Free Printable Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

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On the road again…  This song has been running through my mind ever since we decided that we are headed on a family road trip.

The quintessential family road trip.  A must do every summer.  There’s something joyful about loading the kids, luggage, beach toys and other paraphernalia into the trunk.  Slamming the car doors at 5:30 in the morning and heading on the road for a great adventure.

Until about 30 minutes later.  That’s when the “Are we there yet?” calls start to ring out.  It never fails.  And many times we haven’t even finished passing the recognizable landmarks in our own town.

This year, I am heading on our road trip better prepared.  I created this Free Printable Road Trip Scavenger Hunt.  It includes 20 different items you might see while driving on the highway and through towns.

Why a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt Works

As proven above, long road trips can seem endless at times.  Especially to kids.

This Free Printable Road Trip Scavenger Hunt gives kids (and adults) a mission on the road.  And can change a dull road trip into a joyous experience.

Why does it work?  A Road Trip Scavenger Hunt keeps kids entertained without screens.  It encourages them to look out the window, enjoy their surroundings and see the world go by.  It can help pass time faster and be a positive activity that gets kids communicating together.

Most importantly – it’s fun!  A Road Trip Scavenger Hunt (along with other road trip games) are enjoyable.  They build memories together and make what could be a daunting road trip into some thing that your family will remember for a very long time.

What’s Included in this Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

This Free Printable Road Trip Scavenger Hunt has a mix of easy to spot and slightly challenging items making it perfect for a wide range of ages.  There are 20 different items to search for while on the road.  They include:

• train tracks
• an RV
• a stop sign
• a red car
• a gas station
• a semi-truck
• an airplane
• a bridge
• a police car
• speed limit sign
• an ambulance
• construction zone
• deer crossing sign
• a blue car
• a pick up truck
• a school bus
• a motorcycle
• fire hydrant
• a tow truck
• a traffic light

In case players are able to find those items super fast, here are a few bonus items to search for.  They are a bit more challenging and will make the game a little harder.  You can write them on the back of the hunt or simply search together as a family.

• power line
• fast food restaurant
• water tower
• traffic cone
• hotel
• flowers
• cloud
• cow
• flag
• park
• rest stop
• roof rack
• bumper sticker
• out of state license plate
• tunnel
• billboard sign
• moving truck
• barn
• taxi

I have also created a second version of this road trip scavenger hunt with all of the bonus items above.  It’s included in our Road Trip Games Pack in the shop.

How to Use this Game

To play this road trip scavenger hunt game, download and print the road trip scavenger hunt sheets below.  There are two sizes included – 8.5″ x 11″ letter size page and 5″ x 7″ card.  

If printing the 5″ x 7″ version, you will need to trim the hunts out.  These are designed to save paper and some players enjoy the smaller size.

Once printed, place on a clipboard.  Although players can use any hard surface, I find on road trips that it’s best to keep our pencil and paper games organized on clipboards.  There is a pen attached to each clipboard, which prevents the need to locate one to play.  You can find these clipboards here. (affiliate)

Before playing, set the rules of play.  You can choose to race to see who finds everything first or play collaboratively as a group. 

For the race version, the first player to complete the hunt or the person with the most items checked off when you arrive at your destination, wins.

To play, players check off each item that they spot during the trip.  Once on the road, say “Go!” to let players know that the search has begun.

Make It Even More Fun

There are lots of different ways you can make this road trip scavenger hunt even more fun.  Here are a few ideas.

Add Prizes

Although you can play this road trip scavenger hunt without any competition or prizes, I like to have a few special treats prepared as prizes. (affiliates) Here are some ideas:

• Road Trip Socks
• Doodle Face Game (these were my favorite as a kid)
• Wikki Stix
• Rubix Cube
• Mini Board Game
• Pack of cards

Or instead of random prizes, make them more meaningful and road trip applicable.

For example:

• Winner picks the next snack option
• Winner selects the music for the next half hour
• Winner choose the next game we play

Create Teams

If you have a large group road tripping together, pair off into teams.  Or have kids team up with a parent.  This can make playing more fun and easier to find things when there are two sets of eyes.

Set Time Challenges

Instead of completing the Road Trip Scavenger Hunt all at once, break it into mini challenges.  See who can find 5 items in ten minutes.  Or identify three out of state license plates instead of just one.  Or even who can find all the different types of vehicles the fastest.

Turn It into a Game Show

Instead of players just checking off the boxes when they find something, transform this scavenger hunt into a mini game show.  Make one person the host.  The host announces the item being looked for.  Then, all players try to find that item.  

This version adds more energy to the game and makes it even more fun.

Make It a Story Adventure

Before starting the road trip scavenger hunt, frame it as a mission that players are going on.  Some examples include that you are pirates looking for treasure, detectives hunting for clues or spies on a secret mission.

Create Road Trip Traditions

When we first moved out of the city, our family would “Moo” at cows whenever we saw them.  Add something silly when you find certain items on the scavenger hunt.  You can “Beep” at a car, “Honk” at a truck or make a siren noise when you spot an ambulance.

Download Your Free Printable Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

You can download your Free Printable Road Trip Scavenger Hunt below.

Love this design and want to save it for later?  Be sure to pin it below.

Happy Celebrating,
Natalie