Playlist of Best Road Trip Songs
Road Trip
Road Trip Songs Playlist Inspiration
I will soon be making a trek from the east coast out to the west coast. With the interstate most of the way, this is going to make for lots of boring hours.
So, I decided to compile a list of the best songs for a road trip mixed CD or MP3 playlist. I came up with far more than I thought I would and yet, I feel like I am missing some great ones that are just beyond my memory.
I still haven't decided how to categorize these. Right now, it's a somewhat chaotic, disorganized playlist of great road trip songs. If you have suggestions for grouping them, please let me know in the comments.
See if you agree with these travel road trip songs and if you have any to add, let me know in the comments section. Help a girl out! I would sure appreciate it.
Born to Be Wild Live by Steppenwolf
Roger Miller King of the Road Music Video Live
I Can't Drive 55 - Live Van Halen
Download I Can't Drive 55 by Sammy Haggar
Runnin' On Empty by Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne Greatest Hits
Highway to Hell Live by AC/DC with Bon Scott
Hit the Road, Jack by Ray Charles
On the Road Again by Willie Nelson
Baby, You Can Drive My Car by The Beatles
The Low Rider by War
Mustang Sally by Wilson Pickett
Mercedes Benz by Janis Joplin
Rolling Stones Start Me Up Video
Classic Road Trip Songs
Born to Be Wild- Steppenwolf
I don't believe any road trip song playlist would be complete without this classic rock song.
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way
King of the Road- Roger Miller
Play this song in the car on a road trip and you can't help but sing along.
I Can't Drive 55- Sammy Haggar
If I don't want my road trip to last a month, I can't drive 55!
Running on Empty- Jackson Browne
Once I hit parts of the southwest, I'll have to make sure I stay filled up or I will be running on empty. This song just seems to go in rhythm with your motor.
Highway to Hell- AC/DC
AC/DC is my favorite band, so how can I not include this song? Great song to play when you start to feel tired and need to get energized and there's no Red Bull around.
Hit the Road, Jack- Percy Mayfield
Great theme song for a road trip and lots of fun to sing along
On the Road Again- Willie Nelson
Simply put, a classic traveling song for the road
DJ Funktual thinks I should change this to the version by Canned Heat. Does anyone agree?
Drive My Car- The Beatles
Classic song, classic band. By the time I get to Louisiana, I'll be wishing someone would drive my car.
Low Rider- War
Another classic song for a road trip that cranks up the energy
Mustang Sally- Wilson Pickett
Play Mustang Sally on a road trip and you just cruise down the road- no worries.
Mercedes Benz- Janis Joplin
Most people either love Janis Joplin songs, or they hate them. Me, I could sing this song all the way to California.
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz
My friends all drive Porsches
And I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime
No help from my friends
So, oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz
Start Me Up- Rolling Stones
What road trip would be complete without the Stones? This is a great tune to start you up and keep you going on that monotonous highway.
I've Been Everywhere- Johnny Cash
I'm starting to feel like I've been everywhere. When I listen to this song, I've been to a lot of the places that Johnny Cash mentions.
Magic Carpet Ride- Steppenwolf
Yeah, I know. I've listed two songs from Steppenwolf. But come on, Magic Carpet Ride would be such a killer road trip song. I love the intro.
Already Gone- The Eagles
Gotta have The Eagles on a road trip!
And I'm already gone
And I'm feelin' strong
I will sing this victory song
Woo hoo hoo
The 'woo hoo hoos' are the best part
Cruisin'- Smokey Robinson
How can you not go on a road trip with Smokey? Smooth as silk Smokey crooning 'Cruise with me, baby' will get you through any traffic jam.
Runnin' With the Devil- Van Halen
First of all, this is probably my favorite Van Halen song, so don't knock it. ;-) And it's a perfect accompaniment to AC/DC's Highway to Hell.
Sister Golden Hair- America
One of my all-time favorite songs ever, and I don't know why I consider it a great road trip song. I just do. So there. My excuse is that it's a great sing along song.
Free Bird- Lynyrd Skynyrd
If I leave here tomorrow
Will you still remember me
For I must be traveling on now
'Cause there's too many places that I've got to see
(If Free Bird is not a road trip song, I don't know what is.)
Back in Black- AC/DC
You can't possibly fall asleep at the wheel with this classic rock song blaring. Another of my favorite all-time songs
Bat Out of Hell- Meatloaf
Like a bat out of hell
I'll be gone when the morning comes
When the night is over
Like a bat out of hell I'll be gone gone gone...
and
I'm gonna hit the highway like a battering ram
On a silver black phantom bike
When the metal is hot and the engine is hungry
And we're all about to see the light
Cool song
Paradise by the Dashboard Light- Meatloaf
Another awesome road trip song by Meatloaf
Fast Car- Tracy Chapman
You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way...
I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
Perfect road trip song
Runnin' Down a Dream- Tom Petty
Actually, this is probably the most perfect road trip song of all time, if the songs were judged by the lyrics.
It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
I had the radio on, i was drivin'
Trees flew by, me and del were singin' little runaway
I was flyin'
Yeah runnin' down a dream
That never would come to me
Workin' on a mystery, goin' wherever it leads
Runnin' down a dream
I felt so good like anything was possible
I hit cruise control and rubbed my eyes
The last three days the rain was un-stoppable
It was always cold, no sunshine...
I rolled on as the sky grew dark
I put the pedal down to make some time
There's something good waitin' down this road
I'm pickin' up whatever's mine
Life Is a Highway- Rascal Flatts
Upbeat, fun song for the open road
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I want to drive it all night long
DJ Funktual thinks the Tom Cochrane version is better. I can't decide. What do you think?
Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me?- Keith Urban
I don't think that anyone will want to be me when I go on my road trip, but this Keith Urban song will be fun to sing in the car while I'm on the road.
And the sun is shinin'
And this road keeps windin'
Through the prettiest country
From Georgia to Tennessee
And I got the one I love beside me
My troubles behind me
I'm alive and I'm free
Who wouldn't wanna be me?
Sweet Hitchhiker- Creedence Clearwater Revival
One of my least favorite CCR songs, but this one fits the travel theme the best. Any CCR song is great on a road trip.
I Get Around- The Beach Boys
Not that kind- get your mind outta the gutter! Another classic song by a classic band. Fun to sing, goes with the whole road trip mood.
Ramblin' Man- The Allman Brothers
Another classic road trip song that no road trip list would be complete without.
Shakin'- Eddie Money
Probably my favorite Eddie Money and it's a bit naughty. And hey, a car IS involved. Remember this great song?
We started drinkin', wasn't thinkin' too straight
She was doin' 80 then she slammed on the brakes
We got so high we had to pull to the side
We did some shakin' til the middle of the night
More Road Trip Songs That I've Added to My List
Okay, I know that some of you have already mentioned a few of these road trip songs. BUT I had already thought of them and haven't had time to add them yet. I've been so embarrassed by the road trip songs I've missed that I've got to claim credit for these songs, okay? No hard feelings?
Anyway, here are some more road trip songs that I've remembered.
PANAMA by Van Halen Oh my gosh, how did I miss it? Like DJ Funktual said, the lyrics are perfect for a road trip.
California by Phantom Planet
If you don't recognize the song, you know it if you ever watched the television show, The OC. California was the theme song. The song is very repetitive, but I love it. Perfect song for a trip out to the west coast.
Little Red Corvette by Prince
Considering the fact that Corvettes are my favorite car and this is one of my favorite 80s songs, don't ask how I forgot this song for a road trip. I don't have the slightest idea.
Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin
Have I been in a coma or what? Check out these perfect road trip lyrics:
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained
It rode us all the way to New Orleans....
Windshield wipers slapping time
I was holding Bobby's hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew
Only one of the best songs ever, road trip or not
Best Road Trip Songs Recommended by You - Thanks!
The Road Goes on Forever - Robert Earl Keen
Fast as You - Dwight Yoakum
Roam - B52s
Bidibodi Bidibu - Bubbles (from Super Troopers movie)
Lake Shore Drive - Alliota, Haynes, and Jeramiah
Holiday Road - Lindsay Buckingham
Motorcycle Diaries soundtrack
Roadhouse Blues - The Doors
Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots
Ramble On - Led Zeppelin (There were quite a few requests for Zep in general)
Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen (Gotta have The Boss- What was I thinking?)
Turn the Page - Bob Seger (Also a few suggestions for ultra cool Bob)
November Rain - Guns 'N Roses
Kiss in General - May I suggest I Wanna Rock n Roll All Night?
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake (Of course!)
Slow Ride - Foghat (Another classic road trip song that I can't believe I forgot)
Riding With the King - B.B. King & Eric Clapton
Theme Song from Route 66
Little Deuce Coupe by The Beach Boys
Road Trippin' - Red Hot Chili Peppers (At least a couple of suggestions for Red Hot Chili Peppers for road trip songs) Thanks, jsullivan!
I'm not done updating. I'll get them all added soon. Here are more of the best road trips songs contributed by you: Fantastic work, you guys!
Drive Like Lightning by Brian Setzer Orchestra
Under My Wheels by Alice Cooper
Hot Rod Lincoln- Thanks, Dawn, and wajay_47
Little Old Lady From Pasadena- Jan and Dean
Dead Man's Curve by Jan and Dean
Maybelline by Chuck Berry
No Particular Place to Go by Chuck Berry
Radar Love by Golden Earring (Thanks, wajay_47, for so many great road trip songs.)
Out on the Highway by Judas Priest
Freewheel Burning by Judas Priest (How did I miss Judas Priest?)
Come On and Take a Free Ride by Edgar Winter Group (HOW did I forget about this fantastic classic song? It's a perfect road trip song. Thanks, DJ Funktual- excellent choice.)
Cars by Gary Numan (DJ Funktual changed his mind about this one, but I'm including it anyway. It fits into the whole road trip songs theme, even if not perfectly.
Nationwide by ZZ Top Again, how did I overlook this road song? Thanks, Peter. This song should be somewhere near the top of a list of road songs.
Truckin' by The Grateful Dead Wow, Millertime. You got me. I can't believe I'm missing so many obvious songs for a road trip. I love this song.
If You're Going Through Hell by Rodney Atkins (Thanks for the suggestion, About-The-Home. This song is ringing a bell, but I can't place it.)
Deep Purple Highway Star Video
Other Interesting Hubs About Songs
- 5 Songs That Made a Political Statement
Interesting list of songs - 12 Songs That Can Change Lives
Read this person's list of 12 songs that changed their life. This is a list of fantastic songs. - 50 Greatest Songs Ever
One person's opinion. I don't agree, do you? Fun to read, though.
Still Adding Songs!
Oh my gosh. I had no idea that I had gathered so many song ideas for a road trip. I'll keep adding them and feel free to add suggestions for me.
Best Road Trip Songs Playlist Comments
miriam on September 04, 2014:
Marshall Tucker Bank "can't you see" and "heard it in a love song".
Hey Soul Sister
Anything by the Allman Brothers
and, quite frankly, any opera arias, especially Mozart and Verdi
laurie on August 07, 2013:
sleep while i drive melissa ethridge
AZTimL on July 22, 2013:
Aldo Nova - Fantasy
Doug on June 07, 2013:
Bottomless Lake by John Prine
Mike on June 02, 2013:
I would add "Gran Torino" by Jamie Cullum
Jady on April 20, 2013:
Great list! But the Tom Cochrane version of "Life is a "Highway" should replace the Rascal Flatts version, imho.
Darren J. on January 11, 2013:
Great list! I would have to include Rush's "Red Barchetta" from the Moving Pictures album. Designed to incure traffic violations...
MikeJ. on January 02, 2013:
'Woodstock', especially the version by Crosby, Stills and Nash. Gotta include that one.
"Motorcycle Song" by Arlo Guthrie, long and short version.
danielrmccomb on December 07, 2012:
passenger- iggy pop
driving along- nilsson
call me the breeze- jj cale
i feel free- cream
take it easy- jackson browne
wasn't born to follow- byrds
ballad of easy rider- byrds
country roads- john denver
i'm on my way-proclaimers
king of the road- roger miller
this land is your land- woody guthrie
freeborn man- junior brown
anything by woody guthrie
Carlos Teja on November 20, 2012:
Ride Like The Wind, Christopher Cross
Djobi, Djoba, Gipsy Kings
Jim from Winnipeg, Canada on September 16, 2012:
Hi here is a few..
Take The Highway - Marshall Tucker Band
Take me to the High Way - The Doobie Brothers
Four Wheel Drive - Bachman Turner Overdrive
Rush - Red Barchetta
Little Feat - (live) Dixie Chicken/Tripe Face Boogie
Allman Brothers - Southbound
Charlie Daniels - Uneasy Rider
Charlie Ryan - Hot Rod Lincoln
Foghat - Road Fever
The Outlaws - Green Grass and Hightides (Forever!)
Enjoy
Bodhi on July 31, 2012:
John Denver's Sweet Surrender!
marin on July 19, 2012:
don't fear the reaper - blue oyster cult
barracuda - heart
road to hell - chris rea
highway song - blackfoot
bad company - bad company
don't look back - boston
some are related to driving, some are not... but to me they all got 'the sound' and are on my driving compilation
cheers!
marin on July 19, 2012:
Wheel in the sky - Journey
Eric on July 15, 2012:
Here are some more
NRBQ - Howard Johnson's Got His Ho-Jo Workin'
Bruce Springsteen - Jungleland, Johnny 99 & Racing in the Streets
The Hooters - Great Big American Car
Raspberries - Tonight
Wendy Waldman - Long Hot Summer Nights
Nanci Griffith - Drive-In Movies and Dashboard Lights
Beat Farmers - Big Ugly Wheels
Lucinda Williams - Side of the Road
Ryan Rush from Tacoma WA on July 14, 2012:
here's another one
Fastlane-Bad Meets Evil
KK on July 03, 2012:
I don't want this night to end- Luke Bryan
Train in Vain- Clash
Ryan Rush from Tacoma WA on June 22, 2012:
didn't know if this one was in there but
California Dreamin- The mamas & The Papas
Ryan Rush from Tacoma WA on June 22, 2012:
some more to add, mostly country songs but prefer to listen to a variety of music
Dirt Road Anthem-Jason Aldean
How Bad do you want it- Tim McGraw (Theme song from CMT's Trick My Truck)
Stacy on June 20, 2012:
And just to entice you to look up "Take a Back Road" - Rodney Atkins
"Sittin in six lane backed up traffic
Horns a honkin, I've about had it
I'm lookin for an exit sign
Gotta get outta here, get it all off my mind...
And it makes me wanna take a back road
Makes me wanna take the long way home
Put a little gravel in my travel
Unwind, unravel all night long
Makes me wanna grab my honey
Tear down some two lane country
Who knows
Get lost and get right with my soul
Makes me wanna take, makes me wanna take a back road"
It doesn't get much better :-)
Stacy on June 20, 2012:
Ok, I didn't see Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel...
But the best traveling song I've heard - besides Take the Back Road, by Rodney Atkins - which I actually JUST heard for the first time today - on a 3000 mile road trip!... is one I think very few people would recognize, but youtube it or something...
TRAVELIN' - NITZER EBB
Nitzer Ebb is technically a techno genre artist (hahaha - technically a techno artist?) - but he's so versitile (sp) - so easy to listen to - and you can't help but dance in your seat to it...
"The night is calling me - it know me, it calls me
tomorrow's beckoning, it's waiving it's greeting
MMMM, light comes to me... mmmmm, comes right through me...
mmmm, light comsumes me... mmmm shining into me...
I've been traveling, been far away, been traveling...
I've been traveling, I travel inside myself...