Looking for creative ways to spend quality time with your partner without breaking the bank? These car date ideas are the perfect solution!
Whether you’re in a long-term relationship looking for a memorable experience for Valentine’s Day or just starting out and going on a first date, these romantic car date ideas are the perfect way to spend quality time with that someone special.
From scenic drives to drive-in movie nights, there’s something for every couple to enjoy. And if you need even more inspiration, check out our list of Date Night Ideas.
What is a “Car Date”?
A car date is a unique and intimate way to spend time with your significant other without the need for a fancy restaurant or expensive outings.
These cute car date ideas may have gotten started during the pandemic when there was a need for social distancing, but they’re all about enjoying each other’s company in the comfort of your own car. A cozy car date is perfect for couples who want to explore new places or try new things without spending a fortune.
These car date ideas have a level of flexibility and spontaneity that traditional dates often lack. You can go wherever the road takes you, stop whenever you like, and create lasting memories along the way. Plus, with a little creativity, you can transform your car into a cozy and romantic date space that rivals any upscale restaurant.
*You can also add these car date ideas to your DIY Date Jar! Go here for free printables to create your own jar of date ideas like the one below:
Car Date Ideas
Scenic Drive
Take a leisurely drive along a scenic route, such as a winding mountain road or a picturesque coastal highway. Roll down the windows, feel the breeze, and admire the stunning views of the great outdoors together.
Don’t forget to pack some snacks and create a playlist of your favorite songs for the perfect road trip soundtrack. Be prepared to stop at scenic overlooks for selfies with amazing backgrounds.
Drive-In Movie
Relive the nostalgia of the 1950s with a classic date idea. Find a local drive-in movie theater if you have one in your hometown, or create your own by setting up a projector and screen in a secluded spot.
Snuggle up in the front seat, tune your radio to the right frequency, and enjoy a movie under the stars. Don’t forget to bring your favorite snacks!
Photo Scavenger Hunt
A photo scavenger hunt is one of my favorite DIY date ideas. Take a trip down memory lane as you take a photo at places that are special to you. Head to the place where you first met, the place where you shared your first kiss, and your favorite breakfast spot.
Or, make your scavenger hunt an adventure of its own! Go find opportunities to take a picture of each of your favorite animals (zoo, anyone?), a goal you have as a couple (that house across town with the wrap-around porch is calling your name!), or dress each other up in a thrift store for funny photos you’ll want to hang onto.
Gourmet Car Picnic
Transform your car into a private dining room with a gourmet picnic. Pack a basket filled with your favorite food and drinks. Find a scenic spot to park, like a hilltop overlook or a quiet park, and enjoy your meal with a view.
Don’t forget to bring a blanket, pillows, and some mood lighting to show off what a true romantic you are.
Car Conversation Cards
Car rides are the perfect time for quality conversation. In fact, my husband and I have some of our best talks in the car when we’re on a road trip or just out for a leisurely drive. And conversation cards can be a fun way to talk about something new – besides the upcoming weekend plans or what you’re going to make for dinner that night.
You can head to this post for some printable conversation cards for couples that are perfect for discussing while you take a drive around your city with a cup of coffee.
Stargazing
Escape the city lights and find a remote location for a stargazing car date. Recline your seats if you happen to have a sunroof or convertible, or lay out a blanket in the trunk, the truck bed, or on the hood.
Spend the evening marveling at the night sky, snuggling up together. Use a stargazing app to identify constellations and planets, or just enjoy each other’s company under the vast expanse of stars.
Drive-Through Progressive Dinner
Looking for a great date idea that isn’t too romantic? Create your own progressive dinner car date by visiting multiple drive-throughs or curbside pickup locations!
Start with appetizers at one restaurant, move on to the main course at another, and finish with dessert at a third spot. Enjoy each course in the car, and take the opportunity to chat and bond over your favorite foods.
*This is one of my favorite car date ideas, and it’s also one of my Year of Dates ideas – you can use these Year of Dates printables to create a gift basket with 12 pre-planned dates for your husband or boyfriend!
Car Karaoke
I love this idea because you don’t need to be anywhere special to do it. Have kids asleep in the house? Bring the baby monitor with you and do this car date in the driveway!
Turn up the volume and let loose with a car karaoke session. Create a playlist of your favorite sing-along songs, or use a karaoke app with built-in lyrics. Don’t be afraid to get silly and dance along to a little throwback nostalgia. Backstreet Boys, here we come!
Sunset Chase
Of all the car date ideas, this is one I come back to again and again – the sunset chase! Head out on a quest to find the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Drive towards the horizon, chasing the sun as it dips lower in the sky. Look for a high vantage point or a clear view of the western sky.
Once you’ve found your ideal location, park the car, and enjoy the view together.
Car Board Game Night
Bring the fun of a game night to your car with travel-sized board games or card games. Park in a scenic area, set up a small table or use a book to create a flat surface, and challenge each other to a friendly competition. Loser buys ice cream at the next stop!
*You can head to this post for some of the best two person games for couples!
Haunted Road Trip
For a truly creative date idea, research local haunted roads, bridges, or tunnels in your area. Plot out a route and head off on a haunted road trip together. Share scary stories, listen to eerie podcasts, and see if you can spot any ghostly apparitions along the way.
Tailgate Party
Don’t have tickets to the big game? Who cares? One of the best parts of going to a live sporting event is tailgating anyway, so why not make it into your next date night?
Pack a cooler with your favorite game day snacks and drinks, bring some folding chairs or a picnic blanket, and decorate your space with string lights and themed accessories. Park near the stadium where other people are tailgating, or just find a quiet spot overlooking the stadium.
Listen to the game on the radio or watch it on your phone to spend the evening cheering on your favorite team, or have a competitive game of your own playing classic tailgate games like cornhole or frisbee.
Dashboard Dining
Get food to-go from your favorite restaurants (or fast food, whatever floats your boat) and set up a fancy dashboard dining date. Find a scenic parking spot to enjoy your food, and set the mood with battery-operated candles, soft music, and a tablecloth draped over your dashboard. It’s a classic date done in a unique way that you’re both sure to remember.
Car Trunk Paint Night
Channel your inner artist with a car trunk paint night. Pack a set of travel easels, canvases, paints, and brushes. Drive to a scenic location, like a park or a city overlook, and set up your art studio in the trunk of your car.
Spend the evening painting the landscape in front of you or follow along with an online tutorial. This cozy car trunk date is way more creative than the usual dinner and a movie!
Drive-Through Safari
Head off on a wild adventure with a drive-through safari date. Many wildlife parks and zoos offer drive-through experiences where you can observe exotic animals from the safety of your car.
Cruise through the different habitats, spot your favorite animals, and learn about conservation efforts. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture all the amazing wildlife encounters!
Car Trunk Dessert Bar
Create a sweet and indulgent dessert bar in the trunk of your car. Pack a variety of store-bought or homemade treats like cookies, brownies, and candy. Don’t forget the whipped cream and chocolate sauce for dipping!
Find a quiet spot to park, and spend the evening sampling the different desserts and feeding each other your favorite bites.
Geocaching Adventure
Embrace technology while exploring new places on a real-world treasure hunt with a geocaching car date. Download a geocaching app and search for hidden caches in your area. Drive to the different locations and work together to find the hidden treasures. Take photos of your discoveries and leave small trinkets or notes for other geocachers to find.
*If you’ve never gone geocaching, then I highly recommend that you give it a try! My husband and I do this frequently when we’re visiting new places – there are probably TONS of geocaches hidden in your city!
Explore the Next Town Over
Drive to the nearest town and venture around their main “downtown” area. You could even hit up a new drive-through restaurant for lunch or coffee!
Alphabet Dating
Put a fun twist on your car date with an alphabet dating challenge. Choose a letter of the alphabet and plan an entire date around activities, foods, or destinations that start with that letter.
For example, “P” could be a picnic in the park with pizza and popsicles. Take turns choosing the letter and get creative with your ideas. See how far through the alphabet you can get!
Neon Night Drive
Want a wild and Instagram-worthy car date? Go for a neon night drive! Deck out your car with glow sticks, LED lights, and neon accessories. Cruise through the city streets, admiring the vibrant lights and showing off the glow of your own private dance party. Don’t forget to make a killer playlist and snap some glowing selfies together.
Play Car Bingo
This is one car date idea that requires a little bit of planning, but it’s so creative! Create bingo cards with things you might see in your environment, then head out on the open road. Mark off your cards as you spot the items or scenarios – the winner gets to pick where you stop for a bite!
Just Enjoy One Another
Sometimes the best date idea is the simplest. What I love most about a car date is that you have each other’s undivided attention. Take the time together away from kids, friends, obligations, and work and just be together. It doesn’t have to be in the perfect place, and you don’t need to plan anything special.
In fact, some of my favorite times with my husband are simply when we grab our favorite drive-thru coffee and drive down some backroads or venture through a fancy neighborhood admiring the homes and architecture.
Talk about what you’ve enjoyed about the past year together, what you miss about years gone by, and what you want for the future. Talk about anything, or turn on music and talk about nothing – just enjoy being together.
Be sure to PIN these car date ideas for later when you want to try something new with your husband or boyfriend:
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