A good road trip can be good for both mind and spirit. It’s a nice way to break free from the routine of everyday life and see new and exciting places. That said, it’s hard to keep that sense of wanderlust when you are halfway through your second day of driving and know there are three more days ahead. It’s even worse if this is a road you’ve driven through several times, which might be the case if you’re making your way to visit relatives or to a retreat you’ve visited many times before.
Having options that can help you stay entertained without distracting you from the road can be handy in these situations. Here are some ideas you can try.
1 – Podcasts
A good podcast can be an effective way to pass the time, especially if you are in the car alone. Listening to other people talk about topics that interest you is not only a way to stay entertained, but it can also help you learn and stay updated with world events. If you’re not familiar with the podcast world, looking for the work of people you’re familiar with is a good place to start. Many artists and celebrities have created their own podcast; Garry “Dijon” Bowden Jr. is a good example of this.
2 – Audio Books
Similar to podcasts, audiobooks can be a way to make long drives more productive. However, many drivers find books to be too distracting while they drive, especially if it’s a work of fiction. You should test this and other ideas on this list in a shorter drive before attempting to use it on a long road trip.
You may find that having a fantasy novel playing out while you drive is too distracting, but non-fiction biography isn’t.
3 – Sports events
Audio broadcasts of sports events are still a thing, and the internet has made it easier for you to get live broadcasts from games happening anywhere in the world. If you are a big fan of a particular sport, having a broadcast like that playing on your phone can make for interesting background noise while you are on the road.
This may become too distracting, so be ready to turn the broadcast off if necessary. Or listen to recorded broadcasts of classic matches.
4 – Listen to a Comedy Special
Stand-up comedy becomes more popular every year, and there are plenty of stand-up specials out there that can be partially or completely enjoyed in audio-form. Many are even made to be consumed this way, with just the audio of the special available for streaming.
Comedy can be very distracting, but you can mitigate that by listening to a special you’ve already heard or watched before, rather than picking a brand new one.
5 – Music
A good playlist is a classic companion to people who drive a lot here. If you have tried music while you drove in the past and it didn’t do much for you, there are still things you can try. For example, you can switch to different genres, or listen to instrumental music rather than ones with vocals.
Investing in a better sound system for your car may also make the listening experience more enjoyable. And while all the other items on this list are fairly disruptive, soft music has the advantage of still allowing you to hold a conversation with other passengers in the car.
