Two males in the front of a car looking at the entertainment system

Best Boredom-busting Podcasts for a Road Trip

By: Craig
Updated

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Featured Image by David Emrich on Unsplash

The best podcasts for road trips are the ones that keep you entertained and engaged to help your driving time fly by.

But with so many podcasts to choose from, how do you know which one is right for your next road trip? 

Have no fear! We have done all of the hard work for you and compiled a list of our favorite podcasts that have kept us entertained on our road trips.

Below we listed 15 great choices for long car rides. Each has its own unique style and personality (and topics). So whether you’re looking to laugh or learn something new, these 15 amazing shows won’t disappoint!

Serial 

Most people would agree that the best podcasts are those that will keep you hooked for hours on end. They’re the ones with stories so compelling, characters so well-developed, and plots so unpredictable that you can’t stop listening. 

The popular true-crime podcast Serial is one of them.

Serial is an investigative journalism podcast about the murder of Hae Min Lee in 1999. The podcast breaks down the facts and testimonies to pinpoint what really happened on that day Hae was murdered.

And it also dives into whether Adnan Syed, who was convicted for her murder in 2000, is indeed guilty.

This podcast has won numerous awards and is a great listen for any road trip.

Mysterious Universe

One of the most exciting podcasts out there is Mysterious Universe.

This podcast focuses on mysteries that are not yet solved or clarified. Its popularity is largely due to its exploration of mysterious phenomena. 

The show features interviews with people who have experienced strange events, stories from paranormal investigators, and talks with professionals in the investigative field.

If you like intriguing and mysterious stories, this podcast is for you. 

This American Life

This American Life, hosted by Ira Glass, is a great podcast if you are looking for wholesome and intriguing stories about the world around us. 

This American Life has covered many topics often overlooked or considered unworthy of attention in mainstream media outlets. 

Over the years, these have included religion, law enforcement’s role in society, mental health care access and funding, sex work, and the nature of art and its value as commerce or culture. The show does so with empathy for those involved and tells the stories we may not hear elsewhere. 

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie is a true-crime podcast with host Jessica Mcdermott.

Each episode features stories of unsolved crimes, homicides, and deaths that the LA County Sheriff’s Department has yet to solve. The scary part of this podcast is the reality that crimes can happen again since the serial killer or assailant is still at large.

This podcast is perfect for anyone who likes to investigate mysteries and learn about the messed-up side of humanity.

Conan Needs a Friend

After decades of making people laugh, Conan O’Brien now finds himself in the unfamiliar territory of sharing his thoughts on life’s challenges.

In Conan Needs a Friend, Conan shares his thoughts with a few close friends—and you. He talks about everything from how to deal with aging and change to what makes him happy. 

This is Conan as you’ve never heard him before: frank, intimate, moving, and surprisingly vulnerable.

As he says at the beginning of each podcast episode: “I’m not trying to be your therapist or anything… I just want us to have fun.”

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The Dropout

The Dropout is an investigative story of Elizabeth Holmes and her former healthcare company. She was considered “the next Steve Jobs” for Theranos in an attempt to revolutionize blood testing. 

But in 2015, it all came crashing down when the Wall Street Journal published a story revealing that Theranos’ technology was faulty and its claims were fraudulent. This then drove the company to the verge of bankruptcy.

You’ll hear interviews with people who were involved and conversations between Elizabeth Holmes and her lawyers about the fraud charges against her.

This is truly a mind-blowing story that shows just how far someone will go to be successful. You’ll be hooked from start to finish!

How I Built This

The How I Built This podcast is hosted by Guy Raz and tells the stories of how some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs built their companies.

Each episode features an interview with an entrepreneur who recounts their personal story. The entrepreneurs range from tech to people who created everything from ice cream to running shoes! 

This podcast is perfect for anyone who loves listening to other people’s life stories. It’s also inspirational to listen to how these people created their products and built their companies.

S-Town

The S-Town podcast is a unique and captivating story about an Alabama man named John.

In the first episode, John contacts radio journalist Brian Reed and asks him to investigate an alleged murder. However, as the podcast goes on, it becomes clear that nothing is as straightforward as it seems.

It’s a show about so many things: time and regret, mental illness, prejudice, friendship… and even the power of listening.

This is it for anyone looking for a podcast with everything – mystery, drama, and human nature!

My Favorite Murder

My Favorite Murder is a true-crime comedy podcast hosted by Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff, who are funny, witty, and can’t seem to get enough of murder stories!

The two women detail their humorous and sometimes-graphic tales of murder, mysteries, and other morbid occurrences. 

If you’re fascinated by serial killers, creepy crawlers, or just want to know what really goes into a crime show, then this podcast is for you!

The Adventure Zone

The Adventure Zone is a story-telling podcast hosted by three brothers, Griffin, Justin, and Travis McElroy.

This podcast is a live-play Dungeons & Dragons podcast that’s become an internet sensation. The three brothers and their dad Clint entertain themselves while fighting all sorts of enemies in a fantasy world.

These episodes are so good they’ll have you laughing yourself silly one minute and on the edge of your seat the next. Even if you’re not into D&D but enjoy TV shows like Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings, this podcast will be right up your alley!

Hello From the Magic Tavern

Hello From the Magic Tavern is a podcast that follows Arnie, a man who has fallen through a dimensional rift and into the magical land of Foon. There he meets up with wizard Chunt and shape-shifter Bea for adventures. This podcast will make you laugh and get nostalgic about your own childhood.

Featuring a diverse cast of both LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse characters, Hello From the Magic Tavern is a very family-friendly show for all ages!

If you love books like The Hobbit or movies like The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, you’ll love this podcast!

Dolly Parton’s America

Dolly Parton’s America is a Peabody-winning documentary series that takes viewers on a journey through the life and times of one of music’s most iconic figures.

Starting with her roots in Tennessee, the podcast tells the story of how she grew up working in the cotton fields to become one of country music’s biggest stars. Along the way, she talks about everything from songwriting to her famous hairstyles!

Dolly Parton has shared her stories for years when she tours or appears at award shows like the Academy Awards or GRAMMYs. Now you can listen to it all come together in this nine-episode documentary series!

Even if you aren’t a Dolly Parton fan, learning about this icon will be a highlight of your road trip.

Nice White Parents

Nice White Parents is a 5-part series about what gets in the way of building a great public school system: white parents.

This series takes you inside of a Brooklyn public school to showcase what is currently wrong and explores ideas of how it got that way.

If you like podcasts like S-Town or Serial, this show will definitely interest you!

Song Exploder

This one is for all music buffs out there.

Song Exploder is a podcast that dives into one song per episode to discuss its origins. So if you’ve ever wondered about the roots of one of your favorite songs, this podcast is for you.

Before your next road trip, check out the collection of Song Exploder episodes and download a few about some of your favorite artists.

Criminal

Criminal is a true-crime podcast hosted by Phoebe Judge that takes a look at criminal cases throughout history.

The show explores crime cases in-depth, delving into the details and interviewing those involved. The stories are based on interviews with involved parties and people who were present during each case.

This podcast can be an excellent companion for your next road trip because it will keep you entertained even when there’s nothing to see outside your car windows!

If you’re interested in stories of crime, law, and justice, this series will sate your curiosity.

You Got This

With this list of podcasts, you are bound to find something that suits your interest and keeps you entertained when the long car ride feels boring.

Whether you are looking to laugh, learn, or be disgusted; we hope this list helps you find what you are looking for.