If “How was school?” gets you “Fine,” try something specific, like “Who did you sit with at lunch?”, or something silly, like “What would you name a pet dinosaur?” The first group is for kids in the back seat. The second fits a commute or an errand run. The last group is for drives with enough road for a longer answer.
A passenger can read the questions out. The driver shouldn’t be reading a screen. Pause for traffic or directions, and leave difficult subjects for a place where either person can step away from the conversation.
With kids
Take turns: they ask you one, you ask them one. Your answer shows them how much to say. Let the silly ones stay silly. If a question about school or friends gets a short answer, leave it and try again another day.
For a car game rather than a conversation, 20 questions and would you rather both work with no supplies.
On a commute or a short errand
One question is usually enough for a ten-minute drive. Pick it before you leave, so you’re not reaching for a list at a red light. If the other person wants music or quiet, that’s an answer too.
For drives measured in hours rather than minutes, try the road trip questions.