Stories That Make the Miles Fly By
My family was a road trip family. Every summer meant long drives, packed coolers, and one of my favorite rituals: getting to pick out new books on tape from the library before we left.
Road trips are still the perfect time to press play on stories the whole car can enjoy! Whether you're traveling with kids, teens, or just want something light and fun to share with your travel crew, these audiobooks combine entertainment with unforgettable storytelling. Bonus: they're all narrated by incredible voice actors who bring the characters to life!
Whether you're heading cross-country or just across town, these family-friendly audiobooks will make your road trip fly by. Perfect for kids, tweens, and nostalgic adults, this list has something for everyone from laugh-out-loud chocolate obsessed nannies to magical forests and classic coming-of-age tales.
Before you shop, we always encourage you to check your local library first especially for audiobooks. Libraries make road trips even better!
Looking for more family friendly stories? Check out the 2026 Newbery Medal Winners.
If you do decide to purchase, Amazon links are included for convenience. However, clicking the book titles will take you to Libro.fm, where you can shop audiobook bundles while supporting Ink & Imaginings and independent bookstores at the same time.
Thank you for reading and supporting our little corner of the internet!
Laugh-Out-Loud Family Favorites
The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R.A. Spratt
Genre: Children’s Humor / Middle Grade
Meet Nanny Piggins: a glamorous, chocolate-cake-loving pig and former circus cannonball performer turned nanny. The Green children instantly fall for her mischievous charm and so will you! These are a favorite in our house!
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Wild, silly antics with surprising heart
- Ideal for fans of Matilda and A Series of Unfortunate Events
- Lighthearted chaos perfect for long drives
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
Genre: Absurd Comedy / Sci-Fi Adventure
When Dad steps out to buy milk, he returns with an unbelievable tale of aliens, time travel, and pirates. A quick, hilarious listen that’s pure Gaiman magic.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Read by Neil Gaiman himself
- Short, zany, and absurdly fun
- Great for ages 6+ and tired grown-ups
Magical Worlds & Fantasy
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy / Middle Grade
Join Harry as he discovers the magical world of Hogwarts. The new full cast narration brings every spell, character, and creature to life. We listed to the new full cast version on our last car trip and it was incredible!
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Iconic audiobook performance
- Great for group listening across ages
- A nostalgic must-have for long trips
Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy / Adventure
When Percy Jackson discovers he’s the son of a Greek god, mythology collides with modern middle school life. Fast-paced, funny, and packed with monsters and quests, this series makes ancient myths feel wildly current and endlessly rereadable.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Greek mythology brought into the modern world
- Humor, heart, and high-stakes adventure
- Relatable hero who doesn’t always get it right
- Perfect for ages 8+
Willa of the Woods by Robert Beatty
Genre: Fantasy / Nature Magic
Willa is the best thief in her night-spirit clan, but when she crosses into the human world, her beliefs are tested. A lush, heartfelt journey with forest magic.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Rich, atmospheric world-building
- Deep messages about identity and nature
- Ideal for ages 8+
Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty
Genre: Historical Fantasy / Mystery
Living in secret under the Biltmore Estate, Serafina must uncover a dark mystery when children begin disappearing.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Southern gothic vibes
- Spooky without being too scary
- For brave listeners ages 9+
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Genre: Fairy Tale / Adventure
A small mouse with big dreams. A princess. A dark dungeon. Together, they weave a modern fairy tale about courage and kindness.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Poetic prose and memorable narration
- Timeless themes for all ages
- A perfect listen for fans of The Princess Bride
The Wind in the Willows (Retelling) by Kenneth Grahame
Genre: Classic Retelling / Cozy Animal Adventure
Lady Toad and her woodland friends bring sisterhood and whimsy to this retelling of the beloved tale. With music and full cast!
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Immersive audio experience
- Cozy and calm—great for evening drives
- Empowering female twist on a classic
Note: This one is a free listen if you have an Audible membership.
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
Genre: Early Chapter Book / Adventure
Siblings Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house that transports them through time. From dinosaurs to ancient Egypt to the American Revolution, each short adventure blends imagination with just enough history to spark curiosity.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Easy-to-read time travel adventures
- Builds confidence in early readers
- Educational without feeling like homework
- Great for ages 5–8
Contemporary & Heartfelt Stories
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
Genre: Middle Grade / Contemporary
Coyote lives on a school bus with her dad. When she secretly plans to travel across the country to recover a memory from her past, their journey becomes life-changing.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Funny, sad, and deeply touching
- Big themes told with warmth
- Great for kids and adults alike
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Genre: Middle Grade / Contemporary
Opal’s summer changes when she adopts a stray dog. Gentle, warm, and emotional in all the best ways.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Short runtime (2 hours)
- Narrated with heart by Cherry Jones
- Ideal for quieter kids and shorter trips
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
Genre: Middle Grade / Contemporary
Zoe starts secretly writing letters to the father she’s never met who’s in prison. A powerful mystery wrapped in an empowering coming-of-age tale.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Narrated by the amazing Bahni Turpin
- Smart and emotionally resonant
- For kids 10+ who enjoy meaningful stories
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
Genre: Family Fiction / Heartwarming Comedy
Five kids scramble to save their Harlem home during the holidays. This was such a great listen for the whole family. We enjoyed it while doing holiday puzzles but it would be perfect for the drive to see family over the holidays!
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Diverse, joyful sibling dynamic
- Charming setting and community feel
- Like The Penderwicks, but NYC
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
Genre: Middle Grade / Family Fiction
Classic summer fun unfolds as the four Penderwick sisters have adventures at a countryside estate. This was such a family favorite we own a physical copy as well!
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Old-fashioned charm with modern appeal
- Perfect for fans of Anne of Green Gables
- Wholesome and endlessly re-readable
Smart, Quirky & Puzzle-Filled Adventures
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
Genre: Puzzle Adventure / Mystery
A locked-in library full of clues and games! Think Willy Wonka meets The Westing Game.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Fast-paced and interactive
- Great for group listening
- For fans of riddles and reading
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Genre: Mystery / Team Adventure
Gifted kids on a secret mission. Clever clues, danger, and big heart.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Strong themes of teamwork
- Perfect for thinkers and code-crackers
- Excellent for 9–13 year olds
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
Genre: Sci-Fi / Cuban-American Contemporary
Sal can literally reach into other universes and keeps bringing back his mom. Hilarious and profound.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Funny and inventive
- Explores grief and identity
- Great for kids who love STEM
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Genre: Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Action
Meet a 12-year-old criminal mastermind who discovers a secret underground fairy world.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Quick-witted
- Great narration and action scenes
- Ideal for adventure-loving tweens
Timeless Literary Classics
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Genre: Classic / Children’s Fiction
Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider form an unforgettable bond. I love this book as a kid and it was so fun to share it with the kids.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Narrated by the author
- Calming, beautiful, and wise
- Perfect for ages 5+
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Genre: Classic / Coming-of-Age
Red-headed Anne brings magic and a bit of mischief to Avonlea and everyone she meets. Anyone who has been following along for a while knows these books were a big part of my childhood so you know I had to share at least the frist one with the kids!
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Funny, joyful, and heartfelt
- Megan Follows is pitch-perfect as narrator
- An enduring favorite for all ages
Note: this is another one that is a free listen with an audible membership.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Genre: Classic / Family & Friendship
Mary finds healing and purpose in a hidden garden, and helps others do the same.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Multiple narrations available
- A soothing, restorative story
- Best for reflective listeners ages 7+
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genre: Classic / Adventure
Young Jim Hawkins stumbles into a world of pirates, treasure maps, and mutiny on the high seas. This is pure swashbuckling adventure. The kind of story that makes you want to build a fort and hunt for buried treasure.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Best for reflective listeners ages 9+
- Iconic pirate adventure
- High-stakes treasure hunt
Note: this is another one that is a free listen with an audible membership.
Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
Genre: Classic / Adventure
After a shipwreck, a family must survive and build a new life on a deserted island. It’s inventive, resourceful, and full of imaginative problem-solving that feels both cozy and adventurous.
📌 Why you’ll love it:
- Best for reflective listeners ages 9+
- Castaway survival story
- Great for family read-alouds
- Creative island inventions
Bonus Pick: Good Clean Family Laughs
🎙️ Try a podcast like Smash Boom Best or Brains On!
Great for breaks between audiobooks or shorter trips!
How to Get Free (or Almost Free!) Audiobooks for Your Family Road Trip
Before you hit play, don’t forget you don’t always have to buy audiobooks to enjoy them! Here are a few smart ways to listen for free (or nearly free):
- Your Local Library App: Apps like Libby, Hoopla, or BorrowBox let you borrow audiobooks straight from your library with just a library card. It's totally free, and many kid-friendly titles are available on demand.
- Spotify: Some classics and indie titles are available to stream free or with ads. Just search your book and author.
- Scribd or Chirp Books: Affordable subscription services or limited-time deals (great for adult readers, too!).
- Free Trials: Most platforms offer a free 30-day trial with 1–2 free credits.
💡 Can’t find the audiobook you want that way?
Try a Libro.fm bundle perfect for loading up on audiobooks ahead of a road trip while supporting indie bookstores.
Or check here to see if you are eligible for an audible free trial!
Perfect timing to stock up on audiobooks for your next family adventure!
Tips for Listening on the Road:
- Download ahead of time to avoid signal issues
- Choose a mix of longer stories and shorter options
- Let everyone vote on the next listen!
- Consider using Bluetooth splitters if some want quiet time
Ready to hit the road?
These audiobooks are perfect companions for your next family adventure. Whether you're going cross-country or just a couple of hours away stories like these can turn a long drive into something magical!
Want more recs like this? Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter The Weekly Bookmark or follow along on IG @inkandimaginings for weekly bookish picks!
I’d love to hear what your family presses play on for long drives. What are your favorite road trip listens? Drop them in the comments so we can all add a few more titles to our next library haul!
