Whether you’re watching the highway blur past through the windshield or stuck in traffic wondering if your GPS betrayed you, the right podcast or audiobook makes all the difference.
I’m prepping for a road trip next week and decided to build on the list of listening recommendations I made in 2020 (read it here).
Here’s a super stacked list to keep you company mile after mile.
PODCASTS
All There Is – Anderson Cooper
A beautifully produced podcast on grief, healing, and connection. I’ve listened to seasons one and two, but still have to get caught up on season three. It’s perfect for long, reflective stretches.
Scamanda
A wild true story about a woman who faked cancer and fooled a church community. So gripping, I listened to the whole thing in one day. Pro tip: if you’ve already heard the podcast, the show on Hulu is worth your time!
Limetown
A fictional mystery that feels eerily real. Great for fans of Black Mirror or Welcome to Night Vale.
Normal Gossip
Juicy, hilarious, real-life drama from anonymous sources. Think: your best friend whispering all the petty tea from someone else’s life.
The Retrievals (NYT / Serial Productions)
An eye-opening (and infuriating) true story about pain, injustice, and women not being believed in a Yale fertility clinic.
Celebrity Memoir Book Club
Two comedians break down celebrity memoirs with sarcasm, speculation, and chaos. It’s a blast.
Everything Is Fine
A podcast for women over 40—but truly relatable at any age. Smart, warm, and occasionally spicy conversations about life, aging, and culture.
You’re Wrong About
Re-examines moments, people, and media we misremember (from Anna Nicole Smith to Y2K panic). Entertaining and enlightening.
Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby!
A sharp, sometimes funny, often brutal look at Greek and Roman mythology through a modern lens. Packed with storytelling.
The Deep Dive (with Jessica St. Clair & June Diane Raphael)
Two best friends going deep on very unserious things. Feels like hanging out with the funniest people at brunch.
AUDIOBOOKS
No More Tears – (Still in my library queue, fingers crossed!)
A damning portrait of Johnson & Johnson I’m hoping makes it to me before the trip. If you’ve read it—DM me!
Open Book by Jessica Simpson
Funny, heartfelt, and surprisingly honest. Also: her crush on Tony Romo? Worth it for that alone. I listened to this and loved it more than I expected I would (my full review is here).
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
A gut-punch of a memoir about food, family, and grief—beautiful and raw (read my full review here).
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Perfect rom-com energy. The son of the U.S. President and a British prince fall in love. You’ll cry and giggle at the same time (read my full review here).
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
A gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing all drive long.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Four seniors at a retirement village solve crimes. Cozy, clever, and charming.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Creepy, dark, and completely unhinged. You’ll be yelling “what?!” at your steering wheel every 10 minutes.
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
Rom-com meets celebrity profile interview. A perfect balance of steamy and sweet.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
A quiet, thoughtful Japanese novel about time travel and second chances. Sweet, strange, and reflective.
Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce
A quirky, heartwarming adventure about two women on a beetle-hunting expedition. Uplifting and a little wild.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Honest, devastating, and laugh-out-loud funny in places. A must-listen memoir narrated by McCurdy herself.
Final Tips
- Download your favorites before you hit the road in case of dead zones.
- Mix heavy and light content—you’ll need both energy and emotion on a long trip.
- Leave room for surprises. Some of the best listens come from recommendations along the way (if you have recs for me, please let me know)!
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The Bitter Lemon 
I have heard some Dateline podcasts and they leave you scratching your head.