Books About Road Trips
Nothing says fun like books about road trips. Reading about people together in a car on a trip leads to inevitable hijinks that always make me smile. This year, I read a few of these great books and knew I needed to put them together in one list!
Whether you are looking for fiction, historical fiction, or romance, I have the best list of road trip novels. If you are looking for the Best Boat Books, I have a list of those as well.
This list has a variety of genres for you to choose from. Whether you like fiction, sci-fi, romance, or YA, this list of road trip books has something for everyone. There is even a nonfiction pick!
The Books About Road Trips
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre of road trip novels. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Fiction Book About Road Trips
Road to Tender Hearts- Click to see more in this category
Best Historical Fiction Book About Road Trips
The Lincoln Highway- Click to see more
Best Romance Book About Road Trips
PS I Hate You – Click to see more
Best YA Fiction Book About Road Trips
While We Were Young- Click to see more
Best Speculative Fiction Book About Road Trips
The Poppy Fields – Click to See More
Best Nonfiction Book About Road Trips
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Best Fiction Road Trip Books
The Road to Tender Hearts
Author: Annie Harnett
Year: 2025
Genre: Fiction
More info: author of Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals
Age Range: 18+
Plot
PJ Halliday won a million dollars in the lottery and has done nothing since other than sit in the bar and mourn his bad luck- and he has had his fair share. He lost a daughter, had a terrible divorce, and his health is steadily declining (which is not helped by the fact that he is an alcoholic). To top it off, his ex-wife is marrying his best friend, and they are headed to Alaska for four months- alone.
When PJ sees an obituary of his old rival, he decides to head to the Tender Hearts Retirement Community across the country to win back his high school first crush. It just so happens that he is now the guardian of two young orphans and a cat who can predict death. Oh, and did I mention that he cannot drive because he had his license revoked after his last DUI? Enter his daughter as the driver!
Trigger Warnings
Death of a parent, murder, suicide, drug use
Why Jackie loves it
Although this book deals with a lot of serious topics, it does it in a way that is heartwarming and funny. I laughed my way through this book, which is a series of one disaster after another. On the surface, this book should not work; however, it is a literary wonder. I absolutely loved this poignant, wonderful book. It is one of my favorites of the year, and you will hear me talk about it!
Find this book in: Novels About Addiction / Beach Reads 2025 / Best Fiction Books of 2025 / Books About Road Trips
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
Author: Colleen Oakley
Year: 2023
Genre: Fiction
More info: USA Today Bestselling Author, Good Morning America Buzz Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Tanner needs a place to live where she can sit and play video games to her heart’s content since she isn’t allowed to be at her house anymore. Louise Wilt’s daughter thinks she needs a caregiver.
Being Louise’s caregiver seems like the perfect gig for Tanner and the two ignore each other happily. When Tanner starts to notice that Louise has a close resemblance to a jewel thief and Louise suddenly insists on a road trip, their adventure begins. Is Louise the famed jewel thief from years ago?
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Abuse
Why Jackie loves it
I absolutely loved this book about thieves- or potential thieves. It was everything I hoped for and more. The relationship between Tanner and Louise develops as the characters develop. The plot is unique and it is a true feel-good book.
Find this book in: Books About Thieves / Jewelry Novels / Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Ultimate List of Feel-Good Books / Books About Road Trips
Run for the Hills
Author: Kevin Wilson
Year: 2025
Genre: Fiction
More info: Bestselling author of Nothing to See Here
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This is a Sibling Story like only Kevin Wilson can write. Madeline Hill has lived with her mom on their farm in Tennessee together since her dad left twenty years ago. When Reuben Hill shows up and informs her that he is her half-brother, she is surprised.
She is even more shocked when Reuben tells her that there are more half-siblings and he intends to find them all. The two set off together to find the rest of their family. How many more Hill siblings will there be and will they find their father in the end?
Why Jackie loves it
Wilson always has quirky novels that make me laugh. They also have an undercurrent of hurt. I laughed my way through this book but also felt Reuben’s pain. As the oldest of the Hill children, he feels the acute loss of his father more than any of the other Hill children. I loved the book until the end. I wish there was a little more because I left that the story was not complete, even if the road trip was.
Find this book in: Books About Siblings / Books About Road Trips
Best Historical Fiction Road Trip Novels
The Lincoln Highway
Author: Amor Towles
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: October 2021 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The coming-of-age story is all about Emmett and his 8-year-old brother, Billy, and their quest to get to California to start a new life following the death of their father. Along for the ride are the scheming Duchess and his sidekick.
Why Kirsten loves it
Once again, Amor Towles writes an incredible, character-driven story that had me marveling at his writing ability. Their journey intertwines in this fast-moving character study of the 4 boys. It was a touch too long, but still a wonderful story from a gifted writer.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Best Read With Jenna Books / Books About Road Trips
The Lightning Bottles
Author: Marissa Stapley
Year: 2024
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling author of Lucky (September 2024 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick)
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:18+
Plot
Jane Pyre and her husband Elijah Hart were a rock duo known as the Lightning Bottles. But when Elijah disappeared 5 years ago, Jane became the most hated woman in rock. Fans already resented Jane, hated her coldness, and did not believe that she was the written voice of the music. Jane buys a house in the German countryside to escape the public and moves next door to a teenage girl who is a Lightning Bottles superfan.
She claims that she has proof Elijah is alive and trying to send messages to Jane. The two embark on a cross-country road trip in search of answers as they follow clues.
Trigger Warnings
Drug Addiction
Why Jackie loves it
From the first page, I was completely hooked on this fantastic book. I love that the story is a dual-timeline narrative that moves between the present and the beginning of Jane and Elijah’s love story. The characters are rich and believable, and loveable because of their flaws.
Find this book in: Novels About Music, Bands, and Musicians / Popular Nonlinear Narrative Novels / Books Set in the 80s / Books About Road Trips
Sing, Unburied, Sing
Author: Jesmyn Ward
Year: 2017
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: *Winner of the National Book Award for Fiction
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This book is an award winner and the writing is undeniably wonderful. The story itself has elements of magic that add to the difficult subject matter. Jojo’s mother, Leonie, is Black woman who packs up her kids in the car to pick up Jojo’s father, Michael, from prison. Michael is a white man who has been absent from Joo’s life. In the car is the ghost of a 13-year-old boy. It is his voice that teaches Jojo about relationships, life, and love.
Trigger Warnings
Drugs, Violence, Poverty
Why Jackie loves it
The characters did not develop throughout the story as much as I would have liked, but this ghost book is a worthwhile read when considering the wonderful writing. The paranormal aspect makes this a great book for fall.
Find this book in: Jazz Age Books / Ghost Books / Books About Road Trips
Best Romance Road Trip Novels
Plot
Maddie is grief-stricken over the loss of her older brother, Josh. She is not surprised that he asked her to scatter his ashes. She is shocked that Josh asked his best friend, Dominic, to go with her. Now Maddie must spread his ashes in eight destinations with the one person who broke her heart. Dom has the notes and the instructions to ensure that everything will be completed the way Josh wants.
Trigger Warnings
Loss of a brother
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a wonderful book about dealing with grief and finding love! The trips that Maddie and Dom have to take are sad and healing at the same time. I love the adventures that they take in this book. They learn how to navigate tremendous loss together. It was such a great love story.
Find this book in: Novels About Grief / Second Chance Romance Books / Fiction With a Funeral / Books About Road Trips
The Perfect Rom-Com
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Year: 2025
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Bryony Page is an aspiring writer who is offered a job as a ghostwriter for Amelia Benedict, a rom-com novelist. Bryony agrees under the condition that the literary agent, Jack Sterling, will try and sell her books as well. But nobody could predict that Brian’s books would turn Amelia from popular, to best-selling author with millions of copies sold. Now the agency cannot let her go and Jack realizes he does not want to for personal reasons.
Why Kirsten loves it
Melissa Ferguson always writes the most swoon-worthy, clean romances! Jack has all the green flags, but perhaps the best part of the novel is the contemptuous relationship between Bryony and Amelia. It had me giggling more than once.
Find this book in: Romance Books About Books / Books About Road Trips
Plot
Charley thought she had everything she wanted until her husband announced he wanted a divorce after only a year of marriage. So when her sister announces she is going to marry her childhood sweetheart, Charley knows that she has to stop the wedding.
This means she will need to be road tripping into the woods of Minnesota with her childhood best friend, Ethan. In fact, the two were best friends until he no-showed as her best man at her wedding.
When the trip begins to remind Charley of old feelings, she wonders how things could ever work between them. She craves stability and Ethan is unreliable.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved this friends-to-lovers romance. Yes, it was predictable, but it was such an enjoyable read. #gifted from PRH Audio and Penguin Random House
Find this book in: Road Trip Books
The Breakup Tour
Author: Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Year: 2024
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Pop superstar, Riley Wynn is going on tour for her latest album and bringing along her first love as her pianist for the hit song inspired by their romance. As they tour across the states, they reflect on why their relationship ended so long ago and feel the tugs of an invisible string pulling them back together 😉.
Why Kirsten loves it
It was such a fun read during my winter vacation. I was rooting for Riley and Max the entire time (while imagining that Travis Kelce was a pianist and not a football star.) It’s Taylor Swift fanfic and just plain fun! *Gifted by Berkley Publishing
Find this book in: Celebrity Romance Books / Novels about Musicians / Second Chance Romance Books / Books About Road Trips
The Honey Don’t List
Author: Christina Lauren
Year: 2020
Genre: Romance
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This one is for all you Chip and Joanna Gaines fans. Imagine if behind-the-scenes a beloved TV decorating couple actually hated each other’s guts.
Then imagine that they have decided to put out a book about their marriage and are heading out on tour. How to keep the trouble in paradise under wraps? Bring along a longtime female assistant and a new handsome quasi-assistant to monitor the situation.
Let’s just hope the assistants can stay out of each other’s pants long enough to keep their bosses out of trouble.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is one of my favorite reality TV books. Christina Lauren writes such a fantastic romance and this one was so much fun to read.
Find this book in: Books Like Fix Her Up / Reality TV Novels / Books About Road Trips
Plot
Lulu is a total workaholic who has had enough. When she throws her phone into a tub of water and quits her job on a whim, she has to figure out what she is going to do with herself. Luckily for her, she is at a renaissance fair where they are more than happy to have her tour with the Dueling Kilts and their very handsome group member named Dex.
Sparks fly but when the summer is over, will Lulu go with her heart or head back to the corporate world?
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a cute and unique premise for a book. I loved this steamy romance and loved the renaissance faire aspect.
Find this book in: Books About Road Trips
The Devil and the Heiress
Author: Harper St. George
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Romance
More info: BuzzFeed Best Romance 2021, Gilded Age Heiresses #2
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This time, Violet Crenshaw, looking to escape an arranged marriage to an odious man, looks to the Earl of Leigh to help her escape to Scotland. But the Earl has a different plan with the bubbly lady he wishes to call his own.
Why Kirsten loves it
The follow-up to Harper St. George’s Gilded Age romance series was another fun pick featuring the younger Crenshaw heiress. This time, the book is set in Scotland!
Find this book in: Forced Proximity Trope Romance Books / Books Like Outlander / Books About Scotland / Harper St. George Books in Order / Books About Road Trips
Young Adult Road Trip Novels
While We’re Young
Author: K.L. Walther
Year: 2025
Genre: YA Romance
More info: Bestselling author of Summer of Broken Rules!
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is a perfect pick for anyone who loves Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (and who doesn’t?). Grace, Isa, and Everett used to be inseparable until Everett broke up with Isa in Freshman year. The threesome never recovered. Now, Grace loves Everett and Isa is hanging out with James, Grace’s brother. When Grace decides to take a senior skip day she includes all the Philly greats in this epic day.
But will they be able to talk about the secrets they are keeping from each other? Will this be their last hurrah?
Trigger Warnings
Death of a parent, depression
Why Jackie loves it
This is everything I loved about Ferris Bueller and more. There were nods to the characters I loved so much from the movie, but there was also a much deeper look into the pressures on teens to be outstanding. These characters are fully developed and I loved their relationships with each other. Note that this does have references to a sexual encounter between two 18-year-old consenting characters.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2025 / Books About Road Trips
Stranger than Fanfiction
Author: Chris Colfer
Year: 2017
Genre: Fiction
More info:New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
A famous actor ends up going on a road trip with 4 of his fans. As they travel around, secrets come to light and adventure ensues. This story is deeper than it appears.
Why Jackie loves it
I love how Chris Colfer’s characters are completely relatable, not sensationalized. His two middle grade series are some of my favorites.
Find this book in: Books About Road Trips/ LGBTQ-books
Sci-Fi/ Speculative Fiction Road Trip Novels
Plot
This speculative novel revolves around The Poppy Fields, a location in the desert where those suffering from grief can undergo medically induced rest for a few months to help them heal. After a plane flight is cancelled due to severe weather, a group of strangers ends up on a road trip to the Poppy Fields, where each has a different reason for visiting.
Along the way, their individual grief stories are revealed and they form connections that have each reevaluating their feelings about The Poppy Fields in surprising ways.
Why Kirsten loves it
I was mesmerized by each character’s narrative and their growth throughout the novel. The pacing of the story was a perfect balance of quick, high-tension scenes and slower, thought-provoking ones. I found myself examining grief in a new light after reading about each character’s experience with it. I can’t wait to read whatever Nikki writes next. #gifted by William Morrow.
Find this book in: Novels About Grief/ Best Fiction Books of 2025 / Books About Road Trips
Station Eleven
Author: Emily St. John Mandel
Year: 2014
Genre: Sci-fi
More info: National Book Award Finalist
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I do not know where to start with this award-winning dystopian Novel. The story begins with the famous Hollywood actor, Arthur Leander, dying of a heart attack on stage during the production of King Lear.
That is also the same night that a pandemic overtakes the entire planet, quickly ending civilization within a matter of weeks. Now, without power, fuel, running water, phones, etc. those that are left must start over.
Kirsten Raymonde was a little girl when she watched Arthur die and now, twenty years later, she travels with The Traveling Symphony, a small group who try to give back some music and theatre to the small towns of survivors. When they come back to St Deborah by the Water to retrieve their friends, they are no longer there. What remains is a new kind of threat.
Trigger Warnings
Pandemic
Why Jackie likes it
This is such a well-written book, I knew I needed to see how it ended. However, the events of the pandemic were difficult to read.
Find this book in: Dystopian Novels / Books About Road Trips
Bones Beneath My Skin
Author: TJ Klune
Year: Republished 2025
Genre: Sci-Fi
More info:
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
It’s 1995 and Nick lost his job and with it, his dignity. He inherited a cabin in Roseland, Oregon after his parents’ tragic deaths. He takes the truck he also inherited and hopes to retreat to the cabin to wallow and regroup. When he gets there, he finds a man named Alex and a 10-year-old girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader.
Now Nick finds himself on a road trip of sorts, trying to protect Artemis who is not who she appears to be.
Trigger Warnings
Homophobia, quick graphic sexual content
Why Jackie likes it
There were so many parts of this story that I loved, the character development and relationships are written as only TJ Klune can. There are intermittent graphic descriptions of sexual encounters that were unexpected and threw me off. I was not expecting some of the scenes. The plot is so original with a theme of found family that Klune includes in so many of his books.
Find this book in: Best Sci-fi Books / Books About Road Trips
Nonfiction Road Trip Books
Clanlands
Author: Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish, forward by Diana Gabaldon
Year: 2020
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This hysterical book is part history and part comedy. Stars of the Outlander TV series, Sam Heughan (who plays Jamie Fraser) and Graham McTavish (AKA Dougal MacKenzie) go on a road trip with each other. Along the way, they tell funny stories and experience Scotland’s rich heritage. I laughed out loud multiple times at their antics, and then promptly watched their show Men in Kilts on Starz.
Why Kirsten loves it
I laughed out loud multiple times at their antics, and then promptly watched their show Men in Kilts on Starz. If you are a fan of the Outlander series (television series), you must read this pick.
Find this book in: Books about Scotland / Nonfiction Books for Beginners / Celebrity Memoirs / Books like Outlander
Expert Tip
Are you trying to pick a road trip book but are not sure which one to read? Here are some tips for choosing a book that you will love.
- Read the description of the book. Kirsten and I read all of these, so that should tell you about the book.
- Are you a “Kirsten” or a “Jackie”? You can pick a book based on who liked it and why!
- Look at the trigger warnings to make sure that this is the right book for you. I always like to say that the right book needs to find you at the right time!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Road Trip Book?
A road trip book is any story that takes place mostly in a car/ van/ bus. A major plot point for a road trip book is what takes place on the way to the final destination.
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Epilogue
What is your favorite book about a road trip? If its not on this list, I would love it if you sent me a message or an email so I can add it to my TBR.
