🚗 12 Road Trip Things To Do In The Car
✈️ The Smart Traveler's Toolkit
Whether you're heading to the beaches of Thailand or exploring cobblestone streets in Prague, these are the 5 travel essentials that seasoned globetrotters and travel editors universally recommend — the gear that makes every trip smoother, lighter, and more enjoyable.
🧳 Away The Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase
The single most recommended carry-on in the travel world right now. Travel editors and frequent flyers rely on its durable polycarbonate shell, 360° spinner wheels, and built-in compression system to maximize packing space while gliding effortlessly through any airport terminal.
🎒 Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack
The go-to daypack that professional travel bloggers and adventure guides swear by for city explorations and shore excursions. Its lightweight, breathable mesh back panel keeps you cool in tropical heat, while the 20L capacity fits everything you need — camera, water bottle, sunscreen, and souvenirs — without weighing you down.
📦 Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set
The packing organization system that experts credit with fitting 30% more into any suitcase. These translucent, color-coded cubes separate tops, bottoms, and accessories so you spend zero time digging through your bag — universally recommended by professional packers and minimalist travel coaches worldwide.
🎧 Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones
The undisputed king of travel headphones that flight attendants and business travelers universally recommend. The industry-leading noise cancellation erases engine roar, crying babies, and airport chaos — giving you 30 hours of blissful silence for long-haul flights, road trips, and train journeys.
🔋 Anker PowerCore 26800 Portable Charger
The portable power bank that travel photographers and digital nomads rely on to keep devices charged through full-day excursions without hunting for outlets. With enough capacity to charge a phone 6+ times over, it's the non-negotiable lifeline for capturing every sunset, navigating unfamiliar cities, and staying connected abroad.
Staring out the window at endless highway can get a little… repetitive.
You’ve scrolled through TikTok a million times, and your co-pilot is starting to hum the same song for the third hour straight.
Fear not, road warriors. We’ve got the ultimate list to keep those good vibes rolling.
1. Master the Road Trip Playlist Swap
- Best For: Music fanatics and indecisive passengers
- Vibe: Curated chaos
- Why it works: Everyone gets a turn at DJ, preventing musical tyranny.
Each person gets 15-20 minutes to control the tunes. No vetoes allowed, even if it’s your cousin’s obscure polka fusion album. You might discover a new favorite, or at least a new inside joke about terrible taste.
Pro Tip: Create a collaborative playlist on Spotify before you leave so everyone can add their gems (and questionable bops).
2. Host a Podcast Marathon
- Best For: True crime aficionados and knowledge seekers
- Vibe: Engaged and enlightened
- Why it works: It’s like a book club, but with less reading and more snacks.
Queue up a gripping investigative series or a hilarious comedy show. Think “My Favorite Murder” for the spooky crew, or “SmartLess” for some celebrity banter. Just make sure everyone’s into the same genre, or prepare for awkward silences.
Pro Tip: Download episodes offline in advance. No one wants a buffering true crime reveal in the middle of nowhere.
3. Play “Would You Rather” Extreme Edition
- Best For: Sparking wild conversations
- Vibe: Hilarious and slightly disturbing
- Why it works: It uncovers everyone’s true (and weird) priorities.
Forget the basic choices. We’re talking “Would you rather have a permanent glitter beard or only be able to communicate through interpretive dance?” The more absurd, the better. You’ll learn things about your friends you never knew you needed to know.
Pro Tip: Keep a running tally of who chooses what. It makes for excellent blackmail material later. Just kidding. Mostly.
4. Learn a New Language (Badly)
- Best For: Ambitious travelers and linguistic adventurers
- Vibe: Cultured chaos
- Why it works: You might actually pick up a few useful phrases.
Download a language app like Duolingo or Babbel. Take turns practicing basic phrases in French, Spanish, or even Klingon. You’ll sound ridiculous, but at least you’re not just staring at cows.
Pro Tip: Try to use your new (terrible) phrases on unsuspecting toll booth attendants. It’s a real confidence builder.
5. DIY Car Karaoke Battle
- Best For: Shower singers and aspiring pop stars
- Vibe: Loud and proud
- Why it works: It burns off energy and gives everyone a moment in the spotlight.
Crank up some power ballads or 90s throwbacks. Take turns belting out your favorite tunes, complete with dramatic hand gestures. Bonus points for using a water bottle as a microphone. Prepare for some off-key masterpieces.
Pro Tip: Assign a judge (usually the driver, who has the least to lose) to dole out imaginary points for effort and enthusiasm.
6. Organize a Snack Swap Extravaganza
- Best For: Foodies and anyone with a sweet tooth
- Vibe: Deliciously communal
- Why it works: Everyone brings something, and everyone gets to try everything.
Before the trip, everyone packs a unique snack. Think gourmet jerky, exotic fruit leather, or those fancy Belgian chocolate wafers. In the car, you swap and share. It’s like a potluck, but with less cleanup.
Pro Tip: Label your snacks clearly, especially if someone has allergies. We’re here for fun, not anaphylaxis.
7. Play the License Plate Game (Advanced Mode)
- Best For: Observant travelers and competitive types
- Vibe: Focused fun
- Why it works: It keeps your eyes peeled for interesting details.
Collect all 50 states, or try to spell out words using the letters on license plates. For an extra challenge, try to find a license plate from a country other than the US or Canada. It’s surprisingly addictive, especially when you spot that rare Alaskan plate.
Pro Tip: Keep a notepad and pen handy to jot down your finds. Bragging rights are at stake.
8. Creative Writing Prompts
- Best For: Aspiring novelists and daydreamers
- Vibe: Imaginative and introspective
- Why it works: It sparks creativity and provides a break from screen time.
One person starts a sentence, and the next person adds to it. Or, give everyone a random prompt like “The alien’s favorite snack was…” and see where their stories go. You might accidentally write a bestselling novel by the time you reach your destination.
Pro Tip: Record the stories on your phone. Listening back to them later is pure gold.
9. The “Never Have I Ever” Road Trip Edition
- Best For: Getting to know your travel companions better (or worse)
- Vibe: Revealing and riotous
- Why it works: It uncovers hilarious anecdotes and shared experiences.
Take turns saying “Never have I ever…” followed by something you haven’t done. If someone in the car has done it, they hold up a finger. First to five fingers loses. Keep it light, though. No need to bring up that one time in Vegas.
Pro Tip: Set some ground rules beforehand about sensitive topics. We’re building friendships, not dissolving them.
10. Audiobook Adventure
- Best For: Story lovers and those who need a break from music
- Vibe: Immersive and relaxing
- Why it works: It transports you to another world without leaving your seat.
Choose a captivating audiobook that everyone can enjoy. A classic like “The Hobbit” or a thrilling mystery novel narrated by a professional voice actor. It’s like story time for grown-ups, and far less demanding than reading a physical book in a moving car.
Pro Tip: Download the entire book before you lose signal. There’s nothing worse than a cliffhanger in the middle of nowhere.
11. The Car Yoga Challenge
- Best For: Stretching out those cramped muscles
- Vibe: Bendy and surprisingly refreshing
- Why it works: It combats stiffness and makes you feel less like a pretzel.
No, you’re not doing headstands. Think subtle stretches: shoulder rolls, neck tilts, gentle twists in your seat. Try a “seated cat-cow” or some ankle rotations. It’s all about improving circulation and avoiding that post-road trip stiffness.
Pro Tip: Do this during a designated rest stop. Attempting a full “downward dog” while driving is generally frowned upon.
12. Plan Your Next Adventure
- Best For: Dreamers and future travelers
- Vibe: Inspiring and collaborative
- Why it works: It keeps the travel bug alive and gives you something to look forward to.
Pull out your phones (when safe, obviously) and start brainstorming. Where’s the next epic destination? What quirky roadside attractions are calling your name? Discuss potential dates, budgets, and what ridiculous themed outfits you’ll wear. It’s never too early to dream big.
Pro Tip: Make a shared Google Doc for ideas. That way, no brilliant destination gets forgotten amidst the snack wrappers.
Our Top Recommended Finds
- Car Seat Organizer: Keeps all your snacks, chargers, and notebooks neatly contained and within reach, preventing backseat chaos.
- Portable Power Bank: Essential for keeping all devices charged for music, podcasts, and emergency maps without fighting over the single USB port.
- Comfortable Travel Pillow: A small, supportive pillow makes all the difference for quick naps or just leaning against the window without neck pain.
Which of these will you try first?
So, ditch the boredom and embrace the journey. These ideas are your ticket to making those long stretches of highway fly by.
Which brilliant (or utterly ridiculous) car activity are you adding to your next road trip itinerary?
