{"id":14892,"date":"2025-05-21T08:50:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T12:50:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/?p=14892"},"modified":"2025-06-09T10:21:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T14:21:46","slug":"middle-grade-books-about-road-trips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/middle-grade-books-about-road-trips\/","title":{"rendered":"19 Exciting Middle Grade Books About Road Trips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What’s better than a summer road trip? Middle grade books about road trips! The books on today’s list are packed with adventure, sightseeing, family bonding, and of course, a dash of emotion. I love traveling<\/a> and books about traveling, and I enjoy how discovering new places can lead to self-discovery for the characters. In these selections, you’ll see all that come to life. As fun as they are, many of these books tackle serious issues like racism, mental illness, and the grief of losing a loved one.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Listen to this list on audio via Libro.fm<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join my Patreon community<\/a> to get a printable version of<\/strong> this li<\/b>st<\/strong>! You’ll also get access to other kid lit resources and perks, like our seasonal guides, book tasting menus, and book discussion guides, to inspire you. You can also buy the standalone printable<\/a> from our shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re curious about the content of the books on my list, you can get access to my Content Notes Database<\/a>, where I share information about what to expect from all the books on my lists.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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19 Incredible Middle Grade Books About Road Trips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of my favorite middle grade road trip books:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Next Stop<\/h2><\/div>
By Debbie Fong
Published: March 19, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Pia heads out on a desert sightseeing road trip, on which one of the stops is a famous lake which many believe has magical properties. Pia has a secret: she’s hoping that the lake will bring back her younger brother, who died in a drowning accident several months ago. Along the way, she gets to know the odd group traveling together, including a candy-distributing grandma, a reluctant tween traveler, a couple with ever-bickering kids, and an elderly couple hoping for a health miracle. I liked the camaraderie of the travelers and the flashbacks in every chapter that show us Pia’s life before and just after the accident. I also really liked that the plot is sad but not too heavy. This is great for readers who enjoy sad books or stories featuring a road trip. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise<\/h2><\/div>
By Dan Gemeinhart
Published: January 8, 2019<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A girl named Coyote, a dad named Rodeo, a boy, a cat, and several other eclectic characters with stories deeper than the surface make up the cast of this heartwarming road trip story. This book is incredible. With one of the most remarkable (no pun intended) protagonists I\u2019ve read in a while, TRJOCS handles dying, grief, and family excellently. It\u2019s one of those books that brings your heart joy even while it\u2019s breaking it. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Clean Getaway<\/h2><\/div>
By Nic Stone 
Published:  January 7, 2020<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

William \u201cScoob\u201d Lamar is hoping to make a clean getaway with his white G-ma. Especially because his dad is mad at him after an unpleasant school incident and subsequent suspension. At first he\u2019s happy to be spending time with this G-ma, but soon, he realizes that this isn\u2019t quite the trip he expected. As Scoob and G-ma travel through the US South, G-ma lets him into family history: his grandfather\u2019s life, G-ma\u2019s misdeeds and what life was like when Black people needed the Green Book to move through the US. This is a fast-paced, clever story full of twists and a sense of adventure. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Finding Orion <\/h2><\/div>
By John David Anderson
Published: May 7, 2019<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When Orion Kwirk’s grandfather, Papa Kwirk, dies, his quirky family piles into their car to attend the funeral. But what a shocker when they discover that there’s no body in the casket and Papa Kwirk has left them clues to find his cremated remains. As they embark on the adventure, they learn a lot about each other, their family, and, of course, Papa Kwirk. This is a sweet, funny book with lots of insightful commentary about life, better appreciated by readers ages 11 and up<\/strong>.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Vanderbeekers on the Road<\/h2><\/div>
By Karina Yan Glaser 
Published: October 4, 2022<\/strong> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Vanderbeekers go on a road trip adventure in this installment of the series. If you’re not familiar with this series, you can still follow the plot if you start with this book. I recommend checking out the entire series, though, if you’re looking for a wholesome family read-aloud. If your kids love The Vanderbeekers, I have a list of readalikes they’ll enjoy, too. Ages 8+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane<\/h2><\/div>
By Kate O’Shaughnessy
Published: March 3, 2020<\/strong> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Maybelle Lane lives with her single mother and is obsessed with collecting sounds. Her favorite sound, however, is one she didn’t record herself: the sound of her estranged father laughing on a voicemail. When Maybelle hears the same voice on the radio one day, she decides to hop on a bus with a neighbor and an unlikely stowaway to Nashville, where she’ll be reunited with her dad. This is a heartwarming story about community, family, courage, and unlikely friendships. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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To Tell You the Truth<\/h2><\/div>
By Beth Vrabel
Published: June 8, 2021<\/strong> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fourth-grader Trixy\u2019s grandma died in a car accident, and since then, things at home have not been the same. Trixy\u2019s only solace is her gran\u2019s stories. However, only Trixy seems to believe Gran\u2019s stories about her childhood, and she promised Gran that she would keep some of the stories to herself. But when Trixy NEEDS to write stories to pass fourth grade, the only stories she can think of writing are Gran\u2019s. When Trixy enters a non-fiction writing contest using Gran\u2019s stories, some people begin to dispute the truth of those stories. Add some trouble at home to the mix, and Trixy is forced to run off with her neighbor, Raymond, when his dad goes on a tour that stops over at several landmarks in Gran\u2019s stories. But are Gran\u2019s stories about a sister and a difficult, but often magical life, true? This is a moving, adventurous, and heartwarming story about family, storytelling, and friendship. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dinner at the Brake Fast<\/h2><\/div>
By Renee Beauregard Lute (Author)
Published: June 25, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A heist, a creepy pumpkin maze, and a murderous hen take center stage in this funny, heartfelt adventure tale set in the PNW. Tacoma’s parents have finally allowed her to cook dinner for their breakfast-only truck-stop diner. But on the D-day, she wakes up to her dad in a bad depressive episode and sneaky trucker Kyle provoking her by reminding her he stole her dad’s picture with Bruce Springsteen and Tacoma’s had it. She decides she’ll go and steal back her dad’s picture. There is some info about bullying, bad friends, Tacoma’s anxiety, and her father’s struggle with his mental illness. I really enjoyed this one and blew through it in a couple of hours. Ages 8+<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sisters<\/h2><\/div>
By Raina Telgemeier
Published: June 8, 2021<\/strong> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Raina and her little sister Amara\u2019s relationship is under the microscope. Despite having always prayed for a little sister, Raina realizes as soon as her sister comes home with her parents that things may not exactly have worked out as she planned. The sisters squabble over the years until a three-week family road trip from California to Colorado changes everything. Interestingly, this graphic novel alternates between past and present, following the girls\u2019 relationship from childhood and also the road trip in the present. This is a sweet ode to sisterhood and how tumultuous sibling relationships can be, particularly when we\u2019re young and still figuring each other out. Although the focus is always on both sisters, this book also centers on a road trip from California to Colorado, and Telgemeier does not skimp on road trip details. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Someday Birds<\/h2><\/div>
By Sally J. Pla (Author), Julie McLaughlin (Illustrator)
Published:<\/strong> January 24, 2017<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Charlie’s family hasn’t been the same since his father suffered brain damage as a journalist in Afghanistan. Now he’s moving to Virginia for medical treatment, and Charlie, his unruly twin brothers, his boy-crazy sister, and an unusual family friend embark on a road trip together. Charlie convinces himself that if he spots all the birds that he and his father were hoping to see someday along the way, then everything might just turn out okay. But life isn’t that predictable. This book is funny, sad, mysterious, and adventurous — with an autistic protagonist at the helm. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Road to Wherever<\/h2><\/div>
By John Ed Bradley
Published: May 11, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11-year-old June (Henry Junior) Ball\u2019s mother sends him off on the road with his adult second cousins after his father disappears without a word. Cousins Thomas and Cornell are \u201cFord Men\u201d traveling throughout the US to fix people\u2019s old Ford trucks for free. The Ford owners only have to buy spare parts. As the road trip progresses, the men teach June about Ford trucks, fixing cars, and being kind. June also processes his father\u2019s absence while expanding his heart by meeting just as many broken humans as Ford trucks. Hand this heartfelt story to fans of road trip stories, books with sensitive male protagonists<\/a>, or books about mental health challenges<\/a>. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Great Peach Experiment<\/h2><\/div>
By Erin Soderberg Downing
Published: April 6, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lucy, Freddie, and Herb have spent more time with each other than with their father since their mom died. But now one of their mom\u2019s inventions has sold for a lot of money, and their dad has bought a food truck and wants them to spend the summer traveling through the country as a family. The family plans to also enter a food truck contest at the end of their trip to compete for $10,000. But along the way, they learn a lot about what really matters. The Peach kids will worm their way into readers\u2019 hearts without any trouble. If you enjoy books about families<\/a>, food books<\/a>, or middle grade books about road trips<\/a>, this is the perfect book for you! Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Peter Lee’s Notes from the Field<\/h2><\/div>
By Angela Ahn
Published: March 2, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Peter, or Petey, as he\u2019s affectionately called by his sister Charlotte aka L.B is obsessed with dinosaurs. He wants to be a paleontologist when he\u2019s older and is constantly digging in the sandpit at his grandparents\u2019 (Haji and Hammy) house. In the summer, the family takes a trip to Drumheller for a dinosaur expedition, which ends up being a bust for Peter. To cap it off, his Hammy is forgetful and seems dazed from time to time. Then he discovers that his parents are planning to send Hammy to a care facility. This is a sweet, adventurous middle grade novel set in Canada. With a delightful genius little sister, heartwarming grandparent relationships<\/a>, and a dash of Korean culture<\/a>, this book is perfect for lovers of family-centered stories. Ages 8+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mexikid<\/h2><\/div>
By Pedro Mart\u00edn
Published: August 1, 2023<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In his debut memoir, Mexikid<\/em>, author Pedro Martin relates a pivotal experience of his childhood. Pedro Martin and his family of 11 (NINE kids!) decide to drive from the US to Mexico to pick up his aging Abuelo and bring him to the US with them. Along the way, they encounter corrupt border patrol officers, diarrhea-inducing milk, bad haircuts, stories of his Abuelo\u2019s past, and plenty of family. Mexikid<\/em> is a lively, funny, and transporting middle grade graphic novel about family, Mexican history, and a life-changing family road trip<\/a>. <\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Breathing Underwater<\/h2><\/div>
By Sarah Allen
Published: March 30, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Thirteen-year-old Olivia is excited about going on a road trip back to California with her sister and their uncle and aunt. Their family moved to Tennessee from California three years ago, and the girls had buried a time capsule before their move. Olivia\u2019s big sister Ruth is now 16 and clinically depressed. Olivia feels responsible for Ruth\u2019s happiness and has a plan to recover their time capsule, while doing a photo project during their trip to remind Ruth of good times and make her just a little happier. But she soon finds out that with mental illness, it\u2019s not always so simple. This is a beautifully written, moving middle grade novel about sisterhood,<\/a> art, and loving a sibling with a mental illness. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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An Occasionally Happy Family<\/h2><\/div>
By Cliff Burke
Published: May 18, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Theo\u2019s dad is bundling him and his sister, Laura, into the car for a road trip to Big Bend National Park. Although nature doesn\u2019t fit into any of the kids\u2019 interests, they follow along for a chance to have a nicer family vacation than visiting their grandma. It\u2019s also a good chance to bond more since their mom died a few years ago. The kids notice, though, that their dad is suspiciously over-excited (and in turn) nervous about the trip and everything makes sense when mid-way through, he introduces them to his new girlfriend, Lucrecia. Starring a witty and artistic young protagonist, this story intertwines humor with serious issues such as teens\u2019 social media usage, confronting difficult emotions, and adjusting to a parent\u2019s new relationship. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Louisiana’s Way Home<\/h2><\/div>
By Kate DiCamillo
Published: October 2, 2018<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Louisiana Elefante\u2019s grandmother wakes her up in the middle of the night because \u201cthe day of reckoning has arrived.\u201d Although Louisiana has always gone with her granny\u2019s flow, this time, she resists. She doesn\u2019t want to leave her friends and her cat, Archie behind. Still, her grandmother is adamant. What follows is an often-funny, occasionally-heartbreaking, and all-round heartwarming tale. If you\u2019re a DiCamillo fan, you\u2019ll enjoy my list of readalikes for Louisiana\u2019s Way Home<\/em><\/a>. Ages 9+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Big Sting<\/h2><\/div>
By Rachelle Delaney
Published: February 7, 2023<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Leo is not a risk-taker; he prefers to adventure through the pages of his books. So when his parents leave him and his little sister with their grouchy grandfather, Leo is disturbed. It gets worse when Grandpa discovers that their late grandma\u2019s bee hives have been stolen and takes both kids on a road trip to track down the thief. This was a fun story set in Canada, and I loved seeing Leo discover how brave he can be. Lots of funny moments and several tender moments. This is great for younger kids who love mysteries and gentle adventures. Ages 8+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Sea in Winter<\/h2><\/div>
By Christine Day
Published: January 5, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Sea in Winter<\/em> is the story of 12-year-old ballet dancer Maisie Cannon who is recovering from a torn ACL. Maisie is struggling with how slowly she\u2019s recovering and is a bit depressed in general because of how much she loves ballet and how tightly woven into her identity it was. Maisie\u2019s family takes a trip during winter break to hike a bit and also learn more about her ethnic history. During the trip, things come to a head emotionally for her, and she\u2019s forced to address many unpleasant emotions and reconnect with her family. Maisie is a deeply introspective character whose suffering will be deeply felt by all who read this book. Yet, this book manages to be uplifting with the help of Maisie\u2019s brother Connor and her warm, loving family and friends. Ages 8+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The best middle grade books about road trips are packed with adventure, sightseeing, family bonding, and of course, a dash of emotion. I love books about traveling and I enjoy how discovering new places can lead to self-discovery for the characters. In these 30 middle grade books about road trips, you’ll see all that come to life. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":95154,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"book_review_cover_url":"","book_review_title":"","book_review_series":"","book_review_author":"","book_review_genre":"","book_review_isbn":"","book_review_setting":"","book_review_release_date":"","book_review_recommendation":"","book_review_pages":"","book_review_source":"","book_review_rating":"","book_review_summary":"","book_review_featuredin":"","book_review_kindle":"","book_review_reivew":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[129927,3907404,3907545],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-14892","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-book-lists","8":"category-middle-grade-book-lists-book-lists","9":"category-settings-middle-grade","10":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n19 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