The Best Activities to Do in a Car During a Long Road Trip
The Best Activities to Do in a Car During a Long Road Trip
Road trips are an iconic way to travel, offering the chance to explore new places and make lasting memories. However, long stretches of highway can sometimes feel endless, and without entertainment, the journey can become a bit monotonous.
Whether you're driving solo or with a group, having a set of fun and engaging activities can make the time fly by. From music and games to creative challenges and storytelling, there are plenty of ways to keep the fun rolling as you cruise down the open road.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best activities to turn your long road trip into an unforgettable adventure, keeping everyone entertained and ensuring the journey is just as exciting as the destination.
1. Play Classic Car Games
I Spy: This timeless game is easy to play and requires no preparation. Take turns choosing something you spy from the car and give a clue (e.g., "I spy something red"). The other passengers then guess what it is. It’s perfect for all ages and always brings out a bit of fun.
20 Questions: A classic game where one person thinks of an object, and the others have 20 questions to figure out what it is. The questions can only be answered with “yes” or “no,” making it an exciting challenge.
The Alphabet Game: Starting with the letter “A,” each player must find an object outside the car or a word on a sign that starts with that letter. The goal is to get through the entire alphabet before the trip ends. It’s competitive and educational, with a touch of humor.
License Plate Game: See how many different states or countries you can spot license plates from during your trip. You can turn it into a fun challenge by keeping track and seeing who finds the most unique plates by the end of the road trip.
2. Road Trip Playlist Challenge
Music is often a highlight of road trips, but making a game out of it can elevate the experience. Challenge your fellow travelers to create a road trip playlist with a specific theme (e.g., songs from a particular decade, mood-based music, or a "throwback hits" playlist).
You can take turns playing DJ, and with each person picking a song, you’ll get to enjoy a wide variety of tunes throughout the trip. Try setting themes for each playlist like "songs with one-word titles" or "guilty pleasure songs" to add an element of surprise.
For extra fun, try a music trivia game: play short snippets of popular songs and have everyone guess the song title or artist. This is a great way to test everyone's music knowledge and keep things lively!
3. Audiobooks and Podcasts
If you want to rest your voice from singing or playing games, audiobooks and podcasts are excellent alternatives. Audiobooks can provide an immersive experience that makes the miles fly by. Whether it's a gripping thriller, a self-help book, or a classic novel, having an audiobook can make the time spent on the road feel like an adventure in itself.
For podcasts, choose topics that interest everyone in the car—true crime, comedy, history, or pop culture. There are tons of podcasts to suit every interest, and listening to an intriguing story or fun banter can keep everyone engaged for hours. You can even create a road trip-specific playlist, mixing both podcasts and audiobooks, to add variety.
4. Car Karaoke
Road trips are the perfect opportunity for a car karaoke session! Whether you're an aspiring pop star or just want to let loose, belting out your favorite songs with friends or family can be one of the most entertaining parts of the journey.
Use music streaming services like Spotify or YouTube to pull up lyrics, or simply sing along to the music. Don’t worry about your vocal skills—sometimes, it's the most fun when everyone joins in, even if the singing is out of tune.
You could even turn it into a competition by assigning each person a “stage name” and having them perform for the others. For a fun twist, choose a random theme for each song (e.g., sing as if you're in an opera or as dramatically as possible).
5. Storytelling and Creative Challenges
Storytelling Relay: Take turns telling parts of a story, and each person adds to it. Start with a sentence like, “Once upon a time, in a land far away,” and pass it on to the next person to add to. This can quickly turn into a hilarious or bizarre tale that’s completely unique.
Improv Games: Engage in a little car-based improvisation. For example, one person can start a scene, and the others must act out different roles or situations as they unfold. It’s a fun way to exercise your creativity and make everyone laugh.
Character Creation: This is perfect for anyone who loves writing or creative storytelling. Have everyone come up with a character and give them a name, personality, and background. Then, you can put those characters in different scenarios, and each person has to act out what their character would do in that situation.
6. Snack Time and Food Challenges
Long road trips often come with roadside snack stops. Why not make it more exciting by turning it into a challenge? Have a snack tasting competition, where you each try new or unusual snacks and rate them on flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment. You could even assign different categories like “sweetest snack” or “weirdest flavor.”
Pack a variety of snacks that no one has tried before (think quirky chips, exotic candy, or regional specialties). It’s a great way to spice up the journey and give everyone something to look forward to.
If you’re traveling through multiple regions or states, try picking snacks that are local to the area. It’s a fun way to explore the flavors of the places you’re passing through.
7. Road Trip Photography Challenge
Set a photography challenge where everyone in the car has to capture unique or interesting sights along the way. It could be anything from “funniest road sign” to “best nature shot” to “coolest historical landmark.” At the end of the trip, compare photos and vote on the winners for each category.
Encourage creativity—maybe you can find a theme, like “the colors of the sunset” or “the funniest roadside attraction.” Not only will this make the time pass more quickly, but you’ll also have fun snapshots to look back on.
If you’re traveling with a group, it’s a fun way to engage everyone, and the photos can serve as great memories of the road trip that everyone contributed to.
8. Plan and Discuss Upcoming Stops
A road trip is about the journey, but the destination is just as important. Use the time in the car to plan out the stops you’ll make along the way. Look up interesting attractions, restaurants, or scenic spots where you can stretch your legs and take in the sights.
Discussing the next place to visit can create excitement and anticipation. Plus, it's a great time to research things like nearby hiking trails, quirky roadside attractions, or must-try local cuisine.
Conclusion:
A long road trip doesn’t have to be dull. With the right activities, you can transform the hours spent in the car into some of the most memorable and fun parts of your adventure. From music and games to creative storytelling and photography challenges, there are endless ways to stay entertained as you cruise toward your next destination.
So, next time you hit the open road, be sure to pack these fun activities. Your journey will be just as exciting as the places you’ll visit!
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What’s your favorite activity to do on a long road trip? Share your go-to games, songs, or road trip tips in the comments! Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more travel tips, fun activities, and road trip ideas to keep your journeys exciting!