Are you looking for the best audiobooks for road trips? We pulled together 30 great audiobooks for a solo long drive, couples road trip, or even a mix of adults and older teens. It’s important to note that not every book on the list is family-friendly. If you’re traveling with children, we recommend switching to our list of the best audiobooks for family road trips!

To help you pick out a great book to listen to on the road, we broke down our book recommendations into a few different segments. Whether you love listening to contemporary fiction, historical fiction, memoirs, or a touch of fantasy, you’ll find the best audio book for your road trip below.
To help you select the perfect length book for your drive, you’ll find the recorded length of each book under the narrator. The times are accurate if the book is played at 1x speed.
However, when starting each book, try different listening speeds to find the right balance for everyone. Often, books sound more natural when played at a higher speed, which reduces listening time. But, if anyone in the car has trouble processing audio, it might help to slow down the narrator.
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Best Audiobooks for Road Trips
Contemporary Fiction (Including Mystery/Suspense)
Whether you want a scary thriller, family drama, or humorous adventure for your travels, this section has the perfect listen!

A History of Wild Places
By Shea Ernshaw
Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan, Cassandra Campbell, Gibson Frazier, Cindy Kay, Pete Simonelli
Recorded Length: 12 Hours, 59 Minutes
When Travis is hired to find the missing author of dark children’s books, he stumbles into a reclusive community. Pastoral was believed to be a local legend, not a real group and place. However, when he reaches the commune, he disappears. It’s the same thing that happened to Maggie, the author he is looking for.
Years later, Theo, who has always lived within Pastoral, finds a truck at the border of his community. No one is allowed in or out, so the truck's discovery brings up questions and long-buried secrets about their world. Theo, his wife, and her sister begin uncovering shocking and sinister truths.
This novel is described as both atmospheric and immersive, so your time on the road will fly by as you listen to the talented cast of 5 narrators.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
By Jonas Jonasson
Narrated by: Steven Crossley
Recorded Length: 12 Hours
One day before Allan’s 100th birthday, he’s still in good health. However, he’s not excited about the big celebration planned at his nursing home, so he decides to escape. After crawling out the window, he goes on the adventure of a lifetime.
On his laugh-out-loud funny journey, he encounters a cast of quirky characters, from unpleasant criminals to a friendly hot dog vendor. There’s even an elephant! In addition to the present-day adventure, you’ll see flashbacks to some of Allan’s Forest Gump-like life, which will appeal to history lovers. So if you’re looking for a humorous and charming listen, download this one before you hit the road!

True Biz
By Sara Novic
Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan, Kaleo Griffith
Recorded Length: 10 Hours & 23 Minutes
Set at the River Valley School for the Deaf, this novel transports you into the Deaf community. It gives insight into a culture that hearing families rarely get a chance to understand, with compelling characters and plot along the way.
New student Charlie is stuck between the worlds of hearing and Deaf. She’s never been around other deaf people before and is trying to figure out what choices are right and wrong for her. Meanwhile, the school’s headmistress is a CODA (child of deaf adult) who has her own problems, including a mother with dementia and an unhappy wife.

Sadie
By Courtney Summers
Narrated by: Rebecca Soler, Fred Berman, Dan Bittner, Gabra Zackman, and a full cast of 30
Recorded Length: 7 Hours & 57 Minutes
This YA Thriller is excellent for fans of true crime podcasts. Sadie has had a rough start to life, and is responsible for raising her younger sister Mattie in an isolated small town. When Mattie is found dead, the police do a sub-par investigation. Sadie is once again on her own as she fights to bring the suspect to justice by following the few clues she has.
When West, a radio personality, hears about the sisters’ story, he starts a podcast to track the investigation and is determined to help Sadie.

The Gifted School
By Bruce Holsinger
Narrated by: January LaVoy
Recorded Length: 13 Hours and 53 Minutes
If you’re looking for a juicy contemporary fiction, this witty drama may be a good pick! You’ll meet several parents with good intentions (and questionable actions) as they try to get their children into an exclusive school in the fictional town of Crystal, Colorado.
Since their children were born, the four families have been friends. Secrets and resentments were buried along the way. But now, as they each fight to get their kids into the new school for the gifted, things will resurface in explosive ways.
The Book Girls Say…This one may be most-relatable to parents of school-aged kids, and it may take several chapters to keep the large cast of characters straight. But Angela and her husband say that it’s a great listen!

How Lucky
By Will Leitch
Narrated by: Graham Halstead
Recorded Length: 7 Hours and 28 Minutes
Daniel lives in Athens, Georgia, but unlike most twenty-somethings in this college town, he's confined to his home most of the time due to his Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It has progressed to the point that he cannot speak or move without a wheelchair. Nonetheless, Daniel leads a full life. He has a couple of close friends, loves the excitement of college football, and works online for a regional airline.
When Daniel isn't dealing with unhappy airline customers, he spends hours watching the world go by outside his window. When a young woman passes by, Daniel is almost sure he sees her being abducted. He wants to tell the police what he knows, but he wonders if they'll believe him. So Daniel decides to take the investigation into his own hands.
The Book Girls Say... Melissa and her husband describe this book as equal parts entertaining, educational, and suspenseful. The author does use curse words liberally, so skip it if that bothers you.

Anxious People
By Fredrick Backman
Narrated by: Marin Ireland
Recorded Length: 9 Hours and 53 Minutes
Anxious People is about a failed bank robber that stumbles into an apartment open house and inadvertently holds a group of strangers hostage. The eclectic group of captives may just be the worst hostages in the world, and none of them are quite who they appear to be.
Throughout the ordeal, they divulge secrets, form allegiances, and set into motion a chain of events so unexpected that, when questioned by the police, they can hardly explain what happens next.
The Book Girls Say…We both love all of Fredrik Backman's books, and Anxious People - with its quirky characters and witty prose is no exception. Backman has a knack for writing in a way that is entertaining, but also gets right to the heart of the matter!
We also love Backman’s book Beartown about a rural town where life revolves around hockey. The book is about human nature and the ramifications of putting the team and star players first, no matter what. However, be warned that this one is heavier and deals with a sexual assault. It’s a must-read, but hold this one for fall if you’re looking for a lighter listen on your vacation.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette
By Maria Semple
Narrated by: Kathleen Wilhoite
Recorded Length: 9 Hours and 35 Minutes
If you're drawn to eccentric characters, you might love Bernadette. She's a renowned architect in hiding who doesn't fit in with her husband's fancy Seattle tech career or with the other moms at her daughter's school. In fact, she barely leaves the house, relying on a virtual assistant in India for all her family's needs. This becomes a real problem when her daughter's stellar report card earns her a family trip to Antarctica.
When Bernadette disappears before the trip, her daughter Bee is determined to track her down.
The Book Girls Say...Maria Semple managed to create an enjoyable novel that's both witty and emotional. In addition to the main adventure to Antarctica in the story, it's a good look at someone refusing to fit into the stereotypical mom mold expected at her child's private school.
Angela and her husband listened to this one together on a road trip. They both laughed out loud throughout the story.

The Book of Cold Cases
By Simone St. James
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Kirsten Potter, Robert Petkoff
Recorded Length: 10 Hours and 44 Minutes
In 1977, a rich, eccentric 23-year-old woman, Beth, was accused and then acquitted in the murders of two men. She then became reclusive, tucked away in the isolation of her mansion.
Forty years later, in 2017, receptionist Shea runs a true-crime website at night. When she has a chance encounter with now 63-year-old Beth, she’s thrilled when Beth agrees to an interview. The duo begins meeting regularly at Beth’s mansion, which is not a comforting place. Shea swears items move on their own, and other strange things happen as well. Although Beth is extremely charming, Shea can’t help but wonder if she’s befriending a murderer.
Historical Fiction
From the Great Depression and WW2 to the 1970s, our historical fiction audiobook recommendations work well for both avid and reluctant readers. This makes them perfect for road trips when one of the passengers is hesitant to listen on the go. Because they quickly transport you to a different place and time, they often draw in new readers/listeners.

This Tender Land
By William Kent Krueger
Narrated by: Scott Brick
Recorded Length: 14 Hours and 19 Minutes
Set in 1932 during the Great Depression, This Tender Land follows four orphans who have escaped the abusive Lincoln Indian Training School. The kids set off down the river and have to survive the environment while being pursued by the school.
They have to decide whether to trust each stranger they encounter and discover themselves along the way. Equal parts adventure and heart, this book is often described as a modern classic and compared to Huckleberry Finn.
The Book Girls Say…If you’ve already read This Tender Land, check out Ordinary Grace by the same author.

Washington Black
by Esi Edugyan
Narrated by: Dion Graham
Recorded Length: 12 Hours and 18 Minutes
Set in the early 19th century, 11-year-old Wash is a slave on a Barbados sugar plantation. He's terrified when he's selected as a manservant for his master's brother, but soon realizes that Christopher Wilde is an abolitionist. He's also an explorer and inventor, exposing Wash to more incredible wonders than he could ever imagine.
When a bounty is placed on Wash after a murder, Christopher flees with him, and their adventures continue worldwide. A story of both betrayal and redemption, Washington Black was named one of the best books of 2018 by the New York Times Book Review and countless other publications.
The Book Girls Say…When we listened to the audio sample for Washinton Black, it was hard to stop listening because the story and narration were so compelling!

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
By Robert Dugoni
Narrated by: Robert Dugoni
Recorded Length: 11 Hours and 41 Minutes
Born with ocular albinism, Sam Hill is a young boy whose rare red eyes cause him problems from the moment he is enrolled at the Our Lady of Mercy school.
Labeled "Hell Boy," he is bullied by his classmates and given a hard time by the nun who is the principal. Eventually, Sam finds the new best friend he desperately needs in Ernie Cantwell, the only African American boy in his class, and in a fiercely individual girl named Mickie.
Years later, Sam is a respected ophthalmologist still moving through life with Ernie and Mickie by his side. His world is about to be upturned when he's unexpectedly reunited with the biggest school-yard bully from his past.
The Book Girls Say... We both rated this one five stars, and recommend it to everyone! Although Sam's mother's faith plays an important role in this story, we wouldn't describe this book as religious. Angela especially loved the audiobook version, which is narrated by the author himself.
You may also enjoy The World Played Chess, also written and narrated by Robert Dugoni (along with Todd Haberkorn). It’s heavily related to the Vietnam War and the lasting impact on one soldier.

The Fountains of Silence
By Ruta Septys
Narrated by: Ruta Sepetys, Maite Jáuregui, Richard Ferrone, Neil Hellegers, Joshua Kane, Liza Kaplan, Oliver Wyman
Recorded Length: 12 Hours and 24 Minutes
This young adult historical fiction focuses on life in post-war Spain under Franco's dictatorship. In 1957, the regime needed money and opened the country to Americans hoping for investment. Eighteen-year-old Daniel travels with his oil tycoon father from Houston to Madrid.
Daniel brings his camera, eager to explore the city beyond the image that Franco is projecting to the world. Along with Ana, the young hotel maid tasked with assisting his family, Daniel discovers and documents the atrocities happening in the fascist regime.
The Books Girls Say…While this book is classified as YA, it’s great for adult readers. Melissa and her husband both rated it 5 stars. The beginning of the first chapter has a heavier and more literary feel than the remainder of the book, so keep going if you find the beginning odd. 🙂 Another great choice by Ruta Septys is her newest novel, We Must Betray You, which gives great insight into communist Romania in 1989.

The Lincoln Highway
By Amor Towles
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini, Marin Ireland, Dion Graham
Recorded Length: 16 Hours and 39 Minutes
This entire novel takes place within ten days in 1954. Eighteen-year-old Emmett has finished his term on a work farm, where he was sent after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The warden drives him home to Nebraska, where he plans to pick up his 8-year-old brother before heading west for a fresh start.
However, Emmett discovers that two friends, Duchess and Wooly, from the work camp have stowed away in the trunk. The three teens and 8-year-old Billy adjust their plans and set out across the country together. The book is told from alternating points of view.
The Book Girls Say… What could be better than listening to a road trip book as you hit the open road? Lincoln Highway was voted as one of our reader’s overall favorite books of 2021. But, keep in mind that it’s over 16 hours at 1x speed, so better for a long road trip!

11-22-63
By Stephen King
Narrated by: Craig Wasson
Recorded Length: 30 Hours and 40 Minutes
English teacher Jake Epping is recruited by his friend Al, the local diner owner, to help with the most unlikely of requests. Al discovered a portal in the diner's storeroom that transports him back in time to the era of Ike and Elvis. He sets becomes obsessed with using the portal to go back in time and stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy. But when he realizes he won't be able to complete the mission, he enlists Jake for the job.
Jake reluctantly agrees to go back to 1958 and live the early years of the 1960s in the small town of Jodie, Texas while devising a plan to stop JFK from dying on 11/22/63.
The Book Girls Say…This book is NOT what you'd expect from Stephen King. Instead of horror, you'll find a suspenseful historical fiction crossed with science fiction (and even a twist of romance) that addresses the most compelling aspect of time travel. How do actions taken in the past affect the same future you started in?
This is the longest audiobook on our list, so if you’re on an epic cross-country drive, we highly recommend it! Angela and her husband both loved it.

West with Giraffes
By Lynda Rutledge
Narrated by: Danny Campbell
Recorded Length: 10 Hours and 29 Minutes
West with Giraffes is a charming tale of adventure that takes you on the ride of a lifetime from the east coast of the US to the west, alongside a rowdy 17-year-old, a grumpy older man, and two giraffes.
The year is 1938, and no American zoo has successfully housed giraffes before. The female zoo director of the San Diego Zoo believes she can do it. The giraffes have just survived a hurricane en route to the east coast, and Riley Jones, the zoo’s curmudgeonly head keeper, is responsible for safely transporting the giraffes from New York City to San Diego.
America is still in the throes of the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl conditions continue to ravage the drought-stricken Southern Plains states. A coast-to-coast trek with giant animals is no easy feat. Jones begrudgingly teams up with a starving teenager named Woody to help him make the journey. The adventures along the way include run-ins with circus con artists, being tailed by a female photographer looking for a big scoop, an emotional visit to Woody’s hometown, and so much more.
At its heart, this is a coming-of-age story. Now, at the age of 105, Woody recounts his 12-day cross-country trip with Jones and the giraffes and how it shaped his life.
The Book Girls Say…After we both gave this book 5 stars, we’ve recommended it to others in a variety of age ranges. Everyone else has love it too! From the insights it gives to life across America in the late 30s to the growing relationships between characters, including the humans and the giraffes, we can’t recommend this book highly enough!
The audio of this book is included with a Kindle Unlimited subscription as of May 26th, 2022.

Mary Jane
By Jessica Anya Blau
Narrated by: Caitlin Kinnunen
Recorded Length: 9 Hours and 44 Minutes
Set in 1970s Baltimore, Mary Jane tells the story of two very different family lifestyles and a 14-year-old girl trying to decide who she really is. Mary Jane is a quiet, book-loving girl from a traditional, conservative family. When she is offered a job nannying for a local doctor, her mom assumes their home is equally tidy and respectable.
However, the house is a huge mess, and it's about to get crazier. The doctor has welcomed a rock star and his wife to stay at the home while he tries to get sober. Mary Jane has a lot to teach them about tidiness and schedules, and they open her eyes to a wild world outside her bubble. By the end of the summer, she has a better understanding of who she wants to be.
The Book Girls Say…This book transports you directly back to daily suburban life in the 1970s. It somehow manages to be both a light coming of age story, and a book that could prompt great road trip discussions of your early teen years.

Daisy Jones & The Six
By Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrated by: Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, Pablo Schreiber
Recorded Length: 9 Hours and 3 Minutes
This novel chronicles the meteoric rise of a fictional, iconic 1970s rock band - The Six - and their beautiful lead singer, Daisy Jones. The story is told through a series of "behind the music" style interviews that will make you feel like you are right there with them in the hard-partying 70s music scene.
As you hear from each band member, the story of these complex characters unfolds, ultimately revealing the mystery behind the band's infamous breakup.
The Book Girls Say... If you are looking for a book that will transport you back in time, this is the book! Each member of the band is read by a different narrator, which fits perfectly with the rockumentary, interview style of the novel.
Light Fantasy, Magical Realism, & Sci-Fi
Sometimes it's fun to escape reality a bit. While the Harry Potter Series is perfect for a trip with the entire family, the books in this section are geared toward adults or older teens. While readers generally love or hate the Sci-Fi and Magical Realism genres, these books are great for anyone willing to temporarily suspend their disbelief in order to enjoy a phenomenal story.

Remarkably Bright Creatures
By Shelby Van Pelt
Narrated by: Marin Ireland, Michael Urie
Recorded Length: 11 Hours and 16 Minutes
Tova Sullivan has had a hard life. Over 30 years ago, her 18-year-old son disappeared on a boat. More recently, her husband passed away. To keep herself busy, she takes a job cleaning the Sowell Bay Aquarium at night. As she spends more time with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus, they form an unexpected friendship.
The curmudgeonly octopus considers himself a captive at the aquarium and knows so much more about the world than anyone realizes. He decides to investigate the disappearance of Tova’s son, even though he’s trapped in the aquarium. The story is told from three perspectives, including all the inner dialog of Marcellus, whom readers adore.
The Book Girls Say…If you’re driving through the Pacific Northwest, put this beautiful story at the top of your list. It has lovely descriptions of Puget Sound. Angela has already listened to this one and gave the charming and heartfelt story five stars!

The Midnight Library
By Matt Haig
Narrated by: Carey Mulligan
Recorded Length: 8 Hours and 50 Minutes
Nora has decided she is done. Done with the way her life is going. In a moment of darkness, she attempts suicide, but she finds herself in the Midnight Library between life and death. The shelves go on and on, and inside each book is a life that she could have lived, had she made just one different choice somewhere along the way - from following dreams to pursuing different careers to undoing old breakups.
Each time she opens a book, she finds herself living that alternate life, and she is faced with the decision of whether she wants to permanently exchange her life for a new one. As she visits these alternate realities, she’ll have to decide not only which life she wants, but also what makes life worth living in the first place.
The Book Girls Say… While Angela isn’t usually drawn to magical realism, she found the premise of this book fascinating. Some find it to be too predictable - and it’s true that the synopsis of the book tells you exactly what to expect - but this is a book that will really make you think… not just about Nora’s choices and regrets, but also about your own.

Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance
By Ruth Emmie Lang
Narrated by: Piper Goodeve, Peter Berkrot, Cassandra Campbell, Danny Campbell
Recorded Length: 10 Hours and 13 Minutes
This debut novel written by Ruth Emmie Lang is magical, both in story and language.
Weylyn Grey was raised by wolves after being orphaned. After surviving on his own in nature, he has developed some supernatural abilities. In Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, Weylyn's story is told by those who have encountered him throughout many years.
The Book Girls Say... Like Angela, Melissa isn't usually a fan of books with a fantasy twist, but she had a hard time putting Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstances down and has recommended it to several people since reading.

The House in the Cerulean Sea
By TJ Klune
Narrated by: Daniel Henning
Recorded Length: 12 Hours and 12 Minutes
While this book is technically a YA Fantasy, it receives high ratings across the board, even from those who don't typically choose YA or Fantasy novels.
Linus is a 40-year-old caseworker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, and spends his days overseeing children in orphanages and his nights in a tiny house with his devious cat.
When Linus is called to a classified assignment to visit 6 children deemed dangerous, he also meets their caretaker, Arthur Parnassus, who is dedicated to the children's safety. However, as Linus and Arthur connect, secrets are exposed. Linus must choose between destroying the home of the children or risking them destroying the world.
The book's central theme is kindness, and many reviews describe it as a book that's great for your heart and soul.

Project Hail Mary
By Andy Weir
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Narrated Length: 16 Hours and 10 Minutes
The newest book from the author of The Martian has received praise from both fans of Sci-Fi and those who normally avoid Sci-Fi, so it could be a great pick for couples with different genre preferences!
Astronaut Ryland has just woken up millions of miles from home, a very long time after his mission. His crewmates are dead, and his memories are fuzzy. Slowly, he begins piecing together that he must single-handedly save Earth from an event that could cause total extinction.
With themes of both mystery and adventure, this highly-rated book won the 2022 Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year. Readers consistently call it a must-listen and say the narration makes the story come to life.
The Books Girls Say...For more Sci-fi audiobooks, consider works by Neil Gaiman, such as American Gods. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline would be another good pick.
Memoirs & Other Non-Fiction
From Amy Poehler and Tina Fey to Michelle Obama, memoirs read by the author are consistently great in the audio version. We outline some of our favorites below, along with some other stand-out nonfiction books that will make a long car ride fly by. We also have more audiobook memoir suggestions here.

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
By Bill Bryson
Narrated by: Bill Bryson
Recorded Length: 7 Hours and 39 Minutes
Bill Bryson is famous for his humorous travel writing, but in this nostalgic and hilarious memoir, he reflects on growing up in middle America in the 1950s in the middle of the baby boomer generation.
Using his childhood imaginary super-hero persona to tell his story, he tells his story of growing up in Des Moines, bringing his loving but eccentric family to life.
The Book Girls' Say... Readers report that this great audiobook is both entertaining and laugh-inducing.

Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford
By Clint Hill with Lisa McCubbin Hill
Narrated by: George Newbern
Recorded Length: 14 Hours and 31 Minutes
In this memoir, Clint Hill reflects on his seventeen years on the White House Secret Service detail under Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford, shedding light on the personalities of five of the most powerful men in the world, and giving a unique insider perspective on many historical events of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
Clint Hill also wrote another memoir - Ms. Kennedy and Me - about his time as Jackie Kennedy’s personal secret service agent throughout her years as First Lady. Both of Hill's memoirs are vivid and insightful without feeling gossipy, and he provides an in-depth look at the politics of the day without feeling political.
The Book Girls Say…Angela and her husband enjoyed the history and storytelling in this one!

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
By Trevor Noah
Narrated by: Trevor Noah
Recorded Length: 8 Hours & 44 Minutes
Born a Crime is the true story of Daily Show host Trevor Noah’s childhood and into his early adulthood. His rise to success was unlikely based on his beginning. Trevor was born in South Africa in 1984 to a white father and black mother. His parents could have been imprisoned for five years - or worse - for conceiving him. He spent his early years largely hidden from life outside because his mother feared (with good reason) that he could be removed from her custody because of the apartheid rules of segregation.
When the era of white rule officially ended in the early 1990s, the family’s troubles evolved with the times. From attempted kidnappings and domestic violence to high school dating, you’ll find a mixture of relatable and shocking stories that keep you engaged with every page.
The Book Girls Say…In true Trevor Noah fashion, you'll be entertained while also receiving an education on life in apartheid South Africa. You will laugh and cry as you listen to him narrate his own poignant and honest stories.
Additionally, Trevor speaks eight languages and draws upon each of them throughout his stories. The audiobook allows you to hear the correct sounds and pronunciations for each language.
There is also a young reader edition of Born a Crime you can read with your kids after you listen!

The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family
By Ron Howard & Clint Howard
Narrated by: Ron Howard & Clint Howard
Recorded Length: 13 Hours & 18 Minutes
If you grew up watching Happy Days or Andy Griffith, this joint memoir from brothers Ron and Clint Howard could be your perfect road trip listen. The brothers answer the question they’re asked all the time - “What was it like to grow up on TV?” by sharing both good and bad stories of their experiences.
Along with their parents, the Howard brothers moved from the Midwest to Hollywood, where Rance and Jean expected to find careers in show business. Instead, their young sons began capturing the hearts of casting agents and finding steady employment. Instead of being jealous, Rance and Jean set out to protect their boys from the dangers of Hollywood, while balancing helping them build their successful careers.
While there are some harrowing moments, the book is filled with happy stories of a family who remained functional against the odds.

The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music
By Dave Grohl
Narrated by: Dave Grohl
Recorded Length: 10 Hours & 35 Minutes
In this memoir, Dave Grohl tells the stories of a lifetime. It begins with his childhood in Springfield, Virginia, teaching himself to drum and dreaming of being a musician someday. Then he tells of his early adult years on the West Coast, where he was rocketed from starving artist to a member of the biggest band in the world, Nirvana.
Having achieved all his wildest dreams by age 25, but also witnessing firsthand the price of fame, Dave then spent his next 25 years carefully crafting his life exactly as he wanted it - with equal measures of music, family, and friends. He shares some really epic stories starring some of the biggest names of our time, and he tells some really touching stories starring his mom, his wife, and his children.
The Book Girls Say… You don’t have to be a fan of Nirvana or the Foo Fighters to enjoy this memoir! Dave Grohl tells stories about the phases of life and how they change you. Throughout this memoir, we see Dave first strive to become a musician, and then strive to be so much more, including a father who puts his kids ahead of his career.

In the Weeds: Around the World and Behind the Scenes with Anthony Bourdain
By Tom Vitale
Narrated by: Tom Vitale
Recorded Length: 8 Hours & 47 Minutes
Written by the long-time director and producer of Anthony Bourdain’s travel food show, In the Weeds takes you on an adventure around the world. They filmed in dangerous locations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, and Iran.
The book covers what it was like to be on this journey, and how they managed to film in areas so hard for westerners to visit. There’s a focus on what it was like doing the traveling with Bourdain, on and off-camera.
The Book Girls Say...Skip this one if you’re sensitive to the topic of suicide. Vitale shares some morbid comments Bourdain made over the years on the subject of death, prior to taking his own life. There’s also plenty of adult content and language. For a look a Bourdain’s life from his own point of view, try Kitchen Confidential or World Travel: An Irreverent Guide.

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
By Jim DeFede
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Recorded Length: 6 Hours & 28 Minutes
While this book takes place on 9/11 and the following days, it's not the devastating story you would expect. The book walks through the experiences of countless passengers from some of the 38 planes unexpectedly diverted to Gander, Newfoundland when US airspace was closed on 9/11. The small town of only 10,000 received 6,600 passengers from 92 countries with open arms and generous hearts.
The Book Girls Say... We've both seen and loved the musical Come From Away, so we knew the story of Gander. The selflessness of the residents of Gander and the surrounding towns will warm your heart page after page. It is one of the most uplighting, faith-in-humanity restoring books we’ve ever read. If you haven’t yet read it, you won’t regret downloading it before your drive!

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
By Laura Hillenbrand
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
Recorded Length: 13 Hours and 56 Minutes
In this non-fiction book that reads like fiction, we are introduced to Louis Zamperini in his childhood. He’s considered a bit of a delinquent before channeling his angst into running. And he was great. His talent for running took him all the way to the Berlin Olympics in 1936. But when the 2nd World War begins, Louis goes from athlete to airman.
In May 1943, Louis' bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean. His unlikely survival aboard a tiny raft surrounded by sharks, and on the verge of starvation, lands him in an even more perilous trial as he is driven to the limits of endurance and ingenuity.
The Book Girls Say... Most of Angela's knowledge of WWII centered around the wrongs of the Third Reich and the devastating impacts of the atomic bomb dropped on Japan. But outside of Pearl Harbor, she didn't know much about Japan's role in the war. Before reading this book, she also didn't think she had much interest in WWII non-fiction - Unbroken changed all that!
If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, you may have noticed the name of the narrator sounded familiar. Edward Herrmann is the actor who played Richard Gilmore, Lorelai’s tough, yet endearing father.
If you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, use it as a resource for free audiobooks on your next road trip. We have a list of the best Kindle Unlimited Audiobooks here! And if you’re wondering about the pros and cons of Audible subscriptions, we can help with that too. For totally free audiobooks, be sure to talk to your local library!
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best road trip audiobooks. Don’t forget to check out our list of audiobooks for the whole family!

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