Road Trip Games for Tweens and Teens
Remember when kids actually looked out the window on road trips, played goofy games, and talked to the people in the car instead of texting the ones outside of it?
I do — because I was one of them!
We didn’t have charging cables, iPhones, DVD players, or even GPS! We had the license plate game… and Punch Buggy (which is a little less thrilling when you’re an only child). Road trips in the ’80s were a whole different adventure — and while today’s road trip looks a lot different, I still believe in making memories without needing a screen in every seat.
I’ll be honest — I sometimes have a harder time putting the phone down than my teens do. It’s easy to fall into the “everyone in their own world” trap on long drives — especially with miles of highway and not much to do. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for simple, meaningful ways to connect, laugh, and actually make memories together. While I’m not totally technology-free, there are a couple of fun road trip apps we enjoy, I still love the charm of old-school games that get everyone talking and laughing. These road trip ideas are perfect for tweens, teens, and even grown-ups who can absolutely join in!
Before we jump into the list, if you’re the type who likes to keep things old school (paper, pencils, and no chargers required), I’ve got a free list of games waiting for you on my Freebies Page. Toss it in the glove box and you’re road-trip ready!
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Tech-free Road Trip Games
Shotgun! I picked this up at a bookstore on a whim, and it is a perfect game for teens! Compete for points by playing dares, trivia, challenges, questions, and more! Comes with 200 cards in a drawstring pouch. Bonus – the driver can also participate! It was an instant hit on a past road trip.
Rand McNally: The Ultimate Map It! How many people know how to read a map these days? This clever seek-and-find book brings maps back to life — with challenges based on real locations across the U.S. Each state includes a checklist of things to spot, like quirky town names, geographical features, state parks, and more. It’s sneaky learning at its best — part geography, part scavenger hunt, and 100% road trip gold.
The Ultimate Road Trip Game Bundle Contains four classic games: Word Game, Scavenger Hunt, Personal Trivia, and Word Charades for endless variety and fun challenges.
Mad Libs It’s hard to go wrong with everyone’s favorite word game! Contains 21 “fill-in-the-blank” stories about car songs, historical sights, roadside diners, and many more!
The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book I’ll let this Amazon review speak for itself – “This book saved our road trip with 3 teenagers. If you look at it and think your kids will not enjoy it…remember that options are limited in a 15 day road trip with 3 teens who hate everything…this kept them super busy and they loved it! They kept asking for activities on the trip…we had to space them out!”
100 Things to Do on a Car Trip – Contains games, puzzles, mazes, trivia, and more! The compact size makes it the perfect to keep in the glove compartment. Designed to amuse young readers up to tweens, (as well as adults)!
Techie Road Trip Games
There are some great apps out there that give a modern twist to classic games — perfect for road trips! Even better, most of them include built-in scorekeepers and timers, which means no one gets stuck keeping track – because who really wants that job?
Roadtrippers Plan your route with quirky roadside attractions, food stops, and weird museums. It’s like a GPS, but with personality.
License Plate Games If you prefer a clean and simple way to track license plates, PlateSpot is perfect — no distractions, just tap and go. For something with more bells, whistles, and fun facts, States and Plates adds trivia, state mottos, and even a leaderboard for competitive families. Either way, both apps make a classic road trip game even easier (and no one has to keep score with a crumpled piece of paper).
Sign Bingo Everyone loves Bingo! In this interactive challenge, players check off signs they see in real life — like speed limits, stop signs, or even deer crossing — and try to score a bingo. It’s simple, silly, and competitive!
Looking for more travel fun? Head to my Freebies Page to snag a printable of even more tech-free road trip games (and a few other goodies while you’re there)!
Whether you’re driving across states or just heading out for a long weekend, road trips are the perfect time to slow down, laugh a little, and create memories that don’t require perfect photos or Wi-Fi. A few good games — techy or totally old-school — can turn “Are we there yet?” into “Can we keep playing?” So grab a snack, and let the good times (and the wheels) roll.
