15 Fun Road Trip Games to Keep Everyone Entertained
A road trip is really all about the memories you have along the way, but those long stretches of highway are pretty dull—so let’s be honest.
That’s why a repertoire of fun road trip games is a must to keep the energy high and the boredom at bay.
Traveling with family, friends or even solo (yes, there are some games that work solo!), these concept will make the miles fly by.
From classic activities you loved growing up to innovative, creative challenges, this list has a little something for everyone.
So get ready to find an adventure in your road trip filled with laughter, competition, and fun.
1. 20 Questions
This classic guessing game is made for all ages, and it doesn’t require any materials.
One person has an object, person or place in mind and the others have 20 yes-or-no questions to identify what it is.
It’s unexpectedly difficult to narrow down all the choices, and you will frequently land on some very funny tangents.
You could also theme it up by limiting categories — road trip-related items or characters from specific films, for example.
This is a wonderful time passer as it pulls out your creative side and makes everyone think.
2. License Plate Bingo
License Plate Bingo — A road trip classic that blends observation and a bit of competition.
The objective is to see as many different state or region plates as possible.
For added difficulty, award rare states or international plates extra points.
This is a fun game for kids and keeps everyone on their toes for the unusual.
It’s a fun way to add geography to your trip while keeping the fun going.
3. Would You Rather
This game is easy, but always promises laughs and occasional absurdity/raunchiness in discussion.
Go around asking “Would you rather” questions, like, “Would you rather go to the mountains or the beach?”
The pleasure is in concocting strange or strangely specific scenarios that invite arguing.
You’ll learn a lot about each other’s tastes and sometimes get some surprising responses.
Best of all, this game can continue as long as your creativity lasts.
4. The Alphabet Game
This game asks players to identify words or things that start with each other every letter of the English alphabet from A to Z.
Use road signs, billboards, or even brand names on trucks to finish your list.
It starts off easy, but those elusive letters like Q and Z can be competitive.
For an extra challenge, come up with themes and categories — ie, animals or food — to make it trickier.
The Alphabet Game keeps everyone engaged and alert during the drive.
5. Name That Tune
This one is for the music lover.
One person hums or sings a few notes of a song, and the rest guess the tune.
If you have a streaming service, you can also alternate snippets from a playlist for the group to guess.
Keep score or add a time limit for guesses to make it competitive.
It is an excellent chance to find new music or dust off old favorites.
6. Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of the objects to spot during drives, such as a red barn, a dog sitting in a car or a funny bumper sticker.
The players may cross items off as they see them through the window.
You can prepare the list in advance or come up with things as you go along.
Set a timer and see who can spot the most items along a specific stretch of the trip.
This one is fun to play while driving, especially in scenic or quirky parts of the world.
7. Two Truths and a Lie
This game is a good way to get to know your travel companions better.
Each person will take a turn and share three statements about themselves — two truths and one lie.
The others must figure out which one is the lie.
It’s a fun way to discover surprising facts and prompt fascinating conversations.
You may even discover new things about old friends.
8. The Movie Quote Game
If you are a film buff, this game is a direct must.
One person quotes a line from a movie, and the others guess which film it’s from.
You can make it more difficult by restricting it to a certain genre or decade.
Extra credit for mimicking the voice or gestures of the character.
It’s a fun way of revisiting classics and bonding over favorites.
9. I Spy
An all-time classic, “I Spy” is suitable for younger children but can be enjoyable for everyone.
One person chooses an object that is visible to everyone, and they say: “I spy with my little eye, something that is… ” adding a color or clue.
The others guess until someone gets it, and then it’s their turn.
This keeps everyone’s eyes on the scenery and promotes observation.
It’s especially fun on ride routes with interesting landmarks or varied landscapes.
10. Word Association
This is a fast-paced game ideal for when you want something a little simpler without forgoing fun.
One person says a word, and the next immediately responds with the first related word that pops into their head.
The real challenge is the speed — pause or say a word twice and you’re out.
It’s an excellent gift for creativity and giggles as connections grow ever more tenuous.
Word Association is great for breaking the silence or filling shorter gaps in conversations.
11. Story Chain
This is a collaborative storytelling game, great for creative types.
One person begins a story with a sentence or two, and each one adds to the story in turn.
The story can gleefully take wild twists and turns, as each person adds their own unique ideas.
By the time you’re done, you’ll have a funny or unexpectedly coherent story.
It’s a great way to kill time and jumpstart your imagination.
12. Car Karaoke
Make your car a concert on wheels with some car karaoke.
Choose a playlist of sing-along classics and have everyone take turns belting out songs.
You can even turn it into a competition, with points for who performs best.
Another great activity to boost the energy in the car and laugh together is car karaoke.
It is also an immediate pick-me-up, no matter the drive time.
13. Who Am I?
In this guessing game, one person selects a well-known person or character, and the other players ask yes-or-no questions to figure out who it is.
Restrict the number of questions to 20 to keep the game flowing.
It’s especially fun to pick tricky or niche characters who’ll challenge your companions.
It’s a delightful trivia-versus-deduction mix, endlessly amusing.
It works well for groups of all ages.
14. Spot the Car Game
Pick a car make, model, or color, and the first person to see it gets a point.
Rotate categories to keep things interesting.
Add rare vehicles or quirky features to make it harder, such as vintage models.
“Super simple, highly addicting game that everyone has their eyes on the road,” she said.
This game works best with lots of Traffic variety on the highways.
15. Trivia Challenge
Have trivia questions prepared ahead of time, or download a trivia app for impromptu fun.
Alternate asking about history, movies or pop culture.
Score points to see who’s crowned Trivia Master by the end of your trip.
You can even customize the trivia to your travel path, with questions about the states or landmarks you’re driving by.
Trivia: both fun and educational!
