The car ride always starts out like a fun adventure, and somewhere down the road it morphs into a chorus of, “Are we there yet?” If you are looking for ways to make those miles fly by, here’s some road trip entertainment ideas to keep things fun until you arrive at your destination.

Road Trip Entertainment Ideas for Long Car Rides

Here’s how to be prepared and stay entertained when you hit the road, whether it’s with family or friends.

Curate the Perfect Playlist

Music has the power to make time fly. Before your trip, put together a playlist that mixes upbeat tunes, nostalgic throwbacks, and a few sing-along favorites.

Podcasts and audiobooks are also a great option when you want a change of pace. Pick out a few episodes of podcasts in advance. You can even save on streaming if you download them before your trip!

On my last road trip, we just picked a topic we could all agree on and ended up listening to several episodes of a murder-mystery podcast. There’s a podcast about everything these days!

Download Movies Ahead of Time

Movies are another way to make time fly by. Download movies and TV shows from platforms like Netflix and Amazon before your trip, so you don’t need to worry about the Wi-Fi signal when you’re driving in the middle of nowhere.

Play Interactive Games

Classic car games never go out of style. Whether it’s “I Spy,” the license plate game, or a round of 20 Questions, these little diversions can make the trip feel much shorter. For those who like a bit of competition, trivia apps or word games on your phone can be a fun way to pass the time.

My husband and I have two games we made up. One is called the “Duck Game”, where you have to sing the song like a duck (in other words, you quack it) and the other person has to guess what it is. It can be pretty hilarious.

And the other one is a song game, where we come up with a topic, and you have to sing a song that has that topic in it. For example, if the topic was “colors,” you could sing “Back in Black” or “True Blue.”

We go back and forth until one person gets stuck and can’t come up with a song, and then the other person wins. You only have to sing the line from the song that matches the topic, not the whole song.

Try Something New Online

If you’re not the one behind the wheel, long rides are a great time to explore things you don’t usually get around to. Maybe that means reading a new e-book (if you don’t get carsick!), catching up on your favorite series, or even trying out a little online gaming for fun.

Some people pass the time with apps that feel almost like stepping into another world—whether it’s puzzles, strategy games, or even a few spins at an online casino (for those who enjoy the thrill of a little risk without leaving their seat). The site Renomowane Kasyno makes it easy to pick one out because they test the sites out first and recommend the ones that pass their screening.

Snack Smart

Snacking is part of the fun on road trips, so stock up on easy-to-eat snacks like trail mix, fruit, or granola bars. If you want to keep things fun, pack a small cooler and let everyone choose a “mystery snack” for the group to share at random intervals. Also stopping at gas stations and loading up on random snacks is a must.

Make Your Own Road Trip Bingo

This is a fun road trip entertainment activity, but it takes a little planning and DIY. Just make a grid on a sheet of paper for everyone in the car.

Fill each box on the grid with something you might see on the trip. Make sure it’s a mix of easy and hard stuff.

An easy thing could be a yellow truck, or a church cross. Hard things might be a dear crossing sign or a license plate from a faraway state of your choosing. One of our hard things on a trip to Georgia was a chimney with no house. You’d be surprised how many of those you run across in the mountains!

Capture the Journey

Don’t wait to start snapping photos only after you arrive. Road trips have their own special moments—quirky roadside attractions, beautiful sunsets, or goofy selfies during snack breaks. Documenting the ride makes the trip feel like part of the adventure rather than just a means to an end.

And speaking of roadside attractions, do take time to stop at one of those if you can! The sillier the better. We had a great time when we stopped at Peach World on a girls’ road trip to Savannah, and we even rode the old electric rides out front and took pics with the Peach World sign.

The Journey is Part of the Fun

Going on a road trip means your adventure starts the moment you pull out of the driveway. With a bit of creativity and preparation, you can transform the hours spent in the car into a fun-filled adventure that everyone will enjoy.

So, try some of the road trip entertainment ideas on this list to make things a little more fun, and a little less, “Are we there yet?”

And if your family has games of their own that they like to play, feel free to share them in the comments!