There’s something timeless about hitting the road—windows down, snacks within arm’s reach, your favourite playlist humming in the background. But once the novelty wears off and the hours start to stretch, even the best road trip can veer into boredom. For a humble road trip, you don’t need fancy gear or Wi-Fi; just a bit of imagination, a dash of competitiveness, and a car with willing participants.

The License Plate Game

This one never gets old. The goal is simple: to spot license plates from as many different provinces, states, or countries as possible.

Keep a running list or use a printable map to colour in each one. Want to make it more interactive? Create teams and see who reaches 10 plates first. Bonus points if someone spots Quebec or Alberta!

20 Questions – Road Trip Edition

One player thinks of a person, place, or thing, and everyone else has 20 yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is. 

Keep the categories broad (like “famous people,” “household items,” or “anything you’d find in a car”) to make it more accessible. This game gets surprisingly intense the longer you’re on the road.

Would You Rather?

Perfect for sparking conversation or a few good laughs. Keep the questions road-trip themed for an extra twist. Would you rather drive through a blizzard or a thunderstorm?” “Would you rather give up snacks or music for the whole drive?” Suddenly, everyone has an opinion—and that’s the point.

The Movie Game

Great for older kids, teens, or film buffs. Start with the name of an actor. The next player must name a movie in which they have appeared. The third player must name another actor from that same movie. And so on. 

Example:

“I’m Going on a Picnic…”

A memory game with a twist. The first player says, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples.” The following person repeats that and adds an item that starts with the following letter of the alphabet: “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples and bananas.” Keep going until someone forgets the sequence. Kids love this one—and it secretly improves memory skills.

Road Trip Bingo

Before the trip, make or print out Bingo cards with items you might see on the road, such as a red barn, a police car, a fast-food drive-thru, or someone on a bike. Each person gets a card and marks off items as they see them. The first one to get a line wins a prize (possibly control of the playlist).

Story Builder

Someone starts with a sentence: “Once upon a time, in a car that smelled like French fries…”Then the next person adds a sentence, and so on. Keep building the story, line by line. The results are usually wild, sometimes hilarious, and always original—an excellent game for families or friends with a creative spark.

Song Lyrics Showdown

Pick a word—like “love” or “rain”—and challenge everyone to sing a song with that word in the lyrics. No repeats allowed. If someone can’t think of one, they’re out.

Continue until only one person remains. It works exceptionally well if you’ve got a car full of music lovers.

Two Truths and a Lie

Each person says three statements about themselves—two true, one false. The others have to guess which one is the lie.

It’s a fun way to get to know your road trip crew a little better, even if you thought you already knew them.

The Silent Game (For When You Need a Break)

Yes, silence can be a game. Perfect for those moments when energy is high and tempers are short.

Everyone must remain quiet for as long as possible. The first person to speak loses. Parents of young kids—this one’s for you.

Finally

The beauty of road trip games is in the connection, the laughter, and the shared moments that don’t require screens or apps.

If you’re driving across the province or just a few hours away, a good game can turn the journey into part of the adventure.

So next time you’re in for a long haul, bring the snacks, organize the playlist, and get ready to play.

Jennifer Williams  | Editor-in-Chief