Embarking on a road trip to a beautiful hiking destination can be an exhilarating experience. The excitement of getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life, exploring nature, and conquering new trails is a feeling like no other. But, let’s face it—long hours in the car can get a little monotonous. Whether you're driving through endless stretches of highway or winding through scenic mountain roads, boredom can creep in if you're not prepared. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your road trip as fun as the hike itself.
Here are some creative boredom busters to help pass the time on the way to your hiking spot.
1. Themed Playlists for Every Mood
Music is the heartbeat of any road trip and a well-curated playlist can set the perfect tone for your journey. Including a mix of upbeat songs as well as classic nostalgic hits you know everyone can’t resist singing along to all ads to the fun and makes the hours on the road fly by!
Get everyone involved by letting each person add in a few of their own favorites, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy along the way. As an added bonus, the playlist can become the soundtrack to your trip and bring back memories every time you hear those songs.
2. Road Trip Bingo
Turn the drive into a game with road trip bingo. Create bingo cards with common sights or occurrences along your route, such as cows in a field, a red pickup truck, or a funny billboard. Every time someone spots something from their card, they can mark it off.
To make it more exciting, offer a small prize for the first person to get bingo. This game keeps everyone on the lookout for interesting sights, and it’s especially great for kids (though adults will likely get into the spirit too).
3. Audiobooks and Podcasts
When conversation lulls or music just isn’t cutting it, audiobooks and podcasts can be lifesavers. Pick a gripping audiobook that everyone can enjoy—whether it’s a thrilling mystery, a hilarious comedy, or an inspiring self-improvement book.
Podcasts are another fantastic option, with an endless variety of topics to choose from. History, comedy, storytelling, and interviews are just a few genres you can explore. Listening together can spark discussions and help the time fly by, especially during those longer, quieter stretches of road.
4. The License Plate Game
The license plate game is a road trip classic for good reason—it’s simple, fun, and it keeps you alert as you scan the road for plates from different states. The goal is to spot license plates from as many different states or provinces as possible. Some people like to write them down to keep track, while others prefer to keep a mental list.
5. Storytime: Collaborative Tales
Why not turn your road trip into a storytelling session? One fun activity is to create a collaborative story where each person in the car adds a sentence or paragraph to the tale. Start with something simple like, "Once upon a time, there was a boy who discovered a magic compass." Then, each person builds on the story, letting their imagination run wild.
The story will likely veer into strange and hilarious territory as everyone contributes, and it can be a great way to pass the time while getting creative. You’ll be amazed at the crazy twists and turns your story takes!
6. Snack Attack
Snacks are an essential part of any road trip. Make the most of them by turning snack time into an activity. Pack a variety of different snacks—sweet, salty, and savory—and have a “taste test” with the group. Everyone can try something new and rate their favorites.
To up the ante, you can create a “road trip snack bar” where you mix and match different elements like popcorn, pretzels, nuts, and candy. This can be especially fun for kids, but adults will appreciate the snack creativity too!
7. Car Karaoke
If you love to sing (or even if you don’t but enjoy some silliness), car karaoke is an amazing way to pass the time. Pick a playlist of sing-along favorites, and let loose! You can even turn it into a game by having passengers judge performances or by seeing who can remember all the lyrics to a tricky song.
If you have a karaoke app, even better—pull it up and take turns belting out your favorite hits. It’s hard to be bored when you’re singing your heart out!
8. Would You Rather?
“Would You Rather?” is a light-hearted way to spark conversation and laughs. Take turns asking questions like “Would you rather have a beach house or a cabin in the mountains?” or “Would you rather hike up a mountain or swim in the ocean?”
The more creative the questions, the better! This simple game can lead to some surprising revelations and funny debates, making it perfect for long stretches of highway when everyone needs a mental break.
9. Plan Your Next Adventure
Use some of your downtime to plan your next hiking adventure! Research new destinations, hiking spots, or towns you’d like to visit in the future.
You can even start mapping out the perfect itinerary, or create a bucket list of places you want to explore.
A road trip doesn’t have to be boring, even when the journey is long. With a few creative boredom busters, you can turn those highway miles into part of the adventure. From singing your heart out with car karaoke to discovering hidden roadside gems, these activities will make sure everyone arrives at their destination with smiles on their faces and memories that last a lifetime.