long drive road trip songs

Join our Adventure: Get all my insider tips for motorhoming & road trips

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!)

JUMP AHEAD TO...

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

This form subscribes you to our mailing list. We share tips, itineraries, stupid mistakes and guides like this for road trippers and motorhomers.

We never spam (yuck) and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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!

Similar Posts

Does YOUR Road Trip need these? The Best Travel & Road Trip Gadgets

10 Essential items you need in a Motorhome or car first aid kit (Europe)

Jackery Explorer 500 UK review- DON’T buy before you read this…

REVIEWED: Best Travel Drones for Beginners & Pros

45 best Motorhome, Caravan & Vanlife mugs

ECOFLOW River Review: Don’t Buy before you read this

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 !!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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!!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

The 50 Best Road Trip Songs to Sing on a Long Drive

Roll down the windows and start with some Smokey Robinson.

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

The beauty of road trip music is that it can encompass pretty much any genre. You've got your classics like Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere" and Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," as well as songs that embrace the joy of the long drive.

Some tracks romanticize automobile-centric cities like Los Angeles (LL Cool J's "Going Back to Cali," Anderson .Paak's "Tints"), while others are just tailor-made for the open road (Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," Tom Cochrane's "Life is a Highway"). These 50 tracks will give you a head start on assembling a great road trip playlist, something that will help your next car journey be smooth sailing, even if you hit a few potholes along the way.

"Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf

There's no better song to jump-start your road trip than Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild." Though the 1967 rock 'n' roll ditty is commonplace on movie soundtracks today, its opening lyrics will inspire you take to the open road with a carefree spirit: "Get your motor runnin', head out on the highway. Looking for adventure in whatever comes our way."

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers

You may not be walking 500 miles, but The Proclaimers' 1987 pop hit will add some pep to any long road trip.

"Despacito" by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee

We have it on good authority that "Despacito" is one of Oprah's modern favorites, so of course it had to make it on our best road trip songs list.

"Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

This folksy, nostalgic hit will warm you heart as the miles lessen and you get closer and closer to...home.

"Tints" by Anderson .Paak ft. Kendrick Lamar

Two of California's most gifted vocalists pay homage to to their home state's vaunted car culture on "Tints," which also explores how celebrity can turn one into a target. Musically, the bouncy funk beat from .Paak himself and Om'Mas Keith is perfect for gliding down the PCH.

"Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra

We can't even explain it, but Electric Light's optimistic "Mr. Blue Sky" just  sounds  like a sunny road trip. 

"Two Of Us" by The Beatles

This underrated Beatles track, written by both John Lennon and Paul McCartney, is just what you and your bestie need while cruising the day away.

"Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root

If you're perfectly content with whatever destination you're heading towards, this 1990 single from Rusted Root is just the upbeat song for you.

"Gasolina" by Daddy Yankee

Get the road trip party going with this reggaeton track that will have the base pumping—if you're into that sort of thing.  

"Let It Whip" by Dazz Band

Add some energy to your trip with this disco bop that's basically guaranteed to get you moving—as much as you can—while stuck in the car.

"9 to 5" by Dolly Parton

With its catchy and upbeat tune, ironically this iconic track in which Dolly croons about the woes of an 8-hour work day, will make your drive seem like nothing. 

"Conga" by Gloria Estefan

Let Queen Gloria Estefan take you for a spin with this super-80s track that's an instant mood booster.

"Every Little Step" by Bobby Brown

Throw it back to 1988 and groove along to this soulful song that's sure to clear your mind as you get closer to your destination. Some would say with... every little step? 

"Cruisin'" by Smokey Robinson

As the Motown legend croons on the soulful 1979 track, "let the music take your mind" off whatever problems you may have before getting in the driver's seat. It's a mellow groove that'll get you to bob your head and snap your fingers while passing traffic lights and open fields.

"Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake

Don't worry when passersby and drivers in the next lane do a double take as you mouth the lyrics to this 1978 karaoke favorite. It's a universally loved power ballad celebrated for its encouraging message of independence after heartbreak.

"Don't Tell Me" by Madonna

Madonna's foray into country and dance music was a breath of fresh air in 2000. And when "Don't Tell Me" shuffles on your playlist, you'll be tempted to pull over and belt out every note to this catchy tune.

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Ready to sit back and unwind? Cue up DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith 's quintessential hip-hop summer jam. It's an absolute must to keep you distracted, instead of counting the miles you have left to go.

"1979" by Smashing Pumpkins

For a touch of nostalgia, play the Smashing Pumpkins's signature "1979," which is an ode to the angst and confusion every teenager experiences. It isn't a fast-paced song, making it ideal to rocking out to while on cruise control.

"Little Deuce Coupe" by The Beach Boys

Proud of yourself and the car you're riding around in? Play this braggadocios 1963 song to show how much you love yourself and your brand new wheels.

"A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton

Hey, if it's good enough for five best friends to sing along to while driving—remember that scene in White Chicks?— then it's certainly good enough to blast in your car. Bonus points for keeping one hand on the steering wheel while miming Vanessa Carlton's piano playing with the other. Safety, first, of course.

Michelle is the Culture & News Writer for OprahMag.com, where she writes about celebrities (she considers herself an expert on Beyoncé and Reese Witherspoon), plus the latest in pop-culture news, binge-worthy TV shows, and movies. The transplanted Southerner turned ambitious New Yorker lives her best life by listening to hip-hop and Pod Save America, watching The Office on repeat, quoting Oprah-isms, eating dessert before dinner, and avoiding avocado. Seriously, she doesn’t get the hype.

It should say, “Michelle is the former Culture & News Writer for Oprahmag.com...”

Grant Rindner is a culture and music journalist in New York. He has written for Billboard, Complex, and i-D, among other outlets.

Summer Ideas and Essentials

19 Plus-Size Cover-Ups You’ll Live in All Summer

25 Comfortable Wedges You Can Actually Walk In

Editor-Tested and Recommended Packing Cubes

Best Backpacks for Work, Travel

The Best Wireless Bras for All-Day Support

Stylish Matching Sets Just in Time for Summer

Fabulous Summer Pants for Every Occasion

8 Worry-Free Waterproof Sneakers for Women

24 Travel Outfit Essentials for Women

The Best Fanny Packs for Hands-Free Travel

15 Best Beach Hats for Sunny Days Ahead

Paul Phear 1pm - 4pm

Now Playing

Real Gone Kid Deacon Blue Download 'Real Gone Kid' on iTunes

The 25 greatest driving songs ever for the perfect road trip playlist

1 April 2020, 16:07 | Updated: 1 April 2020, 16:12

By Tom Eames

There's nothing quite like a long road trip with your perfect music blaring through the speakers while you sing at the top of your voice (being in tune is an optional bonus).

In case you're looking for the ideal songs for a road trip playlist, we've put together some classic songs we reckon are perfect for such an occasion.

Don Henley - 'Boys of Summer'

Don Henley - The Boys Of Summer (1984) HD

Whether it's summer or not, this song will always make you feel sunny and slick.

Bryan Adams - 'Run To You'

Bryan Adams - Run To You (Official Music Video)

OK, the lyrics might be about Bryan being naughty with another woman, but the whole vibe of the song shouts 'let's drive!'.

Fleetwood Mac - 'Go Your Own Way'

Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way (Official Music Video)

The ultimate 'we've just broken up, but that's just the beginning of a new chapter' song.

Eagles - 'Take It Easy'

Take It Easy (2013 Remaster)

The Eagles always have a road trip mood about their music, but this one is all about feeling laid back and fancy free.

Whitesnake - 'Here I Go Again'

Whitesnake - Here I Go Again '87 (Official Music Video)

You might be going down the only road you've ever known, but you'll do it while rocking out.

Toto - 'Africa'

Toto - Africa (Official Music Video)

Read more: The Story... 'Africa'

It will be physically impossible to not scream the chorus as loud as you can. Congratulations if you manage the harmonies.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - 'Sweet Home Alabama'

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

This song will make you feel like you're from America's South while you tap along on the steering wheel.

Boston - 'More than a Feeling'

Boston - More Than a Feeling

A song that seems to present nothing but optimistic feelings about life and beyond, complete with the highest vocal you'll ever hear in a rock song.

Yes - 'Owner of a Lonely Heart'

YES - Owner of a Lonely Heart (Official Music Video)

Moody, but perfect for the road. A real wheel-tapper.

Fleetwood Mac - 'The Chain'

Fleetwood Mac - The Chain (Official Music Video)

Even if this wasn't the Formula One theme tune for years, this would still be the ultimate driving song.

Roy Orbison - 'I Drove All Night'

Roy Orbison - I Drove All Night (Official Video)

The clue is in the title.

Rod Stewart - 'Young Turks'

Rod Stewart - Young Turks (Official Video)

"Young hearts, be free tonight". Absolutely, Rod!

The Doobie Brothers - 'Long Train Runnin''

Long Train Runnin'

We almost went for 'What a Fool Believes', but this summery track by the Doobies just about clinches a spot on the road trip list.

Van Halen - 'Jump'

Van Halen - Jump (Official Music Video)

"I get up, and nothin' gets me down..." Nothing but positive vibes, here.

America - 'Ventura Highway'

Ventura Highway

The ideal song to be driving with the roof down on a summer's day without a care in the world.

Golden Earring - 'Radar Love'

We're pretty sure the term 'driving song' was invented after this song was released.

Steppenwolf - 'Born to be Wild'

Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild (Easy Rider) (1969)

Normally associated with motorbikes rather than cars, but it's all the same ballpark, right?

Prince - 'Little Red Corvette'

Prince - Little Red Corvette (Official Music Video)

A classic Prince driving anthem, and it's just a bonus that there's a car make in the title.

Bruce Springsteen - 'Born to Run'

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (Official Music Video)

Or drive, even. A freedom anthem perfect for the road.

The Proclaimers - 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'

HIMYM - 500 Miles

Just don't have this as the only song in your tape deck (see above!).

Kenny Loggins - 'Danger Zone'

Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone (Video)

The song to make you feel like you're peak Tom Cruise in Top Gun on the way to a top secret mission.

ELO - 'Mr Blue Sky'

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

Read more: The Story of... 'Mr Blue Sky'

You won't fail to have a massive grin on your face as you head on down the highway to this pop/rock/opera anthem.

Christopher Cross - 'Ride Like the Wind'

Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind

Yacht rock at its absolute best.

Willie Nelson - 'On the Road Again'

Willie Nelson - On The Road Again (Official Audio)

If there's anyone who sums up 'life on the ol' dusty trail', it's Willie.

Bruce Hornsby - 'The Way It Is'

The Way It Is

The piano riff alone just makes us want to be out in our car as the sun sets for hours on end.

More Song Lists

See more More Song Lists

Kelly Clarkson's 10 best songs, ranked

Kelly Clarkson

Lenny Kravitz's 10 greatest songs, ranked

Duran duran's 10 greatest songs ever, ranked.

Duran Duran

Coldplay's 20 greatest ever songs, ranked

Reba mcentire's 15 best songs ever, ranked, more features.

See more More Features

Freddie Mercury facts: Queen singer's career, family, real name, relationships and death explained

Freddie Mercury

Brian May facts: Queen guitarist's age, wife, children, songs and career revealed

The beatles biopics: release date, cast, plot, director and soundtrack for the four official movies, watch mrs doubtfire crash the smooth radio studio.

TV & Film

When Barry Gibb and son Stephen sang incredible acoustic duet of Bee Gees' 'Words' and 'Stayin' Alive'

Smooth playlists, smooth's all time top 500, smooth soul, smooth country hot hits, smooth chill concentration, smooth podcast picks, they don't teach this at school with myleene klass, take that: this life, runpod with jenni falconer, the news agents.

20 Road Trip Songs Made for Long Drives & Better Memories

Pandemic restrictions are dwindling, and it's time to get on the road again ! Many people agree that they cannot go anywhere without a proper road trip playlist. Road trip songs are important for a great trip and so your whole party can sing along while passing through the USA.

Do not head out on your road trip without the following list of best songs (in no particular order)!

20 Road Trip Songs Made for Long Drives & Better Memories

"darlington county" by bruce springsteen.

This is a great song off probably the most recognizable album that Springsteen has ever done called Born in the U.S.A. The self-titled track as well as "Born to Run" are often favorited. However, the whole album is pretty sweet, and this song is a testament to that.

"Georgia On My Mind" By Willie Nelson

Since you've probably already played " On the Road Again ," this song will slow down the pace with some beautiful harmonica and piano.

"For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" by AC/DC

The obvious choice for a road trip song would be " Highway to Hell ." However, this song is way better... Enjoy!

"Life in the Fast Lane" by The Eagles

Related content, 15 best driving songs to start your road trip right, 20 songs of the 1970s that were made for road trips, the greatest driving songs of the 1980s, ranked.

While the easy choice is " Take it Easy ," our editorial team has already suggested this song on multiple occasions. The Eagles are an awesome band with so many great tunes—this one is off the 1976 album called Hotel California .

"Little Red Corvette" by Prince

Whether you listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, or Amazon—you better be driving a fast car when this Prince song comes on.

"California Girls" by The Beach Boys

Everyone has a different mission when they go on a road trip. The Beach Boys apparently got to meet every type of lady around the U.S. While not all of us can be that lucky, we can at least put this on in the car and daydream...

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles

Find the way of the road to the tune of The Beatles. This specific video combines "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" with another great song that blends oh-so-well called "With A Little Help from My Friends." This 1967 album is always great to go back and listen all the way through—especially on a long drive.

"Go Your Own Way" By Fleetwood Mac

The song "Go Your Own Way" is from the 1977 album called Rumours . The entire album is absolutely legendary and deserves its own special place along your next road trip.

"Candyman" by The Grateful Dead

The key to a great road trip is to keep " Truckin " along to the Dead. These guys are the definition of a trip—the cross-country journey you're planning is much different. Either way, this song comes from the 1970 album called American Beauty .

"Somebody's Baby" by Jackson Browne

This song fits right into a great road trip playlist. Jackson Browne recorded this song especially for the classic 1982 movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High . This song screams, "80s music!" Watch the movie, hear the song, and heed Spicolli's advice : "People on ludes should not drive."

"I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado" by John Denver

RELATED: Customize Your California Road Trip

John Denver is necessary for every road trip playlist. Everyone usually thinks of the classic, " Take Me Home, Country Roads ." However, Denver has many, many hits—this particular song from the 1971 album called "Poems, Prayers, and Promises."

"Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Cruise the open road to this tune from the 1973 album titled Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd .

"Burning Down the House" by The Talking Heads

If you're running on empty this track will get you going. This song from the 1983 album Speaking in Tongues is nothing but good vibes.

"Beast of Burden" by The Rolling Stones

Take a deep breath and turn this one up! The Rolling Stones have too many great songs to mention—but this is a start. If you want more, run through this whole album from 1978 called Some Girls .

"I Am the Highway" by Audioslave

This jam appears on Audioslave's self-titled album which was released in 2002. This song in particular is quite fitting for your next road trip. The whole album deserves a spin if you're travel plans give you enough time to do so (RIP Chris Cornell).

"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman

This is one of the most popular songs that your local band will cover at the pub down the street. And it will do just fine for your next road trip as well. The track can be found on Tracy Chapman's self-titled album released in 1988.

"Pegasus" by The Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band is a renowned group with many great songs and albums. This one in particular is awesme for driving and featured on the 1979 record called Enlightened Rogues .

"Find Your Way Back Home" by Dishwalla

This song is from the American Pie soundtrack and quite fitting for a road trip playlist. Unless you're driving or watching the movie, you'll probably never hear it anywhere else—so, enjoy.

"Movin' Out" by Billy Joel

For some reason this song just feels good to drive along to—maybe it's the "Cadillac-ac-ac" reference? Anyway, the song is from the classic 1977 album titled The Stranger .

"Mississippi Queen" by Mountain

This song just goes when you're driving. "Do you know what I mean?" The song was released in 1970 on the album Climbing!

Tunes of Honorable Mention

https://youtu.be/GKY—qaHWSw

It's a long road and you might need more than 20 songs. So here you go...

Add songs from the following bands to your road trip playlist: The Who , Tame Impala , Johnny Cash , Ray Charles , Red Hot Chili Peppers , Sheryl Crow , Steppenwolf , Whitesnake , Gregory Isaacs , Black Sabbath , Metallica , and Tom Cochrane .

You now have a list of some of the best songs of all time. You're welcome

Are you planning a road trip around the USA? Share your adventure at our  Wide Open Roads Facebook !

READ MORE: Route 66: Here Are 20 Roadside Attractions for Your Next Trip

You might also like.

11 Memorable Road Trip Songs of the 1990s, Ranked

5 Songs About Cars on Our Driving Playlist

Why "Fishin’ in the Dark" Is the Best Fishing Song Ever

Road Trip Essentials to Have for a Smooth Journey

The 25 Most Popular Road Trip Songs

By michele debczak | jul 29, 2022.

The road trip is a great American tradition , and so is the road trip playlist. No matter how many podcasts and audiobooks you load up on your phone, spending hours in a car with loved ones usually leads to a sing-a-long. If you're looking for some musical inspiration before hitting the road this summer , check out the most popular road trip songs according to Spotify.

To find out which tracks drivers are most likely to blast while cruising down the interstate, Big Domain analyzed 50 Spotify playlists with “road trip“ in the title. The vacation rental site identified a few running themes, including ’80s power ballads and pop hits from the 2000s.

“ Don't Stop Believin ’” by Journey is the No.1 song featured on road trip playlists, followed by Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.“ Millennial road-trippers may be more likely to drive to “Home“ by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and “Mr. Brightside“ by The Killers. Though most songs on the list appeal to nostalgia, a few newer tracks are featured, including “Blinding Lights“ by The Weeknd from 2020.

If you've been assigned DJ duties on your next car trip, you can read the full list of the most popular road trip songs below for inspiration. (You can also steal the whole playlist from Spotify —we promise your travel companions will never know.) If you’re still planning your route, check out these fascinating roadside attractions from each state.

• “Don't Stop Believin’” // Journey
• “Sweet Home Alabama“ // Lynyrd Skynyrd
• “Riptide“ // Vance Joy
• “Home“ // Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
• “Livin’ On A Prayer“ // Bon Jovi
• “Mr. Brightside“ // The Killers
• “Pumped Up Kicks“ // Foster The People
• “Counting Stars“ // OneRepublic
• “Africa“ // TOTO
• “Blinding Lights“ // The Weeknd
• “Hey, Soul Sister“ // Train
• “Party In The U.S.A.“ // Miley Cyrus
• “Royals“ // Lorde
• “Shotgun“ // George Ezra
• “All Star“ // Smash Mouth
• “Free Fallin’” // Tom Petty
• “Ophelia“ // The Lumineers
• “Payphone“ // Maroon 5
• “Stolen Dance“ // Milky Chance
• “Sucker“ // Jonas Brothers
• “The Middle“ // Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey
• “Watermelon Sugar“ // Harry Styles
• “We Are Young“ // fun., Janelle Monáe
• “Break My Heart“ // Dua Lipa
• “Brown Eyed Girl“ // Van Morrison

• Latest News

‘When I Look In Your Eyes’: Diana Krall’s Breakthrough Album

Motown at the movies: the sound of reel america, best four tops songs: 20 essential soul classics, ‘horizon’: another hit album comes into view for the carpenters, best jam & lewis songs: 20 classic r&b tunes, ‘i’ll never be in love again’: don williams‘ classy country shines, innocence and endless promise: elton john’s ‘empty sky’ debut, pete townshend to release massive live concert compilation set, frank zappa ‘whisky a go go’ series returns with episode three, ice spice announces debut album ‘y2k,’ preps global tour, sylvester’s iconic san francisco opera house performance to be released, abba members receive swedish knighthood honor, gracie abrams announces north american headlining tour in support of ‘the secret of us’, henry mancini’s ‘the pink panther’ receives new version starring lizzo and sir james galway, head out on the highway: the 25 best road trip songs.

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”.

Justin Bieber, Andy Grammer, And Rockwell: Currently Trending Songs

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

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

18 must-have songs for your road trip playlist this summer

• Due to the coronavirus pandemic, summer travel will look different this year, as more people will forego planes and trains for road trips.
• As any experienced road-tripper will tell you, picking the music is one of the most important parts.
• Insider picked 18 songs that are perfect for any adventure, from "Drive My Car" by The Beatles to "Ride Wit Me" by Nelly.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

As summer approaches, it  normally  would mean that summer vacations are also on the horizon. This year, however, due to COVID-19, social distancing, and self-isolating, it seems like road-tripping will be the way to go for many people.

Crafting a road trip playlist is something of an art form, and can really make or break the hours (or days) spent inside your car. We've created a playlist of 16 songs that are all about driving, traveling, the open road, and adventure — and two that are just mandatory road trip songs.

Keep scrolling to see the 18 best songs for your next road trip.

Some songs demand to be blasted right at the beginning of a road trip — AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" is one of them.

Listen to the song here.

On the other hand, some songs need to be listened to while staring out of a rainy car window, like "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson.

No song is more enthusiastic about a long drive than Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."

No road trip playlist is complete without the Nat King Cole Trio's ode to the most famous highway in the US: "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66."

Either Tom Cochrane's original version, or the cover by Rascal Flatts, of "Life Is a Highway" is a must-have —maybe both!

Listen to the original version here and listen to the Rascal Flatts version here .

"Little Red Corvette" by Prince will make you feel cool, no matter what car you're driving.

The Beatles had no shortage of songs about traveling, driving, and cars. "Day Tripper" is one of the two best ones.

"Drive My Car" is the other.

From one British boy band to another ... "Ready to Run" by One Direction also deserves a spot for all the millennials and Gen-Z kids getting dragged along on the trip.

"Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant will make you feel like you're flying down the highway.

So will Matthew Wilder's '80s bop, "Break My Stride."

One of the most famous odes to getting the heck out of Dodge is Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run."

The opening saxophone riff to "Run Away With Me" by Carly Rae Jepsen will have you already planning your next road trip, just to listen to this song with the windows down again.

Nelly's iconic hit "Ride Wit Me" was made for cruising.

Even if you're in a minivan, "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf will make you feel like you're riding down the highway on a motorcycle, like in "Easy Rider."

Rihanna telling you to "Shut Up and Drive" will motivate you to power through those last 50 miles like no other song.

While Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" isn't technically about driving, a road trip, or traveling, no road trip playlist is complete without it. It demands to be listened to on the highway at full volume.

The same goes for The Killers' "Mr. Brightside." It's appropriate in all situations, including a road trip.

• 17 stunning roads in the US you should drive before you die
• 10 ways road trips have changed over the years — and they're all for the better
• 22 vintage photos show Americans embarking on cross-country road trips in the 1960s
• It took me 96 hours to ride an Amtrak train from coast to coast. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

• Main content

The Essential Songs Every Road Trip Playlist Needs

Download these classic tunes before you hit the open road—because all long drives are best enjoyed with good music at top volume..

• Copy Link copied

Keep these songs blasting on your next U.S. road trip.

Photo by Paul Trienekens/Unsplash

Windows down, music blasting, scenic landscapes all around—these elements are all crucial for a road trip . Long drives are just one of the many ways that travelers can move from one destination to another, but they’re particularly special because they allow for uninterrupted soundtracks. And the real magic of these road adventures takes place on the journey, in moments that are enhanced by a spectacular playlist.

We polled AFAR staffers about the timeless tunes they love to play during their road trip travels. Even if you don’t have a long drive planned, these 20 classic road trip songs might inspire you to go on a cross-country adventure.

During the early stretch . . .

“road to nowhere” by talking heads.

Every road trip involves a little bit of getting lost, and it’s during those moments that this Talking Heads hit is most uplifting. Written by David Byrne for the 1985 album Little Creatures, “Road to Nowhere” is intended to present a “resigned, even joyful look at doom,” according to album liner notes from Byrne. With lyrics like, “Taking that ride to nowhere / We’ll take that ride . . .” this song is all about enjoying the ebb and flow of adventure.

“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman

Opening with the lyrics, “You got a fast car / I want a ticket to anywhere,” this tune tells the story of a person imagining life in a different place. Escape and the desire to get out on the road are central themes of the song, which is why Chapman’s 1988 record is a great addition to any cross-country playlist.

“Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root

Simply put, “Send Me on My Way” is a joyous-sounding tune worth blasting (loudly) on any type of escapade. The song doesn’t detail a particular narrative, but sonically, it exudes an extremely carefree sentiment. Plus, lyrics like: “I would like to reach out my hand / I may see you, I may tell you to run / You know what they say about the young” add to the encouragement of adventure.

“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead

On long road trips, it’s necessary to up the in-car energy level for both the driver and passengers every now and then. McFadden & Whitehead’s soulful 1970s hit always does the trick, with lyrics like “Ain’t no stoppin’ us now / We’re on the move (yeah) / Ain’t no stoppin’ us now” set against the backdrop of an undeniable disco groove.

“Wild Horses” by The Flying Burrito Brothers

“Wild Horses” was originally written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for the Rolling Stones’s 1971 album Sticky Fingers . But Gram Parsons, a member of The Flying Burrito Brothers (and a longtime friend of Richards’s) asked the musicians for permission to release a version of the song by his band. The Flying Burrito Brothers’s recording of “Wild Horses” was released before the Stones’s version. Both tracks serve as an ode to life on the road: In the liner notes of a 1993 Rolling Stones compilation album, Richards explained that the song is about “being a million miles from where you want to be.”

For some musical inspiration . . .

“america” by simon & garfunkel.

This classic song about two lovers’ cross-country journey on a Greyhound bus is an epic anthem for starry-eyed wanderers. It describes the in-between moments of travel—looking out the window, stopping for a cigarette, “counting the cars on the New Jersey turnpike,” and searching for the meaning of life on the open road.

“Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band’s guitarist, Dickey Betts, wrote this loosely autobiographical song about a man who lives in a constant state of travel. The lyrics, “Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man / Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can” are a meditation on what it’s like to move continuously from one place to another—a feeling road-trippers are familiar with, whether the lifestyle is temporary or ongoing.

“Truckin’” by The Grateful Dead

This Grateful Dead tune, penned by Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, and Robert Hunter, turns the band’s experiences on the road into a metaphor for navigating life’s changes. The bluesy song, which was recognized by the U.S. Library of Congress as a national treasure in 1997, ponders existential thoughts, among them: “What a long, strange trip it’s been . . . ”

“Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen

The 1975 jam that propelled Bruce Springsteen (“The Boss”) to rock-and-roll stardom has essentially been solidified as an enduring all-American escape anthem. Throw on the rebellious ballad—which is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” —before cruising down the highway on a sweet joyride.

“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

This classic sing-along is dedicated to Alabama, but the lyrics were actually dreamed up by Lynyrd Skynyrd’s band members Ed King, Gary Rossington, and Ronnie Van Zant—none of whom were from the southern state. Despite the song’s complicated back story , it’s hard to resist belting out the catchy chorus at least once on a U.S. road trip.

When it’s time for a loud sing-along . . .

“tiny dancer” by elton john.

The lyrics to this 1970s hit were inspired by Elton John’s first trip to the United States with cowriter Bernie Taupin. The song was popularized as a road-trip classic after being featured in the 2000 movie Almost Famous. During the scene, disgruntled members of a rock-and-roll band remember why they love each other after singing “Tiny Dancer” in unison on their tour bus.

“I Want to Break Free” by Queen

Queen’s “I Want to Break Free” encapsulates the basic need for independence and exploration. The lyrics tell the story of a restrictive romantic relationship, but when you’re driving on the open road blasting, “When I walk out that door / Oh, how I want to be free, baby . . . ,” those words can stand for so much more.

“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers

This catchy tune by Scottish duo The Proclaimers has the ability to unite an entire car full of people in the act of foot-thumping and over-the-top singing. It’s technically a love song about wanting to be closer to a special someone, but the lyrics focus on the journey itself—and the song’s marching beat is hard to refuse.

“Little Red Corvette” by Prince

“Little Red Corvette” isn’t literally about a speedy vehicle (its lyrics are a metaphor for something slightly more racy). Still, Prince got the idea for the extremely catchy song when he fell asleep in his band member’s 1964 Mercury Montclair Marauder. That car connection has to count for something.

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler

This 1983 hit by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler is more of a love song than a road trip–themed track. But the booming pop ballad is almost irresistible to sing along to—perfect for those extra-long stretches of highway when group morale could use a boost.

“Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty

Tom Petty and cowriter Jeff Lynne recorded this hit song in just two days, though you’d never guess it from the song’s success (it was the highest-charting Hot 100 solo single of Petty’s career). In a 2016 interview with Billboard magazine, Petty explained that the song was inspired by the scenes he observed on his frequent drives throughout Los Angeles. The tune sounds like what it feels like to wander aimlessly—and it’s a pleasure to belt, too.

As the trip comes to a close . . .

“good times roll” by the cars.

When a band named The Cars records a track with the lyrics, “Let the good times roll / Won’t you let the good times roll,” it’s hard not to consider that a perfect road trip song. Slightly cheesy to play on the last leg of a long trip? Maybe. But worth it? Absolutely.

“Moonlight Mile” by The Rolling Stones

According to the songwriter himself, Mick Jagger wrote “Moonlight Mile” about missing home while on the road. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal , the Rolling Stones front man explained that the song was inspired by “looking forward to returning from a foreign place” while staring out the window of a train and “[watching] the images of the railway line going by in the moonlight.”

“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd

The title track on Pink Floyd’s 1975 album is thought to be dedicated to former frontman Syd Barrett , who left the band due to an ongoing struggle with addiction. With its airy instrumentals and pensive lyrics, the song conjures feelings of nostalgia and retrospection—the same feelings that often arise at the close of a meaningful adventure.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver

Although this classic hit mentions the state of West Virginia directly, its homecoming-oriented lyrics can apply to any significant journey nearing its end. Fun fact: John Denver had never been to West Virginia before creating the song —and neither had his cowriters (and close friends) Bill and Taffy Danoff.

>>Next: Download and Buckle Up—These Are the Best Podcasts for Your Next Road Trip

35 English Travel Songs For The Road Trip - Ultimate Travel Playlist

1. fast car- tracy chapman.

This song isn’t about a speed. It is about a couple wanting to get away from everything else and start afresh. It is about change and wanting to escape. Road trips tend to do that, don’t they? There does come a moment when you wish you could abandon everything else and just live life travelling across cities.

2. Hit The Road, Jack- Ray Charles

Can anyone every get bored of this classic? I don’t think so! This is the perfect song for you and your friends to sing along on your way and just enjoy the ride.  The enthusiasm with which Charles sings the song is really infectious and by the time the speakers blare out this song, you realize that it is too late for you to stop grooving a humming to it!

3. Home-Chris Daughtry

This song has just that extra something which makes you want to leave everything else and go home to your loved ones. It gives off that certain sense of nostalgia and a bittersweet feeling that reminds you of all the years that you have been away from home, wandering around. It is then when you feel like starting the engine and head to that place which you call home.

4. Life is a highway- Rascal Flatts

“ Life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long / If you’re going my way, I wanna drive it all night long .” That’s how the song begins. This song is one of those songs which an make a long ride seem a little shorter and on the way, a few strong bonds are made as well (and some mended too).  This song reminds you how long this life is and it is useless to fret upon stupid things. So, share what you have and spread happiness! P.S. – “Life Is a Highway” was originally written and recorded by Canadian songwriter Tom Cochrane, and the Flatts covered it for the  Cars  soundtrack, so it’s loved by little kids and grownups alike.

5. Cruise- Florida Georgia Line

This song is the ultimate windows down sing-along. Just when you think your party on the road is starting to fall slack a little, turn up the volume on this song and everyone’s enjoying the road again!

6. The Zephyr Song- Red Hot Chilli Peppers

This song has the capacity to make one feel the moment from the guts. Your hands immediately start thumping any surface that’s near you and before you know it, you love the song! The feeling of anticipation of reaching the destination and yet enjoying the ride is what this song gives you. If this song had to make you feel anything, it would be the sense of abandonment and an aspect of youth that you might have missed out on.

7. Paradise-Coldplay

There isn’t one single person who doesn’t know the lyrics to this amazing song by Coldplay. This song is guaranteed make you forget about your worries (or diesel/pertrol). Carry on and you’ll reach paradise soon!

8. Home- Phillip Phillips

The magical voice of Phillip Phillips can almost make you miss ‘home’ through this song. The beats that carry through this song furthermore adds to the urgency to be home.

9. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds- The Beatles

How could we forget The Beatles when we are making a playlist? This song by the Beatles is one of their catchiest songs and will definitely get you grooving to its saxophone. Sing along to the song and share your happiness and love!

10. Route 66- Chuck Berry

This song easily captures the love for travelling and the urgency to hit the accelerator pedal! Route 66 will get you dancing on your seat and sing along with Chuck Berry.

You can also check out this  Playlist of Hindi Travel Songs

11. Roadhouse Blues- The Doors

The ultimate heroes of Rock and Roll on your road trip playlist…I don’t see anything wrong in that! When Jim Morrison tells you to “keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel” you obey him while you let him carry you to another world with this amazing song. Let it roll…all night long!

12. Stayin’ Alive- Bee Gees

It is impossible to control yourself from dancing to this ever green song from 1977 by the Bee Gees. No matter, how old you are you have got to love it! The infectious beats of this song instantly makes you feel young and want to remain young! So, stop your car and get out on the road and dance a little!

13. Paradise City- Guns N’ Roses

This song will charge you up in a moment if you thought you were tired of driving on the road for a long time. The sheer energy in this song makes you want to take control of the steering wheel. If you’re a bunch of friends, cruising down the road, then this song will get all of you pumped up! Make note to have this song on your playlist for sure!

14. Leaving on a jet-plane – Peter, Paul & Mary

This beautiful song is perhaps the ultimate symbol of melancholy felt between two departing lovers. The simple lyrics along with a simple tune perfectly and very aptly conveys the pain that comes attached to departures.

15. Blowin’ in the wind – Bob Dylan

Yet another ofthe magical Dylan songs, Blowin’ in the wind is a masterpiece. The song is about the journey called ‘life’ and how the answer to all the questions is around us and we just need to go with the flow.

16. Here I am – Bryan Adams

One of the most favourite songs by Bryan Adams, Here I Am is a sort of declaration of one’s being. Definitely one of Adams’ best!

17. Shut up and drive- Rihanna

What else can be a better song if you are on a road trip will all your girl friends! This song by Rihanna really pumps up the mood and makes you want to hit the accelerator and drive! Get your swagger on and feel like a boss and just…shut up and drive.

18. Ridin’- Chamillionaire

Just when you thought that your ride’s getting boring, this song can instantly pump up your mood! The catchy beats of this song can get anybody to wake up from their slumber and get back into the ‘road trip zone’.  You’ve been sitting for a while now, so maybe it’s time for a twerk break to stretch your legs.

19. Highway to Hell – AC/DC

Pump up your energy with this song every time you feel low on your trip. Sing along the chorus and feel good about being daring enough to take upon a drive through nights and days just for the sake of travelling! You’re on your highway to hell…in a good way.

20. Hotel California – The Eagles

There is not a single person on this earth who isn’t well versed with the lyrics of this song. Hotel California just doesn’t let you down! Tired and twisted, you drive across the road and as soon as the song comes up, you know it’s time to join the madness.

21. Born to be Wild- Steppenwolf

Born to be Wild, the quintessentially celebration song of life. You’re young, free and on the road! Can there be anything else that you’d want?

22. Come Fly With Me – Frank Sinatra

It’s always good to have some Sinatra on your playlist. Afterall, everyone needs a nice, mellow song once in a while.

23. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynard Skynard

Sweet Home Alabama is perhaps on everyone’s lips. This catchy, energetic song is definitely something that you should have on your road trip playlist!

24. Free Bird- Lynrd Skynrd

Again, one of the most beautiful songs by Lynrd Skynrd and no matter how hard you try, your ears will get pulled towards the sweet rhythm of this song.

25. Around the World- Red Hot Chilli Peppers

26. Homeward Bound- Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel can never let you down when it comes to making you happy. And it’s a bonus if it about homecoming

27. Paper Planes- M.I.A.

M.I.A.’s hypnotizing voice and the groovy beats of this song immediately take you to a dreamy state of mind. It is a relaxed song, most definitely for the road trip, when everyone can enjoy their time alone.

28. Born to Run- Bruce Springsteen

The scrunchy voice in which Springsteen sings, makes you want to believe him when he sings ‘Born to Run’

29. Like a Rolling Stone- Bob Dylan

Like a Rolling Stone, is everything that a good song should have. Resonating the familiar idea of Unpredictability, Dylan has touched many lives with this song.

30. The Passenger- Iggy Pop

“I am the passenger/ I stay under glass I look through my window so bright/I see the stars come out tonight/ I see the bright and hollow sky/ Over the city’s ripped backsides/ And everything looks good tonight.” These lines best describe the song

31. Proud Mary- Creedence Clearwater Revival

The spirit of this song has touched everyone who has heard this song. And the simple yet meaningful beats just make it all the more easier to like it.

32. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

Nothing can make you miss home more than this song. The beautiful reminisces of the countryside in this song make you immediately feel connected to it and no matter in which corner of the world you live in, you would pack your bags and rush home!

33. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong’s enchanting voice is like cherry on top in this song. Just a celebration of how wonderful this life and this world is, the song succeeds in making you smile.

34. I Have Been Everywhere- Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash’s name is enough to make you listen to the song. It catches the spirit of travelling perfectly in the song!

35. In the summertime - Mungo Jerry

To round it up here is peppy number from the 70′s that will get you grooving and feet tapping. A perfect song to start things off. Time to pack your bags 

Listen to all the travel songs on a playlist here:

Don’t forget to add your favorite songs to listen to while on a trip  in the comments section.

This post was published by

Share this post on social media Facebook Twitter

Related Articles

11 Bollywood Road Trip Movies To Trigger Your Wanderlust

How To Get Cheap Flights? The Ultimate Guide To Booking Air Travel

14 Travel Hacks That Will Change The Way You Travel - Thank us later !

200+ Indians Stuck in Turkey Plea For Help To Come Home - Read Some of Their Stories Here

10 Hidden Vacation Homes You Must Choose Over Fancy Luxury Resorts

Unwind At This Hidden Cottage in Goa With Your Better Half For Some Relax-cation

BLVD Club Bangalore - All You Need to Know About This Super Exclusive Luxury Club

Drink the Tea & Eat The Cup - A Concept Introduced At Madurai's Eco-friendly Chai Kiosk

This Train Will Change The Way Of Travelling Between Mumbai and Goa

Hampi - Where Stones Tell Stories In Silence

IRCTC Announces Pay-on-Delivery For Train Tickets

Uttarakhand Government Wants You To Have A Spooky Experience In Your Next Trip - The Ghost Tourism Project!

Online Visa Facility Announced For Indian Nationals Travelling To Australia!

8 Lesser Known Places In Dubai

Jab Harry Met Sejal Shooting Locations To Fastrack Your Pending Europe Plans

Taj Express - A Journey From Delhi To Jhansi

Gyanganj - Land Of The Undying In The Himalayas

16 Long Weekends in 2018 - Plan Your Trips Right Away!

Swachh Survekshan 2020 - The Cleanest City in India

BREAKING NEWS : New Valley With Stunning Views Discovered in Himachal Pradesh

Ro-Ro Your Way from Mumbai To Alibaug In Less Than 30 Minutes!

Incredible Places to Slackline in the World

The Story Of A Couple That Went From Love To Travel

All You Need to Know About the Kolkata Botanical Gardens

Rishikesh ? Beyond Temples and River Rafting

The Breaking Bread Chronicles - For the Perfect Breakfast in Bangalore

In Search of Kartikeya : Kumara Parvatha

Pondicherry – A Potpourri of Different Worlds

11 reasons why Carpooling is better than you thought

5 Things You Should Not Miss in Orchha

Comments on this post

Get the best offers on travel packages.

Compare package quotes from top travel agents

Compare upto 3 quotes for free

• India (+91)

*Final prices will be shared by our partner agents based on your requirements.

Log in to your account

Welcome to holidify.

Forget Password?

Share this page

150+ Road Trip Songs: Your Ultimate Driving Playlist

This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income.

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

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!

Looking for more road trip tips & resources? Check out these top posts…

Driving to Spain from UK: Best Routes & Driving Tips

Driving to France from UK: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know

Driving from UK to Germany: Best Routes, Costs & Tips

Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Road Trips with Your Family

Driving in Turkey – Absolutely Everything You Need to Know!

Driving in Georgia – Your Ultimate Guide

Love it pin it.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Culture and Lifestyle
• Etiquette And Manners

13 Etiquette Rules For Road Trips

Backseat driving is a definite no-no.

Jamie Kingham/Image Source/Getty Images

Everyone knows the success of a road trip is largely dependent on the company you keep. Screaming toddlers in the back might make a 4-hour drive feel like 10. But if you’re riding with a group of your lifelong besties (especially if you haven’t seen them in a while), an all-day journey can fly by in the blink of an eye. When taking a road trip, all general car etiquette applies, but following a few extra rules will help make your trip as seamless and pain-free as can be. Heck, you might even enjoy the ride! Keep reading for 13 etiquette rules we think everyone should follow on long car rides.

No feet on the dash

We know every country song ever written has romanticized this particular posture, but it’s best to keep your shoes on and your feet firmly planted on the floor in front of you when riding in someone else’s car.

Let silence be golden

This one is highly dependent on who you’re riding with and what the general mood of the car is. Chatting is definitely encouraged throughout the ride, but if a great playlist is on, don’t feel the need to make yourself heard over the music. On the flip side, if it’s getting late in the night and your driver is fading, you might want to have some interesting stories on hand to keep him or her awake and alert.

No falling asleep in the front seat

If you take the passenger princess seat, be prepared for some extra duties. For one, there’s absolutely no falling asleep. You should also be prepared to help with navigation and anything else the driver may need—whether it’s dipping their chicken nuggets or checking their blind spot.

Share the aux cord

Not everyone wants to listen to Taylor Swift for the entirety of a 12-hour drive (though she certainly has enough songs to fill the time). Pick music you think everyone will like and be sure to switch up whose phone gets plugged in throughout the ride.

Keep your space clean

It’s OK to partake in road trip snacks, be mindful of crumbs and be sure to take out all your trash at every stop. When sharing such a small space, it’s on everyone to do their part to keep the vehicle clean

Offer to pay for and pump gas when taking someone else’s car

Your driver is already making a big sacrifice by taking on driving duties and putting the miles on their car. It’s only polite to offer to pay for gas and pump it for them so they have time to stretch their legs a bit on breaks.

Bring snacks—but not stinky ones

Snacks are an essential part of any good road trip , and every passenger is expected to contribute to the cause. Bonus points if you snag your driver’s favorite snack! Just leave any especially pungent foods at home. No matter how delicious your homemade tuna salad is, no one wants to be smelling it 3 hours later.

Don’t defy your driver

What your driver says goes. If they ask for the music to be turned down, do it. If they want to blast the air conditioning, but you’re freezing, it’s time to pull that sweatshirt out of your backpack.  

Don’t be the one asking for every bathroom stop

When you have to go, you have to go. However, there are only so many rest stops along the way and only so much patience the rest of your passengers will have for delays. If you know you’re prone to needing frequent bathroom breaks, maybe don’t guzzle Diet Coke or your normal pot of coffee before getting on the road.    

Keep backseat driving to a minimum

If your driver is distracted and about to ram into the back of a semi-truck, by all means, speak up! But if you would have preferred for them to stop for an extra nanosecond at that last stop sign or feel like they could be driving just a smidge faster, keep your lips zipped. If you can't keep your comments to yourself, offer to drive next time!

Make a fair seating chart

The key to car etiquette is being mindful of your fellow passengers. If you’ve got a particularly tall rider, it might be nice to let them have the front seat. Likewise, don’t stick your shortest traveler with the middle seat for the entire trip. Everyone will be happier and more comfortable if you share the burden.   

Mind your phone

No one wants to listen to your phone dinging every few minutes while your group chat goes off. Turn your phone on silent or vibrate, and don’t take any unnecessary calls while in the car. There’s nothing worse than having to be quiet and having to listening to a one-sided conversation because your chat just couldn’t wait.  

Remember that everyone's bags have to fit in the car, so keep your packing to a minimum. No one wants to be stuck riding with your makeup tote at their feet because it wouldn't fit in the trunk.

Related Articles

100 Road Trip Trivia Questions To Make That Long Drive More Fun

M ost people enjoy going on a road trip for the destination, but this doesn’t mean that one should neglect the journey. Traveling with family, friends or other loved ones does not have to become boring after the first hour. Use these 100 road trip trivia questions when you want to keep the energy alive and have fun on your road trip. They are perfect for long drives as you have a seemingly endless amount of time to brainstorm each answer.

This may seem like a simple activity, but it is a great way to pass time. You never know what you will learn or discover you already knew when teasing your brain with these questions. To make the game even more fun, put a praise or punishment at stake for the winner or loser once you arrive at your destination. Also, do not forget to involve the driver so they can stay alert and engaged while driving (but of course make sure they are not distracted ).

Here are 100 road trip trivia questions to lighten the mood and make the drive go by faster.

How Much Do You Know About Famous Landmarks?

• What iconic monument in Egypt is known for its massive limestone structure and Sphinx guarding its entrance? (Answer: The Great Pyramid of Giza)
• Which famous bridge in San Francisco is often shrouded in fog and connects the city to Marin County? (Answer: Golden Gate Bridge)
• The Great Wall of China was primarily built to protect against invasions from which historical group of people? (Answer: Mongol Invasions)
• What famous statue stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and was a gift from France to the United States in 1886? (Answer: Statue of Liberty)
• In which city can you find the Colosseum, an ancient amphitheater known for its gladiatorial contests and events? (Answer: Rome, Italy)
• What natural wonder along the US-Canada border is one of the world’s largest and most famous waterfalls? (Answer: Niagara Falls)
• The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a beautiful white marble mausoleum located in which Indian city? (Answer: Agra)
• What is the name of the iconic skyscraper in Dubai, known for its futuristic design and being the tallest man-made structure in the world? (Answer: Burj Khalifa)
• Which ancient archaeological site in Peru is famous for its intricate terraces and was once the center of the Inca Empire? (Answer: Machu Picchu)
• Stonehenge, a mysterious prehistoric monument, is located in which country in the United Kingdom? (Answer: England)

Test Your Geography Knowledge

• What is the largest desert in the world? (Answer: The Sahara Desert)
• Which river is the longest in the world? (Answer: The Nile River)
• What is the world’s largest ocean? (Answer: The Pacific Ocean)
• Which country is both the smallest by land area and population in the world? (Answer: Vatican City)
• What mountain range runs along the western edge of South America? (Answer: The Andes Mountains)
• In which ocean would you find the Maldives, a tropical paradise known for its overwater bungalows? (Answer: Indian Ocean)
• Which African country is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” due to its hilly and mountainous terrain? (Answer: Rwanda)
• What is the world’s largest coral reef system, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia? (Answer: The Great Barrier Reef)
• Which U.S. state is the only one to be located entirely in the Pacific Ocean? (Answer: Hawaii)
• What body of water lies between Saudi Arabia and Africa? (Answer: The Red Sea)

Do You Remember the US State Capitals?

• What is the capital of California? (Answer: Sacramento)
• Which state capital is known as the “Mile High City”? (Answer: Denver, Colorado)
• What is the capital of Texas? (Answer: Austin)
• Augusta is the capital of which U.S. state? (Answer: Maine)
• Which state capital is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and is known for its jazz and blues music heritage? (Answer: Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
• What is the capital of New York? (Answer: Albany)
• Honolulu is the capital of which U.S. state? (Answer: Hawaii)
• In which state capital can you find the famous “Freedom Trail” and the Massachusetts State House? (Answer: Boston, Massachusetts)
• Carson City serves as the capital of which U.S. state? (Answer: Nevada)
• What is the capital of Arizona, known for its dry desert climate and the Grand Canyon State nickname? (Answer: Phoenix)

How Well Do You Know the Capitals of Countries Around the World?

• What is the capital of France? (Answer: Paris)
• Which country’s capital is Wellington and is known for its stunning landscapes featured in “The Lord of the Rings” film series? (Answer: New Zealand)
• What is the capital of Brazil? (Answer: Brasília)
• Which European capital is often called the “Venice of the North” due to its numerous canals and waterways? (Answer: Amsterdam, Netherlands)
• What is the capital of South Africa, known for its legislative buildings and the Union Buildings? (Answer: Pretoria)
• In which country would you find the capital city of Bangkok? (Answer: Thailand)
• What is the capital of Canada? (Answer: Ottawa)
• Which country’s capital is Nairobi and is famous for its wildlife and national parks, including the Maasai Mara? (Answer: Kenya)
• In which European city can you find the Acropolis, a famous ancient citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site? (Answer: Athens, Greece)
• What is the capital of Russia, known for its historic Red Square and the Kremlin? (Answer: Moscow)

American History Trivia Every Citizen Should Know

• Who was the first President of the United States? (Answer: George Washington)
• What historic event took place on July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was adopted? (Answer: The United States declared its independence from Britain.)
• Which American inventor is credited with inventing the light bulb? (Answer: Thomas Edison)
• During which war was the Battle of Gettysburg fought? (Answer: The American Civil War)
• What is the name of the ship that carried the Pilgrims to America in 1620? (Answer: The Mayflower)
• Who wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States? (Answer: Francis Scott Key)
• What event in 1848 led to a rush of people seeking gold in California? (Answer: The California Gold Rush)
• Which American aviator was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean? (Answer: Charles Lindbergh)
• What U.S. president is known for delivering the Gettysburg Address during the Civil War? (Answer: Abraham Lincoln)
• In 1969, which Apollo mission successfully landed the first humans on the moon? (Answer: Apollo 11)

World History Road Trip Trivia To Test Global Knowledge

• Who is credited with painting the Mona Lisa, one of the most famous artworks in the world? (Answer: Leonardo da Vinci)
• What treaty officially ended World War I in 1919? (Answer: Treaty of Versailles)
• Which ancient wonder of the world was a monumental tomb built for an Egyptian pharaoh? (Answer: The Great Pyramid of Giza)
• What event in 1066 marked the Norman conquest of England? (Answer: The Battle of Hastings)
• Who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932? (Answer: Amelia Earhart)
• What major historical event took place on November 9, 1989, leading to the reunification of Germany? (Answer: The fall of the Berlin Wall)
• What ancient civilization built Machu Picchu, a stunning mountaintop city in Peru? (Answer: The Inca civilization)
• In what year did the Titanic sink on its maiden voyage? (Answer: 1912)
• What is the name of the historic document that was signed in 1215, limiting the power of the English monarchy? (Answer: Magna Carta)
• Who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule and a proponent of nonviolent civil disobedience? (Answer: Mahatma Gandhi)

Road Trip Trivia About Wildlife 

• What is the largest species of big cat in the world? (Answer: Siberian Tiger)
• Which bird is known for its colorful plumage and is often associated with the rainforests of Central and South America? (Answer: Scarlet Macaw)
• What is the largest species of penguin, known for its distinctive yellow crest on its head? (Answer: Emperor Penguin)
• Which marine mammal is also known as the “sea cow” and is known for its slow and gentle nature? (Answer: Manatee)
• What is the largest species of shark, known for its enormous size and filter-feeding behavior? (Answer: Whale Shark)
• Which African animal is known as the “king of the jungle” and is the largest big cat species in Africa? (Answer: Lion)
• What is the world’s smallest mammal, often mistaken for a large bumblebee due to its size? (Answer: Bumblebee Bat)
• Which reptile is known for its bright green color, prehensile tail, and is often kept as a pet? (Answer: Green Iguana)
• What is the largest species of sea turtle, known for its distinctive ridged shell? (Answer: Leatherback Turtle)
• Which large herbivorous mammal is native to Africa and is known for its long neck and legs? (Answer: Giraffe)

How Many Scientific Road Trip Trivia Questions Can You Answer?

• What is the chemical symbol for the element oxygen? (Answer: O)
• In the human body, what is the main function of the heart? (Answer: Pumping blood)
• What is the process by which plants make their own food using sunlight? (Answer: Photosynthesis)
• What is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element? (Answer: Atom)
• Which planet in our solar system is known as the “Red Planet”? (Answer: Mars)
• What is the Earth’s largest organ, responsible for protecting the body from external threats? (Answer: Skin)
• What is the formula for calculating the speed of an object? (Answer: Speed = Distance / Time)
• Which gas makes up the majority of Earth’s atmosphere? (Answer: Nitrogen)
• What is the process by which plants and animals naturally evolve over time? (Answer: Evolution)
• What is the scientific term for the bending of light as it passes through different mediums, like air and water? (Answer: Refraction)

How Well Do You Remember the Books and Poetry You Read in School?

• Who is the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a classic novel set in the American South during the 1930s? (Answer: Harper Lee)
• Which Shakespearean play features the famous quote, “To be or not to be, that is the question”? (Answer: “Hamlet”)
• What is the title of J.K. Rowling’s first book in the “Harry Potter” series? (Answer: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” or “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” in some regions)
• Who wrote the epic poem “Paradise Lost,” which tells the story of the fall of Satan and the creation of mankind? (Answer: John Milton)
• In George Orwell’s dystopian novel, what is the name of the totalitarian regime that watches and controls the citizens of Oceania? (Answer: Big Brother in “1984”)
• What classic novel, written by Jane Austen, explores the themes of love and class in 19th-century England? (Answer: “Pride and Prejudice”)
• Who penned the poem “The Road Not Taken,” which includes the famous lines, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by”? (Answer: Robert Frost)
• What is the title of the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that explores the decadence and excess of the Jazz Age in America? (Answer: “The Great Gatsby”)
• Which book by Aldous Huxley envisions a future society where citizens are controlled through pleasure and conformity? (Answer: “Brave New World”)
• Who is the author of the fantasy series “The Chronicles of Narnia,” which includes “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”? (Answer: C.S. Lewis)

Mythological Road Trip Trivia Questions

• In Greek mythology, who is the king of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus? (Answer: Zeus)
• Which Norse god wields the mighty hammer Mjölnir and is known as the god of thunder? (Answer: Thor)
• Who is the Egyptian goddess of wisdom, writing, and magic, often depicted as a woman with the head of a lioness or a housecat? (Answer: Bastet)
• In Hindu mythology, what is the name of the god known as the preserver of the universe, often depicted with blue skin? (Answer: Vishnu)
• Which Greek hero is famous for his incredible strength and completing the Twelve Labors as punishment for his crimes? (Answer: Heracles, or Hercules in Roman mythology)
• In Chinese mythology, what legendary creature is often considered a symbol of good luck and protection? (Answer: Dragon)
• What is the name of the Greek mythological figure who flew too close to the sun with wax wings, leading to his downfall? (Answer: Icarus)
• Who is the Aztec god of sun, war, and human sacrifice, often depicted with a headdress of feathers? (Answer: Huitzilopochtli)
• In Norse mythology, what creature is said to herald the arrival of Ragnarök, the end of the world? (Answer: The wolf Fenrir)
• Which Roman goddess is associated with love and beauty and is often depicted with a shell and a mirror? (Answer: Venus, or Aphrodite in Greek mythology)

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

The best road trip songs of all time

These road trip songs will make your next excursion a memorable one, whether you’re driving for few hours or a few days

Don’t get us wrong—we really love city life. But sometimes day-tripping to a nearby summer music festival doesn’t quite satiate our need for escape, and that’s where these classic road trip songs come in. When the urge strikes, it’s time to hit the highway/motorway/ whatever for a good, old-fashioned road trip. Of course, you can’t drive in complete silence—well, you can, but the very thought is giving us a flat tyre—so we’ve compiled our list of the best road trip songs to get your motors running and propel your journey into fifth gear. Crank up classics from the Boss, the Dead and Prince, and even some Whitesnake, as you cruise along the open road, forgetting every care in the world.

RECOMMENDED: 🤝   The best songs about friendship 🎉  The best birthday songs of all time 🎶  The best ’80s songs 🎤  The best karaoke songs 🕺  The best pop songs of all time

An email you’ll actually love

Best road trip songs, ranked

1.  ‘Born to Run’ by Bruce Springsteen

Like Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the U.S.A.,’ ‘Born to Run’ is darker than it may seem. Embedded in the scuffed poetry of the lyrics is a potent combination of rebellion, sex, disgust and determination—brought to life by the throaty passion of Springsteen’s voice, the liberating wail of Clarence Clemons’s sax and the sheer propulsive force of the E Street Band’s backup. “Someday girl, I don’t know when/We’re gonna get to that place where we really wanna go,” Springsteen promises. ‘Born to Run’, for all its spikes, takes you there. It’s a love song, an urban-jungle cry and a perfect anthem of pedal-to-the-metal escape.

2.  ‘Little Red Corvette’ by Prince

It doesn’t take a B.A. in poetry to figure this ditty’s got nothing to do with cars. In the world of Prince, coupés are women, horsepower is a pack of Trojan condoms, and gas is stamina in the sheets. The beat takes its time, synthetic drums echoing into the distance, just as the Purple One implores his one-night stand to take it slow, to make it two, three or more nights. Dez Dickerson peels out in the guitar solo, but she’s the one driving here. Perfect choice of car model—elusive, American, curvy, risky. It wouldn’t work as a Ferrari or Rolls.

3.  ‘Here I Go Again’ by Whitesnake

Been dumped recently? You need to go for a drive (preferably in a Jaguar XJ). You’ve made up your mind. You ain’t wasting no more time. So tease your hair, don your pleather, and crank up the volume on this 1982 hit—just try not to get stuck in traffic. This power ballad works better on the open road (with no adjacent drivers to judge your Coverdale cover moves).

4.  ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’ by U2

This anthemic opening track from U2’s landmark 1987 LP, The Joshua Tree, is an ideal kick-starter for any road trip (particularly if you're wandering about the California desert where the titular yucca plant is commonly found). From a whisper, the sound of an organ builds up like a spiritual beacon being unveiled. It’s well over a minute before the Edge’s churning guitar and Adam Clayton’s propulsive bassline kick in, and another 40 seconds before Bono’s vocals touch down. By then, you’re ready to hit top gear and wail along: ‘I want to run/I want to hide/I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside.’ Though this road trip song is about Bono’s vision of an Ireland free from class boundaries, it has inspired countless highway warriors to venture out to those places that maybe aren’t on the map.

5.  ‘Love Shack’ by the B-52s

‘Hop in my Chrysler! It’s as big as a whale, and it’s about to set sail!’ booms Fred Schneider on this all-time great party song . Admittedly, it’s hard to dance like no one’s watching when you’re behind the wheel of a Chrysler (or a Fiat Punto, for that matter), but ‘Love Shack’ will liven up any road trip. If your bum’s getting numb, just whack it on and have yourself a little front or backseat disco. 

6.  ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd

American football possibly killed off Southern boogie rock. Hear us out. Because of college pigskin rivalries, this song could not be made today. College football is a matter of life and death down there, literally. Iconic trees and people have been murdered over games. Skynyrd was born deep in SEC country: The boogie-rock brothers were from Jacksonville, not Alabama, and cut the track in Georgia. Could you imagine a bunch of Gators fans cutting a tune that could in any way be construed as ‘Roll Tide’? Yankees and rivals love to mock and loathe the Crimson Tide, but when this ditty plays, every human in the room, no matter the allegiance, becomes a temporary, gen-u-wine Mobile redneck.

7.  ‘I Drove All Night’ by Cyndi Lauper

The irreverent thrift-shop spunk that defined Cyndi Lauper’s persona in the 1980s sometimes overshadowed her killer range and sensitivity as a vocalist, but ‘I Drove All Night’—from her third album, 1989’s ‘A Time to Remember’—finds her in a different mode. Driven by a feverish desire, she takes the wheel and makes her own way to her lover’s bed. (She may coyly ask, ‘Is that all right?’ but by that time she’s already done it.) And Lauper’s impressively sustained last note is a perfect expression of the song’s sense of undeterrable yearning.

8.  ‘Fast Car’ by Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman’s beautifully direct 1988 hit, from her eponymous debut album, gives escapism an especially poignant twist. The speeding car and its romantic freedom (‘City lights stretched out before us/Your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder’) can’t be separated from what it’s speeding from: a life of urban poverty, trapped taking care of deadbeats—first a drunk father and then, at the end, the very driver that she had dreamed might carry her to rescue.

9.  ‘Keep the Car Running’ by Arcade Fire

If there’s one quality that characterizes Arcade Fire’s sound, it’s urgency—and nowhere is that more evident than on ‘Keep the Car Running’ from the band’s super noir, grandiose 2007 ‘Neon Bible’ album. Based on singer Win Butler’s childhood nightmares (‘Men are coming to take me away!’ he pines), ‘Keep the Car Running’ expands these fears into a sense of global anxiety, and the certainty that there must be something better down the road (‘Don’t know why, but I know I can’t stay’). On its release, the song was likened to prime-era Bruce Springsteen; imagine fans’ joy when Butler and Régine Chassagne made a surprise showing at the Boss’s stadium gig to bust out the song with him. Warning: You will need to be super-careful not to break the speed limit if you play this song while driving.

10.  ‘Truckin’’ by Grateful Dead

Let us pause, and acknowledge the fact that this road trip song has been recognised by the U.S. Library of Congress as a national treasure. Mmmm. Written and performed communally by Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and lyricist Robert Hunter, the catchy, bluesy shuffle turns the band’s misfortunes on the road into a metaphor for getting through life’s constant changes. And really, what’s a good trip—or a good life—if you can’t exclaim at the end, ‘What a long, strange trip it’s been’?

11.  ‘Road to Nowhere’ by Talking Heads

The gospel-choir intro to this upbeat single, off 1985’s ‘Little Creatures’ LP , makes for a great start to any road-trip mix. The song celebrates the journey over the destination—as frontman David Byrne puts it, ‘I wanted to write a song that presented a resigned, even joyful look at doom.’ (Typical of him.) Not every end point is a good one, but we’ll be damned if this march doesn’t have us enjoying the ride.

12.  ‘Graceland’ by Paul Simon

Road trips are a time for contemplation, whether we expect it (or like it) or not. Paul Simon’s 1986 single is a perfect, toe-tapping example—we’re treated to what’s basically his stream of consciousness on a drive to Graceland with his son after the failure of his marriage to the late, great Carrie Fisher. At turns both nostalgic and hopeful, it runs the gamut of emotions we always seem to experience a little more profoundly on the road.

13.  ‘Take It Easy’ by the Eagles

The Eagles took flight in 1972 with their debut single: a quick but mellow paean to the romance of the road, where a world of troubles—romantic and otherwise—can be shucked at the mere sight of a girl (my lord!) in a flatbed Ford. Cowritten by frontman Glenn Frey and his friend Jackson Browne, the song’s rejection of worry and release into insouciant adventure are perfect for relieving tension on a drive. As the lyrics gently urge: ‘Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy.’

14.  ‘America’ by Simon and Garfunkel

Add this one to your bucket list: Everyone should be required (at least once) to listen to their restless side, hitchhike, board a bus and go to another city/state/country to find something better—as described in Simon and Garfunkel’s 1968 classic, which follows two young lovers on a Greyhound in search for America. Take your sweetie along for the ride, smoke cigarettes on the side of the road, chat with the weirdos you meet on your journey, and by all means, indulge in a few slices of all-American pie.

15.  ‘Route 66’ by Chuck Berry

This R&B standard, written in 1946 by Bobby Troup, has been covered by everyone from the Rolling Stones to John Mayer and Depeche Mode. We’re partial to Chuck Berry’s 1961 rendition, which matches the 2,400-mile pilgrimage on the L.A.–Chicago-connecting titular highway to a T. Who better than the father of rock & roll to accompany a trip past greasy-spoon diners, tiny towns frozen in time and striking Americana landscapes?

16.  ‘Home’ by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

First and foremost a love song, the L.A. troupe’s jingly-jangly 2010 smash single is also, obviously, about coming home – making it the perfect road trip song. Naturally, the feel-good tune should be played at the end of your voyage, when you’re speeding a bit because you just can’t wait to get home to your significant other/parents/puppy/comfy bed.

17.  ‘Going Up the Country’ by Canned Heat

Released in 1968 and adapted from a 1920s blues song, Canned Heat’s highest-charting single was the unofficial anthem of Woodstock—and even after all this time, it’s the perfect track to kick off a road trip, a steering-wheel-tapping, grin-inducing song that makes you immediately pine for sun-drenched fields: “I’m going where the water tastes like wine, we can jump in the water, stay drunk all the time.” Those dudes had their priorities straight…just so long as they had a designated driver.

18.  ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’ by Johnny Cash

Music has always had the power to educate. Billy Joel’s ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ taught us more 20th-century American history than a year’s worth of school hisoty lessons. For a CliffsNotes anatomy lesson, we turned to Professor Sir Mix-a-Lot. And when it comes to geography, there is no better musical resource than this name-dropping country ditty, first released with North American locales in 1962 by Canadian crooner Hank Snow. In four verses, 91 places are rattled off in rapid-fire succession—destinations both big (Chicago and Nashville) and small (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and Haverstraw, New York). This road trip song has been covered many times and adapted for different regions of the globe, but we’re partial to the Man in Black’s 1996 rendition, simply because his weathered, gravelly bass-baritone suggests a man who has indeed been everywhere.

19.  ‘Hit the Road Jack’ by Ray Charles

Fiendishly simple with its descending piano chords, ‘Hit the Road Jack’ is sung from the perspective of a philanderer being ejected by his lady. By all rights this 1961 R&B classic should win a prize for being impossible not to sing along to: ‘What you say?!’ screams soul hero Charles to his velvet-voiced Raelettes. Later he complains, ‘You can’t mean that,’ about as convincingly as a cat picking bird feathers from between its teeth. The track's most memorable use in a road trip appears in the 1989 comedy movie The Dream Team .

20.  ‘Holiday Road’ by Lindsey Buckingham

Hard to hear this seemingly happy little sock hop without thinking of the Griswold family station wagon zooming to Walley World. As its dark video helps to underline, the lyrics speak more of feeling trapped than free. The Fleetwood Mac man was an ace at hiding his boyish ache behind melodic smiles. Which is why this road trip song is such simple genius: It works the same whether you’re chained to a desk and longing for a vacation or finally on the highway, shooting to God knows where with no deadlines.

21.  ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ by Electric Light Orchestra

The sweet spot is 176 beats per minute. That’s a giddy run, the pace of your footsteps hitting the pavement as you jog home after a first kiss. Though we haven’t tested this, we theorise it is the precise cadence of fence posts whipping past your window as you motor down a highway just above the speed limit. ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ is 176 beats per minute, which is why, whenever it plays, you have the urge to run like a big dumb puppy dog to a boyfriend/girlfriend, or let the wind blow through your hair at 76mph, as you croon along to the vocoder like a robot. Warning: When ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ is used without such outlets, it can cause deep wanderlust.

22.  ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ by the Proclaimers

If there’s one road trip song that can unite everyone in the car in the simple act of thumping whatever surface is near them in time with a ludicrously catchy tune, it’s this one—a hit in 1988 for Scottish twins the Proclaimers. Fun fact: The ‘havering’ referred to in the first verse (‘And if I haver, I know I’m gonna be the man who’s havering to you’) is Scots slang for babbling foolishly. So now you know.

23.  ‘Ride Like the Wind‘ by Christopher Cross

Take your EGOT and stuff it. Chris Cross has the transportation trifecta—mega-hits for the sea (‘Sailing’), sky (‘Arthur’s Theme’) and road (‘Ride Like the Wind’). People condescendingly pigeonhole the guy as yacht rock (the pink flamingo on his smash album doesn’t help), but he’s truly yacht-jet-and-rental-car rock. Despite its lily-white reputation, ‘Ride‘ is cool and dangerous. It’s possibly—no, probably—about drug smuggling. Racing away to Mexico with Michael McDonald as the devil on your shoulder. Hearing those percolating bongos, wind effects, electric piano and oily guitar licks, it could fit right on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’ album . It remains DJ gold. Call it ‘Get Unlucky’.

24.  ‘Ramblin’ Man’ by the Allman Brothers Band

We may not have been born in the backseat of a Greyhound bus (thanks, mum!), but for whatever reason, the idea of being a ramblin’ man (or woman) is endlessly appealing. And when we play this 1973 hit—based on Hank Williams’s 1951 song of the same name—on the open road, that’s exactly who we are. At least until Monday.

25.  ‘On the Road Again’ by Willie Nelson

Nothing beats hitting the open road, where you can escape the stress of work, family, bills, city life and just be free, man. Just ask tireless road dog Willie Nelson. The Red Headed Stranger penned this 1980 country hit—the ultimate get-the-hell-out-of-town anthem—not in the back of a tour bus but rather, of all places, on a barf bag midflight.

26.  ‘Runnin’ Down a Dream’ by Tom Petty

Some would argue that we could have built this entire list solely out of Petty tunes—but we had to make a choice, and we picked this 1989 single from the song man’s first solo record, ‘Full Moon Fever’. Not only does it take place in a car, but the tune’s reference to Del Shannon’s ‘Runaway’ and killer guitar solo make it a perfect fit for blasting out of your speakers while cruising down the interstate in pursuit of the American dream, your future destination or simply that next roadside burger.

27.  ‘Let Me Ride’ by Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre’s ‘The Chronic’ album arrived on the heels of the 1992 South Central riots. Folks in Compton were looking to escape and could not—and not just because of the traffic on the 110 and 405. This was a cry for cruising with the bucket seats dropped back, slow rolling on a resting-heart-rate rhythm and those G-funk dog-whistle keyboards. ‘Swing down, sweet chariot, stop, let me ride,’ goes the chorus lifted from Parliament’s ‘Mothership Connection,’ itself based on a slave spiritual. But just because the song hides a deeper political meaning the way lowriders hide a subwoofer in the trunk, there’s no reason Dre can’t roll in style. Specifically, in a 1964 Chevy Impala shoed with Dayton rims (a.k.a. ‘Ds,’ as in ‘Throw some Ds on that bitch’).

28.  ‘Born to Be Wild’ by Steppenwolf

The riff, like the rev of a motorcycle throttle, has become so terribly commonplace, it’s hard to imagine what it must have been like to hear its ‘heavy-metal thunder’ with virgin ears during the opening credits of Easy Rider . Today, Steppenwolf’s monster hit is a movie-trailer cliché on par with ‘Bad to the Bone’ and ‘I Got You (I Feel Good).’ What was once-tough biker rock is now Viagra-ad fodder. Still, if you can wash out the soundtrack memories of Problem Child, Dr. Dolittle 2, Rugrats Go Wild, et al., the dirty little number still rips, along with a deep huff of exhaust fumes and jazz cigarettes.

29.  ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ by Journey

A thousand terrible karaoke performances have somewhat dulled the lustre of this once-gleaming classic ’80s song , but once it comes on in the car, you’ll be in love with it all over again within seconds. Just don’t use it as a road map—there is no such place as South Detroit. Okay, there is, but it’s in Ontario, Canada, so you might need your passport. 

30.  ‘Interstate Love Song’ by Stone Temple Pilots

The underrated STP (hey, that’s a fuel additive) was never truly a grunge band. The ‘Core’ album was a trend-surfing foot in the door, the American equivalent to Blur’s baggy-riding ‘Leisure’. Really, the bands have more melodic ambitions. Scott Weiland, as his solo albums and pink fur coat proved, had far more Bowie in him than his peers. ‘Interstate Love Song’  was the lifting of the veil, when the Pilots announced, Hey, we actually listen to the Beatles , not the Melvins. It chugs along with drop-top bliss, even if the chorus is oddly about trains, not driving.

31.  ‘Radar Love’ by Golden Earring

Appropriately for a song about driving, this 1973 cut from Dutch rockers Golden Earring is one of the best road trip songs ever written. ‘The road has got me hypnotised, I’m speeding into a new sunrise!’ wails singer Barry Hay, as that bassline gets your head nodding and your foot instinctively pressing down on the gas. ‘Radar Love’ also has the best breakdown of any rock song ever. This is an indisputable scientific fact.

32.  ‘Life Is a Highway’ by Tom Cochrane

Okay. We know how heavy-handed these metaphors are. And how forced the rhymes are. We never said every song on this list was a masterpiece. But we dare you not to sing along with the chorus of this 1991 cheesefest— especially on a highway. Maybe no one ever listens to the song in its entirety (sorry Tom), but one or two ‘life is a highway’s are pretty much mandatory. Give in.

33.  ‘The Way’ by Fastball

Alt-rock band Fastball had a breakout 1998 hit with this fast-driving tale of a married pair that ditches its conventional home and family, in favour of a dream life on the highway with no destination. The feel-good, sing-along optimism of the chorus—‘They’ll never get hungry, they’ll never get old and grey’—has a dark undercurrent: Weeks after their disappearance, the bodies of the real-life Texas couple who inspired the song were discovered in an Arkansas ravine. But all of life’s roads hit a dead-end eventually: Better, maybe, at least to leave the driveway.

34.  ‘California’ by Phantom Planet

Contrary to popular belief, the hair-metal power ballad did not die by grunge’s bullet. The hair just got shorter and the trousers got looser. Case in point: this 2002 theme from The O.C. It is emo made only from the emotion of uncut nostalgia. It is basically Motley Crüe’s ‘Home Sweet Home’ for mollycoddled millennials, right down to the video compiled from sentimental tour footage. And it is oddly reminiscent of Al Jolson’s ‘California, Here I Come.’ That’s some feat, finding the common ground between Jolson and the Crüe. Man, remember when Ryan became a cage fighter after Marissa died?

35.  ‘Shut Up and Drive’ by Rihanna

This electro bop from 2007 isn’t a top-tier Rihanna tune, but it still kinda rips. Driven – pun definitely intended – by a crafty sample from New Order’s club classic ‘Blue Monday’, it’s an unashamedly fluffy new wave pastiche that’s as much about sex as hitting the open highway. Don’t even pretend you can resist it – especially when the chance of RiRi releasing new music any time soon seems to get slimmer with each passing year. 

36.  ‘Running on Empty’ by Jackson Browne

There’s a reason this song soundtracks the Forrest Gump  protagonist’s famous transcontinental jog: Few pop tunes capture the rush of earthbound travel—by foot, by car or, in Jackson Browne’s case, by tour bus—better than this autobiographical FM-radio staple. But what makes it a classic is the ambiguity in Browne’s message. ‘I don’t know where I’m running now; I’m just running on,’ he sings, perfectly summing up how the desire for escape can be its own kind of trap.

37.  ‘Two of Us’ by the Beatles

The Fab Four’s back catalogue is replete with songs about travelling around: ‘Drive My Car,’ ‘Day Tripper,’ ‘Ticket to Ride,’ ‘Yellow Submarine’—the list goes on and on like a long and winding road. No Beatles track, though, captures the feeling of setting off into uncharted territory with someone special better than ‘Two of Us,’ penned by Paul McCartney in 1969. There is debate as to whether McCartney’s partner in crime in this song is future wife Linda Eastman, as he claims, or John Lennon, which some of the nostalgia-infused lyrics would suggest. No matter—an impromptu road trip is a good time whether your passenger-seat companion is your new flame or your counterpart in the greatest songwriting tandem of all time.

38.  ‘Chicago’ by Sufjan Stevens

Some songs make your heart beat faster from the get-go, and 2005 road-trip song ‘Chicago’ is just such a gem, announcing its entrance in a whirlwind of strings and a rush of percussion. The backing cuts suddenly to Stevens’s voice, whispering that most universal human sentiment: ‘I fell in love again—all things go, all things go,’ and then later, another familiar feeling: ‘I made a lot of mistakes, I made a lot of mistakes.’ It’s this acknowledgement of our frailty, coupled with our irrepressible capacity for hope and excitement that gives  ‘Chicago’ its electrifying, driving charge. That and the fact it features in the ridiculously touching road movie Little Miss Sunshine .

39.  ‘Fade Into You’ by Mazzy Star

Night driving found a shimmering musical complement in this ethereal 1994 track from dream popsters Mazzy Star. In a rare bit of sonic magic, it seems that no matter how fast you’re driving, the low beats per minute on ‘Fade Into You’ always manage to sync up perfectly with the passing dividing lines visible from your car’s two headlights. And a night drive, preferably undertaken as you’re pining for an unrequited love, wouldn’t be complete without Hope Sandoval’s dusk, haunting vocals echoing throughout your ride. Two-lane highway bliss, by moonlight.

40.  ‘The Golden Age’ by Beck

This 2002 road trip song, off Beck’s desolate, heartbreaking ‘Sea Change’ , is one of the most perfect and profound illustrations of driving as a means of escape. It’s best played at night, in the desert if you’ve got one handy, when you feel like crap but have pretty much come to terms with it. And when, as Beck says, ‘You've gotta drive all night just to feel like you’re okay.’ Go forth, drive and wallow. Maybe you’ll feel better in the morning.

41.  ‘Scar Tissue’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers

The L.A.-bred Peppers clearly know a thing or two about hitting the highways, as evidenced by a song catalogue riddled with Cali-inspired, crank-up-the-dial tunes. For a journey out on the open road, we like this lead track off the band’s 1999 album, ‘Californication’, due to its lilting desert-by-twilight vibe. The song’s main attraction is John Frusciante’s wailing guitar solos, which achingly embody Anthony Kiedis’s lyrics about isolation and the twisted, drug-fuelled paths he’s traversed (‘With the birds I’ll share this lonely view’). Enter tumbleweed, stage right.

42.  ‘Every Day Is a Winding Road’ by Sheryl Crow

The little sister to Tom Cochrane’s ‘Life Is a Highway,’ Sheryl Crow’s 1996 hit unabashedly co-opts the use of automotive byways as metaphors for life’s ups and downs. (Billy ‘the world is a vampire’ Corgan apparently misread the memo.) The ‘wacky’ characters in Crow’s songs are often a bit too precious for our liking—in this case, a vending-machine repairman with a daughter he calls ‘Easter’ (what?)—but the chorus always gets us fired up for some hairpin turns, even when we’re cruising down a seemingly endless straightaway. This road trip song works perfectly when your destination is San Francisco’s iconic Lombard Street, whose residents probably have this tune swirling in their heads 24/7.

43.  ‘Jack & Diane’ by John Cougar Mellencamp

Inevitably, your road trip is going to hit some lulls: You’re fighting off the yawns, your passengers have passed out, and it's 57 miles to the next pit stop. When this happens, there’s one sure-fire way to get your journey back on course: Unleash the Cougar. Indiana’s favourite son specialiaes in songs about the heartland, and his crowning jewel is this 1982 chart topper about two high-school sweethearts and the twists and turns of their American Dream. Despite the jaunty beat and an epic drum breakdown rivaling the one in Phil Collins’s ‘In the Air Tonight,’ the tale is cautionary, urging us to savour those thrilling, carefree teenage years. Oh, to be young, in love and suckin’ on chilli dogs outside the Tastee Freez.…

44.  ‘King of the Road’ by Roger Miller

Did our dads play this 1964 ditty on long car rides when we were little? You betcha. Do we think they contemplated the potential consequences of making penniless vagabonds sound super cool? Doubtful. Regardless, it’s a timeless everyman’s anthem, and darn if it isn’t catchy. We really like listening to it in our van down by the river.

45.  ‘Green Onions’ by Booker T. & the M.G.’s

This R&B instrumental, recorded in 1962, is the perfect soundtrack for an unhurried drive, when you’re sick of singing along and ready to just cruise. It’s repetitive, much like the open road, but with a steady beat and some soulful Hammond organ to keep things interesting. Widely considered to be one of the greatest songs of all time, it’s received accolades from Rolling Stone , Acclaimed Music, the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress. If AAA had a greatest songs list, we’re sure ‘Green Onions’ would be on that, too.

46.  ‘Mustang Sally’ by Wilson Pickett

You can probably blame censorship for our automobile sex fetishes. Early rock & rollers couldn’t sing about sex, so they sang about their cars…with not-so-subtle undertones. ‘Mustang Sally,’ the grandmother of ‘Little Red Corvette’ only wants to ‘ride around,’ and Pickett howls with his thumb out, looking to hitch. Don’t let this song’s karaoke staple status let you forget what it’s really about. 

47.  ‘Going Back to Cali’ by LL Cool J

From Al Jolson to Led Zeppelin and Phantom Planet, dozens of artists have tapped into the westward dream of the Golden State. Heck, the tradition stretches back to Gold Rush ditties of the mid 19th century, Smithsonian Folkways fodder like ‘Life in California.’ But only one man made the trip wrapped in precious metals, not seeking them. Cool J cruises to the coast, as he proclaims in verse, in a Corvette with a Laurents chrome chain steering wheel, Dayton wire rims and a gold-leaf convertible top. Rick Rubin’s stark 808 beats thunder under the extremely relaxed rhymes of Mr. Ladies Love. ‘I’m going back to Cali,’ he nearly whispers before shrugging it off. ‘Hmm, I don't think so’ He might go, he might not. With his riches, he is a walking California. That’s cool. Cool enough to pull off one of the few sax solos in hip-hop history.

48.  ‘The Distance’ by Cake

With the band’s signature horns and a self-serious melody that practically requires head-bobbing and Speed Racer–esque intensity (you may even want to invest in racing gloves), this single off of 1996’s ‘Fashion Nugget’ album is irresistible. The album is filled with more on-the-nose driving songs than this one (‘Race Car Ya-Yas,’ ‘Stickshifts and Safetybelts’), but this is the money single—and got the album platinum status. Throw it on repeat and hit the open road. Just take an occasional break for track No. 7, the band’s excellent cover of Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive.’

49.  ‘Roadrunner’ by the Modern Lovers

Talk about a brilliant juxtaposition: Jonathan Richman’s 1972 cut, written when he was 19, beautifully contrasts the Velvet Underground’s bare-bones, dirty-as-hell chugalug sound with a subject matter so suburban that Richman’s heroes Lou Reed & Co. wouldn’t dare touch it: The thrill of being young, driving in a car and blasting the radio. The song’s repetitive two-chord propulsion is a perfect late-night road-trip pick-me-up. And there’s a bangin’ cover by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts to check out, too.

50.  ‘Have Love, Will Travel’ by the Sonics

At some stage in your life—at any point between getting your driver’s licence and getting married, really—you’ll drive from ‘Maine to Mexico’ for a piece of ass, as Gerry Roslie does in this proto-punk classic. The high-tension twang of the guitar sounds like the strings are about to snap, the perfect sonic emulation of sexual frustration. A recent ad for Mexican beer claims you need an ‘encyclopedic knowledge of garage rock’ to pull up this song, as if from some lost, dusty volume. Nah, this is Rock & Roll 101.

[image] [title]

More on Time In

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out Worldwide

• All Time Out Locations
• North America
• South America
• South Pacific

• Podstawowa wiedza
• Przewodnik dla średniozaawansowanych
• Instalacja & uruchomienie
• Grafika & wydajność
• Przewodniki gier
• App Reviews
• Recenzje gry
• Przewodniki po grze
• Wiadomości z gry
• Najnowszy MEmu
• Informacje o wydaniu
• Rolae Gra
• Rejestracja wstępna
• Centrum Gier

Pobierz Long Drive Road Trip Car Games na PC

Long Drive Road Trip Car Games

Zaktualizowano

Aktualna wersja

Funkcje Long Drive Road Trip Car Games na PC

Przy całej swojej pasji do grania w Long Drive Road Trip Car Games, twoje ręce nie powinny być ograniczone na małym ekranie telefonu. Graj jak zawodowiec i uzyskaj pełną kontrolę nad grą za pomocą klawiatury i myszy. MEmu oferuje ci wszystko, czego oczekujesz. Pobierz i graj Long Drive Road Trip Car Games na PC. Graj tak długo, jak chcesz, bez ograniczeń baterii, danych komórkowych i niepokojących połączeń. Zupełnie nowy MEmu 9 to najlepszy wybór do grania w Long Drive Road Trip Car Games na PC. Przygotowany dzięki naszej wiedzy, znakomity, wstępnie ustawiony system mapowania klawiszy sprawia, że Long Drive Road Trip Car Games jest prawdziwą grą na PC. Zakodowany naszą absorpcją, menedżer wielu instancji umożliwia granie na 2 lub więcej kontach na tym samym urządzeniu. A co najważniejsze, nasz emulator może uwolnić pełny potencjał twojego komputera, sprawić, że wszystko będzie płynne. Dbamy nie tylko o to, jak grasz, ale także o cały proces czerpania radości z grania.

Pokaż więcej

Zrzuty ekranu i wideo z Long Drive Road Trip Car Games PC

Ciesz się wspaniałym doświadczeniem podczas grania w Long Drive Road Trip Car Games na komputerze z aplikacją MEMU App Player. Jest to potężny darmowy emulator Androida pozwalający grać w tysiące gier na Androida. Gry samochodowe 3D!

Informacje o grze

Gry samochodowe 3D! Wypróbuj grę samochodową offroad, aby cieszyć się długą jazdą w grach driftowychWyrusz w epicką podróż z naszą grą Road Trip Long Drive. Ta gra podróżnicza jest pełna niezapomnianych przygód. W tej grze fabularnej Road Trip możesz prowadzić samochód, polować na zwierzęta, biwakować na pustyni i wykonywać różne czynności. Ta gra o podróżach po autostradzie to nieograniczone, pełne zabawy podróże! Nasza gra Road Trip Long Drive została zaprojektowana tak, aby zapewnić wszystkim rozrywkę przez wiele kilometrów. Podróż technika zaczyna się na złomowisku, gdzie mistrzowie samochodów naprawiają i budują samochód w grach garażowych, aby uzyskać ekscytujące gry z wycieczkami. Musisz korzystać z różnych tras jazdy samochodem miejskim i jeepem terenowym w symulatorze jazdy samochodem na długich trasach.Ta gra o prowadzeniu samochodu to nasz nowy symulator jazdy samochodem w długą podróż. Długa podróż samochodem - symulator jazdy samochodem w otwartym świecie, symulator polowania na zwierzęta, jazda samochodem terenowym i strzelanie do zwierząt. Długa podróż samochodem po pustyni zaczyna się od złomowiska, garażu samochodowego. Najpierw musisz sprawdzić samochód jako mistrz samochodowy, gry mechanika samochodowego i oczyścić samochód do gier drogowych. Przed wyruszeniem w podróż w symulatorze jazdy samochodem upewnij się, że wykonałeś tuning 3D muscle car.W tej grze samochodowej przed wyruszeniem w podróż samochodem typu muscle car upewnij się, że spersonalizujesz swój samochód i pomalujesz go w 3D w tym symulatorze samochodowym. Wycieczki samochodowe mogą być ryzykowne, więc pamiętaj, aby zabrać ze sobą strzelbę w grach terenowych. Czasami może zajść potrzeba polowania na zwierzęta podczas długich przejażdżek w tej strzelance do zwierząt. Przygotuj się na nieoczekiwane zdarzenia na drodze w tej grze o garażu na złomowisku. Podczas podróży trzymaj się z dala od niebezpiecznych terenów terenowych w tej długiej podróży autostradą. Po drodze natkniesz się na opuszczone budynki, sklepy i stacje benzynowe podczas wycieczki rowerowej. Uważnie eksploruj te miejsca i zbieraj przydatne przedmioty podczas rowerowej wycieczki. Ciesz się odkrywaniem nowych miejsc podczas podróży samochodem w tych grach o długich podróżach i strzelankach do zwierząt. W tej grze auto to niekończąca się zabawa pożegnaj się z nudą na długich trasach! Dzięki Road Trip Adventure sama podróż staje się celem w tej rodzinnej grze podróżniczej. Zabawne gry o podróżach drogowych, w których niezależnie od tego, czy jesteś dzieckiem, czy dzieckiem w sercu, Road Trip Adventure jest odpowiednia dla osób w każdym wieku w tej ekstremalnej podróży. To idealny sposób na nawiązanie więzi z członkami rodziny, przyjaciółmi, a nawet innymi podróżnikami, których właśnie poznałeś podczas wycieczki rowerowej.W długiej podróży samochodem prowadź samochód 3D, zanim wyruszysz w długą podróż. Upewnij się, że zbiornik paliwa jest pełny, aby nie utknąć w ryzykownych miejscach w tej ekstremalnej grze. Zadbaj także o silnik samochodu jak mechanik, ponieważ znalezienie warsztatu podczas długiej podróży nie jest łatwe w tej grze o prowadzeniu samochodu 3D. Ta gra polegająca na prowadzeniu samochodu na długich dystansach jest grą na złomowisku i różni się od innych symulatorów jazdy samochodem i gier motocyklowych. Ciesz się tajemnicami po drodze podczas podróży. Ta pełna przygód gra samochodowa obejmuje jazdę, driftowanie, jazdę w terenie i polowanie na zwierzęta na ekscytujących drogach. Napotkasz różne krajobrazy, takie jak miasta, pustynie i tereny terenowe. Jeśli zmęczysz się, znajdź bezpieczne miejsce na biwak podczas podróży w pustynnych grach terenowych jeepem.Pobierz grę Road Trip Highway i nie pozwól, aby długie podróże były udręką i przekształć je w niezapomniane przygody dzięki Road Trip Adventure. Niezależnie od tego, czy wyruszasz w przełajową podróż, czy po prostu odkrywasz nowe miejsca w pobliżu. Spakuj więc torby, ruszaj w drogę i niech przygoda zacznie się w tej zabawnej grze o podróżach.

Jak pobrać Long Drive Road Trip Car Games na PC

1. Pobierz instalator MEmu i zakończ instalację

2. Uruchom MEmu, a następnie otwórz Google Play na pulpicie

3. Wyszukaj Long Drive Road Trip Car Games w Google Play

4. Pobierz i zainstaluj Long Drive Road Trip Car Games

5. Po zakończeniu instalacji kliknij ikonę, aby rozpocząć

6. Ciesz się grą Long Drive Road Trip Car Games na PC z MEmu

Dlaczego warto używać MEmu dla Long Drive Road Trip Car Games

MEmu Play to najlepszy emulator Androida, a 100 milionów ludzi już korzysta z jego i dosta doskonałe wrażenia z gier na Androida. Technologia wirtualizacji MEmu umożliwia płynne granie w tysiące gier Androida na komputerze, nawet tych najbardziej wymagających grafiki.

Większy ekran z lepszą grafiką; Długi czas, bez ograniczeń baterii lub danych mobilnych.

Pełna obsługa mapowania klawiszy dla precyzyjnego sterowania klawiaturą i myszą lub gamepadem.

Wiele kont gier lub zadań na jednym komputerze jednocześnie z menedżerem wielu instancji.

Gotowy do gry?

Więcej od nexusninja studio, podobny do long drive road trip car games.

MovieStarPlanet 2

Avatar World Games for Kids

Age of Revenge

MovieStarPlanet

Angry Birds Epic RPG

Duskwood - Gra kryminalno-detektywistyczna

Back Alley Tales

Gorące tematy

Long drive road trip car games - faqs.

Play Long Drive Road Trip Car Games on PC by following steps:

• Download MEmu, then install and launch it
• Login to Google Play Store, install the game
• Enjoy playing the game on PC with MEmu
• Intel or AMD Processor
• Microsoft Windows 7 and above
• 2GB of memory
• 5GB of free disk space
• Hardware Virtualization Technology

Football Manager Mobile 2024

Need for Speed™ No Limits

Real Car Driving City 3D

Hill Climb Racing

Black Clover M

Reload Rush

DEEEER Simulator:Modern World

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile

Talking Tom Hero Dash

Draw Joust!

Najlepsze gry

Brawl Stars

Null's Brawl

That's Not My Neighbor

Squad Busters

BlockStarPlanet

Toca Life World: Build stories & create your world

Coin Master

Supermarket Simulator 3D Store

Car Parking Multiplayer

Ciesz się grą Long Drive Road Trip Car Games na PC z MEmu

Podążaj za nami

Wsparcie i kontakt

• Wsparcie MEmu
• Facebook Group

Popularne gry na PC

• Brawl Stars PC
• Null's Brawl PC
• That's Not My Neighbor PC
• Squad Busters PC
• BlockStarPlanet PC
• Toca Life World: Build stories & create your world PC
• MovieStarPlanet 2 PC
• Coin Master PC
• Supermarket Simulator 3D Store PC
• Car Parking Multiplayer PC

Najlepsze aplikacje na PC

• UPC TV GO PC
• ibis Paint X PC
• HBO Max: Stream TV & Movies PC
• SkyShowtime PC
• Fitatu Licznik Kalorii i Dieta PC
• Hello JM PC

Więcej gier na PC

• Emulator Androida
• Graj w Gry Androida na PC
• MEmu dla firm

Copyright © 2022 Microvirt. All Rights Reserved. | Warunki korzystania | Polityka prywatności | O nas

Spotify is currently not available in your country.

Follow us online to find out when we launch., spotify gives you instant access to millions of songs – from old favorites to the latest hits. just hit play to stream anything you like..

Listen everywhere

Spotify works on your computer, mobile, tablet and TV.

Unlimited, ad-free music

No ads. No interruptions. Just music.

Download music & listen offline

Keep playing, even when you don't have a connection.

Premium sounds better

Get ready for incredible sound quality.