Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Menu

✕

CONNECT

Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites

BLOG

Success Stories

APPS

TOOLS

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

ABOUT

About Reedsy Terms Privacy

CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#209: Road Trippin'

The open road is a beacon of possibility. Who knows what you’ll discover as you navigate across boundaries, familiar and unfamiliar: maybe it’s the world’s biggest ball of twine, a hidden gem of a diner, or a new truth about yourself. Whatever it may be, a road trip provides the opportunity to indulge your curiosity, going wherever the wind may blow you. There’s no limits or obstacles, only what you’re willing to do.

After all, road trips are hardly ever about the destination. The journey is what matters most, and what you discover along the way, whether you're taking a vacation or setting out into the unknown. This week, we want to explore those unique feelings that only a good, long road trip can conjure.

This week's prompts

Set your entire story in a car.

Dramatic – 96 stories

Write about two strangers who are both heading to the same destination and agree to do a long distance drive together.

Character – 32 stories

Write a story about someone going on a life-changing journey.

Adventure – 57 stories

Write a story about someone getting lost, but discovering something they didn’t expect along the way.

Dramatic – 35 stories

Start your story with someone walking into a gas station.

Dialogue – 53 stories

Stories

“Overworked Guardian Angel ” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #209

Life can change in a split second. I know that sounds cliche, but I found it to be true. Simon was standing at the side off a desert road with his thumb out and a seven o’clock shadow. His shirt was soaked with sweat and his shoulders drooped quite a bit. Feeling sorry for him, I pulled off the side of the road. “Thank you.” He said as he ran to my open window of my beat up twenty year old Toyota. “Where are you headed?? I casually asked as he got into the passenger’s side bucket seat. “I’m trying to find Orson Newton.” ...

Read story

“Mustang Barbie — Baby, I Can Drive Your Car!” by Juley Harvey

Submitted to Contest #209

2,995 words Mustang Barbie — Baby, I Can Drive Your Car! (a grown-up fantasy) Editor’s Note: They say some of the best things happen in cars. Whoever “they” are, they don’t know this story. It began 3 years ago, when Barbie’s driver’s license was just a twinkle in some director’s eye and there was no Oscar talk. See? Everything does come round again. Especially driving a cool car. It happened one night, as these most magical things often do. The moon, oh dudes and dudettes, has a silver alchemy that turns everything...

Read story

“The Road to Nowhere ” by Sofia Nesta

Submitted to Contest #209

I’m staring out the driver’s side window as my car speeds through the coastline of my city. The sound of the motor is penetrating my eardrums as the crisp wind flows through each follicle of my hair. Never before had I felt so alive, and this wasn’t a feeling I wanted to disregard. I turn to my left as I watch my reflection grasp the steering wheel and zoom through the next tunnel. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a large opening as I turn towards the view of the ocean. The beautiful crisp water stares back at me as I’m l...

Read story

“Lost” by Aster Parks

Submitted to Contest #209

I sighed in frustration as I stared at the endless stretch of road before me. My GPS had stopped working a few miles back and I was completely lost. My journey started in California two days ago. I was driving across the country to Quantico Virginia. I started my dream job as an FBI profiler next week. After I had passed all my exams, I had to go through a rigorous hiring process before finally being selected. The only problem was I had to move across the country for the position I wanted. It was too expensive to have my car shipped so I dec...

Read story

“Along Came a Wolf” by John-Paul Cote

Submitted to Contest #209

Jacques’s feet were sore. He had been walking for some hours now. Worry crossed his mind. He should have arrived at Valroux. Time to sit and bring out the bread and cheese he had for the journey and eat. When he finished, he set his mind on finding someone to help him. After another half hour, there was a farmhouse. He approached and knocked on the door. A large man opened the door. Jacques could see ...

Read story

“A dream of One's own” by J R

Submitted to Contest #209

In March 2006, Ethan and Zera found themselves, at 38, divorced, with no family of their own, no home, and alone in a tiny town in the middle of the Pacific Northwest. They hadn't eaten a hot meal in almost seven days and had no human contact for weeks because their internet and service were down to a lack of cell towers in the area. It was a brand-new car. However, All four tires were worn down and replaced with adhesive and makeshift repairs. They were driving through rough terrain and bumpy roads. Ethan Brooks had aching muscles in h...

Read story

“The G.O.A.T” by Kelita Sim

Submitted to Contest #209

That boy gives me no rest. But he will not wear me down. I will seek him, I will find him and I will kill him.Dare I say he is worse than those uncircumcised men! Those uncircumcised men, who are like a plague that won’t die, like a nightmare that won’t end. They just keep coming back. Honestly, no sooner we send them galivanting back across the desert to Gath, no sooner they come right back for more. Either they’re gluttons for punishment, deluded or they need to fire their advisors.They underestimate me, they make a mockery of my kingship....

Read story

“A WALK TO A GAS STATION AND A VIRAL MOMENT” by Young Akpasubi

Submitted to Contest #209

Ron, a middle-aged man, exudes an air of quiet confidence and wisdom. His warm, deep-brown eyes reflect a lifetime of experiences, and the creases on his face tell stories of both laughter and challenges. His almost balding head adds a touch of distinguished charm, hinting at the wealth of knowledge he carries within him. Tall and well-built, Ron's physical presence commands attention, yet his demeanor is approachable and inviting. His easy smile and genuine warmth make others feel at ease in his presence. As he moves with purpose, his ste...

Read story

“Now It's Too Late” by Brianna King

Submitted to Contest #209

It was so cold outside. If I knew I would be walking around outside at 2 a.m., I would have dressed warmer. I had thought about grabbing my coat before leaving the house, but my dad was so adamant about me leaving right then and there. My thin hoodie wasn't helping much, so I decided to take a small detour and walk into the Shell Station that was only one block over from my destination. Once inside, I called Parker. I knew he was awake because he had texted me right before I left my house about some homework in our math class. I told him abo...

Read story

“Twisted Shift” by Kayla Serrano

Submitted to Contest #209

The bell chimed when I opened the door to the lowly gas station off route 49. That bell echoed in my head as if it were mocking me. There is no job that is too good for you. At least, that's what I told myself when my student loan reminders came in. Working a full-time job just out of school was simply not enough to cover my bills, so I needed a part-time job in addition to that. The storefront was as expected, covered in advertising posters and flashing neon signs showcasing various beers. I wouldn't have been able to see the building if ...

Read story

“Gas Station” by Gracie Swann

Submitted to Contest #209

Cass waltzed into the gas station near his house for some coffee and a pack of cigarettes, and possibly more beer. This was his usual cure for a hangover, which was particularly awful this night. The attendant behind the counter was familiar with Cass and said a quick hello before ringing up the next customer. The store was laid out much like any other convenience store. There really wasn’t anything different about this one. Excepting that one particular customer was walking around the beer section with his left hand in his jacket pocket. It...

Read story

“"The Wedding"” by MJ Grimes

Submitted to Contest #209

This is the story of Harry and his friends and how they made it to their best friend’s wedding on time. Harry had a habit of not planning ahead and was on his way to the church in his old red car when he ran out of gas. Because of the frequency of these occasions, Harry always kept a Jerry jug handy in the trunk. He had it in his hand as he walked up to the checkout counter at the gas station down the street from the dead vehicle. Sifting through the pockets of his father’s old gray suit jacket, he pulled out a twenty and asked the cashier f...

Read story

“The Angel and devil of SwiftMart” by Renee Maxdon

Submitted to Contest #209

Lena met the angel in the frozen food aisle of the SwiftMart at the intersection of Three Pines Road and Glenspring Lane. She had walked in briskly to escape the August heat and didn’t grab a basket, she had only planned to purchase a couple of items. As she and the woman stood side by side under the wavering fluorescent lights, Lena remained oblivious, her mind elsewhere. Lena’s phone rang, and she hastily tucked a bag of trail mix under her chin and a sleeve of gum under her left armpit as she rummaged through her purse to retrieve it. Loo...

Read story

“The Last Stop” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #209

Jimmy Toms walked into the gas station office carrying a ball peen hammer behind his back. He was six two and baby faced, with bad skin and glaring eyes. Arnold pushed his belly away from the ledger on his cluttered desk and stood. His stubby hand held a little stubby pencil. He was happy for the break from his bookkeeping until he saw the young man’s eyes. “Is this self-service?” Jimmy complained. “No sir.” Arnold smiled. Getting no smile back he went out to fill the vehicle...

Read story

“The Milwaukee Iron” by Bruce Carrington

Submitted to Contest #209

The fuel in my Harley Davidson was running low, so I pulled over at the nearest gas station, recharged it with the mojito-quality oil (only the best for my girl), and went in to pay.This particular model of Harley Davidson, three years old already, is called Low Rider S. I hate the name. I associate it with Mexican gangbangers’ trucks, able to dance thanks to their modified suspension’s hydraulic systems.The thing about Harley is that they’re not the best bikes in the world. They’re not even close. They’re overpriced, not reliable and run on...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

273

Contest entries

154

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 04, 2023 EST

Won by Kyle Sager 🏆

Title: The Driving Snow

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢