Audiobooks for Family Road Trips (Kids & Parents Love)
Audiobooks for family road trips make the miles zip by. Before leaving home, load up on audio stories for everyone’s listening pleasure. This list of the best audiobooks for road trips includes picks for young children, grade school aged kids, and teens. Plus, these audiobooks for kids of all ages are sure to be a hit with parents, too!
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Audiobooks for Road Trips with Young Children
The Cricket in Times Square
Younger children love the sweet tale of Chester, The Cricket in Times Square. He’s accompanied by his friends Tucker and Harry, a mouse and cat living in the Times Square subway station. They help our hero discover the Big Apple, just like any adventurous traveler should.
Geronimo Stilton
Originally released in Italy, the Geronimo Stilton series of books have become a favorite of children around the world. Follow the escapades of Geronimo, his sister Thea, cousin Trap, and Benjamin, the favorite nephew. The stories take place in every corner of the globe, with Geronimo solving mysteries and eating cheese wherever he goes. Fabumouse!
Matilda
Any story by Roald Dahl makes a fantastic audiobook choice, and that certainly holds true for Matilda. Our plucky heroine takes on school bullies big and small. In the process she discovers her own surprising powers. This inspirational story teaches children that they can be mighty, no matter their size or age.
Dr. Dolittle
Animal lovers will adore listening to The Story of Dr. Dolittle. This delightful classic focuses on a physician who learns a secret language to communicate and work with animals, including a rare creature that is part unicorn.
Audiobooks for Car Trips with Kids in Grade School
39 Clues
The 11 primary books in the 39 Clues series follow the central characters, the Cahill kids. These siblings are in charge of guarding family secrets. The series’ plentiful plot twists will keep listeners in suspense mile after mile.
The Roman Mysteries
The Roman Mysteries audiobooks will inspire wanderlust to visit Rome and its ruins. Led by the noble Flavia and her band of child detectives, this series details real and fictional accounts of Roman history, including the eruption of Vesuvius and destruction of Pompeii.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang audiobook differs a bit from the Disney classic, but in the best way. Listening to this story during a road trip will make your kids wish the family car could fly too.
Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia bring the fictional kingdom of Narnia to life. This fantasy realm is inhabited by magic, mythical beasts, and talking animals. The Pevensie children accidentally discover Narnia, and then become entwined in the history of that fantastical world. The Chronicles of Narnia teaches good versus evil with engaging tales. The story spans across seven books, making it a fabulous choice for a multi-leg road trip with kids. Start with the first book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Percy Jackson
The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan weaves Greek mythology into tales about the ultimate outsider hero. Like Harry Potter, Percy discovers he is no ordinary boy. He’s actually the demigod son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. That lineage comes with lots of power, baggage, and mythical responsibilities. Start your Percy Jackson audiobooks adventures from the beginning, with The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Audiobooks for Family Road Trips with Teens and Tweens
Harry Potter Series
Listening to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows made my family’s 16-hour drive down the California coast a quiet, engaging breeze. When great writing is accompanied by great storytelling, everyone gets into the story. Any of the Harry Potter books would make fantastic car listening. (Even without kids in tow!) New to the series? Start your Harry Potter road trip adventures with Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone. The early books in the series are great for younger kids, but the stories become darker and better for tweens or teens as they progress.
The Uglies Series
This trilogy focuses on artificial beauty, its cost, and the value of critical thinking. The Uglies series’ heroine, Tally Youngblood, uncovers the truth behind the distinction between “pretty” and “ugly” in a post-apocalyptic future. Tweens and teens just may discover a new way of looking at others, and at themselves, after listening to this one.
Artemis Fowl
The young criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl is in a battle against a high-tech fairy underworld. There are eight spellbinding fantasy stories in the series. My boys loved listening to these fabulous audiobooks, even on short trips to school and the soccer field.
Where to Find Audiobooks for Family Road Trips
The audiobooks market has grown and changed over the years. Audible has become an audiobook subscription juggernaut. Get two free audiobook downloads when you sign up for an Audible Membership
Learn More Tips for Traveling with Kids
Want to inspire wanderlust and learning before hitting the road? Check out the best travel books for children according to travel experts and their kids.
Take a look at these unplugged road trip tips for tech-free ways to keep kids content while on the road.
Travel toys and games are great for road trips! Here are our favorite toys for car trips and our picks for the best travel games for kids, from toddlers to teens.
Save these Audiobooks for Family Road Trips
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Are there any other audiobooks for family road trips that you recommend? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
Top photo by AndreyKr, Depositphotos.com.
As a grandmother I couldn’t get into the Harry Potter books but I’m willing to try one on an audiobook.
Excellent! There are so many great ones to choose from.
I love this list of audiobooks that you compiled. Listening to stories during long road trips are sure to keep the kids busy. I love that you listed these books according to age groups.
Thanks for this list of audiobooks. Traveling with kids can be a bit stressful and we must find ways to keep them entertained. I think the idea of getting them audiobooks is a great idea.
Great list of audio books for kids/littles here, gotta keep them busy and entertained! 🙂
This is such a great idea for those long road trips. Matilda is one of our favorites!
You have SO many good ones on your list. We’ve often listened to a book or two on our road trips and love it!
Thank you!
Great choices for kids of all ages and I think I would love to hear the Harry Potter myself on a long trip. My son loved Roald Dahl still does. I don’t need for the little ones but those are great selections.
Glad you like the choices. I tried to highlight something for everyone!