How Do You Play a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt?
The Ultimate Guide to Fun on the Road
Going on a road trip is exciting, but long drives can sometimes get boring, especially for passengers. A road trip scavenger hunt is the perfect way to make the journey more entertaining, interactive, and engaging for everyone in the car! In this guide, we’ll cover how to play a road trip scavenger hunt, different game variations, and the best ways to make your drive unforgettable.
What Is a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt?
A road trip scavenger hunt is a game where players search for specific items, landmarks, signs, or people while traveling. Instead of just staring out the window, participants stay engaged by spotting different objects along the way and competing to see who can find the most.
Why Play a Scavenger Hunt on a Road Trip?
Makes the drive more fun & interactive
Encourages observation & creativity
Keeps kids (and adults!) entertained
Can be played anywhere, anytime
No equipment or setup needed
How to Play a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
Playing a road trip scavenger hunt is easy! You can choose from several different styles of play depending on the number of players, the length of the trip, and how competitive you want the game to be.
Basic Rules:
Create or Download a Scavenger Hunt List
Make a list of things to find, like a red barn, a car with an out-of-state license plate, or a fast-food billboard.
You can also use a prebuilt or custom digital scavenger hunt platform like Seekr Games to track and score challenges automatically.
Decide on the Rules
How do players win? First to find everything? Most points by the end?
How do you verify finds? Take a picture, point it out to others, or just call it out.
Time Limits: Will you play for the entire road trip or a specific timeframe?
3. Start Spotting & Checking Off Items!
As players find each item, they check it off their list or snap a picture.
Some versions give extra points for creativity, like finding a funny bumper sticker or a weird roadside attraction.
4. Declare a Winner!
The first person or team to find all the items or the most points wins the game.
Decide on a fun prize, like picking the next snack stop or controlling the music playlist.
Types of Road Trip Scavenger Hunts
There are several variations of road trip scavenger hunts, so you can mix things up based on the type of trip and who’s playing.
Classic Checklist Scavenger Hunt
Each player gets a pre-made list of items to find during the trip. First person to check off everything wins! Example items to find:
A car with a bumper sticker
A license plate from another state
A farm animal
A billboard advertising food
A motorcyclist wearing sunglasses
Best for: Families, kids, long road trips
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Players must take a picture of each item on their list. It can include creative prompts like:
A funny road sign
Someone sleeping in the car
A weird roadside attraction
A gas station snack you've never tried
A group selfie with a landmark
Best for: Social media lovers, creative travelers
3. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
Players find items in alphabetical order, starting with A (like an "Airplane in the sky") and ending with Z (like a "Zoo sign").
Each player must call out the item they found before moving to the next letter.
If someone finds an item before you, you have to think of a different one!
Best for: Kids, competitive players
4️. License Plate Scavenger Hunt
Players must spot as many different state license plates as possible.
Keep a tally of each new state plate you see.
The person who finds the most wins the game.
Best for: Cross-country road trips
5️. Team vs. Team Scavenger Hunt
If you have multiple people in the car, split into teams.
Each team gets a list of items to find and a time limit.
The team that completes the most challenges before reaching the next stop wins!
Best for: Groups, competitive families
Make Your Road Trip Scavenger Hunt Even Better with Seekr Games.
Want a digital, interactive scavenger hunt for your next road trip? Seekr Games makes it super easy to create & play!
Instant Hunt Creation – No need to print lists—just play on your phone!
AI-Powered Photo Verification – Ensures fair play and adds an extra challenge.
Custom Challenges – Tailor your hunt for any destination or group.
Real-Time Score Tracking – Compete with friends and see who’s in the lead.
Make your next road trip unforgettable—try Seekr Games today!