Having audiobooks in the background while traveling is one way to be entertained or be informed while in motion and without dedicating time out of your busy day, to read. 

Most people listen to podcasts, or audiobooks, or the radio while driving or while traveling as a passenger. While it’s true that distraction while driving should be avoided at all costs, listening to something else other than the busy traffic and different sounds on the road while driving may improve driving performance in simple environments. This was quoted by Dr. Lisa Dorn, an Associate Professor of Driver Behaviour at Cranfield University.

If you’re going on a road trip, a long drive can make you bored and sleepy. But did you know there are audiobooks that you can use to keep you undoubtedly hooked? To the point that you will want to make the trip longer.  Here are a few audiobooks you can try for your next road trip.

Contents

If you’re looking for classics:

Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, which was narrated by Nick Offerman (7 Hours and 52 minutes)

Mark Twain is known for being the funniest American author in history, and this audiobook is narrated by one of the funniest American actors alive, Nick Offerman. This audiobook is perfect if you want a driving buddy that is like Ron Swanson.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, which was narrated by Thandie Newton (19 hours and 10 minutes)

This is a Victorian-era classic audiobook. Thandie Newton, the narrator of this book, played the titular character in the film, Beloved. If you’re happily lost in a romantic and gothic mist, this is perfect for you.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac which was narrated by Will Patton (11 hours and 8 minutes)

This is a classic take on a classic tale. This is a very fine companion with Will Patton’s perfect pitch interpretation. If you’re on the road or if you’re going to New York or San Francisco, this audiobook is a perfect match.

If you’re looking for fiction:

World War Z by Max Brooks, which was narrated by Alan Alda, Mark Hamill, and more (12 hours and 9 minutes)

This is a documentary-style that records the testimonies of those people remaining in its wake after the Zombie War. The narrator here traveled across America just to interview survivors. If you’re down for a serious undertaking with zombies, this is a perfect match for your trip.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, which was narrated by Dominic Hoffman (13hours and 11 minutes)

If you want to be transported to another country, this is a perfect choice. This is a modern triumph that you can experience through the audiobook. If you love getting swept up in rich historical fiction, this is for you.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, which was narrated by Allam Corduner (13 hours and 56 minutes)

Before playing this, make sure you have poignancy and tissues with you. This audiobook will bring you to tears during the final thirty minutes. This book is not a cheery read. If you don’t mind crying on the highway, better try this audiobook.

Read: 12 Best Organic Wine Delivery Subscriptions For Sustainable Happy Hours

If you’re looking for mystery and thriller:

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, which was narrated by Caroline Lee (15 hours and 55 minutes)

An HBO show that is a blockbusting bestseller. This is a juicy domestic thriller that big and little lies layered like a cake, and detectably exposed. If you want your trip to have a story like twisty backroad shortcuts, try this audiobook.

Bird Box by Josh Malerman, which was narrated by Cassandra Campbell (9 hours and 8 minutes)

This is not for those drivers who are nervous. You can also see this story on Netflix starring Sandra Bullock. This audiobook will have you grip on your steering wheel. Malerman’s master in building suspenseful scenes and with Campbell’s narration makes the audiobook a blast. If you are not prone to tunnel vision, better try this.

The Dead Zone by Stephen King, which was  narrated by James Franco (16 hours and 12 minutes)

In this story, Johnny Smith has psychic powers that enable him to tell people things that they don’t know about themselves. If you wish that you could know how long it will take to reach your destination exactly, this is perfect for your road trip.

Read: 12 Best Organic Meal Kit Delivery Services for Healthy At-Home Dining

If you’re looking for romance:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, which was  narrated by Kate Rudd (7 hours and 14 minutes)

This gave people tears and a new perspective last 2011 and surely until now.  Don’t let the prospect of tragedy hold you from seeing the author’s honest and unique story. If you’re okay dealing with the unfairness of the world, try listening to this.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, which was narrated by Rebecca Lowman and Maxwell Caulfield

This is a novel loved by the people because of the overpowering love of fangirls and even fanboys everywhere. If you want something cute and fun, try carrying and listening to this through your trip.

If you’re looking for comedy:

Yes please by Amy Poehler, which was narrated by Amy Poehler (7 hours and 31 minutes)

This is about everything in Poehler’s life from a kid to 2014. After everything she’s been through she retains her upbeat wit, projecting gratitude, hoping for what comes next and happiness.

Bossypants by Tina Fey, that is narrated by Tina Fey (5 hours and 30 minutes)

Bossypants have chapters that show the impossible standards in business for women, how hard it is to lose some weight, and early improv experiences. All of these are delivered by the author and narrator with humor. During a road trip, this will give you a lot of LOLs by the best entertainers of the 21st century.

Read: 11 Best Picnic Baskets & Coolers For Sustainable (and Socially-Distant) Picnic Dates

If you’re looking for non-fiction:

What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe, that is narrated by Wil Wheaton (6 hours and 35 minutes)

This audiobook gives the answers to all of the questions you can think of. For example, What will happen to us if there will be a zombie apocalypse? If you drink the blood of a drunk person, could you get drunk? If you want some random hypotheticals on your trip, get this audiobook.

The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins, that is narrated by Mel Robbins (7 hours and 35 minutes)

The author lets you see that you can push yourself to reach the potential that you thought you can never reach in just 5 seconds. It also says that in just 5 seconds you can improve your mental health, improve professional standing, improve personal relationships, and more. If you want to learn how to accomplish things in 5 seconds, this book is for you!

Read: 10 Ways to Make Money While Saving the Environment

If you’re looking for a memoir:

Becoming by Michelle Obama, that is narrated by Michelle Obama (19 hours and 3 minutes)

This book is divided into three parts: “Becoming me, Becoming us, and Becoming more”. This tells us different phases of the author’s life. If you want motivational podcasts, this audiobook is for you.

But why should we start listening to these Audiobooks? First is you can read something without physically reading. Narrators allow you to understand the story just by listening. And a lot of people get bored just by reading or make their eyes hurt sometimes. 

Audiobooks let you read but don’t get you tired, if you want to read a story, stick in your headphones and play one.

If you’re traveling or commuting, reading physically can be hard because of a bumpy road or having too many people around. Commuting can suck a lot of times but audiobooks can fill in the dead spaces with something productive or interesting.

With audiobooks, you will never need a dull moment. Throughout your day there are a lot of dull moments. Waiting for your order in a café, doing the laundry, and a lot more. You can use audiobooks to let your mind wander. Waiting isn’t that boring if you have audiobooks to use with you.

Deadtime can be taken advantage of by listening to audiobooks. This will let you learn and boost your learning a lot of times. Being independent can make your time on a day, thinner because of all responsibilities. This way, listening to audiobooks that give you knowledge will make you generally smarter.

A lot of people find other people interesting if they read books. Listening to audiobooks gives you the ability to interact with others that have the same vibe. This will help you have conversation starts and questions to ask. It will help you socially and become part of a group with the same thoughts, and can have advancement opportunities.

There are a lot of things that we can learn and books help us with that. Even the smartest people still read books to widen their perspective and knowledge, we people can never get enough. Reading or listening can have a great impact on your critical thinking, can assort the way you see the world, and lets the topics give you enjoyment.

Also Read:

Get Inspired To Listen To The Best Motivational Podcasts

About The Author

May can usually be found reading an eco magazine absorbed in the latest gripping articles on all things eco! May is passionate about the environment. May believes in looking and feeling good whilst living an eco friendly lifestyle. In her spare time she loves cooking, playing her guitar and going for country walks. May lives in the UK and enjoys spending time with friends, family and her two adorable cats.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.