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The Ultimate List of Epic Road Trip Books

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A great book has the power to not just take you along for the ride with the author but to instill in you the burning desire to hit the road yourself. This list of the best road trip books is sure to keep you busy for a while and will make you want to hand your boss your two-week notice and start packing your bags.

I put this list together as I get ready to launch my own road trip book, The Road Always Leads West , another one you should check out! 🙂 

While this is mostly for inspiration or entertainment, be sure to check out my road trip planning guide if you need more comprehensive and practical information about logistics and organization.

5 Best Road Trip Books

On the road by jack kerouac.

We might as well get this one out of the way first, it’s easily the most well-known road trip book ever written, a book which has inspired generations and countless imitations.

Kerouac’s classic book On the Road that details his travels with his friends as they travel across America. The book was heavily steeped in the jazz and poetry culture and is considered the defining work of the Beat Generation, which so influenced the counter culture movement of the 60s.

The book is available as it was first published or you can get the Original Scroll version which was released as written by Jack Kerouac on a continuous sheet of paper 120’ long and which features the real names of his friends, not pseudonyms.

Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon

Heat-Moon set out to put the past behind him by setting out on the open road. The premise of the book is his travels along the smaller roads, marked blue on the map, and discover small-town America.

His travels to small-town America show a country on the verge of change with the increasing homogenization through fast-food culture and strip malls.

Heat-Moon does a great job featuring the lives of the people he meets along the way, a curious cast of characters who live in “those little towns that get on the map—if they get on at all—only because some cartographer has a blank space to fill.”

Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck

In September of 1960 John Steinbeck, already a successful author, set out to rediscover an America that he worried he had lost touch with. According to Steinbeck’s son, the real reason for his journey was that he knew he was dying and he wanted to see the country one last time.

Steinbeck set out on a giant cross country journey from New York, up to Maine, across to the west coast, down to California then across the southern half of the states back east, before venturing back up the East Coast. Essentially completing a massive circular journey through America.

He had his French poodle Charley in tow throughout his journey through a “New America” that was on the cusp of some great upheaval.

Steinbeck was 58 when he set out on this journey alone (well, with a dog), which just goes to show that isn’t just for young, aimless, 20-somethings.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

Part philosophical treatise and part motorcycle road trip across the northern stretch of the United States and then down to California.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance tells the story of a father and son motorcycle trip with a pair of friends but also delves into fundamental questions about how to live life and tries to reconcile science, religion and more.

A powerful read that will not only inspire you to hit the road but inspire you to examine your own perspectives on some of these central themes of life.

The Kindness of Strangers: Penniless Across America by Mike McIntyre

Not a traditional road trip book where the driver is behind the wheel on the open road, but rather Mike decided to hitchhike across the country from San Francisco to Cape Fear, North Carolina, which would be challenging in and of itself. But Mike decided to do it without so much as a penny.

He would have to rely on the goodwill and help of complete strangers on the open road in order to find rides, eat, and have a place to sleep.

It’s an incredible journey and an even more incredible story which highlights the stories and generosity of the folks that he meets along the way.

Five books aren’t enough for you? Well, I’ve got another 10 awesome road trip books below and then a number of reader suggestions.

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10 More Great Books About Road Trips

The new american road trip mixtape by brendan leonard.

Brendan Leonard has become one of the leading modern voices for road trips and the transformative nature of nature and the great outdoors.

Post-breakup Brendan set out by himself to explore the American West as he lived in the back of his station wagon. This book tackles the American Dream and the call of the open road in Brendan’s humorous and unique style.

His most recent book, Sixty Meters to Anywhere , is another incredible read about overcoming alcoholism and finding himself through climbing.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Krakauer’s book is not strictly a road trip book, nor is it a first-person book about a road trip, but rather traces the incredible story of Chris McCandless and his nomadic wanderings.

After graduating college back east, Chris donated what remained of his college fund and drove west, eventually abandoning his car and hitchhiking across the west for a number of years. His travels led him to a Walden’s Pond type existence in the Alaskan bush where he was found dead.

The book has a sad end, but the story of his travels and Krakauer’s incredible writing will inspire you to hit the road in Chris’ footsteps undoubtedly. I know it did for me. This is one of my favorite books ever written.

The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is one of the best travel writers out there, able to turn the simplest or seemingly boring concepts into insightful, interesting, and often humorous reads.

After living abroad in the United Kingdom for many years, Bryson sets out to rediscover America by visiting its small towns.

Bryson’s book about hiking the Appalachian Trail, A Walk in the Woods , is still one of my favorites.

Drive Nacho Drive by Brad Van Orden

Drive Nacho Drive tells the story of Brad and his wife Sheena quitting their jobs, giving up the American Dream and driving south in their old beat-up Volkswagon Van named Nacho.

The road takes them through all of Central America, past the Darien Gap to South America and finally to the “end of the earth” in Patagonia where the Pan-American Highway finally ends.

A pretty incredible read that might just inspire you to think about taking your road trip internationally ( like we did ).

The Cruise of the Rolling Junk by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Another of America’s finest authors sets out on the open road, this time F. Scott Fitzgerald of Great Gatsby fame, who sets out with his wife Zelda on a drive from Connecticut to Alabama.

These serialized articles compiled into a book of their journey in a dilapidated car (the rolling junk) and tell the story of a younger America.

Killing Yourself to Live by Chuck Klosterman

Chuck Klosterman set out on a road trip exploring the deaths of famous musicians across America.

He covered nearly 7,000 miles as he visited the place where Buddy Holly’s plane crashed, where Kurt Cobain committed suicide, or Jeff Buckley drowned in a river.

An interesting basis for a road trip book, for sure, especially if you love music.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

A wild and drug-fueled road trip to Las Vegas by the one and only Hunter S. Thompson.

The book, beyond the manic drug-addled scenery, paints a different picture of Las Vegas, one that had not yet been taken over by the larger than life hotels and commercialization of the Strip.

Side Note: While Vegas isn’t necessarily my favorite place it is a great place to base yourself for some epic road trips from Las Vegas .

American Nomads by Richard Grant

Richard Grant spent more than 15 years wandering the American West alongside the hobos, truckers, retirees, and hippies, documenting the lives of those who wander the American West.

Grant examines the myths and realities of the often romanticized open road, while also examining the sedentary nature of the American Dream.

He contrasts the stories of modern wanderers with the historical characters, the frontiersmen and conquistadors, who set loose upon this same landscape centuries ago.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe

Neal Cassady, who also is featured prominently in Kerouac’s On the Road, set out to drive Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters’ bus across America in a psychedelic LSD-fueled mission that takes road “trip” to a whole new level.

The book offers a look into the hippy, counter-culture movement of the 1960s.

Jupiter’s Travels by Ted Simon

Ted Simon spent an astonishing four years driving around the world on the back of a motorcycle in the late 70s. I actually had the chance to meet Ted at the Overland Expo .

He set out from London for more than 63,000 miles through 45 countries in Africa, South America, Australia, Asia, before arriving back home.

An incredible journey in the days before cell phones and the internet, and all done solo with no support team or social media updates.

7 More Reader Suggestions for Best Road Trip Books

I reached out to friends, followers, and readers of this blog for a few of their favorite road trip books. Here’s what they recommended.

Traveling Music by Neil Peart

The drummer for Rush explores the inextricable link between road trips and music, how music is the soundtrack to our lives, by telling autobiographical stories based on music from a solo road trip.

Road Scholar by Andrew Codrescu

The Romanian-born writer sets out in the shadows of Kerouac as he discovers America behind the wheel.

One for the Road by Tony Horowitz

Tony set off on a 7,000-mile adventure through the Australian Outback.

Roads: Driving America’s Great Highways by Larry McMurtry

Larry has written an homage to the road itself, where the route is the destination and not just a means.

Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X. Pham

A journey by bicycle through Mexico, Japan and on to Vietnam as Andrew (born in Vietnam but raised in California) travels he also confronts issues of cultural identity, immigration, and more.

Ghost Rider by Neil Peart

Another book by the drummer from Rush, this time Neil hits the road soon after losing his wife and daughter within a year of one another.

A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins

More than 25 years ago Peter set out to walk from New York to New Orleans in the company of his trusty dog, not quite a traditional road trip, but definitely in the same spirit.

What road trip books would you add to this list? Sound off in the comments below.

The Road Always Leads West

Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention that you check out my book The Road Always Leads West if you love a good road trip story… 🙂  

More Book Recommendations

• 26 Books to Inspire Your Next Epic Summer Road Trip from Buzzfeed
• The Obsessively Detailed Map of American Literature’s Most Epic Road Trips
• Books to Inspire the Ultimate American Road Trip
• The 9 Best Road Trip Books from Adventure Journal
• Road Trip! 10 Books About Cross-Country Adventures
• 10 Must-Read Travel Books from Desk to Dirtbag

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Don’t Forget Travel Insurance This is easy to overlook but SO important. It will help protect yourself from illness, injury, and theft while traveling. VERY important. And be sure to read my article about international travel insurance for more details

• SafetyWing (best for digital nomads)
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Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my budget travel resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list all the ones I use and recommend to save money when I’m on the road.

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Hilarious story and travelogue about fulfilling a foolish bar bet – Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks

Great list. Could suggest a fictional road trip list: The Road – McCullers Grapes of Wrath – Steinbeck Cold Mountain – can’t remember

I am sure you have more. Steve

Wow. All books written by white men. Would love to see more diverse voices.

Please feel free to contribute any non-white men voices, I’m always looking for cool new road trip reads!

Like Nomadland by Jessica Bruder.

Oh yeah, Nomadland has been on my list to check out… Thanks for the reminder.

William Least Heat-Moon is native American. I would also add River-Horse by him as well.

The road narrative has historically been a white male thing. There aren’t a ton of other voices. I would recommend Valeria Luiselli, The Lost Children Archive. She does an admirable job Paying homage to previous road works. I loved it.

Thanks for the list. I read a lot while travelling. It’s very meditative and relaxing for me. A few of these I have read, but I plan on adding to my list with a few of these books. I always use my kindle too, as it’s much lighter and holds thousands of books.

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13 Best Books About Road Trips to Satisfy Your Summer Wanderlust

Grab your sunglasses and/or reading glasses.

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

For many who've had their vacation plans break down this summer, now might also be a perfect time to get on the open road to explore all the weird nooks and crannies this country has to offer. If you're planning to drive to a far-off destination, try listening to these road trip books on tape —between belting these classic car songs , of course.

Or, you know, you could just read one of these quintessential road trip novels from the comfort of your own home. Either way, the following 13 books—including a couple of comical romps, a pair of 1950s classics, a semi-surreal comic book, and more—will inspire you to put on your sunglasses, or your reading glasses, and leave your old world behind.

The Red Car by Marcy Dermansky

Tautly told and drolly smart, Dermansky's third novel centers on a woman in Queens locked in a loveless marriage . The key to her freedom, and to unlatching her sense of self, is the titular red car, bequeathed to her when her beloved mentor passes away. If you want an entire novel that captures the gleeful, devil-may-care liberation of Thelma and Louise driving off a cliff (and believe us, you really, really do) then this one's for you. 

I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest

Here's something you should know about Chloe Pierce: She's an excellent ballerina, and a terrible driver. Still, in an effort to get into the school of her dreams, Chloe breaks her mom's rule (whoops) and steals the car (double whoops) to drive to an audition in D.C. Her irritating neighbor, Eli, insists on hitching a ride. Kristina Forest's heart-warming YA debut captures a girl on the cusp of adulthood, pushing the limits of her independence—and dealing with the consequences. 

Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

In her review for O , acclaimed author Carmen Maria Machado said of Luisell's inventive novel: "Not since  Lolita  has a road trip so brilliantly captured the dark underbelly of the American dream, the gulf between its promise and reality." This story of a family traveling southwest in search of answers to our nation's troubling past and present was one of our favorite books of 2019 . 

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Beware—once you meet Charlie Manx, the immortal villain of  NOS4A2 , you'll forever fear seeing his haunted car drive by you on a quiet road. By then, it'll be too late.  NOS4A2 is a road trip novel, made sinister: Characters travel on roads that don't exist on any map.  Manx transports children in his car to "Christmasland," a place far more sinister than it sounds. On her magic bike, Vic McQueen is able to travel to Christmaslands and other realms, and is the one person who can stop him.  NOS4A2  comes with horror pedigree: Joe Hill, the author, is Stephen King's (very talented) son.

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith

Highsmith's 1952 novel—originally published under a pseudonym—is perhaps most famously the basis for the film Carol , a queer modern classic starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. But saying that it's just a book that was turned into a movie would take away from the quietly revolutionary sumptuousness of the text itself. Highsmith's wintry tale of two women in mid-century America who drive across the country together to escape society's expectations is a must-read. 

We All Loved Cowboys by Carol Bensimon (translated by Beth Fowler)

More forbidden love on the run! Translated from Portuguese, this exquisite and wistful novel by Bensimon—named one of Granta's Best Young Brazilian novelists—follows former friends Julia and Cora on a car trip through Brazil as they attempt to mend their once-solid relationship. Complications arise when the pair realize they might not just be gal pals. 

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Soon to be a miniseries on HBO co-produced by Jordan Peele, Ruff's chilling thriller is set during the Jim Crow era and stars an army veteran whose father has disappeared. He drives from Chicago to New England alongside his uncle, the publisher of a guide on how to travel while Black. Much more Get Out than Green Book , the tale takes a turn toward terror when they arrive at a mansion owned by a family of former slave-holders. Also: ghosts. 

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Maybe you read this in high school, maybe you dated a boy like Jess from Gilmore Girls who referenced this book nonstop (guilty and guilty), but there's no denying: reading Kerouac's Beat Generation classic of aimless American wanderlust is basically a rite of passage. 

Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart

Speaking of On the Road , the Super Sad True Love Story author delivers a hilariously scathing romp through America starring a boorish hedge funder who, after a fight with his wife, hops on a Greyhound for an inspired journey into the country's heart—and his own. 

Find Me by Laura van den Berg

Short fiction scribe Laura van den Berg taps into her singular eeriness for her first novel, about a directionless young woman who discovers she's immune to the sudden sickness spreading across the country. Her epic yet intimate journey takes her from Kansas, where she's admitted as a hospital patient and subjected to myriad tests, to Florida, where she believes her birth mother might be. 

Flaming Iguanas by Erika Lopez

Erika Lopez's "all-girl road novel thing" is a fierce amalgamation of words and images chronicling biker babe Tomato Rodriquez's wild cross-country motorcycle ride. It's as fun and freeing as having the wind blow through your hair. 

Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden

Want more illustrated cool-girl goodness? Combining dreamily gorgeous artwork and lyrical, sophisticated storytelling, Eisner award-winning graphic novelist Tillie Walden has emerged as a master of her craft. Here, she channels Murakami with a magical realist road trip starring two women and a mysterious cat. 

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

If you're seeking a family-friendly audiobook to listen to in the car, look no further than Sharon Creech's Newberry Award-winning classic. Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle journeys across the country with her grandparents. All the while, she entertains them with stories of a girl who's quite like herself—a girl who wants to be reunited with her mother.  Walk Two Moons  is a strange, funny book that will speak to children of all ages.

Michelle Hart is the Assistant Books Editor of O, the Oprah Magazine. Other writing of hers has appeared on the Millions, the Rumpus, and the New Yorker . Her fiction has appeared in Joyland and Electric Literature. She has been awarded a fiction fellowship by the New York State Writers Institute and was once profiled in her hometown newspaper for being in the process of writing a novel--a novel she is still in the process of writing.

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The Best Road Trip Books You’ll Be Driven To Read

Do you have the urge to jump into a car and drive into the distance for a new adventure? Not everyone can just drive away on an adventure, but reading about doing so is just as big a sign of escapism.

In this selection, I’ve compiled the best road trip books that are sure to make you think about the bigger picture.

Whether you’re looking for adventure or the experience of reading through someone’s memoir, I’ve found something for everyone.

The 22 Best Road Trip Books

In this section, I’ve compiled a selection of 22 of the best road trip books.

Whether you want a classic road trip novel or whether you want an informative journey across the country, I have something for everyone here. So, strap yourself in as I take you on an adventure to find your next read.

On The Road By Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road based on the travels he and his friends made along the United States.

Between 1947 and 1950, Sal Paradise and his friends travel around the country, where they go on a journey of self-discovery and experience.

This is a novel that focuses on the desire for freedom and the longing for adventure that everyone has felt and continues to feel since the book was published in 1957.

• The quintessential American road trip novel serves as a fictional autobiography for the beat generation.
• Adapted into a drama film of the same name.
• Some readers may not enjoy the stream of consciousness writing style that Kerouac uses.

Rules Of The Road By Joan Bauer

Jenna Boller is a gawky teen who works at the Gladstone Shoe Store in Chicago. With a dysfunctional home life, her job is where she can escape.

When she has the chance to drive Madeline Gladstone across the country to stop her son from taking over the company, she takes it.

These two women from different generations are brought together, where they learn lessons about the rules of the road and life itself.

• A coming-of-age novel that brings two women from different generations together on an eye-opening road trip.
• Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature.
• The first book in the Rules of the Road duology.
• Despite being a young adult novel, it may not be as relevant to its target audience as it was when it was published in 1998.

Travels With Charley By John Steinbeck

The award-winning writer John Steinbeck goes on a journey to rediscover the country he has written about for his life. Joined by his French poodle, Charley, Steinbeck drives around the country to reflect on the American Dream.

On this journey, he ponders the future that America faces as he travels to meet old and new friends.

• It was a New York Times bestseller for Non-Fiction when it first came out.
• John Steinbeck’s travelog examines the country that he wrote so much about, not only looking into the past but the future too.
• There have been some arguments about whether it has been partly fictionalized, which may bother some readers who are solely here for a travelog.

Between Two Kingdoms By Suleika Jaouad

When she graduated from college, Suleika Jaouad had plans to move abroad and become a war correspondent. However, her dreams were stalled when she discovered she had leukemia a few weeks before she turned 23.

After three years of treatment and chronicling her life for The New York Times, she wasn’t sure what to do next. So, she went on a journey to meet the people who wrote to her to discover what she should do next.

• Nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Memoir & Autobiography.
• A sympathetic memoir focusing on a cancer survivor’s journey to find out how to live after spending so long working to survive.
• While this is a road trip memoir, it has a wider focus on coming to terms with a life that was put on hold after being diagnosed with cancer.

Into The Wild By Jon Krakauer

This non-fiction book tells the story of a young Christopher McCandless, who gave up his personal possessions to live off the grid. Renaming himself Alexander Supertramp, he threw his maps away to experience nature.

However, in 1992, he was found dead in an abandoned bus in Alaska. Jon Krakauer wrote this book to explore McCandless’ life before his final days.

• Winner of the Washington State Book Award.
• Adapted into a biographical drama film of the same name.
• It offers a sympathetic look into Christopher McCandless’ story as Krakauer goes into in-depth detail about what happened to the late traveler.
• Krakauer treats his theories as fact and is otherwise a little bit too biased about his perspective on McCandless and his fate.

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas By Hunter S. Thompson

When they go to report on a Mint 400 motorcycle race, Raoul Duke and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo, are distracted by the wide variety of recreational drugs on offer. In a drug-induced haze, these two go on a destructive rampage.

However, they also find themselves lost, considering the death of the American Dream and the ‘60s counterculture movement.

• It was adapted into a film of the same name.
• Described as a crowning achievement in gonzo journalism, combining fiction and journalism together brilliantly.
• While the writing style is amazing, the plot is incredibly bare and can become dull for some readers.

NOS4A2 By Joe Hill

When she was a child, Victoria McQueen found a path that would take her wherever she needed to go. However, she is warned to keep an eye out for the Wraith, a disturbing Rolls-Royce driven by Charles Talent Manx.

Known for kidnapping children and bringing them to Christmasland, he comes across Vic one day. However, Vic is able to escape, but only for a while. After all, Manx now has a new target: Vic’s own son.

• Nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel.
• Adapted into a television series of the same name.
• A horrifying novel that offers a fresh take on both vampires and road trips that will make you weary of untraveled roads.
• While well-written and horrifying, some readers may not enjoy the length of this novel which is roughly 700 pages long.

Lovecraft Country By Matt Ruff

Atticus’s father, Montrose, went missing in 1954, and Atticus, with his Uncle George and friend Letitia, went on a road trip to find him.

On this journey, they discover an array of horrors, from terrifying spirits to the dangers that come with being black in the Jim Crow era. When they find Montrose, they are in danger of a ritual that will destroy their entire family.

• Nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award and Locus Award for Best Horror Novel.
• The first of the Lovecraft Country series.
• Combines fantasy and horror with the Jim Crow era, adding even extra tension to this novel.
• If you’re looking for a book that delves into Lovecraftian horror, you may be left disappointed.

Are You Listening? By Tillie Walden

Bea runs away from home and meets Lou, and together, they are joined by a mysterious cat. However, this isn’t a simple road trip, for the two are hunted by mysterious men.

They can only survive by trusting each other with their own personal stories of loss and heartbreak.

• The winner of the Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album-New.
• An emotional but hopeful story about a road trip that brings two strangers together as they bond over their respective trauma.
• If you don’t enjoy graphic novels , you may want to skip this one.

The Traveling Cat Chronicles By Hiro Arikawa

Satoru takes his beloved pet cat on a road trip, but Nana doesn’t understand why. Together, they cruise through Japan and visit several of Satoru’s old friends. However, for some reason, they’re all interested in Nana.

Yet, Nana isn’t interested in them, and he doesn’t understand why Satoru is encouraging them to take care of him.

• Winner of the Futaro Yamada Literary Award.
• An emotional story of a cat brought on a road trip with his beloved owner to find a new home for his cat.
• Not everyone will like the writing style, which is more simplistic due to the light novel format.

Paper Towns By John Green

Margo Roth Spiegelman has lived next door to Quentin Jacobsen for a lifetime and has loved her for just as long.

One night, she climbs through his window to get his help with an ingenious revenge plan, and they stay out all night.

But when Q goes to school the next day, he discovers that Margo has disappeared, and she has left him clues to find her. Now, Q goes on a journey through these paper towns to discover the mystery that is the girl he loves.

• New York Times Bestseller and Edgar Award Winner for Best Young Adult Novel.
• Adapted into a feature film of the same name.
• An enjoyable comedy-drama that focuses on the mystery of the girl next door for young adult fans.
• If you’ve read any other John Green books, you may be disappointed to find that this one is similar to his first book: Looking for Alaska .

American Gods By Neil Gaiman

Shadow gets the news that his wife has died only a few days before he is meant to be released from prison. Numb to the world, he returns home for the funeral, where he meets the enigma known as Mr. Wednesday.

Together, they travel across America on a strange and unsettling journey where Shadow discovers the reality of Gods and the threat of war.

• Winner of the Bram Stoker Award, Hugo Award, and Nebula Award for Best Novel.
• A brilliant concept of the struggle between Old Gods and New Gods as they walk the Earth.
• Despite its interesting concept, American Gods is slow-paced and can feel like a chore to get through.

Flaming Iguanas By Erika Lopez

Tomato Rodriguez jumps onto her motorcycle to embark on an adventure. Searching for the meaning of life and love in her journey across the country, she can only hope to find the answers she’s looking for.

Combining artwork and attitude, this all-girl adventure is truly a wild ride.

• The first book in the Mad Dog Rodriguez trilogy.
• A hilarious novel that combines art with a heartwarming story about finding the meaning of life and love.
• Not everyone will appreciate the variety of artwork, which gives off a diary aesthetic compared to other graphic novels.

American Nomads By Richard Grant

Spending 15 years wandering the U.S., Richard Grant never spent more than three weeks in one place. In this book, he explores the history of American nomads as he lives the same kind of life.

In this comedic travelog, Grant looks into the myths and truths of the life of a nomad by including his own wandering adventures.

• Winner of the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award.
• Adapted into a documentary of the same name.
• An intimate memoir about Richard Grant’s own journey and the history of the nomads who came before him.
• It loses itself in history lessons within the book, which may lose the interest of some readers.

In The Footsteps Of Crazy Horse By Joseph M. Marshall III

Jimmy McClean is half-white and half-Lakota, and his grandfather takes him on a journey to connect with his Lakota heritage.

Throughout, he learns more about Crazy Horse and his Lakota history through his grandfather’s tales. Ultimately, it helps him to understand himself better than before.

• Nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award and Winner of the American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Middle-Grade Book.
• A moving story that explores Lakota tradition and the history of Crazy Horse through an intergenerational road trip.
• It does find itself lost in the historical narrative and loses focus of the present-day characters.

The Road By Cormac McCarthy

A father and son walk through the burned vestiges of America, which the apocalypse has ravaged.

They plan to make it to the coast, but the road they walk is dangerous. Now there are no laws, and all they have is each other. Together, the father and son hope to find a haven to rest, with only one another to rely on.

• Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction, and many more.
• An emotional journey of a father and son that creates a road trip, but not in the traditional sense.
• The writing style may not interest everyone, as McCarthy writes a very bleak post-apocalyptic world.

The Remains Of The Day By Kazuo Ishiguro

For decades, Stevens served as a butler at Darlington Hall, but when his employer passed away, he was unsure of what to do next.

At this point, he hears from his old colleague, Miss Kenton, whom he once had feelings for. His new employer encourages him to take his car and visit.

With the belief that his old colleague is in an unhappy marriage, Stevens considers his past relationships with both Miss Kenton and Darlington as he travels to her.

• Winner of the Booker Prize.
• Adapted into a film with the same name.
• An emotional story about a man reminiscing about his life and career and a focus on looking into the future instead of the past.
• It does have a slow, almost leisurely pace that may bore some readers if they want a more exciting novel.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy By Douglas Adams

Earth is about to be destroyed to make room for a galactic freeway, and Arthur Dent is taken away by his friend, Ford Prefect.

With the help of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which Ford has been researching, the two travel through space and meet new friends as they consider the answers to the universe.

• Adapted into a film, television series, and radio series.
• The first book in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series.
• A hilarious twist on the road trip that became a pop culture landmark in science fiction.
• Not everyone will enjoy the absurdist humor used in Douglas Adams’ work.

The Wangs VS. The World By Jade Chang

The Wangs are an affluent Chinese family who lost everything in the 2008 financial crisis. Charles Wang realizes nothing is left for his family in America, so he plans to take them back to China.

But his family can’t get over what they’ve lost, and he’s not sure how he can keep his family together while he also dreams of returning home.

• Nominated for the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize.
• Currently in the process of being adapted for TV.
• A hilarious twist on the usual immigrant novel that twists the American Dream on its head.
• It relies on the character’s relationships to drive the story instead of the plot itself.

As I Lay Dying By William Faulkner

After the death of the Bundren family matriarch, they embark on a trip across the Mississippi countryside to bury her where she wants. However, the journey isn’t easy, and each family member is affected.

This is a classic take on the dysfunctional family road trip that also explores their grief as they head to their destination.

• A literary classic that is among one of the best made in the 20th Century.
• An amusing black comedy that focuses on a road trip to bury the family matriarch with various emotions encapsulating a family’s grief.
• Many readers don’t enjoy the stream of consciousness style and complicated narrative with too many perspectives.

Under The Skin By Michel Faber

Isserley is a small yet attractive woman who picks up muscular hitchhikers. While the hitchhikers are a mixture of thugs and philosophers, her only concern is whether they’re muscular or have the muscles needed.

However, she begins to wonder whether what she’s doing is right and how long she can continue living like this.

• A surprising twist on the usual alien abduction story, focusing on hitchhikers and abductions instead of UFOs.
• It does have a slow pace that, while it works with the disturbing horror aspect, may not be fun for all readers.

The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet By Becky Chambers

Rosemary Harper joins the Wayfarer crew hoping to escape her past, and in doing so, she learns more about the motley crew she’s joined.

When they’re offered the job of a lifetime, they travel across the galaxy to reach their next job.

But Rosemary isn’t the only one keeping secrets, and soon, she learns more about the rest of her newly established found family as they learn to live with each other on a year-long journey across the stars.

• Nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and Women’s Prize for Fiction.
• The first book in the Hugo Award-winning Wayfarers series.
• A new take on the road trip, with a sci-fi ensemble on a journey to build a tunneling wormhole while learning more about one another.
• It doesn’t have much of a plot and is far more suitable for any reader looking for a light-hearted, character-driven novel.

Buyer’s Guide

Are you having difficulty deciding on what to read? I’ve compiled this helpful buyer’s guide to explain my choices of pros and cons for each book.

Not all road trip novels have to be set in America, so I included novels that may not align with the usual road trip adventure.

There are a host of different takes on the road trip novel, which is why I’ve included memoirs, science fiction adventures, and horror novels too.

If you want a different take on the road trip novel, there should be something suitable for all readers in my selection.

These books are in a variety of different formats and genres. While I’ve included a lot of fiction and non-fiction in my selection, I felt it would be best to include graphic novels too.

There are so many different uses of the road trip that I believe including more variety would be perfect for anyone looking for their next read.

One way to know whether a novel is worth it is how many accolades it has received. While accolades and awards don’t always mean a novel will be great for everyone, it shows how well-received it has been.

This ties into both critical reception and fan reception in many cases, so if you care about the awards it has received, then this is a great way to judge if a novel is worth your time or not.

Critical Reception

Although this ties into the accolades a novel has received, sometimes, novels are critically acclaimed without winning any awards. Sometimes, this ties into how much of a bestseller it was.

Other times, a novel may be better received after the fact. In many cases, some novels are critically acclaimed because of how successful the author who wrote them was in the past.

Fan Reception

Being a bestseller often ties into how well it sold and whether it became a bestseller or not. However, I’ve also taken into account the reviews that fans of the book have left.

If there have been comments from fans about how it’s written or whether they’re popular, I thought it would be best to include these accounts.

Writing Style

The way a book is written can make or break it for some readers. Within the writing style, I’ve included the number of perspectives and whether it’s more of a stream of consciousness.

Not all writing styles are for all readers, which is okay. However, I felt that it would be best to include whether the writing style made an impact on fans of the novel or whether it deterred them from continuing to read it.

Adaptations

Have you ever read a book and wondered if there was a film or vice versa? This would be great to mention if you want to watch a film or TV series based on the book.

Not all adaptations are good, but I understand how tempting it is to want to find more material available.

If you want more to read or just want a different perspective, then you may be interested in any film, TV, or radio plays based on these works.

Series Or Standalone

Sometimes, you don’t want to begin a new series again, especially if you’ve only just finished one.

I’ve had times when I’ve finished a series but then wanted to take a break and read a standalone novel or memoir.

To help you find your next read, I’ve mentioned whether these books are part of a series or can be read independently.

Target Audience

I’ve incorporated a range of books from young adult, children’s, and adult fiction to ensure something for everyone on this list.

There are so many different types of road trip novels, so I felt that anyone looking for the best road trip book should have a range of different target audiences.

If you’re looking for a road trip novel to drive you away on an adventure, then you can experience wanderlust with these road trip books.

Whether you want a light-hearted adventure or something more, I’ve got something for everyone in this excellent selection of road trip books.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a road trip book.

A road trip book is about the journey the character takes to get to their destination. Most road trip books are about the adversities they face on their journey as they try to reach their destination.

Not every book ends with them reaching their destination as intended, as they may learn something along the way.

Do Road Trip Books Have To Be Literary Fiction Or Memoir?

Most readers assume that books about road trips must be about a journey by car or bike. However, many authors have changed genres to build on the road trip formula to offer a different type of journey.

What Is The Main Message Of On The Road?

On The Road by Jack Kerouac is viewed as the definitive road trip novel that everyone must read. This is mostly due to the message that lies within the book of freedom, travel, and wandering.

What Is The Main Idea Of Travels With Charley?

Contrary to On The Road, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck is about being lost. Losing one’s self is about feeling lost and also losing a sense of identity within your own country.

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14 Best Road Trip Books to Read While Exploring the U.S.

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Living in an RV, I’ve been on an endless road trip since 2016. One of my favorite ways to relax at the campground is kicking back in a hammock with a great book.

Books enhance my road trips in many ways. They provide history about destinations visited, inspire new trips and provide an escape from the realities of RV living. Here are the 14 best road trip books that will enhance or inspire your travels.

• 1.1 Travels with Charley in Search of America
• 1.2 Grounded: A Down to Earth Journey Around the World
• 1.3 Blue Highways
• 1.4 A Walk in the Woods
• 1.5 In a Sunburned Country
• 2.1 On the Road
• 2.2 Station Eleven
• 2.3 Sing, Unburied, Sing
• 3.1 American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West
• 3.2 The Emerald Mile
• 3.3 The Overstory
• 4.1 Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
• 4.2 The Mouse and the Motorcycle
• 4.3 Walk Two Moons

Best Road Trip Memoirs

Travels with charley in search of america.

The quintessential USA road trip book! In Travels with Charley , John Steinbeck takes to the road with a small camper and his French poodle. During his jo urney to discover America, Steinbeck encounters a variety of people and landscapes across the country.

Current road trippers will be inspired to pay more attention to the people they meet along the way. This is also one of my favorite travelogues, because I love any road trip memoir that includes a dog.

Grounded: A Down to Earth Journey Around the World

Grounded is the ultimate road trip story recounting the author’s circumnavigation of the globe without ever leaving the ground. Seth Stevenson and his girlfriend took a trip around the world using boats, trains, cars and bikes.

This humorous account of their trip, reminded me to slow down and enjoy the ride not just the destination. Grounded is also a great read for anyone traveling for an extended period with their spouse.

Blue Highways

Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon is a book about a big adventure on the small roads of America. Imagine you have a map. The big, busy roads are red, but the little ones, the ones where you see more trees than cars, are blue.

In this memoir, the author describes his decision to travel on these blue roads and the adventures that follow. After reading this book, I was inspired to get off the beaten path.

A Walk in the Woods

In A Walk in the Woods , Bill Bryson recounts his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail. He brings his out of shape friend, Stephen, along for the journey. The book includes hilarious anecdotes from their hike, as well as, informative history about the Appalachian Trail.

It is one of best road trip books because it will inspire you to hit the trails, while making you laugh at the same time.

In a Sunburned Country

Another Bill Bryson book, In a Sunburned Country , details the author’s travels through Australia. Despite all the dangers presented (snakes, sharks, deserts, etc.), Bryson finds much to love about this foreign land.

Readers get to ride along on every step of his journey and will be inspired to explore new places themselves. As with any of Bryson’s books, the journey will include a good dose of humor.

Best Road Trip Novels

On the road.

The most expected novel on our list of the best road trip books is On the Road . Kerouac’s stream-of-consciousness narrative captures the highs and lows of road-tripping across America during the 1950s.

This novel invites you to throw caution to the wind and embrace the unpredictable nature of life on the road. It’s a reminder that the journey is more about the people we meet, the experiences we share, and the self-discovery that happens along the way than about the destination itself.

Station Eleven

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel is a post-apocalyptic road trip novel. The story is set in the wake of a devastating pandemic that wipes out much of the world’s population.

The novel weaves together the stories of a traveling symphony and Shakespeare troupe as they navigate the remnants of civilization, performing for scattered communities of survivors.

Station Eleven is not just a story about survival; it’s a celebration of the small beauties and moments that define our humanity. It encourages us as readers to reflect on what we cherish most and the legacies we leave behind as we travel.

Sing, Unburied, Sing

Sing, Unburied, Sing is a book by Jesmyn Ward that takes you on a deep and moving road trip through Mississippi. The story shows how the past and the present mix together, especially for a young boy named Jojo and his little sister, Kayla.

They go on a trip with their mom to pick up their dad from prison, and along the way, they meet ghosts from their family’s past. This book is like a song that’s both beautiful and sad, telling a story about how families stick together through tough times.

Best Books about U.S. Road Trip Destinations

American wolf: a true story of survival and obsession in the west.

American Wolf is a riveting story about the reintroduction and plight of wolves in Yellowstone National Park. The book details the lives of individual wolves and the people who love them.

Reading this book inspired me to stop at Yellowstone in hopes of seeing a wolf firsthand. We successfully spotted multiple wolves during our visit to the Lamar Valley. I highly recommend reading this book before or while visiting the popular national park.

The Emerald Mile

The Emerald Mile tells the true story of a 1983 attempt to record the fastest ever trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The book is full of heart pounding adventure as the characters race down the river in wooden “dory” boat.

However, the detailed histories of the river and the Glen Canyon Dam are what makes this the best road trip book to read before visiting the Grand Canyon.

The Overstory

The Redwood forests in California is my all-time favorite road trip destination. Walking among these living giants is a life-changing experience. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Richard Powers should be read by anyone visiting these ancient giants.

A book focused on trees might seem dull at first glance, but trust me, it’s anything but boring. In fact, The Overstory turns the natural world into an epic adventure, celebrating the intricate dance of life that forests embody.

Powers masterfully depicts the trees not merely as backdrop to human activity but as vital, sentient beings with stories and histories of their own.

Best Road Trip Books for Kids

Oh, the places you’ll go.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is a great reminder of the reasons we should explore the world. While this is definitely the best road trip book for young kids, it is also a worthwhile read for adults.

This Dr. Seuss classic always inspires me to explore more and drive further. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

This delightful tale follows Ralph, a young mouse with a thirst for adventure, who discovers a toy motorcycle. When Ralph meets Keith, the boy who owns the motorcycle, they become friends, and Ralph gets to experience the thrill of riding.

Their adventures together are both heartwarming and thrilling, making it a perfect road trip read for elementary school kids, sparking their imagination about friendship and exploration.

Walk Two Moons

In this captivating story, 13-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle tells the story of her road trip with her grandparents to find her mother. Along the way, Sal tells the story of her friend Phoebe Winterbottom, which becomes a story within a story, full of mystery and surprise.

Walk Two Moons is not only about the physical journey but also about the emotional journey of understanding and acceptance, making it an enriching road trip book for preteen readers.

Have other recommendations for great travel reads? Leave your list of best road trip books in the comments.

If you are looking for something to listen to on your drive, check my list of the best road trip podcasts .

Happy Camping!

Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book .

17 Books to Inspire Your Next American Road Trip

With most international borders closed to Americans for 2020, there is no time like the present to plan a Great American Road Trip!

The options of beautiful places to visit on a Great American Road Trip are endless but what is the most scenic drive in the United States?

Well, that depends on what you’re looking for — mountains, ocean, desert, lakes, or farmland.

From East Coast to West Coast to Cross-Country Road Trips, here are 17 American Road Trip Books filled with ideas to inspire your next adventure!

Table of Contents

List of American Road Trip Books

1. 50 states 500 state parks: an essential guide to america’s best places to visit.

By Publications International Ltd.

National Parks seem to dominate bucket lists these days but did you know there are over 500 State Parks across all 50 states ? From beaches to mountains, wildlife reserves to historic sites, this book will give you some American road trip ideas for planning your next domestic adventure.

2. 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

By Joe Yogerst , National Geographic

The travel experts at National Geographic have put together a comprehensive, illustrated book filled with 5,000 ideas on places to visit in all 50 states , plus every province in Canada. From well-known famous sights to relatively undiscovered hidden gems, there is bound to be something for every type of traveler on this list.

3. 100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to Do, What to See

By Joe Yogerst, National Geographic

Another great read from National Geographic, this sequel to 50 States, 5,000 Ideas gives readers inspiration for 5,000 places to visit on 100 different drives from Alaska to Hawaii and the 48 contiguous states, plus 10 Canadian provinces!

4. 1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die

By Patricia Schultz

You’ve probably heard of the famous 1,000 Places To See Before You Die book, but why not start off your quest with these regional 1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die ? The title is a bit morbid but the suggestions in the book are anything but.

5. Lonely Planet USA’s Best Trips

By Simon Richmond, Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet has taken the hassle out of planning road trips with their book about the 51 best road trips in the USA ! This beautifully-photographed tome also includes planning advice, itineraries from 2 days to 2 weeks, detailed maps and directions, and other essential information to make your road trip dreams a reality.

6. National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways: The 300 Best Drives in the U.S.

By National Geographic

The folks at National Geographic have compiled practical planning tips and information on 300 of the best drives in the good ‘ole U S of A, from day trips to multiple week-long adventures in all 4 corners of the United States and everywhere in between.

7. NYT. 36 Hours. USA & Canada.

By Barbara Ireland

This is the perfect book for the full-time working wanderluster. The New York Times has compiled entries from its 20-years-old “36 Hours” column to bring us weekend itineraries spanning, you guessed it, 36 hours in 150 destinations across the USA and Canada.

8. Off the Beaten Path: A Travel Guide to More Than 1000 Scenic and Interesting Places Still Uncrowded and Inviting

By Reader’s Digest

A book after my own heart! I’m a lover of hidden gems and relatively undiscovered places so Reader’s Digest’s compilation of 1,000 off the beaten path places is right up my alley! Sure, the Empire State Building and Golden Gate Bridge are obviously worth visiting but have you ever thought about following the dinosaur trails through Colorado?

9. Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America’s Two-Lane Highways

By Jamie Jensen

This author traversed nearly 400,000 of two-lane highways in order to narrow down a collection of 35,000 miles of the best stretches of pavement for would-be road trippers. The book includes hundreds of possible itinerary combinations and over 125 detailed driving maps to make your next road trip a breeze.

10. Roadfood: An Eater’s Guide to More Than 1,000 of the Best Local Hot Spots and Hidden Gems Across America

By Jane Stern

The best part of traveling is the food, amiright? The Roadfood eater’s guide provides over 1,000 unique options for travelers who are tired of repetitive roadside chain restaurants. The legendary chef James Beard said that “this is a book that you should carry with you, no matter where you are going in these United States.” SOLD.

1 1. Route 66: The Mother Road 75th Anniversary Edition

By Michael Wallis

Can you even call it a Great American Road Trip if you don’t traverse “America’s Main Street,” Route 66? The 75th Anniversary Edition of Route 66: The Mother Road pays homage to the people and places along this iconic stretch of pavement that has been traveled by road warriors over the past eight decades.

12. Secret Route 66: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

By Jim Ross & Shellee Graham

For road trippers who have “been there, done that” and seen the main sights of America’s Main Street or who gravitate towards hidden gems in their travels, Secret Route 66 is the perfect remedy. This tribute to the Mother Road highlights 90 places along Route 66 that, as the name implies, are weird, wonderful, and obscure.

13. The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips

By Editors of Reader’s Digest

This recently revised and updated book is the perfect coffee table book for anyone who enjoys landscape eye-candy. The editors at Reader’s Digest have put together 120 of the most scenic drives in America and is great for active road trippers and armchair travelers alike.

14. The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA

By Jessica Dunham

Part of the notable Moon travel guides family, The Open Road is a collection of 50 of the best road trips in these great united states. Whether you’re looking to travel coast-to-coast or just get away for the weekend, there is bound to be an itinerary that fits the bill.

15. The Ultimate Pet-Friendly Road Trip

By Amy Burkert

Just because you’re going on a road trip doesn’t mean you need to leave Fido behind. In fact, I’d argue road trips are the best type of travel for pet owners. This book offers up the ultimate pet-friendly road trip bucket list of 49 attractions across the country so you don’t need to leave your furry companion at home when you hit the road.

16. Unique America – Strange, Unusual, and Just Plain Fun: A Trip Through America

Are you the type of traveler that looks to the Atlas Obscura website first for ideas for your next trip? If so, then Unique America is for you. Get ready to see the world’s largest ball of twine, a floating bridge, or a ginormous artichoke the size of your car.

17. Where To Go When the Americas

By DK Eyewitness

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are my go-to choice when I have an upcoming trip. I love the balance between visual representation and easy-to-digest information about the places they cover. Where To Go When is only last on this list because it’s in alphabetical order, haha. But if you’re looking for seasonal inspiration for your next American road trip, look no further.

Have any of these American Road Trip books inspired your next adventure?!?!

More Wanderlust-Filled Book Recommendations

• 17 Books That Will Inspire You To Visit America’s National Parks

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About Laura

Laura is an avid traveler who aspires to live a life filled with adventure and a dash of luxury and hopes to inspire others to do the same. She seems to consistently be drawn to lesser-traveled hidden "pearls" and loves to give these under-the-radar places the credit they are due. Laura can often be found on the ski slopes in the winter and is obsessed with all activities involving water...and mac and cheese...and Golden Retrievers.

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15 Best Travel Books for the USA | Top Picks for 2023

Looking for the best travel books for exploring the USA ? Here are my top picks for 2023 printed travel guides…

Traveling in the USA is a dream for many people because the country offers a diverse array of landscapes, cultures, and experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re embarking on your first adventure, having the right travel guide can make all the difference in ensuring that you make the most of your trip.

A travel guidebook not only offers suggestions for places to see, eat, and stay but also provides travel tips to help you navigate the vast, and sometimes overwhelming, options in the USA. From learning about national parks and regional highlights to understanding the local customs and dining scenes, a good travel guide can be an invaluable companion on your journey.

When choosing a travel guide , it’s essential to consider your specific interests, travel style, and the kind of information you need. Some guides focus on budget travel , while others cater to luxury experiences or adventure seekers. Additionally, the format — print or digital — plays a crucial role in determining how accessible and up-to-date the information is.

After extensive research and testing, I’ve compiled a list of the best travel guides for the USA that cater to various needs, making your trip planning smooth and enjoyable. So, let’s dive in and find the perfect guide for your adventure.

Best Travel Books for USA Road Trips

I have gathered a list of the best travel guides for exploring the magnificent USA. These handy books will help make your journey smooth and unforgettable.

Fodor’s Best Road Trips in the USA

Fodor’s “Best Road Trips in the USA” is a must-have guide for anyone planning epic road trips across the United States.

• Comprehensive coverage of all 50 states
• Full-color, visually appealing guide
• Well-organized, easy-to-follow format
• Some trips may lack details about nearby attractions
• Book size and text size may be small for some readers
• Not spiral-bound, which some users might prefer

I recently used Fodor’s “Best Road Trips in the USA” to plan a memorable journey across the country. This guide did not disappoint because it provided an extensive list of epic trips across all 50 states. The full-color photography and design made it a visually engaging companion throughout my travels.

The organization and format of the book made it easy to explore different routes and plan my stops accordingly. Each trip featured in the guide was well thought out, and I discovered amazing gems that I might have otherwise missed.

However, I did find that some trips in the book could have provided more detailed information on the attractions and landmarks nearby, including national parks . This would have been helpful in making the most of my time on the road.

Moon USA State by State: The Best Things to Do in Every State for Your Travel Bucket List

I highly recommend this travel guide for uncovering the hidden gems of the USA and planning the ultimate bucket list trip.

• Comprehensive and well-organized
• Includes unique and offbeat attractions
• Suitable for travelers with varying interests
• Lacks information on small towns
• Could use more details about accommodations and dining
• Content may not suffice for those seeking exhaustive information about each state

“Moon USA State by State: The Best Things to Do in Every State for Your Travel Bucket List” is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to explore each state in America. I found the guide to be an excellent tool for planning my travels and discovering lesser-known attractions that I wouldn’t have found on my own. It offers a diverse range of suggestions, catering to various interests suitable for all types of travelers.

The guide is well-organized with each state receiving its dedicated section. I found this quite helpful when mapping out my journey and making a list of must-see spots. Additionally, the focus on unique and offbeat attractions really made my exploration feel more personalized and exciting.

However, the book doesn’t delve deeply into smaller towns and may not cater to those looking for comprehensive information about lodging and dining options. While it doesn’t hinder the main goal of offering interesting and lesser-known sites to visit, it could be an area of improvement for future editions.

Lonely Planet Southwest USA’s Best Trips 4 (Road Trips Guide)

I highly recommend this travel guide for an unforgettable road trip experience in the Southwest USA.

• Comprehensive coverage of must-visit attractions
• User-friendly layout and organization
• Engaging writing style
• Maps could be improved
• Limited off-the-beaten-path suggestions
• Slightly heavy for on-the-go carrying

As a seasoned traveler, I find Lonely Planet’s “Southwest USA’s Best Trips” to be an excellent resource for planning the perfect road trip across the scenic landscapes of Southwest USA. The guide offers a wide range of richly detailed itineraries that cater to various interests, ensuring a memorable travel experience that’s tailored to your preferences.

I appreciate the book’s user-friendly organization, with well-labeled sections and logical groupings of attractions. It makes it easy to find the information I need quickly, allowing for smooth navigation and efficient trip planning. The engaging writing style used throughout the book paints a vivid picture of the places to visit, making the whole planning process an enjoyable experience.

However, I found that some of the maps included in the guide could have offered more detail and accuracy. Additionally, if you are someone who enjoys exploring lesser-known places, you may find that the guide’s focus on popular attractions leaves you craving more off-the-beaten-path recommendations.

Despite being packed with valuable information, the guide is slightly on the heavier side, which can be a minor inconvenience when carrying it with you throughout your trip. Nevertheless, I believe Lonely Planet’s “Southwest USA’s Best Trips” is a must-have for anyone planning to embark on an unforgettable journey through the beautiful Southwest USA.

Fodor’s Best Weekend Road Trips (Full-Color Travel Guide)

I recommend Fodor’s “Best Weekend Road Trips” for those looking to explore the USA with concise yet inspiring itineraries.

• Great trip ideas
• Highly readable
• Beautiful full-color presentation
• Lack of detailed information
• Limited local destinations
• Trips may require additional travel days

I found this book to be a fantastic source of inspiration for my USA road trips. The assortment of weekend getaways ranges from scenic drives to city escapes, with each suggestion sparking my wanderlust. Additionally, the full-color images and easy-to-read format make planning these trips a visually appealing experience.

When delving into specific itineraries, I realized that Fodor’s provides a good starting point, but lacks a certain level of detail I’d need for an extensive trip. Some travelers may find this to be a limiting factor while planning their getaways, especially if they want comprehensive information about local destinations.

Additionally, keep in mind that some trips may require you to reach a certain area first, meaning extra travel days might be necessary depending on your starting point. As a well-traveled person, I found that many local areas featured were already familiar to me, but the book was still useful in helping me discover new destinations.

The Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places in the USA

An essential and inspiring guide for travelers exploring the United States, featuring a diverse range of must-see destinations.

• In-depth information regarding diverse locations
• Beautiful and top-quality photographs
• Easy-to-navigate and well-organized layout
• Hardcover and slightly heavy
• Geared toward more popular destinations
• Limited information on local suggestions

Upon receiving “The Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places in the USA,” I was immediately captivated by the stunning images and the vast variety of information covered in this guide. Not only did it have details on the iconic tourist spots, but it also opened my eyes to a plethora of lesser-known gems in the country.

The organization of the book made it quite simple for me to plan my trips as the information was broken down into regions. Each destination had a dedicated section, making it easy to flip through and digest the content quickly. Moreover, the pictures alone were enough to spark my wanderlust, making it exciting for me to plan my upcoming visits.

However, I noticed that the book is a bit on the heavier side, which could be cumbersome to carry around during trips. As much as I loved the comprehensive information on popular tourist attractions, there were instances where I wished it had more recommendations on local insights, like hidden restaurants or lesser-known trails.

The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA (Travel Guide)

I believe that traveling enthusiasts should definitely consider purchasing this guidebook as it’s filled with great tips for unforgettable USA road trip adventures.

• Comprehensive coverage of diverse trips
• Provides “best of” lists for various categories
• Easy geographic organization for trip planning
• Small font size might be challenging for some readers
• Some sections may be too brief for in-depth information
• Focus on restaurants and wineries might be unnecessary for some

After exploring this travel guide , I found its comprehensive listing of 50 road trips to be quite inspiring. It covers various destinations, landscapes, and travel times, catering to different preferences and personalities. I truly enjoyed the “best of” lists for categories like scenic routes, quirky attractions, and budget-friendly trips.

The geographic organization of road trips is convenient, especially for those planning journeys around specific regions. While I appreciated the attempt to include a variety of helpful information, the print size was a bit too small for my liking, which made reading less enjoyable.

Interestingly, this travel guide also includes restaurant and winery recommendations. Though it may be helpful for some readers, others might find this information unnecessary for their road trip needs. Personally, I prefer focusing on attractions and natural sites.

Fodor’s Bucket List USA: From the Epic to the Eccentric, 500+ Ultimate Experiences

This travel guide is perfect for those who want a comprehensive and inspiring guide to lesser-known experiences in the USA.

• Wide array of destinations and experiences
• Clear and concise descriptions
• Full-color, visually appealing layout
• Some faulty pages reported regarding print quality
• Smaller format than expected
• May not cover all popular tourist spots

This travel guide has piqued my curiosity and introduced me to an array of places across the country — from epic landscapes to eccentric attractions. The book is organized by region, making it easy to plan my trips and find new destinations I hadn’t considered before.

One of the things I appreciate the most is that this travel guide doesn’t only provide information about famous attractions. It also focuses on lesser-known gems that contribute to a well-rounded and diverse experience. The entries are detailed, and the high-quality images set my expectations before visiting, making them even more exciting when finally at the destination.

However, I must mention that some might find the smaller format somewhat limiting. People with visual challenges or those who prefer larger prints may struggle a bit with this. Additionally, a few fellow reviewers reported issues with the print quality, but my copy was in perfect condition. If you’re looking for a guide with a more extensive list of popular tourist spots, this may not be your top choice.

Lonely Planet USA’s Best Trips

This guide is a must-have for anyone planning a USA road trip, with comprehensive trip ideas and useful information.

• Packed with diverse road trip options
• Covers various regions across the USA
• Includes useful information on places to visit
• Limited details on accommodation and dining options
• Some readers may find the historical perspective unbalanced
• May require additional research or resources for complete planning

I just started using Lonely Planet’s “USA’s Best Trips,” and I’m already in love with the diverse road trip routes it offers. The guide breaks down trips by region, so I can easily find options for the areas I’m most interested in exploring. It’s been an invaluable resource for me to start planning my next adventure.

The information about places to visit along each route is helpful, providing a sense of what each destination has to offer. However, I noticed that the guide is a bit lacking in terms of dining and lodging options. I have to turn to other resources to find places to stay and eat during my journey, which can be a bit inconvenient.

Aside from that, some readers may take issue with the treatment of historical context within the guide. While I appreciate the inclusion of history and cultural information, it’s essential to approach these topics objectively and consider the complexities of the past.

National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways, 5th Edition

This guide is a fantastic companion for anyone looking to explore the scenic routes of the United States.

• Comprehensive coverage of 300 scenic drives
• Detailed and easy-to-follow directions
• Durable and high-quality printing
• Smaller size than expected
• Some popular routes may be crowded
• GPS coordinates not included

The National Geographic “Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways, 5th Edition” provides numerous picturesque routes to follow and allows you to discover hidden gems and spectacular places along the way, such as old Route 66. The guide’s durability will easily withstand constant use even if your kids are fighting over who gets to look at it next.

I appreciated the guide’s easy-to-read format and informative descriptions. However, after receiving the book, I noticed its size was significantly smaller than expected. Despite the small size, the high-quality print and beautiful images did not disappoint.

On the other hand, one helpful addition would have been GPS coordinates for the starting and ending points of the scenic routes. And, some of the more popular routes will likely be quite busy with other tourists, which can be both a pro and a con depending on personal preference. If you prefer less crowded routes, check out alternative scenic drives.

Best Travel Guides for Visiting US National Parks

If you’re looking to explore US national parks, these travel guides will help you plan a more in-depth trip and expose you to options you might miss in some of the less detailed travel books.

Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks

Another winner from Moon Publishing, this is a must-have guide for an unforgettable experience in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks.

• Comprehensive and practical information
• Customized plans for various time frames
• Excellent advice on hikes and wildlife viewing
• Can be overwhelming with too many options
• Not enough visuals and maps
• May need supplement material for in-depth research

I particularly appreciated the variety of suggested itineraries presented in Moon’s “Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks,” catering to different durations and interests.

Whether you have half a day or several days to spend in each park, the guide provides useful recommendations on what to see, when to visit, and which trails to hike. The author’s favorite hikes were spot on as they offered stunning views and memorable experiences.

Despite its many advantages, I did notice a few areas where the guide could improve. While the content was abundant and well-written, the lack of visuals and maps occasionally made it challenging to navigate and locate specific points of interest. In this regard, you might want to consult additional resources for more detailed geographical information.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that the guide is so packed with options that it can be overwhelming. You might find yourself struggling to prioritize which activities to pursue. Nevertheless, this is arguably a small issue compared to the overall value the book provides.

Fodor’s The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West

This travel guide is an essential companion for exploring the National Parks of the West thoroughly yet concisely.

• Comprehensive coverage of 38 western national parks
• Includes helpful itinerary suggestions
• Useful information on nearby towns for amenities and lodging
• Alphabetical organization instead of regional
• Lacks in-depth details for some parks

This book serves as a reliable source of information because it covers a whopping 38 parks, providing insightful suggestions on what to see and do within each one. It not only comes with recommendations for main attractions but also includes guidance for accommodations, dining, and supplies in nearby towns.

What I found less helpful, however, was the way the book was organized. The parks were listed alphabetically rather than regionally, making it slightly inconvenient to plan an efficient road trip. Additionally, I found that information on some of the parks was relatively basic and lacking in comprehensive details.

Best USA Destination Travel Guide Books

Sometimes, you’re not looking to explore the entire US but just a specific destination. These are a few of my favorite USA destination-specific travel guidebooks, all of which are available to purchase on Amazon.

Fodor’s California: With the Best Road Trips (Full-Color Travel Guide)

Fodor’s “California” is a comprehensive and colorful guide that’s perfect for those planning a road trip across the Golden State.

• Great variety of destinations and road trips
• Useful tips on dining and accommodation options
• Well-organized and user-friendly layout
• Lacks images of some attractions
• Missing information on some iconic places
• Physical book could be difficult to navigate

I found Fodor’s “California” to be a valuable resource for exploring different regions and planning memorable road trips. It features a wide range of attractions, accommodations, and dining options, allowing me to discover hidden gems and make the most of my trip.

However, I noticed that the guide lacks images of some attractions, which would have been helpful for visualizing destinations before visiting. In addition, the book omits information on some notable locations, such as the Reagan Library, Nixon Library, and La Brea Tar Pits, making it slightly incomplete for those interested in these specific landmarks.

While planning a future adventure, I appreciated the well-organized layout and user-friendly format. The inclusion of interesting facts and local insights added a personal touch to the experience, making me feel like I was part of the Californian culture.

On the downside, the physical book can be a bit challenging to navigate, especially because of its small print and inability to lay flat. An e-book option or a larger print edition would be welcome for travelers who may have difficulty reading small text.

Fodor’s Boston 25 Best (Full-Color Travel Guide)

This travel guide is a must-have for anyone planning to explore Boston for the first time or anyone who is rediscovering the city’s hidden gems.

• Comprehensive and well-written
• Compact and lightweight
• 128 pages of valuable information
• Limited to 25 best places
• Lacks detailed information about lesser-known spots
• May not cover recent changes in the city

Fodor’s “25 Best Boston” focuses on the 25 best places to visit in the city, making it a great resource for first-time visitors. The descriptions of each location are comprehensive and well-written, providing engaging insights into the history, significance, and atmosphere of each attraction.

The compact size and lightweight design of the guide made it easy to carry around as I traversed Boston’s historic streets. The 128 pages of valuable information ensured that I maximized my limited time in the city, visiting the top attractions and having unforgettable experiences.

However, I must admit that the guide has a few limitations. Since it is primarily centered around the 25 best places in Boston, it lacks detailed information on lesser-known spots that might be of interest to seasoned travelers or those interested in niche attractions.

Additionally, given that the book’s publication date is back in 2018, there might be updates or changes in the city that the guide doesn’t cover.

Fodor’s Pacific Northwest

Fodor’s “Pacific Northwest” is a comprehensive guide for travelers looking to explore the beautiful landscapes and cities of the Pacific Northwest.

• Up-to-date information and reviews
• Covers major attractions in the region
• Full-color, high-quality photos
• Poor bookbinding and print quality
• Lacks coverage of some key destinations
• Maps could use more detail

As I recently planned a trip to the Pacific Northwest, I found Fodor’s “Pacific Northwest” guide to be a helpful companion. From exploring Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver to discovering the charm of small towns and the beauty of Oregon and Washington, this well-rounded guide came in handy.

The book is filled with up-to-date information and insightful reviews of attractions, accommodations, and dining options throughout the region. The full-color and high-quality photos were visually appealing, providing a glimpse into what to expect in each destination. I genuinely appreciated the coverage of major attractions, such as Crater Lake National Park and Pike Place Market.

However, as much as I enjoyed using the guide, I was disappointed by its binding and print quality. It was difficult to read content near the bind, and the photos weren’t as sharp as the older Fodor’s guides that I’ve used in the past.

Plus, I felt that the guide could have covered a few more key destinations in the region, making it more comprehensive. Lastly, while the maps were helpful, they lacked the detail I needed to navigate some areas precisely.

Fodor’s Essential Southwest

This is a comprehensive guide for exploring the best of the Southwest in the US, but keep in mind its older publication date requires double-checking all the details before making plans.

• Extensive coverage of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah
• Full-color illustrations and maps
• Thorough descriptions of natural sites and scenic drives
• Publication date means it may not have up-to-date details
• Some users reported missing pages in their copies
• Paper quality may not be as high as in previous Fodor’s guides

After recently using Fodor’s “Essential Southwest” for my journey through the American Southwest, I found it to be quite informative and valuable. The guide covers a vast region, including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah, which allowed me to plan my trip efficiently.

I particularly enjoyed the full-color illustrations and maps included in the guide. They not only provided an excellent visual aid but also helped me get a better sense of the areas I was visiting. Additionally, the book offers thorough descriptions of natural sites, scenic drives, and various activities, which helped me maximize my time at each destination.

One downside, however, is that the 2021 publication date means that certain information may not accurately reflect the current state of things, such as open restaurants and hotels. I would recommend double-checking all details before making plans to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Another issue some users encountered was missing pages in their copies. Though I did not personally experience this, it is something to be aware of when purchasing. Lastly, the paper quality seems to be lower compared to previous editions of Fodor’s guides. While this did not impact my overall experience, it might be a point of consideration for some travelers.

Best Travel Books Buying Guide

Remember that investing time in researching and comparing different travel guides will pay off in making your USA journey a memorable one. When I’m choosing the best travel guidebook for the USA, there are several features I look for to ensure that I’m getting the most accurate and helpful information.

1. Updated Information

Since landscapes, businesses, and attractions can change over time, I make sure the guide is updated regularly. This helps me avoid outdated information that might lead to schedule disruptions or disappointments. Always look for the most recent edition available.

2. Comprehensive Coverage

The USA is a vast country with diverse attractions. Hence, the travel guide should cover all aspects of tourism — various destinations, accommodation options, transportation, experiences, and local culture. It should have ample information to cater to different budgets and preferences too.

3. User Friendliness

A well-organized travel guide makes my planning process much smoother. Guides with clear headings, indexes, maps, and concise information are my preference. Moreover, the inclusion of an eBook version or a mobile app can help me carry the information on the go.

4. Travel Tips & Advice

A good travel guide offers practical tips and advice that’ll reward me with a better travel experience. This may include packing suggestions, local customs and etiquette, safety precautions, and essential phrases or words to know.

5. Reviews & Recommendations

Ultimately, a helpful travel guide will have reviews and recommendations from other travelers. Their insights can shed light on the pros and cons of specific attractions or accommodations. Consider guides that list reader feedback alongside expert opinions.

FAQs About the Best Travel Books for the USA

What are some famous travel guidebooks for the usa.

I always recommend a few well-known US travel book publishers. Some of my personal favorites are Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, Rick Steves, and Frommer’s. Each of these publishers covers a wide range of destinations, itineraries, and tips for every type of traveler looking to explore the US.

Which US travel guides are best for first-time visitors?

If you’re a first-time visitor to the US, I suggest starting with Lonely Planet or Fodor’s travel guides. Both of these are very comprehensive and beginner-friendly, offering clear and concise information on planning your trip, popular attractions, and local customs.

For a budget-conscious traveler, Rick Steves tends to focus on affordable options, while Frommer’s is great for people interested in a luxurious experience.

Are there any free travel guide resources for the US?

Absolutely! There are many free resources for you to explore before your trip to the US. Websites like RootedWanderings.com can provide helpful information about different destinations, attractions, and itineraries.

Additionally, many US states and cities have tourism websites that offer free guides and maps. VisitMaine.net is the unofficial visitor’s guide to Maine, and AwesomeMitten.com helps travelers plan their adventures in Michigan. Other examples include RootedinOhio.com and WanderingSmokyMountains.com .

To find these, simply search for the city name along with “visitor’s guide” or “tourism office” for access to those resources. Happy travels!

Ashley Pichea is the Content Manager for RootedWanderings.com and curates in-depth travel guides and deep-dives on hidden gem destinations across the US for sites like AwesomeMitten.com , VisitMaine.net , and more. When she's not geeking out over SEO, you'll find her exploring the Midwest with her husband and five kids.

Hemingway's Books and Records

The 20 Road Trips Books: Best 2024 Update and Review

Embarking on a road trip is an adventure filled with the promise of discovery and freedom. Whether you’re planning your next journey or simply craving some literary wanderlust, these 20 best books about road trips are sure to satisfy your wanderlust. From classic novels to contemporary memoirs, each book on road trips offers a unique perspective on the open road. So, buckle up and get ready to explore the world through the pages of these road trips books.

• 1 20 Best Books About Road Trips
• 2 On the Road
• 3 The Alchemist
• 4 Travels with Charley
• 5 American Gods
• 6 The Motorcycle Diaries
• 8 Blue Highways
• 9 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
• 10 The Lost Continent
• 11 The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
• 12 Into the Wild
• 13 The Geography of Bliss
• 14 The Road to Little Dribbling
• 15 The Art of Travel
• 16 The Longest Road
• 17 The Wayward Bus
• 18 The Lost Girls
• 19 The Open Road
• 20 The Sun Also Rises
• 21 Travels with Charley: In Search of America
• 22 Conclusion

20 Best Books About Road Trips

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On the Road

By jack kerouac.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac is a seminal novel that captures the essence of the beat generation. It follows the adventures of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty as they embark on a cross-country journey filled with freedom, self-discovery, and rebellion. This book on road trips is a raw and unapologetic portrayal of the restless spirit of the American road, filled with jazz, drugs, and a constant search for meaning. Kerouac’s spontaneous prose and vivid descriptions create a sense of urgency and excitement, making it a book about road trips that has captivated readers for generations. On the Road is a timeless exploration of the longing for adventure and the exhilarating freedom found on the open road, making it a must-read for anyone with a wanderlust spirit.

The Alchemist

By paulo coelho.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a captivating tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of one’s dreams. Set against the backdrop of a journey through the desert, this timeless story follows Santiago, a young shepherd who embarks on a quest to find a hidden treasure. Along the way, he encounters colorful characters, faces numerous challenges, and learns valuable lessons about the importance of following one’s heart and listening to the omens of the universe. The book is a compelling narrative that resonates with readers of all ages, offering profound insights into the human experience and the transformative power of perseverance. Coelho’s enchanting storytelling and profound wisdom make The Alchemist a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on their own personal journey.

Travels with Charley

By john steinbeck.

Travels with Charley is a captivating book about road trips written by John Steinbeck . The author embarks on a cross-country journey with his loyal poodle, Charley, in a quest to rediscover the soul of America. As they traverse through the diverse landscapes and encounter an array of characters, Steinbeck reflects on the changing social and cultural fabric of the nation. His vivid descriptions of the open road, small towns, and natural wonders immerse readers in the adventure. Throughout the road trips book, Steinbeck’s introspective musings and keen observations offer profound insights into the human experience and the essence of the American spirit. Whether you’re a fan of travel literature or simply enjoy a good road trip story, Travels with Charley is a timeless classic that will leave you yearning for your own journey of self-discovery.

American Gods

By neil gaiman.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman is a captivating novel that takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through the American landscape. This modern fantasy masterpiece follows Shadow, a recently released convict, as he embarks on a road trip through a world where old gods clash with new ones. Gaiman’s vivid storytelling and richly imagined characters bring to life a world where myths and legends walk among us, and where the road becomes a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery. This road trip book is a thrilling blend of Americana, mythology, and the supernatural, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a captivating and immersive storytelling experience.

The Motorcycle Diaries

By ernesto che guevara.

The Motorcycle Diaries is a captivating book about a transformative journey taken by Ernesto Che Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado. The two young men set out on an adventurous road trip across South America on a rickety motorcycle, encountering diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and eye-opening experiences along the way. Guevara’s vivid and poetic writing immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and emotions of their travels, as they witness the struggles of the impoverished and marginalized people they meet. This book on road trips is not just a travelogue but also a coming-of-age story, as Guevara’s encounters with injustice and inequality shape his future as a revolutionary figure. The Motorcycle Diaries is an inspiring and thought-provoking road trips book that captures the essence of wanderlust and the power of human connection.

by Cheryl Strayed

Wild by Cheryl Strayed is a captivating memoir that takes readers on an emotional journey through the author’s solo trek along the Pacific Crest Trail. As she grapples with the loss of her mother, the end of her marriage, and a spiral into destructive behavior, Strayed sets out on a transformative adventure of self-discovery and healing. This powerful narrative of resilience and survival is a testament to the human spirit and the healing power of nature. With vivid descriptions of the rugged terrain and encounters with fellow hikers, Wild is a compelling read that will inspire and uplift anyone in search of healing and redemption. This book on road trips is a poignant reminder of the healing and cathartic power of the great outdoors.

Blue Highways

By william least heat-moon.

Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon is an enthralling book on road trips that takes the reader on a remarkable journey across the backroads of America. Fueled by a sense of wanderlust and a desire to escape the monotony of everyday life, the author embarks on a soul-stirring adventure, exploring the hidden gems and forgotten towns off the beaten path. This captivating road trips book is a testament to the beauty of exploration, as Heat-Moon encounters a diverse cast of characters and experiences the rich tapestry of American culture. With vivid prose and a deep appreciation for the open road, Blue Highways is a poignant and inspiring ode to the freedom and discovery that comes with hitting the open road. It’s a must-read for anyone with a love for adventure and a yearning for the open road.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

By robert m. pirsig.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a captivating philosophical novel that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. This thought-provoking book is not just about motorcycles; it’s a profound reflection on life, philosophy, and the pursuit of quality. The author, Robert M. Pirsig, takes readers on a philosophical road trip, exploring the concepts of technology, rationality, and the pursuit of excellence. Through the lens of a cross-country motorcycle journey, Pirsig delves into the complexities of human existence and the search for meaning. This modern classic is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the world around them. Whether you’re a fan of motorcycles or simply enjoy a good road trip, this book offers a unique blend of adventure and introspection.

The Lost Continent

By bill bryson.

The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson is a hilarious and nostalgic book about road trips. Bryson takes readers on a journey across small-town America, reflecting on the quirks and charms of the places he visits. With his trademark wit and keen observations, Bryson shares his experiences and encounters with colorful characters, all while exploring the changing landscape of the American Midwest. From bizarre roadside attractions to diners serving up dubious cuisine, this road trips book is a delightful and insightful exploration of the heartland of the United States. The Lost Continent is a captivating and entertaining read that will leave you yearning for your own adventure on the open road.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

By tom wolfe.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe is a captivating non-fiction book about a group of individuals, led by Ken Kesey, who embark on a mind-bending journey across the United States in a psychedelic bus. This book on road trips captures the essence of the 1960s counterculture movement, as the Merry Pranksters experiment with LSD and other mind-altering substances while traveling. Wolfe’s immersive writing style brings the reader along for the ride, providing a firsthand account of the highs and lows of their road trip adventures. The book about road trips is a wild and enlightening exploration of freedom, rebellion, and the search for a higher consciousness. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the history of road trips and the cultural revolution of the 1960s.

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Into the Wild

By jon krakauer.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is a captivating and thought-provoking book about the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who leaves behind his comfortable life to embark on a journey of self-discovery and adventure. This compelling narrative delves into McCandless’s decision to abandon his possessions and set out on a quest for freedom and meaning in the wilderness of Alaska. Krakauer skillfully weaves together McCandless’s personal experiences with his own reflections on the allure of the open road and the pursuit of a deeper connection with nature. This book is a powerful exploration of the human spirit, the yearning for independence, and the allure of the unknown. Into the Wild is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and insight into the transformative power of exploration and the beauty of the natural world. If you love a good book on road trips, this is the one for you.

The Geography of Bliss

By eric weiner.

The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner is a captivating book on road trips, taking readers on a journey to discover the world’s happiest places. Weiner explores the connection between geography and happiness, traveling to countries like Iceland, Bhutan, and Switzerland to uncover the secrets of joy and contentment. Through engaging storytelling and insightful observations, he delves into the cultural, historical, and environmental factors that contribute to each country’s happiness, offering a unique perspective on what it means to live a fulfilling life. This road trips book is a fascinating exploration of the human quest for happiness, filled with humor, wisdom, and thought-provoking insights that will inspire readers to embark on their own journey to find bliss.

The Road to Little Dribbling

The Road to Little Dribbling is a humorous and insightful travel memoir by Bill Bryson. In this delightful book about road trips, Bryson takes readers on a journey across Britain, exploring its quirks, history, and natural beauty. With his trademark wit and keen observations, Bryson shares his experiences as he traverses the country, encountering eccentric locals, charming villages, and breathtaking landscapes. This road trips book is filled with fascinating tidbits about British culture and history, making it an entertaining and educational read. Whether you’re a fan of travel writing or simply enjoy a good adventure, The Road to Little Dribbling is sure to delight and inspire.

The Art of Travel

By alain de botton.

The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton is a thought-provoking exploration of the pleasures and pitfalls of travel. This introspective book on road trips delves into the reasons why we travel, the allure of unfamiliar landscapes, and the impact of our surroundings on our inner selves. De Botton intertwines personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, and insights from artists and writers to offer a unique perspective on the art of travel. Through vivid descriptions and captivating storytelling, the book about road trips urges readers to reconsider their approach to travel and find beauty in unexpected places. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or an armchair traveler, this road trips book offers a fresh and stimulating take on the transformative power of exploring the world.

The Longest Road

By philip caputo.

The Longest Road by Philip Caputo is a captivating book about road trips that takes readers on a journey across America. Caputo and his wife set out on a 13,000-mile road trip, exploring the diverse landscapes and cultures of the United States. As they traverse the country, they encounter a wide range of characters and immerse themselves in the history and natural beauty of the land. The book is a poignant exploration of the American spirit and the allure of the open road, filled with vivid descriptions and insightful reflections on the meaning of travel. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or simply have a love for adventure, this road trips book is sure to inspire and entertain. It’s a must-read for anyone with a wanderlust spirit and a desire to experience the freedom of the open road.

The Wayward Bus

The Wayward Bus by John Steinbeck is a captivating book about road trips that takes readers on a thrilling and unpredictable journey. Set in California, the story follows a diverse group of characters as they embark on a fateful bus ride. Steinbeck masterfully weaves together their individual stories, creating a rich tapestry of human emotions and desires. As the bus hurtles down the winding road, the passengers’ lives become increasingly intertwined, leading to unexpected connections and dramatic encounters. With vivid imagery and poignant prose, Steinbeck explores the complexities of human nature and the unpredictable nature of fate. The Wayward Bus is a timeless book on road trips that captures the essence of the open road and the transformative power of travel.

The Lost Girls

By jennifer baggett, holly c. corbett, amanda pressner.

The Lost Girls is a captivating book about three friends who embark on a life-changing adventure around the world. This compelling memoir follows the journey of Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, and Amanda Pressner as they leave behind their comfortable lives to travel the globe for a year. The book chronicles their experiences, challenges, and personal growth as they navigate through different cultures, landscapes, and unexpected situations. The Lost Girls is not just a book on road trips, but a story of self-discovery, friendship, and the courage to step out of one’s comfort zone. With vivid descriptions and honest reflections, this road trips book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and a sense of wanderlust.

The Open Road

By pico iyer.

The Open Road by Pico Iyer is a captivating exploration of the allure of the open road and the freedom it represents. In this travel memoir, Iyer takes readers on a journey through the landscapes of America and the experiences of iconic road trips, reflecting on the meaning of travel and the search for belonging. Through his evocative prose and keen observations, Iyer captures the essence of the road trip experience, delving into the sense of adventure, discovery, and self-discovery that comes with traveling the open road. This book about road trips is a meditation on the spirit of wanderlust and the deep connection between movement and meaning. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or simply dreaming of hitting the road, The Open Road offers a compelling and insightful exploration of the transformative power of travel.

The Sun Also Rises

By ernest hemingway.

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway is a classic novel that follows a group of disillusioned expatriates as they journey through Europe in the 1920s. This novel is not just a book about road trips, but a powerful exploration of the Lost Generation, a term coined by Hemingway himself. The protagonist, Jake Barnes, and his companions embark on a journey filled with love, loss, and the search for meaning in a post-World War I world. Hemingway’s sparse and direct prose captures the essence of the era and the characters’ longing for something more. The book on road trips is a poignant and evocative portrayal of a generation struggling to find its place in the world, making it a timeless and compelling read.

Travels with Charley: In Search of America

Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck is an iconic book about road trips. In this classic travel memoir, Steinbeck embarks on a journey across America with his beloved poodle, Charley. As he travels through small towns and big cities, Steinbeck captures the essence of the American landscape and its people, offering a poignant and insightful portrayal of the country in the early 1960s. Through his vivid descriptions and introspective musings, Steinbeck’s book on road trips explores themes of identity, belonging, and the ever-changing nature of the American experience. With its timeless exploration of the open road and the human spirit, Travels with Charley remains a beloved road trips book that continues to resonate with readers today.

Embark on a literary journey with these 20 best books about Road Trips . From classic tales of adventure to modern stories of self-discovery, these books capture the essence of the open road and the thrill of the unknown. Whether you’re a fan of fiction or non-fiction, there’s a road trip book for everyone to enjoy. So, grab a copy, hit the road, and let these captivating stories inspire your next adventure.

Which Road Trips book is best?

The best book on Road Trips can vary with personal preference, but three widely recommended titles are:

• On the Road by Jack Kerouac ,
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho ,
• Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck .

Each offers valuable insights and could be a great starting point.

What are the best books to learn about Road Trips?

For those looking to learn about Road Trips, there is a wealth of literature that can provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Some of the most highly recommended books include:

• Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck ,
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman ,
• The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara ,
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed ,
• Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon ,
• Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig ,
• The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson ,
• The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe

These books offer a range of perspectives on Road Trips, covering various aspects and approaches to the subject.

What are the best books on Road Trips?

The best books on Road Trips include:

• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer ,
• The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner ,
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed .

Each offers unique insights into the subject. While these books on the topic of Road Trips are highly regarded, it’s important to note that any list of ‘best’ books is subjective and reflects a range of opinions.

What are the best Road Trips books of all time?

Choosing the best Road Trips books of all time can vary depending on who you ask, but seven titles that are often celebrated include

• The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe ,
• and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer .

Each of these books has made a significant impact in the field of Road Trips and continues to be influential today.

Related posts:

36 Best Audiobooks For Road Trips

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Are you searching for good books to listen to while driving? Explore the best audiobooks for road trips to have an inspiring and laughter-filled time.

We don’t know about you, but while we love traveling, we don’t necessarily enjoy endless hours in the car, even if the scenery is stunning. Plus, our middle fingers get exhausted…

We’ve road-tripped all over, including other countries like Italy, Switzerland, Latvia, Ireland, Lithuania, Aruba, Estonia, Scotland, and Iceland.

How do we pass hours upon hours in the car after we’ve counted all of the sheep and sung along to the radio in multiple languages? Podcasts and audiobooks!

Along with our team’s recommendations, we asked audiobook expert, Eline from Lovely Audiobooks, what she considers to be the absolute best audiobooks for a road trip.

Below, find great books to listen to in the car in all genres, including nonfiction, memoir, fiction, romance, LGBT+, historical fiction, YA, thrillers, and more.

Most of these road trip audiobooks won’t be all about road trips themselves either – we have another reading list for that.

However, they are sure to inspire your travel around the world – and maybe your life – diversify your reading, and make you think more deeply. Let’s get started!

P.S. These audiobook selections pair well with an Audible Plus membership .

If you love hitting the road, check out these fantastic books featuring road trips .

Table of Contents

For Fiction Lovers

Selections from Eline

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Narrated by Martin Jarvis

Good Omens has made an incredible comeback.

Whether you’ve seen the Amazon show, read the book, or have yet to experience this awesome story about friendship and the apocalypse, this is one of the best audiobooks for road trips for Gaiman lovers.

Good Omens is produced with a full cast of voice actors including Peter Serafinowicz for a BBC radio play.  Plus, it’s a great choice for a long drive.

Find even more terrific movies and series based on bestselling books .

Listen To Good Omens : Amazon | Goodreads

Evidence Of The Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Narrated By Julia Whelan, Greg Newborn & More

One of the best audiobooks for short road trips, Evidence Of The Affair is written in epistolary form.

Carrie sends a letter to the husband of the woman who she believes is having an affair with her own husband.

Each soulful letter Carrie and David continue to write to each other explores themes of love, fear, and forgiveness.

Discover even more of Eline’s top short audiobooks perfect for day trips.

Listen to Evidence Of The Affair : Amazon | Goodreads

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Narrated by George Guidall

Neil Gaiman is everywhere these days, and American Gods is one of our favorite audiobooks for a road trip.

Shadow, this honestly good guy, finds himself utterly out of options after being released from prison.

He runs into a group of rather odd people. With them, he’s going on a road trip through America.

Find another Neil Gaiman book, Neverwhere , on our fantasy audiobook reading list .

Listen to American Gods : Amazon | Goodreads

Selections from Christine

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

Narrated by Steven Rowley

If you are looking for the best audiobooks for road trips featuring middle-aged characters , Rowley’s The Celebrants is an absolute must. It’s one of the best books of 2023, too!

Inspired by the equally terrific friendship movie , The Big Chill , follow along as five college friends reunite throughout their lifetime whenever one of them requires a living funeral.

They formed this pack upon the death of one of their college roommates – possibly by suicide – and call upon it when they are in desperate need of their own type of saving.

Skydive, swim with the sharks, and rescue kittens as these best friends grow and age with humility and humor.

For queer road trip audiobooks, The Celebrants is intuitive, funny, and relatable. We loved Rowley’s The Guncle just as much.

Just know that the novel comes with a few trigger warnings, including suicide, addiction, and more.

Listen to The Celebrants : Amazon | Goodreads

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Narrated by Lynn Chen

Crazy Rich Asians both as a book and movie did not disappoint. 

The first in the series, we enter the lives of the rich and not so famous except in their excessive wealth. 

Rachel Chu falls in love with one of the richest families’ offspring, Nick Young, causing a tizzy of gossip and instant jealousy. 

Is she good enough for this family?  In fact, who the heck is she? 

Sit back with some popcorn for family scandals, love affairs, and a story about proving love conquers all.

Crazy Rich Asians is definitely binge-worthy and one of the best books to listen to in the car on the way to see your family.

You may also enjoy Kwan’s Sex & Vanity , a story sure to transport listeners to Capri, Italy as well as NYC.

Listen to Crazy Rich Asians : Amazon | Goodreads

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Narrated by Caroline Lee

Big Little Lies  remains one of our favorite books, and we equally enjoyed the TV series.

Someone is left dead, and the suspect list is endless.

Behind closed doors, all of the players – especially the women – have deep, dark secrets. No one is as Stepford Wives as they seem.

Watch the drama unfold as friendships are built and marriages crumble.

One of the best audiobooks for road trips, Big Little Lies  promises to take your mind off of the traffic and into a gripping mystery.

Discover even more great books set in Australia .

Listen to Big Little Lies : Amazon | Goodreads

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

Where The Crawdads Sing  was one of the most popular books of 2019, an intriguing movie adaptation, and one of the best road trip audiobooks if you are headed to North Carolina .

Owens transports readers to the marshland around the Outer Banks.

Kya Clark, who has never fit in, is suspected of killing Chase Andrews.  Isolated as a youth from society because her family is poor and neglectful, Kya has always been a naive and easy target.

Learn about love, death, and coming of age in the most tragic of circumstances. Just listen with awareness as author Delia Owens faces her own personal allegations.

Discover even more of the best Southern books sure to transport you there . 

Listen to Where The Crawdads Sing : Amazon | Goodreads

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Narrated by Toni Morrison

We always love hearing Toni Morrison’s poetic and sage voice, and Beloved is truly one of the best audiobooks for a road trip that will tug at your heartstrings.

The story is heartbreaking, brutally powerful, and thought-provoking . Not to mention that it is one of the most well-known and best books from the ’80s .

Meet Sethe, a slave who escaped slavery. However, Sethe is still enslaved by her past and the haunting death of her nameless child.

One word sits on the baby’s grave, Beloved.  This is a ghost story like no other, based on a real-life person, that shows the effects of generational trauma.

Listen to Beloved : Amazon | Goodreads

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Narrated by Paul Boehmer & More

Are you looking for good audiobooks for road trips for historical fiction lovers?  Try The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society , which also landed on the big screen.

We loved listening to this audiobook with its multitude of narrators, bringing each unique character vividly to life. 

With the end of WW2, Juliet needs inspiration for her next book. She heads to Guernsey where she learns about the secret The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 

Completely endearing, fall in love with this gaggle of islanders and one of our favorite WWII historical fiction novels .

Listen to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society : Amazon | Goodreads

More from Dagney

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton

Narrated by Janina Edwards, Bahni Turpin, and many more

If you’re in need of great audiobooks for road trips for music lovers who want a break from the radio, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is the perfect option.

The book follows a famous fictional interracial rock duo from the 1970s, detailing their rise to fame, their break up, and a precarious comeback tour decades later.

Opal Jewel is a Black Afro-punk musician who believes she’s destined to be a star. Neville Charles is a White Brit who has come to NYC to try to make it as a singer.

Nev meets Opal at an amateur open mic night and though he doesn’t think she’s the most beautiful woman or the best singer, she has star quality, so he asks her to join him.

In truth, they have little in common, but they work well together as a singing duo. Soon the two have signed with Rivington Records, and their careers are on an upward trajectory.

But the more famous they become, the more attention they attract, and not all of it is good – especially with racism still alive and well in the USA.

This full-cast audiobook is done in the style of an oral history documentary, with each character telling their own version of the story.

For a fun, immersive experience, this is one of the best audiobooks for road trips for anyone who loves a good book about music .

For similar road trip audiobooks, our readers also enjoyed Daisy Jones & The Six , which is told in a fun interview style about an imaginary band in the 70s.

Listen to The Final Revival of Opal & Nev : Amazon | Goodreads

Thrillers, Suspense, & Mystery

She Started It by Sian Gilbert

Narrated by Sarah Ovens, Anne-Marie Piazza, Ione Butler, Billie Fulford-Brown, Sarah Cullum, and Ella Lynch

For those who love island-set novels and explosive thrillers with satisfying endings, She Started It is one of the best audiobooks for road trips.

Annabel, Chloe, Esther, and Tanya have been best friends since they were kids. As adults, they’re not sure they even like each other, but now they’re tied together by too many secrets.

When they’re invited on the trip of a lifetime by Poppy, an old school acquaintance who is getting married, they can’t say no.

The thing is, they haven’t spoken to Poppy in years, and they weren’t exactly close in school. In fact, you could say they were a bit unkind to Poppy as kids.

But Poppy says she wants to put all of that behind them, so what’s the harm in accepting such a lavish, all-expenses-paid trip to a remote island?

She Started It is full of drama, secrets, and unlikeable characters and is the perfect popcorn revenge thriller and fictional wedding novel for the summer.

And if that sounds fun to you, then the full-cast narration definitely makes it one of the best books to listen to in the car if you’re on your way somewhere remote or beachy.

TWs: self-harm, bullying, and more

Discover more top book releases from 2023 .

Listen to She Started It : Amazon | Goodreads

I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

Narrated by Candace Thaxton

Looking for the best audiobooks for a road trip during the winter months? Or, perhaps just craving a book with winter vibes ? I’m Thinking of Ending Things is the audiobook for you.

Jake and his unnamed girlfriend – the book’s narrator – are on a road trip through the countryside to see Jake’s parents.

The intent is to spend Thanksgiving there, which Jake is clearly excited about. Our narrator, however, is thinking of ending things.

She can’t really say why, exactly. By all accounts, Jake is great. But something isn’t working in their relationship and she wants out.

But as the night progresses, things get weird and the weather takes a turn for the worse, trapping the couple in a snowstorm.

This is easily one of the best books to listen to while driving if you love a chilly, unsettling atmosphere and don’t mind something that makes you think a bit while you cruise.

Discover even more must-read Canadian books .

Listen to I’m Thinking of Ending Things : Amazon | Goodreads

Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Narrated by Darrell Dennis

For those who believe that the best road trip audiobooks can also teach you something, Winter Counts is a great pick as it is imbued with Native American history and culture.

Everyone knows that when the police fail to do their jobs on their South Dakota reservation, you hire Virgil Wounded Horse to step in and mete out punishment.

But when Virgil finds out that the youth on the reservation are using heroin and his own nephew winds up in the hospital, he doesn’t need someone to hire him.

Now Virgil is determined to find out who is selling drugs on the rez and take them out of commission.

With the help of his ex-girlfriend, Marie, Virgil tracks down a lead that takes him from South Dakota to Denver.

If you’re someone who can appreciate a slow-burn mystery while you drive, Winter Counts is one of the best audiobooks for road trips.

Read more of the best Indigenous books .

Listen to Winter Counts : Amazon | Goodreads

Best Romance Audiobooks For A Road Trip

Lucky Suit by Lauren Blakely

Narrated by Zachary Webber and Andi Arndt

Lucky Suit is 2.5 hours long, which makes this one of the best audiobooks for a road trip to a nearby state. And, it’s safe to play on speakers for everyone.

Enjoy a light-hearted romantic comedy by romance queen, Lauren Blakely, which is perfectly narrated by two of romance’s most beloved narrators, Zachary Webber and Andi Arndt.

These two will draw you in and make you wonder how Kristen and Cameron actually end up together.

Are you driving across the states? Try our 50 State reading list .

Listen to Lucky Suit : Amazon | Goodreads

Ball Peen Hammer by Lauren Rowe

Narrated by Lauren Rowe and John Lane

Ball Peen Hammer is absolutely not a speaker-safe audiobook to listen to while driving unless you are going on a road trip alone. 

But, this contemporary romance isn’t only incredibly sexy, it’s also absolutely hilarious and heart-warming.

Keane and Maddy find themselves on the road trip version of a blind date. They talk, get to know each other, and, of course, have to keep their hands off of one another.

But that never quite works out, does it?!  Ball Peen Hammer is one of the great audiobooks for road trips if you devour romance.

Listen to Ball Peen Hammer : Amazon | Goodreads

The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert

Narrated by Robin Eller & Cary Hite

For long stretches in the car, The Voting Booth is a happy, cute, and funny YA romance audiobook.

But, it’s also a profound critique of voter suppression, especially in urban areas and communities with people of color.

Marva is excited to finally vote in her first election. But, then she watches as Duke is turned away from their polling location, unable to vote.

These two strangers spend the day battling for democracy and their right to vote.

If you are looking for good audiobooks for road trips about politics and race – perfect for teen voters – The Voting Booth is extremely relevant, especially in the past decade.

Listen to The Voting Booth : Amazon | Goodreads

The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole

Narrated by Regina Hall, Mindy Kaling & More

Part science-fiction, part love story, Alyssa Cole comments on how current events could lead to a very bleak future and what happens if you accidentally fall in love with an artificial human.

Trinity Jordan leads a pretty normal life, working from home until her neighbor’s hot nephew moves in. She soon realizes that Li Wei’s actions are strange because he’s actually A.I.

With the goal of helping Li Wei become more human, you’d never expect love to be a part of the equation.

The A.I. Who Loved Me is one of the best books to listen to in the car because of its outstanding production with a full cast as well as Regina Hall reading the main character.

Plus, who doesn’t love Mindy Kaling?

Listen to The A.I. Who Loved Me : Amazon | Goodreads

From Christine

Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Narrated by Adjoa Andoh

One of the best audiobooks for a road trip with strong chronic illness representation, you’ll adore Get A Life, Chloe Brown .

Chloe has become a homebody battling Fibromyalgia – a debilitating and, at times, painful chronic illness. Her former friends and fiancée failed to support her, leaving her behind and scarred.

However, when faced with death, Chloe decides to reclaim her life with a fun bucket list. She enlists the help of her sexy apartment handyman, Red, and true to rom-coms, falls for him.

Red has his own baggage, though, including overcoming an abusive relationship. Can they make it work, and what will they learn along the way?

Get A Life, Chloe Brown is one of the best books to listen to while driving if you are craving a feel-good, sincere storyline with a brilliant protagonist and even more books in the series.

Listen to Get A Life, Chloe Brown : Amazon | Goodreads

Nonfiction Road Trip Audiobooks

Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstock

Narrated by Karen Kilgariff, Georgia Hardstock, and Paul Giamatti

Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered is the story of the two women behind one of the most successful true-crime podcasts – and one of our favorites – My Favorite Murder .

You don’t have to listen to or know the podcast first to enjoy their book, either.

Karen and Georgia talk about anything from aging parents to careers and substance abuse. Some of the topics may be triggering, including eating disorders, addiction, and sexual assault.

Yet, their stories are also funny, relevant, and relatable. And of course, they dive into their passion for true crime, creating an entire generation of Murderinos.

Peruse all of our favorite podcasts here .

Listen to Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered : Amazon | Goodreads

The Science Of Mindfulness by Ronald Siegel

Mindfulness is a popular term, but there’s actual science behind it, too.

The Science Of Mindfulness gives a great overview of why a mindfulness practice can improve your quality of life and even help significantly with depression and anxiety. 

If you are someone who tends to overthink things, you might find this audiobook helpful to understand how mindfulness changes the brain before actually starting to practice. 

Plus, learn how to feel more relaxed and sleep better. The Science Of Mindfulness is one of those road trip audiobooks sure to enhance your daily life.

Listen to The Science Of Mindfulness : Amazon | Goodreads

More From Christine

Quiet by Susan Cain

Narrated by Kathe Mazur

Many of the best books to listen to in the car are nonfiction titles, especially since they can sometimes feel like sloggers on the couch.

Susan Cain’s Quiet makes for one of the best audiobooks for road trips as it’s informative, interesting, and talks about introverts versus extroverts.

Susan Cain specifically describes the dynamic of an extroverted society and its effects on introverts. 

Cain is a champion of the quieter folk and discusses how in a world that cannot stop talking, introverts have merit too. 

Discover some secretly popular introverts and their societal contributions.  This road trip audiobook is all about introspection.

Listen to Quiet : Amazon | Goodreads

Biographies & Memoirs

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

Narrated by Jenny Lawson

We follow Jenny Lawson on Facebook as The Bloggess , and oftentimes, she speaks to the rawest part of our souls.

Lawson is honest, relatable, and hilarious. For road trip audiobooks sure to spark inspiration, grab Furiously Happy .

Lawson shares her battle with mental health, as she suffers from both anxiety and depression. She advocates for loving and accepting yourself no matter what.

Listen to Furiously Happy : Amazon | Goodreads

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Narrated by Mindy Kaling, Michael Schur, and B.J. Novak

Mindy Kaling will forever crack us up while also pulling our heartstrings. 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? is one of the best audiobooks for a road trip if you need a good laugh.  All of your passengers will laugh along too. 

Follow Mindy as she hilariously and embarrassingly discusses growing up.  She talks about weight, fame, friendship, and romance in the most honest and open way. 

Listen to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) : Amazon | Goodreads

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Narrated by Michelle Obama

We love Michelle Obama’s podcast , which pretty much guarantees that Becoming should also be at the top of your road trip audiobooks list.

Listen as the former First Lady shares her experiences about growing up in Chicago and attending college. 

Michelle Obama talks about dating Barack Obama, and the many challenges she faced and continues to face as a Black woman, career woman, and mother.

Always poignant and classy, she retains such humility and sincerity with stories that many will find themselves nodding their heads to.

Listen to Becoming : Amazon | Goodreads

Over The Top by Jonathan Van Ness

Narrated by Jonathan Van Ness

Named as one of NPR’s favorite books of the year, you know that Queer Eye star JVN is going to make one of the best audiobooks for road trips sure to entertain. We just love the show too!

Van Ness’s voice radiates off of the pages and into your car in this beautiful, raw, and at times, hilarious biography about overcoming addiction and childhood molestation – which may be triggering for some. 

A perfect LGBTQ+ road trip audiobook, Over The Top is for maturer audiences looking for inspiration to reaffirm their amazing self-identity.

Truly learn to live your most authentic and happy life just like the queen that you are.

Listen to Over The Top by Jonathan Van Ness : Amazon | Goodreads

You Can’t Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson

Narrated by Phoebe Robinson & John Hodgman

For good audiobooks for road trips that you’ll hear recommended over and over again, with good reason, pick up Phoebe Robinson’s You Can’t Touch My Hair . 

With discussions about pop culture, feminism, and race, Robinson shares her experiences working and living as a Black woman where, you guessed it, people ask if they can touch her hair. 

She’s tired of being “the black friend,” as well as everyone’s go-to for all things racial – along with having people think she’s uppity just for voicing her opinions.

You know, the sexist, racist words and actions that still exist today.

Listen To You Can’t Touch My Hair : Amazon | Goodreads

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Narrated by Bernadette Dunne

If you are looking for the best books to listen to while driving – with Kleenex in the glove compartment – don’t pass up Wild by Cheryl Strayed. 

Sure, this might be a bit clichéd now – even the Gilmore Girls did their revival spoof on it – but it’s also quite raw and relatable.

For travel-related audiobooks for road trips, this one is sure to leave you shaken. You will feel every ounce of Strayed’s pain.

Overcoming the loss of her mother and failed marriage, Strayed is broken and lost.  Even though she is not a hiker, she makes an unhinged and wild decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. 

We follow Strayed’s journey as she learns to forgive, grow, and rebuild her life.  This is a great memoir for hikers ; just don’t throw your hiking boot over the cliff.

Find even more of the best books set in California .

Listen to Wild : Amazon | Goodreads

Born A Crime By Trevor Noah

Narrated by Trevor Noah

One of our favorite nonfiction books about South Africa , Born A Crime is one of the absolute best audiobooks for road trips.

You might know Trevor Noah from his previous work as host of  The Daily Show . 

In his memoir, Noah shares his journey growing up in Apartheid South Africa with a Black mother and white father, a crime during that time period. 

A coming-of-age story, learn more about the brilliant man and comedian. His childhood antics are pretty hilarious and not always legal.

Noah is guaranteed to make you laugh while discussing more serious issues including racism and racist policies.

Listen to Born A Crime : Amazon | Goodreads

Bossypants by Tina Fey

Narrated by Tina Fey

You most likely know Tina Fey from SNL and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt . She’s pretty much a legend here in the United States.

If you are looking for funny audiobooks for road trips, try Fey’s Bossypants where she shares her early life and dreams before becoming the famous actress that we all know and love.

You’ll laugh, find commonalities, and feel like you are listening to your best friend chat about life.

Listen to Bossypants : Amazon | Goodreads

A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson

Narrated by Rob McQuay

We wish that Bill Bryson would narrate his books. We picture his sarcasm and wit radiating out of our stereo. 

It’s also no secret that Bryson is one of our all-time favorite travel writers , too. 

If you are road-tripping around the United States and headed to the Appalachian Trail, don’t skip reading, watching, or listening to A Walk In The Woods . 

Bryson and his boozy buddy, Katz, have no business hiking the Appalachian Trail, but they do it anyway.  You’ll love them for it. Heck, maybe they will even inspire you.

Listen to A Walk In The Woods : Amazon | Goodreads

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Narrated by Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, Seth Meyers & More

If you love entertainers, you’ll equally love Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Think poems, stories, lists, mantras, inspiration, and advice.

This is one of the best audiobooks for a road trip for the cast alone: Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, Patrick Steward, and even Poehler’s parents.

Expect to laugh and hear words to live by.

Listen to Yes Please : Amazon | Goodreads

Best Books To Listen To In The Car With Teens & Tweens

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Narrated by Emily Klein

One of the best road trip audiobooks for mature tweens and teens, Sepetys’s Between Shades Of Gray is a hard but essential listen.

Fifteen-year-old Lithuanian, Lina, is thrown into a crowded train headed for a Siberian work camp.

Separated from her father, Lina sends her drawings through secret channels hoping to locate her father’s prison camp to let him know that she is alive.

Will Lina and her family survive?

If you enjoy YA WW2 historical fiction about more obscured histories, Ruta Sepeys is an engaging, transportive, and unique storyteller. 

Read more books with colors – like gray – in the title .

Listen to Between Shades of Gray : Amazon | Goodreads

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Narrated by Katt Rudd

Imagine pulling into your destination yet instead of smiling, you are sobbing hysterically in your car. Passerbys assume you hit a squirrel. 

Nope. You are just listening to the young adult novel,  The Fault In Our Stars . 

The Fault In Our Stars  is one of the best audiobooks for road trips – or work commutes – that we have listened to addressing terminal illness in youth.

Cancer is a hard battle, and Hazel and Augustus meet at a cancer support group. 

Their story focuses on healing, living your life to the fullest, and love.  Have the tissues ready.  

Listen to The Fault in our Stars : Amazon | Goodreads

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Narrated by Neil Gaiman

Clearly, we think that Gaiman has the best audiobooks for a family road trip, and The Graveyard Book is perfect if you devour stories about haunted houses .

A middle-grade and YA novel, meet Bod. 

Bod has the only beating heart in his graveyard family, and we watch as he comes of age in the ghoulish world of magic. 

He also faces the danger of leaving the cemetery and being hunted by the man who killed his parents.

Find even more seriously spooky books for adults and teens .

Listen to The Graveyard Book : Amazon | Goodreads

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Narrated by Bahni Turnpin

Whether you read the book, listen to the audiobook, or watch the movie, The Hate U Give is a powerful novel, especially released during the start of the Black Lives Matter Movement. 

However, it certainly makes for one of the best audiobooks for road trips for the entire family, especially today. 

Just be aware that there is violence, death, and tough discussions.

Dive deeper into racism as well as the murdering of innocent young Black men by the police as Starr Carter seeks justice for her best friend’s death.

Listen to The Hate U Give : Amazon | Goodreads

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe

Narrated by Tess Sharpe

If you’re looking for the best books to listen to in the car with teens, look no further.

This was meant to be a simple drop-off at the bank; instead, teen Nora O’Malley finds herself having an awkward morning with her ex-boyfriend and current girlfriend.

…And then the bank they’re at gets robbed.

But Nora isn’t like most teenagers. The daughter of a con artist, Nora knows things about the world and criminals that she shouldn’t.

And as things escalate inside the bank, she’s determined to do whatever it takes to get them all out safely.

The Girls I’ve Been is a riveting YA thriller about a bank heist, but also about complicated mother-daughter relationships, young love, and so much more.

It’s also one of the best audiobooks for a road trip with the family (though not appropriate for younger kids), or anyone who loves a good heist story!

Listen to The Girls I’ve Been : Amazon | Goodreads

What are some of your favorite audiobooks for road trips?

What road trips have you taken that you loved? What are your favorite books to listen to while driving? And, do prefer audiobooks or podcasts? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go…

If you love all things hitting the open road, be sure to watch our favorite road trip movies sure to inspire your next vacation. Whether you are traveling with friends or reconnecting with family, you will find something great on this list.

Related Travel Reading Lists:

• Best Books Set On Trains
• Books Set At Hotels
• Books Set On Ships & Boats
• Books About Maps

By day, Eline is a social worker, and by night, she is an avid reader and owner of the online audiobook blog, Lovely Audiobooks . One of her favorite places to listen to books is in the passenger seat of her RV, enjoying new places and new stories.

Christine Frascarelli

Dagney McKinney

32 Comments

For families, highly recommend the Chet Gecko audiobooks narrated by Jon Cryer and the Lucy Rose series by Katy Kelly. They’re wonderful.

I loved A Walk in the Woods and When Breath Becomes Air. I’ve also enjoyed books by Dorothea Benton Frank on audio.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Truely awesome Audiobook Collection for Roadtrips. Though I don’t get much chance to travel, I do listen audiobooks during my way of office and coming back from it. Thanks for sharing this awesome list. I’m loving it and definitely bookmarking this.

Thanks so much! I appreciate it. I used to have such long commutes to work — audiobooks are perfect for traffic.

I actually really enjoy the driving part of a long road trip :’) I feel like I can switch it up with podcasts, audio dramas, and music! I’m not really an audiobook listener, but I absolutely love the idea of listening to one whilst driving. It’s so nice to see some familiar favs in this list as well!

That’s awesome. I am glad that I recently started finding (and getting into) great podcasts, too. Audiobooks are so fun, especially when there are multiple narrators.

I think “Small Great Things” is an important book that should be read by everyone. I also loved listening to “Circe”, “A Gentleman in Moscow”, and “The Good Lord Bird” (this last one, about slavery and John Brown, uses the “n-word” liberally, but it’s beautifully read by Michael Boatman).

Yes, I agree about Small Great Things . I want to read A Gentleman in Moscow . I’ve heard great things. Thank you for the recs!

I’ll definitely have to add Good Omens to my list! I’ve seen the show but have yet to read the book. And, being a major fan of audiobooks, I think that’s probably how I’ll be “reading” it 🙂 Thanks for sharing a fantastic list of goodies!

My husband is currently reading Good Omens as we speak. Gaiman is always amazing. I’m glad you enjoyed this list. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing amazing audiobooks for a road trip. I find some useful audiobooks in your books i which I prefer in my travel. Thank you so much for sharing this audiobooks for the road trip.

Thank you! I am so glad that you found a few new great audiobook titles to check out.

Definitely bookmarking some of these! We’re off on a big Scottish road trip next week and some of these will be perfect! Now I just have to persuade Dom to listen to the sexy smutty books?

I cannot wait to hear more about this road trip. As you know, I’ve never been to Scotland so I cannot wait to see castles and history. AND BOOZE!!! Have a great trip!

I think I definitely need the Science of Mindfulness audiobook! And I didn’t even know that “Big Little Lies” was in audiobook format. Love it!

Great list.

Have you seen the HBO series for Big Little Lies ? I only watched the first season, but I was SO excited when I heard the book was becoming a TV show. I thought that the producers did a great job and really stuck to the original storyline. Can’t imagine what Season 2 is like since there wasn’t a second book. Not that I am complaining. I will take it all.

Well, I’m sick and bedridden, so it seemed like a good time to FINALLY get around to reading this post and perhaps getting some inspiration for my next audiobook. There’s an excellent selection here, though sadly I’ve already heard (or read) most of the ones I’m interested in… does that mean I have a problem, or that I’m killing it?

However! Quiet has been on both our lists for ages, so might need to finally get to it. I kind of find it ironic to listen to a book about silence on audio… but sometimes weird things are brilliant! This SOUNDS (see what I did there?) like one of those times.

Love Mindy Kaling’s books! She’s hilarious. In general, I actually really enjoy listening to entertainer’s audiobooks (if read by them). They just tend to be, well… entertaining (me so good with words today). So much Neil Gaiman and no Neverwhere! By far my fave! If you haven’t read it, I thoroughly recommend!

Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered of course sounds right up my alley, but I tried listening to their podcast once and just didn’t engage with their voices, so should probably pass on their audiobook, right?

I hope that you are feeling much better today!

I think that since you have read or listened to all of these audiobooks that you are killing it. But I have to say that as well because besides some of Eline’s suggestions, you know I’ve read, listened, watched, etc all of them too.

Quiet is definitely one that I think you will enjoy. I almost want to listen (or read it this time) again to see how I can apply Cain’s theories to the world of blogging. I feel like even in writing, introverted and extroverted blogging is totally a thing. Take for example those damn Facebook groups too. Cough, Cough. You are right: I never thought about listening to an audiobook about introverts (and quiet). GAHAHAHAHA. I love listening to nonfiction. It just sinks in better. I am too crazed to focus these days.

Mindy Kaling is hilarious. I just saw somewhere that she is doing a motivational speech for bloggers. I think it’s about content creation. Wish I remembered where I saw it…might have to google it. I always love with actors and actresses read audiobooks–they are great.

I haven’t read Neverwhere by Gaiman. I’ll check it out! Thanks.

Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered is on my list and one of Eline’s choices that I am dying to listen to or read. I’ve heard so much about it. Voices is a hard one… I took this brilliant SEO course but the instructor’s voice just drove me insane. I guess that might be mean…but even her emphasis, pauses, and tone just UGHHH!! BUT HER CONTENT WAS SO GOOD. I feel you.

I had such a great time making this post with you, Christine! And I love your audiobook selection. I just bought Crazy Rich Asians. And I also really want to listen to a Neil Gaiman narrated audio. But I always end up getting the BBC plays for his books, they’re so epic.

Thanks so much for collaborating with me. I love this road trip audiobooks book list so much since it’s my first audiobook list on TUL. We might have to do one together every year. I just realized that I should link our Hoopla and Overdrive article to it, too! Maybe I will add in a sentence or two about that.

I loved Crazy Rich Asians before the series really took off or became a movie. I’m so glad it did gain interest, though, because the stories are SO well written and get even better and better as the trilogy progresses.

Gaiman and Levithan both usually narrate their work, which I LOVE.

I love this post! I recently downloaded Audible to listen to a 2nd self-help book from an author I love because the first book took me months to read and I am for sure going to be downloading the first book too to relisten.

In the past, I tried listening to fiction and I could not get on board. For me, reading is about escaping into another world and listening without any visuals was not helping me to do that. However, reading it with my eyes and not having to worry about anything else around me, I can enjoy a fiction book and escape and read the book within a few days if I love it so much. When it comes to nonfiction, it takes me longer to read and absorb if I’m reading. Recently, listening to many podcasts, I learned audiobooks may be the way to go for me and so far I’m really enjoying my first nonfiction audiobook.

While I may not download some of the fictional books on Audible, they sound great as a regular read and will add them to my kindle list. I’m a sucker for romantic comedies too. 100% will be listening to Quiet. As an introvert, it sounds like a great book for me to listen to on my long rides to and from work.

I had no idea you can search books by the length on Audible so that is a great tip.

P.S. I cried like a baby too after reading The Fault In Our Stars.

I completely agree with you on loving nonfiction audiobooks. Sometimes I can read a nonfiction title just fine. However, especially as a blogger and with my mind all over the place these days, I find it much easier to listen to than physically read nonfiction.

Same with why I like podcasts: I love inspirational and information-filled ideas that I can listen too. That’s probably all a part of how I learn and take in knowledge too. I find fiction much easier to read in a physical book and can get through fiction much faster. Of course, fiction tends to be a lot less dense too.

Susan Cain’s Quiet really blew me away. In my last job, I think people strongly thought that I was more extroverted than I was…but I was truly almost putting on a show so that I wouldn’t get eaten alive… In order to succeed there, you had to have a strong voice. As a YS librarian, they wanted you to be TV show-worthy. Basically, they wanted storytellers who would go all out and ham things up, screaming and yelling and exaggerating and UGH: not me, how I teach, or how I like to read stories to kids, at all.

I kind of hated that mentality because 1. it wasn’t who I was and 2. that loud, extroverted storytime is fun but not necessary. What about the quiet or shy kids or the kids with disabilities? Why couldn’t we have different types of storytellers? Why do we all have to be so loud and expressive?

Susan Cain really brings home the idea that introverted people make all of these amazing contributions, and how society condemns the quiet when they shouldn’t. We don’t all need to talk 24/7 or walk into a room and command its attention by being the one to talk the most.

Don’t get me wrong: I can be loud and friendly…and bubbly AF, but that’s not always in me. I was a dead silent child and all of my report cards note that I did well academically but never spoke. Cain would be like: She is fine…

You can also get free audiobooks for your road trips and crazy CA commutes from the library! Check out Hoopla and Overdrive. I actually wrote a piece for Eline @ Lovely Audiobooks about how to access them if you get stuck. LOVE THAT FREE FEATURE and it’s so easy. Plus, no late fees.

I didn’t know you could pick a book that lasts the length of your trip!! That’s such a cool feature. My go-to for long road trips is a mix of music, podcasts, audio dramas, and physically reading books. I don’t have any audiobooks myself, and I’m not sure if I’d get into them as much as other people do, but I’d like to try them out sometime.

Hey Macey! Yea, you just need to check the audiobook time listed in the description and kind of compare it to your road trip. You can find audiobooks for free from your library; if you use the free apps that pair with library audiobooks like Hoopla or Overdrive, you can actually bookmark where you left off–which is an extra nice feature. They sync across devices too.

Like you, I am definitely a music kinda girl, and the more upbeat, the better to keep me alert. Do you use Pandora or some other internet radio?

Oh, a nice mix of genres in this list. I haven’t listened to any of these, though I do have Quiet in my queue on Audible. I may not have any road trips planned, but these sound like they would be great for listening to while doing jobs around the house.

Hey Sarah! I love having guest contributors to mix up the genres. I knew Eline would have a few romance authors to sneak in there for me since I don’t read a lot of love stories (but should).

I definitely find, especially as a blogger now, that I love inspirational audiobooks and podcasts. Quiet is one of them. You are right: they are perfect to listen to while doing chores.

Have a great week, and thanks for checking out our list.

Amazing list!

This is a great list! Maybe my family and I should give some a try. We’ll be on the road together a lot in August. My brother usually plays nonstop podcasts and i don’t know, that gets a little old after awhile.

I like these book suggestions! If it were up to me I’d go for the romantic ones.? But I’ve also read Big Little Lies and Mindy’s book! Loved them both. Where the Crawdads sing is on my list. I already put that one on my kindle.

Thanks for another great post!

Thank you so much! It’s funny that you mention podcasts because I was thinking that I need to listen to more podcasts. What ones do you like and recommend? I think I need more inspirational ones, and I am eyeing Don’t Keep Your Day Job since I am reading the book.

We have 8 hours in the car with the howling cats so I am definitely hoping to get through an audiobook or two for that little road trip from heck.

Kaling cracks me up.

I’ll bet Mindy Kaling is wonderful to listen to on audio! I read her books, but I’m sure they’d be even better listening to her. I just finished Coraline by Neil Gaiman on audio so I’d love to get into his others at some point!

Mindy Kaling always cracks me up, and she has such a unique and relatable voice. I love her even more after A Wrinkle in Time . I enjoy listening to Gaiman and Levithan as audiobooks too.

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Blog – Posted on Friday, Jul 26

45+ best audiobooks for road trips in 2024.

So, you’re going on a road trip! What fun — that is, until it’s hour nine and you’re bored out of your mind at the wheel, unable to keep your eyes open to the pounding beat of tedium. 

If this sounds familiar to you, we have an eleventh-hour Good Samaritan for you: the audiobook. Criminally underrated, good audiobooks will captivate you on the edge of your seat, weave whole worlds in the confines of your car, and keep you so vitally engaged that you’ll be trying to find excuses to lengthen your road trip.  

However, as you might know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and monotone narrators. So we’ve taken care to gather the absolute 45+ best audiobooks for road trips in this post to make your own road trip a little more fun. Since each audiobook adds a different flavor to your journey, we’ve organized them below by genre. Feel free to jump to the one that fuels your fancy!

Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, narrated by Nick Offerman

One of the funniest American authors in history (Mark Twain) is narrated by one of the funniest American actors alive right now (Nick Offerman, of Parks and Recreation fame ). Need we say more to convince you that this audiobook will make your trip worthwhile? If so, we’ll let Doug, an Audible editor, have the final word:

“I am not exaggerating when I say that this is one of the best things I have ever listened to. Nor would it be dishonest to say that this recording made me fall in love with Twain's classic ode to adolescence all over again. But perhaps the strangest thing, as I keep telling all my friends, is that I completely forgot how truly laugh-out-loud funny this book is. I have the narration to thank for that. Parks and Recreation 's Nick Offerman is known for playing the quintessential gruff male, but he thoroughly astonishes here, bending his baritone effortlessly to give Twain's characters life.”

Perfect for your road trip if: you’ve always wanted Ron Swanson as a driving buddy. Time duration: 7 hours and 52 min.

Bleak House by Charles Dickens, narrated by Sean Barrett and Teresa Gallagher

Always wanted to read Dickens , but could never find the time or energy to do so? Then this audiobook may be the answer to all of your road trip prayers, for you can let Sean Barrett and Teresa Gallagher read Dickens to you. Far from distracting, their magnificent dual narration enhances the melodrama that Dickens deftly builds. It’s not easy to do justice to such a sprawling masterpiece, but this audiobook more than rises up to the task.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re ready to get fired up over the ridiculous bureaucracy of the chancery court system. Time duration: 35 hours and 14 min. 

Beloved by Toni Morrison, narrated by Toni Morrison

If you haven’t read this remarkable 1988 Pulitzer winner, there’s no time like a road trip to dip your toe in! Admittedly, you’re more likely to be dunked headfirst into the deep end by Morrison, as this fantastically frightening tale of a slave woman haunted by her murdered daughter is going to keep you awake and alert at the wheel. 

Made all the more unforgettable by Morrison’s narration, Beloved conjures vivid images of slavery in America and compels the listener to ponder horrors both historical and imaginary. (Needless to say, if you’re going down a long, dark road at night, you might want to save this one for later.)

Perfect for your road trip if: you want to take a terrifying magical realist trip of the mind in addition to your vehicular journey. Time duration: 12 hours and 3 min. 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal

Whether you want to take a trip down memory lane or read The Great Gatsby for the first time, Jake Gyllenhaal’s (!) narration is sure to liven up your travels. From the sparkling descriptions of Gatsby’s famous parties to the incisive drama of the Tom-Daisy-Gatsby love triangle, you’ll feel the long stretches of road start to melt away in favor of a Jazz Age paradise. Just don’t pull a big yellow Rolls-Royce out there — if you know what we mean 😉

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re looking to bone up on one of the “Great American Novel” contenders. Time duration: 4 hours and 49 min. 

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, narrated by Elisabeth Moss

For fans of the phenomenal Hulu adaptation and dystopian stories in general, we have The Handmaid’s Tale , as told by the dramatically gifted Moss (who also stars in the TV show). Though it’s not exactly light and easy fare, this mesmerizing tale of a single-minded woman trapped in a mega-patriarchy will have you thinking very differently about the world we live in. Narrative-wise, you’ll also be holding your breath right up to the final word. And if you still have reservations, know that Moss's conviction and urgency turns this already excellent tale into a vital one.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’ve had your “Songs to Smash the Patriarchy To” Spotify playlist on repeat the whole time. Time duration: 12 hours and 6 min.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac, narrated by Will Patton

A classic take on a classic tale. Jack Kerouac’s On the Road , which centers around Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty’s manic travels through the United States, may be the quintessential book of the wild Beat generation of the 1960s. Needless to say, Will Patton’s pitch-perfect interpretation gets its spirit down pat. His melodious voice is a flawless match for the free-flowing groove of Kerouac’s prose — and it will surely make a fine companion for your own road trip as you meet the same open road that beckoned Sal and Dean across the breadth of the country!

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re on the road (especially to New York or San Francisco). Time duration: 11 hours and 8 min. 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, narrated by Thandie Newton

You can’t miss the audiobook of this Victorian-era classic, read by Thandie Newton of Westworld fame. (Fun fact: she also played the titular character in the film version of Beloved. ) Newton’s crisp yet impassioned narration will breathe life into Jane Eyre like you’ve never known before, carrying you swiftly and enjoyably through Jane’s difficult childhood and education at Lowood, her stint as a governess at Thornfield, and her iconic love affair with Mr. Rochester. Alas, our one criticism is that Newton stays faithful to the text and doesn’t quip, “Listener, I married him” — but wouldn’t it be great if she did?

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re always happy to be lost in a romantic (and Gothic) haze. Time duration: 19 hours and 10 min.

World War Z by Max Brooks, narrated by Alan Alda, Mark Hamill, etc.

The Zombie War is finally over, but what of the people remaining in its wake? This book is their story: the narrator traveled across America to interview the survivors, recording their testimonies in a documentary-style format.

Such a setup pretty much makes this story tailor-made for an audiobook, as the interviews translate seamlessly into the aural medium. If that’s not enough, it may boast one of the best multiple-cast members ever (think Alan Alda, Mark Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Simon Pegg, Brian Tee, Nathan Fillion, Kal Penn, René Auberjonois, and more). Spectacular stuff — not to mention the five additional hours of previously unrecorded content on this particular audiobook.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re down for a serious undertaking (with zombies). Time duration: 12 hours and 9 min.  

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, narrated by Dominic Hoffman

This is the perfect choice if you want to be transported into another country — specifically, within Africa. A gripping tale about two sisters who are born into different villages in Ghana in the 18th-century (and the wildly different trajectories that they and their descendants take over the next 300 years), Homegoing is a modern triumph. Experience it through its audiobook, which is read beautifully by Dominic Hoffman.

Perfect for your road trip if: you love getting swept up in rich historical fiction. Time duration: 13 hours and 11 min. 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, narrated by Allan Corduner

Famously narrated by Death, The Book Thief isn’t exactly a cheery read. It’s a story about a girl in 1939 Nazi Germany who steals books and is by turn beautiful, tear-jerking, and enduring. 

Which is why this audiobook may be perfect for a lonesome trip out across the country. Not everyone can claim to give voice to Death itself, but Allan Corduner does it fabulously in this reading of The Book Thief , adding amazing dimension and poignancy to the written words. (Just a bit of friendly warning: bring tissues with you on this road trip, unless you want to be blinded by tears during the final thirty minutes of the audiobook!)

Perfect for your road trip if: you don’t mind a good cry on the highway. Time duration: 13 hours and 56 min. 

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, narrated by Jeff Woodman

Built upon the timeless short story of the same name, Flowers for Algernon is the moving tale of a mentally slow cleaner who engages in an experiment to become a genius — with unexpected results. The entire novel is presented through a series of journal entries, or “progress reports,” that are written by Charlie. ("I reely wantd to lern I wantid it more even then pepul who are smarter even then me. All my life I wantid to be smart and not dumb.”) Heartbreakingly rendered by narrator Jeff Woodman, who switches between regular Charlie and genius Charlie with magnificent ease, this audiobook is set to become just as much of a classic as its novel. 

Perfect for your road trip if: you want to hear a relatively short but very powerful story. Time duration: 8 hours and 58 min. 

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, narrated by Kathleen Gati

Prepare to be swept off of your feet (or, off of the gas pedals) with this spectacular rendition of The Bear and the Nightingale . Katherine Arden’s lush retelling of Russian folklore was critically acclaimed when it was first published in 2017, introducing readers to a young Russian girl named Vasilisa who must step up to protect her loved ones from a threat that was supposed to have only existed in fairy tales. And Kathleen Gati’s velvety, hypnotic voice will turn your car into a cozy living room — complete with a crackling fire — as a nurse tells you stories from long ago.   

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re driving through snowy, Russia-like terrain and want to feel warm and comforted. Time duration: 11 hours and 48 min. 

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay, narrated by Humphrey Bower

Though it sounds like a self-motivational handbook , The Power of One is actually a profoundly moving novel about a young boy named Peekay who’s raised in pre-apartheid South Africa. Peekay is bullied by his peers and constantly strives to escape their torment — a quest helped by his relationship with a medicine man, who reshapes his entire worldview. But as Peekay grows older, greater troubles than school bullies rear their ugly heads: the outbreak of World War II, the loss of his mentors, and worse. 

Humphrey Bower miraculously brings every single character, with all their accents and mannerisms, to life in the audiobook… which serves as an important window into a time and place that’s oft forgotten.

Perfect for your road trip if: you want a spiritual philosophy to guide you on your journey. Time duration: 21 hours and 33 min. 

MYSTERY AND THRILLER

The dead zone by stephen king, narrated by james franco.

This famous 1979 King novel concerns a man, Johnny Smith (not to be confused with the explorer), who acquires psychic abilities after an accident in his youth creates a “dead zone” in his brain. From then on, young Johnny can tell people things that they don’t even know about themselves — or, more eerily, things that haven’t even transpired yet. Yet, despite his abilities, all Johnny wants is a normal life. But when he’s approached by a sheriff hoping to solve a series of murders, he agrees to help... with no idea what clairvoyant floodgates he’s opening. 

As with all King stories , this one depends on the gradual build of atmospheric tension, which James Franco does with great aplomb in the audiobook. Consequently, it’s another one we wouldn’t recommend for a dark, lonely drive.

Perfect for your road trip if: you wish you could know exactly how long it’ll take to get through each long stretch of traffic. Time duration: 16 hours and 12 min. 

The Sherlock Holmes collection by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Stephen Fry

It doesn’t get better than one British icon narrating another British icon’s adventures. Neither probably need an introduction, but just in case you don’t know them already: Sherlock Holmes is the world’s most famous fictional detective and Stephen Fry is an acclaimed actor, screenwriter, author, and comedian.

More than that, Fry is a profound devotee of Sherlock Holmes. He narrates with the skill of a celebrated performer and the enthusiasm of a fan, which alone makes this audiobook worth the money and time. Note that this isn’t the complete edition — it’s missing around 12 of Sherlock Holmes’ short stories. If you don’t mind that, this might just be the audiobook for you!

Perfect for your road trip if: you enjoy solving mysteries as you drive. Time duration: 62 hours and 52 min. 

Bird Box by Josh Malerman, narrated by Cassandra Campbell

Not a great pick for nervous drivers, to say the least — this post-apocalyptic thriller will have you gripping the steering wheel in anticipation of seeing “The Problem” on the side of the road. But don’t let that put you off, because Malerman’s masterful suspense-building combined with Campbell’s taut narration makes for an unforgettable audiobook experience. It’ll also inspire gratitude that your journey isn’t quite as harrowing as Mallorie’s with her two young children! 

And, of course, when you finally reach your destination, you’ll be perfectly primed to watch the Netflix film starring Sandra Bullock.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re not easily unnerved (or prone to tunnel vision). Time duration: 9 hours and 8 min. 

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, narrated by Caroline Lee

Another blockbusting bestseller that inspired not only an audiobook, but an HBO show, Big Little Lies is a juicy domestic thriller that follows three women and their children in suburban Sydney. Madeline is the seemingly flawless mother who’s still reeling from her divorce; Celeste is a busy caretaker to twins who conceals the marks left by her abusive husband; and Jane is a young mom to the eccentric Ziggy, hiding the darkest secret of all. All are united through their children’s kindergarten class, and a scandal that erupts when Ziggy starts bullying a fellow classmate… or does he? Big AND little lies are layered like pastry, and just as delectably exposed, in this audiobook narrated by Australian-born Caroline Lee.

Perfect for your road trip if: you like your stories as twisty as your backroad shortcuts . Time duration: 15 hours and 55 min.

Duma Key by Stephen King, narrated by John Slattery

When construction worker Edgar Freemantle relocates to Florida for some much-needed R&R, he never considers that what he finds there could be worse than the accident he’s just survived. But a combination of his brain injury, his rekindled obsession with artwork, and the strange supernatural properties of the land soon causes Freemantle to gain unimaginable powers… which he must use to stop a malevolent force arising in Duma Key. 

This recent Stephen King bestseller is narrated by John Slattery of Mad Men fame, who builds the lore of Freemantle’s psychic abilities and Duma Key’s disturbing history in an extremely tantalizing way.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re headed anywhere but Florida. Time duration: 21 hours. 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, narrated by Davina Porter

Let’s take a turn for the steamy. If you have a penchant for romance and you’re driving alone (or with friends around whom you feel very comfortable), this audiobook may be perfect for you. Read by Audie Award winner Davina Porter, this version of Outlander paints a particularly, shall we say, evocative picture of eighteenth-century Scotland… and the strapping young men who live there. After nurse Claire Randall is transported two centuries back in time, she finds herself falling for (and falling into bed with) one such man, Jamie Fraser. But their romance is tested by more than time, as violence befalls Jamie’s clan and threatens Claire’s survival.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re driving through the rolling hills of Scotland (or perhaps have a paramour in the passenger seat). Time duration: 32 hours and 38 min. 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, narrated by Kate Rudd

This 2011 smash hit, penned by YA superstar John Green, is sure to bring tears to your eyes and new sense of perspective. Presented by Kate Rudd, who does a commendable job of capturing the sardonic narrator Hazel Grace Lancaster, The Fault in Our Stars follows Hazel (who has thyroid cancer) as she falls in irrevocable love with fellow teen cancer sufferer Augustus Waters (who has osteosarcoma). 

You can probably see where this one is going. Even so, don’t let the prospect of tragedy keep you from Green’s unique and honest story of first love under unusual circumstances, which Rudd renders with great sensitivity and care.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re in the mood to bawl at the unfairness of the world (and Green’s lovely prose). Time duration: 7 hours and 14 min. 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Continuing in a candid, coming-of-age vein, we have Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe , read by the inimitable Lin-Manuel Miranda. It traces the lives of two Mexican-American teenagers, Dante and Aristotle, whose easy alliance based on their names deepens into a bond that surprises both of them — transcending both geographical boundaries and society’s expectations. 

Miranda’s invested narration makes the eighties setting feel like present-day, and he switches seamlessly from infectious energy during light moments to weighty solemnity during serious ones, making the dramatic finale of Aristotle and Dante feel more than earned.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re tired of the Hamilton soundtrack, but still want to listen to Lin-Manuel Miranda weave a beautiful story for you. Time duration: 7 hours and 29 min. 

Heartburn by Nora Ephron, narrated by Meryl Streep

And if you adore the nuanced observational style of Woody Allen, but not so much the man himself, this is the audiobook for you. Largely ignored by critics when it was first released, Heartburn — an autobiographical novel about the real-life affair Ephron’s husband had during her second pregnancy — has become a sleeper hit for its sharp depiction of upper-middle class life, coupled with the raw, genuine emotion of heartbreak. Deftly narrated by Meryl Streep (who played Ephron’s character in the 1986 adaptation), this audiobook is a classic in the making, and will have you yelling righteously at Ephron’s husband for a good portion of your drive.

Perfect for your road trip if: you want to bask in misandry AND the unquestionable brilliance of Ephron and Streep. Time duration: 5 hours and 30 min. 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, narrated by Rebecca Lowman and Maxwell Caulfield

Another exceptional addition to the YA canon , Fangirl revolves around a Harry Potter -esque series called Simon Snow — and an obsessive devotee to the series called Cath. Our heroine has just started college and isn’t quite sure how to “adapt” from fangirl life to real life all on her own, especially in the wake of her mother’s death and the absence of her twin sister. Will she be able to escape the realm of the fictional and strike out on her own — while not forgetting who she truly is? This much-loved novel about the overpowering love of novels will resonate with fangirls and fanboys everywhere, and the sublimely balanced narration of Lowman and Maxwell elevates it to superfan-worthy status.

Perfect for your road trip if: you want a cute, fun story to carry you through to your destination. Time duration: 12 hours and 49 min.

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY

The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy by douglas adams, narrated by stephen fry.

Sure, your road trip probably isn’t going to take you outside of the galaxy (or, indeed, outside of the country), but wouldn’t it be nice to think so? Narrator extraordinaire Stephen Fry takes on Douglas Adams’ eclectic and eccentric cast of characters, from poor everyman Arthur Dent to depressed robot Marvin, with wicked glee in this adaptation. Just a quick warning: this audiobook might be too much fun for a mere road trip. 

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re always up for a totally unexpected futuristic adventure . Time duration: 5 hours and 51 min. 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, narrated by Wil Wheaton

In a select few cases, an audiobook can compete with the movie adaptation — and come out on top. This is the case with Ready Player One , which has an excellent premise (a boy named Wade Watts must venture through a virtual reality game in search for fortune in the year 2044) and brilliant execution. Wil Wheaton’s performance is also pretty extraordinary — not least because he’s a piece of eighties trivia in the novel himself. Don’t look elsewhere if you’re up for a dose of nostalgia mixed in with fun. 

Perfect for your road trip if: you already have an eighties playlist chock-full of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Madonna ready to go. Time duration: 15 hours and 40 min. 

The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson, narrated by Jennifer Wiltsie

Neal Stephenson might be more known for Snow Crash , but The Diamond Age is the one that makes this cut thanks to Jennifer Wiltsie’s brilliant narration. With stellar dramatic timing and an ear for the characters’ voices, Wiltsie does a fantastic job rendering a challenging book that would trip up a lesser narrator. In The Diamond Age , a young poor girl named Nell comes across a dangerously influential document in the future: the Young Lady's Illustrated Primer , an interactive book that can teach a girl to think of herself. And thus begins Nell’s bildungsroman journey — one that will intertwine with the creator of the Primer himself.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re a fan of steampunk or rebellious young women — we personally enjoy both. Time duration: 18 hours and 32 min. 

The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien, narrated by Rob Inglis

Perfect for a short jaunt to the beach. Just kidding! The total audiobook series clocks in at a whopping 117 hours and 27 minutes , which is enough to occupy you if you were driving coast-to-coast across America — twice. 

Nevertheless, Rob Inglis’ narration is more than equal to the task of keeping you awake the entire time. He does justice to the sheer epic-ness of the main trilogy and plunges into The Hobbit with warmth. (Pro-tip: just remember to turn up all of your windows when Inglis vaults into the folksy songs of Lord of the Rings with gusto, or else you might find that you’ve got some explaining to do to your neighboring car-driver.)  

Perfect for your road trip if: you’ll be in the car for days on end (and said car is full of Tolkien fans — otherwise you’ll have a mutiny on your hands). Time duration: 117 hours and 27 min.  

The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercombie, narrated by Steven Pacey

If you’re impatient waiting for the next Game of Thrones book to come out (as are we), consider giving Joe Abercrombie’s First Law trilogy a shot. Bloody, uncompromising, and undeniably epic, this audiobook series promises you 70+ hours of relentless action. Stephen Pacey’s narration adds another dimension to the writing: his many voices and accents bring out Abercrombie’s colorful characterizations, enhancing each different culture, background, and personality. Best of all is that the trilogy is miraculously complete — so there’s no need to wait nine years for the next installment!

Perfect for your road trip if: you wish you could watch Game of Thrones while driving. Time duration: 71 hours and 58 min. 

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, narrated by Philip Pullman

Sometimes marketed as Harry Potter for adults , His Dark Materials can actually be read (or listened to) by people of all ages. The story centers around one orphaned girl named Lyra Belacqua, who becomes caught in the middle of a vast political conspiracy involving “dust,” disappearing children, and great armored bears. 

So rest assured that the audiobook — narrated by a full cast, including Philip Pullman himself — will tease and test the limits of your imagination! And if you find that it tickles your fancy (and if your road trip takes longer than expected), there are two more books in the series for you to devour. 

Perfect for your road trip if: you’ve got a boring drive ahead of you and want to lose yourself in a completely different world. Time duration: 10 hours and 45 min. 

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, narrated by Neil Gaiman

It’s quite a unique experience listening to a creator narrating his own story, exactly how he had imagined it — and nobody does it better than the ever-visionary Neil Gaiman. The Graveyard Book features a young boy named Bod Owens whose family is killed. Naturally, he’s raised by ghosts in a graveyard: a precarious situation that will eventually make living and dead collide as Bod must fight to preserve those that he loves when he grows up. Gaiman digs into the narration with delicious fun, making the experience a delight to listen to. 

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re on a family jaunt, as adults and children alike will be entranced by Gaiman’s magical narration. Time duration: 8 hours and 24 min.

The Harry Potter series, narrated by Jim Dale or Stephen Fry

No list is complete without the most universally beloved fantasy series of all time . J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter , which is about a boy wizard and his battles against evil as he grows up at an English wizarding school, has cemented itself in readers’ hearts for more than two decades now — and you can bet that it’ll be magical company for you on your road trip, whether you’re re-visiting Harry or dropping in on him for the first time.

As for the audiobook, there’s a great war brewing between which narration is the more definitive — Jim Dale’s or Stephen Fry’s. Some stake that Jim Dale perfectly compliments Rowling’s whimsy, while others declare that Stephen Fry is the Ron to Rowling’s Harry. Suffice to say that both are masterful and that we’ll let you decide for yourself which narrator you prefer.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re due for a re-read, or want an utterly fantastical story to guide you on your journey (ideally to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park). Time duration: 118 hours and 57 min. 

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, narrated by Martin Jarvis

If you’ve been wondering what’s all the fuss behind Amazon Prime television adaptation of Good Omens , but just can’t find the time to sit down and devote yourself to a good binge session, this audiobook might be the answer to your prayers. In Good Omens , a mild-mannered angel and a brassy demon must retrieve the Antichrist, who’s conveniently disappeared, before the end of the world might actually becomes reality. Martin Jarvis’ reading is inspired, giving full voice to the bewitching combination of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Trust us, Armageddon's never been this fun before. 

Perfect for your road trip if: you love Biblical fanfiction and/or hilariously odd couples. Time duration: 12 hours and 32 min. 

Becoming by Michelle Obama, narrated by Michelle Obama

For a turn into the supremely inspirational, we have Michelle Obama’s bestselling memoir, Becoming . The book is divided into three sections: Becoming Me, Becoming Us, and Becoming More, all of which detail different periods of the author’s life. The first encompasses her Chicago upbringing, Ivy League education, and career beginnings as a lawyer; the second relays her relationship with Barack; and the third reveals all about their family’s life in the White House. Beautifully crafted and breathtakingly intimate, Becoming becomes even more wonderful with Obama’s own voice narrating the audiobook. In other words: Becoming lives up to the hype.

Perfect for your road trip if: motivational podcasts are your typical fare, and you want to up the ante even more. Time duration: 19 hours and 3 min. 

Educated by Tara Westover, narrated by Julia Whelan

The ultimate tale of overcoming adversity, Tara Westover’s memoir Educated also begins with her childhood — which was unconventional, to say the least. Westover’s father was a paranoid survivalist who wouldn’t allow his family to visit doctors, receive federal assistance, or attend school… meaning that Westover (now a world-renowned author) only had access to a handful of books growing up. But she studied independently and managed to get into BYU, then Cambridge, finally securing a fellowship at Harvard and a doctorate from Trinity College. Her odds-defying journey is charted with remarkable fluency in this audiobook, narrated by Julia Whelan — a TV star and fellow across-the-pond academic (having been a student at Oxford around the same time Westover was at Cambridge).

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re embarking on an ambitious college tour. Time duration: 12 hours and 10 min. 

Carsick by John Waters, narrated by John Waters

So, you’re a trailblazing filmmaker who rose to prominence in the eighties with cult classics like Cry-Baby , Hairspray , and Pink Flamingos . What are you going to do next? Go hitchhiking across the United States, obviously — but before you do that, come up with the wildest possible scenarios, both extraordinarily fortuitous and treacherously bad, to include in the record of your travels. 

The result of this undertaking, John Waters’ Carsick , is a gloriously madcap collection that’s two parts fiction, one part unbelievable fact. With an audiobook narrated by the man, the myth, the legend himself, you’ll learn more about Waters and how his mind works than you will from watching any of his idiosyncratic films (and that’s saying something).

Perfect for your road trip if: you want to share the road with a famous screenwriter who understands your plight better than most. Time duration: 8 hours and 8 min.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, narrated by David Sedaris

One of Sedaris’ funniest essay collections, Me Talk Pretty One Day covers Sedaris’ experiences from elementary school to an infamous move to France. You can read the most popular piece in the collection (“Me Talk Pretty One Day”) here , but do yourself a favor and get the audiobook, because — spoiler alert! — it’s even better. (As it turns out, David Sedaris the narrator is a fine match for David Sedaris the author.) His own narration picks up nuances in the text that you wouldn’t notice, doubling the laughter quotient and confirming once again Sedaris’ status as a master of comedy.

Perfect for your road trip if: you want to cringe-laugh all the way to your destination. Time duration: 5 hours and 51 min.  

Yes Please by Amy Poehler, narrated by Amy Poehler

On the female comic side of things, there’s Amy Poehler’s enthusiastically titled memoir — and as one might expect from its uproarious author, the contents of her book follow suit. Yes Please recounts everything in Poehler’s life up to 2014, from her days at SNL to her experimentation with drugs to the aftermath of her divorce with Will Arnett. (Yes, please, we’re still sad about that one.) Throughout it all, Poehler retains her signature upbeat wit, never dwelling on the past or wallowing in what went wrong — but perpetually projecting gratitude, happiness, and hope for what comes next.

Perfect for your road trip if: you ever need a Leslie Knope-flavored pick-me-up. Time duration: 7 hours and 31 min. 

Bossypants by Tina Fey, narrated by Tina Fey

Bringing up the other half of our favorite modern comedy duo, meet Tina Fey’s memoir Bossypants . Her writerly prowess, honed through years as SNL’s head writer and subsequently on 30 Rock , shines through clearly here: Fey is acerbic and unflinchingly honest about the not-so-glamorous aspects of her life. Highlights of Bossypants include chapters on her early improv experiences, the impossible standards for women in show business, and how horrible it is to lose weight — but all delivered with sharp, scintillating humor.

If that weren’t enough, her comedic timing in the audiobook is (obviously) second to none, netting her an Audie Award for Best Audiobook of the Year and a legit Grammy nomination. (Want to sample the magic? Here’s a clip of Fey narrating a bit about her childhood.)

Perfect for your road trip if: you’d like hours of LOLs at the hands (and voice) of one of the best writers and entertainers of the twenty-first century. Time duration: 5 hours and 30 min.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, narrated by Trevor Noah

Here’s another famous comedian who wants to spend time with you in your car. Host of The Daily Show , Trevor Noah published a memoir to universal acclaim in 2016. His story is extraordinary and primarily focuses on Noah’s formative years, growing up in apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa. And, lest we forget that Noah is today a world-famous comedian, this audiobook reminds us in spades! A born impersonator, Noah can mimic pretty much every single accent and voice in the world — making Born a Crime ’s reading that much more buoyant and enjoyable during a road trip. 

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re intrigued by Noah’s verbally chameleonic abilities and his personal history. Time duration: 8 hours and 44 min. 

NON-FICTION

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, narrated by Richard Matthews

Written by international treasure Bill Bryson, author of A Walk in the Woods and Notes from a Small Island , A Short History of Nearly Everything is the ultimate book for history buffs. A self-professed non-expert, Bryson consults with the world’s top authorities, from archaeologists to mathematicians, to put together a definitive manual on science for us laymen.

The audiobook is similarly engrossing, as you might expect. Richard Matthews takes on the conversational, friendly tone of the book, so that the audiobook’s feel is that of a friend wittily explaining the world to you. If you’re casting around for an audiobook that will turn your journey into A Short Road Trip With Not Nearly Enough Time To Finish This Nonfiction Book, this is it. 

Perfect for your road trip if: your goal is to become an interesting dinner companion by the end of the trip. Time duration: 18 hours and 13 min. 

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!": Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard P. Feynman, narrated by Raymond Todd

From the mind of Nobel Prize-winning physicist comes this collection of unexpectedly colorful anecdotes — not just about science, but about everything that intrigued the titular Mr. Feynman throughout his life. These topics include, but are not limited to: Feynman’s safe-cracking “hobby,” his love of samba music and Brazilian culture as a whole, and his slight case of nerves before presenting the Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory in front of, you know, Albert Einstein. The audiobook, thanks to Raymond Todd’s evocative narration, paints a picture of a man who was so much more than his career — and impacted countless lives in myriad ways.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’re tickled by the idea of a physicist making you laugh. Time duration: 11 hours and 31 min.

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari, narrated by by Aziz Ansari

Nonfiction audiobooks comprise a tricky territory, as it’s easy for them to end up being dry events: straightforward recitals of the words on the page. Luckily, that’s far from the case Aziz Ansari’s Modern Romance , which is a deep dive into the state of (you guessed it) modern romance, from dating apps to emojis in Tokyo. What’s more, it contains Ansari’s reliable humor, so that you can laugh while you learn and listen. Unsurprisingly, Ansari is a gifted performer — keeping the text lively and adding just the right hint of self-awareness to his narration. 

Perfect for your road trip if: you’d like to reel off interesting facts about 21st-century romance on your next date.  Time duration: 6 hours and 14 min. 

What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe, narrated by Wil Wheaton

Randall Munroe of xkcd fame and Wil Wheaton of, well, being-an-eighties-icon fame team up for this marvelously ponderous audiobook that answers all the questions you ever had (or never even thought of) re: science, the universe, and everything. For instance: what would happen to us in the event of a robot apocalypse? If cows could photosynthesize, how much food would they need? And the question on everyone’s mind: could you get drunk from drinking a drunk person’s blood? Equal parts silly and scientific, this audiobook is sure to be a hit with erstwhile fans of Bill Nye and Neil DeGrasse Tyson. 

Perfect for your road trip if: you want some random hypotheticals with which to entertain your Airbnb hosts. Time duration: 6 hours and 35 min.

Devil in the White City: a Saga of Magic and Murder at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larsson, narrated by Scott Brick

Living up to the saying, “Truth is stranger than fiction,” Devil in the White City recounts the astounding true story of an architect and a murderer in Chicago in the 1890s. Our architect, Daniel H. Burnham, is the man who needed to construct a world-famous exposition in the space of 18 months. In every other chapter, we meet the murderer, Dr. Henry H. Holmes — America’s first serial killer who built an actual torture palace just miles away.

Suffice to say that the audiobook is just as gripping, as the ever-gifted Scott Brick walks you through this creepy but undeniably fascinating part of the past. Needless to say, it’ll keep you on the edge of your driver’s seat — especially if you’re road-tripping through the Windy City.  

Perfect for your road trip if: you loved Chicago , but wanted more murder. Time duration: 14 hours and 58 min. 

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear, narrated by James Clear

Now we’re getting into the actual motivational stuff — and what excellent stuff it is! In this book and self-narrated audiobook, James Clear draws on various fields of science and psychology to determine exactly why old habits die hard, and what practical steps we can take to rewrite them. This is no cobbled-together collection of clickbaity tips, but thoroughly researched, scientifically sound, detailed information on how to change your life for the better. And with Clear’s confident yet not overtly self-promotional voice guiding you through it, you’ll feel like you really can build some of his suggested atomic habits… as soon as you get out of the car.

Perfect for your road trip if: you’ve just hit traffic and want to take back control of your life! Time duration: 5 hours and 35 min.

The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins, narrated by Mel Robbins

This fantastically inspiring audiobook from Mel Robbins (no relation to Tony) will have you itching to put her counsel to good use. Robbins will show you how, in just five seconds, you can push yourself to reach potential you never thought possible… and improve your mental health, personal relationships, professional standing, and more! Author and narrator uses her own experiences to bolster her advice, which comes in sharp snippets that are so easy to absorb, this guide really will go by in (what feels like) a mere five seconds.

Perfect for your road trip if: being able to accomplish something (like drive across multiple states) in five seconds or less sounds like a dream right about now. Time duration: 7 hours and 35 min.

Want even more audiobooks? Check out our posts on the best fantasy audiobooks and best sci-fi audiobooks . Or learn how to find free audiobooks in our guide the the 20 Best Places to Find Free Books online (check out the last three!)

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On the Road Again: 26 of the Best Audiobooks for Road Trips

Mikkaka Overstreet

Mikkaka Overstreet is from Louisville, Kentucky by way of Saginaw “Sagnasty”, Michigan. She has been an educator since 2006 and earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction in 2015. By day she is a mild-mannered literacy specialist. By night she sleeps. In between, she daydreams, writes fiction, and reads books. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and cats.

View All posts by Mikkaka Overstreet

Selecting the best audiobooks for road trips can be a challenge. There are lots of factors to consider — your mood, your company, the length of the trip; all can impact your audiobook enjoyment. Luckily, I am here to help take some of the guess work out of the process for you.

I adore audiobooks. As I’ve mentioned in some of my previous posts, I am always reading four books. Typically, I have one fiction and one nonfiction traditional paper book in my bag and/or on my nightstand. Additionally, I’ll have two audiobooks going simultaneously — one that I’m listening to independently and one I’m enjoying with my partner.

Just now, for example, I finished  King and the Dragonflies   by Kacen Callender on paper ( excellent book, BTW). In the slow and steady way that I read nonfiction, I am plodding through  Troublemakers  by Carla Shalaby. As for my latest audiobook selections, you’ll have to read the rest of this post, because they definitely make my recommendation list. I know that it might sound a bit strange, but it works for me. Having choice and variety allows me to feel like I always have something to read, no matter my mood. 

Consequently, I go through a lot of audiobooks and am thus equipped to recommend you the best audiobooks for a variety of road trip situations. Every book on this list is an award winner that I’ve actually listened to, so you can trust me. Whether you’re traveling solo or with your entire crew, you’re sure to find something you’ll love on this list.

The Best Audiobooks for Road Trips By Yourself

Are you riding solo? The books below will keep you awake, but might inspire reactions that you want no one else to see. (Try not to cry too hard, though. That’s unsafe for driving.)

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Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, Read by Marin Ireland

This audiobook earned the 2020 Audie Award for best female narration, and for good reason! Ireland brilliantly captures Wilson’s prose, including bringing a believable southern charm to the Tennessean characters. The story is funny, provoking, touching, and outrageous. I just finished it and I cannot stop thinking about it, so please listen to it so I can have more people to talk about it with.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune, Read by Kirt Graves

Listening to this book gave me all of the feels. It is an absolutely beautiful exploration of death and love and life, with a great message and lovable characters. Graves gives each character a unique and fitting voice. This unique and beautiful story is perfect to keep you engaged on a long drive — plus you’ll want the solo time to reflect on the questions Klune’s tale poses throughout. As a bonus, if you haven’t read Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea , it is also great on audio.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, Read by Carrie Mulligan

In this 2021 Audie finalist for fiction, protagonist Nora Seed takes us on a journey through her many possible lives. She is able to access these lives through books in a mysterious library that serves as the way station between life and death. I’m not sure if I’m really into books that deal with the complexity of life and death right now, but this one really stuck with me.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo, Read by the Author

Written and read by the phenomenal Elizabeth Acevedo, this book surprised me with all the feels. You can’t help but root for the protagonist Emoni, a teenaged mother fighting for her own dreams while navigating the responsibilities of parenthood. Of course, the book won a 2020 Audie Award for best narration by an author and also scored a YA nomination that same year.

The Deep by Rivers Solomon with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes, Read by Daveed Diggs

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “Mikkaka, we all know you would listen to Daveed Diggs read the phone book.” While you’re not wrong, you must be an old like me, because what even is a phone book? But I digress. This is an amazing and genre-bending story of the underwater descendants of enslaved Africans who were thrown overboard. It is beautiful and lyrical and moving. My future husband, Daveed Diggs, won a 2021 Audie Award in science fiction for his narration. And probably for being gorgeous and unbelievably talented also.

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow, Read by Andrea Lang

Next, since we’re underwater, let’s talk about this gem. Black mermaids, sirens, and other magical beings live among us in this award-winning fantasy. Morrow seamlessly integrates these mythical beings into the modern world and pits them against racism and sexism in realistic ways. It’s an absolutely stunning read.

Darling by K. Ancrum, Read by Angel Pean

For some reason, this title doesn’t get as much love as Ancrum’s other books. It’s a different vibe, yes, but still an incredible story worthy of your time. When Wendy Darling moves into a new house, she’s soon visited by the mysterious and magnetic Peter. This twist on the classic tale is suspenseful and painfully, unexpectedly, real.

The Best Audiobooks for Long Road Trips

Whether you’re alone or with others, road trips over eight hours or so can be really tough. Check out these longer audiobooks that can keep you company the entire way.

The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger by Stephen King, Read by George Guidall

Technically, book one is only seven hours, but this series is LONG. My husband and I have been working our way through this complex narrative for a few years now. It’s weird and otherworldly, connecting to several of King’s other works. The narrator is EXCELLENT. Unfortunately, he suffered a tragic accident and was unable to finish the entire series. Still, the second narrator is pretty good as well.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Read by Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan, and Robin Miles

Twelve hours will fly by when you’re listening to this 2018 Audie Award winner for multi-voiced performance. Classic Hollywood comes to life in all its complexity as we follow actress Evelyn Hugo through her decades of fame. Even while confronting sexism, racism, and homophobia, Evelyn is a powerhouse. She might be morally questionable at times, but you’re going to love her.

Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan, Read by Nicole Lewis

I’m one of the few rare birds who didn’t enjoy Little Fires Everywhere , but this book was marketed as that story meeting Shirley Jackson’s suspenseful writing. It definitely delivered. A searing look at the nasty dark side of suburbia, this isn’t for the faint of heart. Trigger warnings for child abuse and sexual assault. (Also, I didn’t finish Little Fires Everywhere , so my opinion means nothing on that one.)

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

This beloved classic is read by its legendary author. For the uninitiated, The Color Purple is the story of a poor, Black girl, surviving poverty and abuse in the Jim Crow south. Additionally, it’s been made into a movie and a musical. The musical is currently being adapted into another movie, so listen to the original story in preparation!

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Read by Frankie Corzo

The creeping dread of this mystery is perfect for a long drive alone, especially if you’re like me and think it’s fun to be a little freaked out. Glamorous protagonist Noemí is a debutante in 1950s Mexico. However, she wants more. In exchange for permission to study her interests at university, Noemí agrees to discreetly attend to a family problem. When she visits her cousin after receiving a cryptic and concerning letter, she is not prepared for the challenges that lay ahead of her in the Mexican countryside. Her cousin’s husband and his family are sinister and secretive. Something dark hides in the walls and begins to permeate Noemí’s dreams. Soon she realizes she might not be able to save her cousin — or herself.

The Best Audiobooks for Road Trips With Your Partner(s)

Perhaps you and your significant other(s) share the same taste in books, or perhaps you need titles with a more universal appeal. The books below guarantee to offer something for everyone.

Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, Read by Ramón de Ocampo

I am unashamedly obsessed with the enemies-to-lovers trope, which McQuiston masterfully utilizes in this political romance. When the president’s son falls for the prince of England, things get tricky. Come for the romance and humor, stay for the surprisingly interesting political intrigue. You and your partner(s) will find something to love in this charming story.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland, Read by Bahni Turpin

My husband and I are listening to this book right now, and it was perfect on a recent road trip. Sure, I’ve read it before, but it was still engaging. All you need to know about this one is that after the Civil War, the dead got back up. Our protagonists are badass Black girls who are trained to kill the undead. It’s an interesting take on historical events, but also just plain fun.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Read by Jim Dale

Award-winning narrator Jim Dale shines in this imaginative journey into a magical circus. The circus appears without warning and is full of impossible acts. At the center are a pair of young magicians who are pawns in a long game concocted by their mentors. The fate of the entire circus and everyone in it hangs in the balance as these star-crossed lovers try to beat an unwinnable game.

The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow, Read by Joy Sunday

This is another title I’ve gushed about previously, but I assure you that it’s worth the hype. There’s alien invasion, music, secret libraries, and a forbidden love that can save the world. The action and twists will keep everyone in the car hanging on every word. At 12 hours long, the story will carry you all the way to your destination — and stick with you long after.

The Institute by Stephen King, Read by Santino Fontana

I know, I know. It’s probably faux pas to put a second book by Stephen King on this list, but hear me out. This is one of his best books in a long time. When a boy wakes up in a room that looks like his own but isn’t, we accompany him on a perilous mission to figure out what’s going on at this so-called Institute. He meets other children like himself — children with gifts The Institute wants to use for its own sinister purposes. Can he save himself and his new friends?

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, Read by Bahni Turpin, Raymond Lee, and Dominic Hoffman

If you haven’t read the book (which has been adapted into a movie), then listen to it ASAP. The reading is absolutely beautiful, which is fitting for such a gorgeous and compelling story. Although most of the book takes place over the course of a single day, a LOT happens. Different walks of life collide as Jamaican American Natasha and Korean American Daniel meet and quickly fall in love. Unfortunately, Natasha and her family are scheduled to be deported the following day. You’ll lose yourself in this lush prose and heart-wrenching story.

The Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips

If you’re looking in this category, let me first give you a virtual hug. While I enjoy an occasional journey with my husband, the thought of being a car with anyone else for more than an hour makes my skin crawl. Anyway, the picks below are family-friendly options that can appeal to a multigenerational minivan.

Shuri by Nic Stone, Read by Anika Noni Rose

After the global success of Marvel’s Black Panther movie, audiences were clamoring for more. Thus, acclaimed author Nic Stone gave us this fabulous middle grade romp through Wakanda. Genius scientist Princess Shuri, the Black Panther’s younger sister, is a superhero in her own right. With her martial arts skills, scientific advancements, and quick mind, she’s the only one who can save Wakanda when their vital Heart Shaped Herb stops growing.

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, Read by Christopher Myers

I love this book. It’s very different and not for everyone, but the audiobook is absolutely the way to go. (Friends of mine who tried to read the physical book had difficulties that they tell me disappeared when they listened instead.) Myers captures the different accents and speech patterns of the characters beautifully. Emezi deals with tough topics like child abuse in a very age-appropriate way. It’ll spark important conversations with any kiddos in your car.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust, Read by Nikki Massoud

I probably don’t have to keep telling you how much I love each book, but I loved this book! This feminist fairytale centers on the princess trapped in the tower. However, that’s where similarities to familiar fairytales end. Our princess is hidden away because she is poisonous to the touch. As her brother prepares for his marriage and the castle is busy and bustling, the princess grows tired of captivity. She faces impossible choices and learns the truth about freedom, family, and her true self.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow, Read by January LaVoy

Undoubtedly, this 2020 fantasy Audie Award winner is already on you TBR list. However, let me encourage you to save it for a family road trip. Full of fanciful doors to different worlds and led by a feisty and sympathetic heroine, this story has something for everyone. With a runtime of over 12 action-packed hours, this is one of the best audiobooks for road trips with your family.

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson, Read by Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Peter Francis James, Shayna Small, and Bahni Turpin

If you have teenage dependents, this would be a great story to listen to together. Woodson’s incomparable writing is vividly brought to life by the ensemble cast of readers. Ultimately, this coming-of-age tale is about family and community — perfect for a car trip with your relatives.

Best Audiobooks for Road Trips for Nonfiction Nerds

Okay, so this is not my wheelhouse. It’s not that I don’t like nonfiction, I just prefer to read such books on paper. This allows me to annotate and take notes to ensure my comprehension. That said, there are a few nonfiction audiobooks that I’ve enjoyed immensely. For more, check out 50 of the Best Nonfiction Audiobooks .

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Alright, I know you’ve probably heard plenty about this book, but it is definitely worth a listen. The audiobook is actually narrated by Michelle Obama herself, making it all the more engaging. Unsurprisingly, it won an Audie Award in 2020 and was nominated for several others.

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae

If you’re not familiar with the hilarious and multitalented Issa Rae, this autobiographical audiobook written and read by the author is a perfect introduction. With her self-deprecating humor and unique perspective, you’ll be laughing alone in your car for sure. Fellow blerds, get ready to feel seen.

Stamped (For Kids) by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, Adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul and Rachelle Baker, Read by Pe’Tehn Raighn-Kem Jackson

So, there are a lot of names associated with this book: let me explain. Kendi wrote the original Stamped from the Beginning for adults. Then the amazing Jason Reynolds remixed it for a middle grades/YA audience in Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You . This latest iteration is adapted for young children, making it a perfect for a car ride with your kiddos.

There you have it! Hopefully, you’ve discovered your next favorite read. Be sure to explore free audiobooks online . For more great audiobook recommendations, check out our audiobook archives .

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Country Living

13 Road Trip Books to Inspire You to Hit the Highway

Posted: May 31, 2023 | Last updated: July 31, 2023

America was made for road trips. The vast country, endless sights, and a spiderweb of roads and streets offer an invitation that's hard to pass up. There are few countries in the world where you can see mountains, deserts, rainforests, and megacities without ever needing a passport. With so many options, the question arises: Where do I go?

To inspire you to pack up the car for your next thousand-mile road trip, we found some awesome books on Amazon that will kickstart your journey. Inside, they list destinations you might not have heard of—which is just part of the adventure. So get out there, escape your comfort zone, and explore something new.

Don’t Forget These Summer Road Trip Essentials

Moon Travel: The Open Road

Moon Travel's 50 Best Road Trips in the USA covers the top cruises across the country. With trips suggested like the Apache Trail in Arizona and the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Appalachian Mountains, this book invites you to cross state lines.

National Geographic Kids: Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas

If you have a budding explorer itching for an atlas, this one from National Geographic Kids is geared toward the backseat. With fun maps and wacky facts, this atlas is a great companion for a family road trip.

Fodor's Travel: Best Weekend Road Trips

Have just a weekend to explore? No worries—this guide is perfect for a one- or two-night trip. Inside, there are 106 three-day itineraries, all within a six-hour drive of 20 major U.S. cities. The travel outlines relieve a ton of planning stress; all you have to do is start driving!

Reader's Digest: The Most Scenic Drives in America

If you prefer road trips where you can relax and cruise, try a scenic drive, where the sights provide the adventure. Inside, handy tips detail mileage, nearby attractions, and the best seasons to travel.

The Best Hits on Route 66

They don't call it the Mother Road for nothing. Route 66 is chock full of attractions, sights, and other stops—which this book expertly lays out. As one of the most influential routes in America, it's important to take your time and soak it all in along the way.

National Geographic: 100 Drives, 5000 Ideas

The hardest thing about taking a road trip is knowing where to go. This book from National Geographic outlines 100 different drives, paired with 5000 ideas of what to do—which might help kickstart the planning.

Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure

This adventure follows former President Harry Truman and his wife Bess as they embark on a road trip to New York as an ordinary couple—forgoing security or an escort. Their attempts at anonymity are tested thanks to their fame, but it's a fascinating look at the man many call America's last citizen-president.

Not Tonight, Josephine: A Road Trip Through Small-Town America

This adventure follows two Brits and their attempt to trek from New York to California. Their travels take them on back roads through small towns while traveling in the worst car in the world—Josephine. It's a classic American road trip told from a hilariously British point of view.

The Ultimate Road Trip Guide

If you think visiting 47 U.S. National Parks in two months on a budget sounds crazy, you'd be right. That's why it's amazing how the authors pulled it off—while living in a truck, to boot. The book contains information on outfitting your vehicle to be a mini-RV and traveling logistics to keep things efficient and cost-effective. Buckle up and enjoy!

Midwest Road Trip Adventures

The Midwest is so much more than cornfields and cow farms—this guide shows you many beautiful parts of the heartland. Whether you're interested in lighthouses along the Great Lakes, waterfalls in Minnesota, or canyons in Kansas, there's something for everyone.

The Best Coast: A West Coast Road Trip Atlas

The West Coast has an overwhelming amount of things to do on a road trip, and this atlas pares it down into a manageable guide. Inside, there are details on roadside attractions, off-the-trail sights, and in-depth dissections of the major cities.

Lonely Planet: New England's Best Trips

If the East Coast beckons, check out this guide from Lonely Planet that offers the best road trips in New England. With gorgeous photos and detailed itineraries, it's a wonderful companion as you explore the Northeast's hidden gems.

National Geographic: Drives of a Lifetime

Of course, there are great road trips to be had outside the States, too. National Geographic's exploration experiences span the globe, and this book compiles the planet's most incredible drives. So if your thirst for pavement mileage needs to be satisfied on a worldwide scale, this book is for you.

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The 11 Best Road Trips in the World

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road on an epic adventure, especially on these incredible stretches of highway

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I love a good road trip, especially in the mountains of Colorado, where I live. It’s when I do some of the best creative thinking, and it feels like the possibilities for exploration are endless. Should I hike a fourteener tomorrow? Cross the border into Utah to go mountain biking?

I scoured the globe to put together this list of the most stunning drives you could imagine, from the snowcapped peaks of Chilean Patagonia to the windswept west coast of Ireland. I’ve completed a handful, driven parts of many of them, and the rest are on my bucket list. I also chose these road trips for their proximity to adventure, and include essential details like the best hikes, beaches, and accommodations along the way. Buckle up.

The Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean, Canada

Miles: 550 Road terrain: Mostly gravel Best time to go: The Dempster Highway is open year-round, but traditional summer festivals in the Arctic towns and the aurora borealis viewing in winter are seasonal highlights.

Truly rugged and remote, this overland expedition traverses dramatic tundra landscapes, boreal forests, and mountain ranges en route to the Arctic Sea. Begin in the gold-rush outpost of Dawson City, Yukon, and load up on supplies—the unpaved gravel road is a known tire eater, so be sure you have a spare and a four-wheel drive car. From there the Dempster Highway heads north through the historic Klondike region, crosses the Arctic Circle, and enters the Northwest Territories, where you’ll have panoramas of what’s known as the polar Serengeti, a wide-open wilderness teeming with caribou, moose, and grizzlies.

Along the way, you’ll pass through Indigenous communities such as Tsiigehtchic, reached by ferry in summer after the snow melts. If you’re traveling during August, you can watch canoe races and listen to traditional music during Tsiigehtchic’s Canoe Days celebration. By the time you arrive in Inuvik, Canada’s largest community north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll have logged 457 miles. Pitch your tent or park your teardrop at Happy Valley Territorial Park (from $28), perched on a bluff overlooking the Richardson Mountains and the nation’s largest river, the Mackenzie.

Pick up the final stretch of the trip in town, the Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway, an 86-mile gravel road that winds past the Pingo Canadian Landmark, a collection of pingo (mounds of earth-covered ice) more than 100 feet high, and ends in the Inuit shorefront hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk.

Scenic Byway 12, Utah

Miles: 122 Road terrain: Paved Best time to go: Early spring and early fall

This expanse of highway connects Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef National Parks , traveling through Dixie National Forest and the northern part of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. The whole thing could be completed in three hours, but given its proximity to so many perfect playgrounds for hiking, paddling, biking, and fishing, I suggest a four-day road trip. Bookended by Panguitch to the west and Torrey to the east, this designated All-American Road bisects multiple ecosystems,  from sage flats to slickrock deserts, and sleepy rural communities like Boulder, where you should stop for a meal at Hell’s Backbone Grill . The photo opps are endless, but Powell Point Vista, between the towns of Henrieville and Escalante, affords some of the best views of the area’s distinct Wasatch Limestone formations. If I could overnight in one place along the way it’d be Ofland Escalante , which has a drive-in theater, a pool, and a food truck (from $99).

The Romantic Road, Germany

Miles: 220 Road terrain: Paved Best time to go: Spring or fall

Germany’s Romantische Strasse, or Romantic Road, could be the backdrop of a Grimm’s fairy tale, with its turreted and crenelated castles, red-roofed villages, and lake-dotted countryside in the Alpine foothills. This scenic byway across Bavaria connects the baroque town of Würzburg with the pastel-hued town of Füssen. The former is home to the Unesco-designated Würzburg Residence, one of the nation’s most opulent palaces, while Füssen is five minutes from what many consider the route’s highlight, King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle , which was the inspiration for the palace in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty . If you want to stretch your legs, you can tackle the hike to Mount Tegel, located behind the castle, or take the cable car up and explore the trail network at the top.

Along the way you’ll pass plenty of beer gardens—the riverfront Lechgarten in the hamlet of Landsberg am Lech is a must-stop—the vineyards of the Franconia wine region (pick up a bottle of dry, white Silvaner), and spend a few hours rejuvenating in the historic spa town of Bad Mergentheim; at the Best Western Premier Parkhotel ($150), you can take advantage of the indoor pool, spa, and gardens.

The Explorers Way, Australia

Miles: 1,864 Road terrain: Paved (and remember, Aussies drive on the left-hand side) Best time to go: Australia’s fall, March through May The ultimate outback odyssey, the Explorers Way is a road trip through Australia’s Red Centre. Much of the drive follows the Stuart Highway, named after 19th-century explorer John McDouall Stuart, the first European to successfully traverse the continent from south to north. Stuart’s expedition took nearly a year, but two weeks is ample time to complete the journey from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory.

I highly recommend detours to Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park to stand in awe of the 2,831-foot-high monolith sacred to Aboriginals and to Litchfield National Park, teeming with waterfalls and wildlife like dingo and wallaby. Dedicate at least a day to explore the Aboriginal art galleries of Alice Springs, the Northern Territory’s second largest city and the approximate midway point of the route. When you reach the Top End, toast your trip with a bush negroni at Willing Distillery in Darwin or celebrate with a bush safari at Bamurru Plains Eco Lodge (from $2,425, all-inclusive), just northwest of Kakadu National Park, home to more than two dozen walking trails .

Atlantic Road, Norway

Miles: 22 Road terrain: Narrow, paved Best time to go: The coast is most dramatic in September and October

Norway has 18 designated national scenic routes, but the fact that the Atlantic Road was selected as the stage for the James Bond film No Time to Die is a testament to its wow-factor beauty. Officially known as Atlanterhavsvegen , this drive links the village of Kårvåg on Averøy Island with the fishing village of Bud on the mainland via an archipelago connected by eight low-lying bridges. Few roads bring you so close to the ocean: roll down your window and you’ll likely be kissed by sea mist.

Essential detours include the coastal path at Vevang to see Jan Freuchen’s “ Columna Transatlantica ,” a sculpture scattered across the rocks and heath-covered hills, and the glass-walled viewing platform at Askevågen, which affords spectacular mountain and ocean vistas. Strømsholmen Seasport, located between the towns of Kristiansun and Molde, offers scuba diving, fishing excursions, and wildlife safaris on the water. It also has four waterfront cabins that sleep up to ten people (from $55).

The Ring Road, Iceland

Miles: 820 Road terrain: Mostly paved, with some stretches of gravel Best time to go: Late spring or early fall

Stretch after stretch of otherworldly landscapes unfold along this famed 820-mile loop , also known as Route 1. It shows off vast lava fields, tumbling waterfalls, spouting glaciers, and bubbling geysers. You’ll want at least seven days to enjoy all the attractions and adventures along the way, and if you do the drive in May, June, or July, you can take advantage of nearly 24 hours of sun.

Most road-trippers start in the capital, Reykjavík, the city closest to Keflavík International Airport. You can tackle it counterclockwise or clockwise, but if you do the latter first, the scenery crescendos from pretty to jaw-droppingly gorgeous. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s a detour to the northern Troll Peninsula, which loops around the headlands past the end of the Skagafjörður fjord.

On the southeastern coast of Iceland , take time to explore Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon studded with icebergs, and nearby Diamond Beach, named for the brilliant chunks of ice that sparkle like gems against its black sands. The geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, just 20 minutes from the airport, are the perfect final stop. Or tack on an adventure—maybe kayak in a glacial lagoon or ride an ATV along the beach—with outfitter Icelandic Mountain Guides .

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Miles: 1,600 Road terrain: Narrow, winding, and paved (you’ll also driving on the left-hand side here) Best time to go: summer to take advantage of longer day-light hours

One of the longest coastal routes in the world, the Wild Atlantic Way hugs the Emerald Isle’s rugged and spectacular west coast for miles, from its northern terminus on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to its southern terminus in the town of Kinsale in County Cork. The route is broken into 14 stages, and you’ll want to budget a minimum of five days to complete it.

There are loads of opportunities to stretch your legs on untouched swaths of beach near soaring sea cliffs. Those at Slieve League jut up 1,972 feet at their highest point; follow the Pilgrim’s Path from Teelin village 1.5 miles to the tops, and after pop into town for lunch. You’ll have plenty of options, but I highly recommend the award-winning Rusty Mackerel pub (rooms are also available from $54). The iconic Cliffs of Moher, in the lunar-like Burren region, are one of the natural treasures of Ireland, with a five-mile (one-way) coastal walk that connects the charming villages of Liscannor and Doolin.

On Achill Island, explore Keel Beach, a nearly two-mile stretch of golden sand. When I visited, the waves were pumping and I rented a board and a thick wetsuit from Soundwave Surf School . If the water’s calm, you can rent a stand-up-paddleboard. If your final destination is County Cork, celebrate with a pint at Levis Corner House , a pub in Ballydehob that’s been run by the same family for a century.

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, Oregon

Miles: 363 Road terrain: Paved Best time to go: Late spring, early fall, or winter

Most people associate the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, with California, but the storied road spans from Canada to Mexico. Some of the best lengths, in my opinion, are in Oregon, where the road skirts virgin beaches, craggy mountains, and rocky coves, through a series of quirky seaside resorts and sleepy fishing villages. You could zip along all of it in 10 to 12 hours, but five days is the better plan, stopping at the many parks and public lands along the route. Ecola State Park (sea stacks, tidepooling, wildlife-watching) and Oregon Dunes Recreation Area (whose sweeping sandy expanses are said to have been the inspiration for Dune’ s planet Arrakis) are both top of my list.

About 30 miles northwest of the city of Bandon is Cape Arago; this short detour off the byway takes you through the South Slough National Estuarine Reserve, home to more than 150 kinds of birds and many good hiking trails . In the town of Coos Bay, I like to overnight at the modern cabins at Bay Point Landing ($235). The next day, you can drive 24 miles east to the remote Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area and hike 1.4 miles to the top of Golden Falls for an eagle’s-eye view of the cascading waterfall and old-growth firs. Schedule your journey for spring and winter and bring your binocs—you can often spot the blows from migrating gray whales as they surface off the coast.

The Garden Route, South Africa

Miles: 124 Road terrain: Paved Best time to go: June to December, when you can spot whales from shore

This ocean-hugging highway showcases the Western Cape’s outrageously beautiful beaches, lush forests, national forests, and abundant marine life. Just under two hours’ drive from Cape Town, the former fishing village of Hermanus Bay is the gateway for the Garden Route. I always stop here to take advantage of the excellent land-based whale-watching between June and December. Continue three and a half hours east on the N2 highway to the harbor town of Mossel Bay, the route’s official starting point. Spend some time trekking around before heading out on your drive; my favorite is the 2.5-mile out-and-back trail from Pinnacle Point to Oyster Bay.

Wilderness National Park , approximately midroute, is a great spot for birdwatching and kayaking and has accommodations that include campsites (from $20), cabins (from $50), and a bed-and-breakfast (from $90). A half-hour farther east is Plettenberg Bay, nicknamed the Saint Tropez of South Africa for its palatial beach homes. Just south is Robberg Nature Reserve , a nice picnic spot where you can observe seal colonies. Spend a day exploring Tsitsikamma National Park , which boasts a 50-mile-long shoreline and an interior with 500-year-old trees. Looking to burn off some energy after hours in the car? I suggest the Otter Trail. South Africa’s oldest hiking trail takes five days to complete and begins near the Garden Route’s eastern terminus at Storms River rest camp.

Queenstown to Milford Sound, New Zealand

Miles: 180 Road terrain: Paved, two-lane highway Best time to go: New Zealand’s fall, March through May, is perfect for hiking Described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world,” Milford Sound is big nature on steroids. The drive on the South Island from Queenstown along State Highway 6 (a.k.a. the Southern Scenic Highway) and then State Highway 94 (Milford Sound Highway) will get you there  in just over four hours, but slow down to marvel at the waterfalls and alpine lakes framed by mountains. Te Anau is the halfway point of the drive and an ideal place to overnight, refuel, and stock up on food as there are no services farther en route to the sound. The lakeside town is also the gateway to the glacier-carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park and the jumping-off point for the Milford Track, arguably one of New Zealand’s most famous Great Walks , so consider tacking on a few extra days.

The Carretera Austral, Chile

Miles: 770 Road terrain: Rugged, pock-marked dirt, requiring four-wheel drive Best time to go: Austral spring and summer, November to March  

Waterfalls tumbling from hanging glaciers. Forests of lengua trees and turquoise lagoons. Ancient marble caves and flamingo-filled lakes. The wild backdrop of Chile’s Southern Highway (Route 7) is an adventurer’s fantasy. Also known as the Carretera Austral , this road cuts through remote, mountainous wilderness in northern Patagonia. Set aside at least two weeks so you can take time to visit Queulat National Park and Pumalín National Park , both located along the route.

Puerto Montt, a bustling town in the Chilean Lake District, is your starting point. It’s considered Chile’s seafood capital, so attempt to score a table at Pa Mar Adentro Restaurant and try the caldo curanto , a traditional seafood stew, before starting your journey south.

Coyhaique, the capital of Chile’s Aysén region, marks the route’s midway point. Take a day here to trek the trails of Reserva Nacional Coyhaique, home to two beautiful lakes, Los Sapos and Venus. Campsites are available in the Casa Bruja section of the reserve ($5), or continue a couple hours south to General Carrera Lake and hole up at the family-run  Mallin Colorado Ecolodge ($170). The owners serve terrific farm-to-table meals and partner with local guides who lead kayak trips to the Marble Caves and treks across Exploradores Glacier.

Rumbo Sur Hotel ($190), in the isolated terminus town of Villa O’Higgins, is a comfy final base surrounded by hiking trails and glaciers. A 4×4 is recommended, as most of the road is unpaved.

Outside travel columnist Jen Murphy hates driving but will happily sit shotgun on any road trip. Last fall she navigated on a weeklong mother-daughter road trip through southwest Colorado.

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Famous bike from 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' finds new (very public) home

If you've read Robert Pirsig's book "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," you’ve spent time with his cycle, "the most famous forgotten motorcycle in American history," says Smithsonian Transportation Curator Paul Johnston.

You’ve been in the saddle, rolling philosophically across the Dakotas. You've crouched next to the engine for a quality tune-up in the shade of a remote hotel in Montana.

Maybe you, like millions of readers, have been influenced by the bestselling 1974 book that ruminates about quality, technology and values in the 50 years since its publication.

Perhaps you’ve delved into philosophy, dared to tinker with engines, or become one of the passionate “Pirsig’s Pilgrims” who have retraced the book's Zen motorcycle ride across the country.

• Museum curators labored for hours to prepare motorcycle for exhibit .
• “Pirsig’s Pilgrims” plan to retrace famous 1968 motorcycle ride in July.

Now you, and the rest of America, will be able to see Pirsig’s motorcycle yourself . His 1966 Honda Super Hawk, a 305cc model with 33,213 miles on the odometer, is on exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The exhibit opened April 15.

The exhibit, titled " Zen and the Open Road " covers Pirsig's life and interests in motorcycling, sailing and writing.

Can't see our graphics? Click on this link .

And you may be surprised to learn Pirsig's motorcycle is a Honda. He never identifies it in his book – it's known only as "the cycle" or "the machine." 

"He often said the brand wasn't relevant and mentioning it would be a distraction," says Wendy Pirsig, widow of Robert Pirsig, who died in 2017 at age 88. Photos from the ride weren't made public until around 2000.

Pirsig used the ride to frame an intense philosophical work that was published to wide acclaim and is still relevant today.

With his 11-year-old son, Chris, on the back, Pirsig rode this cycle roughly 2,800 miles from Minneapolis to San Francisco and back in 1968. (The total is 5,700 miles, according to Johnston, who researched the return trip.) Two friends, John and Sylvia Sutherland on a BMW R60/2 , accompanied the Pirsigs as far as Bozeman, Montana.

"This Honda motorcycle's had a life; it's had a story," says Dawn Wallace, an objects conservator for the American history museum. She headed the group that spent many hours preparing the cycle for exhibit. "We didn't want to polish away that story.

"There are different modifications to the bike. You can tell some parts have been dented, like the fenders, and others that have been welded back together.

"It's really nice to see how it's been used," Wallace says. "You can see the evidence of human use."

How did Pirsig's motorcycle find a home in the Smithsonian?

The decision to donate the cycle "was sort of an end-of-life conversation that my husband and I had as we got older," Wendy Pirsig says.

"We didn't have a plan for it, but some friends suggested the Smithsonian," she says. "We reached out and they were glad to accept it. It was mutually agreeable."

Wendy Pirsig contacted the Smithsonian in 2016 to ask if it would be interested in acquiring the motorcycle and other items associated with the book. The call was transferred to Johnston, curator of transportation at the American history museum.

"I've been riding motorcycles since I was 11 years old," says Johnston, who specializes in maritime artifacts, motorcycles, race cars and road transportation. "I'm a lifelong rider and lover of motorcycles. To me, the acquisition was a no-brainer."

Johnston has since become an authority on Pirsig. He has written a number of articles about the cycle exhibit, Pirsig's boat, and his writing.

"Everyone knows about Evel Knievel's bike, which we have , and Captain America and Easy Rider ," Johnston says. But with Pirsig's motorcycle, "nobody ever followed through. I thought, well, here's a chance."

Johnston visited Wendy Pirsig in Maine. In the family's garage, he found the cycle connected to a trickle charger, an electrical device that keeps an unused battery charged. He discovered the Pirsigs had meticulously catalogued thousands of photographs, documents and other items.

Wendy Pirsig "took me down to the basement and I went through every single toolbox, every box of archives," Johnston says. "I selected what I thought was a representative example of both (Robert Pirsig's) riding and writing."

The Honda, Pirsig's beloved tools, typewriter, computer and other articles were crated and shipped to the Smithsonian.

The cycle and Pirsig's things "are an amazing collection to bring in," says Anthea Hartig, the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History.

Exhibit marks 50th year of famous book's publication

The cycle exhibit is part of the 50th anniversary of the book, which has sold more than 5 million copies in at least 27 languages. It's revved up anticipation among motorcycle riders, philosophy buffs, Smithsonian staff, and even those who started reading the book but skidded off the road when the metaphysics got too slippery.

The book – with its peculiar but intriguing title, as The New York Times noted – rapidly became part of American culture and is still popular. Its current anniversary edition contains a foreword by Matthew Crawford , the bestselling author of "Shop Class as Soulcraft" and "Why We Drive."

The motorcycle is a crucial element of the book, and the book is an essential part of the Smithsonian exhibit. You couldn't have one without the other.

"It's a great gift to the 50th year of the book to put the motorcycle on display now," Hartig says. For the Smithsonian, "it's an honor when people give you their family's material culture. It's incredibly humbling."

Pirsig's book "has been called a cultural zeitgeist," says Mark Richardson, an automotive journalist and author of the 2008 book " Zen and Now: On the Trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance ."

"There was nothing else quite like it at the time."

Pirsig crafted his book "in a very interesting way, through the premise of the motorcycle road trip," Richardson says.

That's because "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values" – its full title – is a complex, thought-provoking book. Readers may come for the motorcycle trip, but many stay for Pirsig's philosophical ideas.

"I think the ride helped to bring in more readers and attract more people," Richardson says. "Rather than just reading a textbook, they're able to read a more interesting novel, which shows off his ideas."

Where did the book's title come from?

In a talk given to students at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design on May 20, 1974, Pirsig recounts his friend John Sutherland talking about the 1948 book "Zen in the Art of Archery."

Pirsig noticed the engine of Sutherland's Harley-Davidson was firing improperly and thought what Sutherland needed was a book on Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance.

"That's where it all started," Pirsig says.

It's rare to see vehicles from literature in a museum

Besides Pirsig's Honda in the Smithsonian, two other book-related examples are:

• John Steinbeck's 1960 GMC pickup truck/camper (named "Rocinante") from "Travels with Charley" in the National Steinbeck Center .
• Ted Simon's 1973 Triumph Tiger 100 motorcycle from "Jupiter's Travels" in the Coventry Transport Museum in England.

Super Hawk was good choice for Zen ride

When you look at Pirsig's cycle, you won't just see a machine that's unique in American literature. You'll also be looking at a milestone in motorcycling.

It made "perfect sense" for Pirsig to use a Super Hawk, says Aaron Frank, a motorcycle journalist and author of "Honda Motorcycles," a 2003 book that reviews the company's history and its impact on motorcycling.

"In the '60s, the Super Hawk was the most elegantly engineered, high-quality motorcycle you could buy," Frank says.

The Super Hawk was "Honda's first real motorcycle, and in a lot of ways, the first modern Japanese motorcycle," Frank says. "It's kind of impossible to overstate how important that bike was."

When the Super Hawk was introduced in 1961, "people took notice because it was reliable," says Jon Kosmoski, a software designer who rebuilds vintage Hondas , including Super Hawks, as a hobby in Neptune Beach, Florida.

He has worked on nearly a dozen Super Hawks over the years. In college, a Super Hawk was his main mode of transportation.

"It would do 100 miles an hour, nuts stayed on their bolts, and it didn't vibrate itself to death, like a Harley or Triumph would," Kosmoski says. "You could start it with a push of a button. That was unheard-of."

With a rugged tubular frame and cushiony telescopic fork, Super Hawks were "cheap, easy to live with, didn't leak oil, didn't vibrate, handled well, and went fast. Everything about it was revolutionary," Frank says.

"And it was easy to work on," Frank says. In the book, "Pirsig is working on it all the time. It's definitely not like a modern motorcycle, where you have a computer and electronic fuel injection and all that stuff.

"It was an analog machine that was easy to fix with a handful of tools you could carry under the seat. I honestly couldn't imagine him on any other bike."

The Super Hawk "was a revelation in the industry because no Japanese manufacturer with a 4-stroke engine had the performance of British machines of the day," says Jon Seidel, media representative for the American Honda Motor Co.

"The Super Hawk could compete with the Triumph and BSA 650s of the era with a smaller, lighter, better handling platform," Seidel says.

It also cost less than its competitors, with an original price of about $600, he says. That's about $6,290 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator.

Can Pirsig's book be difficult to understand? Yes.

When you open Pirsig's book, "you're expecting to read a motorcycle trip story," Richardson says. "But it's not a motorcycle trip story."

"The first thing I emphasize is the book is actually a novel," says Adam Rose , an instructor at the University of Chicago's Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies who teaches Pirsig's work in philosophy classes. "It's a work of literary art."

The book is a fictionalized account of the motorcycle trip, not a diary, noted the New York Times in its obituary of Robert Pirsig in 2017. The people and the ride were real, but Pirsig changed some aspects to illustrate philosophical points.

During the ride, the author uses a series of inner monologues, which he calls Chautauquas , to explore his philosophy, including the uneasy relationship of technology and its users and the lack of quality in American life. He also reveals his own struggles with schizophrenia , which was treated with electroshock therapy .

"I think it's clear the novel is a geographical journey that's a metaphor for a philosophical journey," Rose says.

While other books like Jack Kerouac's " On the Road ," John Steinbeck's " Travels With Charley ," or William Least Heat-Moon's " Blue Highways " have some kind of meditation on philosophical or social issues, they're still mostly the great American Road Trip, Rose says.

In Pirsig's book, "the road trip is the sugar that makes the philosophy medicine go down."

Many readers read the book more than once

Not everyone loves the book.

"Most academic philosophers ignore it or bad-mouth it quietly, and I wondered why that was," Robert Pirsig said in a 2006 interview . "I suspect it may have something to do with my insistence that Quality not be defined."

But there are many readers who do.

"Every time I read it, I find something I've missed before," Richardson says. "And I've read it many times, trust me.

"What I got out of it was a basic message that it's OK to actually step back. Take a deep breath, look at what you're doing, and look at how to do a better job properly, rather than just sort of hack through something and get on with the next step, which is what we tend to do these days."

Says Rose: "The book is philosophy, the way Socrates did philosophy, in the sense of helping you lead a better and more fulfilling life. A big part of it shows you don't need to go to the ashram or monastery. The ashram is within you.

"We can have it here. We can find wisdom, peace, contentment, quality – which is the key word – quality of life," he says. "It's all right here now, if we better understand ourselves and the world around us," Rose says.

John Chorne, who's helping organize a ride in honor of the book's 50th year of publication, says: "It's such an impactful book that I keep going back to it during different points in my life. Anytime I feel like I'm getting more consumed by the material world, I'm drawn to the book to get a bit more centered and balanced. I've read it at least four or five times."

It's worth noting that Pirsig worked hard to find someone who would publish his manuscript. He contacted 121 publishers before finding James Landis at William Morrow (now HarperCollins).

Exhibit pays homage to Pirsig's sailing days and second book

Robert Pirsig loved motorcycles. He also loved to sail.

"I found out about the maritime side when I went to look at the bike and met Mrs. Pirsig," Johnston says. "No one had any idea that Robert Pirsig had this abiding maritime interest throughout his life."

With proceeds from "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," Pirsig bought a $60,000 Westsail fiberglass cutter , a 32-foot vessel built for ocean sailing, in 1975. He named it Arete, the Greek word for excellence.

He and Wendy Pirsig learned celestial navigation and took the boat to Europe, inadvertently sailing through a storm in which several people died in the Irish Sea during the Fastnet yacht race on Aug. 14, 1979.

"We landed in England and visited the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and France," Wendy Pirsig says.

Pirsig worked on his second book, "Lila: An Inquiry into Morals," while living aboard the ship in foreign ports. That book was published in 1991.

The Pirsigs eventually returned to the U.S. and took the ship on short trips around New England for years. They sold the vessel in 2014.

The Smithsonian exhibit contains a number of items from Arete and a watercolor painting of the ship.

How would Robert Pirsig feel about all this?

"I'm sure he would have been honored if he had lived to see the bike accepted and exhibited there," Wendy Pirsig says. That's in addition to his tools, manuals, typewriter and other memorabilia.

"Throughout his entire life, Robert was very happy that both of his books continued to be read," Wendy Pirsig says. "This exhibit will bring attention to them as well."

Would Robert Pirsig have visited the Smithsonian himself to see his cycle? "Most likely," she says.

"I'd think he'd love it," Richardson says. "I think he would consider the idea of the bike being cleaned up and in the Smithsonian as wonderful."

How does the Smithsonian hope the public will respond to the exhibit?

"I think the exhibit will reawaken interest in the book," Johnston says. "It'll resonate with the motorcycling community."

Those who work with their hands may also appreciate the exhibit. "Pirsig is an icon of the do-it-yourself community," Johnston says. "He's one of the idols of DIY, because he really maintained things himself."

"I hope visitors, even if they really know the book and worship Robert Pirsig, get a deeper understanding or affirmation of the story after seeing the bike," Hartig says.

Later 'Zen' editions include heartbreaking note

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" was reissued in 1984. In that edition, Robert Pirsig wrote: "The receding Ancient Greek perspective of the past ten years has a very dark side. Chris is dead."

Chris Pirsig, two weeks shy of his 23rd birthday, was stabbed to death in a street mugging in San Francisco on Nov. 17, 1979.

"I go on living, more from force of habit than anything else," Pirsig wrote.

Books by Robert Pirsig

• Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values: William Morrow, April 1974
• Lila: An Inquiry into Morals: Bantam Books, November 1991
• On Quality: An Inquiry into Excellence (Unpublished and selected writings edited by Wendy Pirsig), Mariner Books, April 2022
• Guidebook to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Ronald L. DiSanto and Thomas J. Steele, William Morrow, November 1990
• Lila's Child: An Inquiry into Quality compiled by Dan Glover with introduction and annotations by Robert Pirsig, 1stBooks, February 2002

Want to learn more?

• Robert Pirsig Association: www.robertpirsig.org
• International Journal of Motorcycle Studies: motorcyclestudies.org
• Online classes: adamrose.us/june-2024-courses-zen-art-motorcycle-maintenance-zmm50

Here's how to see the Smithsonian's Pirsig exhibit

Robert Pirsig's Honda Super Hawk and other items are on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20560.

You'll find the cycle and other items in the " America on the Move " exhibition on the museum's first floor, in the East Wing.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, except for Dec. 25. Admission is free and no tickets are required. For more information, go to  https://americanhistory.si.edu or call (202) 633-1000.

And finally: If you come away from the exhibit wanting to read Robert Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" yourself, stop by the museum's gift shop. Copies will be available for sale.

Photographs from Robert Pirsig's 1968 motorcycle ride are courtesy of Wendy Pirsig; museum photos are by Jaclyn Nash and are courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution 's National Museum of American History. Sourcing for this story includes USA TODAY Graphics reporting and research and interviews with staff of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Other sources include Montana State University; The Robert Pirsig Association ; National Maritime Historical Society; the International Journal of Motorcycle Studies; Sea History Magazine; and the National Institute of Health's National Library of Medicine . Special thanks to Melinda Machado, director of the National Museum of American History 's Office of Communications and Marketing, Integrated Communications.