The 25 Best Audiobooks for Road Trips in 2025

There’s something magical about a good audiobook while traveling—the miles melt away, the stories pull you in, and the road becomes part of the journey. At RoadTripAudio, it specializes in curating the most engaging, entertaining, and inspiring audiobooks for life on the move. Whether you're heading cross-country with your family, solo on a scenic route, or just want something to make the daily commute feel epic, the selections are built for the road. Here are 25 of the best audiobooks for road trips in 2025, with a variety to suit every kind of listener and journey.

1. Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir

• Narrated by: Ray Porter | Length: 16 hrs, 10 mins
• From the author of The Martian, this thrilling sci-fi tale about a lone astronaut on a mission to save humanity is packed with humor, heart, and brain-twisting science. Perfect for long drives—it’s gripping from start to finish.

2. Me Talk Pretty One Day – David Sedaris

• Narrated by: David Sedaris | Length: 5 hrs, 51 mins
• If laughter is what your road trip needs, Sedaris delivers. With biting wit and hilarious anecdotes, this memoir will leave everyone in the car in stitches. Just keep your eyes on the road!

3. The Rebound – Leeanne Slade

• Narrated by: Claudia Jessie | Length: 10 hrs, 13 mins
• A rom-com delight featuring Kitty Harris, surprise proposals, and pepperoni pizza. Bridgerton’s Claudia Jessie narrates with charm, making this a dreamy pick for romantic souls behind the wheel.

4. Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered – Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark

• Narrated by: The Authors | Length: 6 hrs, 32 mins
• Part memoir, part pep talk, part true crime fangirl manifesto. If your road trip crew includes “Murderinos,” this is essential listening. Bonus: segments are read in front of a live audience.

5. Daisy Jones & The Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid

• Narrated by: Full Cast | Length: 9 hrs, 3 mins
• This full-cast audiobook reads like a rockumentary about a fictional 70s band. With raw emotion and dramatic flair, it’s an immersive experience that’ll keep you hooked through long highway stretches.

6. Kitchen Confidential – Anthony Bourdain

• Narrated by: The Author | Length: 8 hrs, 19 mins
• Bourdain’s gritty, hilarious behind-the-scenes look at the culinary world is addictive. Expect strong language, shocking truths, and lots of laughs—this one’s for grown-up listeners only.

7. The Pursuit of Love – Nancy Mitford

• Narrated by: Bessie Carter | Length: 7 hrs, 38 mins
• Travel back to the Cotswolds in this upper-class comedy of manners. Carter’s performance adds sparkle to Mitford’s razor-sharp wit—perfect for scenic drives through the countryside.

8. The Creative Act: A Way of Being – Rick Rubin

• Narrated by: The Author | Length: 5 hrs, 44 mins
• This isn’t just for artists—Rubin’s serene guide to creative living is ideal for solo travelers or friends seeking inspiration. Each chapter is a calm, reflective meditation punctuated by a signature bell chime.

9. Becoming – Michelle Obama

• Narrated by: The Author | Length: 19 hrs, 3 mins
• A Grammy-winning performance and a deeply personal story. Obama’s narration feels like a one-on-one conversation—uplifting, reflective, and powerful.

10. A Short History of Nearly Everything – Bill Bryson

• Narrated by: William Roberts | Length: 18 hrs, 13 mins
• Science, humor, and trivia combine in this epic journey through the universe. If you’ve got a long haul ahead, this informative listen will keep your brain buzzing for miles.

11. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien

• Narrated by: Rob Inglis | Length: 11 hrs, 5 mins
• A timeless tale perfect for families or nostalgic adults. Adventure, dragons, and riddles make this Middle Earth classic a cozy companion for road trips.

12. The Flatshare – Beth O’Leary

• Narrated by: Carrie Hope Fletcher & Kwaku Fortune | Length: 10 hrs, 39 mins
• An uplifting romantic comedy with a quirky twist—two strangers share a flat but have never met. Sweet, funny, and ideal for lighthearted listening.

13. The Little Mermaid – Hans Christian Andersen

• Narrated by: Leigh-Anne Pinnock | Length: 43 mins
• A short, beautifully sound-designed retelling of the classic fairy tale—perfect for family road trips to the beach.

14. A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman

• Narrated by: George Newbern | Length: 9 hrs, 12 mins
• A grumpy old man with a big heart. This warm, quirky story is laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching—perfect for listeners who love character-driven stories.

15. A Heart That Works – Rob Delaney

• Narrated by: The Author | Length: 3 hrs, 25 mins
• Honest and heartbreaking, Delaney’s tribute to his late son is both raw and beautiful. It’s a short listen that lingers long after the trip ends.

16. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

• Narrated by: Rosamund Pike | Length: 11 hrs, 35 mins
• Regency banter, biting wit, and enduring romance—Austen’s beloved classic sparkles in audio, especially when voiced by Pike.

17. Heartburn – Nora Ephron

• Narrated by: Meryl Streep | Length: 3 hrs, 45 mins
• Marriage, betrayal, and recipes. This is a sharp, delicious novel perfect for girlfriends on a getaway, read flawlessly by the one and only Meryl.

18. Algorithms – Sadie Clark et al.

• Narrated by: Full Cast | Length: 2 hrs, 38 mins
• A laugh-out-loud tale of millennial dating woes. With a diverse, talented cast, this short comedy brings theater-style charm to your car speakers.

19. Hell Cats – Historical Podcast Drama

• Narrated by: Jonathan Bailey and cast | Length: Podcast Series
• Pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read get the audio-drama treatment. Add some swashbuckling flair to your Cornwall coast drive.

20. The Smeds and the Smoos – Julia Donaldson

• Narrated by: Imelda Staunton | Length: 34 mins
• Short, sweet, and packed with imagination. A delightful moral tale for young kids, making it a favorite for short family trips.

21. Illuminae – Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

• Narrated by: Full Cast | Length: 11 hrs, 40 mins
• Sci-fi presented as found documents and chat logs—this full-cast performance creates a cinematic experience that’s out of this world.

22. Steelheart – Brandon Sanderson

• Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews | Length: 12 hrs, 14 mins
• When superheroes go bad, it’s up to one teen to stop them. Action-packed and full of surprises, great for fans of Marvel-style adventures.

23. The Golden Compass – Philip Pullman

• Narrated by: Philip Pullman and full cast | Length: 10 hrs, 45 mins
• Pullman’s classic fantasy kicks off with this beautifully produced, immersive experience. A family-friendly adventure full of mystery and magic.

24. How to Train Your Dragon – Cressida Cowell

• Narrated by: David Tennant | Length: 3 hrs, 30 mins
• Tennant’s energetic narration makes this already hilarious children’s fantasy even more fun. A great pick for younger listeners.

25. A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L'Engle

• Narrated by: Hope Davis | Length: 6 hrs
• Time travel, strange planets, and the power of love. A dreamy listen for imaginative kids (and grown-ups) on the road.

Your Next Journey Starts at RoadTripAudio.org

Every mile of your trip deserves a great story. At RoadTripAudio.org, it makes it easy to find the right audiobook for your ride—whether you’re craving laughter, chills, love, or literary brilliance. The 2025 list is built for the road: expertly narrated, perfectly paced, and endlessly entertaining.

Pack your bags, charge your speakers, and let the stories roll.