70s road trip songs

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

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

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

The Best 70s Driving Songs of All Time

70s driving songs

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

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

20. "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen

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

19. "Take it Easy" by the Eagles

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

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

18. "Radar Love" by Golden Earring

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

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

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

16. "Midnight Rider" by Allman Brothers Band

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

15. "Hurricane" by Bob Dylan

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

14. "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple

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

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

13. "Truckin'" by the Grateful Dead

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

12. "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson

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

11. "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne

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

10. "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones

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

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

9. "Roadrunner" by The Modern Lovers

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

8. "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin

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

7. "You Make Loving Fun" by Fleetwood Mac

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

6. "Peace Frog" by The Doors

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

5. "Let it Be" by The Beatles

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

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

4. "Baba O'Riley" by The Who

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

3. "Slow Ride" by Foghat

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

2. "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC

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

1. "American Girl" by Tom Petty

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

1970s Road Trip Playlist

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

Have you visited the Grand Canyon? Share your trip on our Wide Open Roads Facebook !

READ MORE: 25 Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Travelers on a Budget

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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”.

Best Bing Crosby Songs: 20 Indelible Performances From The King Of Croon

‘(i just) died in your arms’: cutting crew cut through, 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.

The Killers - Mr. Brightside (Official Music Video)

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.

Sammy Hagar - I Can't Drive 55

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.

Warren G - Regulate (Official Music Video) ft. Nate Dogg

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.

U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name (Official Music Video)

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.

Dr. Dre | Let Me Ride | Interscope

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.

Hollywood Nights (Remastered 2011)

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.

Snoop Dogg - Gin And Juice

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.

Day Tripper (Remastered 2015)

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.

Master Blaster (Jammin')

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.

Tom Cochrane - Life Is A Highway (Official Video)

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.

I Get Around (Stereo)

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.

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Runnin' Down A Dream (Official Music Video)

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.

Born To Be Wild

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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The Planet D: Adventure Travel Blog

60 Best Road Trip Songs to Rock the Drive

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: March 16, 2023

70s road trip songs

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.

number one road trip song | sympathy for the devil

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

best road trip songs | sweet home alabama

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

songs to. drive to - little red corvette

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

the best song to drive to | another one bites the dust

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

uptown funk | road tripping songs

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

road songs | californication

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

driving songs | californication

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

one of the best road trips songs | 500 miles

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

road trip music | all of hotel california

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

best song for a road trip | carry on my wayward son

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

meatloaf | great road trip music

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

steve miller band for road trips

“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

born to be wild | mos tpopular road tripping song

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

johnny cash I've been everywhere

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 | 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

born to run 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

graceland road trip song 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

life is a highway | songs to drive to

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

b52s love shack rocking the rong drive

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

best music for a road trip | 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

acdc back in black

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

roadtrip  songs | the way 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

great rocking songs for driving | 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

best driving songs | 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

best driving songs | furious 7

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

best songs for a long drive | jack and dianne

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

driving songs | 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

road tripping music playlist |. you oughta know

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

best music playlist for a road trip | 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

neil diamond | best road trip songs

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

best song for a road trip | carry on my wayward son

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

music for a raod trip | 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

upbeat road trips songs

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

going the distance | best road trips music

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

more than a feeling boston | road trip music

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

classic road tripping music | 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

the guess who American woman

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

female songs for road trips

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

best songs for traveling in a car | 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

don't stop believin' | 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

i bet my life | 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

aerosmith dream on | songs for road tripping

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

don't hate nickleback

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

hey ya outkast is a great song for driving

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

stevie nicks | edge of seventeen

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

upbeat road tripping songs

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

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

death cab for cutie | travel song

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

joe walsh life's been good

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

shelter from the stone | music on the road

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

piano man 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

old man | neil younge

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

lust for life | 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

songs for a road  trip | radar love

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

road songs | route 66

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

a song to drive to | mustang sally

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

road ripping to the air tonight

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

road trip songs set in europe - castle on a hill

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

califonria road trip songs | boys of summer

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

songs about  road trips | 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 road trip songs to rock the drive

  • 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

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
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Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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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!

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100 Oldies But Goodies Songs For Your Next Road Trip

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

70s road trip songs

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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70s Road Trip Classics

70s Road Trip Classics

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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!

road trip songs

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

Ashphalt road with yellow markings going towards large mountains range with car in the far distance and trees along either side of the road.

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

70s road trip songs

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

white campervan on a great road with pine trees and mountains surrounding the road

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

70s road trip songs

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

An overhead image of a car on a sandy beach with trees.

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

winding road across islands and sea in Norway

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

Woman hanging out of RV window wearinh mirror shades

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

70s road trip songs

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

An image of the top of a palm tree next to a sign post, with dozens of signs in different colours pointing to different places. A blue sky is in the background

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…

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Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Road Trips with Your Family

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Driving in Turkey – Absolutely Everything You Need to Know!

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Driving in Georgia – Your Ultimate Guide

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IMAGES

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  2. Classic 70s Road Trip

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  4. Classic 70s Road Trip

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  5. 70s Road Trip Music Playlist

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  6. Classic Road Trip Songs: Best Driving Music for Your Car. Great Rock

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VIDEO

  1. Travelling in the 70's Episode 1

  2. 1990s songs to play on a late night summer road trip!

  3. songs to play on a summer roadtrip ~throwback playlist

  4. Top 100 Classic Country Road Trip Songs

  5. 70s desert roadtrip / a vintage playlist

  6. The Sequels

COMMENTS

  1. 70s Road Trip

    70s Road Trip · Playlist · 100 songs · 3.1M likes. These cookies are necessary for the service to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

  2. 70's Music Hits

    70's Music Hits - Best Classics Road Trip Songs of the 1970's (Playlist Updated 2024) You can enjoy other hot playlists such as: Greatest Music Hits of the 7...

  3. Best travelling songs of 70s ~ 70s road trip playlist

    Best travelling songs of 70s ~ 70s road trip playlistImage from: https://unsplash.com/photos/ZUE1ws2B0MY Let's do something different today. I'm going to te...

  4. 70s Driving Songs: Top 20 Road Trip Tunes from this Groovy Decade

    This classic rock staple by rock outfit Foghat features a rare feat of fusing an R&B theme with uptempo guitar riffs. There is no question why "Slow Ride" is on our list of 70s driving songs. 2. "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC. This rock anthem from AC/DC's 1979 album of the same name is a quintessential road trip song.

  5. 70s Road Trip Classics

    Listen to 70s Road Trip Classics on Spotify. Various Artists · Compilation · 2020 · 35 songs.

  6. 70s Road Trip Spotify

    70s Road Trip Spotify - Best Traveling Songs of 70s (Car Music 70s) Hit the road to the soundtrack of these seventies classics. We are happy that you are her...

  7. Classic Road Trip Songs

    Classic Road Trip Songs · Playlist · 100 songs · 6.1M likes. Classic Road Trip Songs · Playlist · 100 songs · 6.1M likes. Classic Road Trip Songs · Playlist · 100 songs · 6.1M likes. Classic Road Trip Songs · Playlist · 100 songs · 6.1M likes. Home; Search; Your Library. Playlists Podcasts & Shows Artists ...

  8. 70s Road Trip

    Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. 3 mins, 20 secs. Hold the LineToto•TotoToto. Toto. 3 mins, 56 secs. Have You Ever Seen the RainCreedence Clearwater Revival•Radio 70-80-90Radio 70-80-90. Creedence Clearwater Revival. 2 mins, 40 secs.

  9. ‎70s Road Trip Classics by Various Artists on Apple Music

    Stream songs including "A Horse with No Name (2006 Remaster)", "What a Fool Believes" and more. Listen to 70s Road Trip Classics by Various Artists on Apple Music. Album · 2020 · 35 Songs

  10. Classic Rock Road Trip Playlist

    Whether it's a reminiscent trip down memory lane or discovering classics anew, these songs are your ultimate road trip companions. 🤘🏻🚗🌄 Share your thoughts on our playlist: [email protected]

  11. ‎70s Road Trip Classics

    Listen to 70s Road Trip Classics by Various Artists on Apple Music. 2020. 35 Songs. Duration: 2 hours, 13 minutes.

  12. Best Road Trip Songs: 25 Tunes For Highway Driving Vacations

    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 ...

  13. 70s Road Trip Spotify

    Thank you! 70s Road Trip Spotify - Best Traveling Songs of 70s (Car Music 70s) Hit the road to the soundtrack of these seventies classics. We are happy that you are here and you are listening to the best 70s Road Trip Spotify music playlist. We hope that you will enjoy these 70s Road Trip Spotify songs. Save it if you want to listen again.

  14. Various Artists

    Listen to 70s Road Trip Classics by Various Artists on Deezer. A Horse with No Name, What a Fool Believes, Just Kissed My Baby... Various Artists. 2020 | Rhino 70s Road Trip Classics Various Artists | 04-12-2020 Total duration: 2 h 12 min. 01. A Horse with No Name (2006 Remaster) America. 70s Road Trip Classics ...

  15. 60 Best Road Trip Songs to Rock the Drive

    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.

  16. 70's Road Trip

    Listen to 70's Road Trip on Spotify. Various Artists · Compilation · 2020 · 50 songs.

  17. 100 Oldies But Goodies Songs For Your Next Road Trip

    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.

  18. 70s Road Trip playing on Jango Radio

    Listen to 70s Road Trip Songs by artists like Patti Smith Group, David Bowie, Queen, Supertramp, and Blondie

  19. 70s Road Trip Classics

    70s Road Trip Classics by Various Artists. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.

  20. Classic 70s Road Trip

    Various Artists · Compilation · 2022 · 50 songs. ... Listen to Classic 70s Road Trip on Spotify. Various Artists · Compilation · 2022 · 50 songs. Various Artists · Compilation · 2022 · 50 songs. Sign up Log in. Home; Search; Your Library. Playlists Podcasts & Shows Artists Albums. English. Resize main navigation.

  21. 150+ Road Trip Songs: Your Ultimate Driving Playlist

    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.