Best Audiobooks for a Road Trip

Not all destinations have an exciting journey. Pass the time by getting lost in an audio book on the way to your next adventure. Warning: these books will make you wish you had more time to spend in the car.

Best audio book for comic relief

Bossy Pants written and narrated by Tina Fey

Fey’s self-narrated book cements her place as a comedic genius. Following Fey’s awkward adventures through youth and into adulthood, this book will have you laughing like you are watching an episode of 30 Rock.

Fey gives an inside scoop on the creation of her infamous SNL Sarah Palin impersonation. Bonus audio of her favorite Palin sketches are included.

Honorable mentions: Yes, Please by Amy Poehler and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling.

Best audio book for a looooong road trip.

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

The emotional story follows Joe Rantz, a young man on the Washington row team that is striving to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This story has equal parts heart, sports and history. While listening to the final race, I had to pull my car over because I was so excited.

See also: Runaway Jury by John Grisham (14 hours, 11/22/63 by Stephen King (clocking in at 30 HOURS).

Best audio book narrator- Jim Dale

Jim Dale has a catalog of audio books that are so delightful. He narrates a little book called Harry Potter and juggles the voices of some 250 characters seamlessly.

I will blindly follow the voice of Jim Dale wherever he goes.

Jim Dale favorites include: The Christmas Carol, Around the World in 80 Days, Peter and the Starcatchers and The Night Circus.

Best audio book for sitting in the car until the chapter ends

Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale Jr.

Follow the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr, a con artist who impersonated a doctor, pilot and a college professor, all before the age of 21. The tales of deceit are a thrill, as you listen to him escape the clutches of the ever-present police. While questionable on the truth aspect of the book, it's still a fun ride.

Think the Leonardo DiCaprio version is all you need? Think again. Per usual, the book is better than the movie.

Best audio book for small ears

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery narrated by Susan O'Malley.

Would would Anne Shirley do? The misadventures of the redhead trouble maker are a delight to listen to. Get transported to Prince Edward Island and listen as Anne (with an ‘e’) tries to scrub off her freckles, gets her best friend drunk on raspberry cordial and feuds with a boy who calls her carrots.

The book is clean and the adventures are fun: perfect combo for little ears to listen to.

Honorable mention: Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and A Series of Unfortunate Events by Leminy Snicket.

Best audio book for a short drive

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim written and narrated by David Sedaris

This self-autobiographical collection of short stories of the author’s childhood is equal parts self deprecating and hilarious. Sedaris’ anecdotes vary between 5-20 minutes, making this the perfect audio book for a short road trip or one with a lot of stops. Clocks in at 6 hours.

Honorable mention: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (4 hours) and A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks (4.5 hours).


I'm definitely one of those people who counts audiobooks as "read" books. Do you listen to audio books?