Most Relaxing Driving Games, Ranked

Whether in real life or a video game, driving your car can be a satisfying experience. While video games like Need for Speed are known for high-stakes racing, there are times when you simply prefer a game that allows you to ride for miles at a decent speed.

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Many video games are designed to help you unwind after a stressful day at work, and it’s only natural to want to know the ones where traveling long distances is highly relaxing. These games promise many hours of easy-going driving, regardless of your skill level.

10

SnowRunner

Conquer Difficult Terrains In Style

SnowRunner

Released: April 28, 2020
ESRB: t
Developer(s): Saber Interactive
Publisher(s): Saber Interactive
Engine: Swarm Engine

Very few driving games deliver the same satisfaction as SnowRunner, an off-road sim with realistic physics and a variety of vehicles to use. Featured among the best games where you manage a business, you earn money and expand your operations by completing tasks ranging from hauling logs across a muddy road to helping with a town’s construction efforts.

With unique locations such as Michigan in North America and the Kola Peninsula in Russia, SnowRunner will hardly feel boring, even after hours of gameplay. Whether you’re navigating a snow-filled road or one submerged by a river, playing this game will have a calming effect on you, especially after a tiresome day at the office.

9

Driveclub

Take A Casual Drive At Night Or Day

Driveclub

Systems

Released: October 7, 2014
ESRB: t
Developer(s): Evolution Studios
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Franchise: Driveclub

The PS4 exclusive Driveclub may no longer have active online servers, but there are so many enjoyable things to do in offline mode. Whether you opt for Tour or Single Event modes, you can pick a car from several available models and cruise down the track of your choice.

You’re also free to set your preferred weather conditions before starting a race. Driveclub doesn’t have a steep learning curve, so if you’re familiar with racing games, then taking a Ferrari for a ride on a sunny day or at night should provide entertainment for long periods.

8

BeamNG Drive

Customize Your Car However You Want And Drive Around

BeamNG.Drive

Systems

Released: August 3, 2013
ESRB: t
Engine: Torque
Multiplayer: Local Multiplayer

If you fancy a driving game that allows you to load a ton of mods, then BeamNG Drive is an excellent choice. The game offers several gorgeous terrains to drive through, such as tropical jungles and arid lands. This is the sort of game to get lost in as you drive across scenic routes.

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BeamNG Drive offers boundless vehicle customization options if you’d like to tweak your ride before going for a drive. The game also stands out for its soft-body physics, as your car, upon crashing into obstacles or other vehicles, can become instantly wrecked. While ramming your car into an object may not be everybody’s favorite pastime, it’s fun to try out different vehicles.

7

Test Drive Unlimited 2

Go Off-road Or Stay On Track In Ibiza Or Oahu

Test Drive Unlimited 2

Released: February 8, 2011
ESRB: t
Developer(s): Eden Games
Engine: Havok
Multiplayer: Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
Franchise: Test Drive Unlimited

Released in 2011, Test Drive Unlimited 2 may feel dated when compared with more recent racing games like Forza Horizon 5, but it remains a thrilling way to spend the weekend or a holiday. You get to ride along off-road and asphalt roads on two different islands (Ibiza and Oahu) with a total of 60 levels and diverse missions to keep you occupied.

Whether you choose to race on Ibiza or Oahu, rest assured that both islands have night-day cycles which further enrich the game’s realism. Storms occasionally occur, and the sudden lightning flashes across the sky are always fun to stare at.

6

Art Of Rally

Nothing But Nostalgia And Colorful Tracks

Art of Rally

2.5/5

Released: September 23, 2020
ESRB: t
Developer(s): Funselektor Labs
Publisher(s): Funselektor Labs
Engine: Unity

Rally games may not exactly be as popular as other niches in the racing game genre, but Art of Rally may win over a sizable portion of gamers. The game features a top-down view that not only deals a huge dose of nostalgia but lets you enjoy the pleasant views of the in-game world while driving.

While you can participate in competitions like time trials, you can also expand your horizons by giving the Free Roam mode a shot. With various well-designed cars to choose from and the lovely in-game music, Art of Rally is a top choice for a game to brighten a stressful day.

5

Assetto Corsa

Realistic Tracks Make This A Fun Ride

Assetto Corsa

Released: December 19, 2014
ESRB: Everyone
Developer(s): Kunos Simulazioni
Publisher(s): Kunos Simulazioni
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer

Although Assetto Corsa’s release wasn’t received with hefty praise compared to F1 2016, it still delivered a unique racing simulator experience. The vehicle handling feels realistic, and you have to be extra careful when cornering a track. If you’re keen on simulating a real-life race, then playing this game will do just that.

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Like most racing games, you get a single-player mode, which sees you start with an Abarth 500 before progressing to use a wide range of sports cars and supercars. The tracks look real, especially when racing from a first-person view.

4

The Crew 2

Commute From City To City By Air, Land, Sea

The Crew 2

Released: May 31, 2018
ESRB: t
Developer(s): Ubisoft Ivory Tower
Engine: Babel Engine
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer

Released by Ubisoft, The Crew 2 carries on the tradition of The Crew by offering you a vast open world in which you get to drive with abandon. The fact that you can drive from one city to another (Los Angeles to New York, for instance) makes this a great driving game to play when you need to relax.

Although the game allows you to drive land vehicles, it’s also possible to control sea and air vehicles. This added variety increases the game’s replayability, especially if you’re a hovercraft or airplane fan.

3

Grand Theft Auto 5

Explore The Massive Open World Of San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto 5

Released: September 17, 2013
ESRB: M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Developer(s): Rockstar North
Engine: Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer

Grand Theft Auto 5 may not be a pure racing game, but the game’s massive open world and variety of cars to use make it possible to drive around Los Santos without a care in the world. Of course, you could get into a heated police chase depending on your driving behavior, but the feeling of riding from urban Los Santos into rural Sandy Shores is unmatched.

If you’ve completed the story plus the challenges and don’t know what to do next, consider setting a custom route and just driving. Whether you choose one of Grand Auto 5’s best cars, like the Entity XF, or an armoured truck to cruise around, expect to be thrilled.

2

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Haul Cargo On Some Of The Most Beautiful Roads

Euro Truck Simulator 2

Systems

Released: October 18, 2012
ESRB: t
Developer(s): SCS Software
Publisher(s): SCS Software
Engine: Prism3D
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
Steam Deck Compatibility: Verified

While building the next best continental trucking empire, Euro Truck Simulator 2 charms you with its gorgeous sights and impressive landmarks. Feel free to drive across Europe hauling cargo ranging from petrol to logs while the in-game radio station treats you to sweet music.

This game features a vast open-world map that you can explore. You can also use mods to customize various aspects of the game, including shopfront advertisements, radio stations, and even the graphics. It’s no surprise that this is considered to be one of the most exciting truck sims to play.

1

Forza Horizon 5

Choose From A Wide Range Of Fast Cars And Zoom Off

Forza Horizon 5

Released: November 9, 2021
ESRB: E for Everyone // In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
Developer(s): Playground Games
Engine: Forza Tech
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer

Forza Horizon 5 stands out for its well-detailed environments and abundance of fast vehicles. While there’s a single-player campaign mode to play, you can opt to freely roam the large in-game map that’s a fictional version of Mexico.

Thanks to the inclusion of dynamic weather, expect dust storms and rainstorms at certain times. The vehicles in Forza Horizon 5 handle nicely, allowing you to easily navigate obstacles while enjoying a long drive across the map. Whether you’re using a racing wheel or a traditional controller, you can play this game the whole day without breaking a sweat.