Drive and Listen might not sound like it, but it’s strangely relaxing once you try it. The site provides exactly the experience the name suggests: Pick a city anywhere in the world, press play, and sit back as you ride along through the streets listening to local radio stations.
The site was created during the pandemic by a student in Turkey who missed traveling and wanted a way to reconnect with places beyond his own neighborhood. What started as a personal project has grown into a virtual road trip through dozens of cities across the globe.
Here I am riding along in Vegas at night listening to pumping techno. Even with all of this traffic, it’s somehow still relaxing.
Sam Singleton
You can cruise through Tokyo, New York, Paris, Istanbul, Sydney, or dozens of other cities. The videos are filmed from inside moving cars, giving you a street-level view of everyday life. Traffic flows by, pedestrians cross intersections, storefronts pass outside the window, and city skylines appear in the distance. It’s like a free Uber ride through your favorite destinations.
The addition of local radio is a fun touch that elevates this relaxing desktop experience into something special. Instead of generic background music, you hear the stations that people in that city actually listen to. Everything from Japanese pop while riding through Tokyo to talk radio while rolling through the streets of Chicago.
There are a few extra touches too. You can change the perspective to someone walking, cycling, flying with a drone, and more. The lasting appeal with Drive and Listen is the feeling of being somewhere else for a little while—even if you’re still stuck at your desk.
If you’re curious about another city, need some background noise while working, or just want a change of scenery without leaving your desk, Drive and Listen is worth a visit.
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