The Best Playlists, Podcasts, and Audiobooks for Family Car Rides

If your family has a hard time figuring out what to listen to as you zip around town for your various errands and outings, you are not alone. We’ve all been down that road many times — but the good news is that, with a little planning, you can avoid a lot of vehicular discord. If what to listen to in the car is a major source of conflict, consider making an agreement that outlines who will be the car DJ when. Maybe you set a schedule or agree to take turns. The important thing is to get everyone on the same page so that every new car ride isn’t an opportunity for conflict. 

While my kids’ musical taste couldn’t be more different, we have enjoyed listening to podcasts and audiobooks as a family, which makes them a reliably safe choice for occasions when we’re all in the car together. Whether you’re rushing off to school in the morning or just zooming around town for weekend errands, these playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks are a good jumping-off point for finding something to listen to that everyone can agree on.

With a little something for everyone, this family-friendly playlist is full of singalong-style jams through the ages, from Bruce Springsteen to Sia. At around 5 hours long, this feel-good mix will keep the vibes light as you make your way around town, from school drop-off to soccer pick-up. Plus, it warms my grizzled old mom heart to hear my 13-year-old singing Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way” with his friends — where did he even learn all the words? I’ll never know …

Listen to it: Spotify’s Family Road Trip Playlist

Packed with three hours of tunes that your kids will definitely know the words to, this mix includes KPop Demon Hunters, Imagine Dragons, and even some Fleetwood Mac for the over-40 crowd. 

Listen to it: Family-Friendly Mix

Keep it G-rated and highly boppable with this mix of songs like Miley Cyrus’ Party in the USA and Ed Sheeran’s The Shape of You for a full 10 hours of goodness.

Listen to it: Clean Songs Everyone Knows

Every Disney song you’ve ever loved is probably on this playlist, which features 100 of the best of the best, from “Hakuna Matata” to “Let It Go,” so crank it up and belt them out — you know you want to.

Listen to it: 100 Best Disney Songs of All Time

If your kiddos’ tastes skew more toward Doja Cat than Mickey Mouse, you’ll appreciate this hip-hop playlist with non-explicit versions of hundreds of songs by artists like Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X, and the Weekend.

Listen to it: Clean Family Friendly Rap/Hip-Hop/R&B

Not only are you making the commute slightly more tolerable, but you’re also providing a priceless education to your kids about the glories of musical theater. With songs from Wicked, Hamilton, and even KPop Demon Hunters (okay, it’s not a stage musical, but we’ll allow it because it slaps), this 2-hour-and-45-minute mix will have your crew belting Broadway’s best.

Listen to it: Singalong Musicals Mix

If a pre-made mix isn’t your thing, consider creating one as a family with input from everyone. Give each family member a certain number of choices, and then randomize them so you don’t end up listening to Taylor Swift for 45 straight minutes. You can also give each person veto power if there’s a song or two that they just can’t stand. Giving everyone a say about what goes on the mix can go a long way toward creating a little harmony on your ride.

In my family’s collective opinion, there are no better podcasts for kids than the ones from the Brains On Universe. Brains On, which answers everyday questions about science in a smart and age-appropriate way, is ideal for curious minds. Smash Boom Best is a debate-style show in which two debaters (usually comedians or experts in a particular field) debate the supremacy of things like Pizza vs. Tacos and Cats vs. Dogs. Forever Ago takes a historical lens to everyday things, like shoes or team sports. And Moment of Um answers all those random questions kids love to ponder, like “Did dinosaurs fart?” in quick, 5-ish-minute episodes — perfect for a quick cross-town jaunt.

Listen to it: Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Forever Ago, and Moment of Um

I don’t listen to adult podcasts (sorry!), but I could listen to hours of Story Pirates. The show, which takes stories written by kids and then presents them as songs and sketches performed by comedians, is objectively hilarious, and the songs are inexplicably catchy. If you need a little silliness before school, start the day with an episode of Story Pirates.

Listen to it: Story Pirates

When he was a little younger, my 13-year-old could listen to me read stories until my voice gave out. When that happened, I (hoarsley) called for back up from Rebecca Sheir, the host of Circle Round, a podcast that shares folklore and music from communities around the world, featuring guest stars from the world of entertainment. It’s a great one for re-regulating and winding down after a long day, which makes it a good choice for the ride home from your kids’ last activity of the day.

Listen to it: Circle Round

Created by the team behind Nat Geo’s Brain Games and Netflix’s science and history series, Brainchild, Who Smarted answers all sorts of questions that kids want to know, from “Why do crickets chirp all night?” to “What happens if there’s no gravity?” with plenty of wit and humor in quick, 15-minute episodes that are perfect for a trip to the grocery store.

Listen to it: Who Smarted

The budding moguls in your car will appreciate learning a thing or two about finances from this podcast from the folks at Marketplace. The 20-30-minute episodes will help your kids (and probably you too) learn about budgeting, debt, scams, and other aspects of financial literacy that will help them become more informed spenders and savers.

Listen to it: Million Bazillion

All 47 poems in this classic collection of poetry are “recited, sung, and shouted” by author Shel Silverstein — a gateway collection for budding poets, and the perfect thing to listen to in the car as you make your way to school in the morning.

Listen to it: Where the Sidewalk Ends on Spotify

A reimagining of the classic Peter Pan story (and the first in a five-book series), this is a high-energy adventure on the high seas, filled with magic and wonder.

Listen to it: Peter and the Starcatchers on Audible

My 13-year-old wouldn’t let me write this guide without including Kid Normal, a book he’s listened to so often we can all recite long passages from it. This one turns the superhero genre on its head with a protagonist with no superpowers who shows readers what a “hero” really is. If your kids love Kid Normal, there are three more books in the series for them to enjoy.

Listen to it: Kid Normal on Audible

I always get a little thrill from casually introducing my kids to something I adored as a child and then waiting for them to fall in love with it, and this collection of silly stories by Louis Sachar delivered that thrill. The short-story format is especially well-suited to in-town car trips.

Listen to it: Sideways Stories from Wayside School on Spotify

Perfect for class clowns (ages 9-ish and up), Jacky Ha-Ha, by the prolific James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, shares the story of a jokester who is struggling with family and school life. As we get to know Jacky, she has to face some tough choices that help her understand her own strengths and weaknesses as they really are.

Listen to it: Jacky Ha-Ha on Audible

A dazzling fantasy with baseball at its heart, Summerland is folklore for young folks, an excellent choice for listeners who love escaping into new worlds. (Personally, I loved this one because I got to share my favorite author, Michael Chabon, with my kids.)

Listen to it: Summerland on Audible

This children’s classic, narrated by Rainn Wilson, will have your kids riveted from door to door. They’ll probably forget they’re in the car and, instead, imagine themselves transported via phonebooth to a mystical, faraway land.

Listen to it: The Phantom Tollbooth on Spotify