There’s something inherently magical about going on a road trip. You’ve got incredible scenery, delicious snacks, personalized playlists and plenty of laughter and banter with your loved ones to keep you company through the long drive. Maybe you’ll pick up a stranger or two, lose your map, stop at an eerie gas station at 2 a.m., or camp out in the country under starlight, marveling about humanity’s place in the cosmos.
The best road trip novels combine quest narratives with themes of self-discovery and wonder. A cross-country journey not only exposes you to different cultures and ways of looking at the world, but also reveals something new about yourself or your companions. As they say, it’s the journey that matters, not the destination. And when you narrate a road trip novel in the speculative vein, the possibilities are endless—a trek across post-apocalyptic wastelands, a strange train ride through a fey-haunted realm, a voyage to far-flung planets and galaxies, and so much more.
If you’ve recently felt the call of the road, buckle up your seatbelts and embark on a journey of a lifetime with these science fiction and fantasy road trip novels.
American Gods
American Gods is an ambitious novel that delves into a power struggle between the old gods and the new, examining how myths and legends can remake reality. It’s an epic road trip wherein Shadow, an ex-convict and the mysterious Mr. Wednesday travel together and meet a colorful cast of characters, interspersed with other short stories and bits of Americana that add flavor and texture to the novel. Spanning over 600 pages and revisiting some themes from The Sandman graphic novels, American Gods is one hell of a ride by a master of fantasy fiction.
The Road
If tragic post-apocalyptic fiction written in the literary vein is more your thing, The Road by Cormac McCarthy is sure to be an unforgettable read. It narrates the punishing journey undertaken by a father and son through a raw, desolate and burned landscape. The language is carefully measured, with each word choice feeling precise and delicate—building up to a deeply moving conclusion. It’s not a surprise that the book is widely regarded as McCarthy’s masterpiece, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2007.
Jed the Dead
For those in the mood for a quaint coming-of-age story about a young country boy and a dead alien traveling together, Jed the Dead by Alan Dean Foster is sure to warm your heart. It’s light-hearted, fun and imaginative, yet also marked by pathos. If you’re looking for a refreshing book to get you out of a reading slump that you can finish in two sittings or less, pick up a copy of Jed the Dead.
The Black Veins
Ashia Monet’s The Black Veins is a fun YA urban fantasy road trip novel with a beautiful found family story at its heart. It follows the sixteen-year-old Blythe whose family gets kidnapped—to find them, she must get on the road and find six other strangers who are also Guardians like her, even as a magical war is slowly brewing on the horizon. With adorable queer characters, funny dialogues and lucid prose, The Black Veins makes for an incredibly entertaining reading experience.
Alice Isn't Dead: A Novel
Alice Isn’t Dead was originally a podcast created by Joseph Fink (who also co-authored Welcome to Night Vale) and later published as a novel. My memories of the early lockdown months during the pandemic include listening to Alice Isn’t Dead wherein a Keisha, a lonely long-haul truck driver travels across America in search of her wife, Alice who is presumed dead.
But Keisha isn’t ready to give up hope just yet, and she soon discovers that otherworldly forces are at play, perhaps even holding her wife hostage. Eerie, atmospheric and threaded with an ominous sense of horror, Alice Isn’t Dead is quietly and memorably surreal—whether you experience it as a podcast, novel, or audiobook.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
If you're up for a delicious and cozy space adventure, be sure to check out Becky Chambers’ The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. Originally self-published via Kickstarter, the novel was later picked up by Hodder & Stoughton and follows a motley crew of humans, aliens, and sentient A.I. aboard a patched-up ship, The Wayfarer, which tunnels worm holes through deep space. With a focus on strong characterization, Chambers delves into inter-personal conflicts and highlights how kind and empathetic communication between parties can go a long way in fighting prejudice and resolving deep-seated issues. It’s sweet and heartfelt and perfect for anyone in the mood for a slice-of-life sci-fi narrative.
The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands
If you prefer long train rides through the scenic countryside instead of road trips, The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks is sure to mesmerize you. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book and board the Great Trans-Siberian Express with the characters. But the train isn’t the only marvel—between Beijing and Moscow lie the Wastelands, haunted by strange creatures and illusions. And even though the train is seemingly built to cross the Wastelands, there are secrets waiting to be revealed and a stowaway among the passengers. Brook’s prose is gorgeously lush, poetic and evocative, bringing the fantastical train and the Wastelands to life.
Supernatural: Witch's Canyon
If the Supernatural series is your comfort watch, we don’t blame you. In fact, we’ve got the perfect book recommendation for you. In Jeff Marionette’s Supernatural: Witch’s Canyon, you can follow your favorite Winchester brothers on a road trip to the Grand Canyon. But, of course, restless spirits and demons are stirring in the vast Arizona desert, and it’s up to the duo to save the locals … and themselves.
Featured image: Bruno Bergher / Unsplash
