Road trip games are the secret ingredient for turning those miles upon miles of empty road into core memories filled to the brim with fun and laughter. No more long stretches of silence and boredom between destinations. With these road trip games for adults you can use the dry driving hours to build true connection with your loved ones. Or at the very least, help each other stay awake on the road. 

So whether you’re hoping to avoid the agony of driving for hours on end, looking for a little fun, or simply tired of the same old road trip games, you’ve come to the right place! Here are 15 road trip games to play in the car with your partner, friends, family, and even that hitchhiker you picked up a few miles back! 

Word Games For The Road 

You don’t have to be a word-wizard to enjoy these word road trip games. Each one is fairly simple to learn and sure to make you laugh. A couple of them have even gone viral on tiktok and instagram, so you may have heard of them. And now you know how to play and join in on the fun! 

1. Word Match

This is a simple, fast-paced word road trip game for two players. The goal is to say the same word at the same time. Both players count down from three and say any word out loud. Then, using those two words, players think of a new word that connects or relates to both. Once each player has their word, count down again and say them at the same time. Keep repeating this process until both players say the same word.

Example Game Play:

Player One and Player Two count down from three.
Player One: “Box.”
Player Two (at the same time): “Clean.”
Both players now think of a word related to both “box” and “clean.” They count down again.
Player One: “Bath.”
Player Two (at the same time): “Soap.”
Now players think of a word that relates to both “bath” and “soap.” They count down once more.
Player One: “Shampoo.”
Player Two (at the same time): “Shampoo.”
The game ends when both players say the same word at the same time.

2. Make A Word

This two-player game is all about speed. Each player secretly thinks of a letter. After counting down from three, Player One says their letter, immediately followed by Player Two. Players then race to think of a word that starts with Player One’s letter and ends with Player Two’s letter.

Whoever can name a word first gets a point. You can then repeat the process for another round, or switch roles so Player Two gives the first letter and Player One gives the second. Keep track of points or simply play till you get bored! 

Example Game Play

Players count down.
Player One: “B.”
Player Two: “T.”
Both players attempt to think of a word that starts with B and ends with T.
Player One: “Boat!”
Player One wins the round. Play as many rounds as you like. 

3. Oh, I Thought That Was…

This silly word game is all about sound-alikes. Player One says a word and describes it. Player Two thinks of a similar-sounding word (something that rhymes, adds a letter, or sounds close in some way) and describes it incorrectly on purpose, using the format: “Oh, I thought that was ______”.  Player One attempts to guess the word that Player Two is describing, using the format “No, that’s a ______”. 

If Player One can’t guess the word or guesses the wrong word, Player Two gives another clue about the word. Once Player One does guess the word, Player Two then repeats the process by thinking of another word that sounds similar to the new word, using the same format. Continue thinking of words and guessing them until you get stuck. Switch roles if you get bored! 

There isn’t really a winner or loser to the game, it’s just fun to think of similar words and make each other laugh! 

Example Game Play:

Player One: “A cup is something that you use to drink liquid.”
Player Two: “Oh, I thought that was something you wear on your head.” (Describing a cap.)
Player One: “No, that’s a cap.”
Player Two: “Oh, I thought that was a house pet.” (Describing a cat)
Player One: “No, that’s a dog.”
Player One guessed incorrectly, so now Player Two gives another clue.
Player Two: “Not a dog, a house pet that’s smaller and has pointy ears.”
Player One: “Oh! No, that’s a cat.”
Player Two: “Oh, I thought that was something you do with the glove when you’re playing baseball.” (Describing the word “catch”)
Player One: “No, that’s catch!” 
Keep going until you run out of ideas, decide to switch roles, or start laughing too hard.

Guessing Games To Play On Road Trips

There’s just something about a guessing game that hits the spot when you’re looking to pass the time during road travel! And the feeling you get when you finally guess it right? Nothing beats it. Try out these guessing games to play on road trips and you might find yourself taking the longer route just to get more playing time! 

4. Guess 100

This game is similar to Twenty Questions, but with a twist that makes it extra fun for groups. One player secretly thinks of a noun (a person, place, or thing of course). The rest of the players take turns guessing the noun by calling out their words.

Player One assigns each guess with a number from 1–100 to show how close it is to the secret noun, sort of like the game “Hot and Cold”. 1 means not related at all, and 100 means an exact match. Keep guessing one by one until someone reaches 100 and correctly names the noun.

Example Game Play:

Player One: Secretly chooses the noun “clownfish.”
Player Two: “Guitar.”
Player One: “10.” (Guitars and clownfish have almost nothing in common.)
Player Two: “Water.”
Player One: “64.” (Clownfish live in water, so the connection is much closer.)
Player Two: “Soda.”
Player One: “14.” (Soda isn’t very related to clownfish.)
Player Two: “Whale”
Player One: “80” (Whale is related to a clownfish, but also very distinct)
Player Two: “Fish.”
Player One: “99” (A clownfish is a fish, we just need the species!)
Player Two: “Salmon”
Player One: “95” (A fish, but a very different type)
Player Two: “Clownfish.”
Player One: “100!” 
Swap roles and play as many times as you like. 

5. I’m In a Movie

This guessing game works with two people or a full car. Player One secretly chooses a popular movie (or at least one that all players have seen) and a character from that movie. They then describe themselves as the character without naming the movie or character outright. They continue to name facts about themselves as the character and things they did in the movie until a second player thinks they know which movie and character it is.  

At this point, the new player simply says “I remember that!” to signal to Player One that they want to make an attempt to play. Without revealing the title of the movie or the character, Player Two chooses a separate character from the movie and starts describing themselves as that new character. They continue to name facts about themselves and describe themselves until Player One can tell they have guessed right or wrong. If Player Two has guessed the wrong movie, Player One says, “No, you weren’t there.” If Player Two has guessed correctly, Player One says “Yes, you remember it too!”. 

If there are only two players, the game ends here. If there are more players, the game continues with Player One and Player Two describing together more facts about each other and things that happened in the movie until another player can join in. The game continues until every player has correctly chosen a character from the movie. 

Example Game Play:

Player One chooses the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and the character Hermoine.
Player One: “I’m a new student at school, and I’m very smart. I love to study, do homework, and answer questions in class.”
Player Two thinks the movie is Matilda, and that Player One is the character Matilda.
Player Two: “I remember that! I’m Player One’s dad, and I think Player One should stop reading books and watch more TV.” 
Player One: “No, you weren’t there.”
Player Two understands they chose the wrong movie, and Player One continues.
Player One: “On my way to my first day at the new school I met two other students, one who is a redhead and the other is famous.”
Player Three thinks the movie is Harry Potter, and that the character is Hermione. They choose the character Ron for themselves.
Player Three: “I remember that! I’m the redhead that Player One meets. I come from a big family, and we’re kind of poor. The school we go to is a special school, where we learn things other than math and english. There’s also an evil villain who comes to the school and me and my friends work to defeat him.”
Player One: “Yes, you remember it too!” 
Play continues until everyone has guessed the movie and joined in.

6. French Toast

This is another game similar to Twenty Questions, but with a unique format. Just like Twenty Questions, Player One starts by thinking of a secret object, and the other players try to guess it by asking questions. The twist is that players can only ask a question with this structure: “Is it more like French toast, or more like _____?”

Player One answers which option is closer to the secret object. From there, the next player asks the question again, but this time with the object that Player One said was closest, and their own guess. The game continues until someone guesses the secret object.  

Example Game Play:

Player One: Thinks of a guitar.
Player Two: “Is it more like French toast or more like a boat?”
Player One: “More like a boat.”
Player Two: “Is it more like a boat or more like a piano?”
Player One: “More like a piano.”
Player Two: “Is it more like a piano or more like a guitar?”
Player One: “Exactly like a guitar!”
Switch roles if you want, and play as many rounds as you like. 

Classic Road Trip Games For Adults And Kids 

These road trip games are classics for a reason. They’ve been entertaining us on long, boring road trips since we had to navigate using an actual map and not a GPS! 

7. The Alphabet Game

This classic road trip game challenges players to find every letter of the alphabet in order outside the car window. Letters must appear on signs, buildings, billboards, semis, and anything else with words on it. You can choose to include or exclude license plates, depending on how challenging you want it to be. You can also choose to play as a team or compete against each other.

If you’re playing competitively, the first person to spot a letter must say the letter and the word it appears in out loud. That word can’t be used again for another player or another letter, and the player who said the word first moves on to the next letter while everyone else stays where they are.

Example Game Play:

All players start on the letter A.
Player One: “A in Hospital!”
Player One moves on to B. All other players stay on A.
Player One: “B in Burger!”
Player One moves on to C, and all other players still stay on A.
Player Two: “A in Arcade!”
Player Two now moves on to B, Player One is still on C, and all other players are on A. The game continues until someone reaches Z.

8. I’m Going On A Picnic

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve played this game, and it still hits the spot on a long drive! “I’m Going On A Picnic” is a logic game with a secret rule. The players pretend they are going on a picnic and bringing items with them. Player One creates a “picnic rule” that determines what items are allowed, but doesn’t tell anyone else the rule.

Players take turns saying what they’re bringing on the picnic, and Player One says whether it’s allowed or not, according to the secret rule. The players continue to name items they want to bring on the picnic, trying to figure out what the rule is. The game ends when every player knows the rule.  

Example Game Play:

Player One creates the picnic rule, items that start with the letter R. 
Player One: “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing a radio.”
Player Two: “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing a sandwich.”
Player One: “You can’t bring a sandwich to the picnic. I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing some ranch.”
Player Three: “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing a raincoat.”
Player One: “Yes, you can bring a raincoat.”
Players eventually realize the rule is items that start with R. 

Some other examples of picnic rules could be: 

• Things you find in a school classroom (pencils, backpacks, paper) 

• Red items (a fire truck, apples, a wagon)

• Objects spelled with a double letter (balloons, a ball, a ladder)

9. Tongue Twisters 

If you get tired of all those structured games with rules and regulations, this is a tried-and-true classic sure to pass the time and get some laughs. Tongue twisters are always fun! Try some of these funny sounding phrases from the list, and see if you can say each one five times fast. 

1. Baboon bamboo

2. Toy boat 

3. Irish wristwatch 

4. Bubble bobble

5. Purple paper people

6. One black beetle bled only black blood, but the other black beetle bled blue 

7. An ape hates grape cakes

Quick And Easy Games To Play In The Car

Looking for something a little more quick and easy? Road trip games for adults don’t have to be complex to be fun! Try out some of these super simple games to play in the car. Everyone will catch on fast and be able to join in the fun before you even make it on the highway!  

10. Name 3

This fast-paced game tests how quickly you can think. Players take turns naming three things in a chosen category within five seconds. One player picks a category, and the other player names the items. If they succeed, they earn a point. Then players switch roles. You can either keep a stop watch, or just generally keep time in your head. 

Example Game Play:

Player One: “Your category is fruit.”
Player Two has five seconds.
Player Two: “Apple, banana, orange!”
Player Two earns a point. Now it's their turn to choose the category. 
Player Two: “Okay, your category is road trip snacks.”
Player One: “Chips, jerky… um…”
Their 5 seconds are up, and they were unable to think of a third road trip snack, so they do not earn a point. Player One's turn to choose a category again. 
Player One: “Your category is sports.”
Player Two: “Baseball, basketball, football!”
Player Two earns another point. Play continues for as long as the players like, and points are tallied at the end. Alternatively, you can play until one player reaches a designated number of points first.

11. Sweet and Sour

This lighthearted game keeps track of friendly interactions on the road. Players wave at people in nearby cars. If someone waves back, that’s one point for Sweet. If they don’t, that’s one point for Sour. Tally the points throughout the trip and see the results at the end! 

12. Road Trip Trivia

Road trip trivia is one of the best road trip games for keeping everyone engaged mile after mile. It's easy to play, works for any group size, and turns long stretches of driving into friendly competition and laughs.

Whether you’re testing your knowledge, learning something new, or just trying to stay awake behind the wheel, trivia is a classic go-to for car rides. If you’re looking for ready-to-use questions, check out this list of 51 road trip trivia questions here, and another 117 highway trivia questions here!  

Musical Games To Play On Road Trips

Too quiet on the road? Crank up the tunes and turn those miles into memories. Musical games are one of the easiest ways to bring energy, laughter, and a little friendly competition into long car rides. These musical games to play on road trips keep everyone engaged, awake, and singing along! 

13. Name That Tune

This music-based game can be played in two different ways. Players either hum a song and try to get others to guess it, or play music on shuffle and race to name the song first.

Example Game Play (Humming Version):

Player One: Hums a song.
Player Two: “Sweet Caroline?”
Player One: “Yes!”
Player Two takes the next turn.

Example Game Play (Shuffle Version):

Player One: Shuffles a playlist over the car speakers. “Ice Ice Baby” starts to play.
Player Two: “Under Pressure?”
The song plays a little longer.
Player One: “Oh, Ice Ice Baby!”
Player One gets the point for guessing the right song. The players can then either listen to the entire song, or skip straight to the next one. Fifth Harmony’s “Work from Home” starts to play over the speakers.
Player One: “Work from home!”
Player Two: “Work from home!”
Because Player one finished saying the title of the song first, they get the point. Game continues until you reach a designated number of points.  

14. Song Roulette

Song Roulette takes a little prep but is easy to play once you start. Create a playlist with a mix of songs you love and songs you can’t stand. It’s best if you create the playlist together, using the likes and dislikes of everyone on the road trip. If you’re having trouble thinking of annoying songs, try choosing a genre you particularly dislike, maybe annoying children’s songs or Kids Bop covers, music from a movie or musical you find irritating, or brain rot songs. 

Once the playlist is ready, play is simple! Shuffle the playlist, then take turns following one simple rule. As soon as a song comes on, player one has the option to either listen to the entire song, or skip it immediately. If the player chooses to skip the song, the next song must be played all the way through no matter what comes up in the shuffle. However, if the player chooses to listen to the song, the next song must be skipped no matter what song it is. 

Once the two songs have been either listened to or skipped, it’s the next player’s turn to listen or skip. Continue back and forth to listen and skip until you’ve gone through the entire playlist, or the road trippers get bored of the game. 

Example Game Play:

The players shuffle the playlist and the song “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry starts playing.
Player One: “Nah, I’m not feeling the vibes.” They choose to skip.
“I am a Gummy Bear” by Gummibär starts playing. Because Player One decided to skip the last song, the entire car must listen to this one through to the end. When the song is done, “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction plays.
Player Two: “I love this song! I choose to listen.”
They listen to the song, then the next song that comes on is “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles. Even though the players like the song, they have to skip and move on to the next song. Now “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan begins to play and it’s Player One’s turn to listen or skip. Play continues for as long as you want.

15. Song Lyric Game

To play this game, one player chooses a word. Players then take turns naming songs that include that word in the lyrics. They can either name the title, or sing the part of the song that has the chosen word in it.

The game continues until one player can’t think of another song, at which point the other player has a chance to think of one more song. If they can do so successfully, they win the round! Another word is chosen to begin the next round. (Optional: play each song as it’s named.) Continue thinking of more words and songs until you’re tapped! 

Example Game Play:

Player One: “The word is love.”
Player Two: “Crazy in Love.”
Player One: “Love Story.”
Player Two: “I Will Always Love You.”
Player One: “Um… I can’t think of another one.”
Player Two now has a chance to think of another song with the word “love” in the lyrics.
Player Two: “Oh, um…” they start to sing the lyrics of Riptide by Vance Joy “I love you, when you’re singing that song…”
Player Two wins the round, and they choose the next word.
Player Two: “The word is man.”
Player One: “When I Was Your Man!”
Player Two: “I’m the man, I’m the man, I’m the man!” singing the words to “The Man” by Aloe Blacc.
The game continues for as long as you like. 

A New Road Trip POV

The driving part of a road trip shouldn’t have to feel like something you survived. With the right road trip games, your time in the car becomes part of the experience. Whether you’re laughing through word games, testing your music knowledge, or getting a little competitive with classic car games, these games to play in the car help turn long stretches of highway into moments you’ll actually remember.

So the next time boredom hits and the road feels endless, skip the scrolling and try one of these road trip games instead. They’re easy to start, fun for all ages, and perfect for couples, friends, families, and anyone along for the ride. Save this list, mix and match your favorites, and enjoy the journey just as much as the destination. 

And if you're looking to make your entire trip a little more comfortable, check out our online shop for premium toiletry bags, travel blankets, and more! Built by and for travelers. 

Happy travels! 🧳🚗💨🛫🌍✨