Best Audiobooks for Road Trips in 2025

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Narrator: Andy Serkis | Duration: 10 hrs 25 mins

This isn't the Tolkien you get at school. Andy Serkis treats The Hobbit like a campfire storyteller, and that approach is perfect for the open road. From gruff dwarves to the whisper of Gollum, Serkis gives each character a distinct voice, so you won’t have to strain to follow who’s speaking while you watch through the windshield. It's a classic with a steady pacing and clear delivery, making it easy to jump back in after a pit stop.

Because the story is structured as a single, adventurous quest, The Hobbit unfolds in chapters that fit naturally into driving legs. If you’re traveling with family or friends, this one keeps the mood light and curious.

👉Also read: Best Audiobooks for Kids

2. Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson

Narrator: Jim Dale | Duration: 8 hrs 39 mins

Jim Dale’s narration is lively and playful, which suits this whimsical origin tale of Peter Pan perfectly. His knack for distinct character voices and comic timing will keep the energy high inside the cabin, so even tired passengers perk up at the next scene change. The plot moves briskly, which helps you stay engaged during stretches of highway that might otherwise drag.

At under nine hours, this audiobook is ideal for weekend trips or for stitching together with other short listens. If you have kids in the car, this is a safe, entertaining pick to spark conversations at rest stops.

3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Narrator: Rebecca Soler & Teddy Hamilton | Duration: 20 hrs 22 mins

If your road trip calls for high-stakes action and emotional punches, Fourth Wing delivers in audio form. The duo of Soler and Hamilton separate points of view with clarity, which helps you keep track of shifting perspectives while still following the main arc. Fourth Wing has a nice balance of fight sequences and world-building so you get enough context to care, without needing to pause and reorient every few chapters.

Because it runs over twenty hours, this is a binge-friendly choice for a long car ride. Plan your breaks around natural cliffhangers and you’ll arrive at your destination eager for the next chapter. Be ready for intense scenes and romantic tension, though; this one is geared towards adult listeners.

4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Narrator: Jennifer Ikeda | Duration: 16 hrs 7 mins

Jennifer Ikeda brings emotional nuance to Feyre’s journey, which makes this a compelling listen if you want something immersive but still easy to follow. Her measured delivery highlights character beats and quieter scenes, while the story’s action sequences propel the interest. The mix of fairy-tale romance, music, and political intrigue keeps you invested without requiring constant note-taking.

A Court of Thorns is a strong pick for adult road trips where listeners enjoy slow-burn romance and layered drama. The two‑part structure lets you align each leg of your trip with a complete arc.

Bonus listening: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (J.K. Rowling), narrated by Jim Dale ( ~12 hours), Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, narrated by Jeff Hays (13 hours 31 minutes), Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir), narrated by Ray Porter (~16 hours)

5. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Narrator: Davina Porter | Duration: 32 hrs 38 mins

If your road trip spans several days or long, empty stretches of highway, Outlander is the kind of immersive epic that rewards deep, uninterrupted listening. Davina Porter’s accents and tone shifts bring 18th-century Scotland to life without ever slipping into caricature. She blends time travel, historical intrigue, and romance, which makes it the perfect audiobook for people who enjoy atmospheric storytelling.

At over 30 hours, Outlander is your traveling companion. It unfolds like a mini-series across each leg of your journey. Keep in mind that it’s not a twist-a-minute thriller, but the slow-burning suspense and constant sense of discovery will keep you invested from the first minute to the last.

6. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Narrator: Jack Hawkins & Louise Brealey | Duration: 8 hrs 33 mins

Short, chilling, and full of tension, The Silent Patient is ideal when you want something gripping that won’t drag out across days of driving. The story revolves around a woman who stops speaking after a shocking act of violence, and the psychotherapist trying to uncover what really happened. Jack Hawkins and Louise Brealey handle their parts with restraint, letting the story’s eeriness work to full effect.

The lean runtime and steady momentum are great for single-day trips, especially if you want something that sparks conversation after the final twist. Just be warned: this one invites you to second-guess everything.

7. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Narrator: Rebecca Lowman | Duration: 8 hrs 49 mins

Perfect for quieter, reflective drives, The Last Thing He Told Me mixes domestic suspense with emotional weight. It’s not action-packed, mind you, but rather unfolds through tension built on trust, memory, and secrecy. Rebecca Lowman’s narration captures that emotional undercurrent without overplaying it, which gives the story an intimate feel ideal for solo or couple road trips.

What makes it road trip-friendly is how easily it fits into a day’s drive, with chapters that move quickly and don’t require constant focus. If you enjoy mysteries that explore relationships just as much as plot, this one will keep your mind turning long after the final chapter.

Bonus listening: Ready Player One (Ernest Cline), narrated by Wil Wheaton (15 hours 40 minutes), The Devil's Hand (Jack Carr), narrated by Ray Porter (14 hours 37 minutes)

8. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

Narrator: Richard Matthews | Duration: 18 hrs 13 mins

If you like learning without feeling like you’re in class, this is your perfect road-trip companion. Bryson’s wide-ranging, often hilarious take on science becomes even more engaging in audio; Matthews’ conversational delivery and well-timed comedy make dense topics feel light and human. You’ll hear big ideas like cosmology, geology, and evolution, but packaged as witty and curious stories. You can think them over at a rest stop or bring them up in conversation with your travel partners.

Because the chapters are episodic and self-contained, it’s easy to jump in and out between driving legs without losing the thread. It’s best for long daytime drives when you want to keep your brain occupied and your conversations interesting.

9. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Narrator: Full cast | Duration: 9 hrs 3 mins

Think of this as a backstage pass for your road trip. The book’s oral-history format translates brilliantly to a multi-voice audiobook, with each narrator playing like a band member giving an interview. It’s snappy, salty, and full of the drama you want on a long drive. Daisy Jones & The Six has a wild mix of rivalries, tour stories, and that electric push-pull between fame and self-destruction.

Because the runtime is compact and the scenes read like showbiz vignettes, it’s ideal for shorter or mixed-leg trips where you want something emotionally vivid but not overwhelmingly long. For people who like music or late-night drives, the rock-and-roll storytelling will be a top pick.

10. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Narrator: Rick Rubin | Duration: 5 hrs 45 mins

If you want a creative reset between exits, this lean, lyrical book is a calm, inspiring listen. Rick Rubin’s voice is measured and reflective as always, turning the audiobook into a kind of guided studio session about attention and curiosity. The chapters are short and idea-forward, so you can absorb a chunk during a coffee break and come back to the road with a fresh perspective.

Because it’s concise and quietly energizing, it’s especially useful for drives where you want to think. Road-trip brainstorming, solo drives to clear your head, or a push for creative inspiration; The Creative Act: A Way of Being is perfect for all.

Bonus listening: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (5 hours 51 minutes), Sh*t My Dad Says (Justin Halpern), narrated by Sean Schemmel (3 hours 8 minutes)

👉Looking for more? Check out our curated list of 10 best audiobooks in 2025!