Whether you’re road tripping for business or pleasure, there is something rather boring and tiresome about sitting in a car for endless hours. Driving can make you tired, sitting in the passenger seat can too. There’s really no way to win! However, there are things to do on a long car ride which can pass the time faster and even go a long way to making the journey fun.
# Play I spy
Okay, it’s an old suggestion, but it’s certainly stood the test of time! I Spy passes the time, forces you to be more mindful of your surroundings, and helps the driver to stay awake when they might be starting to get tired. Disclaimer – of course, if you’re starting to get tired, take a break, in fact, take regular breaks.
If you’ve never played I Spy before, it’s super-easy. “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with …” and you would say the letter. Everyone else in the car takes it in turns to guess what it is. The person who gets it right then gets to have their go. Easy, but entertaining in the short-term.
# Do some trivia to learn something newThis isn’t Trivial Pursuit, but it’s a good way to pass the time, learn something new, and probably laugh at each other in the process. You don’t need any props for this, just the knowledge in your brain. It’s one of the best things to do on a long car ride because you won’t realize how fast the time is passing.
Simply pose a question and let everyone else guess the answer. Of course, make it as hard as you can and the game will go on longer with more creative answers!
# Listen to the music you used to love
We all have songs that take us back to our youth, whether that was a few or many years ago! Blast out those old boy band tunes or diva ballads. Sing along with as much gusto as possible! It’s one of the most entertaining things to do on a long car ride. Plus, you’ll have large amounts of nostalgia thrown in for good measure.
# Listen to fun Spotify playlistsYou can either make your own road trip playlist before you set off or listen to one of the many pre-listed ones on Spotify. The only rule is that you should never skip a song. Instead, just press shuffle and listen to the playlist in its entirety. You might find a new song that you love. If not, you’ll be able to laugh at the terrible ones!
# Listen to a comedy podcast
There are so many podcasts you can listen to these days, but why not download a comedy one and listen while you’re on your journey? It will more than pass the time and you’ll be upbeat and laughing all the way.
# Watch Netflix on your phone/tabletIf you’re not the one driving, you can watch Netflix on your phone or tablet to pass the time. If you have an Internet connection, you can stream but do be aware that it’s going to eat into your allowance. It’s probably better to think ahead and download a few shows or movies on the app before you leave, using Wi-Fi. I definitely find this one of the best things to do on a long car ride because it makes the time pass so much faster.
# Have an actual conversation shocking, I know
These days we don’t often talk face to face. It’s something that needs to change and while you’re stuck in a car together, this is the perfect time! Avoid heavy conversations that may lead towards awkward silences or disagreements and keep things light. You’ll get to know what’s really going on in each other’s lives and you’ll pass the time. Bonus!
# Try listening to an audiobookMany people feel sick when they’re reading in a car – me included. I’ve found audiobooks are a great way to enjoy a story and a little escapism while avoiding the nausea. There are thousands of audiobooks you can listen to it. You can even put it on speaker and let the entire car listen at the same time.
# Take a napObviously, don’t do this if you’re driving as that would be extremely reckless! If you’re a passenger and the journey is making you a little tired, close your eyes and have a little nap. You’ll feel better when you wake up and more able to enjoy wherever it is you’re going. This is probably one of the best things to do on a long car ride in terms of your health and well-being, that’s for sure – getting enough sleep these days can be hard.
# Learn a language on the go
You can use apps to learn languages and they’re really interactive, which makes it far easier to learn on the go. Duolingo or Babbel are two of the most popular, but there are countless more. Download and start learning! You can even learn as a team in the car, giving you something educational to do while you travel.
# Try a little meditation
If you’re in the back of the car and you’re not interested in talking because you’re a little tired, put your earphones in and listen to a meditation app. These usually have deep breathing exercises included, relaxing music, and even guided meditations to try. Meditation is super-healthy, so it’s one of the best things to do on a long car ride.