Road trips are a classic family holiday for a reason. Aside from allowing you and your loved ones to immerse across the various landscapes you’ll drive across, it provides more bonding opportunities that you would not get from faster and more public transportation options. This is why a recent SWNS travel survey reveals that, in the US alone, almost 90% of respondents say they’ve been part of a road trip in a single-year period. For many people, a road trip can even run up to eight days for maximum enjoyment.
That said, because road trips can be rather time-consuming vacations, with many hours spent driving, lulls are unavoidable. If you’re traveling as an entire family with kids, these moments can easily exacerbate any feelings of restlessness. This is especially true if this is your first road trip, meaning certain members of your party are still unfamiliar with how this type of holiday works. Over time, this can put your family in a sour mood that may taint the rest of the trip. To prevent this, handy activities are needed. One of the most effective is audiobooks, which are not only easy to enjoy but also highly engaging.
Why audiobooks?
Unlike in-car conversations, which can be tiring, or books or gadgets that can cause dizziness or distractions, audiobooks allow you to just sit back and listen to a professionally narrated story while getting lost in the scenery around you. This serves as a great way to keep everyone entertained without having to expend too much energy yourself. As Dina’s article on traveling with an autistic child explains, having consistent entertainment is particularly helpful if your kids have functional needs that may cause them to become bored rather easily.
In addition, audiobooks are much more practical on the road. Everand’s travel audiobooks show how a single platform can give you access to dozens of diverse titles. This includes road trip-themed audiobooks like Anna Garvin’s novel I Thought You Said This Would Work and Gary Orleck’s non-fiction Travels With Maurice: An Outrageous Adventure In Europe, 1968. As such, your family can listen to as many audiobooks as you want during your trip, so there’s never a dull moment. If need be, you can even download your preferred titles so they’re ready if you happen to be offline while you drive. Finally, audiobooks are very budget-friendly. For instance, the volunteer-narrated LibriVox audiobooks are available free of charge. Even outside of this platform, other providers offer monthly subscriptions that are comparable to the cost of a single physical book.
That being said, here are some travel-related audiobooks that your family is sure to appreciate:
Don’t Make Me Pull Over!: An Informal History of the Family Road Trip
For as long as most of us remember, road trips have been a staple in many families. But how did this tradition even begin? This is the question that this audiobook by Richard Ratay expertly dives into. Lighthearted and nostalgic, this title is part history book, part travel guide. It covers the early days of road trips to the many different trends that have come and gone. This is an informative look back at how this mode of travel has evolved. Since it’s written and narrated in a casual and digestible way, it’s perfect for substantial yet easy listening as you zoom across highways and side roads.
The Flying Flamingo Sisters
A New York Times pick for best audiobooks for road trips with kids, The Flying Flamingo Sisters is a brilliantly produced title that the entire family will love. Heartfelt and inspiring, this audiobook is performed more like a vintage radio serial. Apart from an orchestral score and ambient sound effects, it also boasts a voice cast featuring famous narrators like Gabriel Vaughan, Bill Andrew Quinn, and Jessica Almasy. Written by Carrie Seims, who famously penned Horse Girl, this story follows the three Flamingo sisters in the 1930s. After their parents mysteriously disappear, they embark on a grand journey to discover their family. They also master the circus, and claim their inheritance – all while evading their evil Uncle Freidrich. A hilarious and adrenaline-pumping listen that’ll have everyone ready for your next adventure.
World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
While some of the late Anthony Bourdain’s stories may be a bit colorful for younger members of the family, this is a great audiobook to enjoy when the little ones are snoozing away in the back. Full of the chef and traveler’s own experiences around the world, this is not your average travel guide. From his favorite off-the-map eats to honest advice on places best avoided, this audiobook is a great choice for those who want realistic travel tips. Written with Bourdain’s signature wit, this will tickle your funny bone, awaken your tastebuds, and even warm your heart.
Author bio:
Julie Rose is a stay-at-home mom training to become a licensed planning family consultant. She lives with her partner, four beautiful kids, and two dogs.
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