Worth a Listen: 10 Podcasts for Road Trips
By Joshua Smith
There is something special about a good road trip. Maybe it is the cooler packed in the back, the kids asking how much longer before you are even out of town, or that first stretch of open road when everyone settles in and the ride starts to feel like part of the adventure. This week’s podcast list is for families, day-trippers, commuters, and anyone heading over the river and through the mountains.
1. Family Road Trip Trivia Podcast
A great car-ride choice for families who like to turn the drive into a game. Episodes include trivia questions that can get everyone in the vehicle involved.
2. Stuff You Should Know
This longtime favorite covers all kinds of topics, from science and history to pop culture and everyday mysteries. It is good for curious listeners and long stretches of highway.
3. This American Life
A classic storytelling podcast with memorable episodes about regular people, strange situations, and real-life moments that stick with you after the drive is over.
4. Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!
NPR’s weekly news quiz is funny, fast-moving, and easy to enjoy in the car, especially for adults and older kids who like current events with a little wit.
5. Story Pirates
A fun choice for families with younger kids. The show turns stories written by children into songs, sketches, and silly adventures.
6. Circle Round
This gentle storytelling podcast retells folktales from around the world. It is calm enough for quiet stretches and interesting enough to keep young listeners engaged.
7. Atlas Obscura Podcast
Perfect for travelers who like odd landmarks, strange history, hidden places, and the feeling that every town has something unusual tucked away.
8. Car Talk
You do not need to know much about cars to enjoy this one. The old Car Talk episodes are funny, warm, and just about perfect for a ride through New England.
9. Good Job, Brain!
Part quiz show and part offbeat trivia, this podcast is a good fit for the car because everyone can play along. It is especially handy for families or groups who like testing their knowledge without staring at a screen.
10. Wow in the World
A lively science podcast for kids and families, this one is full of curious questions, big discoveries, and enough energy to keep younger passengers engaged when the ride starts feeling long.
Extra: Two More We Still Recommend
A couple of road-trip-ready favorites have already appeared in earlier Worth a Listen lists, but they are too good not to mention again.
LeVar Burton Reads
Previously recommended in our campfire stories list, this podcast is still a wonderful choice for the road. LeVar Burton reads short fiction with warmth, care, and the kind of storytelling voice that can make the miles disappear.
The Moth
Also previously mentioned in our campfire stories list, The Moth features real people telling true stories. Some are funny, some are moving, and some are unforgettable. Parents may want to choose episodes ahead of time for younger listeners.
Whether you are headed to the beach, the campground, the fair, the grandparents’ house, or just taking the long way home, a good podcast can make the miles go by a little easier. Pack the snacks, charge the phone, and let the road do the rest.
Don’t forget: For a local listen on your next drive, The St. Johnsbury Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Outdoor Edge, hosted by Gary Moore, is available wherever you get podcasts and on the WYKR app. It is a great companion for folks who enjoy hunting, fishing, conservation, rural life, local outdoor history, and the stories tucked into the hills and back roads of our region.