I, too, enjoy audio books on long trips. We try to do a lot of driving at night, and I'm the designated driver then, so listening to books does keep me much more alert than music.
John Cleese was outstanding reading "The Screwtape Letters". We listened to "The Two Towers" on audiotape several years ago on one of our trips, but I can't remember who read it.
I have to look for that recording. That's an inspired combination. Of course, Cleese could read the want ads, and I could listen o that for at least an hour.