The 16 Best Road Trip Podcasts

Best Rabbit Hole Podcasts

Sometimes the best podcasts for long drives are the ones that lead you down mysterious, captivating rabbit holes. So don’t be afraid to jump in!

Mystery Show

This amazing podcast was cancelled after just one season, but that does make it easy to binge all six episodes in one road trip. In each episode, host Starlee King vows to solve a new mystery: a fascinating belt buckle, a book read by Britney Spears, a licence plate that seems to say “I love 9/11.” Along the way, she manages to elicit so much beauty from small moments and people she meets — it’s the perfect accompaniment for the open road.

Underunderstood

The four hosts of Underunderstood use their sleuthing powers and endless curiosity to explore questions the internet can’t answer, like what happened to the McFlurry? Their episodes follow a part-talk-show, part-documentary format that is sure to make you feel like your car is full of friends.

Endless Thread

Reddit is full of rabbit holes and fascinating stories, and Endless Thread — produced by WBUR and Reddit itself — explores the phenomena that have become popular on the site. The episodes are often fun, but sometimes cover serious topics like anti-vaxxers and Nazi history. Either way, you’re sure to learn something if you binge this great show.

Best Fiction Podcasts

Fiction podcasts can make the best podcasts for a road trip because of the way you can get lost in another world as you drive. Why not try these great stories?

Wooden Overcoats

This dark and funny sitcom, which is narrated by a mouse, revolves around two competing funeral homes in a small town. The show is full of great voice acting (and accents), hilarious and fleshed-out characters, and tons of zany antics. There’s even a will-they-won’t-they romance to become invested in!

The Harrowing

For those wanting something a bit more spooky to listen to, The Harrowing, starring Golden Globe winner Joanne Froggatt, is a must-listen. A police sergeant is called out to a small Scottish island during a storm and finds a disturbing crime scene. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for this paranormal crime thriller. With cinematic production, great voice acting, and a gripping plot, this audio drama is a binge-worthy listen for any road trip.

Moonface

Moonface is a beautiful coming-of-age story about a gay second generation Korean American man struggling to come out to his mother who hardly speaks English. It’s an incredibly moving podcast that will have you holding back tears. Warning: Some episodes of this podcast are NSFW.

Best Podcasts for Family Road Trips

Podcasts can be a great way to keep the whole family entertained on a long drive, so check out these great family-friendly pods.

The Two Princes

The Two Princes is a family-friendly fiction podcast that follows two princes of rival kingdoms who meet on their individual quests, but as they battle to save their kingdoms, they slowly fall for each other. This delightful storytelling podcast will have your whole family smiling in the car.

Just the Zoo of Us

This fun, family-friendly podcast will give you the inside scoop on so many animals, from favorites like cheetahs and sharks to little-known creatures like the banded sea krait. Many of the episodes feature interviews with scientists who are experts on the animals covered. You and your little ones are certain to learn a lot from this adorable podcast!

Tai Asks Why

This is a podcast for kids (and adults) by a kid: Tai Poole. Tai may only be 11 years old, but he asks and finds answers to life's biggest questions in this great podcast. In each episode, he speaks to experts and friends to get to the bottom of the science of questions like why some people fall in love and why others bully.

Best True Crime Podcasts

There’s nothing like a captivating true crime case to make the time fly by on a long road trip. Here are some podcasts we love to get lost in:

Bear Brook

This series from New Hampshire Public Radio follows the case of four unidentified bodies found in barrels in a state park. The hunt to identify the victims and find their murderer eventually stretches across the country, and results in new advances in forensic technology that change how murders are investigated forever.

Scam Goddess

Each week, Scam Goddess host Laci Mosley is joined by a comedian to cover a different scammer or fraudster, including fake heiress Anna Sorokin and influencer scammer Caroline Calloway. Covering many cases you’ve never heard of, Mosley’s great sense of humour and genuine appreciation for the art of the scam make this podcast a fun road trip listen.

Dirty John

Whether you’ve seen the TV show or not, this podcast about a dangerous con man is a must-listen. Told in interviews with the victims, the series follows the trail of destruction left by a man named John who wormed his way into a woman’s life. You won’t want to stop listening until you finish this gripping show, making it one of the best podcasts for long drives.

Best Comedy Podcasts

If you want to fill your car with laughter, look no further than these great comedy podcasts.

The Dollop

The Dollop is a hilarious history podcast hosted by Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, that captures a perfect blend of fast-paced, laugh-out-loud comedy and in-depth research. From great sports history episodes to darker stories of the Satanic Panic and Texas Hypnocult, you’re guaranteed to both learn a lot and laugh a lot.

Call Her Daddy

If you’re looking for the best road trip podcasts for couples, check out Call Her Daddy for stories about sex and relationships with Alex Cooper and her guests. Hear everything from revealing conversations with celebrities like Miley Cyrus to gossip from Alex on her own sexcapades. The car is about to get steamy!

Small Town Murder

Chances are that your road trip will take you through some small towns you’ve never heard of before. And small towns are boring, right? Wrong! In each episode of Small Town Murder, comedians James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman tell you about the history of a small town, as well as a grisly murder that happened there. Maybe you’ll even pass through some of the towns mentioned on your trip!