15 Best Harry Potter Audiobooks For Long Road Trips

The Harry Potter series of books by J.K Rowling are some of the highest-selling books of all time.

15 Best Harry Potter Audiobooks For Long Road Trips

The magical world created by Rowling is full of wonder and hardships but has captured imaginations since the first book was published in 1997.

Whether you’re looking to reread the books or experience them for the first time, the Harry Potter series is the perfect choice for a long road trip.

If you’re spending the journey driving or a passenger that doesn’t want to read a physical book, then audiobooks are a great way to experience the Potter stories.

In this article, we will introduce the 15 best Harry Potter audiobooks for long road trips (see also ‘15 Best Sci Fi Audiobooks For Your Travels‘).

1. Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone By J.K Rowling

We can’t start this list without starting with the first of the Harry Potter novels.

This is the book that started the Harry Potter phenomenon and whether you’re starting the books for the first time or are dipping back into them, it’s the best place to start.

Harry Potter is an orphan that lives with his abusive aunt and uncle. He’s shocked to discover that he’s a wizard and has a place reserved at the prestigious wizarding school Hogwarts.

As Harry begins his magic education he discovers the truth behind his parent’s death and has to face the evil wizard Voldemort.

2. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets By J.K. Rowling

Our next choice is the second book in the series.

Harry enters his second year at Hogwarts but struggles to even get to the school when a house elf named Dobby arrives at his house.

Dobby has a warning for Harry and suggests that Hogwarts is not safe for Harry in the coming year.

When Harry does arrive at Hogwarts, he hears rumors of the mysterious Chamber of Secrets and the horrid beast that dwells within.

When incidents start occurring around the school, Harry has to face the prospect of the Chamber and the beast being real.

3. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban By J.K. Rowling

We continue our list with the third book in the main series.

The entire wizarding world is afraid  of Sirius Black, a mass murderer that has escaped from the previously unescapable wizarding prison of Azkaban.

Black was one of the most ardent followers of the evil Lord Voldemort and there are reasons to believe that now he’s free, he’s coming for Harry.

4. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire by J.K Rowling

The fourth book in the series focuses on the Triwizard Tournament, a competition held between the students of Hogwarts and two other wizarding schools.

Only wizards aged 17 and over are allowed to participate in the tournament, but when the magical Goblet of Fire chooses Harry’s name to be one of the participants, Harry’s problems are only just beginning.

5. Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix by J.K Rowling

The Ministry of Magic may not want to believe it, but Harry and his friends all know that Lord Voldermort is back. 

Harry’s year at Hogwarts becomes his toughest yet when the Ministry appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who thinks Harry is a liar and a troublemaker.

Harry has to rely on his friends like never before to get through the year.

6. Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince By J.K Rowling

With Lord Voldemort growing ever stronger, Professor Dumbledore begins to prepare Harry for the inevitable battle ahead.

His private lessons with Harry take Harry through Voldemort’s past in the hope of arming him with the knowledge he needs to defeat the Dark Lord for good.

Thankfully, Harry’s schooling is progressing more easily than in previous years.

With a new Potions professor and the aid of an annotated textbook once owned by the mysterious Half-Blood Prince, Harry is outperforming even Hermoine.

However, not all of the Prince’s modifications should be followed, as Harry soon finds out.

7. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows By J.K Rowling

At over 21 hours long, the final audiobook in the main Harry Potter series is a fitting end to Harry’s story.

Harry, Ron, and Hermoine leave Hogwarts to track down Voldemort’s Horcruxes in the hope of defeating the Dark Lord for good.

The journey is difficult and fraught with danger, and the trio soon finds themselves in the hands of the Dark Lord’s followers.

Hogwarts itself isn’t faring much better. With Death Eaters in positions of power, Harry’s friends are fighting a battle of their own.

Hogwarts is set to be the scene of the final battle but will Harry prevail?

8. Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them: A Harry Potter Hogwarts Library Book By J.K. Rowling

Throughout the main Harry Potter series, numerous references are made to classes taught at Hogwarts and the textbooks students are expected to study from.

One of the books most commonly referred to is Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, written by noted magizoologist Newt Scamander. 

The book introduces the numerous magical creatures that inhabit the wizarding world and became the basis for the movie series of the same name.

For the added sprinkle of authenticity, the audiobook is read by the actor Eddie Redmayne who plays Newt Scamander in the movies.

9. The Tales Of Beedle The Bard By J.K Rowling

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a popular anthology of stories read by many wizards to their children.

The Tale of the Three Brothers becomes an important plot point in the novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and this book includes this story, as well as four others.

Each tale is read by a different narrator and they are all actors from across the Harry Potter movie and stage series.

Expect to hear Warwick Davies (Professor Flitwick), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Jude Law (Albus Dumbledore), and Noma Dumezweni (Hermoine Granger.)

10. Quidditch Through The Ages: A Harry Potter Hogwarts Library Book By J.K. Rowling

Every wizard loves the sport of Quidditch and this book from the Hogwarts library takes a deep dive into the history of the game and how it developed into the exciting sport it is today.

The book is narrated by the actor Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead, Love Actually) and includes a special bonus of a commentary on the Quidditch World Cup Final.

You’ll feel like you’re actually watching the game instead of on a road trip!

11. Harry Potter: A History Of Magic: An Audio Documentary By Ben Davies

Narrated by actor Natalie Dormer, this book takes an in-depth look at the real history behind the fiction.

It looks into the process behind writing the books and where J.K Rowling found her real-life inspiration.

It’s a fascinating dive into the making of the books and will keep even the most knowledgeable Potter fan interested.

12. Beyond The Wand: The Magic And Mayhem Of Growing Up A Wizard By Tom Felton

Tom Felton played Draco Malfoy through all eight of the Harry Potter movies and this is his autobiography.

He talks about the years he spent as Draco and the large impact it had on his life during his most formative years.

The audiobook is also read by Felton, so you will be able to hear his story in his own voice.

13. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald – Makers, Mysteries And Magic: A Behind The Scenes Documentary By Mark Salisbury

If you’re interested in the movie-making process, this is the audiobook for you (see also ‘15 Best Nonfiction Audiobooks For Your Travels‘).

It’s narrated by actor Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski) and includes interviews with the cast and crew from the set of the second movie in The Fantastic Beasts franchise.

14. Harry Potter – The Ultimate Quiz: 400 Questions And Answers By Jack Goldstein

If you’re in a car full of Potterheads and you want a fun activity to help the hours pass by, then why not test your knowledge with this quiz?

The audiobook has two sets of tracks that allow you to play the quiz by writing down answers and checking them later, or going question by question. The latter option is the best for long journeys!

15. The Science Of Harry Potter: The Spellbinding Science Behind The Magic, Gadgets, Potions, And More! By Mark Brake

Have you ever wondered if some of the magical items in the Harry Potter series could have existed in our non-magical world?

This book takes a look at possible scientific explanations that could see invisibility cloaks become real or broomsticks fly.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we introduced the best 15 Harry Potter audiobooks for long road trips (for something more sci-fi, check out ‘15 Best Star Wars Audiobooks For Long Road Trips‘).

We included the original books penned by J.K. Rowling as well as other canon books.

We also included a couple of unofficial books as well for a little variety.

Whatever type of book you’re looking for, we hope you enjoy listening to our choices.

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