Hit Play & Go: Our Top 5 Podcasts for Road Trippers

You’re up at 5 a.m. packed and ready with food, travel gear, and electronics all in place. You check your agenda and see a long drive ahead, but excitement takes over. This trip has been months in the making. But, you might have forgotten one thing: what’s going to set the mood for the road ahead?

Luckily, we’ve got you covered with a list of podcast options that’ll keep your attention for hours and miles. 

All of these podcasts can be enjoyed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. And if your car has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can queue them up right from your dash: no scrolling needed.

1. SmartLess

If you’re rolling out just before sunrise, you’ll want something lighthearted to kick things off. SmartLess, hosted by television icons Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, blends humor, celebrity interviews, and friendship. 

The back-and-forth banter between them feels like riding with old high school friends: only these travel companions happen to be celebrities. This podcast is perfect for those early miles when you’re still shaking off the sleep and need a few laughs to get rolling through the day, literally.

2. New Heights featuring Jason & Travis Kelce

By mid-morning, the coffee kicks in, and you’re ready for something that keeps your caffeine buzz going. New Heights is the ideal combo of sports talk and brotherly humor as NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce break down pre- and post-football weekly matchups, pop culture, and family happenings. 

It’s part locker room banter, part life chat, and all-around entertaining. Even if you’re not an NFL diehard fan, their chemistry alone makes every episode captivating; it’s like a perfect pass that lands every time, even on the longest drives.

3. Stuff You Should Know

Hours into your drive, curiosity kicks in. You're looking around the different cities and towns you’re driving by, like, “Huh, this place is cool.” Stuff You Should Know is a podcast similar to those midnight YouTube rabbit-hole searches we’ve all been down a time or two.

Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant break down everyday topics from how passports work to the history of amusement parks and somehow make it all fascinating. It’s equal parts smart, funny, and just the right amount of nerdy for when you want to learn something while you’re trying to stay focused on the road ahead.

4. Crime Junkie

Once you’ve logged a few hundred miles, Crime Junkie is the one to hit play on. 

Hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, this true-crime favorite dives into both solved and unsolved cases with storytelling that’ll keep you hooked (no, seriously, it will). The pacing hits just right, the tone feels like a late-night chat, and the stories have just enough edge to keep you on the edge of your seat (pun intended). Crime Junkie is the kind of listen that makes time slip by faster than you realize, but be careful listening at night; things get a little spooky!

5. The All Things Overlanding Podcast

As you close in on your destination, it’s time to lean back into travel mode. That’s the perfect moment to queue up The All Things Overlanding Podcast. Host Jason Fletcher brings together practical advice and off-road inspiration for anyone who loves the freedom of wide-open spaces. You’ll hear honest takes on vehicle upgrades, camping setups, and what it’s really like to live the overland lifestyle. Episodes are short in run time, making them very easy to binge.

It’s a down-to-earth listen that’ll keep you company as you chase new trails and stories beyond the map.

Ending on a cliffhanger

Ever notice how the road seems to quiet everything else? There’s something about the hum of the engine and the highway ahead. Add in a good story, and the hours start to slip by in the best way. Before you head out on your next adventure, visit Transwest or browse our online inventory to find a ride you can rely on for your next journey.