Are you wondering about things to do on a road trip to make the time pass faster? Look no further! We have plenty of fun ideas to keep you occupied.
Whether you’re road-tripping for business or pleasure, there is something rather boring and tiresome about sitting in a car for endless hours. Driving can make you tired, and sitting in the passenger seat can too. However, there are things to do on a road trip that will pass the time faster and even make the journey fun.
Mix it up and try a few. You might find that you’re so taken with the scenery passing by your window, there’s no need for games or words! [Read: 15 fun, random questions to ask friends and the best things to talk about]
Things to do on a road trip
Whether you’re the one in the driver’s seat or not, let’s check out a few activities you can try to make your journey less of a bore.
1. Play “I spy”
Okay, it’s an old suggestion, but it’s certainly stood the test of time! I Spy passes the time, forces you to be more mindful of your surroundings, and helps the driver to stay awake when they might be starting to get tired.
Disclaimer – of course, if you’re starting to get tired, take a break, in fact, take regular breaks. [Read: 30 really fun ways to have fun with friends and beat the boredom]
2. Do some trivia to learn something new
This isn’t Trivial Pursuit, but it’s a good way to pass the time, learn something new, and probably laugh at each other in the process. You don’t need any props for this, just the knowledge in your brain. It’s one of the best things to do on a road trip because you won’t realize how fast time is passing.
Simply pose a question and let everyone else guess the answer. Of course, make it as hard as you can and the game will go on longer with more creative answers! [Read: 75 fun questions to ask friends and feel like BFFs in no time]
3. Listen to the music you love
We all have songs that take us back to our youth. Blast out those old boy band tunes or diva ballads. Sing along with as much gusto as possible! It’s one of the most entertaining things to do on a road trip, plus you’ll have large amounts of nostalgia thrown in for good measure.
4. Listen to fun Spotify playlists
You can either make your own road trip playlist before you set off or listen to one of the many pre-listed ones on Spotify. The only rule is that you should never skip a song. Instead, just press shuffle and listen to the playlist in its entirety.
You might find a new song that you love. If not, you’ll be able to laugh at the terrible ones! [Read: Moving on- upbeat songs to get over your lost love]
5. Listen to a comedy podcast
There are so many podcasts you can listen to these days, but why not download a comedy one and listen while you’re on your journey? It will more than pass the time and you’ll be upbeat and laughing all the way.
6. Watch Netflix on your phone or tablet
If you’re not the one driving, you can watch Netflix on your phone or tablet to pass the time.
If you have an Internet connection, you can stream but be aware that it’s going to eat into your allowance. It’s probably better to think ahead and download a few shows or movies on the app before you leave, using Wi-Fi.
7. Have an actual conversation
*Shocking, we know*. These days we don’t often talk face to face. It’s something that needs to change and while you’re stuck in a car together, this is the perfect time!
Avoid heavy conversations that may lead to awkward silences or disagreements and keep things light. You’ll get to know what’s really going on in each other’s lives and you’ll pass the time. [Read: How to talk to anyone and master the art of conversation]
8. Try listening to an audiobook
Many people feel sick when they’re reading in a car, but audiobooks are a great way to enjoy a story and a little escapism while avoiding nausea. There are thousands of audiobooks you can listen to.
You can even put it on speaker and let the entire car listen at the same time.
9. Take a nap
Obviously, don’t do this if you’re driving as that would be extremely reckless! If you’re a passenger and the journey is making you a little tired, close your eyes and have a little nap.
You’ll feel better when you wake up and more able to enjoy wherever it is you’re going. [Read: 15 really quick stress busters to recharge your mind]
10. Learn a language on the go
You can use apps to learn languages and they’re really interactive, which makes it far easier to learn on the go. Duolingo and Babbel are two of the most popular, but there are countless more. Download and start learning!
You can even learn as a team in the car, giving you something educational to do while you travel. [Read: The 26 naughtiest things to say in a foreign language]
11. Try a little meditation
If you’re in the back of the car and you’re not interested in talking because you’re a little tired, put your earphones in and listen to a meditation app.
These usually have deep breathing exercises included, relaxing music, and even guided meditations to try. Meditation is super-healthy, so it’s one of the best things to do on a long car ride.
12. Have a group sing-song
Oh, come on, you know it’s fun! Throw on some Disney songs or show tunes and get everyone singing at the top of their voices. It will pass the time, make everyone laugh, and lift the mood at the same time. Passing cars might look at you a little strangely, but so what? You’ll probably make them laugh too! [Read: 40 fun and upbeat songs to groove you out of any funk]
13. Play a game of “Guess Who”
Guess Who is just like I Spy, it’s one of those famous, long-lasting games that everyone knows. You come up with a person, famous or someone you all know, and give clues as to who they are by the questions people ask you.
For instance, someone can say “do they have brown hair?” or “do they wear glasses?”, and in the end, they’ll guess the person. At least it passes the time if nothing else.
14. Use your imagination to build a story
This is another game that everyone has played at some point, but it can lead to some pretty hilarious outcomes! One of you starts off the story and then the other person takes it over, adding a piece of their own, the cycle carries on until you reach the end of the story. [Read: How to learn the art of storytelling and be more interesting]
15. Play games on your phone
If you want to be a little quiet and keep to yourself for a while, download a fun game on your phone and become engrossed in it. Something like Candy Crush or Mahjong is ideal. You’ll pass at least an hour and can carry on until your battery dies.
16. Read blogs about things you’re interested in
If you’re not someone who becomes nauseous when reading, spend some time searching for blogs on subjects you find interesting. You’ll probably find a few new bloggers to follow and you might even become inspired to start your own blog.
17. Talk about your surroundings
It might be nothing but fields, but you’re sure to find something interesting if you look out of the window and actually take the time to be mindful of your surroundings.
Who knows, you might spot something really interesting or historic that you can stop and take some photographs of. [Read: How to be present – the guide to finding your zone of calm perfection]
18. Take the time to organize your phone
This is one of those jobs that gets put off and never gets done. During your car journey, you can be productive! Clear out your old photos, send the ones you want to keep to the Cloud, free up some storage, and organize your emails.
Your phone will run faster and you’ll feel like you’ve actually done something with your time. It’s one of the most productive things to do on a long car ride! [Read: The most productive things you can do with your time during the lockdown]
19. Talk about your plans for when you arrive
Depending upon where you’re actually driving, you can have deep conversations about what you’re going to do when you get there and all the things you want to see and experience. Whether you actually get to do them or not, at least you’re helping the journey move a little faster time-wise. [Read: Life lessons you’re bound to learn on an awesome road trip]
20. Tell spooky ghost stories
This isn’t a good idea if you have children in the car, but you can tell some spooky stories to pass the time. If it’s evening, it will be even more atmospheric. However, do be careful not to spook the driver. [Read: 20 funny get-to-know-you questions to bond with anyone instantly]
21. Play “Mad Libs”
This may seem cheesy but it can be super fun. Whether you’re two people or a group, go around with a Mad Lib book or make up your own. It’ll be a funny memory to share.
To play this game, one person tells a story with words removed, and the others have to fill in the gaps. Basically, you end up with a hilarious story!
22. Vlog it
The best part of a road trip is the memories you make. Capture those memories in a video you can rewatch for years to come and take plenty of photos to look back on.
You could even start a series and upload them to YouTube. You might end up with lots of followers just because you were bored on your road trip! [Read: Why traveling is the best test for relationship compatibility]
23. Use a paper map
Of course, use a GPS so you don’t get lost, but track your route on a paper map with a marker. Then you can frame the highlighted portion and hang it as a memento. It’s a skill if nothing else.
24. Call your friends
You may be on the road but you also have a lot of free time. Take some time to reach out to friends you haven’t talked to in a while or have a nice long phone chat with someone like your sibling or mom.
Simply remember to use hands-free for safety if you’re driving.
25. Play “20 questions”
You can play this the original way where you think of something and the other person has twenty yes or no questions to ask you to figure it out or try another way. Ask each other 20 questions about each other.
Ask things you want to know like their favorite food or something funny like their most embarrassing moment. [Read: 20 funny get to know you questions to bond with anyone instantly]
26. Share jokes
You can share old knock, knock jokes or full-on limericks. They may not be that funny, but it’s something to do!
27. Eat
Get some neat, car-friendly road trip snacks and eat up. You want to stay hydrated, but not overly so or you’ll have to take a lot of pit stops. Go for healthy snacks like apples and nut butters to keep your strength and not get groggy by eating too much junk food.
Then again, this is supposed to be fun, so feel free to pig out. [Read: Foodie dates – 15 trendy dinner ideas for new couples]
28. Plan some interesting stops
Plan stops to see some sights or explore national parks. This is totally subject to where you’re going and what your route is like, but pencil in some fun things to do before you get to your destination.
29. Be spontaneous
For those who love to live life on the edge, don’t make any plans. Just get on the road and see what you feel like doing at the moment. When you see a sign for a man with a beard made out of bees, take that exit. [Read: 18 easy ways you can be more spontaneous in life and experience it better]
30. Take the scenic route
Research the time difference between taking the highways and main roads versus the back roads. You can see a lot of amazing things by going off the beaten path.
Just be sure you have plenty of gas, phone chargers, and an emergency kit if you’ll be far from traffic.
31. Scavenger hunt
This is sort of like I spy but different. Before getting on the road, make a list of things like a dog, a green truck, a place car, a horse, a goat, etc. Everyone keeps track of what they saw and whoever completes their list first wins.
32. Blindfold challenge
Everyone who’s in the car should bring a weird food or food combination. Whenever you feel like it, blindfold everyone *not the driver, obviously.* Then, feed them the food and have them guess what it is. [Read: Conversation games – 15 best talking games for fun and lots of laughs]
33. Stretch
Seriously, be sure to stretch and keep your body moving as much as you can. We all know sitting is the new smoking, but in the car, you can get so stiff and sore.
34. Keep track of your stops
Write down everywhere you’ve stopped. This could be a town, a restaurant, or an antique shop. Keep track of it all to share with anyone back home, to tag in Instagram posts, or just for your own memories. You can also go back to the places you enjoyed most on your next road trip. [Read: Fun things to do with your best friends and create memories]
35. Try the local cuisine
It’s easy to stop at fast food restaurants on your way because you are familiar with the menu, but take an extra road or two and try something local. Support a small business.
36. Support a local business
Pick 1-3 words that no one is supposed to say during the ride. If anyone says one of the words they have to tally up how many times, and for each word they have to do a different exercise at the next stop.
Maybe the word “car” is a push-up, the word “deer” is 5 jumping jacks, and “horse” is a burpee. This will keep your body moving when you’ve been sitting for a long period.
37. Leave a penny
Leave a penny at each location you stop at and if you are coming back the same way, make those stops and see if the pennies you left are still there. [Read: How to live a good life you’ll love and cherish]
38. Make new friends
Okay, you shouldn’t talk to strangers but when you take a pit stop or explore a small town, try to chat with the waitress or others in town. Getting to know new people from new places expands your horizons.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll want to come back for a visit and it’ll be nice to have a friendly face. [Read: How to start a conversation with a stranger and say all the right things]
39. Open a window
Get some fresh air and smell the scents from each area. You don’t think about this often but driving in the midwest will have a much different smell than the south or the coast.
40. Try online dating
You can make your own profile or do it for each other. Start chatting and see who’s out there. You may match with people way outside your general area, but you never know what might work out.
41. Make jewelry
Make friendship bracelets with string. You can braid them in any way you want and make one for everyone on the road trip to remember it by. Just don’t bring beads because one pothole will cause a lot of chaos!
42. Collect something from each spot
Bring a mason jar and collect some dirt, sand, or grass from every stop. This will be a cute piece of memorabilia from your road trip. It is also cool to see the difference in nature from everywhere you go.
Or even buy a silly keychain from every gas station. [Read: 32 crazy things to do with friends because life is short and you need some crazy!]
43. Practice your knitting
Practice your knitting skills and by the end of the trip, you could have a scarf or a weirdly shaped hat if you aren’t too good at it.
44. List movies
List all the movies that feature road trips and see how many you can come up with.
45. Keep a journal
Forget posting on social media. Go back to the past and keep a journal of your travels. Write down what the trip was like, what you did, who you met, and what you ate.
One day when you look back on this, it will remind you of some of the details you forgot. [Read: How to improve yourself – 16 powerful secrets of self-improvement]
46. Film one second an hour
Film one second every hour. It can be of the landscape you’re driving by, your friends snoring, or anything. Edit all the clips together at the end of the trip.
47. Try camping
We are all about staying in a warm and safe hotel on your trip, but if there is a campsite on your route, why not try it?
You could lay down the seats in the car and sleep there. Or bring sleeping bags and a tent, and try to start your own campfire. [Read: The different types of vacations to create romance and bring two people closer]
48. Learn how to change a tire
Learn how to change a tire before the trip, or else you’ll have to find out during. And be sure you have the tools you’ll need for that, plus a spare.
49. Talk about the future
Share your dreams and wishes for the future. Talk about baby names and retirement goals. You don’t need to make plans but just talking about things far off can be exciting. [Read: 25 topics all couples need to talk about to create a happy relationship]
50. Have a spelling bee
Challenge each other and test your spelling abilities. They may not be as good as you think with every piece of technology fixing your spelling for you nowadays.
51. Play “would you rather”
Come up with some crazy things like “would you rather eat a talking gorilla or a seeing-eye dog?” The crazier the better and it’s sure to bring about plenty of laughs! Read: 40 really gross would you rather questions that’ll leave everyone squirming]
52. Research the laws where you are
You’d be surprised about some of the weird laws some random towns have. Whenever you pass the sign that says “you are now entering…” look up their laws or town ordinances.
53. Do impressions
Do impressions of anyone and everyone you can and guess who the others are doing.
54. Play “never have I ever”
This is a fun way to see how wild and crazy your friends and family really are. Whoever has done the most stuff loses, but really, haven’t they won? [Read: 15 fun games to play when you’re bored and want to do something more fun]
55. Write the next great novel
Take your experiences in these new locations and with new people and write a book. Who knows where that will take you?
56. Buy souvenirs
And not just for yourself. Think of the people back home and what they would like. Also, think about who you’re staying with when you get where you’re going. Get them something from your trip to show your appreciation. [Read: Conversation games – 15 ridiculously fun games that’ll ensure a really great time]
57. Speak to the locals
Whenever you stop at a gas station or anywhere else, speak to the locals and learn a few local sayings! You might make some new friends and you’ll definitely enrich the experience because you’ve learned something new.
58. Play travel board games
We’ve mentioned a few games so far but these are word games, how about travel board games? Yes, you can still buy them!
Go the old-fashioned route and buy some before you go – just make sure they don’t have too many small pieces because they’re sure to go everywhere.
59. Play the quiet game
Everyone has to stay as quiet as possible. That includes sneezing and coughing! The first person to cave in loses. The last person to stay quiet wins! [Read: 50 crazy and impulsive things to do with friends you won’t ever forget]
See your road trip as an experience
It’s easy to roll your eyes and dread spending a long amount of time traveling, but see it as an adventure, a true experience! You’re going to see things you’ve never seen before, even if it is just scenery passing by the window.
But, you can make it a true adventure by stopping regularly, getting out of the car, and really throwing yourself into the process!
[Read: 15 reasons why you should travel at least once a year]
These things to do on a road trip will certainly pass the time and even make your journey more fun. Can you think of any other good suggestions to share?
