Introduction:

Cars and Driving games have always been popular in the video game world. Whether you want to race at 200mph, perform crazy stunts, or just go on a leisurely Sunday drive, there are tons of great latest car racing games for PC that let you live out your automotive fantasies.

In this article, we’ll highlight the 21 best car driving games for PC, covering both offline and online multiplayer titles. From realistic racing sims to over-the-top arcades, these free car racing games for PC will satisfy your need for speed.

Time to start your engines!

21 Best Car Driving Games for PC Offline and Online

1. Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5 is the latest entry in Microsoft’s open-world racing series, and it’s arguably the best Horizon game yet. It transports players to a stunningly realistic depiction of Mexico, with diverse biomes like rainforests, deserts, beaches, cities, and more to explore.

With over 500 licensed cars from 100 manufacturers, auto enthusiasts will be in heaven customizing their dream rides. Career mode activities like races, stunt driving, and exploration provide tons of variety. Overall, Forza Horizon 5 is a must-play for racing game fans.

Key Features:

• Photorealistic open world Mexico environment
• Hundreds of customizable licensed cars
• Accessible yet realistic driving physics
• Diverse gameplay including racing, stunts, and exploration
• Stunning graphics and weather effects

2. Need for Speed Heat

The long-running Need for Speed series is one of the best car driving games for PC that has seen its ups and downs. But NFS Heat shows the franchise still has gas left in the tank. Set in the fictional Palm City, you race under daylight sanctions and illegal nighttime street races.

Handling leans more towards the arcade but still provides a fun, fast sensation of speed. With a great sense of progression, vibrant visuals, and thrilling cop chases Heat recaptures the adrenaline-pumping fun that made earlier NFS games so popular.

Key Features:

• Daytime-sanctioned races and nighttime street races
• Massive car customization with real brands
• Cops add risk/reward to illicit night events
• Arcade but enjoyable driving model
• Seamless open world with no load times

3. Assetto Corsa Competizione

While many racing games focus on casual fun, Assetto Corsa Competizione by Kunos Simulazioni is a hardcore racing simulation made for people who love the sport. It exclusively features GT3 and GT4 variants of cars from the Blancpain GT Series.

Every car is recreated with OCD levels of detail, modeling factors like tire grip, suspension dampening, aerodynamics, engine characteristics, and more. This makes each vehicle feel distinct in terms of handling and performance.

Key Features:

• Meticulously detailed cars and driving physics
• Focuses exclusively on Blancpain GT Series
• Hardcore sim with a very realistic handling model
• Account for factors like tire wear, fuel load, etc.
• Great multiplayer and esports integration

4. Dirt Rally 2.0

Most racing games take place on paved tarmac or pristine tracks. For a completely different experience, try the challenging off-road rally racing of Dirt Rally 2.0.

For something distinct from track racers, Dirt Rally 2.0 wonderfully captures the thrills and spills of rallycross and rally racing. Just be prepared to get mud in your tires.

Key Features:

• Realistic off-road racing on loose surfaces
• Terrain and weather affect handling
• Gorgeous locations recreated in detail
• Team management with repairs/upgrades
• Excellent driving physics with weight transfer

5. Burnout Paradise Remastered

Not every racing game has to be realistic. For high-octane arcade action, check out Burnout Paradise Remastered. It takes place in the massive open city of Paradise City, giving you the freedom to drive anywhere.

With a fun and fast driving model, destructive crashes, and open-world freedom, Burnout Paradise is like a high-speed playground. The remaster adds improved textures, effects, and online support. If you miss the golden days of arcade racers, this is a must-play.

Key Features:

• Huge open city to race around in
• Arcade driving model built for speed and stunts
• Awesome crashes and takedowns
• Improved graphics and effects in the remaster
• Seamless online multiplayer mode

6. F1 2021

Here comes the next pick on our list of best car driving games for PC. If you want to feel like a real Formula 1 driver, F1 2021 by Codemasters is the game for you. It features every team, car, and driver from the 2021 F1 season including stars like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

For new players, optional driving assists like traction control are available to ease into the demanding mechanics. The new Braking Point story mode also provides an engaging single-player experience alongside the deep career mode.

Key Features:

• 2021 F1 teams, drivers, and tracks
• Realistic physics and driving mechanics
• Vehicle upgrades, R&D, and components
• Assists for new players to learn
• In-depth career mode

7. Rocket League

Who would’ve thought that soccer with high-flying rocket-powered cars would become one of the most popular multiplayer games ever made? But here we are, with Rocket League now available for free on PC.

With constant updates, new modes limited events, and full cross-platform support so you can play with anyone, Rocket League always provides endless high-octane fun whenever you boot it up. And because it’s free-to-play, you have no reason not to give it a shot.

Key Features:

• Soccer with rocket-powered cars
• Vehicles have a real sense of weight and momentum
• Constantly updated with new content
• Full cross-platform multiplayer
• Now free-to-play on all platforms

8. Forza Motorsport 7

While the Horizon series represents Forza’s open-world side, Forza Motorsport 7 is the pinnacle of Turn 10’s realistic racing sim entries. FM7 features over 700 ForzaVista cars with working cockpits and full damage modeling.

On this new car driving game, extensive modifications allow you to tune cars exactly how you want. The career mode will keep you busy for ages through numerous race types, championships, and showcase events.

Key Features:

• Over 700 highly detailed vehicles
• Advanced tuning/modifications
• Scalable driving experience from arcade to sim
• Photorealistic environments with dynamic weather
• Massive single-player career mode
• Supports 4K/60 FPS gameplay on PC

9. Wreckfest

Most racing games focus on going fast and finishing first. Not Wreckfest. As the name implies, the real fun here lies in the spectacle of mass destruction during races. This proves it to be a one-of-a-kind best car driving game for PC.

With upgrades focused on improving your durability and dishing out damage, and multiplayer full of crazed drivers, Wreckfest wonderfully captures the guilty pleasure of wrecking stuff in the name of good competition.

Key Features:

• Racing focused on demolition derbies
• Tracks with cool environmental hazards
• Upgrade cars for better durability/damage
• Easy to pick up but still takes skill
• Lots of multiplayer chaos and mayhem

10. Project CARS 2

While the first Project CARS showed promise, Project CARS 2 perfected the formula and stands as one of the best all-around racing sims available. It features 180+ vehicles and 140 track layouts ranging from famous circuits to city streets.

While the career mode activities could be more varied, the racing remains top-notch. With excellent VR support and tons of customization options.

Key Features:

• 180+ cars and 140 track layouts
• A realistic yet accessible handling model
• Dynamic weather and time of day
• Tire wear, fuel usage, and part failures
• VR support on PC
• Extensive livery and setup customization

11. Gran Turismo Sport

The Gran Turismo series set the standard for console racing sims, and the latest entry, GT Sport, lives up to that prestigious legacy with its realistic driving dynamics and visuals.

The online Sports mode of this new car driving game provides great competitive racing, and FIA-partnered events add prestige. With ongoing updates still adding new cars and tracks years after launch, GT Sport keeps getting better over time. For the definitive sim racer on PlayStation, this is the one to get.

Key Features:

• Realistic driving feels.
• Detailed physics modeling of every aspect
• Gran Turismo’s signature car tuning options
• Online Sports mode with daily races
• FIA events with seasonal updates
• Still receiving ongoing content updates

12. BeamNG.drive

Most racing games focus heavily on driving but don’t put as much emphasis on the vehicles themselves. BeamNG.drive flips that formula, featuring the most in-depth vehicle damage and deformation modeling of any driving game.

Driving-wise, vehicles mimic their real-world counterparts with accurate mass, handling, and performance figures.

Key Features:

• Incredibly realistic soft-body damage modeling
• Vehicles replicate real-world performance
• Damage individual components like panels and glass
• Repair and replace damaged parts
• Simulate realistic crashes and impacts
• Experiment freely with no fixed objective

13. DiRT Rally

While the more recent Dirt Rally 2.0 is arguably the better game, the original 2015 DiRT Rally is still well worth playing for hardcore rally fans on a budget.

Locations like Wales are gorgeously recreated down to accurate pace notes. While content is more limited compared to later games, the focused track list provides great variety.

Key Features:

• Challenging simulation rally racing
• Terrain effects like gravel and snow
• Weight transfer affects handling greatly
• Locations recreated using pace notes
• Includes traditional Rallycross mode
• Community custom stages support

14. rFactor 2

Originally released in 2013, rFactor 2 is one of the best car driving games for PC that still impresses as a go-to platform for aspiring sim racers. While the graphics are dated, its car physics, tire model, and handling remain some of the most realistic available.

The multiplayer competition remains active with leagues and tournaments running regularly. While it lacks the polish of modern sims, rFactor 2’s unmatched driving realism makes it a must for the most hardcore sim enthusiasts who want perfection.

Key Features:

• Incredibly realistic driving physics
• Very detailed tire model and handling
• Every car feels very distinct
• Active sim racing community
• Support for mods and custom content
• Multiplayer leagues and competitions

15. Live for Speed

Originally released way back in 2002, Live for Speed has remarkably remained relevant thanks to its combination of realistic physics and LAN/online multiplayer support.

The multiplayer community has kept the sim relevant. Competitions and leagues let racers get their fix of tight, realistic racing action with a dedicated player base. With extremely moddable vehicles and tracks and budget pricing, LFS remains appealing for sim veterans.

Key Features:

• Realistic driving model despite old graphics
• Online multiplayer with an active community
• Fully customizable vehicles and setups
• Easy to add mods and extra content
• Long-running sim with a dedicated player base
• Great value and runs on low-end PCs

16. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered

Arcade racing games may not be super popular anymore, but Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered proves they can still be tremendously fun. It features the classic cops vs. racers gameplay that first gained popularity in the original 1998 Hot Pursuit.

As a racer, you enter illegal street races and attempt to outrun the law. As a cop, you’ll use aggressive tactics like spike strips and ramming against lawbreakers. The driving feels fast, fun, and relatively easy to control.

Key Features:

• The remake of the classic NFS: Hot Pursuit
• Live out cop fantasies or illegal street racing
• Easy, arcade-style driving feels fast and fun
• Local split-screen and online multiplayer
• The remaster features 4k support at 60 FPS

17. Assetto Corsa

Before developing ACC, Kunos Simulazioni released Assetto Corsa in 2014, establishing itself as one of the top racing sim developers.

The modding support is also phenomenal. The Steam Workshop features thousands of custom skins, cars, and tracks, essentially providing unlimited content. With tight physics and handling, Assetto Corsa remains a go-to for sim racers wanting aftermarket variety.

Key Features:

• Detailed handling modeling and tire physics
• Less demanding than ACC but still realistic
• Cars feel very connected to the track
• Huge library of mods on Steam Workshop

18. F1 2020

Before the more recent F1 2021, Codemasters released F1 2020 in June 2020 featuring the teams and drivers from the 2020 F1 season.

It features the same robust handling and management simulation from newer entries. Tire wear, fuel management, and vehicle upgrades all play key roles in performance, while optional traction control assists newcomers.

Key Features:

• 2020 F1 season teams, drivers and tracks
• Deep simulation mechanics for strategy
• Offers a “My Team career mode” to manage teams.
• Split-screen multiplayer on the console
• Accessible for newcomers with assists

19. Trackmania

Most racing games focus on competition, but Trackmania is the latest car racing game that emphasizes creativity and community above all else. The skill comes not from beating opponents, but from beating your own times and mastering the insane tracks designed by players.

Key Features:

• Racing focused on mastering creative tracks
• Huge track editor to build elaborate courses
• No AI opponents, just focus on your time
• A large creative community that shares tracks
• An accessible driving model with easy controls

20. Dakar 18

Most racing games focus on either tarmac or offroad dirt racing exclusively. Dakar 18 captures the challenge and thrill of navigating both environments through its recreation of the legendary Dakar Rally.

Dakar 18 features stage recreations taking place across Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. The vehicles handle differently on dirt, sand, gravel, and asphalt surfaces requiring constant adaptation. Changing weather and day/night cycles add variety.

Key Features:

• Recreation of the iconic Dakar Rally
• Navigate different surfaces like tarmac, dirt, sand
• Vehicles handle differently on each terrain type
• Realistic damage affects car performance
• Team management and repairs between stages

21. Euro Truck Simulator 2

Most racing games focus on speed and aggression. For a more relaxed automotive experience, try Euro Truck Simulator 2. As its name suggests, you drive trucks hauling cargo across Europe in a realistic simulation of the profession.

Key Features:

• Realistic semi truck hauling simulation
• Drive across detailed recreations of Europe
• Chill, laid-back driving experience
• Manage your trucking business and profits
• Mod support adds tons of content
• Rewarding long-term progression

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for realistic racing simulations, casual arcade fun, or something completely unique, there’s a car-driving game for everyone on PC. Modern titles like Forza Horizon 5 prove driving games remain highly popular, but decades-old classics like Live for Speed have stayed relevant thanks to strong communities.

No matter your skill level, interests, or platform, the sheer quantity of quality car games ensures you’ll find an engaging driving experience. So start your engines, grab a controller or wheel, and get ready to explore some of the best car driving games for PC options currently available in 2024. The open road awaits!

FAQs:

What is the most realistic car driving simulator for PC?

For the most realistic driving simulation, look towards titles like Assetto Corsa Competizione and rFactor 2. These hardcore sims model every aspect of racing in microscopic detail for an ultra-authentic experience. However, the realism makes them extremely demanding to master.

Is Forza Horizon 5 playable offline?

Yes, Forza Horizon 5 supports extensive offline play. All modes work offline except for multiplayer races and features. You can access the campaign, expire open world Mexico, customize cars, and more without an internet connection.

What’s the difference between simulation and arcade racing games?

Simulation racers aim to replicate the experience of driving real cars as accurately as possible, with realistic physics, handling, damage, and performance. Arcade racers instead prioritize fast-paced action and excitement over realism. While sims offer an authentic sense of mastery, arcade games provide instant fun with less frustration. Both cater to different types of racing fans.

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