12 must-have audiobooks for your next family road trip
They'll be too wrapped up in the story to ask "when will we be there?"
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If you have a family road trip coming up, add a few great audiobooks to your arsenal of entertainment options before you hit the road.
Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time on a road trip, camping adventure, or even a rainy weekend at home—and they can be educational as well as entertaining. Audiobooks bring books to life and inspire engaging conversations and memorable family moments, and you'll even get two free audiobooks if you sign-up for Audible.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered with everything from the classics you enjoyed as a child to contemporary tales of epic fantasy. You’re certain to find a book or two that everyone will enjoy on your next family getaway.
1. A Bear Called Paddington
Everyone loves the adorable bear with a weakness for orange marmalade.
- Length: 2 hours and 39 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 4 to 9
The bear from the darkest Peru with a penchant for orange marmalade has been delighting young readers since 1958 and has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity with the recent films Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017).
English actor and comedian Stephen Fry narrates Paddington’s adventures in proper British style, making this a must-read for road trips to Grandma’s house and rainy days at home.
2. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Listen to this classic adventure story on your next family adventure.
- Length: 2 hours and 44 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 7 and up
Golden Globe-winning actress Scarlett Johansson beautifully narrates this beloved classic about a young girl swept away to a magical world filled with strange and wonderful characters.
Join Alice, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit on their adventures in Wonderland—and don’t be surprised if your little ones ask to hear this book read again and again.
3. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Step through the wardrobe into a magical world.
- Length: 4 hours and 21 minutes
- Recommended for: kids 7 and up
The first installment of The Chronicles of Narnia comes to life in this audiobook narrated by English actor Michael York. This is a terrific tale for the whole family, whether your kids have had a chance to read the series or not. Even little ones will be captivated by York’s animated voice as he interprets Lewis’s clever, suspenseful prose.
Once you’ve experienced The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe, you’ll want to continue with the other books in Lewis’s enchanting series. Each audiobook features a different narrator, including Lynn Redgrave, Kenneth Branagh, and Patrick Stewart.
4. Matilda
Funny and poignant, Matilda will become a family favorite.
- Length: 4 hours and 18 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 6 to 11
This Audie Award-winning audiobook is pure fun for everyone in the family. Matilda is an exceptionally bright young girl, but her parents think she’s a nuisance and the school’s headmistress hates her. What’s a young genius to do?!
The wry and witty voice of Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet will have listeners cheering and laughing from beginning to end.
5. A Wrinkle in Time
A classic book about a magical journey.
- Length: 6 hours and 27 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 7 and up
A Wrinkle in Time won the 1963 Newbery Medal and has been thrilling young readers ever since. Blending science fiction and fantasy, the story is an imaginative adventure about family, friendship, and the mysteries of the universe.
Narrated by Emmy and Tony Award-nominated actress Hope Davis, with an introduction by Ava DuVernay, who directed the 2018 film adaptation, this audio version is a wonderful way to introduce kids to L’Engle’s incredible fantasy world.
6. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Take a trip to Oz while on your next road trip.
- Length: 3 hours and 49 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 7 and up
Wizard of Oz is an American classic that has been entertaining children for over 100 years. Here, Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway brings Dorothy and her friends to vivid life with a variety of creative voices. Hathaway is a delight to listen to and was nominated for an Audie Award for this narration.
7. The Hobbit
Take Bilbo, Gandolf, and other mythical creatures along on your road trip.
- Length: 11 hours and 5 minutes
- Recommended for: kids 8 and up
Tolkein’s classic tale of hobbits, dwarves and otherworldly creatures is a delight for listeners of all ages. The adventures begin when hobbit Bilbo Baggins takes up with the wandering wizard Gandalf and his band of dwarves.
Narrator Rob Inglis weaves a magical spell with his masterful interpretation of Tolkein’s enchanting characters and creatures.
8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
A long road trip is the perfect time to start the Harry Potter series.
- Length: 8 hours and 33 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 8 and up
This modern classic is a must-listen for a long road trip or a holiday break when the weather keeps everyone inside.
Narrated by Grammy Award-winning English actor Jim Dale, the first installment in the Harry Potter franchise is as delightful to listen to as it is to read. Dale narrates all of the books in the series and does a lovely job of interpreting Rowling’s characters.
9. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
A darkly comedic tale narrated by Tim Curry.
- Length: 2 hours and 29 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 8 and up
The droll humor of Snicket’s darkly comedic tale is beautifully interpreted by “distinguished and disturbed” Emmy Award-winning narrator Tim Curry.
The Bad Beginning is the first book in The Series of Unfortunate Events and this adaptation sits somewhere between an audiobook and theatrical production, with a cast of readers and imaginative sound effects that will delight kids of all ages, even the most cynical tween.
10. The Lightning Thief
Greek myths are the foundation for this engaging series.
- Length: 10 hours and 2 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 8 and up
First in the five-book Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Lightning Thief is not only perfect for family listening, it might just instill a love of mythology in your kids.
Riordan’s engaging fantasy centers on 12-year-old Percy Jackson, who discovers that the gods and goddesses of his Greek mythology book are alive in the 21st century.
Narrator Jesse Bernstein has a youthful voice that makes him a believable young Percy.
11. How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon will be a hit with the whole family.
- Length: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 7 and up
Everyone in your family will love this tale of Vikings and dragons. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III must catch and train a dragon in order to pass his Viking clan’s initiation test.
Doctor Who fans will love listening to Scottish actor David Tennant narrate this imaginative and hilarious tale, while younger listeners will be captivated by Hiccup’s adventures—and the dragons, of course!
12. The Hunger Games
If they liked the movie, they'll love the book.
- Length: 10 hours and 35 minutes
- Recommended for: Ages 10 and up
Perfect for tweens and young teens, The Hunger Games is the first book in Suzanne Collins’ New York Times bestselling dystopian trilogy.
Survival is the name of the game when 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen takes her sister’s place in the Capitol’s annual Hunger Games—but Katniss doesn’t intend to play by the rules.
Narrated by Emmy Award-winning actress Tatiana Maslany, listeners are quickly drawn into this fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and survival.
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