10 Games to Take With You on Your Next Road Trip
Roll the dice with games for cold days, long drives or cozy nights.
Long stretches of highway have a way of stretching time, too. When the playlists fade and the snacks run low, the right game can turn a rest stop, rainy campsite or roadside motel into the highlight of the trip. From trivia decks and bird-nerd brainteasers to roll-up chess boards and pocket-size dominoes, these packable picks are built for glove boxes, backpacks and cold-weather cabin nights alike.
1. CAMPING-THEMED PUZZLE
Who doesn't love a puzzle project? Sort a thousand pieces by color- and border-type, and you'll be on your way. $25 at puzzledly.com
2. YATZY
The old-school Yatzy we know and love, with a modern design makeover. Your roll. $30 at printworksmarket.com
3. NATIONAL PARKS TRIVIA
Plants, wildlife, astronomy, history. Park nerds will want to read this deck of 190 cards like an encyclopedia. $25 at llbean.com
4. FOREST PLAYING CARDS
Illustrations by Ellen Litwiller and text by biologist David G. Haskell, two-time finalist for the Pulitzer, take card. $25 at artofplay.com
5. SIBLEY BIRDER’S TRIVIA
Brush up on bird identification and behavior with one of the most respected names in the game: bestselling author and ornithologist David Allen Sibley. $25 at birdcollective.com
6. ROAD TRIP GAMES
When you’ve exhausted “I Spy,” this deck offers 49 more options for games suited for hurtling through highway space. $23 at bookshop.org
7. PENDLETON CHESS & CHECKERS SET
Bring the action anywhere with a roll-up game "board.” Choose checkers or chess. $38 at pendleton-usa.com
8. TRAVEL DOMINOES
Hang this weatherproof case with carabiner from your backpack and you'll have 28 "bones," scoring pad and everlasting pencil at the ready. $15 at rei.com
9. BACKGAMMON SET
This set with magnetic playing pieces folds up in a tidy box with dimensions not much bigger than a sheet of paper. $50 at ymimports.com
10. DEEP SEA ADVENTURE
For the armchair underwater treasure hunter in your life (age 8 and older)—or when the real-deal deep seas are simply inaccessible. $23 at oinkgames.com
