9 Best Games Where You Take A Road Trip

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There’s something about a road trip that everyone seems to enjoy, but for me, it’s more of a hassle than a pleasure. I genuinely dislike long-distance journeys, especially when they involve sharing space with others. However, in video games, road trips are incredibly enjoyable! It offers all the excitement of open roads without the scorching heat, uncomfortable silences, and squabbles over the music player.

Journeys by car offer more than just a means for storytellers to move their characters over vast distances; they present valuable chances for engaging character dialogues and creative gameplay elements as well.

Experiencing ourselves more deeply often occurs when we’re stranded by the roadside with a flat tire, idling on a bench while waiting for roadside help. If you appreciate a bit of travel adventure in your video games, these titles will offer you the most enjoyable journey. After all, it’s far better than braving a long-distance drive in a sedan just to reach an unremarkable theme park.

For these games to stand out among those with extended journeys, they must predominantly be set within a vehicle.

9.
Darkest Dungeon 2

Outrunning The Darkness

In the initial Darkest Dungeon game, most of your actions take place in the deteriorating lands surrounding your rundown village. Contrasting this, Darkest Dungeon 2 presents a world that’s fallen into chaos entirely, making it unsafe to linger in one spot for too long. Therefore, it makes sense to keep moving and stay on the road!

Darkest Dungeon 2 could be likened to a miniature representation of the most challenging aspects one might encounter during a long journey by car. This could range from mechanical issues with the vehicle itself, to tension and disputes among travelers.

Indeed, instead of arguing about tunes or damaged wheels on a car, here we have monstrous assaults on your stagecoach and fellow travelers bickering to the point of plotting each other’s demise due to minor slights – all in all, similar scenarios.

From someone who’s not fond of long drives, I find the game’s decision to have characters embark on journeys quite intriguing. Given that mental strain and madness are central motifs in Darkest Dungeon, it seems perfectly fitting to subject heroes to one of the most taxing scenarios I can conceive – a road trip.

8.
Death Road To Canada

Still Beats A Night Stop At Stuckey’s

In many zombie films, there’s often a hasty car escape to a supposedly secure location. Walking around can be risky when there are things lurking that might take a bite out of your legs!

If you combine the tension of a zombie apocalypse with the usual stresses of a road trip, you get a situation that’s like a loaded gun, just waiting to go off.

In simple terms, Death Road to Canada, as described on its store page, gives you control over a group of uncooperative or annoying individuals.

Unlike conventional road trips where you can pick your traveling companions, on this journey, you’re stuck with individuals whose characters and idiosyncrasies could clash sharply. Unfortunately, it’s essential that you ensure the safety of every passenger, regardless of whether their behaviors push you to the brink of frustration.

In this game, Death Road to Canada, I’ve found an unusual amount of similarities between the group dynamics and real-life friend gatherings. Despite the presence of zombies, it seems that senseless disputes and poor decision-making during travel are universal when embarking on a road trip. However, unlike in real life, if someone becomes bothersome in Death Road to Canada, I have the option to literally leave them behind – permanently.

7.
Final Fantasy XV

Cruising With The Party

In essence, nearly all Final Fantasy games, along with numerous Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), typically incorporate a significant element of travel, whether it’s on foot, horseback, or other modes of transportation.

In a similar vein, Final Fantasy XV shares this trait, yet what sets it apart from other games in the series lies in its exceptional representation of a brotherly road trip experience.

As you traverse through the open landscapes, the roof is absent, allowing the wind to playfully tousle your hair. Though there’s a set goal, you maintain the freedom to pause or alight whenever the mood strikes. Perhaps a peculiar creature caught your eye, perhaps a roadside eatery tantalizes with its delicious offerings; whatever the cause, it’s your journey, your rules.

The Regalia feels more like a trusted companion to the group, as they’re hesitant to part ways with it and always ensure it’s well-maintained at service stations. Plus, its ability to morph into a jet is just an added bonus! Who wouldn’t dream of a journey in a car that turns into an aircraft? Imagine the convenience during heavy traffic!

6.
Keep Driving

Just You And The Open Road

As a gamer, the thought of embarking on a long road trip across the country as a young adult feels downright nerve-wracking to me. Yet, I’ve heard tales of people transforming their lives with such adventures, learning and growing independently. However, the comfort of my desk has always held more appeal for me. That’s why I choose to live vicariously through the characters in Keep Driving, experiencing the thrill of the open road without leaving the safety of home.

A great illustration of an aimless journey by car is “Keep Driving.” In this scenario, you’re heading towards a music festival situated far away across the nation, giving you a general timeline. However, the choices and experiences you encounter during your travel from origin to destination are entirely in your control.

You’re not obligated to attend the music festival if you’re not up for it. Instead, it can be a boundless road trip, an adventure without a predetermined end point!

I find this game surprisingly realistic compared to others in its category. While it presents challenges along the way, they’re everyday issues such as traffic jams or discovering a bee in the car. Sometimes, common problems can create engaging entertainment when presented effectively, and Keep Driving does just that.

5.
Metaphor: ReFantazio

Cross-Country To Royalty

A type of journey by car that you might recognize from films such as The Cannonball Run and Rat Race is known as a goal-oriented road trip.

Or, more informally:
A road trip with a mission like the ones in movies such as The Cannonball Run and Rat Race is called an objective-based road trip.

Apart from traversing the nation, your journey must be swift and purposeful. When you arrive, there’s work to be done. If there was an unusual blend of ideas, it would be this – a dash of adventure with steampunk magic in a land called Metaphor: ReFantazio.

During the struggle for the throne, a significant part of your group’s leisure time is spent journeying across the country on our colossal vehicle known as the Gauntlet Runner – essentially a massive passenger ship with legs. Despite its fantastical design, there are still ample chances for bonding and creating memories during these travels, much like a traditional road trip.

On board the Runner, everyday tasks such as cooking or doing laundry can turn into shared experiences. I found it quite enjoyable receiving a mini lesson on laundry etiquette from Strohl. And let’s not forget to mention the breathtaking scenic stops at some of the game’s most awe-inspiring and richly historical viewpoints – each one is truly a visual treat.

4.
The Oregon Trail

You Can’t Beat The Classics

Regardless of your generation, there’s a strong chance you’ve encountered at least one version of The Oregon Trail during your gaming years. For Millennials and Gen Xers, playing this game has become a sort of tradition, whether you experienced it with vibrant graphics or simple green lines on an old CRT screen. What makes it special is not just its educational value, but also the fact that it’s one of the earliest road trip video games ever created.

It’s clear that this isn’t your typical leisurely road trip; instead, the characters in question are seeking a new homeland. Regrettably, some of them may succumb to dysentery during their journey.

Indeed, it’s quite an adventure, traveling along this path, and surprisingly, numerous aspects of it resonate with us even today. To put it another way, wouldn’t a journey be incomplete without the occasional flat tire or debatable food choice?

In my younger days, I adored The Oregon Trail, despite struggling with literacy and failing abysmally at the hunting mini-game where I couldn’t hit a barn with a shotgun. My sister and I often challenged each other to create the most wretched experiences for our trailblazers without actually causing their demise! Many an emotional injury was inflicted during those journeys.

3.
Persona 5 Strikers

A Japanese Travel Brochure With Personas

Could we possibly fit another Atlus RPG into this mix? I believe we can manage it. What initially attracted me to Persona 5 Strikers, aside from the allure of continued Phantom Thief escapades, was the prospect of witnessing my beloved characters in a fresh and intriguing environment.

The deeds of the Phantom Thieves aren’t limited to just Tokyo anymore; instead, they’ve expanded their operations nationwide throughout Japan.

Interestingly, despite Persona 5’s calendar system and the typical time limitations associated with travel games, Strikers unexpectedly does not impose any such restrictions. This allows you ample opportunity to enjoy the various scenic spots across Japan that the Phantom Thieves visit, as well as participate in occasional charming side activities designed to further develop the characters.

While the travel aspects may not drastically affect the main mechanics of the Warriors-style Persona battles and exploration, it should be noted that these features do align well with the overall theme of the game.

In this new system, you’re no longer restricted to taking turns during battles; instead, you have the liberty to explore the Jails and swiftly attack any Shadow that gives you an odd look, which feels much like the spontaneity experienced on a road trip.

2.
Road 96

A Road Trip Doesn’t Have To Be In Your Car

When someone mentions they’re embarking on a road trip, it’s generally understood that they plan to travel by a vehicle they personally own.

In Road 96, it’s not like traditional road trips where you drive your own vehicle. Instead, due to the circumstances of escaping an authoritarian regime, you find yourself more akin to backpacking, suggesting a blend of road tripping and hiking experiences.

As you don’t possess personal means of transportation, you must strategize cleverly to cover the distance effectively, perhaps by hitchhiking or purchasing bus tickets. You are solely responsible for yourself during this journey, and the decisions you make regarding exploration, rest, and recharging will have far-reaching impacts.

I’ve consistently held the view that life is composed of various interactions with unique individuals. One aspect that makes Road 96 engaging is the unpredictability of the people you might converse with, share a ride, or even steal from. These encounters can drastically alter the course of your adventure. You depend on the goodwill of strangers, and whether it pays off for you remains uncertain.

1.
Monster Prom 3: Monster Roadtrip

All The Best Parts Of A Road Trip At Once

A common slogan found in the Monster Prom series is, “We’re youthful, fearless, and eager to take on new challenges.

In Monster Prom 3: Monster Roadtrip, the term often associated with promiscuity and criminal activity takes on a different meaning. Here, it’s more about embarking on an adventure, bonding with friends, discovering fascinating locations, and incidentally, there might be opportunities for promiscuous activities and crime, if time allows.

Monster Roadtrip is similar to a compacted, unique blend of iconic road trip experiences, transformed into a multiplayer visual novel board game. It features bizarre roadside landmarks, potentially spooky inns, occasional familiar travelers, and just about every quirky detour you’ve ever spotted in a road trip film.

This game stands out in an interesting way compared to its previous versions because it delves deeper into personal introspection. Unlike its predecessors which were predominantly dating simulations, this game allows for meaningful conversations that are more about friendship rather than romance. If you’re interested, there’s even a possibility of having a platonic ending with the series’ characters.

In simpler terms, since I admired these characters in earlier games, and I’m always drawn to hidden backstories, this is an excellent chance for me to delve deeper.

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2025-06-02 17:15