Best Travel Games to Play in the Car for Road Trips You’ll Actually Enjoy

Long road trips can turn into long silences—or endless scrolling—if you’re not prepared. But car travel doesn’t have to be dull. With the right travel games, you can stay entertained, connected, and even a little competitive. Whether you’re with family, friends, or just looking to keep your brain active between pit stops, here are the best travel games to play in the car—and how to make them fun for everyone onboard.

1. 20 Questions – The Ultimate Guessing Game

Simple and endlessly replayable, 20 Questions challenges your group to guess a person, place, or thing by asking only yes-or-no questions.

• How to play: One person thinks of something. Everyone else takes turns asking questions. You only get 20 in total to figure it out.
• Why it works: No supplies needed, easy for all ages, and encourages creativity.
• Variation: Narrow the category first (famous people, animals, things in this car) for extra challenge or ease.

This game works especially well during quiet stretches of highway or when traffic has everyone zoning out.

2. Would You Rather – Get Weird and Personal

Would You Rather is perfect for breaking the ice or passing time with laughs and surprising conversations. It’s as silly or as deep as you make it.

• How to play: Take turns asking, “Would you rather [option A] or [option B]?” The more ridiculous or thought-provoking, the better.
• Why it works: Encourages imagination, laughter, and discussions about wild hypotheticals.
• Variation: Use a card deck or app to randomize prompts if you’re short on ideas.

Use it to learn something new about your passengers—or just to make them laugh so hard they cry.

3. The License Plate Game – Make Geography Fun

This classic game is perfect for long-distance driving, especially across states or provinces.

• How to play: Look for license plates from as many different states or countries as possible. Keep a list or use a printable map to color in each one.
• Why it works: It keeps your eyes out the window and adds an ongoing goal to the trip.
• Variation: Give extra points for rare plates (Alaska, Hawaii) or international ones.

You’ll be surprised how competitive this one gets once everyone spots their first outlier.

4. The Alphabet Game – A Race Through Roadside Words

The Alphabet Game is a fast-paced scavenger hunt that gets everyone scanning signs, billboards, and license plates.

• How to play: Each player looks for words starting with every letter of the alphabet, in order from A to Z. First to reach Z wins.
• Why it works: It sharpens observation skills and keeps your mind engaged—even in traffic.
• Variation: Add a time limit or play cooperatively to complete the alphabet as a group.

Pro tip: Q and Z get competitive—so don’t blink when you pass that Quiznos or zoo billboard.

5. I Spy – A Game for All Ages

I Spy is ideal for road trips with kids, but adults can enjoy it too—especially when scenery changes often.

• How to play: One person picks something visible and says, “I spy with my little eye, something that is…” and gives a clue like color or shape. Everyone else guesses.
• Why it works: It’s quiet, calming, and encourages you to notice small details around you.
• Variation: Set a rule that the object must stay visible for at least 30 seconds to avoid trickery.

This is a great game for mountain drives, beach roads, or scenic highways full of natural color.

6. Fortunately / Unfortunately – Build a Story One Line at a Time

Perfect for creative types, this game builds a collaborative story—one sentence at a time, with a twist of contrast.

• How to play: One person starts with “Fortunately…” and says something good. The next person continues with “Unfortunately…” and adds a twist. Keep alternating until the story takes a wild turn.
• Why it works: It gets everyone laughing and thinking fast. No rules, just imagination.
• Variation: Use a timer or pass quickly to keep the pace snappy and unpredictable.

It’s a great way to bond and keep spirits high when the drive feels endless.

7. Name That Tune – Soundtrack Your Journey

Music lovers will love turning their playlists into a guessing game. Just be ready for some karaoke too.

• How to play: One person hums, sings, or plays a few seconds of a song. Others try to guess the title or artist.
• Why it works: Everyone gets to share their favorite tunes and learn new ones.
• Variation: Use themed rounds: ‘90s hits, movie scores, or only songs with travel in the title.

This game makes the miles fly by—and builds the perfect soundtrack for your road trip memories.

8. Road Trip Bingo – A Visual Scavenger Hunt

Turn the roadside into a game board with road trip bingo. Great for kids and competitive adults alike.

• How to play: Each person gets a card with images or words (like cows, stop signs, police cars, or roadside diners). Mark off each item as you see it. First to get a line wins.
• Why it works: It keeps eyes off screens and focused on the surroundings.
• Variation: Customize cards based on your route—deserts, cities, farmlands, etc.

You can print cards ahead of time or use bingo apps for a modern twist.

9. Two Truths and a Lie – A Twist on Getting to Know You

This game reveals weird facts and sparks fun conversations, especially when you think you know your travel crew well.

• How to play: Each person says three statements about themselves—two true, one false. Everyone else guesses which is the lie.
• Why it works: It’s low-pressure, requires no setup, and always ends in a story.
• Variation: Set themes: childhood, travel, school, or secrets.

It’s especially fun with new friends or family members you don’t see often—expect surprises.

10. Movie Plot Game – Tell It Terribly, Guess It Anyway

This one is hilarious and harder than it sounds. The goal is to describe a movie plot as vaguely or inaccurately as possible—and still get people to guess it.

• How to play: Describe a movie in the worst way possible. For example: “A billionaire cosplays as a bat to beat up the mentally ill.” (Batman)
• Why it works: It turns shared knowledge into a creative challenge and gets everyone laughing.
• Variation: Use books, songs, or real-life events instead of just movies.

This is great for older teens or adults who love pop culture and thinking outside the box.

Road Trip Games Make the Journey the Destination

When you’ve played the right travel games, you remember the ride just as much as the destination. You laugh, connect, and make time move in the best way possible. So load up your playlist, print some bingo cards, and keep this list handy. Because the best road trip memories often start with a simple question: “Wanna play a game?”