road trip songs from the 70s

20 Songs of the 1970s That Were Made for Road Trips

If you're taking a cross-country family road trip , it is no secret that the driving playlist in the car is an integral component of a successful adventure. Rockin' down the highway across the country in your Corvette is a hundred times better with some great songs to sing along to.

Musicians have been writing and singing about the open road for centuries. There really is no better way to make long days on the road pass by like the breeze than by putting on the best 70s driving songs and blasting them loud in the car speakers.

The Best 70s Driving Songs of All Time

The 1970s were a decade to remember — marginalized groups were fighting for equal rights, the anti-war in Vietnam sentiment reached an all-time high, the Watergate scandal and Nixon went down, NYC was nearing debt and destruction, hippies were in full force, and classic rock and disco music were playing on 8-tracks everywhere.

This decade arguably produced some of the best songs of all time . From Fleetwood Mac to Bruce Springsteen to Jackson Browne to Janis Joplin, the 1970s paved the way for American classic rock.

20. "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen

The title track off of his third studio album, "Born to Run" is ranked in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and is the tune that first helped Springsteen reach his worldwide popularity.

19. "Take it Easy" by the Eagles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bF01Z0XWj8

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Released on the Eagles album in 1972, "Take it Easy" took the world by storm. You can even visit the Standin' On The Corner Park off of Interstate 40 in Winslow, Arizona, and take your picture with the statue and sign.

18. "Radar Love" by Golden Earring

A love song about the open road and chasing your crush, this 70s classic rock song was released by Golden Earring in 1973 on their album "Moontan."

17. "Listen to the Music" by The Doobie Brothers

Issued on The Doobie Brothers' "Toulouse Street" album in 1972, "Listen to the Music" is one of the greatest rock songs of the decade, if not all time. The lead vocalist, Tom Johnston, who wrote the song said about it, "Just basically that music would make everything better. And of course, I've since kind of realized it doesn't work that way."

16. "Midnight Rider" by Allman Brothers Band

Debuting on the Allman Brothers Band's Idlewild South album in 1970, "Mightnight Rider" was Gregg Allman's trademark song , inspired by how he continued living in the face of challenges.

15. "Hurricane" by Bob Dylan

A classic protest song by Bob Dylan, "Hurricane" was written about Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer who spent 19 years in jail for a murder Dylan says he did not commit.

14. "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikGyZh0VbPQ

Inspired by a fire started by a flare gun at a Frank Zappa concert at a casino in Montreux, Switzerland on December 4, 1971. Deep Purple wrote the song , which begins with one of the most recognizable guitar riffs, after watching the blaze from a nearby restaurant.

13. "Truckin'" by the Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead is the American rock band that started the "jam band" craze in the hippie scene, and "Truckin'" was one of the band's most popular hits from their 1970 "American Beauty" album. Bob Weir, the guitarist/vocalist, says the song is all about the romance of hitting the road.

12. "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson

Texas's Willie Nelson, The king of country, wrote this classic as a spur-of-the-moment tune for a movie and he ended up winning a Grammy for it in 1980.

11. "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne

Recorded onstage, backstage, and in hotel rooms on tour, "Running on Empty" was Jackson Browne's ode to life on the road . He told Rolling Stone, "I was always driving around with no gas in the car, I just never bothered to fill up the tank because - how far was it anyway? Just a few blocks."

10. "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones

RELATED: 11 Memorable Road Trip Songs of the 1990s, Ranked

Released on The Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers" album in 1971, this song seems like a good-feeling rock song. However, the song was written about African slaves sold in New Orleans and the hellish life they faced.

9. "Roadrunner" by The Modern Lovers

Written by the Modern Lovers' Johnathan Richman, this song is an ode to Massachusetts Route 128. Rolling Stone even ranked it #274 on their list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time .

8. "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin

Issued on Joplin's "Pearl" iconic album in 1971, this love song was written by Kris Kristofferson and was the tune that brought his career (and Janis') to the next level.

7. "You Make Loving Fun" by Fleetwood Mac

One of the four tracks written by Christine McVie for Fleetwood Mac's"Rumours" album in 1977, " You Make Loving Fun " was actually about McVie's post-divorce relationship with the band's lighting technician Curry Grant.

6. "Peace Frog" by The Doors

Debuted on The Doors' "Morrison Hotel" album in 1970, " Peace Frog " was based on two of Morrison's poems, one called Abortion Stories, which is where the bloody references came from.

5. "Let it Be" by The Beatles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P6X3IWLECY

One of the most moving songs of all time, "Let It Be" was released by The Beatles in 1970 on their album of the same name. Paul McCartney wrote the song about his mother Mary, who passed when he was 14.

4. "Baba O'Riley" by The Who

Also known as "Teenage Wasteland," this memorable song by The Who was on their 1971 album called "Who's Next." The title actually stems from Meher Baba, who was Pete Townshend's spiritual guru and the second part from Terry Riley, an experimental, minimalist composer that Townshend was a fan of.

3. "Slow Ride" by Foghat

This classic rock staple by rock outfit Foghat features a rare feat of fusing an R&B theme with uptempo guitar riffs. There is no question why "Slow Ride" is on our list of 70s driving songs.

2. "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC

This rock anthem from AC/DC's 1979 album of the same name is a quintessential road trip song. The highway this song references is the "Canning Highway" in Australia that goes from Fremantle and ends at a favorite bar called The Raffles, frequented by rock and rollers in the 70s.

1. "American Girl" by Tom Petty

This track from the first Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album ended up becoming one of the band's greatest hits . When asked about it, Petty said "I wrote that in a little apartment I had in Encino. It was right next to the freeway and the cars sometimes sounded like waves from the ocean, which is why there's the line about the waves crashing on the beach. The words just came tumbling out very quickly - and it was the start of writing about people who are longing for something else in life, something better than they have."

1970s Road Trip Playlist

There you have it! The all-time list of the best driving songs from the seventies. A rare decade of civil unrest, mind-expanding pop culture, and class rock hits that are a part of American history now. Listen to our Spotify playlist on your next trip on the open road.

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From backseat singalongs to nomadic anthems, the best road trip songs capture the feeling of freedom that’s sometimes just a car ride away.

Published on

The requirement for any good road trip is great songs. Whether you’re embarking on a solo trip down the highway or gathering for a vacation with friends and family, you’re going to need some tunes to keep you company along the way. We’ve collated classic driving songs from throughout the eras and assembled the best road trip songs to fire up as you head out on the open road.

Listen to some of the best road trip songs for your next vacation on Apple Music and Spotify .

25: Youngblood Hawke: We Come Running

With its driving beat and epic build up, this indie-pop song from LA pop-rockers Youngblood Hawke will get you revving down the highway. They spell it out directly, inviting the listener to head “for the open door, tell me what you’re waiting for”.

‘California Dreamin’’: Mamas And The Papas’ Homesick Shade Of Winter

‘does your mother know’: the story behind the abba song, ‘a girl called dusty’: dusty springfield makes her album debut, 24: blink-182: what’s my age again.

In just under two and a half minutes, blink-182 ’s ‘What My Age Again’ is pop-punk perfection. This song cooks and there’s nary a second wasted, which is exactly what you want in the best road trip songs.

23: The Killers: Mr Brightside

Pomp, bombast, killer riffs and melodies is one way to set you free, even when stuck in traffic. “Mr. Brightside” from The Killers ’ debut album, Hot Fuss , is the rare road trip song that can get you through the traffic blues and out of the “cage” that is the daily grind.

22: Nirvana: Breed

Just like Appetite For Destruction , Nirvana’s Nevermind features an endless array of road trip songs, but there’s one standout track that sounds like burning rubber. With its blast of feedback and machine-gun intensity, “Breed” will get everybody headbanging in the backseat.

21: Sammy Hagar: I Can’t Drive 55

This is a classic highway vacation song. If the Red Rocker can’t you get to go past the speed limit (which we’re not officially condoning), nothing else will. Sammy Hagar’s breakout solo single has been blasting out of every car stereo since 1984, and has never stopped.

20: Katy Perry: Teenage Dream

When there’s a long stretch of road ahead, sometimes you want psychedelic acid rock where you can put cruise control on and zone out, but when you’re traveling on vacation with a crew, singalong pop anthems are the best road trip songs. Katy Perry ’s ode to the endless possibilities of adolescence will have you sticking your head out the sunroof like a drunk teen on prom night.

19: Warren G (featuring Nate Dogg): Regulate

Few songs encapsulate an entire era better than this 1994 G-funk classic. Between Warren G’s storytelling and Nate Dogg’s smooth vocals, this is the song you can blast whether you’re cruising in your drop top or mid-sized sedan.

18: John Mellencamp: Pink Houses

This slice of heartland rock isn’t all that it seems. John Mellencamp seems to paint the perfect picture of the American dream, but if you keep listening, it’s really the indictment of a broken system. On one hand it remains a misunderstood political song but on the other, it’s a great road trip song.

17: The Rolling Stones: (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

Tapping into that feeling of wanderlust, The Rolling Stones ’ search for satisfaction landed them their first No.1 hit . From Charlie Watts’ propulsive drumming to Mick Jagger’s cracking vocals and Keith Richards’ fuzz-box riff, “Satisfaction” beckons you to the road and the dancefloor.

16: U2: Where The Streets Have No Name

Like the morning’s first light coming over the desert highway, this U2 anthem begins with the sound of heavenly organs that quickly build to a driving rhythm led by The Edge’s arpeggiated guitar lines. Political origins aside, the song conjures images of the American West and the open road. It’s hard not to feel nostalgia when you glide in and out of traffic.

15: Guns N’ Roses: Appetite For Destruction

Forget road trip songs, this is a road trip album. From the menacing “Welcome To The Jungle” to the soaring “Rocket Queen” that closes Guns N’ Roses ’ Appetite For Destruction , you won’t find an album of songs better suited to a road trip vacation than this.

14: Dr. Dre: Let Me Ride

Any G-funk track is made for driving, but this cut from The Chronic is the ultimate road trip song. Between the Parliament-sampling chorus and Dre ’s evocative verses, “Let Me Ride” was tailor-made for summer driving… and is even better if you’re cruising around in a drop top.

13: Bob Seger: Hollywood Nights

While Bob Seger sings about “looking down at the lights of LA” in this 1978 hit, the anticipation of a night on the town is universal. Seger’s frantic vocals and epic storytelling, combined with the uptempo music, is the perfect formula to speed towards the horizon.

12: Cyndi Lauper: I Drove All Night

Some people escape the “sticky and cruel” city by seeking solace in the great outdoors. Not Ms. Lauper. Her vocal calisthenics are just the motivation to drive all night to see your lover.

11: Snoop Dogg: Gin And Juice

Another slice of G-funk heaven. You don’t need hydraulics to roll with the melodic flow of “D-O-double-G.” Released during the heyday of gangsta rap, Snoop took the wild antics of his hometown, Long Beach, and turned them into an idyllic summer jam.

10: Jackson Browne: Running On Empty

Few artists embodied the late 70s Laurel Canyon sound quite like Jackson Browne. “Running On Empty” isn’t a hard road rocker, but Browne could turn the most mundane experiences (like running out of gas) into a metaphor for missing out on the connections in life.

9: The Beatles: Day Tripper

The Beatles have an endless catalogue of travel tunes, from “Ticket To Ride” to “Drive My Car,” but “Day Tripper” is the real road trip song. Featuring one of the best guitar riffs of all time , “Day Tripper” is not so much about a quick getaway but about trying on the hippie lifestyle for a day or two.

8: Stevie Wonder: Master Blaster (Jammin’)

This could be included among the best vacation road trip songs for the intro alone, but the whole thing swings with a swagger that won’t (hopefully) have you swerving from side-to-side. Stevie Wonder ’s tribute to Bob Marley saw Stevie moving away from his typical one-man show and inviting a whole crew to boogie down.

7: Willie Nelson: On The Road Again

Country music is littered with dirt-road anthems, but one of the true classics is Willie Nelson ’s ode to the nomadic life, “On The Road Again.” Nelson was tasked with creating an original song for the aging rocker character he played in the film Honeysuckle Rose . Willie delivered and nabbed an Oscar nomination in the process.

6: Tom Cochrane: Life Is A Highway

Canadian treasure Tom Cochrane is a household name up north, but in rest of the world he’s best known for this highway song anthem that’s become the perfect pep talk for hitting tarmac.

5: Prince: Little Red Corvette

Prince seemingly never suffered from either writer’s block or a shortage of sexual metaphors, as evidenced on his 1983 classic, “Little Red Corvette.” This tale of an ill-fated one-night stand was supposedly inspired by his bandmate Lisa Coleman’s pink Edsel, but “little red Edsel” just isn’t as catchy a refrain.

4: The Beach Boys: Fun, Fun, Fun, I Get Around

Both of these Beach Boys tunes helped define the 60s driving culture, particularly in the winding highways of Southern California. Tight harmonies and terrific rhythms, these songs will transport you to the windswept cliffs of the Pacific Coast Highway, driving along with the top down.

3: Tom Petty: Runnin’ Down A Dream

“Free Fallin’” is a great singalong, but when it comes to essential Tom Petty road trip tunes, “Runnin’ Down A Dream” takes the cake. Thanks to the highway imagery and scuzzy guitar riffs, this hard-charging song is best listened to with the windows down and your foot on the gas.

2: Bruce Springsteen: Born To Run

No survey of the best road trip songs would be complete without The Boss. Bruce Springsteen ’s entire body of work unpacks the experience of small-town living and the feeling that escape is just a car ride away.

1: Steppenwolf: Born To Be Wild

You don’t need a bike or road leather to blare this Steppenwolf classic. Most famously featured in the film Easy Rider , Jon Kay’s invitation to “head out on the highway” is a song that became an American anthem and a call for rebellion.

Honorable Mentions

Looking for more great road trip playlist songs for your next vacation? With compulsively sing-along lyrics, these tunes are perfect for lonely highways where you just want to shout out your open car window.

John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) Tracy Chapman – Fast Car Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama The Eagles – Take It Easy Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way Sheryl Crow – Everyday Is A Winding Road The Grateful Dead – Truckin’ Toto – Africa Arcade Fire – Keep The Car Running Ray Charles – Hit The Road Jack Bon Jovi – Living on a Prayer Ike & Tina Turner – Nutbush City Limits Don McLean – American Pie The Allman Brothers – Midnight Rider Outkast – Hey Ya Rascal Flatts – Life Is A Highway Van Morrison – Bright Side of the Road Sufjan Stevens – Chicago Rihanna – Shut Up And Drive The Eagles – Hotel California The Allman Brothers Band – Ramblin’ Man Elton John – Tiny Dancer Simon & Garfunkel – America Pointer Sisters – I’m So Excited ABBA – Waterloo Dolly Parton – 9 to 5 Billy Joel – Piano Man Paul Simon – Graceland

Looking for more options? Check out our list of the best songs about cars and driving .

11 Comments

June 26, 2019 at 7:37 pm

Golden Earring – Radar Love

June 27, 2019 at 5:16 pm

Mountain Jam, The Allman Brothers Band

August 2, 2019 at 8:34 am

Neil Young : White Line, DriveBy, Albuquerque, Trans Am

September 21, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Joanne Nagen

September 25, 2019 at 5:02 pm

John Hartford Steam Powered Aeroplane; Joe Bonamassa Drive; Govt Mule Travellin Tune; Greatful Dead Truckin;Jerry Reed’s Eastbound and Down …..as Roy Rogers said Happy Trails to you Thanks

September 25, 2019 at 6:29 pm

“It’s a Car!” by Sean Morin is a little-known but extremely fitting, perfect vibe, catchy little road trip song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3piktwUcP0

Mike Einhorn

May 28, 2020 at 5:24 am

Bruce Springfield?

September 18, 2021 at 7:27 am

Rolling Down the Highway – BTO Rockin’ Down the Highway – DOOBIE BROTHERS Highway Star – DEEP PURPLE

How’s these NOT make the list?

Belvin Sweatt

January 7, 2022 at 1:08 am

You left out the best one— Sniff and The Tears—Drivers Seat.

January 7, 2022 at 12:01 pm

Here is my Road Trip playlist: Windows are Rolled Down – Amos Lee Call Me The Breeze – Lynyrd Skynyrd Florabama – JJ Grey & Mofro Mustang Sally – Buddy Guy f. Jeff Beck Going to California – Led Zeppelin Hotel California – Eagles Road to Nowhere – Talking Heads Tangled Up in Blue – Bob Dylan Me and Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin Joy – Lucinda Williams Breakdown – Jack Johnson Comin’ Home – Lynyrd Skynyrd Take the Long Way Home – Supertramp Till the Sun Comes Up – Jack & Weatherman

June 3, 2023 at 5:42 am

The triffids – Wide Open Road

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60 Best Road Trip Songs to Rock the Drive

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: March 16, 2023

Our list of the best road trip songs from the classics to today. We do a lot of road trips have rounded up the best driving songs to help you pass the time.

Nothing makes driving better than a good road trip playlist. And we’ve compiled the ultimate road trip playlist for your next overland adventure.

Table of Contents

The Best Road Trip Songs

1. sympathy for the devil by the rolling stones.

If you are looking for a song to drive to with a lot of groove, Sympathy for the Devil is just the ticket. We’ve been lucky enough to see the Rolling Stones in concert three times. Dave even met the band way back in 2003 when he shot a media blitz they did in Toronto.

This is by far our favorite Rolling Stones song for a road trip . Even if we have to get out of the car soon, we’ll leave the engine running until the final chord is played!

Get it on Amazon for just $1.29 / Buy the  Rolling Stones Greatest Hits  on Amazon

2. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd

I didn’t know a lot about Lynyrd Skynyrd until I watched the documentary Muscle Shoals . It’s a music biography about one of the most innovative sound studios of the 60s featuring the Rolling Stones and Lynard Skynyrd.

But I have always known the song Sweet Home Alabama, and there is something about this song’s beat that make it the perfect driving song.

In Sweet Home Alabama, there’s a stanza saying: “ Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers And they’ve been known to pick a song or two “

Watching Muscle Shoals makes us want to get in the car and drive to Alabama to see the famous studio for ourselves!

Purchase Sweet Home Alabama for $1.29

3. Little Red Corvette By Prince

One of the best driving songs ever is Little Red Corvette by Prince. Who wouldn’t want to be driving a red corvette through the streets. The song is filled with metaphors, but when I sing it, I just think about driving.

It is sad to see another legend lost, but his music lives on. Buy Little Red Corvette $1.29

Pick up a copy of  Prince’s Greatest Hits , you won’t be disappointed. But there are some tributes happening on Spotify now.

4. Another One Bites the Dust by Queen

Queen is my ultimate favourite band. Metallica is Dave’s. I could have just said, “ buy Queen’s greatest hits and you’ll have the perfect Road Trip playlist”.

However, I can only choose one, and if you want a song that picks you up when you’re feeling a little groggy on the road, Another One Bites the Dust does the trick. Man, I love the bass in this song.

If you watch the Queen Documentary on the  BBC , you’ll learn that the Bass Player, John Deacon, actually wrote some of Queen’s biggest anthems, like this one, You’re my Best Friend and I Want to Break Free.

Get Another One Bites the Dust on Amazon just $1.29 / Watch Bohemian Rapsody

• Start Planning our own road trip with  National Geographic’s World Atlas  available on Amazon 

5. Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

While spending a summer in Spain and driving around  Costa Brava this Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars tune was was our go-to road trip song. We called it the song of summer and whenever it came on, we’d jive and jam in the car.

Dave and I love to sing during a road trip and this one makes you want to wail at the top of your lungs. “We’re gonna Uptown Funk you Up!”

Download Up Town Funk on Amazon 

6. Home for a Rest by Spirit of the West

This roadtrip song by Canada’s Spirit of the West always makes me want to go to London, England, and hang out in the pubs. I think about all the travels we have done, and when we do come home, we really do need a rest. 

Travel  is exhausting and when you add pub crawling to the mix, it is doubly exhausting. Spirit of the West captured the spirit of travel beautifully with this perfect driving song.

“ You’ll have to excuse me I’m not at my best, I’ve Been Gone for a Month, I’ve Been Drunk Since I left. These so called vacations will soon be my death, I’m so sick from the Drink, I need home for a rest …”

Download now on Amazon

7. Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers

How does one choose a favourite Red Hot Chili Pepper’s song? They have so many great albums. But Californication is the perfect tune for a road trip. Heck, even the video is all about driving.

I used to say, “How can anyone not name Red Hot Chili Peppers as one of the greatest bands of all time?” I mean, everything is perfection. Anthony Kiedis is a poet, Flea is a master on the bass, and John Frusciante creates the most memorable and intricate guitar riffs out there today. Plus, how can you forget Chad Smith on drums. He’s quiet and unassuming in real life, just like his music: Subtle and creative. Plus, he looks exactly like Will Ferrel.

You’ve got to read  Scar Tissue  by Anthony Kiedis – this book will blow your mind about everything he and the band have gone through. Buy the album  Californication . The entire disc is perfection.

8. 500 Miles by The Proclaimers

There’s nothing really amazing musically about this song by the  Scottish  Band, the Proclaimers, but when it comes to road trip music, it has the perfect beat. When comes up on the playlist, everyone stops to sing along. This song was made to be a song to drive to!

It’s one of those songs that you can’t help but love. Even if you hate it! I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) must be included on your Road Trips Songs playlist, it would be criminal to leave it out. Check out our guide to the North Coast 500

Buy it on Amazon for $1.29 / Rent  Benny and Joon where the song was featured

9. Take it Easy by The Eagles

Remember when Elaine’s boyfriend refused to speak to anyone when Desperado came on the radio during a classic  Seinfeld episode ? When it comes to the Eagles,  Hotel California  is our song. But when it comes to road trip songs by The Eagles, Take it Easy is Number one. See a great California Road Trip at 17 Mile Drive in Monterey

“ Well I’m a runnin’ down the road trying to loosen my load I’ve got seven women on my mind”

This song was meant for driving. It’s seriously all a bout driving.

If you happen to be going on an Arizona Road Trip, be sure to stop on the corner of Winslow Arizona like in the lyrics “ Well, I’m a standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona . Such a fine sight to see .”

Don’t speak to me, don’t even look at me when Hotel California comes on because I am going to sing along and play air guitar to that classic solo.

Get it now on Amazon / Get the  Hell Freezes Over Tour  where the Eagles come together live.

10. Running on Empty by Jackson Browne

I bet you didn’t know that Jackson Browne played a huge role in making the Eagles famous. He was roommates with Glen Frey and Don Henley at one point.

Heck, for the longest time when I was a kid, I thought Running on Empty was performed by the Eagles. They have similar sounds because Jackson Browne actually co-wrote a lot of the Eagles songs. How do we know all this? We watched the Eagles documentary.

Anyway, back to the song. Running on Empty is a road trip song, period. Come on, the album cover has a road on it!

Buy Running on Empty on Amazon / Rent the movie  The Eagles History  to see the role Jackson Brown played in their success.

11. Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf

Who doesn’t love Meatloaf? Paradise by the Dashboard Light was the song of the 70s. There are so many layers to this song and right from that first guitar lick, you can’t help but get ready to start singing along in the car.

Dave and I love it when it breaks into a duet and we sing back and forth. We start screaming until our vocal chords nearly break. After that song, you almost have to pull over for a break. It’s that intense. For us, it’s one of the most fun songs to drive to on our playlist.

Get the album  Bat Out of Hell . Every song is great.

A great one day drive that we highly recommend is the  Hana Highway on Maui.  Make sure you have your road trip songs picked out because radio service in limited. 

12. Take the Money and Run by Steve Miller Band

“T his here’s the story ’bout Billy Joe and Bobby Sue “.

The Steve Miller Band’s Songs were made to sing along to. Dave and I love to harmonize to their music. It’s just so easy to hear the thirds and fifths. The reason we chose Take the Money and Run is that ” They’re headed down south and they’re still running today .”

We don’t plan on shooting anyone and taking their money, but we do plan on traveling forever. It’s in our blood and even if we do settle down a bit, something tells me we’ll always be on the move. Dave and I moved to  Vancouver  in 1992 and we’re still moving today. Maybe not running, but definitely at a steady pace.

Get Steve Miller’s Take the Money and Run

13. Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf

It’s probably the first and most cliché road trip song that anyone thinks of. Considering the lyrics start with:

“ Get your motor running Head out on the highway .”

So, really any road trip playlist would be remiss by not including it. It’s a good one to get the energy up when hitting the open road.

Add it to the list from Amazon

14. I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash

I love this song by the Man in Black. If you are looking for a song to drive to that is challenging to learn, this is it! It’s all about the places he has been crisscrossing through North America on his tour bus.

I originally only had this song in our travel songs playlist, but I realize that not everyone checks out both articles, so I had to bring it over here. You can’t ever leave out Johnny Cash man.

Get motivated on Amazon

15. On the Road Again by Willie Nelson

On The Road Again is the quintessential song about road tripping. But, his laid back style of singing will make for a relaxed road trip moment and be sure to keep you within the speed limit. It’s a fitting song for this list because after all “I just can’t wait to get on the road again.”

Buy it now $1.29

16. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

Everybody loves Bruce Springsteen and Baby we were born to run, is one of the great songs to drive to. This entire song is about driving and running. It’s about getting out of the small town trap and getting to the place you want to be.

The Boss is a great lyricist using car metaphors to tell his story. This driving beat will make you want to get behind your engine and run too.

Buy it on Amazon

17. Graceland by Paul Simon

When Paul Simon’s Graceland came out I went nuts for the rhythms inspired by his trip to Africa. When I went to Kenya for the first time , I was totally blown away that I stayed at the same lodge that he and Carrie Fisher stayed at during that exact trip. But that’s another story.

Graceland is an awesome song that fits with driving through America’s southern states. Who wouldn’t want to take a road trip to Elvis’s Graceland?

Get it now to see what I’m talking about

18. Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane

We always love including Canadians. Tom Cochrane’s rock anthem “Life is a Highway” was playing across radio stations throughout the summer that Dave and I met.

We’d drive down the road belting out “ life is a highway, I wanna drive it all night long .” It has a great driving beat and the lyrics are easy to learn. It’s perfect for a road tripping son.

get it on Amazon

19. Love Shack by the B52s

You can’t have a party without The B52s. I’ll never forget seeing them in concert. I had no idea who they were a friend invited me and I’m glad he did.

We arrived at Massey Hall in Toronto where the crowd was filled with people sporting beehive hairdos and wardrobes straight out of Austin Powers.

Once the music started, we rushed the stage and there I stood at the very front listening to the best party tunes I’ve ever heard. When choosing road trip music, be sure to include Love Shack!

Get Love Shack on Amazon

20. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys

It was after watching  Love and Mercy  and  The Wrecking Crew  that we realised just what a genius Brian Wilson is. We even had the opportunity to see the Beach Boys live (sans Brian Wilson) at a private party in Orlando a few years ago.

They made a lot of good lighthearted songs like California Girls, Surfin’ USA and Kokomo, but it’s Good Vibrations that really shows the depth and musicality of the band’s genius. This song has the vibe that both Dave and I love for a road trip. I’m pickin’ up Good Vibrations.

Listen now on Amazon

21. Back in Black by ACDC

You may be thinking “No way, Highway to Hell is the ACDC song that fits in the road trip play list”. You may be correct, but doesn’t Back in Black have an awesome beat. That guitar at the beginning just rocks.

It’s no wonder Marvel’s Iron Man used it as the song for their opening scene as Robert Downey Jr. was driving with a band of army guys (and gal) from his arms dealing display in  Afghanistan .

Ever since then I’ve associated Back in Black with driving. Sure, he was in a Humvee and I’m usually in a mini compact economy car, but hey, I feel tough when that tune is playing.

Start making your own road tripping playlist for just $1.29 / Buy it on Amazon

22. The Way by Fastball

Don’t you ever want to just hit the road without ever knowing the way. That’s what this song is about. One of my favorite lyrics in the song is “an exit to eternal summer slacking, but where were they going without ever knowing the way.” So let’s. go wander the highway while listening to The Way.

23. Lose Yourself by Eminem

I once sang this song in  Belize  with the local crime lord. I didn’t know it at the time, but after I got off the karaoke stage, where I was joined by a random man who had a big grin on his face, I was told, he was that man. Woah.

The friends you make when you sing Eminem. But this song rocks. Dave and I saw 8 Mile in the theatre and were totally impressed with Mr. Marshall Mathers’ acting ability.

We promptly bought the soundtrack and learned the lyrics to this song.

It’s one of those songs where, once you learn the lyrics, you never forget them because they are so fast and furious, you fall over yourself trying to say them with him!

Listen to Lose Yourself now / Get the Movie  8 Mile on Amazon Prime

24. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac

A road trip song playlist wouldn’t be complete without Fleetwood Mac and this song has the groove for driving.

“Let’s all sing it together….You can go your own way, Go your own way You can call it another lonely day You can go your own way”

25. See You Again by Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth

Why this song wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award was beyond me. Everyone was shocked when actor Paul Walker was killed in a car crash. He died during the filming of Furious 7.

I never did see the film, but this song played during his final scene in the movie, which I read all about. It seemed to be a beautiful send off to him and whenever I hear it, it still brings a little tear to my eye.

This is a great song for a road trip and is fitting since it’s the title theme for a movie about fast cars.

Buy this song on Amazon $1.29 / Watch all the  Fast and the Furious Movies  in this Box Set.

26. Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp

John Cougar was the first musician I ever saw live. My brother and now sister in law brought me to a show at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton and I couldn’t get enough of his music after that.

I loved his rockabilly sound and to this day, the minute those first five chords ring out over the car stereo, I start rockin’. Jack and Diane is probably his best song and is all about two American kids living in the  heartland .

Check it out on Amazon $1.29

27. Drive My Car by The Beatles

Baby you can drive my car, yes I’m gonna be a star. Have you watch Carpool Karaoke with Paul McCartney and James Corden yet? It is awesome and yes, they do sing the quintessential Beatles road tripping song as they drive around Liverpool checking out Paul’s old haunts.

28. You Oughta Know by Alannis Morisette

The feminism anthem of the 1990s was written and performed by a Canadian. We owned the album Jagged Little Pill and there isn’t a bad song in the bunch.

But it’s You Oughta Know that is one of the best road trip songs on the album. The staccato speech at the beginning gets you hooked for the driving beats ahead making it one of the best driving songs out there.

“I – Want – you – to – know. That – I’m – happy for you. I – wish – nothing – but – the – best – for – you both.”

Was this sone about Joey from Full House? We’ll never know. But you oughta know

Buy the  album Jagged Little Pill,  it’s a good one!

29. Sweet Child O’Mine by Guns n’ Roses

Okay, Dave and I are huge Guns n’ Roses fans. When choosing road trip songs, GnR is right at the top.

We know every word, and both of us immediately stop talking and start singing and playing air guitar. (Or if Dave’s driving, air drumming on the steering wheel.) Guns n’ Roses’ music holds up after all these years and they have many songs made for passing the time on long drives.

Download Sweet Child O’ Mine on Amazon

30. Coming to America by Neil Diamond

During our cycling road trip through Africa . I had Neil Diamond’s Greatest Hits on my playlist. Whenever I was feeling exhausted or just overwhelmed with the scope of the day’s ride ahead, I’d put on Neil Diamond’s mix of mellow and fun tunes. It was “Coming to America” that picked me up the most. It’s just so motivating.

The driving beat makes you feel that you can do anything. It’s all about traveling far and coming to America. I’m not even American, and it inspires me. This song captures what America used to be to so many people. Let’s hope they get there again.

Buy on Amazon Now

Enjoy reading about our road trip through the Causeway Coast at  The Best Things to do in Northern Ireland

31. Carry on Wayward Son by Kansas

If you are a fan of  Supernatural , (the TV series) you’ll recognize this song from the recaps they do at the beginning of most seasons. This song by Kansas has stood the test of time, not only because of Supernatural, but it was huge during the Guitar Hero days.

When they belt out their harmonies at the beginning followed by the hard drums and guitar solo, you can’t help but bounce to the beat. It’s no wonder this song is featured on Supernatural, Sam and Dean are always driving from town to town in Dean’s 1967 Chevy Impala

32. Hello by Adele

Who doesn’t love Adele’s velvet voice? Sure, “Hello” isn’t a fast-paced tune, but it is an excellent road trip song. Why? Because you can howl, scream and holler along.

Turn the stereo up to 11 and belt out those notes along with Adele. Don’t worry, everyone in the car will be singing along, so nobody will hear you scream “ Hello from the outside “.

Buy Hello to Add to your Road Trip Songs playlist $1.29

33. The Nights by Avicii

The best road trip songs are upbeat and easy to sing to. If you agree with that definition, The Nights is definitely a perfect tune for your playlist.

It’s easy to learn the lyrics and a lot of fun to sing a long with. The song is by the Swedish DJ Avicii, but it feels more  Celtic  to me. It was an awesome tune on our playlist for our road trip through Ireland last year.

You can buy the single on Amazon

34. The Distance by Cake

Man, Cake has some great road trip songs. They have a super sense of humour and their music is just simply a lot of fun. I could choose a couple of their songs for our road trip playlist, like Short Skirt Long Jacket or the hilarious Sheep go to Heaven, but Going the Distance is the song that was made for a road trip.

Because that’s in essence what you are doing when driving, right? “You’re going the distance, and you’re going for speed.”

Add Going the Distance to your Road Trip Playlist

35. More Than a Feeling by Boston

Lead Singer Brad Delp had one of the best voices in Rock n’ Roll. Dave and I love great vocalists and Boston’s songs were meant to wail to. He could reach the high notes with such clarity and there’s nothing more satisfying when out for a long day on the road than reaching those notes in the car and pretending to be a rock star. This is the song to do that to.

Buy More than a Feeling on Amazon

36. American Pie by Don McLean

When on a long road trip, there’s nothing better than a really long anthem-like song to come on. The miles seem to just fall away on the road. American Pie is one of those songs. A song that cuts nearly 10 minutes out of your road trip, as you sing along with each verse.

There’s something about knowing all the lyrics of American Pie that makes you feel like you are smart or something. When you know every word, it’s impressive to others. Well, at least Dave and I impress ourselves and that’s all that matters since we’re usually the only two in the car!

Download the ultimate road trip song on Amazon

37. American Woman by The Guess Who

Let’s stay with the American theme and go with this American classic, written by Canadians! When Dave and I got free tickets to see The Guess Who from his friend who ran their lighting, we weren’t sure what to expect. Weren’t these some old guys that sang songs we’ve never heard of? Boy were we wrong.

Burton Cummings’ voice is outstanding and Randy Bachman can make his guitar sing. But you’d also be surprised how many songs you know by the Guess Who. They had hit after hit.

American Woman has been deemed an American Anthem, but what’s funny about it is that the entire song disses on America.

“ I don’t need your war machines, I don’t need your ghetto scenes”. Colored lights may hypnotize Sparkle someone else’s eyes”

Listen closely and you’ll see that they’re telling America to stay away from them!

Get American Woman on Amazon 1.29

38. All About the Bass by Meghan Trainor

When I first heard Meghan Trainor’s voice I was hooked. It’s so clear and fun. Have you seen her sing on Jimmy Fallon with the Roots playing kids school instruments as back up? It’s amazing. That’s how you know someone can sing: When they’ve got nothing backing them up but a kazoo and they sound awesome.

This tune is so much fun. We’re also fans of Your Lips Are Movin’ by her as well. Meghan Trainor’s tunes were made for road tripping.

Get this road trip song on Amazon

39. Africa by Toto

Let’s slow This Road Trip Songs Playlist down a little now. Africa by Toto didn’t mean a lot to me until I went to Africa. They capture it beautifully in the song and it’s so soothing to listen to.

Wild dogs really do cry out in the night and yes,  Kilimanjaro  does rise like Olympus above the Serengeti. When Africa comes on, it makes me want to book a flight to Tanzania or Kenya.

These countries are two of our favorite places in the world and we could go back again and again. But until we do, there’s always Toto there to remind us of how much we love it.

Download on Amazon

• One of our favorite road trips where we had the tunes cranked was definitely a drive along the  Cowboy Route in Southern Alberta. 

40. Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey

Journey may have had a resurgence thanks to Glee, but we have always loved them. Open Arms is actually my favourite by them, but it doesn’t exactly fit the bill as one of the best road trip songs of all time. It’s more of a love ballad. We were both huge fans of Separate Ways, but perhaps the synthesizer is a little dated.

Don’t Stop Belivin’ is definitely the Journey song that was made for driving. Heck it’s even about taking a journey. “Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit . He took the midnight train going anywhere”.

Buy the song on Amazon / Rent the movie  Don’t Stop Believin ‘, it’s so inspiring!

41. I Bet My Life by Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons are quickly becoming one of our favourite bands of the 2000s. They are so versatile, with so many hits you don’t even realise they are the same band. They are the same guys that sing Radioactive, Demons and It’s Time. All songs are so different.

But it’s I Bet My Life that makes us want to bop our heads to the beat. We drove a lot through  Europe  last year and this was one of the big road trip songs for us to listen to.

Buy I Bet My Life for just $1.29

42. Dream On by Aerosmith

This song starts off slow and builds to a screeching point with Steven Tyler wailing “ Dream On, Dream On, Dream On, Dream Until Your Dreams Come True! “

You don’t want to be in the car with Dave and I when this song is on. Both of us are yelling at the top of our lungs and banging our heads to the beat. When Dream on comes on the radio, there’s no talking to either of us until the song is over.

Buy  AeroSmith’s Greatest Hits

• You don’t have to be in a car to appreciate good music. We had our playlist going like made in our Bluetooth helmets during our  tour around Lake Superior  on motorcycles. 

43. Rock Star by Nickelback

Hey, don’t hate on Nickelback okay? Everyone loves to hate this band, and yet they still have tons of top hits and sold out shows. Yes, Chad Kroeger’s hair sucks with his long bleach blond locks and dark roots and his goatee does not fit his face, but Nickleback has some pretty memorable tunes.

I remember listening to them sing live from “The Edge Studios” in Toronto for the first time when they belted out How you Remind Me. That song was their breakout hit, but you gotta listen to Rock Star. The lyrics of this song are hilarious and it was made for singing along to in the car.

Give Rock Star a chance now

44. Hey Ya by Outkast

I love the positive beat of this song. Sure it may or may not be a break up song, I can’t be sure about the lyrics – is it about breaking up or staying together? Who cares, it’s gone a cool vibe.

The video is so much fun and when this tune comes on, you instantly feel good. Andre3000 was named one of the best rappers of all time, and yet it’s this little ditty that we love for a road trip. My Baby don’t mess around.

Hey Ya on Amazon

45. Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks

The ultimate female rock voice is Stevie Nicks. This has been one of my favourite songs for years. I could only wish that I had a Rock n Roll voice. Mine was stuck in the pop world, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t daydream about rocking it like Stevie on the big stage one day.

This rock song is great for anyone.  Even Dave rocks out to it when I turn it on. It may have never made it to the top 10 when it was released in 1981, but this is the most memorable of all her songs and over time has gained more fame and glory than it had during its original release.

Give it a shot and listen to it!

46. I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones

This is the easiest song to sing along to. It repeats and repeats but the beat keeps on going. When we’re on a super long road trip, we agree, Twenty, Twenty, Twenty-Fours hours to go! I wanna be sedated. Get the Ramones on your road trip playlist now. They’ll have you Ba ba baba, baba ba baba along all night long!

Purchase I Wanna Be Sedated

One of our latest road trip adventures took us to  Fraser Island in Australia . We spent 3 days driving through the sand dunes and scenery of this amazing destination. 

47. Redemption Song by Bob Marley

Bob Marley is another artist where we could just put on his greatest hits and make that a road trip playlist. But the self imposed rules of this article was to choose only one song per artist.

Yes, he has more up-tempo songs that could fit the genre better, but we feel that sometimes you gotta slow down when choosing a road trip song and let the mellow feeling takeover as you drive the open road.

Redemption Song is the perfect song for that occasion. It’s one of those songs where you can put your vocal skills to the test and sing with feeling.

Download Redemption Song for 1.29 on Amazon

48. Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie

Sticking with slow songs, Dave and I love this one by Death Cab for Cutie. It’s a love song and we love a good love song. Hey, we’re both romantics at heart. One of my favourite lines is:

“You and me have seen everything to see From Bangkok to Calgary The soles of your shoes are all worn down “ That’s how Dave and I feel, we’ve seen it all together and we love doing so.

Download this now  for your Road Trip Song Playlist on Amazon

49. Life’s Been Good by Joe Walsh

Another very long tune. Life’s Been Good is a great road trip sing-a-long song. It goes on for a whopping 8 minutes. Do you know how many km you can cover when driving at 100km (or if you’re like most people, 120km) per hour?

That’s right, 15km will fly right by! How does Life’s Been Good fit with a road trip? Well, he does sing, “ My  Maserati  does 185, I lost my license, now I don’t drive. ” Best lyrics ever!

50. Shelter from the Storm by Bob Dylan

Well, since we’re in the vein of 1960s music icons. We must include a little Bob Dylan. You see, you want your road trip playlist to be versatile. You can’t stick with one genre or one decade. It needs to span many years and cover all music types.

That way you never get bored. Shelter from the Storm is one of Bob’s greatest hits and he’s had many.

You may choose one of his more famous songs like Blowin’ in the Wind, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door or Mr. Tambourine Man, But listen to Shelter from the Storm. This is a great song.

Purchase Shelter From the Storm Now

51. Piano Man by Billy Joel

I’ll never forget locking up Sherry Ott’s phone (of  Ottsworld’s ) during the  Mongol Rally.  She and Rick had to listen to our playlist the rest of the 10,000 km and she mentioned, if only we had some Billy Joel. I love Billy Joel, so I felt the same way!

We didn’t have Spotify then, so we couldn’t just magically download Billy Joel in the Gobi desert, but I do agree, he makes for some great road trip music. Yes, he has a lot of hits, but Dave and I both love Piano Man.

It’s another long anthem type song that lets you sing along forever. With verse after verse our voices grow stronger and more powerful in the car until we’re both belting out “Sing us a Song You’re the Piano Man!” no you’re the piano man!

Get it on Amazon

52. Old Man by Neil Young

From Piano Man to Old Man. Niel Young is another iconic Canadian in our list. I could do a Canadian version of Road Trip Songs, but I am afraid half of you wouldn’t know the songs I am talking about.

Anyone else out there know of The Tragically Hip’s  Fireworks ? Our Lady Peace’s  Starseed  or Blue Rodeo’s  Bad Timing ? Didn’t think so.

But we the world knows Neil Young. Even the younger generation knows him thanks to Jimmy Fallon. Old Man is our favourite. What’s yours?

Listen to Old Man Now

Watch Jimmy Fallon and Neil Young on YouTube

53. Lust for Life by Iggy Pop

In the 1990s, I didn’t know a lot about punk rock. Dave and I were into Grunge at the time. But when we went to go see Trainspotters at the theatre, we were introduced to Lust for Life by Iggy Pop.

If this doesn’t get you rocking in the car, nothing will. It is the perfect way to end our road trip songs playlist with an upbeat tune that was made for road tripping.

Lust for Life is on Amazon for just $1.29

54. Radar Love by Golden Earring

Whenever the popular rock and roll radio station in Toronto does a traffic update, they play this song. They also play “I’m a highway star” but Radar Love has the much better groove. I love adding grooving songs to drive to on my playlist.

55. Route 66 by Nat King Cole

It’s a classic and an oldie but goodie. All kinds of people have covered Route 66 but nothing compares to the velvet voice of Nat King Cole. So add this classic road song to your playlist and get your kicks on Route 66.

56. Mustang Sally in the Commitments

When I was younger I was in a band that had the feel of the movie The Commitments. I loved singing back up vocals to Mustang Sally, “Ride Sally Ride. This song has a cool groove that gets you in the mood to drive. (Among other things)

57. The Air Tonight by Phil Collins

Who doesn’t love that drum solo by Phil Collins in the Air Tonight. I’ll never forget hearing it for the first tim eon Miami Vice when Crocket and Tubs were driving down the strip of Miami. Man, this is the best grooving driving song out there.

58. Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is awesome. There isn’t a song of his I don’t like. But when it comes to songs about driving, this is it. I love the lyrics:

“I’m on my way Driving at ninety down those country lanes Singing to “Tiny Dancer” And I miss the way you make me feel, and it’s real We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill.”

Dave and I totally sing to Tiny Dancer when driving and we always think about driving those back roads in Ireland. How can the locals possibly go 90 on narrow winding roads, and yet they do. they really do! Get Castle on a Hill now

59. Boys of Summer by Don Henley

I admit, I bought a pair of RayBans just because of these lyrics… “Driving in your car with those Wayfarers on baby.”

When I listen to the Boys of Summer, I envision beautiful people driving up and down the sunset strip in Los Angeles. I always have and still do. Check out our guide to the Ultimate California Road Trip

60. Where the Streets have No Name by U2

And let’s end with a song that actually has a street in the name. Well, the Streets have no name here. U2s anthem is the perfect ending to our road tripping song. From the Joshua Tree, that takes us through the California desert, the Streets Have No Name, is a song that will hypnotize you as you get lost in Bono’s dreamy vocals. Just make sure to keep your eyes on the road!

So there you have it. This is our list of our favorite road trip songs. So are you ready to hit the road with the best playlist ever?

We have this on our playlist, what’s on yours? Have you ever taken a road trip going anywhere?

Do you have a song that needs to be included when you go traveling? We’d love to hear in the comments below.

• Best Travel Songs Playlist – It’s different from this!
• Best Travel Movies
• Best Travel Books to Inspire the Wanderer in you
• Best Travel Tips from 20 Years of Traveling

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81 thoughts on “60 Best Road Trip Songs to Rock the Drive”

Where Chris Rea? There should be at least one song if not 3

Interesting list you have here. I have some recommendations here if you don’t mind.

Raspberries – Go All the Way Jason Isbell – Super 8 Big Star – In the Street Crack the Sky, the best band to come out of Baltimore – Nuclear Apathy Wishbone Ash – (In All My Dreams) You Rescue Me The Bottle Rockets – Radar Gun Danny O’Keefe – Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues Cross Canadian Ragweed – Fightin’ For

Thanks for the nice collection, will definitely try this!!

Thank you so much for sharing this playlist. I really loved it.

Very nice collection thanks for sharing!!

Blatantly missing: “Roll on Down the Highway” – Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Great selection. Along with ‘Go Your own Way’ and ‘Life is a Highway’, I’d add ‘Peaches’ by Justin Bieber

Nice One! Amazing Playlist! Really love This, thank you for sharing this lovely playlist.

Awesome Playlist !! Love It

Thanks for the song list now it will be very easy for me to go on a road trip.

thanks for the list of songs. I loved the ‘boys of summer’ song so much. Every time when I drive I always play this song.

Superb Collection..i definitely tryy all songs..i am planning to go out . i hope it helps for me. Thank you

Thank you very much for this playlist. I really loved it.

Superb Collection.. Thanks for the lovely post

fantastic article thanks for sharing, I appereciate your work

Thanks so much! Do you have a favourite song to add?

Most of these songs and genres that aren’t rock should be left off the list completely. The best road songs are real rock hands down. The best road song ever is Judas Priest’s “Heading Out To The Highway”. The live version of the Priest Live album from 1987.

You reminded me of songs that I love but forgot about. Thanks for making this playlist, I will definitely be listening to some old favorites as well as some ones you’ve recommended…Old is gold

Thanks for this article but there are many tracks apart from these to make the highway journey a perfect experience.

You reminded me some of the songs that I love but forgotten about it. Thanks for reminding me again, I will definitely be listening to some old favorites as well as someones you’ve recommended. 🙂

Great collections thank you so much for sharing this article.

Really a great collection of songs thanks for sharing hopefully it will help me next time i go out.

Thank you for this wonderful list. It really helped me a lot during my road trip.

Amazing article I really loved it. Thanks for sharing this amazing content.

Hey there Thanks for the Wonderful Playlist.

This is an excellent list. I have a trip to plan here shortly. Hopefully everyone can agree on this playlist.

Yes.. This is an excellent list of songs for road trip

Superb Collection. Thanks for sharing it.

Superb Collection..i definitely tryy all songs..i am planning to go out . i hope it helps for me.

You reminded me of songs that I love but forgot about. Thanks for making this playlist, I will definitely be listening to some old favorites as well as some ones you’ve recommended…Old is gold

Awesome and ‘d add Big Sugar’s “Please Let Me Sleep In Late or My Heart Refuses To Pound”.

The requirement for any good road trip is, as everyone knows, a killer soundtrack. And summer is the optimal time to hit the road and go on an adventure. Whether you’re embarking on a solo trip or gathering with friends and family, you’re going to need some tunes to keep you company along the way. We’ve collated classic driving songs from throughout the eras and assembled the best road trip songs to fire up as you head out on the open road.

Hey, nice post loved it.

You reminded me of songs that I love but forgot about! Thanks for making this playlist, I will definitely be listening to some old favorites as well as some ones you’ve recommended!

Awesome playlist! Added some of these for my next road trip, thankyou so much sir ??

Awesome playlist! Added some of these for my next road trip 🙂 Thanks for the post!

really nyc playlist

awesome..amazing man..!!

Thank you so much!! You don’t know how you helped me. But you helped me a lot. Usually, I get bored while going for a long ride but now it is gonna Amazing. Thank you again.

Hi, You have put together a great collection of songs. It’s true music and travel if combined together can make any trip a great one. I have although written a similar article on my blog but being an Indian I love Bollywood songs. Lately, I have added some modern International songs too on my playlist and I am loving those. I have noticed that you have added many classic old songs, I have listened to a few of them on YouTube and I found them pretty great. Thanks for sharing your list of songs with us. You can check out mine too. It’s a bit different from yours.

Great collection. There is so much good music out there, old and new, the challenge always seems to be keeping the list to a manageable number. Quite a few caught me by surprise. I was a long haul truck driver for many years, and a big music fan, but you learn something new every day. A running joke in my house is that I have been more places with Melissa Etheridge than I have with my wife of 36 years. Submitted for your consideration: You can sleep while I drive-Melissa Etheridge. Radar Love-Golden Earring Roll Me Away- Bob Seger In The Air Tonight- Phil Collins Uneasy Rider-Charlie Daniels Here I go Again-Whitesnake Eastbound and Down-Jerry Reeves This Flight Tonight-Nazareth Fly At Night-Chilliwack The Load Out-Jackson Browne Several dozen more than you will have space for.

Superb Collection..i definitely try all songs..i am planning to go out . i hope it helps for me.

Thank You So Much For The Playlist. Now I Am Gonna Rock The Long Drive.

What an Amazing Wonderful Collection Realy I Love IT 🙂

Great collection man..Enjoy

Nice playlist. I’d include America’s Ventura Highway.

was going to put I’ve Been Everywhere Man on the list and then I decided against it because I have it on another music list on this site. I linked to it in this article and I thought, uh oh, I can’t repeat songs too muc

wonderful collection

Thank you so much for the playlist. I loved all of them. Now am ready to hit the long roads.

I can’t argue with most of the selections on the list, but there are a few blatant omissions:

Born To Be Wild Radar Love Twilight Zone

I don’t know how any music list (regardless of theme) can be complete without a single song by Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Rush, or the Boss, let alone missing all of them???

I love music so much.this is the best article ever about road trip songs playlists. Thank you for nice article.

Excellent collection of songs! I truly needed to recommend this to these amazing people who have done great road trips I’m in touch with and will do in future. One of their trips was 20,000 Kms. Will share it ahead!

Thank you for the great road trip list. It was great.

Thanks Dev & Deb !! You made my day…!! By reading your article I found so much happiness because in coming days I’ll go on long tour with my new car & these road trip songs will rock it all the way … !! 🙂

– Jenny Diana

Jessica by the Allman Brothers is one of the best for me. In the movie of my life, it’s the music that would playduring the scenewhen I take a long road trip or move cross-country. 😛

Great addition, I’ll have to add it to my Spotify.

Ooooooh, so many. Led Zep’s Dazed and Confused (26 minute version), Hendrix’ Voodoo Chile, a lot of Buddy Guy. Yesterday I heard B-52s “Planet Claire”–that is a serious jam.

I am so happy to spend my time here, i am always search exactly like this blog. Thanks for sharing us.

Great choices and I love that you included a Canadian. Life is a Highway. Woot!

Awesome and ‘d add Big Sugar’s “Please Let Me Sleep In Late or My Heart Refuses To Pound”.

Great selection. Along with ‘Go Your own Way’ and ‘Life is a Highway’, I’d add ‘Dance the Night Away’ by Van Halen

Superb!! Never gonna to forget this one!!

I Wanna Be Sedated BY The Ramones

Amazing this post, thanks for share it.

Amazing this one thanks for share it.

Fantastic list, thank you! One addition comes to mind right away: “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane. I mean, it actually has the word highway in it. Classic.

That’s a great addition. I was actually thinking about that song. I love him because he’s also Canadian and I like adding Canadians to the list. But I then decided to leave him out because for me, he was oversaturated (in our neck of the woods anyway) and that song was totally overplayed and now I just can’t listen to it anymore. But most people love it!

I would add “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac.

Great choice! How could I forget that one!

thank you! One addition comes to mind right away: “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane.

LOVE THESE!! Couldn’t agree more about Paradise by the Dashboard Light. I love Meat Loaf, LOL. He was my first concert at age 8 😀 and we played “I Would Do Anything For Love” at our wedding hahaha. Great pics. I love any Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash as well—perfect for an All-American road trip. Also 80’s rock.

Road trips are the best!!

I loved that I would do Anything for Love. It was a great comeback song for him. So what wouldn’t you do? Haha, He says, I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that. HAha. I always think about what is that? 🙂 I was going to put I’ve Been Everywhere Man on the list and then I decided against it because I have it on another music list on this site. I linked to it in this article and I thought, uh oh, I can’t repeat songs too much.

Very good article…this is a very unique article for me. I have never seen this kinda article on any sites… REALLY VERY NICE..CHEERS

Thanks Jessica. We love music so much we decided that we had to put together a list of our playlists. So there you go!

Recommended for you

10 time-tested '70s tunes to vibe with on your next road trip, ...or to just sing along to on the drive to the grocery store..

1. "Take It Easy" by Eagles

This 1972 classic by Eagles, perhaps most famous for their 1976 hit "Hotel California", uses rhythmic electric guitar lines complimented by underlying banjo riffs to convey the chill feeling of a road trip through the country. This tune is truly a great reminder to "lighten up while you still can", and is probably one of my personal favorite songs of all time.

I also recommend you give this live 1977 version a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJvkmjK9fWc

2. "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire

This 1978 song is ridiculously classic, and just never gets old. It's guaranteed that everyone will sing and dance along as soon as the opening notes play. Its classic disco elements and soulful beat and vocals just give off this effortlessly fun funky sound that's perfect to add a ton of energy and positivity to any trip.

Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm_9mxZV10U

3. "Listen To The Music" by The Doobie Brothers

From their 1972 album "Toulouse Street", The Doobie Brothers use plenty of vibrant guitar and hearty vocals to deliver a happiness-inducing grassroots performance in "Listen to the Music". The song is reminiscent of a bright, sunny day with all of the window and the top down.

Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOTr_4Zs_Us

4. "Sister Golden Hair" by America

Acoustic and electric guitar come together to form a folksy, pop melody in this 1975 tune. As it speeds up into the bridge and once again into the chorus, this song uses tempo and depth to its advantage - it's just an all-around good time.

Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3O6kZu5oDQ

5. "Hooked on A Feeling" by Blue Swede

It was a matter of time before I mentioned this 1974 hit. Electric guitar, cowbell and vibrant trumpet make this pop-rock song an endlessly good time. And yes, it was featured in "Guardians of the Galaxy".

This '74 live version has some serious personality and fun flairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5jkAkm4JmM

6. "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass

Am I allowed to include "Hooked on A Feeling" and not "Brandy"? Another hit repopularized by "Guardians of the Galaxy" in 2014, this 1972 song can absolutely stand on its own merit - its melancholy lyrics contrast perfectly with electric guitar and piano to form a truly wonderful and rather introspective song.

Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep7FWnbAaCI

7. "Go All The Way" by Raspberries

This 1972 classic song flows between pop and rock, producing a truly '70s love song with tons of depth and passion. 10/10 highly recommend.

Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wT_NpsYdes

8. "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) by The Four Seasons

This 1975 song is nostalgia overload. It features three singers from the band - drummer Gerry Polci sings lead vocals, bass player Don Ciccone sings the falsetto part, while the iconic Frankie Valli sings the bridge sections and backing vocals - all over that famous piano melody and invigorating electric guitar.

Check out this live version to see the different voices in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gADRjnsBrz0

"Rocket Man" by Elton John

An undisputed classic, Elton John's 1972 soft rock hit is melancholy yet powerful. With incredible piano, vocals and the synth-like explosion in the chorus, "Rocket Man" is a contemplative tune that's perfect under the starry night sky.

Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlw1wpwojZ0

10. "Easy" by The Commodores

To finish it off, this bittersweet 1977 ballad reminiscent of a nighttime drive (or a "Sunday morning"). Lionel Richie's soulful, smooth R&B-esque vocals overlay the harmonious background vocals and jazzy piano and drums perfectly. When you need a good sad song, or just a calm tune for a chill drive back home, this is it.

Wonderful live version with plenty of sparkly jackets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DSVMDmzCcA

Hopefully these tunes bring some old-fashioned fun to your next journey. :)

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25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health , says science

Considering that the monthly cost of subscribing to a media-streaming service like Netflix is oft...

Free movies...what else to I have to say?

3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble.

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

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50+ BEST Road Trip Songs for the Ultimate Road Trip Playlist

Heading on a road trip soon and looking for the top road trip songs to add to your road trip playlist?  I’ve got you covered with 50+ of the best road trip songs to listen (and sing along to) on long car drives.

Road Trip Songs For Your Road Trip Playlist

I hope you enjoy this list of great road trip songs. I have included a mix of road trip songs from different genres (including rock, pop and country) and different eras (from classic road trip songs to modern road trip songs). Most of these great songs are about road trips and travel or cars, highways and driving in general.

(And if you are planning on taking a road trip soon make sure to check out my essential road trip packing list  to make sure you have all your road trip essentials before you go!)

10 Best Road Trip Songs of All Time

I think these are the 10 best road trips songs of all time (in no particular order).

• “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
• “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
• “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
• “Life Is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane
• “Little Red Corvette” by Prince
• “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by the Proclaimers
• “Take It Easy” by the Eagles
• “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
• “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (This song is perfect for a classic American road trip in the South.)
• “I Can’t Drive 55” by Sammy Hagar

Best Classic Road Trip Songs

Below are the greatest classic road trip songs that need to be on your music playlist:

• “Long Lonely Highway” by Elvis Presley
• “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC
• “American Pie” by Don McLean
• “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles
• “Route 66” by Chuck Berry
• “No Particular Place to Go” by Chuck Berry
• “Truckin’” by The Grateful Dead
• “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne
• “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John
• “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett
• “Radar Love” by Golden Earring
• “Hotel California” by Eagles
• “America” by Simon & Garfunkel
• “The Passenger” by Iggy Pop

80s Road Trip Songs

Below are best 80s road trip songs to add to your music playlist:

• “Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham
• “Road to Nowhere” by Talking Heads
• “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins (from the movie Top Gun)
• “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
• “Love Shack” by the B52s
• “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake
• “Born in the U.S.A” by Bruce Springsteen
• “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
• “I Drove All Night” by Cyndi Lauper
• “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman

90s Road Trip Songs

Below are best 90s road trip songs to add to your music playlist:

• “Road Trippin'” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash
• “The Distance” by Cake
• “Drive” by Incubus
• “The Way” by Fastball
• “Everyday is a Winding Road” by Sheryl Crow

Modern Road Trip Songs

Below are best modern road trip songs to add to your music playlist:

• “Shut Up and Drive” by Rihanna
• “California” by Phantom Planet – this is one of my favorite California road trip songs .)
• “Keep the Car Running” by Arcade Fire
• “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton
• “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
• “California Gurls” by Katy Perry (featuring Snoop Dogg)
• “Maps For The Getaway” by Andrew McMahon
• “Holocene” by Bon Iver
• “I Am The Highway” by Audioslave
• “Wild” by John Legend and Gary Clark Jr.
• “Thousand Miles” by Miley Cyrus (feat. Brandi Carlile)
• “Levitating” by Dua Lipa
• “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – this is the perfect song to listen on the way back home after a long trip

Road Trip Playlist on Spotify

To make it easier for you to listen, I have created a spotify playlist of the best road trip songs of all time:

What are your favorite road trip songs?

Need some road trip inspiration?

• Best Road Trips in the USA
• Best Road Trips In Europe For Your Bucket List
• Best Road Trips in Australia
• Best Road Trip Quotes to Inspire You to Go!

Related Posts

savvyglobetrotter

These are all classics for sure when you’re talking about a road trip. My favorite would be Sammy Hagar “I Can’t Drive 55”. Something about that cool flow that makes it perfect for a summer road trip. But I would not follow the advice because I wish not to get pulled over crossing the country LOL.

Thank you so much for putting out this list of road trips and songs!!

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100+ Best Road Trip songs (to sing along with as you drive!)

Looking for good road trip songs? Honestly, the right driving songs in the right playlist can make or break a road trip! Here are 100+ best road trip songs to sing along with as you drive!

And don’t forget to download your FREE road trip planner below , to help you plan your road trip.

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

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Best Road Trip Songs

Planning a road trip or long drive is tough. There are a million things to think about. And one of the things often overlooked is a road trip playlist!

Whether you’re travelling by car, RV, camper or bike, this list of the 100 best road trip driving songs is guaranteed to make the miles fly past!

We’ve got a mix of great driving songs to sing along too: songs for girly summer road trips, classic rock, all-American, a bit of country and some modern 2020 tunes- all designed to create the PERFECT playlist for your journey. And with over 100 road trip songs to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find something for everyone to sing along with on the road.

Make planning your next road trip EASY (& fun!)

When you’re planning a road trip, keeping track & organising all your ideas is often the hardest part. Fix that TODAY with our printable pdf road trip planner. Grab yours FREE now

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How to create a great road trip playlist with sing-along songs!

The window wound down, the stereo cranked up and some awesome tunes you can sing along to; perfection, right? But if you’re anything like us, your phone/iPod is a random mix of all sorts of music- including a Christmas album or 7.

That’s why a road trip playlist is so important- you don’t have to worry if the next tune will be great, you already know it will be! 

• Make sure the songs are downloaded onto your phone/ ipod. Otherwise, you’re going to use up a lot of data and/ or run the risk of being in an area with bad signal and no music!
• Like listening to things as you drive? Check out Audible – you can get podcasts, audiobooks and more- it’s a perfect way to pass the time on a long drive.

You might be able to get 3 MONTHS FREE music at Amazon. Click HERE to take advantage 

I’ll be honest- there was some…. let’s call it “discussion”… over the best travel songs to include on this list. My husband prefers classic rock for driving songs. I like songs you can sing along with in the car and songs to drive fast too (NEVER above the speed limit though… right?!)

We compromised on creating a road trip playlist with song choices from all of us, so we hope there’s something in here for you!

So, let’s get to the best road trip songs.

(Update: This post started off as 100 of the best road trip songs… it’s growing as we add more in, so no idea how many are here now!! )

20 Rock Classics- the BEST Road trip Rock songs

• Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins
• Nutbush City Limits – Ike & Tina Turner
• Dude Looks like a Lady – Aerosmith
• American Pie – Don Mclean
• Whole Lotta Rosie – AC/ DC
• Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
• Paradise City – Guns N’ Roses
• All Night Long – Rainbow
• Cats in the Cradle – Ugly Kid Joe
• Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
• Jump – Van Halen
• We Built This City – Starship
• Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams
• Hell ain’t a Bad Place to Be – AC/DC
• The Boys are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy
• Rio – Duran Duran
• Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting – Elton John
• Who are You – The Who
• Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
• Love Walked In – Thunder

Best Driving Songs- All-American road trip songs

• Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
• Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Walk This Way – Aerosmith & Run DMC
• My Life – Billy Joel
• Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
• Footloose – Kenny Loggins
• One of these Nights – The Eagles
• Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf
• Nothing but a Good Time-  Poison

Planning a road trip? You might find these posts useful:

• How to plan a road trip
• The BEST printable road trip planner (FREE!)
• Most useful road trip apps
• 100 inspiring road trip quotes

25 Modern road trip songs to sing along with (2020 update)

Our favourite modern (ish!) driving songs, all of which are perfect to sing along to in the car and belt it out- especially in a traffic jam with people staring at you!! Add any (or all!) of these to your perfect summer road trip playlist.

• Physical- Dua Lipa
• Stupid Love – Lady Gaga
• Dance Monkey – Tones & I (you know you love it…)
• Take Me Back to London – Ed Sheeran
• All the Good Girls go to Hell – Billie Eilish
• What a Man Gotta Do – Jonas Brothers
• Castle on the Hill – Ed Sheeran
• Uptown Funk – Mark Robson & Bruno Mars
• Rockstar – Nickelback
• Looking for a Good Time – Lady Antebellum
• It’s My Life – Bon Jovi
• Take me to Church – Hozier
• Hold Back the River – James Bay
• Shut Up & Dance – Walk the Moon
• Happy – Pharell Williams
• The Pretender – Foo Fighters
• Hall of Fame – The Script
• Centuries – Fall Out Boy
• Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
• The Kill – 30 Seconds to Mars
• Mr Brightside – The Killers
• My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark – Fall Out Boy
• Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time – Panic at the Disco
• Knights of Cydonia – Muse
• If I had you – Adam Lambert
• All the Small Things – Blink 182

The ultimate girl’s road trip playlist- perfect songs to sing along with in the car!

Ah- I LOVE girly road trips, especially in the summer. There’s nothing better than some sunshine, good friends and some GREAT songs on the stereo. Here are some of our favourite road trip songs for girls (although we don’t mind if you boys listen to them too! 😉 )

20 Modern road trip sing-along songs for girls

• Rolling in the Deep – Adele
• Waking Up in Vegas – Katy Perry
• Trouble – Pink
• Everytime We Touch – Cascada
• According to You – Orianthi
• Bang Bang – Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Menaj
• Black Magic – Little Mix
• Heartbeat Song – Kelly Clarkson
• Sax – Fleur East
• Can’t Be Tame d- Miley Cyrus
• Fight Song – Rachel Platten
• The Best Damn Thing – Avril Lavigne
• Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
• U and Ur Hand – Pink!
• Part of Me – Katy Perry
• Shake it Off – Taylor Swift
• This is Me – Greatest Showman Soundtrack
• Raise Your Glass – Pink
• Living la Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
• Baby one more time – Brittany Spears

20 Classic road trip songs for girls to sing along to in the car!

• Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves
• Bitch – Meredith Brooks
• Everything I do, I do it for you – Bryan Adams
• Holding Out for a Hero – Bonnie Tyler
• Wake Me up before you Go-Go – Wham
• It’s Raining Men – Weather Girls
• Love Shack – B52s
• I’m so Excited – Pointer Sisters
• Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
• 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
• Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
• Heaven is a Place on Earth – Belinda Carlisle
• Man! I Feel like a woman – Shania Twain
• Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
• Poker Face – Lady Gaga
• Burning Love – Wynonna (I much prefer this version- sorry Elvis!!)
• Love My Life – Robbie Williams
• Torn – Natalie Imbruglia
• Proud Mary – Tina Turner
• Summer Nights- Grease

14 Driving Songs with ‘road in the title’- perfect for a road trip playlist!

• Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles
• Every Day is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow
• Take me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
• The Long and Winding Road – The Beatles
• Bright Side of the Road – Van Morrison
• Long Road To Ruin – Foo Fighters
• Road Trippin’ – Red Hot Chilli Peppers
• Back on the Road Again – REO Speedwagon
• Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen
• Road to Hell – Chris Rea
• Road to Nowhere – Talking Heads
• Old Town Road – Lil Nas X
• Roadhouse Blues – The Doors
• Road Less Traveled – Lauren Alaina

15 best songs about driving and cars

Some of the best songs about driving (and cars!) – all perfect for a road trip playlist!

• Mustang Sally – The Commitments
• Bat out of Hell – Meatloaf
• I Drove all night – Roy Orbison
• Rhythm Made Me Do It – Shania Twain
• Drive By – Train
• Greased Lightnin’ – Grease Soundtrack
• Paradise by the Dashboard Light – Meatloaf
• Bad Habit – The Offspring
• Car Wash – Rose Royce
• 2,4,6,8 Motorway – Tom Robinson Band
• Little Red Corvette – Prince
• Pink Cadillac – Bruce Springsteen
• Route 66 – Chuck Berry
• Drive – The Cars
• Drive My Car – The Beatles

Planning a long drive? These post might help

• 15 Essential road trip tips you NEED to know
• Things to remember before you leave
• Healthy snacks for road trips

Best Driving songs to drive faster to (and sing along with!!)

Yes, we’ve already had some AMAZING road trip songs for the playlist, but here are some more to crank it up and sing along with (just watch that speed limit!!)

• Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
• Monkey Wrench – Foo Fighters
• Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
• Beat It – Michael Jackson
• 50 Ways to say Goodbye – Train
• River Deep, Mountain High – Tina Turner
• Cherry Pie – Warrant
• I would do anything for love – Meatloaf
• Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer
• Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard (one of the best songs about sugar ever 😉 )
• Any Way you Want it – Journey (or the Rock of Ages version!)
• DOA – Foo Fighters
• Lowlife – Theory of a Deadman
• Making it Hard – Hinder
• Oblivion – Terrorvision
• Haven’t Had Enough – Marianas Trench
• Angel with a Shotgun – The Cab
• Silent Majority – Nickelback
• Run to You – Bryan Adams
• Thanks for the Mmrs – Fall Out Boy
• The Anthem – Good Charlotte
• Teenagers – My Chemical Romance
• High School Never Ends – Bowling for Soup
• Seven Nation Army – White Stripes
• Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
• Build Me up Buttercup – The Foundations
• Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry
• Come As You Are – Nirvana
• Teenage Dirtbag – Wheatus

20 Quieter Road trip songs- for when the kids are sleeping!

These songs are perfect when you want to turn it down a little bit. Admittedly, we tend to turn them up, but then we don’t have young kids anymore!

(Top tip for parents- these children’s car games won’t drive you crazy. Promise!)

• Livin’ Thing – Electric Light Orchestra
• All I Need is a Miracle – Mike and the Mechanics
• Everybody wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears
• Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
• In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins  (just remember to air drum quietly!!)
• I don’t want a lover – Texas
• The Chain – Fleetwood Mac
• The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
• Stay with Me – Rod Stewart
• All Night Long- Lionel Richie
• No Son of Mine – Genesis
• Easy Lover – Phil Collins & Philip Bailey
• Every Little Thing She Does – The Police
• It’s a Beautiful Day – Michael Buble
• Jesus, He knows me – Genesis
• The Day We Caught the Train – Ocean Colour Scene
• All Right Now – Free
• Another Brick in the Wall – Pink Floyd
• Mama Told Me not to Come – Tom Jones
• Boys of Summer – Don Henley

Classic road trip driving songs for EVERY trip

These are some of our favourite driving tunes- but they didn’t really fit anywhere else (or they did, but my OCD with the numbers wouldn’t allow it!) Still, don’t forget to put these onto your ultimate driving playlist!!

• Africa – Toto
• Waterloo – Abba
• Like I Roll – Black Stone Cherry
• Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top
• I Love Rock n Roll – Joan Jet
• Counting Stars – OneRepublic
• Song 2 – Blur
• Only The Good Die Young – Billy Joel
• Dreadlock Holiday – 10cc
• Englishman in New York – Sting
• Stacy’s Mom – Bowling for Soup or Fountains of Wayne
• The Power of Love – Huey Lewis and The News
• One of Us – Joan Osborne
• Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who
• When the Going gets tough – Billy Ocean
• I Can’t Dance – Genesis
• Losing My Religion – R.E.M
• We Are Family – Sister Sledge
• Video Killed the Radiostar – The Buggles
• Hit Me with your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
• I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
• Graceland – Paul Simon
• Since You Been Gone – Rainbow
• Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler
• Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz
• I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2

Spotify Link for this road trip playlist

If you’d like to download this playlist on Spotify, you can do so here.

And if you found it helpful and like our playlist, feel free to buy us a coffee 😉

Best Road Trip Songs- how did you like our Playlist?

Every single one of these songs makes us turn the volume up and sing along like crazy people- much to the amusement of anyone around us!

These are driving songs to embarrass yourselves to and enjoy every second.  I hope it’s given you some great ideas for your own road trip playlist- let me know what you include on yours!!

How else can I help you today?

• Record your trip in one of these beautiful road trip logbooks
• How to plan an epic RV trip for beginners
• The BEST gifts for road trippers
• Essential road trip kit
• Best Children’s car Games

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

Sharing is caring!

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15 comments.

Wow that is a great list. You have a few I had forgotten. Very complete list of all music genre. That is the only problem I have with things like Sirrus and XM you have to select only one type. I love Pandora but as you mentioned DATA, DATA, so Ipod it is for roadtrips.

Thank you! We had a lot of fun writing it and listening to old songs 🙂 Yeah, Data is definitely something worth considering- it can get expensive quickly otherwise!

You missed out poison alive Cooper got to be on

thanks for the information

You’re welcome!

What an awesome song list. Thanks for sharing this list. take care…

You are very welcome- glad you enjoyed it. Happy Road trip!

Great lists. I made playlists on Spotify that can be accessed by anybody. Makes it easy if you have Spotify.

How do I access the playlist that you made

Rockin’ down the highway by The Doobie Brothers

Is there a way to automatically click a link or something so my Apple Music will automatically take and start playing the 150 song list

Wow. Now I have something to do while waiting for lockdown to end. I’ve never heard of some of yours! You won’t have heard of some of mine! Each to his own. I will start with Stones, Clapton, John Mayalls Bluesbreakers, Sonny Boy Williams……….Can’t stop, I’ve got to get my iPod.?

This is a really lovely list. I would also recommend Dead American Presidents’ Peaches for trips through farm country.

I miss the golden Earring with Radar love.

Can’t believe you don’t have and Go-Go’s songs listed!! I can think of a few that are awesome road trip songs !!

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History Fangirl

The Ultimate History Travel Blog Since 2015

101 Perfect Road Trip Songs for an Epic Road Trip Playlist!

Last Updated on: 17th March 2023, 02:59 pm

Looking for a great road trip playlist? Well, look no further! This list includes my personal favorite road trip songs, recommendations from road trip experts, catchy hits, and a few surprises.

This road trip playlist spans decades, genres, and countries, so there’s something here for everyone! Save this post so you can play these road trip songs on your next road trip!

Can’t read now? Pin for later!

The Top 50 Road Trip Songs

Here are fifty amazing road trip songs. See below for fifty more and a free Spotify road trip playlist that you can save and play on Spotify!

Road Trippin’ (The Red Hot Chili Peppers)

A true classic road trip song from the Chilli Peppers’ 1999 album ‘Californication’, which tells the story of the band’s road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. Sung by lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis, with John Frusciante and Flea providing acoustic guitars and backing vocals, the song projects those chilled out, positive vibes and the freedom anticipated from life on the road. 

The single was only released in Europe, with two versions released in the UK, and later the third version in Australia. The video wasn’t released to a US audience until the ‘Greatest Hits’ album was released in 2003.  -Jenny from  Peak District Kids

American Girl (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

It’s hard to believe this classic American rock song never even charted when it was released on the band’s 1976 debut. It was also the last song the band ever performed together live, over forty years after they originally released it.

Super Bass (Nicki Minaj)

This song was on Minaj’s 2011 debut album. While she has become a staple featured artist on numerous songs over the past decade, this is the best of her songs for simply singing along.

Super Bass has been listed on numerous songs of the summer compilations, including this one by Rolling Stone.

Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)

Born to Run was released in 1975 on the eponymous album by Bruce Springsteen. This was the song and album that made “the Boss” a mainstream hit, and it is considered to be one of the greatest albums ever recorded.

It’s a love song sung by a hot-rod riding tough guy to a woman named Wendy. The protagonist implores Wendy to leave their hometown and hit the road with him, saying “we gotta get out while we’re young, ’cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run”. This sentiment will resonate with anyone who’s ever had the urge to get behind the wheel and head out of town for new adventures. -Wendy Werneth from  The Nomadic Vegan

I’m Gonna Be [500 Miles] (The Proclaimers)

Any fans of the tv show How I Met Your Mother know this is the ultimate road trip song, especially if your tape deck is broken and it’s the ONLY song your car will play.

Even if you aren’t a HIMYM acolyte, any song that literally lists the miles one needs to traverse automatically deserves a spot on your road trip playlist.

Come on Eileen (Dexy’s Midnight Runners)

Come on Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners is hands-down the best road trip song that there is. This alternative song was originally released back in 1989 and was written by Billy Adams, Kevin Rowland, and Jim Paterson.

There is yet to be a cover as good as the original. From the amazing tune of the song to the gradual pacing throughout, Come on Eileen is one song that will have everybody in the car singing, no matter their age. -Krystianna from  Volumes and Voyages .

A Horse with No Name (America)

A Horse With No Name is a song from the band America and is probably one of the most famous songs of the 70s. When you listen to it, all you want to do is sing along. It’s a perfect song for an amazing road trip across the USA in an old hippie van. So next time you are traveling don’t forget to add it to your playlist! -Robin from  Everything Yoga Retreat

Love Shack (The B-52s)

This 1980s classic hit by the B-52s is so popular that it’s been featured in shows and movies as well as getting its own parody on The Simpsons, “Glove Slap.”

Of course, the eponymous Love Shack was an actual shack that only got destroyed in 2004. So you really could “get away” for decades.

This infinitely groovy song is easy to sing along with, and of course you have to shout out at the end, “Tin Roof Rusted.”

Toxic (Britney Spears)

This Grammy award-winning song is catchy AF. While it might not be Britney Spears’s most famous or most popular track, it’s the grown-up tune your road trip playlist.

The video was deemed too racy for MTV to play during the day. In fact, it was once voted the sexiest music video of all time.

America (Simon & Garfunkel)

This song about two hitchhikers mentions American highways by name (hello, New Jersey turnpike) so it’s almost like it was written to make this list. And even though the track is over fifty years old, it still describes an angsty beauty that resonates today.

Back to You (Bryan Adams)

A perfect song for a road trip is the toe-tapping ‘Back To You’ performed by Canadian artist Bryan Adams. The song – which was co-written by Eliot Kennedy – features several lyrics about travel but is mostly about the yearning desire and wish to be somewhere else.

The acoustic version of the song is particularly good! The strong pulse of the song and its catchy melody make ‘Back To You’ a great road trip song for playing loudly and singing along to.  -Sinead from  Map Made Memories

9 to 5 (Dolly Parton)

If you are on a road trip, you get a chance to escape your 9 to 5 job, at least for a few days. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t enjoy singing along with Dolly Parton complaining about how much corporate America sucks the life out of you. Even if you like your job, there’s always something to angry sing about!

Burning Down the House (Talking Heads)

While there are a few Talking Heads songs that would fit right in on a playlist for a road trip, but it’s this Parliament-Funkadelic inspired new wave hit that was the bands highest charting single.

Run Run Run (The Velvet Underground)

This song about the dark side of New York City is nonetheless fun to sing along with, perhaps because it isn’t structured like other more conventional songs. It also works as somewhat of a time capsule. At over fifty years old, it chronicles an NYC that in many ways no longer exists.

Society (Eddie Vedder)

As an avid traveler, I love to be on the road most of the time and one of my favorite road trip songs is “Society” which is sung and composed by Eddie Vedder. The song was selected for a soundtrack for the popular travel film Into The Wild . In fact, Eddie Vedder has written a few more songs for the same film which narrates an epic travel journey.

The song depicts a journey of a young curious man, who after graduating decides to quit the materialistic conventional world and leave for a lifelong road trip into the wild. As the song goes, the lyrics beautifully articulate his intent to chase his grand vision to live in the wild, which is much larger than usual life he had been living so far. 

In fact, the lyrics make one appreciate the beauty of road trips even more. -Debjani Lahiri from  THE VAGABONG .

Ramblin’ Man (The Allman Brothers)

The most traditionally successful of all the Allman Brothers’ songs, this 1970s hit was inspired by (though not a cover of) a 1950s Hank Williams song. Its country flavor and peripatetic main character make it the perfect road trip song, especially if you’re out on the road alone.

Fell in Love with a Girl (The White Stripes)

This fun alternative song is less than two minutes, but you can belt along to it the entire time since the lyrics come at a steady clip. Fun and unassuming, this song was actually proclaimed by Rolling Stone as one of forty songs that changed the world.

Hold On (Wilson Phillips)

Considered one of the greatest girl group songs of all time, this 1990s hit is beloved by fans of the movie Bridesmaids . It’s the ultimate sing-along song for your girls’ trip.

Life is a Highway (Rascal Flatts)

The song Life is a Highway was originally recorded in 1991 by Tom Cochrane. It is an uptempo country song about the journey of life. The song ultimately ended up not being a huge hit for the member of Red Rider. The song was then updated with a more modern sound in 2005 by Rascall Flatts for a Disney blockbuster movie.

The song premiered as the leading single for the well-known and popular movie, Cars . The updated version flew to the top of the charts with over 4 million downloads.

It is a fun road trip sound because you can’t help feeling happy and singing along. The lyrics are relatable, especially during a road trip. The song is all about riding out life and exploring different stops. Isn’t that what road trips are all about. It’s about taking everything that comes, exploring, uncertainty, and adventure. -Corritta from It’s a Family Thing .

Crazy in Love (Beyonce)

No road trip playlist is complete without some Beyonce, and what better than Beyonce’s first solo single (featuring Jay-Z, of course). And since it’s Queen B, the song of course hit number one.

See if you know all the lyrics, including Jay-Z’s verse.

Keep the Car Running (Arcade Fire)

This 2007 single was listed by Rolling Stone as one of the best of the year. If the road is starting to wear on you, this song will fit your mood. Seemingly upbeat, yet the lyrics are worn-down, perfect for a long trip with lots of stops.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Whitney Houston)

This 1987 Grammy-Award winning hit is a Whitney Houston classic, and no road trip play list should fail to have some Houston to belt while hitting the road. This synth-pop chart topper continues to make lists of the best dance songs. You’ll need this kind of energy after a long day on the road.

Rocky Road to Dublin (The Dropkick Murphys)

Rocky Road to Dublin needs to be on every list of epic road trips. Originally written by D. K. Gavan and popularised by Harry Clifton in the 19th century, this Irish song became an instant hit with street performers all over Ireland.

Not only is this slip jig (a particular style of Irish dance) particularly catchy because of its fast beat and crescendo, this song is also about traveling and the adventures, experience, insights, and hardship that it might bring. If you want to enjoy a traditional rendering of the song, check out the version of The Dubliners or The High Kings.

For all of those who like a bit more punk during their road trip, listen to the version of The Dropkick Murphys (which was used for a scene in Sherlock Holmes). -Emer and Nils from Let’s Go Ireland

Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)

While it’s possible that this Journey hit has been overplayed in the past decade thanks to major 80s nostalgia, I’m more of the belief that when it comes to “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the limit does not exist.

This 1980s rock song has also received a renaissance thanks to its appearance in a pivotal Sopranos scene. However, you don’t need an HBO subscription to appreciate just how great it feels to sing this song at the top of your lungs with the windows down.

Down by the Water (The Decemberists)

Named by NPR as one of the top 100 songs of 2011, this Grammy-nominated indie rock song is pure modern Americana. It’s also catchy and singable, borders on country music without crossing over into it, and features not just the Decemberists but also the work of indie darling Gillian Welch.

I Like It (Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin)

Every year there’s an acknowledged song of the summer, and every song of the summer has an honorary spot on the best road trip playlists. Not only do they harken back to great summer road trips of the past, but they also are designed to be the perfect accompaniment to hot days and long nights.

What makes I Like It a step above other songs of the summer is a few special elements. First, as a Latin trap song, it’s both familiar and yet different than what else was out at the time.

Writing for  Rolling Stone , Brittany Spanos proclaimed that it “sounds like it was chemically concocted in a mad scientist’s lab to be 2018’s reigning song of the summer…Everything about this song is perfect for summer: the trap-meets-salsa beat, features from two of reggaeton’s biggest stars, a sample of Pete Rodriguez’s half-century-old boogaloo hit “I Like It Like That.”

And of course, who doesn’t want their road trip to include getting to shout our that you’re “‘Bout my coins like Mario.”

Breeze (Xavier Rudd)

Xavier Rudd is an Australian artist, known for his interesting culturally mixed style. He is one of the rare musicians who brings together European and Aboriginal culture from Australia in his music and lyrics.

Any instrument you can think of, he plays it! Guitar, keys, drums, and didgeridoo. Listening to the song Breeze is a bit like having a wave of freedom and fresh air going through your body. The lyrics will transport you to the most beautiful and relaxing places. It’s a beautiful and inspiring song, perfect for any road trip.

If you want to discover more road trip songs by Xavier Rudd, you can listen to Follow the Sun and Spirit Bird. -Pauline from BeeLoved City

Old Town Road [Remix] (Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus)

What might appear corny at first is actually subversive and brilliant and was created by one of the most prominent Black country artists of the past few decades.

The 2019 song of the summer, it was the first hit of the Tik Tok era and one of the only country trap songs to gain international acclaim. And it didn’t just get everyone’s attention, it became the Longest-Running No. 1 in Hot 100 History.

And the fact that Lil Nas X did that while being a Gay, Black country music artist is astonishing enough, but he also did it by reaching listeners in new ways and on new platforms. Or maybe that’s just how much extra hard he had to work to get the recognition that his song deserved.

Fast Car (Tracy Chapman)

Another genre-crossing Black artist, Tracey Chapman’s rock anthem to cars lead to adulthood, freedom, and ultimately responsibility was included on Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday tribute.

Rolling Stone listed the song in the top two hundred greatest songs of all time, and it received Grammy award nominations and MTV Music Video nominations the year it came out.

Of course, today we mostly think of it as just an amazing song, connecting the open road with the need to “be someone” and a hope for things to get better.

Mustang Sally (Wilson Pickett)

This 1960s rhythm and blues classic is an ode to buying a woman a car and then her not letting you ride in it. (Or maybe “ride in it?). I honestly had no idea until I starting writing this post just how crazy this scenario was, but I guess it was the sixties.

Setting aside the narrator’s belief that he deserves a ride (or “ride), I think I am going to love singing this song out loud even more. Just because you buy me a car don’t mean I got to let you ride in it. Call this an accidental women’s empowerment song?

Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)

Nothing beats this Queen classic for a rockin’ road trip tune everyone can sing along to. Its catchy melodies and operatic high notes through to air guitar riffs will have you all chanting out loud and swaying along with an unmistakable head bop! One of the greatest rock songs of all time, this fun, quirky, and high-energy hit that will definitely help you pass the miles and put smiles on everyone’s faces. -Keri Hedrick from  Our Globetrotters

Umbrella (Rhianna)

Rhianna belongs on this list, as she belongs on every list. And when considering the Rhianna cannon, I find that my favorite to sing when I’m a little horse and want to shout into open windows on the highway is “Umbrella.” And since that’s an important component of the criteria for this list, well then this is the song that wins.

It’s strange to think this quintessential Rhianna track was actually written for Britney Spears. What would the world be without Rhianna’s performance in this video? I shudder.

Immigrant Song (Led Zepplin)

This 1970’s Led Zeppelin Viking metal song includes one of the most fun and ridiculous screams and ample opportunities to shake your fist into the air.

While the opening lyrics might seem inventive to say the least:

We come from the land of the ice and snow From the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow The hammer of the gods

Robert Plant once let people know, saying “We weren’t being pompous … We did come from the land of the ice and snow. We were guests of the Icelandic Government on a cultural mission. We were invited to play a concert in Reykjavik.”

This is the perfect song to sing on a road trip in an old van, a la School of Rock. Bonus points if your road trip is around Iceland.

…Baby One More Time (Britney Spears)

The song that introduced us to Britney Spears is perhaps one of the catchiest of all time. It’s almost impossible to believe the track was written for the Backstreet Boys and TLC. How could anyone else be the voice behind the classic lyrics?

So Good (B.o.B.)

“So Good” by B.O.B is an upbeat song perfect to raise your mood during a road trip. Not only will it make you want to dance, but it also serves as a great reminder of how good it is to be able to explore the world. It tells you not to rush, but take it slow and soak up the sun. So as the song says, “Pack your bags real good baby, cause we’ll be gone for a while.” -Dan Bagby from  CabinCritic.co

Raspberry Beret (Prince and the Revolution)

While I do enjoy the Yo La Tengo cover, nothing can ever even approach the majesty of a Prince tune, even one as unassuming as his rendition of “Raspberry Beret.”

Reaching number 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100, the song may tell the tale of a bike ride and boy’s first encounter with a girl, it’s the perfect song to take out on the open road.

Party in the USA (Miley Cyrus)

While the song may start out in an airport, any fan of the movie Pitch Perfect knows this song deserves to be sung a capella on your team bus on the way to a music competition.

Even if you have no idea what I’m talking about, this is a song about playing “my song.” It’s meta without taking itself seriously.

Vogue (Madonna)

When you’re in a car bopping along, you want to dance. Yet, you’re in a car, so your hands have to do the dancing. And while the eponymous dance is much more than hand movements, the Vogue is the perfect dance to imitate while in the passenger’s seat. If you’re the driver, keep them on ten and two.

Movin’ Right Along (Alkaline Trio)

A road trip song that’s perfect for driving with kids or being a kid at heart while you drive is Movin’ Right Along. The song was released as part of The Muppet Movie soundtrack in 1979.

It features Kermit the Frog and Fozzy Bear singing a fun and playful song while driving across the country. The lyrics are clever and the tune is catchy so it’s a perfect addition for the soundtrack of any road trip.

Movin’ Right Along was given an updated cover by Alkaline Trio, a band that clearly enjoyed the song in their own childhood because they nail the original zaniness of the track. -Derek and Mike from Robe Trotting

You Can’t Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd (Roger Miller)

Roger Miller, a homegrown Oklahoma legend, created some of the best songs honky-tonk road trip songs of the 1960s. So much so that’s it’s hard to narrow down to just one or two for this list.

If you haven’t heard of Roger Miller, you’ve probably still heard his music since he recorded three of the songs on Disney’s animated Robin Hood, including the sad-but-lovely “Not in Nottingham.” His character, Allan-a-Dale narrates the movie, and Miller’s animated performance is unforgettable.

When selecting from Miller’s catalog for this list, I went with my personal fave. For me, “You Can’t Roller-skate in a Buffalo Herd” is one of the most fun, and since you’ll see lots of bison and buffalo on certain road trips from Oklahoma City, I think it’s fitting for this website that we have at least one buffalo-themed road trip song on this list.

Hit the Road Jack (Ray Charles)

This Grammy award-winning Rhythm and Blues song is not about how great it is to be on the road, but rather about telling a man to hit the road and “don’t you come back no more.”

So if you happen to be on a road trip because your girl has kicked you to the curb, then the song is the perfect one to narrate your journey. Otherwise just enjoy the irony while singing this American classic at the top of your lungs.

No Diggity (Backstreet)

This 1996 Grammy award-winning R&B hit ended the Macarena’s reign at the top of the charts, yet it still sounds relevant today. It’s hard to believe the two songs are even from the same era.

Between the fun of singing the lyrics to attempting both rap verses, there’s so much to keep you entertained during your long drive.

Khawabon Me Parinde (Mohit Chauhan)

Khwabon Ke Parindey (the birds of dreams) from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (You Live Only Once ) is a beautiful road trip song written by Javed Akhtar and sung by Mohit Chauhan and Alyssa Mendonsa. The song plays while three main characters (Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar) are on a road trip to Seville, Spain.

This song with a perfect road trip vibe makes for the best road trip songs of all time. You can listen to it (on repeat) over and over and never get bored. Yes, it’s that soothing and meaningful. This one song perfectly epitomizes the theme of the movie ZNMD – Seize the day! -Anjali from  Travel Melodies

One Week (The Barenaked Ladies)

There’s a certain glee you feel when you master all the lyrics to this fun song. The Barenaked Ladies can sing ballads, but they also can go fast, as evidenced by their popular title track for the tv show The Big Bang Theory.

Packed with pop culture references, it’s not enough just to get the lyrics right, you also need to figure out what they’re referencing. It’s both a perfect nineties time capsule and a timeless classic.

I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)

Some songs are meant to be sung loud, and “I Will Survive” might be the most important of this subgenre. While there are some great covers, like the one by Cake, it’s the disco beats and perfection of Gaynor’s vocals that make this one of the most important songs in American music history.

Think I’m being hyperbolic? In 2016, the Library of Congress voted to have Gaynor’s original recording preserved in the National Recording Registry, citing its “culturally, historically, or artistically significant” importance.

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Wham!)

Fans of the movie Zoolander will instantly think of the movie’s amazing-yet-tragic model gasoline fight set to this song. If you’re running out of energy, this purposefully energetic pop song can wake you right up, no gasoline fight required.

Doo Wop [That Thing] (Lauryn Hill)

Lauryn Hill’s first song from her debut album premiered at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, starting her solo career off with a bang. It went on to win Grammy and MTV Video Music awards, cementing Hill as a superstar.

This song is uplifting, beautiful, singable, and positive – all great traits in a road trip song. It also stylistically fits in with nearly every decade of American music, a truly timeless classic.

Into the Great Wide Open (Tom Petty)

Into the Great Wide Open is the perfect road trip song for your cross country adventure. The song was written and performed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and appeared as the third track on their 1991 album of the same name. 

I nto the Great Wide Open is a song about endless possibilities and the excitement that comes with going after your dreams. It makes you feel anything is possible, which is exactly what you want when hitting the open road.  -Eden from Rock a Little Travel

July, July (The Decemberists)

Opening with the promising lyric, “there is a road that meets the road that goes to my house,” the song “July, July” is an ode to mysterious stories, ghosts, and strangeness. Yet, the heat of summer is think in this song, and its upbeat tune hides its darkness.

Of course, any song named after one of the most popular months for road tripping is going to get consideration for this list, but what puts it over the top for me is its forward-looking nostalgia. The narrator reminds the audience that “…we’ll remember this when we are old and ancient, though the specifics might be vague…” just like all important road trips.

Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)

As someone who has driven to (okay, mostly past) Wichita many a time, I can’t express how much joy I get at singing the lyrics “I’m going to Wichita, far from this opera forevermore…”

This unexpected sports anthem is also wildly popular nearly twenty years after its release, due to its military imagery and near marching beat. I’m sure the White Stripes never imagined it would be chanted at stadiums when they recorded it. Perfect for any road trip heading to a sporting event, whether you’re going to Wichita or not.

Mr. Blue Sky (ELO)

This 1970s prog rock gem is fantastical and robotic, yet its actually an ode to an open sky – the perfect fodder for a road trip! Like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Mr. Blue Sky” has multiple parts and approaches the operatic at times, making it even more appealing to sing along to as you travel.

De Donde Vengo Yo (Choc Quib Town)

One of the breakout songs from the Colombian hip-hop group Choc Quib Town, “De Donde Vengo Yo” is a song that is full of the raw, electric energy, that the group is famous for. 

The best thing about this song? During your road trip, whenever you are dizzy or a little low on energy, put it on and it will wake you up with its zazzy beats and Afro-Latin rhythms right away. Soon you will be singing along (or trying to do so if you don’t speak Spanish). -Deb from  The Visa Project

My Sharona (The Knack)

This 1979 ode to the songwriter’s girlfriend asks proclaims “Ooh, you make my motor run, my motor run,” and if that wasn’t sign enough that this song belongs on a road trip playlist, I don’t know what is.

This song bops along at a fast clip, perfect for dancing along in your seat.

Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver)

“Take me Home, Country Roads”, John Denver’s signature song is one of the most beloved country songs of all time. If you are driving through the scenic beauty, majestic mountains, or to the countrysides, playing this song will bring the feelings of home and belongings.

For a traveler, the world is home. But the place where the soul is raised is always special. This song is a tribute to every traveler’s almost heaven ‘Home’! This classic song was written by Bill Danoff and his wife Taffy Nivert.” -Nishu Barolia from Tannedtravelgirl

Behind the Wheel (Depeche Mode)

Behind The Wheel is a very popular song written by Martin Gore and sung by the deep voice of the stage wonder that is Dave Gahan. This is reason enough for this legendary 1987 single by Depeche Mode to be considered one of the best singles of all time. However, Behind The Wheel is also one of the most epic road trip songs ever.

Both the song’s lyrics and its official video evoke memories of unforgettable moments on the road while fueling the ever-burning lust for brand new road trip adventures to strange uncharted lands at the same time.    -Maria & Katerina from  It’s All Trip To Me

On the Road Again (Willie Nelson)

On the Road Again by Willie Nelson is a really great upbeat song to get you in the spirits of traveling. It’s the perfect fun, campy song to play on your road trips as you get to get on the road again!

Originally sung by Willie Nelson, you can find lots of different versions from rock to pop and even Alvin & The Chipmunks. Next time you’re on the road, check out your favorite cover of On The Road Again .  -Sara from Awesome Gift Guides

Route 66 (Chuck Berry)

Probably the epitome of the American road trip tune, Route 66’s lyrics are literally a catalog of the cities on the original American highway that ran from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Route 66 was written as a 12-bar blues in 1946 by the actor Bobby Troup while he and his wife were on their way to Los Angeles to try their hand as LA songwriters. The song was first recorded in a smooth pop version by Nat King Cole in 1946 and became a hit on both the pop and R&B charts.

Later versions turned it more into a rocker and it was covered by both Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones. If you want jazzier versions try those from Diana Krall or Brian Setzer. -Tom Bartel of Travel Past 50

Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero)

With a catchy tune guaranteed to get stuck in your head, “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is an upbeat love song perfect for the end of a road trip. 

The song feels like that perfect summer day you spent with someone you loved and will conjure up the best feelings from the adventure you just had. 

Blast this right when you cross your county line, grab your significant other’s hand, and sing along to tell them that “home is wherever I’m with you.” -Ale from  Sea Salt and Fog  

Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)

One of Queen’s most popular songs, Don’t Stop Me Now, was released in 1978 as part of their album Jazz and as a single in 1979. It also forms part of the band’s Greatest Hits album which was released in 1981.

It has been covered by McFly, Foxes, and The Vandals. This is one of the ultimate feel-good songs and is perfect for long drives – especially if it happens to be a road with some bends.

For maximum effect, it should be played at volume with the windows rolled down and everyone singing at the tops of their voices! -Emma from Wanderlust and Wet Wipes

The Long Way Around (The Chicks)

The Dixie Chicks single, “The Long Way Around,” was released on January 8th, 2007. It was a critical and commercial success, on their first album released after their criticism of the president at the time and the backlash that occurred. 

“Take the Long Way Around” embraces non-conformity and doing things your own way. There are some anthemic qualities that make you want to blast the volume up to 11. If you put this song on your road trip playlist, it will stay there. -Theresa Ladner from Adventures in Middle-Aged Travel

Ghost Riders in the Sky (Johnny Cash)

The next song on your road trip playlist should definitely be “Ghost Riders in the Sky” by Johnny Cash. Roll the windows down, crank up the volume, and sing at the top of your lungs as the miles fly by.

Play it at night as your day winds down as the perfect wake-you-up song. Written in 1948 by Stan Jones, it has been performed by dozens of artists including Elvis Presley and The Chicks. Perhaps the most famous is Johnny Cash’s 1979 rendition, which remains popular today. -Heather from Oregon Outdoor Family

Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N Roses)

Sweet Child o’ Mine  is a song by American heavy metal band Guns N’ Roses.  It charted as a US hit single in August 1988.  The lyrics were written by the band’s lead singer, Axl Rose, and the song featured in Guns N’ Roses debut album,  Appetite for Destruction .   Sweet Child o’ Mine  has been covered many times, most notably by the likes of Sheryl Crow, Anastacia and Texas.  It makes a brilliant road trip song as it’s nostalgic with a cracking guitar solo and lyrics you can unselfconsciously belt out while driving along. -Nikki from  Gin and Cocktails .

Africa (Toto)

“Africa” by American band Toto is a timeless road-trip classic that has stayed popular since its release in 1981. Its sultry base ascending into a powerful crescendo makes it a feel-good tune.

Toto band members – David Paich and Bobby Kimball – wrote the song from the view of a boy telling a story about Africa from what he has seen on TV and what he has read.

It is meant as an analogy of the nostalgia you can feel for a place that you have never actually visited.

“Africa” peaked in the 1980s and was top of the charts around the world. Toto gained five platinum discs for the recording.

It was covered by American band Weezer in 2010.

Forty years on and “Africa” is still as popular today as when it was released and is regarded as a cult classic by all generations. -Angie of  Where Angie Wanders

Ei Path Jodi Na Shes Hoy 

“El Path Jodi Na Shes Hoy” is a Bengali song that means “If the road does not end.” The song is popular with Bengalis in West Bengal as well as worldwide.

The song is from a movie named Saptapadi (1961), directed by Ajoy Kar, Lyricist Gauriprasanna Mazumder. The song is sung by Hemanta Mukherjee and Sandhya Mukherjee. This song was shot while they are on a road trip with a bike. -Ruma from The Holiday Story  

Thinking of a Place (War on Drugs)

“Thinking Of A Place” is an 11-minute musical epic and embodies classic Americana at its best, featuring absolutely everything from guitar and harmonica solos to murmuring synthesizers.

The song takes you on a joy ride as it builds to a number of crescendos, before moving into a psychedelic odyssey and then almost fading out, all the while carrying the listener along on a wave of nostalgia for a trip that hasn’t even happened yet.

“Thinking Of A Place” is all about a journey, both literally and figuratively: as the lyrics say, “I’m thinking of a place and it seems so very real”. Utterly sublime. -Sasha from  Mog and Dog Travels

Free Road Trip Playlist on Spotify

Here is this playlist on Spotify. You can follow it in your Spotify app and play it on your trip, or you can bookmark this post and play from here.

More Great Road Trip Songs for Your Road Trip Playlist

Here are the rest of the songs that make my top 101 road trip songs on this playlist:

Apesh*t (The Carters)

Hurtin’ Me (Stefflon Don Ft. French Montana)

If She Wants Me (Belle & Sebastian)

Waterloo (ABBA)

Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show)

Here I Go Again (Whitesnake)

Feel Good Inc. (The Gorillaz)

Boasty (Wiley Ft. Steflon Don and Idris Elba)

Roadrunner (The Modern Lovers)

Running on Empty (Jackson Brown)

Jolene (Dolly Parton)

American Idiot (Green Day)

Summertime Sadness (Lana Del Ray)

Island in the Sun (Weezer)

Proud Mary (Tina Turner)

Uptight (Stevie Wonder)

Where It’s At (Beck)

It’s the End of the World As We Know It (R.E.M.)

Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel)

Walk It Talk It (Migos Ft. Drake)

Jack & Diane (John Cougar Mellencamp)

We Didn’t Start the Fire (Billy Joel)

Me Gusta (Shakira)

1979 (The Smashing Pumpkins)

The Way (Fastball)

Black Beatles (Rae Srummond)

Under Pressure (Queen and David Bowie)

Basket Case (Green Day)

Whatever You Like (T.I.)

If I Had a Million Dollars (Barenaked Ladies)

Little Red Corvette (Prince)

King of the Road (Roger Miller)

Linger (The Cranberries)

I’ve Been Everywhere (Johnny Cash)

Little Deuce Coup (The Beach Boys)

Down on the Corner (Credence Clearwater Revival)

Juice (Lizzo)

Bailando (Enrique Iglesias)

Truckin’ (The Grateful Dead)

Me and Bobby McGee (Janis Joplin)

Flashlight (Parliament-Funkadelic)

How We Do [Party] (Rita Ora)

Cracklin’ Rosie (Neil Diamond)

She’s a Lady (Tom Jones)

One Headlight (The Wallflowers)

Blinded by the Light (Mannfred Mann’s Earth Band)

Pin these Road Trips Songs for Your Next Trip!

In this Article:

2 thoughts on “101 Perfect Road Trip Songs for an Epic Road Trip Playlist!”

Lovely collection of all the beautiful road songs. Some of them are new findings. Will look forward to hearing!

Thank you! And thanks for your suggestion!

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150+ Road Trip Songs: Your Ultimate Driving Playlist

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The Best Road Trip Music

A road trip wouldn’t be a road trip without a good old sing along. Whilst on the road, regardless of how you sound, singing at the top of your lungs is just de rigueur – in fact, it’s road trip law!

There are so many amazing songs to choose from that I’ve had a great time compiling our playlist of road trip songs. I’ve been transported back through time to my favourite memories and karaoke nightmares, and been introduced to some fantastic new songs.

Forget about the 100 best road trip songs, we’ve broken down the top 150+ of the best songs for road trips! Each category has its own amazing road trip playlist, and there is also a combined Spotify ultimate playlist for a road trip, with four hours of travelling songs. So, warm up those pipes and get ready to belt out some fantastic tunes on the open road!

Classic Road Trip Songs

No matter what year you were born, or your musical taste, most of you will have heard and know the lyrics to these classic rock songs, making them really good songs to drive to. From Hotel California to Space Oddity, these are some of the greatest songs, by the greatest artists of all time. They also include some of the best guitar solos ever recorded. A great addition to any road trip playlists.

• The Eagles – Hotel California
• Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
• Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama
• Tom Petty – Free Fallin
• AC/DC – Highway to Hell
• The Beatles – Here Comes The Sun
• Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bad Moon Rising
• The Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil
• The Kinks – You Really Got Me Going
• Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way
• David Bowie – Space Oddity
• Don McLean – American Pie
• Bob Segar – Old Time Rock & Roll
• Abba – Waterloo
• Elton John – Rocket Man
• The Doors – Light My Fire
• Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
• Ray Charles – Hit The Road Jack
• Allman Brothers Band – Midnight Rider
• Willie Nelson – On The Road Again
• Aretha Franklin – Respect
• Billy Joel – Piano Man
• Chuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode
• The Beach Boys – Surfin U.S.A
• Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
• Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl
• Bachman Turner Overdrive – Taking care of Business
• Johnny Cash- Ring of Fire
• Simon & Garfunkel – Mrs Robinson
• Led Zepplin – Kashmir
• Nina Simone – Sinnerman
• Golden Earring – Radar Love
• Jackson Browne – Stay

Get the classic road trip songs playlist here

DJ’s & Collaborations

Some of the best songs for driving are collaborations. Two or three amazing artists bringing together their unique sounds can result in pure magic, and these are a great addition to any chill road trip songs playlist.

• David Guetta ft. Sia – Titanium
• Calvin Harris ft. Rag’n’Bone Man – Giant
• Dr. Dre, Eminem ft. Skylar Grey – I Need a Doctor
• Dua Lipa and Elton John – Cold Heart
• Rihanna and JAY Z – Umbrella
• Robin Shultz and Lilly Wood- Prayer in C
• David Guetta ft. Estelle – One Love
• Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa – One Kiss
• Beyonce and JAY Z – Crazy in Love
• Diddy Dirty Money and Skyler Grey – Coming Home
• Sigma ft. Paloma Faith – Changing
• David Guetta ft. Becky Hill, Ella Henderson – Crazy What Love Can Do
• Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris – We Found Love
• Rudimental and John Newman, Alex Clare – Not Givin In
• Sean Paul and Dua Lipa – No Lie
• Ed Sheeran and Khalid – Beautiful People
• JAY Z and Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
• Blackstreet, Dr Dre and Queen Pen – No Diggity
• Santana and Rob Thomas – Smooth
• Kanye West, Rhianna and Paul McCartney – FourFiveSeconds
• Nelly and Kelly Rowland – Dilemma
• Eve and Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind
• Rudimental and John Newman – Feel The Love
• The Chainsmokers and Coldplay – Something Just Like This
• Amy Winehouse and Mark Rowland – Valerie
• Eminem abd Dido – Stan
• Run D.M.C and Aerosmith – Walk This Way

Get the alternative road trip songs playlist here

Road Trip Songs from the Twenties (2020 – 2022)

There is a bigger selection of all types of music than ever before, and a lot of the new artists are very exciting. However, Kate Bush and Running Up That Hill making a comeback after 30 years just goes to show that there’s room for everyone. Use these songs to help create your modern road trip playlist.

• Lizzo – About Damn Time
• Doja Cat – Say So
• Tones and I – Dance Monkey
• Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill
• Adele – Easy On Me
• Charli XCX – Yuck
• Gayle – abc
• Charlie Puth – Light Switch
• Florence + The Machine – King
• Harry Styles – As It Was
• Beyonce – Summer Renaissance
• The Weekend – Out Of Time
• Camilla Cabello – La Buena Vida
• Jessie Ware – Free Yourself
• Amber Mark – Bliss
• Ellie Goulding – Easy Lover
• Dua Lipa – Love Again

Get the twenties playlist here

Late Noughties (2011-2019) Road Trip Songs

In 2011 Spotify really started to take off, gaining over 1 million subscribers. This new way of listening allowed you to play music your own way, whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted, and changed the way we buy and listen to music forever. Creating a songs playlist of your favourites led to people discovering new music, which they wouldn’t have heard otherwise. These are some of the best road trip songs of the 2000s.

• Adele – Rolling in The Deep
• Paloma Faith – Crybaby
• Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines
• Mumford & Suns – I Will Wait
• Rag’n’Bone Man – Human
• The Weekend – Blinding Lights
• Mr. Probz – Waves
• Klangkarussell – Sonnentanz
• Parov Stelar – The Sun
• Arctic Monkeys – I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
• Rihanna – Diamonds
• Lorde – Royals
• Jess Glynn – Hold My Hand
• The Chainsmokers – Don’t Let Me Down
• Bruno Mars – 24k Magic
• Pharrell Williams – Happy
• Twenty One Pilots – Stressed Out
• Coldplay – Viva La Viva
• Mylie Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
• Harry Styles – Adore You
• Sia – Chandelier
• Robyn – Dancing On My Own
• Ed Sheeran – Shape of You

Get the late noughties playlist here

The Early Noughties (2000-2010) Best Driving Songs

Anything goes as far as music from the early noughties, there wasn’t a particular genre that stood out and no new genres really emerged. Still, we had some fantastic music from really iconic bands. Include these great tunes on your road trips songs playlist.

• Coldplay – Yellow
• The Killers – Mr. Brightside
• Muse – Uprising
• Florence + The Machine – You’ve Got The Love
• Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire
• Alicia Keys – Fallin’
• Gnarls Barkley – Crazy
• Nelly Furtado – I’m Like A Bird
• India.Arie – Video
• Lady Gaga – Just Dance
• Eminem – The Real Slim Shady
• Keane – Somewhere Only We Know
• Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
• Coldplay – Clocks
• Black Eyed Peas – Where is the Love
• Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars
• Stereophonics – Dakota
• Madonna – Hung Up
• Kaiser Chiefs – I Predict A Riot
• The Fratellis – Whistle For The Choir
• Kelly Rowland – Work
• The Strokes – Last Night
• Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out
• Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Get the early noughties playlist here

Grab our road trip packing list, road trip checklist & road trip planner when you subscribe for our monthly newsletter, cool road trip remixes.

If you fancy listening to something a bit different, check out these fantastic remixes on SoundCloud.

• Moby – Almost Home – Vijay & Sofia Zklatko Remix
• Tracey Chapman – Stand By Me – Fabien Lanciano Remix
• Calvin Harris & Disciples – How Deep is Your Love – Chris Lake Remix
• Chaka Khan – Ain’t Nobody – Laurent Wild & The Discoh Family Edit
• Hall and Oats – I Can’t Go For That – Pomo Remix
• Clean Bandit – Rather Be – JackLNDN Remix
• Chic ft. Sugarhill Gang – Good Times Vs Rappers Delight – Jet Boot Jack Remix
• Dusty Springfield – Son of a Preacher Man – Bergeque Edit
• Sia – Cheap Thrills ft. Sean Paul – Bruno Torres Remix
• The Chainsmokers & Halsey – Closer – R3hab Remix
• Wiz Khalifa Ft. Charlie Puth – See You Again Bauke Top Remix
• Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing – lg Oliver Remix
• Fleetwood Mac – Dreams – Gigamesh Edit
• Sade – Smooth Operator – Dj S Bootleg Dance Remix
• Naz – Old Town Road – B.R.T Official Remix
• Snow Patrol – Mysterious ways
• Parra For Cuva – Wicked Game

Get the cool remixes playlist here

Best 90’s Road Trip Songs

The nineties were one of the most inventive and creative periods for music. The decade saw grunge really take off in the USA and the battle of Brit pop in the UK. These different genres still influence music today. So if you’re going on an American road trip or to drive through Europe, add these songs to create your perfect road trip songs playlist.

• Nirvana – Smells like Teen Spirit
• Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Under the Bridge
• Pearl Jam – Even Flow
• Faithless – Why Go?
• Alanis Morissette – Ironic
• The Cranberries – Linger
• The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
• R.E.M – Losing My Religion
• TLC – Waterfalls
• Blur – Park Life
• Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger
• Sheryl Crow – All I Wanna Do
• Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
• Fugees – Killing Me Softly With His Song
• 4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?
• Radiohead – Creep
• No Doubt – Don’t Speak
• The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
• Sixpence None The Richer – Kiss Me
• Lenny Kravitz – Are you Gonna Go My Way
• Guns N’ Roses – Don’t Cry
• The Cure – Friday I’m in Love
• Weezer – Buddy Holly
• Ace of Base – All That She Wants
• 10,000 Maniacs – These Are Days
• The Commitments – Mustang Sally
• George Michael – Freedom! ’90
• Fatboy Slim – Praise You
• Tom Cochrane – Life is a Highway

Get the 90’s road trip songs playlist here

Best 80s Road Trip Songs

The eighties are one of my favourite eras for music, it was also when MTV started and launched the music video, I’ll never forget the first time I saw the video for Thriller, it was pretty epic! The likes of punk rock, new wave and out and out pop gave us some of the greatest tunes ever. Add these tunes to your song list.

• A-ha – Take on Me
• Culture Club – Karma Chameleon
• Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer
• Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams
• Madonna – Like A Virgin
• Bryan Adams – Summer Of ’69
• Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Wanna Fun
• Michael Jackson – Thriller
• Tears for Fears – Shout
• Toto – Africa
• Katrina & The Waves – Walking on Sunshine
• U2 – With or Without You
• Guns N’ Roses – Paradise City
• Soft Cell – Tainted Love
• Tracy Chapman – Fast Car
• Simple Minds – Don’t You
• The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
• Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A
• Prince – Little Red Corvette
• The Clash – Rock the Casbah
• Men At Work – Down Under
• Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Relax
• Duran Duran – Girls on Film
• Spandau Ballet – Gold
• Chris Isaak – Wicked Game
• Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
• New Order – True Faith
• Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody
• Pat Benatar – Heartbreaker
• The Boomtown Rats – I Don’t like Mondays
• The Police – Message in A Bottle
• The Bangles – Manic Monday
• The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be / 500 miles
• Wham – Club Tropicana
• Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight
• The Communards – Don’t Leave Me This Way
• The B-52’s – Love Shack

Get the 80s road trips songs playlist here

Best Driving Power Ballads

Everyone loves a power ballad! These emotionally charged love songs are just begging you to belt them out at the top of your lungs! Anytime you are going to travel, include these on your road trip songs playlist.

• Foreigner – I Want To Know What Love Is
• Bryan Adams – Everything I Do
• Journey – Don’t Stop Believin
• Cutting Crew – I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight
• Heart – Alone
• Guns N’ Roses – November Rain
• Boston – More Than a Feeling
• Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the Heart
• Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting
• REO Speedwagon – Can’t Fight This Feeling
• Meatloaf – Paradise By The Dashboard Light
• Foreigner – Waiting for a Girl Like You
• Berlin – Take My Breath Away
• Europe – The Final Countdown
• Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over
• Poison – Every Rose Has Its Thorn
• Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
• Starship – Nothing’s Going to Stop Us Now
• Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes – The Time of My Life
• Alannah Myles – Black Velvet

Get the driving power ballads playlist here

Disco Road Trip Songs

Disco disco disco – if these tunes with their rhythmic beats don’t get you singing and moving to the music then nothing will. Keep an eye on that speed limit in case you get carried away! Perfect for those summer road trips.

• Abba – Dancing Queen
• Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
• Earth Wind and Fire – Boogie Wonderland
• Bee Gees – Stayin’Alive
• Diana Ross – Upside Down
• The Trammps – Disco Inferno
• Donna Summer – Hot Stuff
• The Pointer Sisters – I’m So Excited
• Earth Wind and Fire – Let’s Groove
• Chic – Le Freak
• Cool and The Gang – Celebration
• Lipps Inc – Funky Town
• Chaka Khan – I’m Every Woman
• Earth Wind and Fire – September
• The Emotions – Best of My Love
• Cheryl Lynn – Got to Be Real
• The Jacksons – Blame it On the Boogie
• Peaches and Herb – Shake Your Groove Thing
• Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out of My Head
• Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancing
• Barry Manilow – Copacabana

Get the disco road trip songs playlist here

Your Ultimate Driving Playlist

Get every single one of these amazing road trip songs bundled into an ultimate road trip songs playlist to keep you singing along for nearly four hours!

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100 Oldies But Goodies Songs For Your Next Road Trip

You pack the snacks and we'll bring the tunes.

Mood Boosters

Nice-and-easy drive, rock songs that you can scream-sing, classic love songs, golden sing-alongs.

• Feeling Moody and Blue
• For the Country Music Lovers

Old cassette tapes and CDs are out, but you can still jam to those oldies but goodies with a well-curated playlist. Road trips can get rather boring when your eyes are glued to the endless pavement ahead. Why not ditch the "I Spy" game and spice up your drive with a tribute to the greatest old-school hits?

Legends like Bruce Springsteen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Billy Joel are sure to entertain you on your long expedition. These loveable, sing-along classics will instantly put your whole car in a great mood. Roll your windows down, drum your fingers on the steering wheel, and queue up your playlist with the best oldies songs. Whether you're taking a long trip up the coast or just driving up the road, make sure to have these songs on hand for a memorable time.

Play any one of these songs for an instant mood boost on your road trip! From the "bum bum bum" of Sweet Caroline to the catchy melody of Come On Eileen , you can't go wrong with any one of these happy, finger-tapping tunes! Just press play and you're set for a delightful drive!

• "Sweet Caroline" - Neil Diamond
• "Jack & Diane" - John Mellencamp
• "Brown Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison
• "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
• "Dancing in the Moonlight" - King Harvest
• "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" - Looking Glass
• "Come On Eileen" - Dexys Midnight Runners
• "Mr. Blue Sky" - Electric Light Orchestra
• "Rich Girl" - Daryl Hall & John Oates
• "Jessie's Girl" - Rick Springfield
• "Here Comes The Sun" - The Beatles
• "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" - Stevie Wonder
• "American Pie" - Don McLean
• "Jump" - Van Halen
• "I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)" - Alabama
• "Only the Good Die Young" - Billy Joel
• "Ramblin' Man" - The Allman Brothers Band
• "Send Me on My Way" - Rusted Root
• "Going Up The Country" - Canned Heat
• "Life in the Fast Lane" - Eagles
• "Born in the U.S.A." - Bruce Springsteen
• "Oogum Boogum Song" - Brenton Wood
• "Baba O'Riley" - The Who
• "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - Tears For Fears
• "The Joker" - Steve Miller Band
• "Ooh La La" - Faces

Maybe you want something a little more chill while wheeling through the mountains at daybreak or joyriding past the coastline at sunset? These melodies are perfect for that laid-back, no rush, easy-going drive.

• "Into The Mystic" - Van Morrison
• "Never Going Back Again" - Fleetwood Mac
• "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
• "Take It Easy" - Eagles
• "Sunrise" - Norah Jones
• "Fire and Rain" - James Taylor
• "Let It Be" - The Beatles
• "Helplessly Hoping" - Crosby, Stills & Nash
• "Blues Run The Game" - Simon & Garfunkel
• "For What It's Worth" - Buffalo Springfield
• "Sundown" - Gordon Lightfoot
• "Son Of A Preacher Man" - Dusty Springfield
• "Sister Golden Hair" - America
• "Angel From Montgomery" - Bonnie Raitt, John Prine
• "If I Ever Needed Someone" - Van Morrison, Mavis Staples
• "The Weight" - The Band
• "Midnight Train to Georgia" - Gladys Knight & The Pips
• "The Boxer" - Simon & Garfunkel
• "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out" - Yusuf / Cat Stevens

Are you ready to rock and roll down the windows? Let your hair down, and sing your guts out with these scream-along rock songs.

• "Edge of Seventeen" - Stevie Nicks
• "Carry on Wayward Son" - Kansas
• "Summer of '69" - Bryan Adams
• "Dream On" - Aerosmith
• "What I Like About You" - The Romantics
• "Breakdown" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
• "Don't Stop Me Now" - Queen
• "Dancing in the Dark" - Bruce Springsteen

Going on a road trip with your sweetheart? These classics will add a little extra love in the air.

• "More Than a Feeling" - Boston
• "Your Song" - Elton John
• "You Make My Dreams" - Daryl Hall & John Oates
• "Make You Feel My Love" - Bob Dylan
• "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" - Jr. Walker & The All Stars
• "My Girl" - The Temptations
• "Wouldn't It Be Nice" - The Beach Boys
• "Real Love Baby" - Father John Misty
• "Sugar, Sugar" - The Archies
• "You're My Best Friend" - Queen
• "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" - Four Tops
• "Be My Baby" - The Ronettes
• "Harvest Moon" - Neil Young
• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell

No matter if you're on the road with your family or friends, these songs will surely get the whole car singing along. Turn on one of these classic belt-worthy tunes, and get to harmonizing!

• "On the Road Again" - Willie Nelson
• "Take Me Home, Country Roads" - John Denver
• "Piano Man" - Billy Joel
• "Stand by Me" - Otis Redding
• "You're so Vain" - Carly Simon
• "Tiny Dancer" - Elton John
• "Stuck In The Middle With You" - Stealers Wheel
• "Stacy's Mom" - Fountains Of Wayne
• "Free Fallin'" - Tom Petty
• "Mrs. Robinson" - Simon & Garfunkel
• "Hey Jude" - The Beatles
• "Go Your Own Way" - Fleetwood Mac

Feeling Moody And Blue

Take your main character moment to the next level with any one of these melancholy melodies. Just look out the window, pretend you are in a music video, and voila—you're set for a drive that might just have you romanticizing your life.

• "Vienna" - Billy Joel
• "Fade Into You" - Mazzy Star
• "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" - The Smiths
• "Landslide" - Fleetwood Mac
• "Danny's Song" - Loggins & Messina
• "The Chain" - Fleetwood Mac
• "Simple Twist of Fate" - Bob Dylan
• "She's Always a Woman" - Billy Joel
• "Yesterday" - The Beatles
• "Girl from the North Country" - Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash
• "Down By The River" - Neil Young
• "Ruby" - Dave Rawlings Machine
• "Space Oddity" - David Bowie
• "Friends, Lovers, Ex-Lovers: or Whatever" - Susto
• "Simple Man" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
• "My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue)" - Neil Young

For The Country Music Lovers

Because no road trip is complete without a little bit of Willie and Dolly, we made sure to add a few of our favorite country road trip songs to this playlist.

• "Jolene" - Dolly Parton
• "Georgia On My Mind" - Willie Nelson
• "9 to 5" - Dolly Parton
• "A Thing Called Love" - Johnny Cash
• "Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" - Willie Nelson
• "Here You Come Again" - Dolly Parton

What songs are a must for your road trip playlist? What songs do you think we should add? Let us know!

Related Articles

The 50 Most Essential Songs for Your Perfect Road Trip Playlist

Ready to hit the open road? Load up your playlist with these songs first.

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Car-culture tunes cross musical genres as seamlessly as changing lanes, moving between classic country, heavy metal, folk, funk, and rap. Whether you're in the mood for Rihanna or the Ramones, we've put together an eclectic list of the 50 best road trip songs to keep you humming along your journey. (Pro-tip: Once your road trip playlist is all loaded up, don't forget to download some audiobooks and plan a few games too.)

"Holiday Road" by Lindsey Buckingham

Even if you’re stuck driving a Family Truckster, this song will take you right back to carefree days. (Who else thought this was Kenny Loggins?)

RELATED:  The Quintessential Best Summer Songs From the Last 60 Years

"Radar Love" by Golden Earring

You may not be able to name another song the Dutch band Golden Earring recorded, but this classic 1973 hit combines "midnight love" with the drive-all-night ballad for a road trip win.

"Ramblin' Man" by The Allman Brothers Band

A seventies version of the age-old musical trope of people who call the road their home and can't be burdened with staying in one place (see also: "Brandy," "Take It Easy" and "Me and Bobby McGee").

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"Little Red Corvette" by Prince

Songs about cars are a favorite subset of the road trip song genre, and Prince sets the bar high with this song about a "car" (ahem) that goes too fast.

"Hot Rod Lincoln" by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen

This rockabilly tribute to racing cars was first recorded in 1955 but has been covered by lots of fast-picking twangy guitarists since, most famously in 1971 by Commander Cody.

"Shut Up And Drive" by Rihanna

Everything about this song is engineered to pop perfection: Her purring vocals, bouncy melody, and double entendres. Every girlfriends' weekend playlist needs some RiRi — and one that starts with a road trip needs this song.

"No Sleep Till Brooklyn" by Beastie Boys

This Beastie Boys hit from their first album,  Licensed to Ill , hits two well-traveled road trip sub-genres: the musician-singing-about-being-on-the-road genre and the paean to a specific destination. It's guaranteed to add a little energy to the playlist and revive the driver.

"Rocket 88" by Ike Turner (Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats)

Recording as Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats, Ike Turner was instrumental in turning the key and igniting rock and roll with this jumping twelve-bar blues composition. You can feel the purring power of the car, and the undeniable attraction of going too fast. (Rocket 88 was a nickname for the recently minted Oldsmobile 88.)

"Road to Nowhere" by Talking Heads

You can feel good about getting lost with this tribute to a long aimless drive. Embrace the opportunity to yip, yodel, and scat along with lead singer David Byrne.

"Fun, Fun, Fun" by The Beach Boys

America's romance with the car had been jumpstarted by the end of WWII, but it really hit cruising speed in the 1960s with groups like The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean singing about being teenagers, driving fast cars, and having fun. 

"On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson wrote his first song at nine years old and hasn't stopped yet, even at 87. This heartfelt love song for a life of touring with musician friends was reportedly written on the back of an airplane airsickness bag.

"Highway to Hell" by AC/DC

Here we have the perfect soundtrack to every miserable traffic jam along your road trip. Bon Scott's guttural vocals make singing along particularly satisfying when frustrated by a standstill.

"I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash

This fast-paced litany of geographic destinations is the more entertaining musical version of sitting through someone else's travel slideshow. Johnny Cash takes a 1959 Australian song (in which all the destinations are Down Under) and makes it his own.

"Drive My Car" by The Beatles

Not only does this song benefit from Paul McCartney's perfect formula for delicious pop confection, its final verse, "Beep beep'm beep beep yeah" is irresistible.

"Semi-Crazy" by Junior Brown

No road trip playlist is complete without a trucker song. Austin musician Junior Brown recorded arguably the perfect one, complete with twanging solos on his unique double-neck guitar: half electric, half pedal steel.

"State Trooper" by Bruce Springsteen

Pretty much every song on Springsteen's 1982 album Nebraska  involves cars and driving, usually at night, but there's an urgency to "State Trooper" that is familiar to any driver who's flown past a speed trap and hoped not to get pulled over. 

"Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X

Not only does this 2019 blockbuster combine Lil Nas X's rap and trap music bona fides with some classic country elements (banjo! Billy Ray Cyrus!), it even samples a song by industrial rock group, Nine Inch Nails. Besides being catchy and fun, the song made history by simultaneously appearing on both country and hip-hop charts.

"Mercury Blues" by Alan Jackson

You may think that a love song to a brand of car was written by an advertising executive, but this song was first recorded in 1948 by a blues musician from Mississippi. Lots of bands have covered "Mercury Blues" but country boy Alan Jackson had a hit with it in 2010, the year that Mercurys were discontinued.

"Low Rider" by War

The revving engine, the insistent riff of the saxophone, singer Charles Miller's Mariana Trench – deep repetition of "Low. Ri. Der" — no wonder the Chicago Tribune called this song the "quintessential cruising song."

"Truckin'" by Grateful Dead

Every playlist meant for driving should probably include a song that repeats "what a long, strange trip it's been" a few times. This particular Dead song has been singled out for recognition not just by Rolling Stone and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but in 1997, the Library of Congress declared it a national treasure.

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70s Road Trip Spotify - Best Traveling Songs of 70s (Car Music 70s)

Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (Official Music Video) [4K Remaster]

Queen - Don't Stop Me Now (Official Video)

Haddaway - Lift Your Head Up

David Bowie - Rebel Rebel

Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video) [HD]

Elton John - Your Song (Top Of The Pops 1971)

Benson Boone - Slow It Down (Official Music Video)

America - A Horse With No Name (Official Audio)

Boston - More Than a Feeling (Official HD Video)

Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing (Official Music Video)

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song (Live 1972) (Official Video)

Fleetwood Mac - The Chain (Official Audio)

Led Zeppelin - Kashmir (Live from Celebration Day) (Official Video)

The Cure - Boys Don't Cry

Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven (Official Audio)

Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky (Official Video)

Neil Young - Heart of Gold (Official Audio)

Kansas - Dust in the Wind (Official Video)

Elton John - Tiny Dancer

Kansas - Carry on Wayward Son (Official Video)

Carly Simon - You're So Vain

MIRA - Ring, Ring | Official Video

Bee Gees - Night Fever

Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Official Audio)

The Police - Message In A Bottle (Official Music Video)

Give A Little Bit

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) (Official Music Video)

MIRA - Ladida | Lyric Video

Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion

Queen - Somebody To Love (Official Video)

Electric Light Orchestra - Don't Bring Me Down (Official Video)

Reelin' In The Years

Gerry Rafferty - Right Down the Line (Lyric Video)

MIRA - Duro | Lyric Video

The Knack - My Sharona (Official Music Video)

Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side (Official Audio)

Band On The Run (2010 Remaster)

Bachman Turner Overdrive - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet 1974 Video Sound HQ

John Denver - Annie's Song (Official Audio)

MIRA - Bad Booty | Official Video

Iggy Pop - The Passenger (Official Video)

Do It Again

Electric Light Orchestra - Livin' Thing (Official Video)

Billy Ocean - Love Really Hurts Without You (Official Audio)

MIRA - Come With Me (Official Music Video)

Carole King - It's Too Late (Official Audio)

American Girl

Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Official Audio)

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The essential country music road trip playlist

Posted: April 28, 2024 | Last updated: April 28, 2024

One of the most important parts of planning a road trip — even before you head to the gas station or pack the snacks — is curating the right playlist. If you're a country music fan, you're fortunate in that the genre is positively replete with songs that are perfect to crank loud while you're driving the open road.

Flip through the slideshow below for 20 essential country road trip tunes, from classics like Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again" to Luke Combs's chart-topping cover of "Fast Car." 

"On The Road Again," Willie Nelson

No road trip would be complete without Willie Nelson's 1980 classic "On The Road Again," perfect for when you're traveling with a big group of friends for a weekend getaway. 

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"Amarillo By Morning," George Strait

George Strait's seminal 1973 song "Amarillo By Morning," about a broken-down rodeo cowboy making his way around the country, is a perfect song to blare while you're driving through the vast expanses of the American West. 

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"King of the Road," Roger Miller

If you've ever had to travel on a budget, you can probably relate to the vagabond protagonist in "King of the Road." It's been a country road trip staple since 1965, and is perfect for a group singalong in the car when everyone's starting to get a little sleepy. 

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"80s Mercedes," Maren Morris

Whether or not you're a "'90s baby," anyone can appreciate the breezy, top-down vibes of Maren Morris's "80s Mercedes." Even if you're not driving a convertible, roll the windows down and turn the volume up when this one comes on. 

"Wagon Wheel," Darius Rucker

Originally recorded by Old Crow Medicine Show, with lyrics by Bob Dylan, "Wagon Wheel" is a road trip staple, especially for anyone who's traveling through the Southeastern United States. And even if you're not "headed down south to the land of the pines," this song is perfect for any destination. 

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"Heads Carolina, Tails California," Jo Dee Messina

Even if it isn't possible for most of us do something as spontaneous as choosing your vacation destination with the flip of a coin, it's still fun to daydream about the prospect while listening to Jo Dee Messina sing "Heads Carolina, Tails California" while driving down the highway. 

"East Bound and Down," Jerry Reed

Heading east? This Jerry Reed classic is the perfect way to get in the mood for a long drive, and no one will blame you for (safely) pretending like you're living in that scene from "Smokey and the Bandit" when it starts playing over the speakers. 

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"Traveller," Chris Stapleton

"Traveller," the title track of Chris Stapleton's smash debut album, is a must for anyone who's got a heavy case of wanderlust. 

"Jackson," Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

Even if you don't quite have the vocal prowess of Johnny & June, grab your significant other and head out on the road while playing "Jackson," a perfect song for even the happiest couples to harmonize to in the car. 

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"Life Is A Highway," Rascal Flatts

Okay, it's a little cheesy, but there's no denying the appeal of blaring "Life Is A Highway" while you're speeding down an actual highway headed toward a killer vacation. 

"Toes," Zac Brown Band

If you're driving toward a beachy destination, make sure that "Toes" is definitely on your road trip playlist. While you're stuck in traffic, it's a good reminder to think about all the relaxing on the sand you'll be doing as soon as you arrive. 

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"Wide Open Spaces," The Chicks

If you've ever driven across the great state of Texas, you quickly get the idea of what "Wide Open Spaces" is talking about. Add it to your playlist, and spend a little time contemplating the gorgeous scenery while the Chicks harmonize. 

"Take Me Home, Country Roads," John Denver

Arguably best saved for your return trip home, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is ideal for those moments when you're trying to stay motivated to finish those last few hours of driving. 

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"Fast Car," Luke Combs

Luke Combs's take on Tracy Chapman's much-revered "Fast Car" is currently burning up the country charts, and for good reason. It's faithful to the original, perfect for blaring while you contemplate life on your long drive. 

"Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood

Even if you haven't been through a break-up recently, anyone can enjoy singing about smashing someone's headlights with a baseball bat at the top of their lungs, especially if you've got a car full of folks with that same energy. 

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"Sweet Home Alabama," Lynyrd Skynyrd

Sure, it's technically Southern rock, but Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" is an absolute must for your road trip playlist. That ridiculously catchy melody aside, it's an instant mood boost for when the trip's dragging on a little too long. 

"Settling Down," Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert's 2020 ballad "Settling Down" is essential for anyone who, like Lambert sings in this song, has their "feet on the ground and head up in the clouds." 

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"Red Dirt Road," Brooks & Dunn

Dig deep into your childhood nostalgia with "Red Dirt Road," a song that's all about reliving those memories of driving around on backroads in the past, from legendary '90s duo Brooks & Dunn. 

"I've Been Everywhere," Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash lists off too many American destinations to count in "I've Been Everywhere," making it an obvious addition to the soundtrack for a great American road trip. Even if you're not going to Dayton, Ohio or Tulsa, Oklahoma, the appeal of this song is totally universal. 

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"Let's Go to Vegas," Faith Hill

Even though this song is about running off and eloping in Las Vegas, it's can also be a perfectly acceptable soundtrack for a girls' trip. Put on your rhinestones and feather boas, crank the music, and get ready to "bet on love and let it ride," as Faith Hill sings. 

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Louisiana entertainment: Changes to sports betting, a road-trip song, and top festivals

This week's entertainment news features the changes to sports betting in Louisiana, and, for travelers, Imagination Movers has you covered with the perfect family road trip song. Some south Louisiana festivals were named among nation's 10 best.

Changes in sports betting

Louisiana legalized sports betting in 2020 and issued its first licenses to sports books in 2021. Last month, at the start of the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, NCAA President Charlie Baker encouraged states to consider banning the prop bets on individual athletes.

Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns said the state will outlaw what are known as proposition bets on college players beginning in August because of rising threats against athletes when they don't cover the bets.

What do you need to know about the ban? Louisiana is banning certain sports bets

Family road trip Fun

For any family road trip this spring break or summer, this rock band and Emmy-winning Disney Junior TV series is creating the perfect music playlist for any family adventure.

The Imagination Movers' new song titled "Road Trip" from their upcoming album is the perfect addition to any family playlist this summer. Plus, thanks to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Chamber Singers, some of the kiddie songs start off with a choir, according to a news release.

Top festivals in the South

South Louisiana festivals named among nation's 10 best in USA Today Readers Choice Awards. Rougarou Fest has been rated one of the nation's 10 best cultural festivals in a nationwide  competition . Two New Orleans festivals also made the list. Foret said this year's festival, set for Oct. 18-20, is significant because the number 13 is special in the rougarou lore.

What other festivals made the list? South Louisiana festivals named among nation's 10 best in USA TODAY Readers Choice Awards