The Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips (By Age!)

Here's the thing I've come to realize: Family road trips are a rite of passage… packing up the car, planning the routes, and ensuring we have all the snacks, games, and chargers. But the ultimate must-have (in addition to the patience for traffic) is a long list of entertainment for you and the kids. 

Now my husband and I have been fans of audiobooks for years - we love playing casting directors and figuring out which actors would play the characters in the movie! - and for us, nothing transforms a long drive like a good audiobook. But once we had kids, we definitely traded in our mystery thrillers for more family-friendly audiobooks. So, I pulled together some of the best audiobooks for family road trips, sorted loosely by age group so everyone has something to love. 

How Do I Get Audiobooks?

• Libby (Free): Download Libby, connect it to your local library, and you can check out audiobooks for younger kids, teens, and even adults - all for free. No additional cost, just your library card.

• Audible (Paid): Sometimes I want guaranteed access to new releases or sound effect-rich good audiobooks that don’t have a waitlist. That’s where Audible comes in. Start with a free trial (dropping our affiliate link here!) and keep your first book forever. After that, it’s one credit per month for a new great audiobook.

👉 Try Audible Free for 30 Days 

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Here are the Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips (By Age!):

Preschool + Younger Children

1. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (30 min)
   A sweet story with timeless lessons, perfect for younger children. Gentle narration makes it a great way to kick off your next family road trip.

2. The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White (3 hrs)
   A family-friendly audiobook classic with a good story about courage and friendship. I found this one is easy to start and stop when kids get bored.

3. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl (1 hr 45 min)
   Mischief, adventure, and quick wit - plus unique multi-voice recordings that keep younger kids hooked.

School-Age Kids

1. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (8 hrs)
   A great audiobook for older children, with a mix of mystery and transformation.

2. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (4 hrs 30 min)
   Heartwarming and bittersweet, this one always earns “favorite audiobooks” status for family members of every age.

3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (3 hrs 30 min)
   Candy, chaos, and plenty of plot twists - a good audiobook for long road trips.

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HEADED FOR A FAMILY TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY?

We went! Here are 10 Must-Do Activities With Teens in NYC

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More of the Best Audio Books for Family Road Trips (By Age!)

Teens + Young Adults

1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (10 hrs)
   Packed with Greek mythology and adventure - ideal for middle school and young adults.

2. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (varies, 2-3 hrs each)
   Narrated by Tim Curry with dry humor and sound effects, this series keeps teens entertained.

3. The Wingfeather Saga: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson (9 hrs)
   Fantasy, great adventure, and young siblings on a quest—the perfect audiobook to start on a long journey.

Just for the Adults (That Kids Can Overhear)

1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling (8-30 hrs each depending on the title)
   Whether it’s your first book or seventh re-listen, these are great audiobooks for the whole family. Jim Dale’s narration is iconic.

2. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett (12 hrs)
   Witty, satirical, and fun for older children who like supernatural worlds.

3. Animal Farm by George Orwell (4 hrs)
   A good story with depth, short enough for a long drive, and sharp enough for adults to revisit.

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Ok spill: Any good audiobook favorites your family loved that we should add to the list? I'm all ears! DM us on Instagram with your suggestion.