20 Road Trip Games to Play In The Car

Road trips aren’t just about getting from point A to point B—they’re about having as much fun along the way! Whether you're traversing scenic landscapes or navigating bustling city streets, being in the car is the perfect opportunity to bond with your fellow travelers and create lasting memories. And what better way to make the miles fly by than with a collection of entertaining road trip games?

To make it easy on you, we put together 20 road trip games to play in the car that will keep everyone talking for hours. From classic favorites like "I Spy" to creative challenges like "Guess the Song," these selection of games will satisfy children of all ages (adults, that includes you too). So buckle up, roll down the windows, and get ready for the best road trip you’ve had yet. 

Let the games begin!

1. I Spy

If you’re not familiar with how to play "I Spy," don’t worry—the rules are super simple. Just follow these steps:

1. One player looks around and finds an object they can see.

2. Say “I spy with my little eye something _______.” The word could be any adjective like “blue” or “large”, or you could say “beginning with the letter ‘d’. 

3. The other players take turns guessing the word until someone gets it right.

4. The player who guesses correctly then gets to choose the next object, and the game begins again.

The best part about it is that young kids can easily play it as well as adults. Plus, everyone gets to enjoy the scenery at the same time. 

2. Road Trip Bingo

This bingo game turns vehicles, road signs, landmarks, and animals you otherwise might not notice into exciting finds. Each player gets a bingo card with a grid of these items, and as they spot them during the trip, they mark them off. The race is on to complete rows, columns, or specific patterns on their cards. First one to get the pattern yells "Bingo!" to claim their victory. It's a game that’s exciting for passengers of all ages. So grab your cards, keep your eyes peeled, and get ready for an unforgettable time.

3. Road Sign Alphabet Game

Every passenger must spot a word on a road sign, starting with the letter "A," then proceeding alphabetically to "B," and so on. Once a passenger claims a word, it can’t be used by others. The first passenger to reach the end of the alphabet wins the game.

4. Categories

A participant selects any category—for example, they could choose U.S. states. The first passenger names a state in the United States that begins with the letter A. The second passenger has the letter B, and so on. For example, if the category is U.S. states, the first person might say "Alabama," the second person might say "Alaska," and the third person might say "Arizona.” You get the gist. If no one in the group is really knows U.S. geography, choose a category everyone’s more excited about. 

5. 20 Questions

Traveling with new friends or want to get to know your family a little better? 20 Questions is just the game for that! There are no limits on what you can ask… okay, maybe some limits. If you’re stumped on questions, luckily the internet is full of creative minds who have already done the work for you. Need inspiration? We've got you covered with these road trip questions.

Here are just a few entertaining road trip questions that’ll spark cool conversations:

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

• What's your favorite childhood memory?

• If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go and why?

• What's the best book you've ever read, and why did it leave an impression on you?

• If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be and what would you say to them?

• What's the most memorable concert or live event you've attended?

• If you could relive one day of your life, which day would it be and why?

• What's the most valuable lesson you've learned in life so far?

• If you could have any job for a day, what would it be and why?

• What's something you've always wanted to learn or try but haven't had the chance to yet?

We’re willing to bet you end the trip with a deeper appreciation, closer relationship, and a few rad stories because of this game, so why not give it a go!

6. Scavenger Hunt

Because who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt? To organize this, prepare a list of common sights you'll come across while driving. Your checklist could feature unique road signs, picturesque waterfalls, sightings of wildlife, colorful vehicles, and more. As you journey, mark off each item on the list upon spotting it, aiming to tally as many as possible. This game stands out as one of the most enjoyable car activities, keeping everyone in the moment and less likely to just do their own thing. Nothing brings people together like a little friendly competition… and bragging rights. 

7. The License Plate Game

This game turns something simple (and really common) into something exciting. Here's the setup: Players can choose whether they want to spot license plates from different countries (in Europe) or states (in the United States, for instance). You could also choose a letter of the alphabet and search for plates that contain or start with that letter. The game is completely in your hands. 

For an extra twist, participants can use the letters on the plate to create an acronym and come up with a short sentence. For example, if you spot "32E DGC," you say that’s short for "Thirty Two Elephants Drive Golf Carts" or an even more creative option. Quick thinking is key, so get your improv hats on. The stranger or funnier your sentence, the more laughs you’re bound to have. So play to your audience!

8. Famous Names

This is one of our favorite games to play in the car. A participant mentions the full name of a celebrity or other well-known person. The next participant has to identify another famous figure whose first name starts with the first letter of the other celebrity's surname. For instance, if the initial mention is Taylor Swift, the subsequent one could be Selena Gomez, and so on. If someone can't come up with a response, they’re eliminated, and the game continues until only one person is left. If the celeb world is your scene, you might just dominate this one.

9. The Price is Right

One of the most fun car games—especially if you include the last part. Every passenger will make a guess at the price of regular unleaded gas at the next gas station you encounter (try not to cringe). The person who accurately guesses the closest to the actual price to the nearest tenth will be declared the winner. However, the person who is farthest from the current price must treat everyone inside the gas station to a snack! We don’t make the rules…

10. Would You Rather

Here's a road trip gem for you: Would You Rather. Get ready to conjure up two of the most bizarre, gross, or downright challenging scenarios imaginable. Then pose the question to your fellow passenger, asking, "Would you rather...option A or option B?" This game lets your creativity run wild while uncovering silly insights into each other's preferences and quirks.

11. Green, Yellow, Red Question Game

Experience 'Road Trip Conversations' where players engage in dynamic exchanges by simply asking, 'Green, Yellow, or Red?' Each color represents a different level of depth and intensity in the questions posed.

Green signifies light-hearted queries, sparking laughter and easy banter. Such as, 'If you could have any superpower, what would it be?'

Yellow prompts deeper reflection, inviting players to share personal experiences and aspirations. Questions may include, 'What is a personal goal you've set for yourself that you've yet to achieve?'

Red delves into profound territories, encouraging exploration of existential themes. Expect questions like, 'If you could travel back in time and give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be, and why?' Players take turns asking questions, ensuring a balanced exchange. By traversing through the spectrum of colors, participants enjoy a diverse range of topics, fostering connection and making the journey truly unforgettable.

Find the game here:

12. The Animal Name Game

Kick off this car game by having one person name an animal. The next player must then come up with another animal (without repeating) that starts with the last letter of the previous animal mentioned. For instance, if "turtle" is the initial animal (ending with "e"), the next player might say "elephant," followed by "toucan," and so on. 

This game has endless possibilities, making it particularly appealing to kids who don’t like having winners or losers. For slightly older children, you can switch out animals for other categories such as TV shows, cities, or foods, adding an extra layer of fun and a unique challenge. 

13. Two Truths and a Lie

While this game may not be ideal for family gatherings (because they probably know a lot about you… too much even), it's perfect for bonding with friends—especially around a campfire. Test your knowledge of your pals by challenging them to a round of "Two Truths and a Lie." Each player shares two honest statements and one fib. It's up to the others to sleuth out which statement is false. Guess correctly, and you earn a point. But if you're wrong, the deceiver gains the point.

14. Guess the Song

One passenger recites a lyric from a song, and the other passengers must correctly identify the exact title of that song. You have the option to sing the lyric or state it plainly (if singing isn’t your style), which can make the game more challenging. For example, if a passenger recites the lyric "Well, good for you, I guess you moved on really easily. You found a new girl and it only took a couple weeks," the correct answer would be… Olivia Rodrigo, obviously. The song title: Good 4 U. It's important to name the exact title, otherwise another passenger gets the chance to guess and potentially steal the point. 

15. Guess the Quote

One person searches for famous quotes on their smartphone and shares them with the other passengers in the car. The challenge is to correctly identify the person or fictional character who said it. It could be from a renowned speech, such as "To be or not to be, that is the question" (by William Shakespeare), or a memorable movie line like "Just keep swimming" (Dory, played by Ellen DeGeneres in Finding Nemo). If you knew those without our help, you’re going to crush this.

16. Word Association

The game kicks off when the first player spontaneously says a random word. As fast as possible, the next player promptly must chime in with another word that’s tied to the first one. It continues down the line, with each participant seamlessly connecting their word to the one before. (For instance: "ocean," "waves," "surfing," "beach," "sandcastle"...) As the game goes on, the excitement and tension will continue to build—and everyone will probably be shouting their answers… because, adrenaline. The game comes to a halt if someone hesitates, gives an answer with no apparent link, or accidentally repeats a word another player already said. Of all the road trip games here, this one is fast. It’s hectic. And it’ll instantly be a crowd favorite. 

17. Who Am I? 

Imagine a game like 20 questions, but instead of guessing objects, you have to figure out who someone is. One person gives clues like, "I always wear red and love drinking tea. Who am I?" The others try to guess the person. Each correct guess gets a point. Your group decides how many points you need to win. You can play with made-up characters or real people from history, which gives you lots of options.

18. Restaurant Race

Here's a great game for your car ride. Each of your car mates picks a favorite fast-food spot, like Burger King, Taco Bell, or McDonald's. Then, as you drive, you earn points by spotting your chosen restaurant on signs along the road or hearing it mentioned on the radio. Set a timer, say 20 minutes, and when it's up, you count our points to see who's the winner!

19. Telephone

Pick someone to be the storyteller. They'll start by whispering a story to someone else in the car. Then that person whispers the same story, trying their best to keep it intact, to another passenger, and so on. Eventually, the last person to hear the story says it out loud for everyone to hear. Chances are it’ll be wildly different—and a whole lot funnier—than the original version. So get ready for a good laugh!

20. Name the Most

Choose a theme, like capital cities, beaches, cake flavors, or candy bars. Each player takes turns naming items related to that category. If someone can't think of anything, they're officially out! Want to raise the stakes? Set a 30-second timer for each player. Score points based on who names the most items within their time limit. It’s a rapid-fire game that rewards those who can think on their feet. Will you be one of them?

More Game Options

If that wasn’t enough for you and you need more car games to play, you’re in luck! Here are a couple of bonus ones on the house. These ones in particular are fun car games for adults.

Road Trip Games for Couples

If you’ve got hundreds of miles ahead, what better way to use the time than to get to know your partner better? From classic games like "I Spy" and "20 Questions" that’ll make you see the world from their perspective and have a few laughs to more personal activities like sharing relationship goals, these games help couples deepen their connection and strengthen their bond. And what better way to stay hydrated during your adventures than with an Owala tumbler? With these road trip games for couples, you’ll get to the end of your vacation feeling like you’re closer than ever. Cue the awwwws. 

Road Trip Trivia

For all you smarty pants out there, road trip trivia will scratch your brain in all the right ways. Players can test their knowledge on a wide range of topics, from history to geography to pop culture—with questions tailored to suit everyone’s interests. Whether you compete individually or in teams, trivia questions will challenge you to answer obscure facts or recall famous landmarks, all while enjoying the thrill of friendly competition.