30 Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips (For All Genres and Ages!)

Nothing drains more than sitting for hours on end, doing nothing but watching passing cars and trees! Thankfully, there's the exciting option of listening to a new audiobook with your family on a road trip! If you've been missing out on this, you'll be shocked to see how much fun an audiobook brings to your next trip!

Whether family means a team of hyperactive six-year-olds, uninterested teenagers, or mature adults, there's a book for you! From science fiction or magical tales to real-life experiences, the adventure in the world of books never ends! You'll find more than enough options on this list to keep your family entertained and enthralled even for a whole day's journey.

Audiobooks are an excellent innovation, especially if you get nauseated by reading in a moving vehicle. With most having top-notch narration, they're more like a non-visual movie. Think of seeing the whole Harry Potter series in one sitting. Ecstatic, right? Check out our list for more!

1. Charlotte's Web by E.B White (Narrated by Meryl Streep)

Listening length: 3 hours and 34 minutes | Price: $18.38

If you think a heart-warming story on friendship and unconditional love is what your family needs, you'd find Charlotte's web inspiring. The book, written by the same author of The Trumpet of the Swan and Stuart Little, is a kid's literature classic that cuts it for every young mind.

Charlotte's feeling for Wilbur, a little pig, is expressed in her spiderweb, which hangs up in Zuckerman's barn. The web also expresses the love of the girl, Fern, who rescued Wilbur as he was his family's runt when he was born. 

This story of love and friendship will continue to endear the minds of coming generations. It's been read in classrooms, homeschools, and independently; you'll surely enjoy it on your family's trip.

2. Peter and The Star Catchers by Dave Berry And Ridley Pearson (Narrated by Jim Dale)

Listening length: 8 hours and 40 minutes | Price: $14.99

This book is the best option if you've just completed the Harry Potter series and are unsure what's best to follow. Peter and the Star Catchers is a hilarious reimagination of the Peter Pan story, magical and adventurous, and also narrated by Jim Dale, the same guy that reads Harry Potter. 

It's a five-volume series, so it can suffice for whatever distance you may be traveling. Through the book, you enter into the fast-paced world of the orphan boy Peter and his somewhat mysterious buddy, Molly. 

The pals make efforts to keep a world-changing secret and win victory over a band of thieves and pirates. The magical substance that heals wounds and makes men fly from just one sprinkle mustn't reach the grasp of treacherous bandits. 

The characters in this story will remain vivid in your mind as you listen. Much more, it transports you to their magical world even while on a long road trip with your family. 

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3. Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (Narrated by Simon Jones)

Listening length: 13 hours and 30 minutes | Price: $24.44

This story starts with eleven-year-old Nathaniel, a young apprentice to a magician still trying to learn the ropes of the ancient art of magic. Not until the day he meets Simon Lovelace, a ruthless and nonchalant magician that humiliates him publicly. 

The painful encounter sets him on the exciting track of a fast-forwarded education, learning spells far above his age and capacity, all in a bid to get his revenge. While on this, he stumbled on a powerful spell that summoned up the five-thousand-year-old djinni, Bartimaeus, to join him on his quest. 

Little did Nath know that summoning such a mighty creature of magic and controlling him was far from being the same thing. 

With settings of modern-day London, takes you through unanticipated twists and turns as the two unique characters explore together, held together by an almost unbreakable spell. The narration? Crazily good! With Amulet of Samarkand  being the first of The Bartimaeus Trilogy series, there's no dull moment on your trip with this book in place.

4. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Narrated by Laura Credidio)

Listening length: 7 hours and 24 minutes | Price: $9.95

New York Times bestseller Shannon Hale wrote this fantastic tale. It's about a girl named Miri that once enjoyed a simple life; one passed down to her by her ancestors that once lived on the mountain where she resides.

Not until she got the news that her simple home was divined to be the future princess's. And in one year, one of the village girls will stand by the prince as his bride and princess. But who could that be? 

In preparation for this, the rulership set up an academy to train young ladies to become princesses, which every teenage girl must undergo. In no time, Miri gets entangled with opposing situations —a grim academy mistress, the conflict in her wishes, and fierce competition among the young ladies. 

Even if she won and everything she ever wanted was brought to her feet, can it make up for her leaving her family and people behind? The Princess Academy series is one your family will fall in love with!

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5. Savvy by Ingrid Law by Lily Blau

Listening length: 6 hours and 16 minutes | Price: $21.99

Savvy is one of those superpower stories that doubles as an adventure book. We are introduced to the Beaumont family where everyone gets a magical talent called a savvy as they turn thirteen. 

Mibs Beaumont has one brother with hurricane power and another who brings up electricity; it's time to get hers. However, something terrible happened before D-day; Poppa got involved in a life-threatening accident. This occurrence affects Mibs' choice of savvy; all she wants now is the power to heal her dad. 

She snuck out of home and hit the road to the hospital on a rickety bus alongside her sibling and friends. After this exciting and unusual adventure, none of the kids will remain the same. Savvy is a sweet listen for any family with kids planning to set out on a road trip.

6. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park (Narrated by Graeme Malcolm)

Listening length: 3 hours and 12 minutes | Price: $17.44

Here's an account that takes you back to twelfth-century Korea, when one celadon shard could determine people's fate. The village of Ch'ulp'o is famous for its pottery and celadon ware, and potter Min is the best potter the craft has seen. 

The master potter's work catches the eye of young Tree-ear, even if Min's short-fused nature should ideally put him off. He's blown away by the excellence of the potter's craft and had dreams of making his pot one day. 

This ambition rolls the stone of a cascade of unforeseen events, hazards, and unfathomable rewards. If you need a book about a young person's daunting journey towards fulfillment, this is it! No wonder the book won the 2002 Newbery Medal for most distinguished American children's book.

7. Dark Days: Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy (Narrated by Rupert Degas)

Listening length: 8 hours and 8 minutes | Price: £10.49

Skulduggery Pleasant is a sorcerer, fighter, and detective. But most importantly, He's dead! He's been carried into the dimension ruled by agents called the faceless ones. If you're lucky to find any remains of his bones, he probably shouldn't be in his right state of mind again from the horror of the ancient gods. 

No one has had the audacity or proven plan to save him from these depths of darkness. Except for Valkyrie, and even she doesn't have a solid plan. If she finally succeeds in bringing him back home, a gang of villains is already insistent on tearing down the sanctuary. 

Others want Valkyrie dead, and much more devastating is the sorcerer Darquesse that has plans to kill the world and everyone within it. 

The world's fate rests on Valkyrie's shoulders, and with the absence of Skulduggery, every hope lies on her. The inventiveness and fun entwined into the book's dark scenery make it a page-turner for you to laugh your face off.

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8. Matilda by Roald Dahl (Narrated by Kate Winslet)

Listening length: 4 hours and 18 minutes | Price: £15.75

Have you ever seen a sweet, book-loving girl of remarkable character misunderstood by her parents due to their undervaluing of education? Most likely not.

Matilda is one in those shoes. Although her life takes a new shape on meeting Miss Honey at her new school, matters still got worse with her having to deal with Miss Trunchbull, her kid-hating headmistress. 

All thanks to the attack of the terrorizing woman, Matilda discovers her superhuman power to defend herself and fight back. You'd think Roald Dahl writes his books to be listened to rather than read, as the book is filled with pranks, humor, mischief, and wit that keeps children laughing from start to finish. 

More seriously, you'll also learn how valuing family, education, and strong willpower can help you win against life's challenges. 

9. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis (Narrated by Michael York)

Listening length: 4 hours and 21 minutes | Price: $18.96

Everyone that's seen the movie adaptation of C.S Lewis's stunning story wouldn't hesitate an opportunity to listen to its audiobook on a family road trip. 

The land of Narnia lies beyond the border of a wardrobe door; a frozen country held captive under the white witch's enchantment. Lucy finds that the wardrobe in the professor's spooky apartment leads to Narnia and returns to tell her siblings, but it sounds somewhat incredulous. 

Soon enough, Susan and Peter follow suit and visit the magical country themselves. On meeting the great Lion Aslan, it dawned on them that they'd been called to join the great battle to set Narnia free from the witch's claws. 

The book is the second volume of the Chronicles of Narnia series but also does an excellent job as a standalone listen.   

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10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K Rowling (Narrated by Jim Dale)

Listening length: 8 hours and 18 minutes | Price: $29.99

You've probably been searching for this! Of course, this list would be far from complete without Harry Potter's magical world. The story starts with little Harry, unaware of anywhere called Hogwarts. Not until his admission letter dropped on his family house's doormat at Privet Drive. The start of a long and exciting adventure! 

Although his gruesome aunt and uncle quickly hid the letter away, it happens that he couldn't be kept away from his destiny at Hogwarts. In no time, the beetle-eyed giant, Rubeus Hagrid, burst in with reemphasizing news of his magical talents and admission to Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.

The Harry Potter series has helped reveal many young people's hidden reading abilities. And every character of the magical story springs to life with Jim Dale's unmatched voice talent, even the unimportant ones! The audiobook is well worth the investment for any family considering spending some hours on the road.

11. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall (Narrated by Susan Denaker)

Listening length: 6 hours and 43 minutes | Price: $23.99

The Penderwicks series has sold up to a million copies out of more readers' hunger to read it should have a spot on your consideration list for an audiobook. 

Written by National Book Award winner Jeanne Birdsall, there's no dulling moment as you join the Penderwick sisters on their three-week summer adventure—a vacation in the captivating estate of Arundel.

In no time, they're exploring the magic of tame rabbits, spreading gardens, and the taste of gingerbread from the kitchen of Massachusetts's best cook! What's more? They met Jeffrey Tifton, the son of Arundel's owner; and he's just precisely who they needed to have the time of their lives in Arundel. 

On the other hand, Mrs. Tifton isn't as welcoming as her son and warns them to stay away from trouble. Will they? Or will things get out of hand? Find that out as you dive into a sweetly nostalgic and witty story during your family's road trip.

12. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Narrated by Graeme Malcolm)

Listening length: 3 hours and 30 minutes | Price: $18.38

The biggest and strongest doesn't always emerge as the hero. Kate DiCamillo brilliantly weaves the stories of Despereaux Tilling, a music-loving mouse, with that of Roscuro, a rat living in the dark and coveting a light-filled world. Miggery Sow, a serving girl, is another exciting protagonist. 

Three of them, alongside princess Pea, stepped into the uncertain adventure that led them through an appalling dungeon, a sparkling castle, and, more interestingly, into each other's lives. 

How does it all turn out? "Your destiny to find out," in Kate DiCamillo's voice. The Newberry Award-winning book is a sure bet to fill your journey with delightful memories. 

13. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (Narrated by Rob Inglis)

Listening length: 11 hours and 5 minutes | Price: $23.95

You'll find The Hobbit a great listen, and your kids will enjoy it. It's the adventure of the easy-going Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who prefers his home's comfort but reluctantly chooses to join a group of dwarves headed to take back plundered gold from the great dragon Smaug. 

The tale is one of daunting courage and bravery. It's also the prelude to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Initially, Professor J.R.R. Tolkien wrote the book for the reading delight of his children, so it's a more easy-going story than the Lord of the Rings.

Therefore, children and adults can enjoy the adventures, landscapes, songs, and bravery featured in the book. 

14. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Narrated by Jesse Bernstein)

Listening length: 10 hours and 2 minutes | Price: $27.94

This series compares to Harry Potter's in terms of interestingness; and although superpower is involved, it's more about Greek gods in a modern setting. Twelve-year-old Percy had problems with bullies in school, and the cycle continues as he gets kicked out of one school to another. 

One day he visited the beach with his mom; the day his life took a different shape forever. He learns of his friend's satyr identity and struggles with the Minotaur, which got Percy to the camp of demigods.

He was sent on the seemingly impossible adventure to retrieve Zeus' stolen master bolt. As you'd imagine, the encounters on his way to achieving this turned out to be more than his capacity.  Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is a book that'll get you thanking the gods for a beautiful read!

15. When Stars are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson

Listening length: 3 hours and 42 minutes | Price: $22.05

What do you want from a story? Heart warmth, adventure? You'll get it all in this all-time remarkable, graphic novel. The book talks about how a young Somalian boy Omar Mohamed struggled to find a good life in a Kenyan refugee camp; for himself and his brother, Hassan, who has seizure problems.

Their father died in Somalia's civil war, encouraging them to flee for their lives on foot. They had to separate from their mother as these all played out. But now they've been searching tirelessly for her and hoping she's doing the same for them.

This book gives readers insider information on how to survive the trauma and other adverse effects of living as a refugee. The book's writing and color design are top-notch; that means they'll leave the reader with long and exciting memories that'll stick to them years after reading the book. It's a perfect one for any distance of a family road trip.

16. Caraval by Stephanie Garber (Narrated by Rebecca Soler)

Listening length: 10 hours and 36 minutes | Price: $24.49

Scarlett has always dreamt of being a part of the legendary, once-a-year performance, but her dad's arranged marriage for her now seems to threaten her dream. Thankfully, she escapes with the help of Tella, her sister, and a mysterious sailor. 

Unfortunately, the team couldn't see Tella's kidnap coming. Legend, the mastermind behind the dangerous performance, kidnaps the young lady and makes her the center of this year's carnival. Whoever finds her first is crowned the winner.

In pursuit of her sister, Scarlett finds herself in a labyrinth of love, magic, and heartbreak with other Caraval participants. Will she recover her sister? Find out yourself as you enjoy this mind-boggling adventure with your family.

17. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Narrated by Tatiana Maslany)

Listening length: 10 hours and 35 minutes | Price: $19.59

Emmy Award-winning actress, Maslany, takes the dystopian story to another level with her youthful and melodic narration. The race for survival keeps your mind constantly on a high as sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen combines intelligence, compassion, and grit to win the Hunger Games.

The Capitol city of Panem overrules 12 districts and keeps them in line by making them send one boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to join in the life-threatening games. The kids are viewed on live TV as they fight it until death. 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss sacrifices her life by volunteering to take her sister's place in the games; as survival and proximity to death are second nature for her. With her bravery, nonetheless, she has to choose between survival and humanity, life and love. 

18. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han (Narrated by Ali Ahn)

Listening length: 8 hours and 44 minutes | Price: $21.43

Got teen girls? They'll find this audiobook an interesting listen over and over again! The book goes over the romance misadventures most teenage girls are prone to experiencing. They'll also learn to appreciate the value of the written word.

Although now a major movie on Netflix, the audiobook is still worth the listen as the experience of sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song doesn't get less interesting! You sure want to know what happens when a teenage girl's secret love letters to all five previous crushes, written for only her eyes, leaks out to all of them at once!

And Lara Jean is no shallow writer; she pours her mind and soul down, including what she wouldn't say in reality, because she never intended to show it to them. This event happens, and her once imaginary love life goes out of hand.

19. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (Narrated by Trevor Noah)

Listening length: 8 hours and 44 minutes | Price: $21.83

Ever tried nonfiction audiobooks for trips? They deserve a place on your list. This book is a memoir Trevor Noah wrote about his coming-of-age days and South Africa's struggles with injustice and apartheid. 

The story starts with how his devoted mother threw him out of a moving van to save him from gangsters, followed by the young comedian's growth through humorous and poignant episodes of self-discovery. 

In Born a Crime, the celebrity flawlessly performed the different characters from his childhood days and effortlessly used the English, Zulu, and Xhosa dialects to win the heart of every listener. Little wonder his narration earned him the Audie award for the best male narrator in 2018. 

20. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus (Narrated by Macleod Andrews, Robbie Daymond, Kim Mai Guest, and Shannon McManus)

Listening length: 10 hours and 43 minutes | Price: $33.69

This audiobook stands out in that each main character has a different narrator, adding an authentic flavor to the already enjoyable story. The TV series now streams on Peacock as everyone wants to know what happened when the school authority detained five students together, but only four came out alive. 

Investigation reveals that Simon's death wasn't accidental, as he'd planned to post juicy info about those other four classmates the next day, making them all suspects in the murder case. Can they be held responsible? Or are they the ideal patsies for the actual killer still roaming free? 

The twisted and addictive thriller keeps readers unraveling the mystery of "who really killed Simon" till the end.

21. Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A Milne (Narrated by Stephen Fry, Others)

Listening length: 2 hours and 4 minutes | Price: £13.12

Remember the time when you were able to make your toys come to life by giving them personalities? Winnie-the-Pooh takes you back to that time. This collection of stories about "Pooh bear" has delighted millions of children for decades. And with its brilliant narration, your kids would repeatedly beg to listen to this. 

The end of the story sends a strong message to everyone about growth and the reality of saying goodbye. Summarily, Winnie-the-Pooh offers hours of enjoyment for any family trip.

22. Ms. Rapscott's Girls by Elise Primavera (Narrated by Katherine Kellgren)

Listening length: 3 hours and 40 minutes | Price: $17.15

If you find boarding house stories irresistible, you'll be intrigued by this book. The book starts with a call for new intakes into the great Rapscott School. Only this unusual institution specifically admits daughters of the busiest parents in the world. 

Interestingly, these girls get shipped to the school from different locations in (of all things) postage boxes!

The coming weeks and months reveal a host of formative adventures the girls embark on. Especially as the extraordinary headmistress, Ms. Rapscott, tries to fulfill her promises to their parents by teaching everything these parents are too busy to teach.

The book teaches children to be resilient as they uncover their inner mettle. You'll surely enjoy listening to this book on a family road trip, especially as it's reminiscent of the famous Mary Poppins book.

23. The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer (Narrated by Chris Colfer)

Listening length: 8 hours and 59 minutes | Price: $14.99

If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout your journey, the Land of Stories is for you. This Young Adult Fantasy Novel gives you the experience of meeting all your special Disney characters in one place. From Cinderella to Goldilocks and even all the villains!

The book is about twin siblings—Alex and Conner. They find themselves in an enchanted world by the powers of a mysterious book they were gifted for their birthday. At first, the experience is exciting as they interact with their favorite fairy tale characters. 

But soon, they become plagued with the problem of how to get back to reality as they encounter witches and scary creatures. How they escape is what your don't want to miss out on!

24. Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Narrated by Rebecca Soler)

Listening length: 10 hours and 2 minutes | Price: $24.49

Ever imagined a cross between the famous Disney novel Cinderella and your favorite Sci-Fi book? Cinder is the genius outcome. The book has a common yet intriguing storyline guaranteed to captivate any listener with its similarities and deviations from the original story.

The protagonist, Cinder, is a second-class citizen by her profession, and living with her abusive stepmother and step sisters. Things go south when one of the stepsisters catches a deadly disease, and she is blamed for it. 

Cinder is then sent away as a case study for medical research. As secrets are unveiled, everyone soon realizes that Cinder is not as common as she seems. You should find out how the drama unfolds to the happy ending you expect

25. Far far Away by Tom McNeal (Narrated by W. Morgan Sheppard)

Listening length: 10 hours and 55 minutes | Price: $29.40

In a Land called Never Better, a young boy named Jeremy Johnson hears the voice of a ghost. This ghost is no other than Jacob Grimm, one of the Grimm brothers who compiled fairy tales in the nineteenth century. Jacob's ghost is tasked with protecting Jeremy, narrating the story from Jacob's point of view. 

However, it becomes clear that Jacob can't protect Jeremy from everything. Especially the beautiful Ginger Boultinghouse, who falls in love with him after eating an allegedly enchanted piece of cake.

While playing pranks on the townspeople, the duo soon find themselves in deep trouble. One that pales in comparison to every of Jeremy's previous problems. Did Jacob succeed in protecting Jeremy? How did it end with Ginger? You'll find that out when you listen to this story!

26. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (Narrated by Peter Coyote)

Listening length: 3 hours and 42 minutes | Price: $18.61

Hatchet tells of the tenacity of a young boy stranded alone in the wilderness for 54 days after a plane crash. With tattered clothes and an injured body, he must learn to survive with just a hatchet and a strong will to survive. 

The story starts with Brains' family life. His parents were recently divorced, and he was to spend his first holiday with his dad after the divorce. On the way, he got stranded in the Canadian mountains and unconsciously recollects a family secret. 

The ensuing days reveal the tough decisions he has to make physically and mentally. Courage and, most importantly, the woes of self-pity and despair are lessons the reader discovers in this story. Hatchet is a fantastic book of adventures that you'll find a page-turner.

27. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (Narrated by Adam Grupper)

Listening length: hours and 46 minutes | Price: $18.96

The One and Only Ivan is a unique animal story centered around a silverback gorilla named Ivan. It is based on a true story and contains simple themes about friendships yet exposes the harsh truths about what it is like to live in captivity. 

It's also a book you would undoubtedly adore if you love animals and are interested in protecting their rights.

Having lived in a mall for over 27 years, Ivan had mostly forgotten about his life in the wild. Ivan is forced to see their profession in a new light as he seeks to get back to the wild. This emotional story portrays the transformative power of friendships, and it's heartwarming conclusion would make you shed a few tears.

28. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (Narrated by Hope Davis)

Listening length: 6 hours and 27 minutes | Price: $22.05

A wrinkle in time is a fantastic blend of science fiction and fantasy. The story is about Meg, a teenager, and her brother Charles in their quest to find their missing father. One day, a stranger appears at their doorstep and tells them the truth about their father's whereabouts. 

She further reveals the existence of a 'wrinkle in time through which they can travel to recover Mr. Murry.

With Calvin, a fellow schoolmate, the children travel through time to outwit the dark forces and rescue Mr. Murray. But this would prove to be no mean feat as soon the task would be more about returning alive themselves. How does Meg discover every human's secret weapon to defeat evil forces? You'll have to read this book to find out!

29. Family, Friends, and Furry Creature by Liz Pichon (Narrated by Russell Tovey)

Listening length: 1 hour and 56 minutes | Price: $11.95

Family, friends, and furry creatures is a hilarious book to listen to and re-listen to. The story is about the adventures of Tom Gates with his friends and family. It's also the perfect audiobook for getting everyone in the mood on a vacation or camping trip, as you'll likely be in stitches most of the time.  

The Book reveals Tom's everyday life and how he goes about the school project he had to do for his family. This leads Tom to discover how his parents met with so many embarrassing and relatable scenarios to laugh over. It's a terrific read for any age; and learning about Tom is a guide to learning about yourself.

30. The Railway Children by E.Nesbit (Narrated by Virginia Leishman)

Listening length: 6 hours and 43 minutes | Price: $17.46

The charm of this book is its simplicity and natural themes. It tells the tale of three children forced into poverty after their dad disappears suddenly. Together with their mother, they move from London to the countryside and are excited to learn that their new home is close to a train station.

The story depicts the relatable experience of being whisked into unexpected situations as a child without understanding the reasons from an adult's point of view. The children learn to make the most of their new surroundings by helping with chores.

They are also able to thrive by making friends wherever they go. One of these friends, an old gentleman, coincidentally turns out to be the one who helps them out of their predicament. Listening to this audiobook on a family trip will awaken nostalgic feelings about your childhood you'd want to remember.