A great book has the power to not just take you along for the ride with the author but to instill in you the burning desire to hit the road yourself. This list of the best road trip books is sure to keep you busy for a while and will make you want to hand your boss your two-week notice and start packing your bags.
I put this list together as I get ready to launch my own road trip book, The Road Always Leads West, another one you should check out! 🙂
While this is mostly for inspiration or entertainment, be sure to check out my road trip planning guide if you need more comprehensive and practical information about logistics and organization.
5 Best Road Trip Books
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
(1957)
We might as well get this one out of the way first, it’s easily the most well-known road trip book ever written, a book which has inspired generations and countless imitations.
Kerouac’s classic book On the Road that details his travels with his friends as they travel across America. The book was heavily steeped in the jazz and poetry culture and is considered the defining work of the Beat Generation, which so influenced the counter culture movement of the 60s.
The book is available as it was first published or you can get the Original Scroll version which was released as written by Jack Kerouac on a continuous sheet of paper 120’ long and which features the real names of his friends, not pseudonyms.
Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon
(1982)
Heat-Moon set out to put the past behind him by setting out on the open road. The premise of the book is his travels along the smaller roads, marked blue on the map, and discover small-town America.
His travels to small-town America show a country on the verge of change with the increasing homogenization through fast-food culture and strip malls.
Heat-Moon does a great job featuring the lives of the people he meets along the way, a curious cast of characters who live in “those little towns that get on the map—if they get on at all—only because some cartographer has a blank space to fill.”
Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck
(1962)
In September of 1960 John Steinbeck, already a successful author, set out to rediscover an America that he worried he had lost touch with. According to Steinbeck’s son, the real reason for his journey was that he knew he was dying and he wanted to see the country one last time.
Steinbeck set out on a giant cross country journey from New York, up to Maine, across to the west coast, down to California then across the southern half of the states back east, before venturing back up the East Coast. Essentially completing a massive circular journey through America.
He had his French poodle Charley in tow throughout his journey through a “New America” that was on the cusp of some great upheaval.
Steinbeck was 58 when he set out on this journey alone (well, with a dog), which just goes to show that isn’t just for young, aimless, 20-somethings.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
(1974)
Part philosophical treatise and part motorcycle road trip across the northern stretch of the United States and then down to California.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance tells the story of a father and son motorcycle trip with a pair of friends but also delves into fundamental questions about how to live life and tries to reconcile science, religion and more.
A powerful read that will not only inspire you to hit the road but inspire you to examine your own perspectives on some of these central themes of life.
The Kindness of Strangers: Penniless Across America by Mike McIntyre
(1996)
Not a traditional road trip book where the driver is behind the wheel on the open road, but rather Mike decided to hitchhike across the country from San Francisco to Cape Fear, North Carolina, which would be challenging in and of itself. But Mike decided to do it without so much as a penny.
He would have to rely on the goodwill and help of complete strangers on the open road in order to find rides, eat, and have a place to sleep.
It’s an incredible journey and an even more incredible story which highlights the stories and generosity of the folks that he meets along the way.
Five books aren’t enough for you? Well, I’ve got another 10 awesome road trip books below and then a number of reader suggestions.
Want to Travel More for Less Money?
I will teach you the top methods I’ve used to save big money ??? during more than a decade of continuous travel in my best-selling book Big Travel, Small Budget. See for yourself, the book has nearly 200 unbiased opinions and 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10 More Great Books About Road Trips
The New American Road Trip Mixtape by Brendan Leonard
(2013)
Brendan Leonard has become one of the leading modern voices for road trips and the transformative nature of nature and the great outdoors.
Post-breakup Brendan set out by himself to explore the American West as he lived in the back of his station wagon. This book tackles the American Dream and the call of the open road in Brendan’s humorous and unique style.
His most recent book, Sixty Meters to Anywhere, is another incredible read about overcoming alcoholism and finding himself through climbing.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
(1995)
Krakauer’s book is not strictly a road trip book, nor is it a first-person book about a road trip, but rather traces the incredible story of Chris McCandless and his nomadic wanderings.
After graduating college back east, Chris donated what remained of his college fund and drove west, eventually abandoning his car and hitchhiking across the west for a number of years. His travels led him to a Walden’s Pond type existence in the Alaskan bush where he was found dead.
The book has a sad end, but the story of his travels and Krakauer’s incredible writing will inspire you to hit the road in Chris’ footsteps undoubtedly. I know it did for me. This is one of my favorite books ever written.
The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson
(1989)
Bill Bryson is one of the best travel writers out there, able to turn the simplest or seemingly boring concepts into insightful, interesting, and often humorous reads.
After living abroad in the United Kingdom for many years, Bryson sets out to rediscover America by visiting its small towns.
Bryson’s book about hiking the Appalachian Trail, A Walk in the Woods, is still one of my favorites.
Drive Nacho Drive by Brad Van Orden
(2014)
Drive Nacho Drive tells the story of Brad and his wife Sheena quitting their jobs, giving up the American Dream and driving south in their old beat-up Volkswagon Van named Nacho.
The road takes them through all of Central America, past the Darien Gap to South America and finally to the “end of the earth” in Patagonia where the Pan-American Highway finally ends.
A pretty incredible read that might just inspire you to think about taking your road trip internationally (like we did).
The Cruise of the Rolling Junk by F. Scott Fitzgerald
(1924)
Another of America’s finest authors sets out on the open road, this time F. Scott Fitzgerald of Great Gatsby fame, who sets out with his wife Zelda on a drive from Connecticut to Alabama.
These serialized articles compiled into a book of their journey in a dilapidated car (the rolling junk) and tell the story of a younger America.
Killing Yourself to Live by Chuck Klosterman
(2005)
Chuck Klosterman set out on a road trip exploring the deaths of famous musicians across America.
He covered nearly 7,000 miles as he visited the place where Buddy Holly’s plane crashed, where Kurt Cobain committed suicide, or Jeff Buckley drowned in a river.
An interesting basis for a road trip book, for sure, especially if you love music.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson
(1971)
A wild and drug-fueled road trip to Las Vegas by the one and only Hunter S. Thompson.
The book, beyond the manic drug-addled scenery, paints a different picture of Las Vegas, one that had not yet been taken over by the larger than life hotels and commercialization of the Strip.
Side Note: While Vegas isn’t necessarily my favorite place it is a great place to base yourself for some epic road trips from Las Vegas.
American Nomads by Richard Grant
(2003)
Richard Grant spent more than 15 years wandering the American West alongside the hobos, truckers, retirees, and hippies, documenting the lives of those who wander the American West.
Grant examines the myths and realities of the often romanticized open road, while also examining the sedentary nature of the American Dream.
He contrasts the stories of modern wanderers with the historical characters, the frontiersmen and conquistadors, who set loose upon this same landscape centuries ago.
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
(1968)
Neal Cassady, who also is featured prominently in Kerouac’s On the Road, set out to drive Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters’ bus across America in a psychedelic LSD-fueled mission that takes road “trip” to a whole new level.
The book offers a look into the hippy, counter-culture movement of the 1960s.
Jupiter’s Travels by Ted Simon
(1979)
Ted Simon spent an astonishing four years driving around the world on the back of a motorcycle in the late 70s. I actually had the chance to meet Ted at the Overland Expo.
He set out from London for more than 63,000 miles through 45 countries in Africa, South America, Australia, Asia, before arriving back home.
An incredible journey in the days before cell phones and the internet, and all done solo with no support team or social media updates.
7 More Reader Suggestions for Best Road Trip Books
I reached out to friends, followers, and readers of this blog for a few of their favorite road trip books. Here’s what they recommended.
Traveling Music by Neil Peart
The drummer for Rush explores the inextricable link between road trips and music, how music is the soundtrack to our lives, by telling autobiographical stories based on music from a solo road trip.
Road Scholar by Andrew Codrescu
The Romanian-born writer sets out in the shadows of Kerouac as he discovers America behind the wheel.
One for the Road by Tony Horowitz
Tony set off on a 7,000-mile adventure through the Australian Outback.
Roads: Driving America’s Great Highways by Larry McMurtry
Larry has written an homage to the road itself, where the route is the destination and not just a means.
Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X. Pham
A journey by bicycle through Mexico, Japan and on to Vietnam as Andrew (born in Vietnam but raised in California) travels he also confronts issues of cultural identity, immigration, and more.
Ghost Rider by Neil Peart
Another book by the drummer from Rush, this time Neil hits the road soon after losing his wife and daughter within a year of one another.
A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins
More than 25 years ago Peter set out to walk from New York to New Orleans in the company of his trusty dog, not quite a traditional road trip, but definitely in the same spirit.
What road trip books would you add to this list? Sound off in the comments below.
The Road Always Leads West
Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention that you check out my book The Road Always Leads West if you love a good road trip story… 🙂
More Book Recommendations
- 26 Books to Inspire Your Next Epic Summer Road Trip from Buzzfeed
- The Obsessively Detailed Map of American Literature’s Most Epic Road Trips
- Books to Inspire the Ultimate American Road Trip
- The 9 Best Road Trip Books from Adventure Journal
- Road Trip! 10 Books About Cross-Country Adventures
- 10 Must-Read Travel Books from Desk to Dirtbag
Tips to Book Your Trip Now & Save Money
Book Your Flight
Book a cheap flight with Momondo, they’re my favorite search engine. Or better yet, start travel hacking so you can fly for free. Another great search engine is Skyscanner.
Book Your Accommodation
Book cheap accommodation in advance. For hostels I recommend HostelWorld, for hotels I use Booking.com or Hotels.com, and for apartments or longer stays, I use Airbnb. I like to check reviews on TripAdvisor prior to reserving.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
This is easy to overlook but SO important. It will help protect yourself from illness, injury, and theft while traveling. VERY important. And be sure to read my article about international travel insurance for more details
- SafetyWing (best for digital nomads)
- World Nomads (most comprehensive)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my budget travel resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list all the ones I use and recommend to save money when I’m on the road.
Did you enjoy this article about the best road trip books? Please take a minute to share this article on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Thanks!
Ryan
Latest posts by Ryan (see all)
- Kazakhstan Food: Exploring Some of its Most Delicious Dishes - August 7, 2023
- A Self-Guided Tour of Kennedy Space Center: 1-Day Itinerary - August 2, 2022
- Fairfield by Marriott Medellin Sabaneta: Affordable and Upscale - July 25, 2022
- One of the Coolest Places to Stay in Clarksdale MS: Travelers Hotel - June 14, 2022
- Space 220 Restaurant: Out-of-This-World Dining at Disney’s EPCOT - May 31, 2022
Comments 9
Hilarious story and travelogue about fulfilling a foolish bar bet – Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks
Great list. Could suggest a fictional road trip list:
The Road – McCullers
Grapes of Wrath – Steinbeck
Cold Mountain – can’t remember
I am sure you have more.
Steve
Wow. All books written by white men. Would love to see more diverse voices.
Author
Please feel free to contribute any non-white men voices, I’m always looking for cool new road trip reads!
Like Nomadland by Jessica Bruder.
Author
Oh yeah, Nomadland has been on my list to check out… Thanks for the reminder.
William Least Heat-Moon is native American. I would also add River-Horse by him as well.
The road narrative has historically been a white male thing. There aren’t a ton of other voices. I would recommend Valeria Luiselli, The Lost Children Archive. She does an admirable job Paying homage to previous road works. I loved it.
Hey Ryan,
Thanks for the list. I read a lot while travelling. It’s very meditative and relaxing for me. A few of these I have read, but I plan on adding to my list with a few of these books. I always use my kindle too, as it’s much lighter and holds thousands of books.