungry.” If someone in the car says one of these words, they are either out of the game or you could have them complete a task like eating some BeanBoozled jelly beans . The rules are really up to you!

Play Decades

This is another favorite game of ours, and I don’t know if it has a real name, but that’s what we call it.

Someone in the car calls out a decade. Then everyone takes turns picking out a song from that decade. It’s sure to get some laughs and likely some groans. Spotify playlists make this an easy game to play.

Watch a Movie

One of my favorite features of Netflix is that I can download hours of movies onto my kids’ tablet or phone. This is great for airplane rides and really long car rides, especially if you don’t have cellular service or have limited data.

Take a Photo-Op

Break up the drive by finding some Insta-Worthy photo ops along the way. It’s a great way to document your trip while you stretch your legs.

Find a Park

Chances are, there are some fun parks or playgrounds along your travel route. If you’re traveling during the day, plan to stop and let the kids run off some steam. If they play hard enough, you might get some quiet nap time afterward.

Things to Do to Make it a Relaxing Long Car Ride

Sometimes after a few hours on a long car ride, you can start to feel trapped or overwhelmed, especially if you or your kids are highly sensitive or have special needs. This is a struggle for our family, so I have to be proactive at trying to create a calm environment in the car. To help prevent meltdowns and overwhelm, these items help to encourage rest and calm on our road trips.

Pack Snacks!

If we had to stop every time someone said, “I’m hungry,” we’d waste HOURS. But we’ll also do almost anything to avoid having “hangry” passengers.

Before your trip, it’s a great idea to go snack shopping. Let the kids pick out their faves, but make sure you also pack some healthy snacks. We love to bring a small cooler to toss in some string cheese, apple slices, and grapes.

Headphones or Earplugs

Having a pair of headphones or earplugs for every person is going to make your road trip so much easier when everyone is wanting to listen to their own music, show, etc. I love having wireless headphones, but it’s helpful to have a wired pair on hand in case you aren’t able to charge a set.

Sometimes, you don’t want to listen to anything but need some quiet. My daughter has misophonia and is very easily over-stimulated by sounds. On a road trip, she either uses her noise-canceling Airpod Pros with or without any music playing or will wear these Loop earplugs to help muffle sounds.

Invest in Travel Pillows

This is an essential part of your road trip. Finding a travel pillow that works to support your head and neck will make a huge difference on your road trip and help guarantee that you’ll get some good rest.

If you’re like me and have a hard time getting enough neck support, then you might love this unique neck pillow . I was skeptical at first, but it was a game changer on a 9-hour overnight flight.

Darken the Windows

If you’re traveling during the day, adding some removable window shades will help block out some of the sunlight and help your passengers get some rest during the drive, and cut down on glare.

These silk, adjustable eye masks should be part of your road trip essentials. If you or your crew have trouble sleeping during the day, these lightweight eye masks provide a black-out environment to help you rest on the road.

Aromatherapy

Traveling in a car together can result in some interesting…aromas. To help keep it fresh, you might enjoy one of these travel diffusers . It sits in your cup holder and plugs into a USB outlet. Bring along your favorite essential oil blends and create a relaxing environment.

Fidget with a Fidget

From toddlers to adults, a fidget can be a sanity saver on a long drive for your anxious or antsy travelers. For me, having something to do with my hands helps me stay off my phone. If you have older kids and teens, they’ll likely enjoy these Shape-Shifting Cubes . Younger kids will love these variety packs . You can pull a new one out every hour to change it up.

Wrapping Up

Family road trips, while exhausting, can be a lot of fun! If you plan well for your road trip ahead of time, you can actually make some really fun memories during the drive, as well as help keeps everyone entertained and well-rested.

If everyone is sick of each other and angry before you arrive, it can affect the rest of your trip and keep you from fully enjoying the fun things you planned the rest of the time. So next time you are planning to hit the open road, refer back to our list to get ideas for your road trip.

Let us know your best tips for surviving and enjoying long car rides with your family!

Meredith lives in Cowtown, aka Fort Worth, TX with her husband Brian, three daughters, and three kitty cats. She is obsessed with travel and coffee. When she isn't writing, you might find her relaxing on a patio with an iced coffee, dreaming up her next trip.

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Non screen activities for road trips?

Water Wow coloring books, color wonder markers/coloring books, sticker books (Dollar Tree usually has some great little travel activity packs), random toys to pullout throughout the trip, books, lots of kid music playing in the car, Amazon has some great “busy books” for toddlers that would work well.

Sirius XM Moonbug Radio has been a lifesaver! My baby loves to listen, sing along, look at the mirror or out the window!

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On a long road trip, we all need two kinds of essential fuel. There’s the kind that keeps the car running, and then the type that keeps *us* running. While any old gas station or fast food fare can do the trick, if you’re going to be in the car for a while, you might want to employ some strategy to keep you satiated. Bringing your own snacks reduces unnecessary stops, meaning you’ll get to your final destination that much faster. And with the costs of fast food higher than ever this summer, that’s money back in your pocket. Finally, when you’re munching on something you actually like—and maybe something nutritious—that long drive will feel less like a chore and more like a fun adventure.

Read on to get snack inspiration for your next long road trip, according to Allrecipes Allstars who’ve perfected the art of the road trip nosh.

Homemade Trail Mix

Nothing says “happy trails” like a trail mix that contains plenty of energizing, filling nutrients, so it can go a long way in keeping you satiated on a trip. Customize your own mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, and even add seasoning (or chocolate) to up the taste factor. “Trail mix is so easy to make at home,” says Allrecipes Allstar Kim Shupe. “You can just throw it in a container and toss it into a car before you go.”

Onigiri , or Japanese rice balls, is fast to make and doesn’t require any complicated ingredients. Plus, it’s filling and non-messy, so it’s extra convenient for a car ride. “You can use whatever you may have on hand to make savory, sweet, sour, or salty bundles of joy that any member of your family can customize to their own taste,” says Allrecipes Allstar Blake Baird. Try adding beef, salmon, or tuna for a protein boost!

Meat and Cheese Roll-ups 

You could make a PB&J or ham sandwich for your next road trip—or you could take a bit of extra time to whip up a delicious snack-sandwich hybrid you’ll look forward to way more. Allrecipes Allstar Bri Evans likes turkey, spinach, and cream cheese roll-ups (basically, a wrap cut down to bite size). Here’s another take: a roast beef, cheddar cheese, and horseradish roll-up .

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

For long road trips, Allrecipes Allstar Bryan Tario likes to bring along salty beef jerky —you can dehydrate your own at home or buy your favorite at the store ahead of time. “Nibbling on some a little at a time along the way keeps my stomach satiated and alert,” he says. If you don’t like meat, you can satisfy your umami craving with mushroom jerky instead.

Fresh Fruit

What’s not to love about fruit on a road trip? Along with giving a quick energy boost when you need it, fruit satisfies your sweet cravings. Keep yours chilled to make it even more refreshing. “I like grapes, kept cold in a cooler,” says Allrecipes Allstar Brenda Venable . “They’re the perfect finger food: hydrating, not messy, delicious, and actually healthy!”

For the avid snackers among us, Allrecipes Allstar Rosanne Robinson says popcorn is an excellent road trip snack choice. You can pop it ahead of time, season it, and pre-fill bags or storage containers for when a salty, sweet, or crunchy craving strikes. Try a few different seasonings to spice things up.

Grilled Veggie Sandwiches

Another genius, nutritious take on standard road trip fare: A roasted veggie sandwich , which won’t require refrigeration like meat would if you’re on a long road trip. Allrecipes Allstar Ashley Schuering takes whatever leftover veggies she has—think onions, peppers, zucchini, or squash—then marintes them with a simple garlicky balsamic vinaigrette for 30 minutes. Then, she grills them, layers them on a crusty roll, and smears it with some hummus. 

Peanut Butter and Crackers

Want a filling snack that’s also salty and crunchy? Take after Allrecipes Allstar Paula Roten and pack along peanut butter crackers. Spread your favorite nut butter on your go-to crackers ahead of time for an easy-to-eat, satisfying bite. Add a dollop of jelly for a sweet and salty take! (Got time to pre-make a super delicious treat? Try these Chocolate Coated Peanut Butter Crackers —just pack a few extra napkins.)

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Trail mix’s beloved cousin, Chex Mix , is Allrecipes Allstar Donna Michaels ’ go-to road trip snack. Rather than the store-bought version, she appreciates a homemade mix, and there are so many different variations you can try. Mix up your preferred ingredients and seasonings, pre-portion them in bags, and you’re ready to go!

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