25 Road Trip Games for Couples

Do you remember the opening scene from When Harry Met Sally? Their love story started with a long road trip — even if they hated each other at first. Our guess is you’re already a little further along in your relationship, so we’ve compiled some of the best car ride games for couples to keep you entertained.

What can you do with your boyfriend or girlfriend on a long car ride?

Traveling as a pair with no kids or friends in tow? Try these travel games for couples in and outside the car.

1. Mystery gifts

Your road trip’s going to have lots of gas station stops. Pledge to buy each other one mystery gift at the next stop. You can turn it into a guessing game or just get them something quirky as a memento.

2. Counting your steps

Fun car games all involve sitting still, right? Next time you pull over, set a time limit. Using your smartphone, watch and any step apps, use the limited time to get as many steps in as you can. This one’s a great game for competitive types — who will log the most steps?

3. 36 questions to get to know each other

If you’re looking for conversation starters, you can’t do better than these 36 questions to fall in love. Learn more about your deepest, most treasured memories or plan for the future with these road trip questions.

4. Would you rather?

A good old-fashioned game of would you rather is guaranteed to get your significant other laughing. It’s a world away from those road trip games for couples questions and involves picking the best of two bad scenarios. Start small and dial it up to something X-rated or all-out gross!

5. Two truths and a lie

How much do you really know about each other? Tell your partner two truths and one lie, then make them guess which one is the lie. Of course, you made out with that famous person…

6. Kiss, marry, kill

This is one of the best fun road trip games for couples but it also works in groups. Simply pick three celebrities and say if you would kiss (or more!), marry, or kill them. It’s an amazing insight into the mind!

7. The compliment game

Ready to get all ooey-gooey with your partner? Begin with the first letter of the alphabet and compliment something you like about them, starting with that letter. Arms, boobs, zippers – you get the idea.

What are some good games to play on a long road trip?

If you’ve got a really long journey ahead, or if you’re traveling with others, you’ll need to get creative. Try these on for size.

8. Road trip bingo

This one takes a little prep. Make up some bingo cards before you leave and mark them with observations like “somebody mowing their lawn” or “somebody crossing the street”. The rarer the spot, the better!

9. I’d like to know more about…

The one thing you have been blessed with on this trip is time. So ask yourselves, what’s a topic you’d like to learn more about? Dig out some podcasts, look for audiobooks on Amazon, or just head to Wikipedia and start learning.

10. License plate anagrams

The license plate game is great for getting those creative cogs whirring. Look at the plates in front of you and try to come up with words — could these be linked to the driver?

11. The story game

Feeling inventive? Start to tell a story. It can be something simple like, “once upon a time a couple was driving home.” Your partner can start the next sentence and so on — like your road trip, who knows where it will end up?

12. Sorry I was late

This one’s a great movie game for you cinephiles out there. Start by telling your partner you’re sorry you were late, then explain why — but in the style of a movie plot. Have them guess what it is.

What are some games to play in the car?

Traveling with kids? There are plenty of car ride games for couples and kids, so keep them entertained with these.

13. What’s their story?

There’s nothing like a bit of people-watching to pass the time, is there? Look around for the first person you can see. Ask your partner and the kids, what’s their story. See what exciting versions of their lives you can come up with.

14. The cockpit game

Ready to take off? Pretend the car is your own jumbo jet. You’re up front with the pilot and the kids are the cabin crew. Where are you going, and will the pilot take off safely? Whoosh!

15. Scattergories

This alphabet game involves picking a category and then a letter of the alphabet. So you might say something like car brands and “P.” Whoever runs out of ideas loses!

16. Odd car out

Make your next road trip more exciting by looking out for automobile oddities. You might spot a classic car on the other side of the road, or it might just be a funky color. Set each other a goal for vehicles to spot and see who gets there first!

17. I spy

Long drives always go quicker with a game of I spy. Have the kids guessing for hours or watch them drift off — then you can play the more adult games for couples!

18. Alpha-DJ

Another fun alphabet name game, you’ll need a music player to play this one. Play DJ and get everybody to ask you for a song title or artist beginning with a certain letter.

19. Guess the song

Still playing DJ? Start by playing only the first few seconds of a track, before the song lyrics kick in if you can. The first player to guess the song correctly wins!

20. Speaking in song

This one’s as much a memory game as it is a trivia game — can you think of a song that will keep the conversation going? Start a new chat with the title of a song, such as, “have I told you lately?” Then the next player will have to respond with another song title. The player with the last word wins.

What do adults play in the car?

If you’re lucky enough to be enjoying road trip activities solo, you can be as naughty as you like. You’ve also got free rein to make games more complicated — just keep those eyes on the road.

21. Degrees of separation

Start by naming two distinct objects. Let’s say a witch’s broom and a getaway car. Can you get there in six steps or fewer by word association alone? Hermione rode a witch’s broom… Hermione loves Ron… Ron drove a getaway car… you get the idea.

22. Junk memories

Who said clearing out the messes in your car can’t be fun? Go through your old receipts and tickets and try to think back to the memories of that day. Here’s a check for a burger restaurant… remember that date?

23. Truth or dare

You can make this one as daring as you like! It could be something tame like tooting your horn at another driver or making a fool of yourself in the gas station. Feel free to make it naughtier too — this is a couple’s road trip, after all.

24. Fun photo ops

Nothing makes for weird and wonderful photo effects like a moving car. Take snaps out of the window or the two of you while moving. Just make sure you don’t distract the driver!

25. Never have I ever

Travel games for couples are great because they rely on imagination rather than just alcohol. In this booze-free version, ask each other to confess your deepest darkest secrets. Take a swig of a non-alcoholic drink or try another gesture, like winking.

If you’re setting off on a road trip together and want some conversation starters to make the journey more interesting, download the Paired app and check out the “Road Trip Conversations” question pack.