Audiobooks for long drives
“Need an audiobook for a long drive. What do you have?”
30 answers from 29 people · Updated Sep 25, 2026
Audiobook “Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup”
This one honestly reads like a thriller, but it’s nonfiction. Perfect road trip material. Even my anti-audiobook husband was into it. It’s about the Elizabeth Holmes / Theranos scandal.
This is hands-down the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. The narrator is 10/10.
3
the stories, the accent, its absolutely incredible. almost 10 years old now and its still the first audiobook that comes to mind—and i read (listen) to a loooooot of audiobooks.
53
This audiobook is a commitment and graduate level listening material. Tackling the brogue alone will make the plaque fall away from your brain. But you’ll stay for the riveting story. Great for a long drive.
8
Nofx hepatitis bathtub audiobook
Jaw droppingly entertaining. Perfect for a long car ride in a large group
Demon Copperhead (Barbara Kingsolver)
the narration of this audiobook is clever, the protagonist’s voice evolves as he gets older and I loved that extra touch. his story rings true for so much of America, troubled with poverty, family issues, drug use, etc. This story stuck with me, and I recommend it over and over again
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett on audiobook
So cozy, read by Meryl Streep, a Fall dream from the library
Nothing to See Here (Kevin Wilson)
This book is so good, and Marin Ireland is so talented and funny. I am jealous of everyone who gets to listen to this for the first time.
4
David Pittu’s reading of The Goldfinch
I read Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch when it came out over a decade ago, but on the recommendation of my audiophile friend Genevieve I’m now listening to the audiobook, and it is truly outstanding. David Pittu is masterful and yet somehow understated in his various voices; I forgot how it unfolds like a thriller. Perfect long-haul audiobook experience pour moi.
101
Lincoln in the Bardo with Nick Offerman, David Sedaris, et al
This book has a large, talented cast, many of whom are comedians. The readers bring all sorts of performance decisions to the jokes (and the terror, and the sorrow, and the rest of it) and it feels like another dimension is added to the work. Saunders is often so dark, and this book is dark, but the voices help the listener understand light shining through it.
131
Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile
If you are a Brandi Carlile fan, it's amazing because the audiobook includes a relevant song after every chapter where you get to hear her pour her soul into a song that is really meaningful to her.
42
perhaps my fav book of the year! Julia Whelan’s audiobook narration is chefs kiss. brb gonna go cry again.
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Audiobook
Narrated by Stephen Fry! Witty, ridiculous and quick. Hadn't read it since I was a teenager, and it def holds up!
1
Andy Serkis reading the Lord of the Rings
I have tried and failed to read LotR so many times but this is a fully pleasurable experience. Obviously Andy Serkis does an amazing job. And there is so much singing!
2
“The Past is Red” by Catherynne Valente, read by Penelope Rawlins
5-hour Pynchonesque post-apocalyptic literary triumph made even better by the inimitably dynamic performance of Penelope Rawlins. A true treasure for audiobook enthusiasts.
3
the murder at the vicarage read by richard e. grant
i mean, did you know that agatha christie was funny?? add one of the best comedic actors of all time (is that controversial?) and you’ve really got a FUN audiobook on your hands.
The Most Fun We Ever Had (Claire Lombardo)
Just finished this title yesterday and loved. A reflection on parenthood, marriage, sisterhood, loss. 21 hours on audiobook. It's a commitment but well worth it!
I'm Glad My Mom Died (Jennette McCurdy)
It is incredibly heavy but her reading it really is better than reading it myself.
7
This was the book that got me into audiobooks. My jaw dropped 100 times. I could talk about this book for an hour. Jessica Simpson had a fascinating time in the spotlight and hearing her stories in her voice made it better.
23
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (audiobook version)
Is there anything better than a soothing voice telling you a story about a human and animal becoming best friends? I love/was ruined by the documentary My Octopus Teacher and this book had a similar energy to me.
4
The Murderbot Diaries are excellent reads no matter what, but I need to give a special shoutout to the audiobooks. Kevin R. Free is iconic as Murderbot and has so much depth and dry humor in his performance. If you’re planning on reading these, please do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobooks.
1
The Ramona Quimby Audiobook collection
Have kids? They’ll love it. Don’t have kids? Doesn’t matter, you’ll love it. Stockard Channing’s narration is perfection and Beverly Cleary never misses.
31
sideways stories from wayside school audiobook
The audiobook read by the author Louis Sachlar is laugh-til-you-cry zaney and hilarious. The stuff that’s a little dated and shocking makes it even funnier—-though may take a sensitive conversation or two!
32
Front Desk book series by Kelly Yang
Holy cannoli this book series is an extraordinary gateway for discussing racism, sexism, poverty, and the complexities of immigration with kids. I’ve listened to the first two audiobooks with my 9 and 11 year old and it’s been a fantastic jumping off point for conversations about the horrors of today’s world. The book is authentic and does not sugar coat the reality of being a person of color in 1990s California, but manages to still bring humor, joy and hope to every story. Audiobook narrator Sunny Lu is somehow both believable as an 11-year-old girl while also not at all annoying or grating. 10/10 recommend.
4
David Mitchell heads unite!!! This is one of my favorite audiobooks to put on when I need to putter. He narrates it, throws in little history jokes, and it’s just so enjoyable. It’s also a massive book that I don’t think I could get through on my own.
213
Kitchen Confidential (Anthony Bourdain)
the perfect non-fiction book you MUST listen to the audiobook
1
If you like exhaustive history podcasts like A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs or The History of Byzantium then consider the audio versions of the greatest historical works of the 20th century, Robert Caro’s biographies of Robert Moses or Lyndon Johnson. Both works fit audio perfectly, they are endless in a way that doesn’t matter on a drive or a hike. The readers are great, the histories are deep and life-changing. Get them on your phone!
3
