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

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

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

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Best Road Trip Songs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20 Rock Classics- the BEST Road trip Rock songs

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

Best Driving Songs- All-American road trip songs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20 Modern road trip sing-along songs for girls

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

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

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

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

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

15 best songs about driving and cars

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

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

Planning a long drive? These post might help

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Classic road trip driving songs for EVERY trip

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

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

Spotify Link for this road trip playlist

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

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

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

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

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

How else can I help you today?

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

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

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

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

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15 comments.

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

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

You missed out poison alive Cooper got to be on

thanks for the information

You’re welcome!

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

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

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

How do I access the playlist that you made

Rockin’ down the highway by The Doobie Brothers

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

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

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

I miss the golden Earring with Radar love.

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

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60 Best Road Trip Songs to Rock the Drive

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: March 16, 2023

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

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

Table of Contents

The Best Road Trip Songs

1. sympathy for the devil by the rolling stones.

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

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

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

2. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd

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

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

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

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

Purchase Sweet Home Alabama for $1.29

3. Little Red Corvette By Prince

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

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

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

4. Another One Bites the Dust by Queen

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

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

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

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

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

5. Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars

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

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

Download Up Town Funk on Amazon 

6. Home for a Rest by Spirit of the West

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

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

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

Download now on Amazon

7. Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers

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

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

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

8. 500 Miles by The Proclaimers

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

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

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

9. Take it Easy by The Eagles

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Running on Empty by Jackson Browne

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

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

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

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

11. Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf

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

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

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

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

12. Take the Money and Run by Steve Miller Band

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

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

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

Get Steve Miller’s Take the Money and Run

13. Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf

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

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

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

Add it to the list from Amazon

14. I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash

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

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

Get motivated on Amazon

15. On the Road Again by Willie Nelson

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

Buy it now $1.29

16. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

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

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

Buy it on Amazon

17. Graceland by Paul Simon

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

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

Get it now to see what I’m talking about

18. Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane

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

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

get it on Amazon

19. Love Shack by the B52s

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

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

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

Get Love Shack on Amazon

20. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys

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

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

Listen now on Amazon

21. Back in Black by ACDC

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

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

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

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

22. The Way by Fastball

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

23. Lose Yourself by Eminem

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

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

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

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

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

24. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac

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

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

25. See You Again by Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth

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

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

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

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

26. Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp

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

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

Check it out on Amazon $1.29

27. Drive My Car by The Beatles

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

28. You Oughta Know by Alannis Morisette

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Download Sweet Child O’ Mine on Amazon

30. Coming to America by Neil Diamond

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

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

Buy on Amazon Now

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

31. Carry on Wayward Son by Kansas

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

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

32. Hello by Adele

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

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

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

33. The Nights by Avicii

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

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

You can buy the single on Amazon

34. The Distance by Cake

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

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

Add Going the Distance to your Road Trip Playlist

35. More Than a Feeling by Boston

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

Buy More than a Feeling on Amazon

36. American Pie by Don McLean

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

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

Download the ultimate road trip song on Amazon

37. American Woman by The Guess Who

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

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

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

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

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

Get American Woman on Amazon 1.29

38. All About the Bass by Meghan Trainor

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

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

Get this road trip song on Amazon

39. Africa by Toto

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

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

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

Download on Amazon

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

40. Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey

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

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

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

41. I Bet My Life by Imagine Dragons

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

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

Buy I Bet My Life for just $1.29

42. Dream On by Aerosmith

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

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

Buy  AeroSmith’s Greatest Hits

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

43. Rock Star by Nickelback

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

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

Give Rock Star a chance now

44. Hey Ya by Outkast

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

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

Hey Ya on Amazon

45. Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks

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

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

Give it a shot and listen to it!

46. I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones

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

Purchase I Wanna Be Sedated

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

47. Redemption Song by Bob Marley

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

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

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

Download Redemption Song for 1.29 on Amazon

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

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

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

Download this now  for your Road Trip Song Playlist on Amazon

49. Life’s Been Good by Joe Walsh

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

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

50. Shelter from the Storm by Bob Dylan

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

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

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

Purchase Shelter From the Storm Now

51. Piano Man by Billy Joel

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

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

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

Get it on Amazon

52. Old Man by Neil Young

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

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

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

Listen to Old Man Now

Watch Jimmy Fallon and Neil Young on YouTube

53. Lust for Life by Iggy Pop

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

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

Lust for Life is on Amazon for just $1.29

54. Radar Love by Golden Earring

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

55. Route 66 by Nat King Cole

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

56. Mustang Sally in the Commitments

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

57. The Air Tonight by Phil Collins

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

58. Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran

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

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

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

59. Boys of Summer by Don Henley

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

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

60. Where the Streets have No Name by U2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Very nice collection thanks for sharing!!

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

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

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

Awesome Playlist !! Love It

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

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

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

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

Superb Collection.. Thanks for the lovely post

fantastic article thanks for sharing, I appereciate your work

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

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

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

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

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

Great collections thank you so much for sharing this article.

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

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

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

Hey there Thanks for the Wonderful Playlist.

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

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

Superb Collection. Thanks for sharing it.

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

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

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

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

Hey, nice post loved it.

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

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

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

really nyc playlist

awesome..amazing man..!!

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

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

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

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

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

What an Amazing Wonderful Collection Realy I Love IT 🙂

Great collection man..Enjoy

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

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

wonderful collection

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

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

Born To Be Wild Radar Love Twilight Zone

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

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

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

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

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

– Jenny Diana

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Superb!! Never gonna to forget this one!!

I Wanna Be Sedated BY The Ramones

Amazing this post, thanks for share it.

Amazing this one thanks for share it.

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

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

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

Great choice! How could I forget that one!

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

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

Road trips are the best!!

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

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

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

55 Best Road Trip Songs (Sing Along While Driving)

There’s almost no better feeling than hitting the open road and the wind whipping through your hair. Every great road trip needs a great soundtrack. Here we take a look at 55 of the greatest road trip songs to sing along to on your next interstate adventure.

1. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen

No song captures the thrill of hitting the open road better than Bruce Springsteen’s classic hit, Born To Run . The epic love song captures all the passion of young lovers trying to find a place to call their own in this world. This is to be sung at full volume on the highway with the windows rolled down!

Next: Greatest rock genre albums of all time (our ultimate list)

2. Mr. Brightside – The Killers

An anthem for a generation, The Killers’ first hit, Mr. Brightside , turns the lead singer’s pain of being cheated on into one of the greatest sing-along songs of all time. With a driving tempo, the track taps into feelings of jealousy and heartbreak that many of us, unfortunately, know too well.

Next: Ultimate list of the best 2000s rock songs

3. All Star – Smash Mouth

It is basically impossible not to sing along to Smash Mouth’s biggest hit, All Star . Following the story of a, perhaps delusional, wannabe rock star, the song features top-notch wordplay and an addicting melody that demands to be sung, even when we’ve heard it far too many times.

Next: The best songs from movies (top film songs ever)

4. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Queen’s epic masterpiece, Bohemian Rhapsody , is one of the greatest songs ever written . Clocking in at almost six minutes, their record company balked at the idea of such a long song. Lucky for all of us, Wayne and Garth included, the band persisted and gave us one of the greatest driving songs of all time.

5. Hotel California – The Eagles

The Eagles epic about a haunted hotel is an essential road trip track. With spooky imagery, a catchy melody, and a killer guitar solo, Hotel California is one of their very best tunes.

Next: The full meaning behind “Hotel California” song lyrics

6. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton

First heard in the 2001 film  Legally Blonde , Vanessa Carlton’s track, A Thousand Miles , is one of the greatest karaoke songs of all time . With its upbeat piano and themes of traveling, this is a perfect song for singing on the road.

Next: Ultimate travel & adventure songs playlist

7. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) is one of the catchiest proclamations of love that has ever been sung. The Proclaimers’ most well-known hit is the perfect song for singing on the highway, especially if you find yourself on your way back home to the one you love.

8. TiK ToK – Kesha

Ke$ha’s party anthem, TiK ToK , is the ultimate car-ride sing-along. With fun verses, a catchy chorus, and a heavy dose of rebellious energy, this song will make sure your road trip party “don’t stop” anytime soon.

9. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

Everyone knows the words to the song about a small-town girl and a city boy. Journey’s greatest hit is the ultimate track for your road trip journey playlist—with that catchy piano, killer guitar solo , and a chorus that will push you to your vocal limits.

Next: Story and meaning of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”

10. Here I Go Again – Whitesnake

One thing the 80s got right was hair metal power ballads. With big hair, bigger guitar, and even bigger vocals, this catchy tune will have you speeding down the highway. The real question is whether or not you can hit that high note !

Next: Our list of favorite power ballads ever

11. Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra

Electric Light Orchestra’s most iconic hit, the cheery tune Mr. Blue Sky , is impossible not to sing along to. While the actual meaning of the song is open for interpretation, the optimistic tone of the music and fun-to-sing lyrics make it a necessary addition to your road trip playlist.

12. Highway to Hell – AC/DC

AC/DC’s rock anthem is sure to have you rolling down the highway. Highway To Hell is an all-time classic rock ‘n’ roll anthem. Put this on the radio, and you’ll have everyone in the car doing their best Bon Scott impression.

13. Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts

Originally by Tom Cochrane , Rascal Flatts hit track, Life Is A Highway , is perfect for cruising down the interstate. With that catchy guitar riff and infectious lyrics, this one is great for singing with the windows down and the wind in your hair.

14. Bat Out of Hell – Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf ‘s greatest song is his epic masterpiece, Bat Out Of Hell . The eight-minute track about a motorcycle out of control is a defining rock opera track and perfect for testing out your vocal chops.

15. What I Got – Sublime

Sublime’s 1997 hit What I Got is a perfect addition to any road trip playlist. Trying to figure out “why my money’s all gone,” the lyrics tell a story that is both relatable and fantastic. Bringing ska and rap together, this track just demands to be sung along to while you roll down the road. 

16. Valerie – Amy Winehouse

Originally by The Zutons, Amy Winehouse made the iconic track, Valerie , all her own. The song lets us all tap into our desire to love and to be loved. It’s a perfect track to put on in a car full of friends and to try and match the intensity of Winehouse’s vocal delivery.

17. Hey Ya! – Outkast

Atlanta-based rap duo Outkast is one of the greatest hip hop acts of all time, and fewer tracks are more iconic than Hey Ya! It’s impossible to hear this song and not be filled with joy. This will have you feeling “ice cold” while you roll down the highway.

Next: Greatest Atlanta rappers of all time

18. Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty

Everyone knows the words to Tom Petty’s defining ballad about a small-town girl who’s “crazy ’bout Elvis.” Even if you don’t know all the words to each verse, the chorus demands to be sung (or screamed, depending on your vocal range). This tune will have everyone singing along.

19. Drops of Jupiter – Train

Train’s iconic cosmic hit Drops Of Jupiter is a quintessential karaoke track. With epic lyrics, a catchy melody, and a chorus that just demands to be belted, this is a perfect song for testing your vocal chops while you coast down the highway.

20. Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

There’s no better track for a girls’ road trip than Cyndi Lauper’s classic hit Girls Just Want To Have Fun . All about rejecting societal expectations for women, not only is this song an absolute banger, but it is dripping with 80s nostalgia that will lift everyone’s spirit in the car.

Next: Our playlist of ultimate women empowerment songs and anthems

21. Mr. Jones – Counting Crows

One of the Counting Crows’ most beloved tracks, Mr. Jones has an infectious melody and is full of relatable imagery. The song is all about the dream of being famous and believing how much better life will be when it does finally happen. While it leaves out some of the pitfalls of becoming a superstar, this is a perfect sing-along for long car drives with friends.

22. Chasing Pavements – Adele

Before Adele was the Queen of Pop, she put out her first big hit , Chasing Pavements . The ballad is about the difficult decision to leave a relationship leading nowhere, and its epic chorus is impossible to not belt along to, especially if you are struggling with a similar situation in your own life.

Next: The meaning behind Adele’s song “Easy On Me”

23. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac’s iconic track Landslide has everything the perfect sing-along song needs: a beautiful melody, great lyrics, and a powerful chorus. The right song for a road trip, especially if you are traveling alone on a rainy day.

Next: Full meaning of “Landslide” song lyrics explained

24. Psycho Killer – Talking Heads

With driving drums and bass, Psycho Killer is the perfect excuse to shout in faux-French as you roll down the highway. Whether you are out on a drive around town or you are trying to “run, run, run away,” this is a perfect tune to give your road trip a weird edge.

25. Love on Top – Beyo ncé

While Queen B has got plenty of great tunes for a road trip, Love On Top is perfect for anyone whose heart is full of love. With catchy music giving major 80s throwback vibes, this is perfect for channeling all the love in your heart. And it’s also perfect for testing your vocal chops, especially after that key change !

26. Africa – Toto

Few songs capture that 80s vibe like Toto’s big hit, Africa . The quirky track full of vibey synths is a love song to the entire continent or at least a love song to the idea of it. The chorus is perfect for belting as you roll down the highway.

27. Complicated – Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne’s pop-punk ballad, Complicated, is one of the genre’s best tracks, especially for everyone growing up in the early 2000s. The tune brings together country and punk aesthetics to create one of the best sing-along songs of all time.

28. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

No song romanticizes a scenic getaway like John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads . All about the beautiful roads that lead back home, the chorus of this classic is perfect for singing while enjoying the scenic highways of America.

29. Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson

One of Kelly Clarkson’s first big hits, Since U Been Gone is a powerful and cathartic song. We’ve all been in relationships where we weren’t treated like we should’ve been, and this track fully captures the feeling of getting free from a toxic relationship.

30. Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi

Nothing screams 80s rock ‘n’ roll like Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer . The story of the down-on-their-luck couple, Tommy and Gina, reminds us that anything is possible when you’ve got love and a dream. The epic tune is perfect for singing while rolling down a city street or open highway.

31. Crazy – Patsy Cline

For anyone who has dreamed of being a country diva, Patsy Cline’s Crazy is one of the standards you’ve got to know. The country ballad showcases her signature soaring voice and is perfect for singing along in the car, especially if your love life is currently in shambles.

32. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin

One of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll songs of all time, Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven is one of the ultimate road trip tunes to blast on full volume. With an exciting story and a song that builds to an epic solo and chorus, heads will be banging in the car. 

33. Say It Ain’t So – Weezer

One of Weezer’s most iconic tracks, this entire song is a vibe. Capturing teenage angst and anger in a four-minute capsule, this takes you from chill to screaming and back again, a perfect song to belt with buddies on the road.

34. In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins

The song that made air-drumming cool , Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight is one of the most epic radio hits of all time. Building up from a soft synth, the track demands to be sung. Just make sure you hold onto the steering wheel when the big drum solo hits.

Next: The most iconic drum solos of all time

35. Tainted Love – Soft Cell

Do you ever feel like you’ve got to run away? Soft Cell’s Tainted Love is the perfect song to blast while you make your way out of town and get away from all that is haunting you.

36. Your Song – Elton John

Every road trip needs a ballad, and Elton John is the king of radio ballads. Perhaps none more romantic or recognizable than his hit, Your Song , which represents the gift of his love.

37. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae

Coming in with that funky guitar, Corinne Bailey Rae’s Put Your Records On is one of the best jazz-pop tunes to ever hit the airwaves. It’s best to turn the radio up and roll the windows down and let go of all your worries and sing as loud as you can when the chorus comes around.

38. Friday I’m In Love – The Cure

The Cure’s Friday I’m In Love captures the energy and aesthetic of every John Hughes movie. If you want to feel like the protagonist of everyone’s new favorite coming-of-age film, throw this one on and belt it out while you head down the highway.

39. More Than a Feeling – Boston

Few classic rock bands have captured a sound as epic as Boston’s. Their hit song, More Than A Feeling , will get you rolling down the highway with its epic guitar solos and huge vocals that you can try your best to match.

40. F*ck You – CeeLo Green

CeeLo Green’s tune F*ck You is the perfect sing-along song for all of us who have been dissed, dumped, or hurt. Few songs are more cathartic to sing and, given the vulgarity, the car is the perfect place to let it blast.

41. I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys

If you are ready for them to bring our favorite boy bands back then Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way needs to be on top of your road trip playlist. Few songs have ever been more fun to sing along to.

42. How You Remind Me – Nickelback

Before Nickelback was a meme about a photograph , they were a hit machine. Embodying the post-grunge energy of the 2000s, How You Remind Me is a great song to blast while you’re on the road.

Next: Ultimate list of meme songs for you to enjoy

43. Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne

There are only two kinds of people in this world: those who want to get with Stacy’s mom, and those who want to be Stacy’s mom. Whichever camp you fall in, you’ve got to blast Fountains Of Wayne hit, Stacy’s Mom , on your next road trip.

44. I Try – Macy Gray

With that smokey voice, Macy Gray gave us a masterpiece with her hit, I Try . The song captures how all of us awkward folks feel when we are around the person that we have a crush on and is a cathartic tune to blast in the car.

45. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

One of the most well-known love songs of the 2000s, Jason Mraz gave us a track full of wordplay and tongue twisters to sing along to. I’m Yours is a perfect way to pass four minutes in the car, singing the catchy tune.

46. What’s Up – 4 Non Blondes

4 Non Blondes iconic hit What’s Up is a perfect soundtrack for a solo ride down country backroads. With an epic chorus, the tune is perfect for screaming at the top of your lungs.

47. Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield

This lusty pop hit is all about the singer’s friend’s girlfriend and his unhealthy obsession with her. The build-up to the chorus is perfect singing material for your next road trip, especially if there is someone you can’t have on your mind.

48. Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s

If you are trying to get into your feelings during your long drive, then the Plain White T’s Hey There Delilah is the perfect tune for you. All about the hardships of chasing your dreams while being in a long-term relationship. The beautiful song is perfect for a rainy stretch of highway.

49. Don’t Speak – No Doubt

This break-up song about No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani and the band’s guitar player is an absolute classic. This is one of the greatest sing-along tunes for anyone suffering from a broken heart and is a perfect tune to add to your next driving playlist, especially if you’re trying to get away from lost love.

50. White Flag – Dido

Dido’s anthem White Flag is a song for women all across the world. This is about standing strong, being true to yourself, and never giving up on what you believe in. This is the perfect track to sing at full volume while you roll down a sunset highway.

51. Lose Yourself – Eminem

Eminem’s classic hit Lose Yourself is one of hip hop’s most fun songs to rap along to. A big hit from his film  8 Mile , the guitar comes in and sets the mood for the track all about having the courage to live up to your potential. 

52. Every Morning – Sugar Ray

With a chill guitar lick, Sugar Ray’s Every Morning is a four-minute dose of dopamine. It is a perfect tune to throw on and sing along with friends as you roll down the highway.

53. Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow Medicine Show reached out to Bob Dylan and asked if they could finish writing a demo he recorded decades earlier. Thank goodness for all of us, because it gave us one of the best party tunes, Wagon Wheel .

54. She’s So High – Tal Bachman

Tal Bachman’s big hit, She’s So High , remains an iconic ballad. The build-up to the chorus just demands that we all hit that big falsetto note with him. It’s a perfect track for any road trip playlist.

55. Waterfalls – TLC

It doesn’t get much better than TLC’s Waterfalls . With a funky backbeat and catchy chorus, this tune just asks to be sung along to. It is one of the trio’s best tracks and a perfect road trip tune.

As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.

Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.

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The 50 Most Essential Songs for Your Perfect Road Trip Playlist

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

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

"Holiday Road" by Lindsey Buckingham

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

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

"Radar Love" by Golden Earring

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

"Ramblin' Man" by The Allman Brothers Band

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

RELATED:   40 Song Lyrics That We've Been Messing up This Whole Time

"Little Red Corvette" by Prince

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

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

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

"Shut Up And Drive" by Rihanna

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

"No Sleep Till Brooklyn" by Beastie Boys

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

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

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

"Road to Nowhere" by Talking Heads

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

"Fun, Fun, Fun" by The Beach Boys

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

"On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson

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

"Highway to Hell" by AC/DC

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

"I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash

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

"Drive My Car" by The Beatles

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

"Semi-Crazy" by Junior Brown

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

"State Trooper" by Bruce Springsteen

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

"Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X

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

"Mercury Blues" by Alan Jackson

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

"Low Rider" by War

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

"Truckin'" by Grateful Dead

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

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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.

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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.

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150+ Road Trip Songs: Your Ultimate Driving Playlist

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The Best Road Trip Music

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

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

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

Classic Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the classic road trip songs playlist here

DJ’s & Collaborations

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

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

Get the alternative road trip songs playlist here

Road Trip Songs from the Twenties (2020 – 2022)

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

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

Get the twenties playlist here

Late Noughties (2011-2019) Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the late noughties playlist here

The Early Noughties (2000-2010) Best Driving Songs

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

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

Get the early noughties playlist here

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

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

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

Get the cool remixes playlist here

Best 90’s Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the 90’s road trip songs playlist here

Best 80s Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the 80s road trips songs playlist here

Best Driving Power Ballads

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

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

Get the driving power ballads playlist here

Disco Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the disco road trip songs playlist here

Your Ultimate Driving Playlist

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

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

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The Ultimate History Travel Blog Since 2015

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

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

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

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

Can’t read now? Pin for later!

The Top 50 Road Trip Songs

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

Road Trippin’ (The Red Hot Chili Peppers)

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

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

American Girl (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

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

Super Bass (Nicki Minaj)

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

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

Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)

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

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

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

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

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

Come on Eileen (Dexy’s Midnight Runners)

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

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

A Horse with No Name (America)

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

Love Shack (The B-52s)

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

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

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

Toxic (Britney Spears)

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

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

America (Simon & Garfunkel)

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

Back to You (Bryan Adams)

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

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

9 to 5 (Dolly Parton)

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

Burning Down the House (Talking Heads)

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

Run Run Run (The Velvet Underground)

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

Society (Eddie Vedder)

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

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

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

Ramblin’ Man (The Allman Brothers)

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

Fell in Love with a Girl (The White Stripes)

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

Hold On (Wilson Phillips)

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

Life is a Highway (Rascal Flatts)

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

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

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

Crazy in Love (Beyonce)

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

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

Keep the Car Running (Arcade Fire)

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

I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Whitney Houston)

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

Rocky Road to Dublin (The Dropkick Murphys)

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

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

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

Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)

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

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

Down by the Water (The Decemberists)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Breeze (Xavier Rudd)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fast Car (Tracy Chapman)

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

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

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

Mustang Sally (Wilson Pickett)

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

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

Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)

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

Umbrella (Rhianna)

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

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

Immigrant Song (Led Zepplin)

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

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

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

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

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

…Baby One More Time (Britney Spears)

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

So Good (B.o.B.)

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

Raspberry Beret (Prince and the Revolution)

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

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

Party in the USA (Miley Cyrus)

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

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

Vogue (Madonna)

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

Movin’ Right Along (Alkaline Trio)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hit the Road Jack (Ray Charles)

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

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

No Diggity (Backstreet)

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

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

Khawabon Me Parinde (Mohit Chauhan)

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

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

One Week (The Barenaked Ladies)

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

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

I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)

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

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

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

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

Doo Wop [That Thing] (Lauryn Hill)

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

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

Into the Great Wide Open (Tom Petty)

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

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

July, July (The Decemberists)

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

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

Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)

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

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

Mr. Blue Sky (ELO)

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

De Donde Vengo Yo (Choc Quib Town)

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

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

My Sharona (The Knack)

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

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

Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver)

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

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

Behind the Wheel (Depeche Mode)

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

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

On the Road Again (Willie Nelson)

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

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

Route 66 (Chuck Berry)

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

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

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

Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero)

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

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

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

Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)

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

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

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

The Long Way Around (The Chicks)

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

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

Ghost Riders in the Sky (Johnny Cash)

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

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

Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N Roses)

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

Africa (Toto)

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

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

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

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

It was covered by American band Weezer in 2010.

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

Ei Path Jodi Na Shes Hoy 

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

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

Thinking of a Place (War on Drugs)

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

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

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

Free Road Trip Playlist on Spotify

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

More Great Road Trip Songs for Your Road Trip Playlist

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

Apesh*t (The Carters)

Hurtin’ Me (Stefflon Don Ft. French Montana)

If She Wants Me (Belle & Sebastian)

Waterloo (ABBA)

Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show)

Here I Go Again (Whitesnake)

Feel Good Inc. (The Gorillaz)

Boasty (Wiley Ft. Steflon Don and Idris Elba)

Roadrunner (The Modern Lovers)

Running on Empty (Jackson Brown)

Jolene (Dolly Parton)

American Idiot (Green Day)

Summertime Sadness (Lana Del Ray)

Island in the Sun (Weezer)

Proud Mary (Tina Turner)

Uptight (Stevie Wonder)

Where It’s At (Beck)

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

Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel)

Walk It Talk It (Migos Ft. Drake)

Jack & Diane (John Cougar Mellencamp)

We Didn’t Start the Fire (Billy Joel)

Me Gusta (Shakira)

1979 (The Smashing Pumpkins)

The Way (Fastball)

Black Beatles (Rae Srummond)

Under Pressure (Queen and David Bowie)

Basket Case (Green Day)

Whatever You Like (T.I.)

If I Had a Million Dollars (Barenaked Ladies)

Little Red Corvette (Prince)

King of the Road (Roger Miller)

Linger (The Cranberries)

I’ve Been Everywhere (Johnny Cash)

Little Deuce Coup (The Beach Boys)

Down on the Corner (Credence Clearwater Revival)

Juice (Lizzo)

Bailando (Enrique Iglesias)

Truckin’ (The Grateful Dead)

Me and Bobby McGee (Janis Joplin)

Flashlight (Parliament-Funkadelic)

How We Do [Party] (Rita Ora)

Cracklin’ Rosie (Neil Diamond)

She’s a Lady (Tom Jones)

One Headlight (The Wallflowers)

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

Pin these Road Trips Songs for Your Next Trip!

In this Article:

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

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

Thank you! And thanks for your suggestion!

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

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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”.

‘Wonderful World’: A Signature Serenade From Sam Cooke

‘warm leatherette’: how grace jones crashed into the 80s, 24: blink-182: what’s my age again.

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

23: The Killers: Mr Brightside

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

22: Nirvana: Breed

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

21: Sammy Hagar: I Can’t Drive 55

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

20: Katy Perry: Teenage Dream

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

19: Warren G (featuring Nate Dogg): Regulate

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

18: John Mellencamp: Pink Houses

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

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

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

16: U2: Where The Streets Have No Name

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

15: Guns N’ Roses: Appetite For Destruction

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

14: Dr. Dre: Let Me Ride

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

13: Bob Seger: Hollywood Nights

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

12: Cyndi Lauper: I Drove All Night

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

11: Snoop Dogg: Gin And Juice

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

10: Jackson Browne: Running On Empty

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

9: The Beatles: Day Tripper

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

8: Stevie Wonder: Master Blaster (Jammin’)

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

7: Willie Nelson: On The Road Again

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

6: Tom Cochrane: Life Is A Highway

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

5: Prince: Little Red Corvette

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

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

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

3: Tom Petty: Runnin’ Down A Dream

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

2: Bruce Springsteen: Born To Run

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

1: Steppenwolf: Born To Be Wild

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

Honorable Mentions

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

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

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

11 Comments

June 26, 2019 at 7:37 pm

Golden Earring – Radar Love

June 27, 2019 at 5:16 pm

Mountain Jam, The Allman Brothers Band

August 2, 2019 at 8:34 am

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

September 21, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Joanne Nagen

September 25, 2019 at 5:02 pm

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

September 25, 2019 at 6:29 pm

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

Mike Einhorn

May 28, 2020 at 5:24 am

Bruce Springfield?

September 18, 2021 at 7:27 am

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

How’s these NOT make the list?

Belvin Sweatt

January 7, 2022 at 1:08 am

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

January 7, 2022 at 12:01 pm

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

June 3, 2023 at 5:42 am

The triffids – Wide Open Road

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101 Perfect Road Trip Songs – Get This Epic Playlist!

by Denise Mai | Last updated Jan 15, 2023

What would a road trip be without a great playlist? Music has been an essential part of every journey I’ve ever been on. The overwhelming feeling when you hear a song again after a few years and remember all the amazing adventures you had while listening to it. That’s why I have created a playlist with the best road trip songs I can think of. It’s a mixture of new songs and classics, different genres and sentiments. Check out this list and pick your favorites for your next holiday!

Do you need unlimited WIFI while being on the road? Check out my favorite device for getting reliable internet even in remote areas: Skyroam .

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Table of Contents

Best Road Trip Songs For An Epic Journey

• Walk on the Ocean – Toad The Wet Sprocket
• California – Phantom Planet
• Somewhere over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo
• Highway to Hell – AC/DC
• I Lived – One Republic
• American Pie – Don McLean
• Wonderful World – Sam Cooke
• Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn
• It’s my Life – Bon Jovi
• I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
• Hitch a Ride – Boston
• Island in the Sun – Weezer
• Life is a Highway – Cochrane
• Proud Mary – Creedance Clearwater Revival
• Shut up and Drive – Rihanna
• Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
• Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
• Good Life – One Republic
• Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
• Riptide – Vance Joy
• Hotel California – Eagles
• Ho Hey – The Lumineers
• Route 66 – Chuck Berry
• What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
• On the Road Again – Willie Nelson
• Learning to Fly – Tom Petty
• Trucking – The Grateful Dead
• Young, Wild & Free – Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa
• Ramblin’ Man – The Allman Brothers Band
• Packing Blankets – Eels
• The Passenger – Iggy Pop
• Take it Easy – Eagles
• Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
• Road Trippin’ – Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts
• Caravan – Van Morrison
• The Way – Fastball
• Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
• Counting Stars – One Republic
• Legendary – Welshly Arms
• Some Nights – Fun
• Don’t Stop Belivin’ – Journey
• Viva la Vida – Coldplay
• Streets of Philadelphia – Bruce Springsteen
• Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Dream On – Aerosmith
• Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys
• Piano Man – Billy Joel
• Paradise City – Guns ‘N’ Roses
• Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
• Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles
• Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
• Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf
• Where the Streets have no Name – U2
• Heaven is a Place on Earth – Belinda Carlisle
• Leaving on a Jet Plane – Peter, Paul, and Mary
• Perfect Strangers – Jonas Blue
• Summer Nights – John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
• Pirates Of The Caribbean Theme Song
• We Are Young – Fun
• Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
• I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
• Good Riddance – Green Day
• Drops of Jupiter – Train
• A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
• Sunday Morning – Maroon 5
• Windows are Rolled Down – Amos Lee
• Into The Great Wide Open – Tom Petty
• Adventure of a Lifetime – Coldplay
• Budapest – George Ezra
• Best Day of My Life – American Authors
• All Summer Long – Kid Rock
• On Top of The World – Imagine Dragons
• Drive – Incubus
• A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
• Big Jet Plane – Angus and Julia Stone
• In the Aeroplane Over The Sea – Neutral Milk Hotel
• Jackie Wilson – Hozier
• Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
• Castle On The Hill – Ed Sheeran
• Wheels – Foo Fighters
• Empire State of Mind – Alicia Keys & Jay Z
• C’est la Vie – Bob Seger
• Summer of ’69 – Bryam Adams
• Beautiful Day – Eels
• Far Away – Ingrid Michaelson
• Up Up and Away – Kid Cudi
• Alaska – Maggie Rogers
• Sweet Ride – Mando Diao
• Tiger in My Tank – Eels
• Traveller’s Chant – Rizzle Kicks
• Surfin USA – The Beach Boys
• Ride – Twenty One Pilots
• Long Train Running – Doobie Brothers
• My Favorite Game – The Cardigans
• Everybody Knows This is Nowhere – Neil Young
• Don’t Look Back in Anger – Oasis
• (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
• Hook – Blues Traveler
• Here I Go Again – Whitesnake

Do you want to have even more opportunities for road trips? Remote work allows you to work from anywhere in the world which means you can travel whenever and wherever you want and simply take your work (aka your laptop) with you.  If you have no idea what kind of job you could do online, check out my popular online course “ Zero to Remote Work Success “.

Here you learn step by step how you can find a remote job that you love AND that pays the bills – even with no previous experience or without being very tech-savvy. Kickstart your remote career today and enjoy the freedom to travel whenever you want!

How to Listen to Your Favourites

The easiest way to listen to your favorite and best road trip songs while traveling is probably by using your smartphone and a streaming service, such as Spotify or Apple Music . If you won’t have an internet connection while driving you can save playlists offline. These services are fairly cheap, too. Student plans start at around 5 EUR a month.

You could also use the free version of Spotify and simply use a hotspot with unlimited WIFI to stream it as you go. This also gives you the chance to do other stuff on the internet as well while traveling.

If you don’t want to listen to the songs with a headset and your smartphone is not loud enough, use a portable speaker . There are some great wireless speakers out there, working with Bluetooth, which have excellent sound quality. Most of them are very small (mini ones even fit on your keyring) and have a USB port, in case you don’t want to use it via Bluetooth.

Rock Your Next Road Trip

I hope these 101 best road trip songs prepared you for your next journey. If you haven’t lined up a trip at the moment, listen to them while working out, cleaning the house or relaxing on the couch. They will surely trigger your desire for adventure and make you want to pack your bags and leave straight away. Nothing better than starting your new trip with good music.

Which song do you like most? Maybe there is another great road trip song that you absolutely love and that is missing? Let me know in the comment section below!

In case you are still in need for some inspiration, check out these awesome quotes about traveling , that you don’t get to hear every day.

Founder of Digital Nomad Soul

Hi everyone, thanks for stopping by! My name is Denise and I have been working online for more than 10 years. In the past, I worked as a remote employee and freelancer & managed to build a six-figure online business. I know that many others would love to work from home or work while traveling, too. That’s why I want to share my experience and help you on your way to your remote career!

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Home » Roadside Attractions Blog » Road Trip Play List » The Best Road Trip Songs to Blast in the Car (+Playlists)

The Best Road Trip Songs to Blast in the Car (+Playlists)

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There’s nothing like taking an epic road trip. Driving by the seat of your pants, veering off the highway to explore the undiscovered roads, enjoying the surrounding scenery, rolling down all your windows, and, of course, blasting an epic playlist on your car’s radio. Every good road trip needs a good road trip soundtrack. So what are the best road trip songs to add to your playlist?

A good road trip song taps into how it feels to be traveling the open road: whether that is excitement, wistfulness, or nostalgia. We’ve compiled lists and playlists full of the perfect road trip songs, songs that mention driving or cars, music that is just plain fun to listen to while driving, and songs you can listen to in whichever US state you’re traveling in.

What is the number one road trip song? You’ll have to decide that for yourself! But we have plenty of options for you to choose from. Add any of these to your road trip playlist (or just play any of our pre-populated road trip Spotify playlists!) and get ready to pump up the volume!

What’s the best way to listen to music in your car? Sign up for Spotify or Amazon Prime Music to access thousands of songs and create your own playlists.

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)

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Everyone has different music tastes, so what you listen to in the car is up to you. But still, there are a few road classic road trip songs that will have everyone singing along in the car. The best road trip music invokes the emotions of traveling the open road with references to driving, exploring, or adventuring. Stuck on what to add to your playlist? These are fifteen of the best road trip songs to add to your playlist mix.

by The Proclaimers

“I’m Gonna Be” is the ultimate song about traveling far distances. Plus, it is just plain fun to sing along to in the car! While the Proclaimers might prefer to walk, we prefer to drive. But you know this song will be blasting on our car radio. (And for a more wistful drive, check out the Sleeping at Last cover.)

by Tom Petty

There are lots of places to run to and this song makes a good soundtrack to any of them. For anyone dreaming of that next adventure, this road trip song is always fun to sing along to with the windows down and the wind in your hair.

by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Road Trippin’ is an anthem of the band’s Pacific Coast Highway road trip. But it is a good song to accompany any of the Best USA Road Trip Ideas Routes .

by Johnny Cash

No matter where your road trip is taking you, chances are that this song mentions it. “I’ve Been Everywhere” is the quintessential road trip song about a man who has been…well…everywhere! (92 places are mentioned in the song, if you’re keeping track). Check out this interactive map to see everywhere the singer visits in the song.

by Tom Cochrane (or Rascal Flatts)

Though more of a metaphor for the ups and downs of life, there is no better song to score a long drive on the highway. Check out the Tom Cochrane version or Rascal Flatt’s version from the movie Cars .

by Simon & Garfunkel

America is a song about two young lovers hitchhiking their way across the United States, in search of “America.” Full of adventure and optimism this song reminds us that everyone is on their own journey.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero

Though not really about traveling, this feel-good song takes us on a journey about love. It reminds us that no matter how far or wide we drive, home is based on who you’re with. It also makes the perfect last song in a road trip playlist, to play as you’re coming home.

by Willie Nelson

While “On the Road Again” was originally written about being on tour, it has morphed into a road trip anthem. It’s a song about going new places and seeing new things, making it the perfect tune to blast while you’re on the road (again).

by Chuck Berry

Get your kicks to this classic road trip song that takes you on a journey on the Mother Road. While it might not be the essential song for every road trip, if you’re planning a Route 66 road trip , this song has to be at the top of your playlist.

by Lindsey Buckingham

“Holiday Road” cemented its place as the quintessential road trip song when it was used as the theme song to the quintessential road trip movie , National Lampoon’s Vacation , in 1983.

by Miley Cyrus

“Party in the USA” is more about moving across the country than driving across the country. But we all know that butterflies-in-our-stomach feeling that comes with experience something new for the first time. This song evokes both that adrenaline nervousness and wide-eyed wonder that can come with taking a chance, and how a good song can put you in the right mindset for anything. Plus it is just a fun song to sing in the car!

by Bruce Springsteen

We often travel to escape our normal routine and seek the adventure that is out of our bounds. Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” has become an ultimate road trip anthem to the restlessness that keeps us on the road searching for something new.

by Sheryl Crow

Life has twists and turns, just as a road trip does. Using the metaphors of the road, this song evokes the ups and downs of a bumpy life and a bumpy highway. Plus the chorus is fun to sing along to in the car. It will surely get you a little bit closer to feeling fine.

For those times on the road when you just want to take it easy, this song is for you. This is the perfect driving song for any road trip, but especially if you plan to be standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona (there’s even a Standin’ on a Corner roadside attraction on Route 6 based off of this famous road trip song!).

by Fleetwood Mac

“Go Your Own Way” was originally a break up song but it has morphed into a song that means so much more to those who love to go, or travel, their own way. Any Fleetwood Mac song rounds out a road trip playlist and belting out, “go your own way,” makes this song a must add.

Pump up the volume!

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book features 100 activities to play in the car, at your hotel, or at stops along your route, including several fun music-themed challenges!

Music for road trips has to last for hours. You don’t want to end up listening to the same song over and over again (unless it’s your favorite song ever, in which case you might not mind!). Round out your music playlist with one of these songs about driving and cars. Each of these songs makes some mention to something you’ll find on the road!

• Behind the Wheel by Depeche Mode
• Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
• Drive by The Cars
• Drive My Car by The Beatles
• Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
• Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
• Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
• Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles
• I Drove All Night by Cyndi Lauper
• Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots
• Into the Great Wide Open by Tom Petty
• Jesus Take The Wheel by Carrie Underwood
• Keep the Car Running by Arcade Fire
• King of the Road by Roger Miller
• Little Red Corvette by Prince
• Movin’ Right Along by Alkaline Trio
• Mustang Sally by Wilson Pickett
• One Headlight by The Wallflowers
• Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf
• Ramblin’ Man by The Allman Brothers
• Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads
• Shut Up and Drive by Rihanna
• Slow Ride by Foghat
• Society by Eddie Vedder
• Stickshifts and Safetybelts by Cake
• Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
• Truckin’ by Grateful Dead
• The Way by Fastball

Road trip songs son’t have to be about driving, locations, or America to make them road trip songs. Sometimes the best songs are ones that fit the mood of whatever part of your journey you’re on: a karaoke-level banger for when you’re speeding down the highway with your windows down, a melancholy ballad that matches the scenery-for-miles national park, or an oldie-but-goodie that takes you on a nostalgic blast to the past. Any song you love can be a road trip song. But here are some of our favorites.

• 1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins
• Africa by TOTO
• All Star by Smash Mouth
• All the Small Things by Blink 182
• American Pie by Don McLean
• Animal by Neon Trees
• As It Was by Harry Styles
• Baba O’Riley by The Who
• …Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
• Back to You by Bryan Adams
• Basket Case by Green Day
• Bitch by Meredith Brooks
• Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
• Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
• Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf
• The Boys of Summer by Don Henley
• Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
• Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
• Closer by The Chainsmokers
• Complicated by Avril Lavigne
• Come As You Are by Nirvana
• Counting Stars by OneRepublic
• Cut to the Feeling by Carly Rae Jepsen
• Crazy in Love by Beyonce
• Creep by Radiohead
• Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen
• Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader
• Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine
• Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
• Down by the Water by The Decemberists
• Down on the Corner by Credence Clearwater Revival
• Dream On by Aerosmith
• Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
• Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks
• Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
• Fade Into You by Mazzy Star
• Fell in Love with a Girl by The White Stripes
• Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
• Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty
• Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
• Happy by Pharrell Williams
• Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Heartbeats by José González
• Hear Comes the Sun by The Beatles
• Hello by Adele
• Heroes by David Bowie
• Hey, Soul Sister by Train
• Hey Ya by Outkast
• Ho Hey by The Lumineers
• Hold On by Wilson Phillips
• I Bet My Life by Imagine Dragons
• I’m Still Standing by Elton John
• I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones
• I Will Wait by Mumford and Sons
• Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp
• Jolene by Dolly Parton
• Juice by Lizzo
• July, July by The Decemberists
• J ust What I Needed by The Cars
• Like a Prayer by Madonna
• Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
• Love Shack by The B-52s
• Lust for Life by Iggy Pop
• Made You Look by Meghan Trainor
• More Than a Feeling by Boston
• Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
• Mr. Brightside by The Killers
• Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
• My Sharona by The Knack
• No Diggity by Backstreet
• No Scrubs by TLC
• Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship
• Old Town Road by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus
• One Week by The Barenaked Ladies
• Perfect by Ed Sheeran
• Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
• Redemption Song by Bob Marley
• Riptide by Vance Joy
• Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
• Rolling In The Deep by Adele
• Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) by Kate Bush
• Say It Ain’t So by Weezer
• Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind
• Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes
• Sex on Fire by Kings Of Leon
• Shape of You by Ed Sheeran
• Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash
• Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon
• Summer of ’69 by Bryan Adams
• Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N Roses
• Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
• The Golden Age by Beck
• This Is Me from The Greatest Showman
• Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
• Toxic by Britney Spears
• Umbrella by Rhianna
• Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie
• Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars
• Valerie by Amy Winehouse
• Wake Me Up by Avicii
• Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles
• Welcome Home, Son by Radical Face
• Where the Streets Have No Name by U2
• Wonderwall by Oasis
• We Are Young by fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
• What’s Up by 4 Non Blondes
• Wild World by Yusuf / Cat Stevens
• You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi
• You Oughta Know by Alannis Morisette
• You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

Road Trip Songs Playlist

We’ve added all of the music above to some special Spotify playlists you can listen to on your vacation. Add these to your favorites so you always have access to the best music to listen to in the car. Put them on shuffle for a surprise at every turn!

This Spotify road trip playlist contains all the best road trip songs and songs about driving and cars to provide a fun soundtrack to your travels. With more than 40 songs, it will keep yu entertained for three hours of driving!

This Spotify playlist contains all the music on our driving music playlist, plus over 100 more fun songs to listen to in the car! With over 170 songs, this playlist will run for 11 hours so you’ll never get bored on the road.

Road Trip Songs for Every State

Sometimes you just want to get in the mood for where you’re traveling to. These themed road trip playlists have songs for any US state you’re traveling to. From Alabama to Wyoming, these songs mention the state names, reference the state, are all about the state, or have some deeper meaning that ties them to the location. Use these US state playlists as the soundtrack to your Great American road trip, wherever that journey is taking you!

• Alabama by The Louvin Brothers 
• Alabama Getaway by Grateful Dead
• Alabama Pines by Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
• Alabama Rain by Jim Croce
• Alabama Song by The Doors
• Alabama Waltz by Hank Williams
• Ala-Freakin-Bama by Trace Adkins
• All In Alabama by Hank Williams Jr.
• All Summer Long by Kid Rock
• Angel from Montgomery by John Prine
• Birmingham by Randy Newman
• Midnight In Montgomery by Alan Jackson
• My Home’s in Alabama by Alabama
• Old Alabama by Brad Paisley
• Paint Me a Birmingham by Trace Lawrence
• Stars Fell on Alabama by Frank Perkins and Mitchell Parish
• Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Alaska by Dr. Dog
• Alaska by Little Hurt
• Alaska by Maggie Rogers 
• Alaska by Pinegrove
• Alaska and Me by John Denver
• Alaska Highway by Dan Bern
• The Alaska Song by Lacy J. Dalton
• American Child by John Denver
• Caroline Says II by Lou Reed
• Fairbanks, Alaska by The Front Bottoms
• Far Alaska by Jethro Tull
• From Alaska To L.A. by Wanda Jackson
• Home to Alaska by Lee Greenwood
• I’ll See Alaska by Black Irish Band
• North To Alaska by Johnny Horton
• Road to Alaska by the Bee Gees
• Talkin’ Goin’ to Alaska Blues by Shawn Mullins
• To the Wild Country by John Denver
• When It’s Springtime In Alaska (It’s Forty Below) by Johnny Horton
• Arizona by Josh Kerr
• Arizona By Kings Of Leon
• Arizona by Scorpions
• Arizona Skies by Los Lobos
• The Ballad Of Boot Hill by Johnny Cash
• Big Iron By Marty Robbins
• Bobby in Phoenix by Gorillaz (Featuring Bobby Womack)
• By The Time I Get To Phoenix By Glen Campbell
• Closer by the Chainsmokers
• Flagstaff by Morning by Joshua Kadison
• (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 by Nat King Cole
• Grand Canyon by Drive-by Truckers
• I Love You, Arizona by Rex Allen Jr.
• Mesa Town by Authority Zero
• Ocean Front Property By George Strait
• Painted Desert by Pat Benatar
• Phoner To Arizona by Gorillaz
• Sedona Sunrise by Aerosmith
• Send Me Down to Tucson by Mel Tillis
• Summer Running by Billy Idol
• Take It Easy By Eagles
• There Is No Arizona by Jamie O’Neal
• Tucson Train by Bruce Springsteen
• Arkansas by Chris Stapleton
• Arkansas by Damien Jurado
• Arkansas by Jimmy McCracklin
• Arkansas Farmboy by Glen Campbell
• Arkansas Heat by Gossip
• Arkansas Lovin’ Man by Johnny Cash
• Five Feet High and Rising by Johnny Cash
• Going Back to Arkansas by Big Bill Broonzy
• Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
• Little Rock by Hayes Carll
• The Lord God Bird  by Sufjan Stevens
• Mary Queen of Arkansas by Bruce Springsteen
• Sweet Southern Comfort by Buddy Jewell
• They Caught the Devil and Put Him in Jail in Eudora, Arkansas by Tony Joe White
• Beverly Hills by Weezer
• California by Blink-182
• California by Childish Gambino
• California By Delta Spirit
• California by Joni Mitchell
• California by Phantom Planet
• California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas
• California Girls by The Beach Boys
• California Gurls by Katy Perry
• California Kids by Weezer
• California Love by Tupac Shakur featuring Dr. Dre
• California Nights by Sweet
• California Soul by Marlena Shaw
• California Stars by Billy Bragg & Wilco
• Californication By Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Coming Into Los Angeles by Arlo Guthrie
• Going Back to Cali by The Notorious B.I.G.
• Going to California by Led Zeppelin
• Hotel California by Eagles
• I Left My Heart In San Francisco by Tony Bennett
• I Love LA by Randy Newman
• It Never Rains in Southern California by Albert Hammond
• La La Land by Bryce Vine
• Lights by Journey
• Malibu by Miley Cyrus
• Queen of California by John Mayer
• San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair) by Scott McKenzie
• Santa Monica By Everclear
• Ventura Highway by America
• Altitude Adjustment by Midland
• Boulder To Birmingham by Emmylou Harris
• Colorado by Alex Guthrie
• Colorado by Chevy Chase
• Colorado by Chuck Pyle
• Colorado by Florida Georgia Line
• Colorado by Infamous Stringdusters
• Colorado by Linda Ronstadt
• Colorado by Lotus
• Colorado by Paper Bird
• Colorado Bluebird Sky by The String Cheese Incident
• Colorado Girl by Townes Van Zandt
• Colorado Sunrise by 3OH!3
• Closer by Chainsmokers featuring Halsey
• Denver by Willie Nelson
• Driving Back to Denver by The Railbenders
• Forty Miles From Denver by Yonder Mountain Spring Band
• Get Out Of Denver by Bob Seger
• Goodbye in Telluride by Dierks Bentley
• I-70 Westbound by The Railbenders 
• I Guess He’d Rather Be In Colorado by John Denver
• I’m Leavin’ Colorado by Hillbilly Hellcats
• Intentions by Justin Bieber
• Lucky Denver Mint by Jimmy Eat World
• Lucky Old Colorado by Merle Haggard 
• A Mile High In Denver by Jimmy Buffett
• My Proud Mountains by Townes Van Zandt
• Rocky Mountain High by John Denver
• Rocky Mountain Way by Joe Walsh
• You Wild Colorado by Johnny Cash
• Connecticut by Artie Shaw
• Connecticut by Judy Garland and Bing Crosby
• Connecticut by Superchunk
• Connecticut Fun by Punkestra
• Connecticut Oberek by Jimmy Sturr
• Connecticut Snow by David Stephens
• The Connecticut Song by Kristen Graves
• Kylie from Connecticut by Ben Folds
• The Wives Are In Connecticut by Carly Simon
• Delaware by Arbour Season
• Delaware by Perry Como
• Delaware Slide by George Thorogood And The Destroyers
• Dover by John Flynn
• Down Home by Jimmie Allen
• Hello, I’m in Delaware by City And Colour
• Hot Time In Delaware by Saves The Day
• I’m From Delaware by Todd Chappelle
• All Signs Point to Lauderdale by A Day to Remember
• Backflip by The Front Bottoms
• Celebration, Florida by Chumbawamba
• Don’t Let Me Die in Florida by Patty Griffin
• The Everglades by Waylon Jennings
• Florida by Modest Mouse
• FloriFda Blues by Ricky Skaggs
• FloriDada by Animal Collective
• Florida Kilos by Lana Del Rey
• Florida Man by Blue Oyster Cult
• The Florida Song by Ricky Sylvia
• Florida Time by Bob Seger
• Floridays by Jimmy Buffett
• Gainesville by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
• Goin’ Back to Daytona by Floyd Miles
• Heaven’s Gate (Sad & Sober) by The Wonder Years
• If I Could Do It Again by Corey Smith
• Jacksonville by Josh Turner
• Key Largo by Bertie Higgins
• Kokomo by The Beach Boys
• Mainline Florida by Eric Clapton
• Miami 2017 by Billy Joel
• Move to Miami by Enrique Iglesias (Featuring Pitbull)
• Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard
• Only the Ocean by Jack Johnson
• The State of Florida by Less Than Jake
• Summer Nights by Rascal Flatts
• Swimming in Miami by Owl City
• Talk Me Out Of Tampa by Joe Nichols
• Tallahassee Lassie by Freddy Cannon
• Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season by Jimmy Buffet
• Cedartown, Georgia by Waylon Jennings
• Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson
• The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band
• Georgia by Elton John
• Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles
• Georgia Peaches by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Georgia Rain by Trisha Yearwood
• Georgia Woods by Keith Urban
• Highway 20 Ride by Zac Brown Band
• I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train by Billy Joe Shaver
• Lonely Night In Georgia by Marc Broussard
• Love Shack by The B-52’s
• Me and You and a Dog Named Boo by Lobo
• Meet in the Middle by Diamond Rio
• Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight & The Pips
• The Moon Over Georgia by Shenandoah
• The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia by Reba McEntire
• Oh, Atlanta by Alison Krauss and Union Station
• Peaches by Justin Bieber
• Rainy Night in Georgia by Brook Benton
• Sweet Augusta Darlin’ by Vince Gill
• Sweet Georgia Brown by Ella Fitzgerald
• Walkin’ Back to Georgia by Jim Croce
• Watermelon Crawl by Tracy Byrd
• Why Georgia by John Mayer
• Aloha ‘Oe by Queen Liliuokalani
• Blue Hawaii by Elvis Presley
• Fish and Poi by Sean Na’auao
• Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride by Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus and Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu
• Honolulu City Lights by Keola Beamer
• Island Style by John Cruz
• Kona Red by Ho`aikāne
• Pearly Shells (Pupu o Ewa) by Don Ho
• Pua `Ahihi by The Kahauanu Trio
• Rolling Down To Old Maui by Stan Rogers
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
• Tiny Bubbles by Don Ho
• To You Sweetheart, Aloha by Bing Crosby, Dick McIntire, and His Harmony Hawaiians
• White Sandy Beach by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
• Idaho by Bryan Lanning
• Idaho by BoDeans
• Idaho by Delta Spirit
• Idaho by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
• Idaho by Gorillaz
• Idaho by Gregory Alan Isakov
• Idaho by Josh Ritter
• Idaho by Nerina Pallot
• Idaho by Reckless Kelly
• Idaho by Train
• Idaho by Yonder Mountain String Band
• Idaho Cowboy by Reckless Kelly
• Idaho State Fair by Johnny Granger
• Idaho (Where I’m From) by Equaleyes
• Nowhere in Idaho by Rednex
• Private Idaho by B-52s
• Twin Falls by Built to Spill
• 65th And Ingleside by Chance The Rapper
• 100 Chicagos by Lupe Fiasco
• 2120 South Michigan Avenue by The Rolling Stones
• Ballad of the Illinois Opry by REO Speedwagon
• Cairo, Illinois by Pokey LaFarge
• Chicago by Sufjan Stevens
• Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town) by Frank Sinatra
• Come on! Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens
• Effington by Ben Folds
• The Giant of Illinois by The Handsome Family
• Illinois by Dan Fogelberg
• Illinois by Everly Brothers
• Illinois Blues by Skip James
• J ohnsburg, Illinois by Tom Waits
• Lake Shore Drive by Aliotta, Haynes, and Jeremiah
• Lookin’ Out My Back Door by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Made in the USA by Lupe Fiasco
• Meet Me in Chicago by Buddy Guy
• Moline by Pearl Jam
• My Kind Of Town by Frank Sinatra
• Someday We’ll Go All The Way by Eddie Vedder
• Sweet Home Chicago by The Blues Brothers
• Tonight, Tonight by The Smashing Pumpkins
• Via Chicago by Wilco
• Back Home Again in Indiana by Jim Nabors
• Back To Indiana by The Elms
• Can’t Get Indiana Off My Mind by Crystal Gale
• Fly Over States by Jason Aldean
• Gary, Indiana by Meredith Willson
• Going Back To Indiana by The Jackson 5
• Henrietta, Indiana by Josh Ritter
• Indiana by Jon McLaughlin
• Indiana Sky by Josh Garrels
• Indiana by Melissa Ethridge
• Indiana by The Samples
• Indiana By Sean Kelly
• Indiana Wants Me by R. Dean Taylor
• Mary Jane’s Last Dance by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
• On The Banks Of The Wabash, Far Away by Paul Dresser
• Pizza King by Wussy
• Small Town by John Mellencamp
• Springtime Indiana by Sandra McCracken
• Birth of Serpents by The Mountain Goats
• The Drycleaner From Des Moines by Joni Mitchell
• Iowa by Dar Williams
• Iowa Corn Song by Percy Faith
• Iowa Gold by Jane Roman Pitt
• The Iowa Song by Josh Connor
• It Sure Can Get Cold In Des Moines by Tom T. Hall
• Stranded by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
• Belexes by Kansas
• Home on the Range by Roy Rogers
• Kansas Rain by John Stewart
• One’s On The Way by Loretta Lynn
• On The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe by Judy Garland
• On the Road to Kansas by W.G. Snuffy Walden
• Ringing in the Year by Turnpike Troubadours
• Sunflower by Russ Morgan
• We’re Not in Kansas by Big Country
• Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell
• Wichita Skyline by Shawn Colvin
• You’re Not in Kansas Anymore by Jo Dee Messina
• Blue Kentucky Girl by Emmylou Harris
• Blue Moon Of Kentucky by Bill Monroe And The Bluegrass Boys
• Bourbon In Kentucky by Dierks Bentley
• Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn
• Dumas Walker by The Kentucky Headhunters
• Ghost of Floyd Collins by Black Stone Cherry
• It’s Got To Be Kentucky For Me by Tom T. Hall
• Kentucky Dirty by Laura Bundy
• Kentucky Gambler by Dolly Parton
• Kentucky In The Morning by Tom T. Hall
• Kentucky Means Paradise by Merle Travis
• Kentucky Moon by Jake Ousley
• Kentucky Rain by Elvis Presley
• Kentucky Skies by Leftover Salmon
• Kentucky Straight by Johnny Cash
• Kentucky Waltz by The Blue Grass Boys
• Kentucky Woman by Neil Diamond
• Long Hard Road by Tyler Childers
• Mountain Parkway by Sundy Best
• Old Kentucky Farmers by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
• Old King Coal by Sturgill Simpson
• Paradise by John Prine
• Run for the Roses by Dan Fogelberg
• Whitehouse Road by Tyler Childers
• You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive by Patty Loveless
• Adalida by George Strait
• Apache Rose Peacock by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Born on the Bayou by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Cajun Born by Johnny Cash
• Callin’ Baton Rouge by Garth Brooks
• Down at the Twist and Shout by Mary Chapin Carpenter
• Down Louisiana Way by George Strait
• House of the Rising Sun by The Animals
• Iko Iko by the Dixie Cups
• Jambalaya (On the Bayou) by Hank Williams
• Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight by Oak Ridge Boys
• Louisiana by Tim McGraw
• Louisiana Man by Lucinda Williams
• Louisiana Moon by Alabama
• Louisiana Rain by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
• Louisiana Saturday Night by Mel McDaniel
• Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Queen of New Orleans by Jon Bon Jovi
• Royal Orleans by Led Zeppelin
• Tryin’ to Get New Orleans by The Tractors
• Walking to New Orleans by Fats Domino
• The King Of Maine by Spose
• King Of The Road by Roger Miller
• Long Time Sunshine by Weezer
• Maine Stein Song by Rudy Vallée
• Nothing But Time by Jackson Browne
• Portland, Maine by Donovan Woods
• Portland Town by Schooner Fare
• The Reach by Dan Fogelberg
• So You Think You Know Maine by Wicked Good Band
• That Jane from Maine by Doris Day
• A Tombstone Every Mile by Dick Curless
• Baltimore by Prince
• Baltimore by Randy Newman
• Going To Maryland by The Mountain Goats
• Maryland by Vonda Shepard
• Maryland Memories by Ronnie Dove
• Raining In Baltimore by Counting Crows
• Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac
• Six Feet Under The Stars by All Time Low
• There’s A Girl In The Heart Of Maryland by Bing Crosby
• There She Goes by Good Charlotte
• Together In Maryland by Tony Cavallo
• What’s New In Baltimore? by Frank Zappa
• B ack to Boston by The Rosebuds
• Boston by Augustana
• Boston by The Byrds
• Boston by Kenny Chesney
• Dirty Water by The Standells
• Massachusetts by Aaron Lewis
• Massachusetts by Bee Gees
• Mass Pike by The Get Up Kids
• Midnight Rambler by The Rolling Stones
• M.T.A. by The Kingston Trio
• My Sister by The Juliana Hatfield Three
• Old Cape Cod by Patti Page
• Please Come to Boston by Dave Loggins
• Roadrunner by Jonathan Richman
• Rock and Roll Band by Boston
• Shipping Up To Boston by the Dropkick Murphys
• Sweet Baby James by James Taylor
• They Came to Boston by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
• Walcott by Vampire Weekend
• Whoever’s in New England by Reba McEntire
• America by Simon & Garfunkel
• Back to Ypsilanti by Lee Osler
• The Big Three Killed My Baby by The White Stripes
• Dancing in the Street by Martha and the Vandellas
• Detroit ‘67 by Sam Roberts
• Detroit Rock City by Kiss
• Especially in Michigan by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• For The Widows In Paradise, For The Fatherless In Ypsilanti by Sufjan Stevens
• Going to Michigan by The Extra Glenns
• Half Acre by Hem
• Hello Detroit by Sammy Davis, Jr.
• I Want to go Back to Michigan by Irving Berlin
• Lake Michigan by Rogue Wave
• Michicant by Bon Iver
• Michigan by The Milk Carton Kids
• Michigan and Again by The Accidentals
• Michigan Left by Arkells
• Mona and Emmy by Frontier Ruckus
• Night Moves by Bob Seger
• One Piece at a Time by Johnny Cash
• Panic in Detroit by David Bowie
• Roll Me Away by Bob Seger
• The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot
• The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota by Weird Al Yankovic
• Big River by Johnny Cash
• Drown Soda by Hole
• Duluth by Trampled By Turtles
• Escapade by Janet Jackson
• Girl From The North Country by Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash
• Good Old Days by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
• Lake of Fire by Nirvana
• Minnesota by Lil Yachty
• Minnesota Girl by Green Day
• On A Bus To St. Cloud by Trisha Yearwood
• Outshined by Soundgarden
• Rock ‘n’ Roll is Alive (And It Lives in Minneapolis) by Prince
• Say Shh by Atmosphere
• Skyway by The Replacements
• Truth Hurts by Lizzo
• Uptown by Prince
• Walls of Red Wing by Bob Dylan
• Biloxi by Jimmy Buffett
• Black Water by The Doobie Brothers
• Child of the Mississippi by Old Crow Medicine Show
• Down in Mississippi (Up to No Good) by Sugarland
• Ghosts of Mississippi by The Steeldrivers
• Here’s to the State of Mississippi by Phil Ochs
• In the Mississippi River by Mavis Staples
• Jackson, Mississippi by Kid Rock
• Living for the City by Stevie Wonder
• Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man by Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn
• Mississippi by Afroman
• Mississippi by Bob Dylan
• Mississippi by Charlie Daniels
• Mississippi by Pussycat
• Mississippi by Train
• Mississippi by Rising Appalachia
• Mississippi Girl by Faith Hill
• Mississippi Kid by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Mississippi Mud by Hank Williams III
• Mississippi Queen by Mountain
• Mississippi Sand by Johnny Cash
• Mister and Mississippi by Patti Page
• My Head’s in Mississippi by ZZ Top
• Sunrise on the Mississippi by Bruce Cockburn
• Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson (featuring Bruno Mars)
• California, Missouri by Kassi Ashton
• Cold Missouri Waters by James Keelaghan
• Missing Missouri by Sara Evans
• Missouri by David Nail
• Missouri Moon by Rhonda Vincent
• Missouri Waltz by Johnny Cash
• Shovelin’ Coal in Missouri by Jimmie Rodgers
• Songs About Missouri by Michael Tyler
• Southwest Missouri by The Mark Chapman Band
• Walkin’ To Missouri by Sammy Kaye
• 200 Miles From Montana by Greensky Bluegrass
• All Through Montana by John Craigie
• Big City by Merle Haggard
• Cut Bank, Montana by Hank Williams Jr.
• Goodnight Montana by David Walburn
• Hey Montana by Eve 6
• Home is Where Montana Is is Bruce Anfinson
• Livingston Saturday Night by Jimmy Buffett
• Montana by Justin Timberlake
• Look for Me in Butte by Utah Philips
• Meet Me in Montana by Dan Seals and Marie Osmond
• Midnight in Missoula by Nanci Griffith
• Montana by Daya
• Montana by Frank Zappa
• Montana by John Linnell
• Montana by Liz Carlisle
• Montana by Sons of the Pioneers
• Montana Lullaby by Ken Overcast
• Montana on My Mind by Shane Clouse
• Montana Rodeo by Chris LeDoux
• Montana Song by Hank Williams Jr
• Montana Sky by White Heart
• My Home’s in Montana by Wylie & The Wild West
• Wild Montana Skies by John Denver
• Calamity Song by The Decemberists
• Colder Weather by Zac Brown Band
• Egg & Daughter Nite, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1967 by John Prine
• Little Nebraska Town by Rachael Price
• My Guardian Angel by Pistoleros
• Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
• Nebraska by Cash Brothers
• Nebraska by moe.
• Nebraska Sunrise by Buddy Knox
• North Platte, Nebras-katte by Harry Partch And The Kronos Quartet
• Omaha by Counting Crows
• Omaha by Damien Jurado
• Omaha, Nebraska by Groucho Marx
• Tarkio Road by Brewer & Shipley
• There Is No Place Like Nebraska by Harry Pecha
• You And I by Lady Gaga
• Plains Of Nebrasky-O by Eric Anderson
• All The Way To Reno (You’re Gonna Be A Star) by R.E.M.
• Friend of The Devil by Grateful Dead
• Hell Before Reno by Big in Japan
• Leaving Las Vegas by Sheryl Crow
• Nevada by Deer Tick
• Nevada by YoungBoy Never Broke Again
• Nighttime in Nevada by Adrian Brannan
• Old Nevada Moon by Patsy Montana
• Sam’s Town by The Killers
• Sands of Nevada by Mark Knopfler
• Stop in Nevada by Billy Joel
• Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley
• Waking Up In Vegas by Katy Perry
• Welcome to Nevada by Jerry Reed
• Emperor of New Hampshire by James Parkington
• Escape From New Hampshire by Boscoden
• Granite State of Mind by The Super Secret Project
• Leaving New Hampshire by Andy Leftwich
• Live Free or Die by Bill Morrissey
• New Hampshire by John Linnell
• New Hampshire by Sonic Youth
• New Hampshire You’re My Home by Beverly Rush
• Okayalright by moe.
• White Mountain Fever by Jimmy Lehoux
• 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) by Bruce Springsteen
• Atlantic City by The Band
• Atlantic City by Bruce Springsteen
• Fake Blues by Real Estate
• Hackensac k by Fountains of Wayne
• I Like Jersey Best by John Pizzarelli
• I’m From New Jersey by John Gorka
• Jersey Bounce by Ella Fitzgerald
• Jersey Boy by Eddie Rabbitt
• Jersey Girl by Tom Waits
• Night Falls On Hoboken by Yo La Tengo
• Open All Night by Bruce Springsteen
• Palisades Park by Freddy Cannon
• Raise Your Hands by Bon Jovi
• Who Says You Can’t Go Home by Bon Jovi
• Wildwood Days by Bobby Rydell
• You Can’t Catch Me by Chuck Berry
• You Vandal by Saves the Day
• Albuquerque by Neil Young
• Arriba Nuevo Mexico by Roberto Griego
• Corner Of The Heart by Colin Raye
• Feels Like Home (New Mexico True) by Richmond
• Hearts And Bones by Paul Simon
• Motorway To Roswell by The Pixies
• New Mexican Rose by The Four Seasons
• New Mexico by Johnny Cash
• New Mexico Rain by Bill And Bonnie Hearne
• New Mexico’s No Breeze by Iron And Wine
• Point Me In the Direction Of Albuquerque by The Partridge Family
• Taos, New Mexico by R. Dean Taylor
• Worst Comes To Worst by Billy Joel
• The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) by Simon & Garfunkel
• Autumn In New York by Billie Holiday
• Big Apple Dreamin’ (Hippo) by Alice Cooper
• Chelsea Morning by Joni Mitchell
• Empire State Of Mind by JAY-Z Featuring Alicia Keys
• Englishman In New York by Sting
• Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl
• First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen
• Give My Regards To Broadway by James Cagney
• Harlem Blues by Nat King Cole
• Manhattan by Ella Fitzgerald
• New York by Ed Sheeran
• New York by St. Vincent
• New York At Night by Willie Nile
• New York City by The Chainsmokers
• New York City by They Might Be Giants
• New York City Boy by Pet Shop Boys
• New York City Rhythm by Barry Manilow
• New York, I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down by LCD Soundsystem
• New York, New York by Frank Sinatra
• New York Serenade by Bruce Springsteen
• New York’s Not My Home by Jim Croce
• New York State Of Mind by Billy Joel
• No Sleep Till Brooklyn by Beastie Boys
• N.Y. State of Mind by Nas
• The Only Living Boy In New York by Simon & Garfunkel
• Rockaway Beach by The Ramones
• Safe In New York City by AC/DC
• Seventeen by Sharon Van Etten
• Take The ‘A’ Train by Duke Ellington Orchestra
• Talkin’ New York by Bob Dylan
• Welcome To New York by Taylor Swift
• Carolina by Corey Smith
• Carolina by Eric Church
• Carolina Calling by Mipso
• Carolina Girls by Des Ark
• Carolina Drama by The Raconteurs
• Carolina in My Mind by James Taylor
• Carolina in the Morning by Dean Martin
• Chapel Hill by Sonic Youth
• Carolina Low by The Decemberists
• Carolina Moon by Scotty McCreery
• Charlotte’s in North Carolina by Keith Whitley
• Crop Comes In by Chatham County Line
• Crow Jane by Etta Baker
• Foggy Mountain Breakdown by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs
• Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotten
• Gone to Carolina by Shooter Jennings
• Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina
• If the River Was Whiskey by Charlie Poole
• Leaving Eden by Carolina Chocolate Drops
• North Carolina Way by Hogjaw
• Oh Carolina by Shaggy
• Oh, My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams
• Poor Ellen Smith by Neko Case
• Pretty Girl from Raleigh by The Avett Brothers
• Raise Up by Petey Pablo
• Southbound by Doc Watson
• Southern Sadness by American Aquarium
• Traveling From North Carolina by Paleface
• Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show
• Highway Headin’ South by Dolly Parton
• I Gotta Gal I Love (In North And South Dakota) by Frank Sinatra
• My Home In North Dakota by Adam Taylor
• My North Dakota Home by Lawrence Welk
• Nellie Kane by Phish
• North Dakota by Chris Knight
• North Dakota by Lyle Lovett
• North Dakota by Mako
• North Dakota by Tigirlily Gold
• North Dakota Boy by Doc Walker
• Summer Hands by Chuck Suchy
• Winds of North Dakota by Mike Piper
• You’ve Never Been To North Dakota by Brennen Leigh
• Back Home by The Beach Boys
• Banks of the Ohio by Joan Baez
• Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National
• Boy in Ohio by Phil Ochs
• Carry Me Ohio by Sun Kil Moon
• Cleveland Rocks by Ian Hunter
• Cuyahoga by R.E.M.
• Dayton, Ohio – 1903 by Randy Newman
• Escape from Ohio by Electric Six
• Four Days by Counting Crows
• Girl From Ohio by The Outlaws
• Going to Cleveland by The Mountain Goats
• Hang On Sloopy by The McCoys
• In Ohio by Joseph Arthur
• In Ohio on Some Steps by Limbeck
• Look at Miss Ohio by Gillian Welch
• Look Out Cleveland by The Band
• My City Was Gone by The Pretenders
• Oh, Cincinnati by The Seedy Seeds
• O-H-I-O by Ohio Players
• Ohio by The Black Keys
• Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
• Ohio by Damien Jurado
• Ohio by Modest Mouse
• Ohio (Come Back To Texas) by Bowling For Soup
• Ohio is for Lovers by Hawthorne Heights
• Saturday Night in Toledo, Ohio by John Denver
• South of Cincinnati by Dwight Yoakam
• Youngstown by Bruce Springsteen
• Blown Away by Carrie Underwood
• Crazy About Oklahoma by Jimmy Reed
• Does The Wind Still Blow In Oklahoma by Reba McEntire and Ronnie Dunn
• Do Re Mi by Woody Guthrie
• Down In Oklahoma by Ginger Prince
• I Ain’t In Checotah Anymore by Carrie Underwood
• If You’re Ever in Oklahoma by JJ Cale
• My Oklahoma Home by Bruce Springsteen
• Nowhere Road by Steve Earle & The Dukes
• Okie From Muskogee by Merle Haggard
• Oklahoma Dust by The Notorious Cherry Bombs
• Oklahoma Hills by Jack Guthrie
• Oklahoma Morning by Charley Pride
• Oklahoma Sky by Miranda Lambert
• Oklahoma Sunday Morning by Glen Campbell
• Oklahoma Sunshine by Waylon Jennings
• Oklahoma USA by The Kinks
• Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa by George Strait
• Tulsa Jesus Freak by Lana Del Rey
• You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma by David Frizzell and Shelly West
• Alameda by Elliott Smith
• Back to Oregon by Broadway Calls
• City Of Roses by Esperanza Spalding
• Carry & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens
• Coming Home by Mat Kearney
• Don’t Take Me Alive by Steely Dan
• Eugene Oregon by Dolly Parton
• Better Company by Horse Feathers
• Light Rail Coyote by Sleater-Kinney
• Live Long In Oregon by Laura Gibson
• Lumberjack by Johnny Cash
• Mt. St. Helens by Mirah
• Night of the Living Rednecks by Dead Kennedys
• Oregon Girl by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
• Oregon Trail by Woody Guthrie
• Rose Parade by Elliott Smith
• Pastures of Plenty by Woody Guthrie
• Portland by The Replacements
• Portland, Oregon by Loretta Lynn
• Portland Town by Joan Baez
• Portland Water by Michael Hurley
• So Long, Astoria by the Ataris
• Twin Rocks, Oregon by Shawn Mullins
• 30,000 Pounds of Bananas by Harry Chapin
• Allentown by Billy Joel
• Fall in Philadelphia by Hall & Oates
• Harrisburg by Josh Ritter
• Motownphilly by Boyz II Men
• Pennsylvania by Bloodhound Gang
• Pennsylvania by Heart
• Pennsylvania Polka by Frank Yankovic
• Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John
• Philly, Philly by Eve
• Pittsburgh by the Lemonheads
• Pittsburgh by They Might Be Giants
• Pittsburgh Sound by Wiz Khalifa
• Pittsburgh Town by Pete Seeger
• South Street by the Orlons
• Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen
• Summertime by Will Smith (DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince)
• You’ve Got A Friend In Pennsylvania by New Found Glory
• Holiday In Rhode Island by The Softies
• The Last Great American Dynasty by Taylor Swift
• The Last Resort by Eagles
• Psycho Killer by Talking Heads
• Poor Little Rhode Island by Guy Lombardo
• Rhode Island by The Front Bottoms
• Rhode Island by The Innocence Mission
• Rhode Island Is Famous For You by Jack Haley
• Summertime In Rhode Island by Someday Providence
• Sweet Rhode Island Red by Ike & Tina Turner
• Beers and Sunshine by Darius Rucker
• Carolina Can by Chase Rice
• Carolina Girls by General Johnson
• Carolina In The Morning by Judy Garland
• Charleston, South Carolina by Lovie Austin and Her Blue Serenaders
• Coast of Carolina by Jimmy Buffett
• Dancin’, Shaggin on The Boulevard by Alabama
• Just a Little Bit South of North Carolina by Dean Martin
• She’s Carolina by Cody Webb
• South Carolina by The Outlaws
• South Carolina Blues by Junior League Band
• South Carolina Low Country by Josh Turner
• Sumter County Friday Night by Lee Brice
• Waltz for a Girl From South Carolina by Brett Shady
• Badlands by Bruce Springsteen
• Big Foot by Johnny Cash
• Deadwood, South Dakota by Nanci Griffith
• Everything by Eve 6
• Fire by Autumn Hill
• Hills of South Dakota by Becky Schlegel
• Kadoka, South Dakota by The Living Sisters
• Misfits by Neil Young
• Rapid City, South Dakota by Dwight Yoakam
• South Dakota by Afroman
• South Dakota by Jakey
• South Dakota Morning by Bee Gees
• Back to Tennessee by Billy Ray Cyrus
• Back Where I Come From by Kenny Chesney
• Crazy Town by Jason Aldean
• Dixieland Delight by Alabama
• Girl Named Tennessee by NeedToBreathe
• Me and Tennessee by Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow
• Memphis, Tennessee by Elvis Presley
• My Tennessee Mountain Home by Dolly Parton
• Nashville by Noah Gundersen
• Nashville Blues by the Everly Brothers
• Nashville Without You by Tim McGraw
• Rocky Top by the Osborne Brothers
• Smoky Mountain Rain by Ronnie Milsap
• Tennessee by Arrested Development
• Tennessee by Johnny Cash
• Tennessee by Sugarland
• Tennessee by The Wreckers
• Tennessee Homesick Blues by Dolly Parton
• Tennessee River Run by Darryl Worley
• Tennessee Rose by Emmylou Harris
• Tennessee Stud by Johnny Cash
• Tennessee Waltz by Patti Page
• Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton
• This Ain’t Tennessee by Garth Brooks
• Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn
• Wrong Side of Memphis by Trisha Yearwood
• All My Exes Live in Texas by George Strait
• Amarillo by Morning by George Strait
• Austin by Blake Shelton
• Beautiful Texas by Willie Nelson
• Blame It On Texas by Mark Chesnutt
• The Bluest Eyes In Texas by Restless Heart
• Dallas by The Flatlanders
• Deep in the Heart of Texas by Gene Autry
• Dime Store Cowgirl by Kacey Musgraves
• Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind? by George Strait
• Galveston by Glen Campbell
• Girls From Texas by Pat Green featuring Lyle Lovett
• God Blessed Texas by Little Texas
• Houston Is Hot Tonight by Iggy Pop
• If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band) by Alabama
• La Grange by ZZ Top
• London Homesick Blues by Jerry Jeff Walker & Gary P. Nunn
• Lubbock or Leave It by The Chicks
• Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) by Waylon Jennings
• Miles and Miles of Texas by Bob Wills
• My Texas by Josh Abbott Band featuring Pat Green
• Streets of Laredo by Johnny Cash
• Texas by Charlie Daniels Band
• Texas Flood by Stevie Ray Vaughan
• Texas Pride by Miranda Lambert
• Texas Sun by Khruangbin & Leon Bridges
• Texas (When I Die) by Tanya Tucker
• Too Far From Texas by Stevie Nicks
• Travis County by Gary Clark Jr.
• Waltz Across Texas Tonight by Emmylou Harris
• Ballad for a Friend by Bob Dylan
• The Ballad of Billy the Kid by Billy Joel
• Don’t Get So Down On Yourself by Chris Isaak
• Friend of the Devil by the Grateful Dead
• The Great Salt Lake by Band of Horses
• The History of Utah by Camper Van Beethoven
• I Lost My Sugar in Salt Lake City by Johnny Mercer
• Palace Of The Brine by Pixies
• The Promised Land by Bruce Springsteen
• The Red Hills of Utah by Marty Robbins
• Salt Lake City by the Beach Boys
• Salt Lake City by Bobby & the Midnites
• Salt Lake City by Bob Weir
• Salt Lake City by Dwarves
• Salt Lake City by Hank Williams Jr.
• Utah by The Osmonds
• Utah Carol by Marty Robbins
• Utah Tribute by Chris LeDoux
• Yin & Yang by Adam Ant
• Carolina by Ferdinand The Bull
• Green Mountain State by Trevor Hall
• J ust Give Me Moonlight In Vermont by Amy Allison
• Moonlight In Vermont by Frank Sinatra
• Parking Lots and Mountain Tops by James Kochalka Superstar
• Vermont by Dead Winter Carpenters
• Vermont Girl by Joan of Arc
• The Vermont Song by The Breakfast
• T he Vermont Waltz by Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen
• Clinch Mountain Backstep by Ralph Stanley
• East Virginia by Pete Seeger
• The Ghost Of Virginia by Justin Townes Earle
• I Went Down To Virginia by Frank Sinatra
• James River Blues by Old Crow Medicine Show
• Longing For Old Virginia by The Carter Family
• Meet Virginia by Train
• My Old Virginia Home by The Carter Family
• Night Train by James Brown
• Old Virginia by America
• Sweet Virginia by The Rolling Stones
• Sweet Virginia Breeze by The Robbin Thompson Band
• Virginia by Tori Amos
• Virginia by Whiskey Myers
• Virginia Is For Lovers By Jordin Sparks
• Virginia Moon by Foo Fighters
• Virginia Plain by Roxy Music
• Aurora by Foo Fighters
• Belltown Ramble by Robyn Hitchcock
• Black Ball Ferry Line by Bing Crosby
• Dark Moon by Bonnie Guitar
• Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle by Nirvana
• Hello Seattle by Owl City
• I Love Seattle by Tacocat
• My Oh My by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
• Posse On Broadway by Sir-Mix-A-Lot
• Seattle by Perry Como
• The Shadow Of Seattle by Marcy Playground
• Sunny In Seattle by Blake Shelton
• Talkin’ Seattle Blues by Todd Snider
• This Place Is A Prison by The Postal Service
• Thrice All American by Neko Case
• Walk, Don’t Run by The Ventures
• Waitsburg by Bob Frank
• Working Titles by Damien Jurado
• Charleston Girl by Tyler Childers
• Come Home to West Virginia by Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.
• Jamboree Jones by Johnny Mercer
• Last Public Hanging in West Virginia by Flatt & Scruggs
• Leaving West Virginia by Kathy Mattea
• Morning Morgantown by Joni Mitchell
• Remember by Mac Miller
• Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford
• Union, God, and Country by Steve Earle
• West Virginia My Home by Hazel Dickens
• You Remind Me of West Virginia by Wyatt Turner
• Alcohol by Brad Paisley
• Jump Around by House of Pain
• Man From Milwaukee by Hanson
• Milwaukee by The Both
• Milwaukee, Here I Come by George Jones and Brenda Carter
• My Cousin in Milwaukee by Ella Fitzgerald
• River in the Pines by The Deep, Dark Woods
• Turntable by Dead Horses
• Welcome to Janesville by Smoking Popes
• What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Fool Out of Me) by Jerry Lee Lewis
• Wisconsin by Bon Iver
• The Beaches of Cheyenne by Garth Brooks
• Happy Birthday (from Wyoming) by Mario Matteoli
• I Can Still Make Cheyenne by George Strait
• July in Cheyenne by Aaron Watson
• Leaving Wyoming by Northcote
• My Sweet Wyoming Home by Bill Staines
• Neon by Chris Young
• Paint Me Back Home in Wyoming by Chris LeDoux
• Song of Wyoming by John Denver
• What Happened in Wyoming by Envoi
• Why, Oh Why, Did I Ever Leave Wyoming by Roy Rogers
• Wyoming Wind by Chancey Williams & The Younger Brothers Band

Pin this list of the Best Road Trip Songs to Blast in the Car (and Spotify Playlists) to savefor your next road trip!

Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash

Plan Your Road Trip

Road Trip Scavenger Hunt (+ Free Printables)

Road trip games are always a fun way for passengers of any age to pass time in the car. Fun car games include Road Sign …

Route 66 Packing List for 2024 Road Trips

Planning a Route 66 road trip and not quite sure what to wear or what to bring with you? We’ve put together a Route 66 …

Road Trip Lunch Ideas

Let’s do lunch! They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but lunch is often the favorite meal of the day. …

Valerie Bromann

Founder & road trip expert.

Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book , she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

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Last modified: December 3, 2023 Category: Road Trip Planning , Road Trip Play List

Best USA Road Trip Ideas and Routes

Best junk food road trip snacks, share this post ⤵.

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything you need to have and record an epic road trip, by valerie bromann.

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.

Silly America

Silly America is a roadside attractions blog designed to help travelers find unique stops for their next road trip. The website is a tribute to the great American road trip, devoted to all that is odd in America: roadside attractions, tourist traps, peculiar destinations, bizarre events, road food, fun festivals, and more! It’s a travel website and trip planner for those seeking an offbeat road trip.

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101 Best Road Trip Songs Of All Time

There's nothing quite like hitting the open road with nothing but good vibes, the windows down and your favorite songs driving you onwards.

In fact, the right playlist can make or break a road trip, so it's worth getting it right - especially if you have a few friends with different music tastes. Well - we've got you covered with this extensive list of 101 best road trip songs that are truly timeless.

So buckle up, roll down the windows and get ready to sing along to these must-have tracks.

101 Road Trip Song List

• "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen
• "Life is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane
• "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver
• "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers
• "Route 66" by Chuck Berry
• "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles
• "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson
• "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
• "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac
• "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas and the Papas
• "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne
• "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty
• "Hotel California" by Eagles
• "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman
• "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix
• "Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen
• "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses
• "Little Red Corvette" by Prince
• "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn
• "King of the Road" by Roger Miller
• "Ventura Highway" by America
• "Take It Easy" by Eagles
• "American Girl" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
• "Rocky Mountain High" by John Denver
• "The Joker" by Steve Miller Band
• "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys
• "Radar Love" by Golden Earring
• "Life in the Fast Lane" by Eagles
• "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith
• "Roundabout" by Yes
• "Drive" by The Cars
• "Layla" by Derek and the Dominos
• "Every Breath You Take" by The Police
• "No Scrubs" by TLC
• "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac
• "Smooth" by Santana feat. Rob Thomas
• "More Than a Feeling" by Boston
• "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones
• "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock
• "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC
• "Stuck in the Middle with You" by Stealers Wheel
• "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down
• "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond
• "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac
• "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees
• "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon
• "Jump" by Van Halen
• "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
• "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson
• "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John
• "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield
• "Sweet Jane" by The Velvet Underground
• "Scar Tissue" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• "Dream On" by Aerosmith
• "Life During Wartime" by Talking Heads
• "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
• "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones
• "Blister in the Sun" by Violent Femmes
• "Running Down a Dream" by Tom Petty
• "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett
• "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf
• "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits
• "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles
• "Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors
• "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison
• "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers
• "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap
• "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears
• "Shut Up and Drive" by Rihanna
• "Just What I Needed" by The Cars
• "Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel
• "Rock and Roll All Nite" by Kiss
• "Born on the Bayou" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
• "The Weight" by The Band
• "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand
• "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men
• "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John
• "Hey Ya!" by Outkast
• "My Sharona" by The Knack
• "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones
• "Come Sail Away" by Styx
• "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
• "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol
• "Can't Stop" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• "All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow
• "How Far We've Come" by Matchbox Twenty
• "Rock the Casbah" by The Clash
• "We Built This City" by Starship
• "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones
• "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by Scorpions
• "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica
• "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi
• "The Boys of Summer" by Don Henley
• "Take It to the Limit" by Eagles
• "Ramble On" by Led Zeppelin

6 Tips For Creating A Road Trip Play List Everyone Will Love

1. consider your audience.

To please everyone is a hard task. However, understanding the music tastes of those who you're going to be sitting with for hours on end can really help you choose the right kinda music. Generally, the classics listed in this article are a great place to start, but you might want to add in some specialty songs you know your friends or family will love.

2. Mix It Up

Keeping the genre open and with variety will help keep the drive get monotonous and, excuse the pun, one track.

3. Consider The Mood

The type of road trip you're going on may dictate the genre and vibe of songs you should choose. While most road trips are fun, adventurous and freeing, some may be a little less so. If you're traveling with your great-grandma, the vibe may call for something totally different.

4. Don't Ignore The Classics

The beauty of timeless music is everyone knows the songs... whether you like or loathe them, once they get going, you cannot help to singalong. So throw in some classics and they'll work a charm.

5. Consider The Trip Length

Make sure your playlist isn't too short for your road trip. If you're building a playlist on a platform like Spotify, you can see how many hours and minutes of music your playlist adds up to. Ideally, you'll want to aim for about double the amount of minutes of music in relation to your travel. This will help account for skipping songs, listening to songs while not driving and so on. Also, remember if you have a return drive, to add in those hours too.

6. Download Your Playlist To Play Offline

Whether or not your road trip is going rural or not, it's a great idea to download the playlist to ensure the music won't stop when you lose signal.

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Best Road Trip Songs: Top 20 Tracks to Keep You Cruising

R oad trips are an exciting way to explore new places, bond with friends or family, and create unforgettable memories. But what’s a road trip without some good music to sing along to? The right playlist can make all the difference in turning a long drive into a fun adventure. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best road trip songs to keep you entertained on your next journey.

Understanding road trip songs is important to creating the perfect playlist. These songs are not just about the lyrics or the melody, but also the feeling they evoke. Road trip songs should be upbeat, energetic, and have a sense of adventure. They should make you want to roll down the windows, turn up the volume, and sing at the top of your lungs.

Whether you prefer classic rock, country, or pop, there’s a road trip song for everyone. From the historical context of road trip songs to the top classic and modern road trip songs, we’ve got you covered. So buckle up, hit the road, and let the music take you on a journey you’ll never forget.

Key Takeaways

• Road trip songs should be upbeat and evoke a sense of adventure.
• There are road trip songs for every music genre preference.
• A well-curated road trip playlist can make all the difference in creating a fun and memorable journey.

Understanding the Best Road Trip Songs

Road trips are an American classic. There’s something about hitting the open road with friends or family that just screams adventure. And what’s a road trip without some great music to accompany you on the journey? That’s where road trip songs come in.

A good road trip song can set the mood for your entire journey. It can make you feel nostalgic, excited, or even a little bit melancholy. But what makes a song a “road trip song”?

Generally, road trip songs have a few key characteristics. They’re upbeat, catchy, and often have lyrics that relate to travel, freedom, or adventure. They’re the kind of songs that you can sing along to at the top of your lungs, with the windows down and the wind in your hair.

Some popular road trip song genres include classic rock, country, and pop. But really, any genre can have great road trip songs. It’s all about finding the right songs that fit your personal taste and the mood of your trip.

When putting together a road trip playlist, it’s important to consider the length of your journey. You don’t want to run out of songs halfway through your trip! A good rule of thumb is to have at least 10 hours of music for a one-day road trip, and at least 20 hours for a multi-day trip.

Another thing to keep in mind is the mood you want to set. Are you looking for high-energy songs to keep you awake on a long drive? Or more mellow tunes for a relaxing weekend getaway ? Consider creating different playlists for different parts of your trip, or for different times of day.

Overall, road trip songs are an essential part of any great road trip. They can make the journey more enjoyable, help pass the time, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Historical Context of Road Trip Songs

Road trips have been a popular form of travel for decades, with songs about them dating back to the early 20th century. Many of the earliest road trip songs were inspired by the rise of the automobile industry, which made it easier for people to travel long distances.

In the 1930s and 1940s, during the Great Depression and World War II, road trip songs often had a patriotic or nostalgic theme. Songs like “Route 66” and “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” celebrated the freedom and adventure of the open road, while also paying tribute to the many small towns and cities that dotted the landscape.

During the 1950s and 1960s, road trip songs became more upbeat and energetic, reflecting the post-war boom in car ownership and the rise of rock and roll music. Songs like “Little Deuce Coupe” by The Beach Boys and “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson captured the excitement and sense of possibility that came with hitting the highway.

In the 1970s and 1980s, road trip songs took on a more introspective and reflective tone, with artists like Jackson Browne and Tom Petty exploring themes of loneliness, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. At the same time, songs like “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen and “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane continued to celebrate the thrill of the open road and the sense of freedom that came with it.

Today, road trip songs continue to be a popular form of music, with artists from a wide range of genres and backgrounds contributing to the genre. Whether you’re cruising down the highway in a classic car or exploring the back roads in an RV, there’s a road trip song out there that’s sure to get you in the mood for adventure.

Top Classic Road Trip Songs

When it comes to road trips, having the perfect playlist is essential. Whether you’re driving through the countryside or cruising down the highway, the right songs can set the tone for your journey and make your trip more enjoyable. Here are some of the top classic road trip songs that are sure to get you in the mood for adventure.

Rock music has always been associated with the open road, and for good reason. The following classic rock songs are perfect for a road trip:

• “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
• “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane
• “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey
• “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty

Country Genre

Country music is another genre that is perfect for road trips. The following classic country songs are sure to put you in a good mood:

• “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
• “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
• “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers
• “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks
• “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton

If you’re looking for something a little more upbeat, pop music is a great choice. Here are some classic pop songs that are perfect for a road trip:

• “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
• “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
• “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
• “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
• “Dancing Queen” by ABBA

No matter what genre of music you prefer, these classic road trip songs are sure to make your journey more enjoyable. So, crank up the volume and hit the open road!

Modern Road Trip Songs

When it comes to modern road trip songs, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some top picks for different genres:

Indie Genre

Indie music has become a staple in road trip playlists. The genre’s upbeat and catchy melodies make it perfect for long drives. Here are some popular indie songs to add to your playlist:

Hip Hop Genre

Hip hop music has also become a popular choice for road trip playlists. With its high energy and catchy beats, it’s hard not to get hyped up while driving. Here are some popular hip hop songs to add to your playlist:

Electronic Genre

Electronic music has been around for decades, but it’s only recently become a popular choice for road trip playlists. With its upbeat and energetic sound, it’s perfect for long drives. Here are some popular electronic songs to add to your playlist:

Whether you’re into indie, hip hop, or electronic music, there are plenty of modern road trip songs to choose from. Add some of these popular songs to your playlist to make your next road trip even more enjoyable.

How to Create the Perfect Road Trip Playlist

Creating the perfect road trip playlist can be a daunting task, but it’s worth the effort. A good playlist can make a long drive more enjoyable, and it can help set the mood for your trip. Here are some tips for creating the perfect road trip playlist:

1. Start with the Classics

Start your playlist with classic road trip songs. These are the songs that everyone knows and loves. They’re the songs that will get you in the mood for a road trip. Some classic road trip songs include “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen, “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane.

2. Mix it Up

Don’t limit yourself to just one genre of music. Mix it up with some rock, pop, country, and even some hip-hop. This will keep your playlist interesting and prevent you from getting bored. You can also include songs from different eras to add variety.

3. Include Your Favorites

Make sure to include some of your favorite songs on your playlist. These are the songs that will make you happy and keep you entertained. Don’t be afraid to add some guilty pleasure songs too. After all, it’s your playlist, and you should enjoy it.

4. Consider Your Destination

Consider the destination of your road trip when creating your playlist. If you’re headed to the beach, include some beachy songs. If you’re headed to the mountains, include some songs about nature. This will help set the mood for your trip and make it more enjoyable.

5. Don’t Forget the Sing-Alongs

Include some sing-along songs on your playlist. These are the songs that everyone knows the words to and can sing along to. They’re great for bonding with your travel companions and making memories.

In conclusion, creating the perfect road trip playlist takes a little bit of effort, but it’s worth it. Follow these tips, and you’ll have a playlist that will make your road trip more enjoyable.

Final Thoughts about the Best Road Trip Songs

In conclusion, creating the perfect road trip playlist is a fun and exciting task that can make your journey more enjoyable. With so many great songs out there, it can be difficult to narrow down the choices. However, by using the suggestions from our research and your own personal taste, you can create a playlist that will keep you entertained for hours on end.

Some of the most popular road trip songs include classics like “Route 66” by Chuck Berry and “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane. Other great options include “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers and “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

When creating your playlist, it’s important to consider the mood and energy level of each song. You’ll want to choose a mix of upbeat songs to keep you energized and slower songs to help you relax and enjoy the scenery.

In addition to the songs themselves, it’s also important to consider the sound quality and volume of your music. Make sure to test your playlist in advance to ensure that everything sounds great and that you can hear it over the noise of the road.

Overall, creating the perfect road trip playlist is a fun and rewarding experience that can enhance your travel experience. So, get out there and start creating your own ultimate road trip playlist today!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Road Trip Songs

What are good songs to listen to in the car.

Good songs to listen to in the car are those that are upbeat, catchy, and have a sing-along quality to them. Some popular choices include “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, and “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi.

What type of music is best for driving?

The type of music that is best for driving is subjective and varies from person to person. However, studies have shown that music with a tempo of around 120 beats per minute can help to reduce stress and increase alertness while driving. Some examples of music with this tempo include pop, rock, and electronic dance music.

What songs are good for travel videos?

Good songs for travel videos are those that evoke a sense of adventure and wanderlust. Some popular choices include “I Lived” by OneRepublic, “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons, and “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.

What is the #1 roadtrip song?

The #1 roadtrip song is subjective and varies depending on personal preferences. However, some popular choices include “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen, “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane, and “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Top 10 best driving songs

• “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
• “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles
• “Take on Me” by A-ha
• “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
• “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard
• “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC
• “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
• “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

Girl power road trip songs

• “Roar” by Katy Perry
• “Independent Women Part I” by Destiny’s Child
• “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” by Shania Twain
• “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
• “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
• “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
• “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé
• “Bad Girls” by M.I.A.
• “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” by Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin
• “Confident” by Demi Lovato

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100 Oldies But Goodies Songs For Your Next Road Trip

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

Mood Boosters

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

• Feeling Moody and Blue
• For the Country Music Lovers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feeling Moody And Blue

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

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

For The Country Music Lovers

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

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

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

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Bread and bagels at The Works Cafe in downtown Portland. Photo by Aimsel Ponti

From New York-style boiled bagels to Montreal-inspired wood-fired ones, there’s lots of great bagels in southern Maine and several shops have the accolades to back that up.

In 2023, Bon Appetit named bagels from Rose Foods and Rover Bagel among the best in the country.

Two years before that,  Food & Wine Magazine put Rover, Forage and Scratch Baking Co. on its list of best bagels in the U.S.

Whether you like yours toasted with cream cheese or as the bread for your breakfast sandwich, you can find plenty of styles and flavors from Biddeford to Brunswick.

BEACH BAGELS

The offerings at Beach Bagels include a French toast and marble bagel, and the cream cheese menu comprises spreads like strawberry, olive and honey walnut. Along with breakfast sandwiches, Beach Bagels has hearty breakfast options like omelets and pancakes. Best of all, you’re steps away from a beach stroll. Just don’t let the seagulls steal your bagel. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily WHERE: 34 Old Orchard St., Old Orchard Beach. beachbagels.yolasite.com ______________

Dutchman’s opened in 2022 as a pop-up housed at Nomad pizza in Brunswick’s Fort Andross building. It’s since become a permanent fixture there and uses the pizzeria’s wood-fired ovens to bake its bagels. The hand-shaped, honey-boiled bagels come in plain, roasted garlic, poppy and a bagel-of-the-day flavor.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday to Sunday WHERE: Fort Andross, 14 Maine St., Brunswick. dutchmans.me ______________

FORAGE MARKET

Making bagels at Forage Market involves a two-day aging process. The bagels are naturally leavened with wild yeast starter and baked next to a hardwood fire. There are usually five flavors available, including sesame and garlic. Breakfast sandwiches (including vegan options) are available. Forage also has a location in Lewiston. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 123 Washington Ave., Portland. foragemarket.com _____________

MISTER BAGEL

There are 10 or so Mister Bagel locations in Maine, including South Portland and Falmouth. It all began with the Portland location, which was the first bagel shop to open in Maine. The late Rick Hartglass started Mister Bagel in 1977, and it is still a family business. Music fans will appreciate the breakfast sandwich menu, which includes The David Bowie (bacon, egg and American cheese), the Jimmy Buffett (egg with roast beef and cheddar) and The Lady Gaga (avocado, salt and pepper, with or without egg).

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 599 Forest Ave., Portland. misterbagelforestave.com ______________

At Rose Foods, the menu varies depending on the day, but there are usually six to eight flavors available. For example, should you pop in on a Friday, you’ll find a poppy and onion bialy (a cousin of the bagel that is not boiled). Rose Foods also makes a number of bagel sandwiches, including the Classic Nova with Nova lox and the Classic Whitefish. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily WHERE: 428 Forest Ave., Portland. rosefoods.me

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ROVER BAGEL

At Rover Bagel, you’ll find wood-fired plain, poppy, sea salt, sesame and everything bagels available most of the time, and the spread game here is strong with cream cheese options like lemon-thyme-honey cream and chili-garlic.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 10 West Point Lane Suite 10-204, Biddeford (Pepperell Mill). roverbagel.com

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SCRATCH BAKING CO.

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the line of devoted fans waiting for Scratch Baking Co. to open, especially on weekend mornings. Along with the popular Maine sea salt, plain and other everyday flavors, Scratch has a daily special bagel. There’s honeyed rosemary on Wednesday and jalapeno cheddar on Thursday. Scratch is also famous, at least to locals, for its P-Cheese spread. It’s a pimento cheese recipe made with cheddar, mayo, roasted red peppers and seasoning and was passed down to co-owner and head baker Allison Reid by her grandmother, Mern.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 416 Preble St., South Portland. scratchbakingco.com ___________

THE MAINE BAGEL

The Maine Bagel is a drive-thru with several breakfast and other kinds of sandwiches available. With a bagel list that features egg and bialy among the standards, the family-owned spot is the perfect place to stop on your way to Pine Point Beach. The Maine Bagel really shines with a dozen kinds of cream cheese spreads, including raisin-walnut, lox, strawberry, cranberry-nut and bacon-chive.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. WHERE: 117 Route 1, Scarborough. themainebagel.com Advertisement

THE WORKS CAFE

The Works Cafe is an institution on the edge of the Portland’s Old Port. It opened in 1990 as Bagel Works before it changed its name in 2002. The original shop in this regional chain opened in Manchester, Vermont, in 1988, and there are 11 locations around New England, though just the one in Maine. Gone are the ’90s-era banana-walnut bagels and cold pizza cream cheese, but The Works Cafe is still a reliable place to grab a salt, multigrain or cinnamon raisin bagel, among others. The menu also has bowls, sandwiches and smoothies.

WHEN: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily WHERE: 15 Temple St., Portland. workscafe.com

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