6 Fun Car Games for Road Trips That Keep Everyone Engaged (and Awake!)

Long road trips can be an incredible opportunity for adventure, bonding, and making memories. But let’s be honest, after a few hours on the road, even the most scenic drive can start to feel a little dull. If you are not behind the wheel, the urge to reach for your phone or doze off can be strong. That is where fun road trip games come in 🥳

Whether you are travelling with kids, friends, or family, a few simple games can turn the journey into the best part of your trip. The following ideas are interactive, low-effort, and great for all ages—and you can make them even easier using a free app like Spinly, which adds a playful twist with a customisable wheel of choices.

Here are six games to play on a road trip that will help pass the time, keep everyone engaged, and spark plenty of laughter.

1. Guess the region from the licence plate

How it works:

As you drive past cars, try to guess where they are from based on their licence plates. In many countries like the UK, USA, or parts of Europe, plates include hints about location—like a state, city, or region code.
Why it is fun:

It sharpens observation skills, gets everyone talking about geography, and makes even bumper-to-bumper traffic more interesting.

2. Object hunt with a Spinly wheel

How it works:

Open the Spinly app and create a wheel filled with things you might spot on the road. Each player (except the driver) spins the wheel, and everyone races to find the object it lands on.

Example prompts:

• A red lorry
• A hospital sign 🏥
• A dog in a car 🐶
• A cyclist
• A campervan

Why it is fun:

It turns a passive car ride into an active challenge, interactive, and works for any age group.

Make it competitive:

Track who finds the most items, and the winner gets to choose the next snack stop!

3. Story by sentence

How it works:

One person starts a story with a sentence—something simple or silly. Each person takes turns adding a sentence to build the story.

Why it is fun:

It is creative, hilarious, and you never know where the story will end up. Perfect for keeping minds engaged.

Make it even better:

Add themes! Try “space mystery,” “road trip gone wrong,” or “lost treasure.” You can use Spinly to randomly select your story theme.

4. Plate number math challenge

How it works:

Use the numbers from licence plates to create quick math problems. For example, a plate with “724” can become 7 + 2 + 4 = 13, or 7 x 2 x 4 = 56. Adjust the difficulty depending on the players’ ages.

Why it is fun:

It sneaks in a bit of brain training and keeps kids (and adults) sharp without making it feel like school.

Level it up:

Turn it into a timed game or award points for the fastest correct answers.

5. Alphabet search wheel

How it works:

Use Spinly to create a wheel with letters A to Z. Spin the wheel, and the challenge is to find a road sign, object, or vehicle that starts with the chosen letter.
Example:

• “B” for billboard
• “C” for caravan
• “M” for McDonald’s sign

Why it is fun:

It is perfect for kids learning their ABCs—but just as entertaining for grown-ups. It combines observation with a race against time.

Try this variation:

Work as a team to complete the whole alphabet before you reach your destination.

6. Icebreaker roulette

How it works:

Use Spinly to create a wheel (or use our pre-made template) with conversation prompts like:

• What is a hidden talent you have?
• What was your first job?
• Describe your dream trip
• Most embarrassing moment

Each person spins the wheel and answers the question it lands on.

Why it is fun:

Whether you are on a trip with close friends or getting to know new people, this game encourages meaningful conversation—and often, lots of laughs.

Deepen the connection:

Include reflection prompts like “What are you most grateful for right now?” or “What is something you want to try this year?”4

🎯 Road trip game tips

✅ Download apps before you hit the road

If you will be using apps like Spinly, be sure to download them in advance. That way, you will have access even in areas with poor reception.

🤩 Keep the driver focused

Games that require physical interaction or intense concentration should be for passengers only. The driver can still enjoy lighter games—like judging answers or telling stories—without taking eyes off the road.

Spinly is not just great for road trip games, it also works brilliantly as a decision maker app. Tired of the endless “What should we eat?” or “Who’s driving next?” debates? Just add your options to the Spinly wheel and let it decide for you. It is a simple way to cut down on back-and-forth conversations and save your energy for the fun parts of the journey.

So next time you are packing for a road trip, do not forget the snacks, playlists… and your game ideas. 🚗✨