The 36 Best Teen Audiobooks for Road Trips
Entertain your family in the car with great audiobooks. While your teen drives, save up to 30% on auto insurance with discounts for good grades and completing Driver's Ed.
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Written by
Mathew B. Sims
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Reviewed by
Daniel Walker
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UPDATED: Jul 16, 2021
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- Did you know a majority of books recommended also have a major motion picture adaptation?
- The longest audiobook recommended is “Gone with the Wind” at an astounding 49 hours.
- Writer’s favorite book recommended is “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” by Jenny Lawson.
Vacations are a great place to be, and one of America’s favorite kinds of vacations are road trips. Nothing beats the thrill of a map, the open road, and a full tank of gas.
One of the best ways to pass the time while on a road trip is listening to audiobooks. For those book worms out there, this is the best of both worlds — you get to drive and read at the same time.
There are many kinds of audiobooks available in every genre, probably more than you could imagine. We will be recommending some of the best teen audiobooks for a road trip.
Before you even hit the road, don’t forget that you can enter your ZIP code below and compare insurance rates today.
Table of Contents
Classics
Certain books have been labeled as “classics” for a reason, as they are often timeless and harrowing stories that can (and have) been passed down through generations.
Such important pieces of literature have been brought into the 21st century through audiobooks, so everyone can enjoy.
We’ve picked a few favorite classics we think teens would enjoy on a road trip.
#36 – The Complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Time Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
This classic detective has been an infamous character since he was written back in 1877. The witty and ingenious crime solver was the first of his kind and his stories are, to this day, considered the epitome of a good mystery.
There are several stories in the Sherlock Holmes collection, but you can find audiobooks, such as this one on Audible, that combine all the stories for your listening pleasure.
#35 – To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Time Length: 12 hrs 17 mins
Yes, we know most of you have read, or at least heard of, this American classic.
If you’ve read this one in school, you can always continue on the adventures with its sequel, mentioned later in this article.
#34 – Gone with the Wind
Author: Margaret Mitchell
Time Length: 49 hrs 2 min
The iconic movie based on this novel stole the hearts of audiences across the globe, and for good reason.
If you are going across the country, this might be the perfect fit for you. While the time length can appear a little intense, the commitment is worth it for this classic.
#33 – The Scarlet Letter
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Time Length: 6 hrs 53 mins
Whether you’ve read this book in school or have seen any of the several various movie adaptations, you’re likely acquainted with this masterpiece. Delving into the story in the form of an audiobook is an opportunity for you to experience this timeless classic from a different angle.
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Fantasy Series
Up for a long road trip? Never fear, fantasy series are here!
Fantasy books allow readers (and listeners) to escape to a whole new world. They suck you in and keep hold of you until the last page.
In this section, we’ll recommend a few fantasy series audiobooks we think every teen (and even adult) would enjoy.
#32 – The Harry Potter Series
Author: J.K. Rowling
Book 1 (The Sorcerer’s Stone) Time Length: 8 hrs 33 mins
Book 2 (The Chamber of Secrets) Time Length: 9 hrs 24 mins
Book 3 (The Prisoner of Azkaban) Time Length: 12 hrs 15 mins
Book 4 (The Goblet of Fire) Time Length: 21 hrs 12 mins
Book 5 (The Order of the Phoenix) Time Length: 27 hrs 2 mins
Book 6 (The Half-Blood Prince) Time Length: 18 hrs 55 mins
Book 7 (The Deathly Hallows) Time Length: 21 hrs 36 mins
Of course, we’re going to recommend all of the Harry Potter books; they’ve become a worldwide phenomenon for a reason!
#31 – The Mortal Instruments Series
Author: Cassandra Clare
Book 1 (City of Bones) Time Length: 13 hrs 44 mins
Book 2 (City of Ash) Time Length: 12 hrs 19 mins
Book 3 (City of Glass) Time Length: 15 hrs 22 mins
Book 4 (City of Fallen Angels) Time Length: 12 hrs 39 mins
Book 5 (City of Lost Souls) Time Length: 16 hrs 59 mins
Book 6 (City of Heavenly Fire) Time Length: 20 hrs 38 mins
This series has risen in popularity among YA readers. It’s a fun and adventurous fantasy series that has had more accolades than we can count.
#30 – Throne of Glass Series
Author: Sara J. Maas
Book 1 (Throne of Glass) Time Length: 12 hrs 47 mins
Book 2 (Crown of Midnight) Time Length: 12 hrs 25 mins
Book 3 (Heir of Fire) Time Length: 20 hrs 40 mins
Book 4 (Queen of Shadows) Time Length: 20 hrs 43 mins
Book 5 (Empire of Storms) Time Length: 25 hrs 18 mins
Book 6 (Tower of Dawn) Time Length: 22 hrs 39 mins
Book 7 (Kingdom of Ash) Time Length: 33 hrs 11 mins
Another fantasy series that has exploded in popularity over the last few years, and for good reason. An awesome female assassin? Sold!
#29- The Lord of the Rings Series
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Book 1 (The Fellowship of the Ring) Time Length: 19 hrs 7 mins
Book 2 (The Two Towers) Time Length: 16 hrs 40 mins
Book 3 (The Return of the King) Time Length: 18 hrs 19 mins
One of the O.G. fantasy series. It remains one of the most read, and most well known, fantasy series of all time.
#28 – The Hunger Games Series
Author: Suzanne Collins
Book 1 (The Hunger Games) Time Length: 10 hrs 35 mins
Book 2 (Catching Fire) Time Length: 11 hrs 3 mins
Book 3 (Mockingjay) Time Length: 11 hrs 19 mins
The Hunger Games is one of the first dystopian fantasy series to become a worldwide phenomenon. A powerful message with fantastic writing, it is a force to be reckoned with in the literary world.
#27 – The Darkest Minds Series
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Book 1 (The Darkest Minds) Time Length: 13 hrs 56 mins
Book 2 (Never Fade) Time Length: 15 hrs 20 mins
Book 3 (In the Afterlight) Time Length: 17 hrs
Book 4 (The Darkest Legacy) Time Length: 16 hrs 17 mins
An interesting and fun take on a group of individuals gaining extraordinary abilities.
Biography/Humor
Sometimes you want a good laugh and to learn more about some of your favorite authors/celebrities/individuals.
In this section, we’ll recommend a couple of biography/humor audiobooks we think you’ll get a kick out of.
#26 – Let’s Pretend This Never Happened
Author: Jenny Lawson
Time Length: 8 hrs 41 mins
This book by blogger Jenny Lawson will have listeners in stitches over her wacky antics. While there are some deeper and more touching moments, it’s something you’ll want to listen to if you need a good laugh.
If you don’t believe us, check out the video below where the author, Jenny Lawson, reads the first chapter.
#25 – Becoming
Author: Michelle Obama
Time Length: 19 hrs 3 mins
One of the most fascinating First Ladies in America, Michelle Obama talks about her life in this memoir.
#24 – Bossypants
Author: Tina Fey
Time Length: 5 hrs 32 mins
This is another memoir, this time written by SNL alum Tina Fey. She’ll have you doubled over in laughter listening to this biography.
#23 – Educated
Author: Tara Westover
Time Length: 12 hrs 10 mins
This New York Times bestseller is one of those biographies that brings light to a dark situation.
Mystery/Thriller
For those of you out there who are suckers for a good mystery or thriller, we’re right there with you!
We’ve recommended a couple of favorite audiobooks in the mystery/thriller genre that will have you putting your detective hats on.
#22 – Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Time Length: 15 hrs 44 mins
A mystery set in a fantastical world, what more could you want?
#21 – The Outsider
Author: Stephen King
Time Length: 18 hrs 41 mins
Wait, Stephen King writes stories other than horror? Who knew? Though this book is outside of his usual genre, it does have some elements of horror sown throughout. This mystery will leave you on the edge of your seat.
#20 – And Then There Were None
Author: Agatha Christie
Time Length: 6 hrs 1 min
Agatha Christie is known as the “Queen of Mystery,” and this book shows why. It’s a prolific story and is known as one of the greatest mysteries, with one of the best twists, of all time.
This mystery classic is so well known that it has seen adaptations in movies, television shows, and even video games.
#19 – Stormbreaker
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Time Length: 4 hrs 37 mins
This mystery got a lot of teens to start reading when it was first released. It mixes spies and mysteries in an exciting adventure. Stormbreaker is the first book in the series.
#18 – Truly Devious
Author: Maureen Johnson
Time Length: 10 hrs 12 mins
A fun and exciting mystery about a private school filled to the brim with riddles.
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Horror
If you’re ever in the mood to drive down the highway with a good horror story playing, these will be the recommendations for you.
#17 – The Haunting of House Hill
Author: Shirley Jackson
Time Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
This classic has defined a generation of horror stories. You could listen to this audiobook at night, too — if you dare.
Perhaps you’ve heard of the new Netflix series based on the novel?
#16 – The Shining
Author: Stephen King
Time Length: 15 hrs 50 mins
There’s no way we could have a list of horror audiobooks without including Stephen King. This classic story, most famously known for the Stanley Kubrick movie interpretation, is one of the gold standards for horror stories.
#15 – IT
Author: Stephen King
Time Length: 44 hrs 55 mins
If you thought “The Shining” could scare the pants off you, just wait until you get ahold of this one.
You might recognize it by the iconic villain, Pennywise the Clown.
Science Fiction
Let’s jump into the future with some awesome science fiction audiobooks you should check out.
#14 – Scythe
Author: Neal Shusterman
Time Length: 10 hrs 32 mins
How can you not get into a story about Grim Reapers, known in their world as Scythes? “Scythe” is the first book in the series.
#13 – A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeleine L’Engle
Time Length: 6 hrs 27 mins
The epitome of science fiction and fantasy wrapped up in one package.
#12 – Renegades
Author: Marissa Meyer
Time Length: 16 hrs 58 mins
Another dystopian-themed book that will give you the perfect dose of adventure and sci-fi. “Renegades” is the first of the series.
Romance/Contemporary
Not in the mood for any of the other genres? Rest assured, you can lean on a good romance/contemporary audiobook.
#11 – Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Time Length: 12 hrs 49 mins
This is a good one for anyone who loves a little contemporary, a little romance, and a whole lot of nerdiness.
#10 – Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Time Length: 5 hrs 48 mins
This one skirts the lines of the genre, but we felt it was worth the mention. A lot of schools started buying this book, and for good reason. It deals with a lot of difficult themes, but it is a game-changer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySpPkHZ66aI
#9 – The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Time Length: 7 hrs 14 mins
This pick is guaranteed to have you in tears at some point, though it’s still a fun and quirky read.
#8 – The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Time Length: 6 hrs 18 mins
Another book that skirts the lines of the genre, but is definitely worth a mention. It’s quirky and fun but also deals with some difficult themes.
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The Celebrity Factor
With the ever-increasing popularity of audiobooks, a lot of celebrities have decided to get into the narrating business.
We’ve picked a few audiobooks narrated by celebrities we think every teen, or adult, would enjoy.
#7 – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Author: Mark Twain
Time Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
Celebrity Narrator: Nick Offerman
This classic Mark Twain novel was recommended by multiple audiobook websites, particularly by the popular Audible. Why?
Well, aside from the fact that this novel is considered an American classic, did you see who was narrating the book in the Audible version? That’s right, the “Parks and Rec” actor himself. The already-timeless tale is brought to light with his humorous and dramatic reading.
#6 – Peter Pan in Scarlet
Author: J.M. Barrie
Time Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
Celebrity Narrator: Tim Curry
Another classic tale, another amazing actor to narrate.
#5 – The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Time Length: 4 hrs
Celebrity Narrator: Jeremy Irons
Did you ever imagine the voice of Scar from “The Lion King” talking to you with his silky voice? Us too!
Now imagine him putting that voice to use by reading you “The Alchemist,” a story that will inspire you to dream of more.
Don’t believe us? Listen to this excerpt from the Audible recording:
https://youtu.be/CYreNr76GUI
#4 – Go Set a Watchman
Author: Harper Lee
Time Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
Celebrity Narrator: Reese Witherspoon
If you’ve ever gone to school in America, you’ll have read the predecessor to this novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” This sequel is read by one of America’s sweethearts.
#3 – The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Time Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins
Celebrity Narrator: Jake Gyllenhaal
“The Great Gatsby” is the absolute vision of the American Dream back in the 1920s, and has been taught in English classes around the globe.
This classic has been made into not one, but two separate movies, the latest with stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey McGuire.
Once you throw in Jake Gyllenhaal for the narration of this class novel, you’re in for a fun ride.
#2 – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Author: Lewis Carroll
Time Length: 2 hrs 44 mins
Celebrity Narrator: Scarlett Johansson
One of the most fantastical classics, “Alice in Wonderland” is narrated by Marvel alum Scarlett Johansson.
#1 – The Handmaid’s Tale
Author: Margaret Atwood
Time Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins
Celebrity Narrator: Claire Danes
Most people will have heard of this novel due to the award-winning television show based on this classic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAXy_NyUN6k
That’s it — you’ve made it to the end of our recommendations. We hope we were able to provide you with at least a few wish-list items for your audiobook collection.
Don’t forget, before you head out on your road trip, check out our FREE online tool to help you compare insurance rates in your zip code now.