road trip country music

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The 30 Best Country Road Trip Songs, Ranked

Choosing the right playlist is essential to a successful road trip, but fortunately, you can't really go wrong with country music.

This genre offers tons of options, whether you're driving through the West Virginia mountains or down Texas back roads. Whether it's a carefree adventure or you've got something on your mind, country music has the perfect song for you.

In this list, Taste of Country has compiled the perfect soundtrack for any trip. Here, you'll find windows-down, uptempo tracks by the likes of Keith Urban , who's perfect the art of the carefree road anthem. You'll also find ballads from Tim McGraw and Julie Roberts, who know that going on a long trip often means leaving something — or someone — behind.

If mainstream country's your jam, you can't do better than these hit submissions from Florida Georgia Line and Sam Hunt . But sometimes, the open road calls for something a little rootsier — so don't forget to add these janglers from Dierks Bentley , Robert Earl Keen , Eddie Rabbitt and Roger Miller, too.

As for the No. 1 country road trip song of all time? Well, as far as we're considered, there's only one right answer. Scroll down this list to see if you agree with our top pick.

30 Best Country Road Trip Songs, Ranked

The Ultimate Country Road Trip Playlist: Top 15 Country Road Trip Songs

by Hannah Collerson

Whether you’re driving through the southern states, or you just enjoy a bit of country, you’ll need some music to accompany your road trip. Here’s a list of my top 15 country songs for a road trip!

Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean

‘yeah i’m chilling on a dirt road, laid back swervin’ like i’m george jones, smoke rollin’ out the window’.

Cruise (Remix) – Florida Georgia Line ft. Nelly

‘you make me wanna roll my windows down and cruise down a back road blowin’ stop signs’.

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

‘country roads take me home to the place i belong’.

Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show

‘i gotta get a move on before the sun, i hear my baby calling my name and i know that she’s the only one. and if i die in raleigh at least i will die free.’.

American Kids – Kenny Chesney

‘trailer park truck stop, faded little map dots new york to la, we were teenage dreamin’, front seat leanin’’.

Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck – Kip Moore

‘ain’t nothin’ ’bout it luck, there’s somethin’ ’bout a truck’.

Beer Money – Kip Moore

‘foot on the gas taking off like a rocket’.

Who Says You Can’t Go Home – Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles

‘there’s only one place left i wanna go, who says you can’t go home’.

For the journey home.

Life Is A Highway – Rascal Flatts

‘life is a highway and i wanna ride it all night long’.

On the Road Again – Willie Nelson

‘goin’ places that i’ve never been, seein’ things that i may never see again’.

A classic for a country road trip.

Small Town Big Time – Blake Shelton

‘with them red maserati’s and them tuned up bodies and everybody gonna be the next somebody yea, this place is a trip’.

Nothing On But The Radio – Gary Allan

‘with nothing on but the radio, feel the music playing soft and slow’.

One for the driver, for those late night drives when everyone else is asleep.

Somebody Like You – Keith Urban

‘there’s a new wind blowin’ like i’ve never known. i’m breathin’ deeper than i’ve ever done. and it sure feels good, to finally feel the way i do.’.

Forever Country -Artists of Then, Now, And Forever

The ultimate country medley! This one is everything a country fan could possibly hope for in a song.

Mud on the Tires – Brad Paisley

‘i’m holdin’ the keys to a brand new chevrolet, have you been outside, it sure is a nice night’.

It wouldn’t be a country playlist without Brad Paisley.

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The essential country music road trip playlist

Posted: December 15, 2023 | Last updated: December 15, 2023

<p>One of the most important parts of planning a road trip — even before you head to the gas station or pack the snacks — is curating the right playlist. If you're a country music fan, you're fortunate in that the genre is positively replete with songs that are perfect to crank loud while you're driving the open road.</p><p>Flip through the slideshow below for 20 essential country road trip tunes, from classics like Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again" to Luke Combs's chart-topping cover of "Fast Car." </p>

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

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

<p>No road trip would be complete without Willie Nelson's 1980 classic "On The Road Again," perfect for when you're traveling with a big group of friends for a weekend getaway. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_definitive_the_who_playlist_121423/s1__35381054'>The definitive The Who playlist</a></p>

"On The Road Again," Willie Nelson

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

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<p>George Strait's seminal 1973 song "Amarillo By Morning," about a broken-down rodeo cowboy making his way around the country, is a perfect song to blare while you're driving through the vast expanses of the American West. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

"Amarillo By Morning," George Strait

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

<p>If you've ever had to travel on a budget, you can probably relate to the vagabond protagonist in "King of the Road." It's been a country road trip staple since 1965, and is perfect for a group singalong in the car when everyone's starting to get a little sleepy. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_20_best_intercultural_romances_102723/s1__39309052'>The 20 best intercultural romances</a></p>

"King of the Road," Roger Miller

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

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<p>Whether or not you're a "'90s baby," anyone can appreciate the breezy, top-down vibes of Maren Morris's "80s Mercedes." Even if you're not driving a convertible, roll the windows down and turn the volume up when this one comes on. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

"80s Mercedes," Maren Morris

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

<p>Originally recorded by Old Crow Medicine Show, with lyrics by Bob Dylan, "Wagon Wheel" is a road trip staple, especially for anyone who's traveling through the Southeastern United States. And even if you're not "headed down south to the land of the pines," this song is perfect for any destination. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_most_memorable_agatha_christie_adaptations_121423/s1__37680481'>The most memorable Agatha Christie adaptations</a></p>

"Wagon Wheel," Darius Rucker

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

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<p>Even if it isn't possible for most of us do something as spontaneous as choosing your vacation destination with the flip of a coin, it's still fun to daydream about the prospect while listening to Jo Dee Messina sing "Heads Carolina, Tails California" while driving down the highway. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

"Heads Carolina, Tails California," Jo Dee Messina

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

<p>Heading east? This Jerry Reed classic is the perfect way to get in the mood for a long drive, and no one will blame you for (safely) pretending like you're living in that scene from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1wvnJ22V1Q" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Smokey and the Bandit"</a> when it starts playing over the speakers. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_20_most_charming_game_show_hosts_102623/s1__39309185'>The 20 most charming game show hosts</a></p>

"East Bound and Down," Jerry Reed

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

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"Traveller," Chris Stapleton

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

<p>Even if you don't quite have the vocal prowess of Johnny & June, grab your significant other and head out on the road while playing "Jackson," a perfect song for even the happiest couples to harmonize to in the car. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_sitcom_stars_who_appeared_on_other_sitcoms_121423/s1__39152410'>20 sitcom stars who appeared on other sitcoms</a></p>

"Jackson," Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

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

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<p>Okay, it's a little cheesy, but there's no denying the appeal of blaring "Life Is A Highway" while you're speeding down an actual highway headed toward a killer vacation. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

"Life Is A Highway," Rascal Flatts

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

<p>If you're driving toward a beachy destination, make sure that "Toes" is definitely on your road trip playlist. While you're stuck in traffic, it's a good reminder to think about all the relaxing on the sand you'll be doing as soon as you arrive. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/which_disney_princes_would_make_the_best_and_worst_boyfriends/s1__39198207'>Which Disney princes would make the best and worst boyfriends?</a></p>

"Toes," Zac Brown Band

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

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<p>If you've ever driven across the great state of Texas, you quickly get the idea of what "Wide Open Spaces" is talking about. Add it to your playlist, and spend a little time contemplating the gorgeous scenery while the Chicks harmonize. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

"Wide Open Spaces," The Chicks

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

<p>Arguably best saved for your return trip home, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is ideal for those moments when you're trying to stay motivated to finish those last few hours of driving. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/25_must_watch_three_hour_movies_to_help_you_pass_the_time_110723/s1__31609226'>25 must-watch three-hour movies to help you pass the time</a></p>

"Take Me Home, Country Roads," John Denver

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

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<p>Luke Combs's take on Tracy Chapman's much-revered "Fast Car" is currently burning up the country charts, and for good reason. It's faithful to the original, perfect for blaring while you contemplate life on your long drive. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

"Fast Car," Luke Combs

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

<p>Even if you haven't been through a break-up recently, anyone can enjoy singing about smashing someone's headlights with a baseball bat at the top of their lungs, especially if you've got a car full of folks with that same energy. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_biggest_one_hit_wonders_from_the_80s_121423/s1__35133602'>The biggest one-hit wonders from the '80s</a></p>

"Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood

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

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<p>Sure, it's technically Southern rock, but Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" is an absolute must for your road trip playlist. That ridiculously catchy melody aside, it's an instant mood boost for when the trip's dragging on a little too long. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

"Sweet Home Alabama," Lynyrd Skynyrd

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

<p>Miranda Lambert's 2020 ballad "Settling Down" is essential for anyone who, like Lambert sings in this song, has their "feet on the ground and head up in the clouds." </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/underrated_albums_from_legendary_bands_09123/s1__35171126'>Underrated albums from legendary bands</a></p>

"Settling Down," Miranda Lambert

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

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<p>Dig deep into your childhood nostalgia with "Red Dirt Road," a song that's all about reliving those memories of driving around on backroads in the past, from legendary '90s duo Brooks & Dunn. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

"Red Dirt Road," Brooks & Dunn

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

<p>Johnny Cash lists off too many American destinations to count in "I've Been Everywhere," making it an obvious addition to the soundtrack for a great American road trip. Even if you're not going to Dayton, Ohio or Tulsa, Oklahoma, the appeal of this song is totally universal. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/25_underrated_war_movies_121423/s1__39068935'>25 underrated war movies</a></p>

"I've Been Everywhere," Johnny Cash

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

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<p>Even though this song is about running off and eloping in Las Vegas, it's can also be a perfectly acceptable soundtrack for a girls' trip. Put on your rhinestones and feather boas, crank the music, and get ready to "bet on love and let it ride," as Faith Hill sings. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

"Let's Go to Vegas," Faith Hill

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

Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.

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100 Road Trip Songs So Good You'll Want to Crank the Volume Up and Roll the Windows Down

Classic rock, country favorites, and guilty pleasures for every driving mood.

Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life.

Classic Road Trip Songs

"Take It Easy" by The Eagles

"Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne

"Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac

"Jack & Diane" by John Cougar Mellencamp

"Send Me on My Way" by Rusted Root

"Atlantic City" by The Band

"Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John

"Midnight Rider" by Allman Brothers Band

"Give Me One Good Reason" by Tracy Chapman

"Break My Stride" by Matthew Wilder

"Shotgun" by George Ezra

"Real Real Gone" by Van Morrison

"Ramblin' Man" by Allman Brothers Band

"Carry on Wayward Son" by Kansas

"Take the Money and Run" by Steve Miller Band

"Reelin' in the Years" by Steely Dan

"Gimme Three Steps" by Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Run Right Back" by Moon Taxi

"Fairlane" by The Dirty Guv'nahs

"Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi

Country Road Trip Songs

" Take Me Home, Country Roads " by John Denver

"On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson

"Suds in the Bucket" by Sara Evans

"Something Like That" by Tim McGraw

"Meet in the Middle" by Diamond Rio

"Days Go By" by Keith Urban

"I'm in a Hurry and Don't Know Why" by Alabama

"Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts

"Red Dirt Road" by Brooks & Dunn

"Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash

"Drive" by Alan Jackson

"Ready to Run" by The Chicks

"Carrying Your Love with Me" by George Strait

"Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line

"All Your'n" by Tyler Childers

"My Maria" by Brooks & Dunn

"Traveller" by Chris Stapleton

"Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings

"Every Girl" by Turnpike Troubadours

"Where the Green Grass Grows" by Tim McGraw

Songs for Road Trips with the Whole Family

"Shining Star" by Earth, Wind, and Fire

"I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5

"Tiny Dancer" by Elton John

"Something that I Want" by Grace Potter

"Precious Love" by James Morrison

"Everyday is a Winding Road" by Sheryl Crow

"Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations

"The River of Dreams" by Billie Joel

"Brand New" by Ben Rector

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell

"You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne

"Let Me Get By" by Tedeschi Trucks Band

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys

"Shiny Happy People" by R.E.M.

"Only Wanna Be with You" by Hootie & the Blowfish

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

"Love and Memories" by O.A.R.

"Ants Marching" by Dave Matthews Band

"Washed by the Water" by NEEDTOBREATHE

"Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder

Songs for Road Trips with Your Girls (That Means Mom, Too!)

"Soak Up the Sun" by Sheryl Crow

"Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett

"Head Over Heels" by The Go-Go's

"A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton

"There She Goes" by The La's

"Want You Back" by HAIM

"Redesigning Women" by The Highwomen

"80s Mercedes" by Maren Morris

"Wide Open Spaces" by The Chicks

"Dancing Queen" by ABBA

"Strawberry Wine" by Deana Carter

"Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac

"Wonder Woman" by Kacey Musgraves

"Summer Girls" by LFO

"Love You for a Long Time" by Maggie Rogers

"Hold On" by Wilson Phillips

"Man! I Feel Like a Woman" by Shania Twain

"9 to 5" by Dolly Parton

"Love Story" by Taylor Swift

"Road Less Traveled" by Lauren Alaina

Road Trip Songs About the South

"Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight and The Pips

"Carolina in My Mind" by James Taylor

"Tennessee Rose" by Emmylou Harris

"Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd

"My Tennessee Mountain Home" by Dolly Parton

"All My Exes Live in Texas" by George Strait

"Proud Mary" by Ike & Tina Turner

"Mountain Music" by Alabama

"Georgia on my Mind" by Ray Charles

"Heads Carolina, Tails California" by Jo Dee Messina

"Amarillo by Morning" by George Strait

"Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn

"Jackson" by Johnny Cash and June Carter

"Wagon Wheel" by Darius Rucker

"Born on the Bayou" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

"Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man" by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty

"Callin' Baton Rouge" by Brooks Jefferson

"Texas Sun" by Leon Bridges

"Maybe It Was Memphis" by Pam Tillis

"Universal Sound" by Tyler Childers

WATCH: 7 Reasons You Should Take a Trip with Your Daughter Every Year

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The essential country music road trip playlist

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

"On The Road Again," Willie Nelson

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

"Amarillo By Morning," George Strait

"King of the Road," Roger Miller

"80s Mercedes," Maren Morris

"Wagon Wheel," Darius Rucker

"Heads Carolina, Tails California," Jo Dee Messina

"East Bound and Down," Jerry Reed

"Traveller," Chris Stapleton

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

"Jackson," Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

"Life Is A Highway," Rascal Flatts

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

"Toes," Zac Brown Band

"Wide Open Spaces," The Chicks

"Take Me Home, Country Roads," John Denver

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

"Fast Car," Luke Combs

"Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood

"Sweet Home Alabama," Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Settling Down," Miranda Lambert

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

"Red Dirt Road," Brooks & Dunn

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

"I've Been Everywhere," Johnny Cash

"Let's Go to Vegas," Faith Hill

Amy McCarthy is a Texas-based journalist. Follow her on twitter at @aemccarthy .

More must-reads:

Notable music artists who play multiple instruments quite well
Dan Patrick shares ESPN broadcasting advice for Jason Kelce
Ranking Clint Eastwood's 25 best roles

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13 Best Country Road Trip Songs

Here's a great mix of the best country road trip songs for your next trip.

1 Here's a great mix of the best country road trip songs for your next trip!
2.1 It's a Great Day to Be Alive – Travis Tritt
2.2 Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
2.3 On the Road Again – Willie Nelson
2.4 Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
2.5 Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts
2.6 Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident) – John Michael Montgomery
2.7 Days Go By – Keith Urban
2.8 Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show (also performed by Darius Rucker)
2.9 American Kids – Kenny Chesney
2.10 Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean
2.11 I've Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash
2.12 Highway Vagabond – Miranda Lambert
3.1 Good Vibrations – Beach Boys
3.2 Love Shack – B-52s

Good music is one of those road trip essentials! That and good snacks. And there's something about the open road that draws people to country music.

These great songs are perfect for a long drive. They'll accompany the scenery on a long road trip and take you down memory lane. Just be careful that you are not cowboying out too much to notice a change in the speed limit!

Best Country Road Trip Songs for the Open Road

The following is my list of the best road trip songs you can add to your playlist for any epic road trips you plan to take!

It's a Great Day to Be Alive – Travis Tritt

Every day you're on the open road is a great day to be alive. You can't help belt out this song and feel better for it.

“It's a goofy thing but I just gotta say, hey I'ma doing alright!”

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

Do not forget to add this song to your great road trip playlist! This road trip song is bittersweet but is the perfect soundtrack to scenic country roads. Especially for any trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains or the surrounding area!

This hit was released in 1971 and described a journey through the great states of Virginia and West Virginia.

On the Road Again – Willie Nelson

Many consider this classic driving song the best country song around. That is because Willie Nelson sings a catchy, fun tune about being on the open road. His twangy tone sets the mood for anyone looking for a good country sound!

The song, released in 1980, earned Willie Nelson a Grammy for Best Country Song. It was later named one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time!

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd

This great road trip song is one of those songs that can fit into two different genres: country and classic rock.

Many people do not know that this song, released in 1974, was written in response to Neil Young's song called “Southern Man.” Young's music had been released four years previously.

Young later commented that he agreed with Lynyrd Skynyrd's “call out” and said that they wrote an excellent record.

Sweet Home Alabama reached number 8 on the US music chart in 1974 and has remained the band's highest-charting song!

Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts

This song is famous for a reason. So, be prepared to have a good time and sing at the top of your lungs!

Originally written by a Canadian songwriter, the song talks about how the road can help mend broken relationships.

Rascal Flatts covered this tune for the Cars movie soundtrack. That means kids and adults alike love this song!

Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident) – John Michael Montgomery

This song is a '90s classic that is so fun to sing along to. See if you can keep up with the lyrics!

“She's got ruby red lips, blonde hair blue eyes and I'm about to bid by heart goodbyyyyyye!”

Days Go By – Keith Urban

This 2004 hit describes that carefree feeling of having one hand out the window, blowing in the wind. Who doesn't remember doing that at least once before? This song will take you down that memory lane, helping pass by the hours on the open road.

Keith Urban co-wrote “Days Go By,” which was coincidentally the first single from his record Be Here.

Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show (also performed by Darius Rucker)

Wagon Wheel is one of the best songs you can add to your song list.

The beautiful crooning is soothing yet also fun to sing along with. It is one of those songs that will get your fingers snapping. You will also find yourself belting out the chorus!

For an updated version, try Darius Rucker's cover. It is an excellent remake of this classic country favorite.

American Kids – Kenny Chesney

This excellent country song was released in June 2014. Kenny Chesney once said that the song “grabs you and holds on.” And he is not wrong.

The fast beat makes you want to clap your hands and get out of your seat to dance. Just be careful not to speed in your rig while listening!

Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean

This song has an interesting origin. Originally recorded as a 2008 mid-tempo country rap song, Jason Aldean later covered it. It references Georgia's dirt roads in the song.

I've Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash has one of those unmistakable voices. You can instantly recognize his music! He also performs with a mid-tempo twang in many of his songs.

I've Been Everywhere was recorded and released in 1996. This fun town has a catchy tune but includes four fun verses that name over 90 different cities.

Highway Vagabond – Miranda Lambert

This is an excellent song for a long road trip. You qualify as a ” highway vagabond ” if you are driving halfway across the United States, you qualify as a “highway vagabond.”

Two More Road Trip Classics Just for Fun…

Yes, you love country songs. But sometimes, you may feel like singing along to other genres. Check out my list of a few other great songs that are fun and can help make your playlist the perfect soundtrack for your next road trip.

Good Vibrations – Beach Boys

Not a typical country song, but still a goodie to include! This fun, “beachy” vibe is the perfect song to lift your mood on a long drive.

Love Shack – B-52s

Another one of the all-time favorite road trip songs is Love Shack by the B-52s. Released in 1989, this fun, upbeat song is one of those that you cannot help but sing out loud—all while tapping that steering wheel!

Published on 2022-03-12

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

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25 of the best country songs for a road trip

You get the keys, we've got the music

Who hasn't dreamed of taking a road trip across America, blasting country music in a pick up truck or old time car? While hopping across the pond might not be an option right now, country music hasn't gone anywhere. If you're in need of the perfect soundtrack for your next long drive, we've got it covered.

These are the classics, the ones you know and love. Get ready to sing at the top of your lungs, roll the windows down and put your feet up on the dashboard - here are the top 25 country road trip songs.

1) John Denver - 'Take Me Home Country Roads'

You'll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't know this song. John Denver's mega classic hits home for all the right reasons; the perfect country song is always about wanting to get out of a small town, only to find yourself on the road home again. Need we say more?

LISTEN: John Denver - 'Take Me Home Country Roads' (Official Audio)

2) shania twain - 'any man of mine'.

Of all the Shania Twain songs - and there are so many you should have on your driving playlist - 'Any Man Of Mine' made the cut. There's no better feeling than be being the wheel and screaming: 'Any man of mine better be proud of me / Even when I'm ugly, he still better love me.' It's such a fun song that you might get the urge to start line dancing while driving. Please resist.

WATCH: Shania Twain - 'Any Man Of Mine' (Official Music Video)

3) darius rucker - 'wagon wheel'.

A crowd pleaser, Darius Rucker shifted gears from 90s rock to country in the 2000s and blessed us all with 'Wagon Wheel'. We can't wait for the days when we can sing along to this in a country bar, but until then, our front seat will have to do.

WATCH: Darius Rucker - 'Wagon Wheel' (Official Music Video)

4) reba mcentire - 'fancy'.

It's not a good country time until 'Fancy' gets played. Reba McEntire took Bobbie Gentry's southern gothic tune and turned it into one of the most well-known country songs. If you feel the pressure of being car DJ, 'Fancy' won't let you down.

WATCH: Reba McEntire - 'Fancy' (Official Music Video)

5) luke combs - 'when it rains, it pours'.

You didn't think we'd leave out Luke Combs , did you? After all, what country fan doesn't love the genre's newest, biggest star? This song gets better the more you listen and we'll never tire of the yelling the line: 'And I ain't gotta see my ex-future-mother-in-law anymore.'

WATCH: Luke Combs - 'When It Rains, It Pours' (Official Music Video)

6) miranda lambert & carrie underwood - 'somethin’ bad'.

The power of this duet! If there's one thing we love more than Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood's friendship, it's the pair of them robbing banks in this music video. Something good is always about to happen when these two come on the radio.

WATCH: Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood - 'Somethin’ Bad' (Official Music Video)

7) kid rock - 'all summer long'.

This is a song that feels timeless. And what better place than to get nostalgic than on a road trip? Reminisce on old memories as the song takes you back to the summer you'll never forget.

WATCH: Kid Rock - 'All Summer Long' (Official Music Video)

8) the chicks - 'goodbye earl'.

Nobody does revenge better than the women of country. The Chicks' hit tells the story of best friends who kill an abusive husband with some black eyed peas. Trust us, you'll be tapping your toes along in no time!

WATCH: The Chicks - 'Goodbye Earl' (Official Music Video)

9) kenny chesney - 'summertime'.

You could be blindfolded, point to any Kenny Chesney song, and it would belong on this list. But does it get any better than 'Summertime'? Perfect if you're heading to the beach to shimmy off your old cut offs, this is a must for any driving playlist.

WATCH: Kenny Chesney - 'Summertime' (Official Music Video)

10) dolly parton - '9 to 5'.

What better way than to enjoy a road trip than to moan about your boss or your dead-end job? Dolly Parton's got no shortage of hits, but we're trying to keep things upbeat, and while the lyrics aren't crazy positive, this song is beloved - and known - by everyone.

WATCH: Dolly Parton - '9 to 5' (Official Music Video)

11) jake owen - 'barefoot blue jean night'.

'Barefoot Blue Jean Night' was the most played song of the last decade on country radio, so you just know your fellow passengers are going to love this one. An uplifting tune that'll have you singing the words by the second chorus was a no brainer on this list.

WATCH: Jake Owen - 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night' (Official Music Video)

12) lady a - 'need you now'.

Road trips aren't only about party songs - sometimes you need a good ballad to belt out. Lady A have got just the thing. 'Need You Now' was a huge crossover hit that put the trio on the map, and over a decade after its release, it's as addictive as ever.

WATCH: Lady A - 'Need You Now' (Official Music Video)

13) faith hill - 'this kiss'.

This song just feels like happiness and freedom. Go back in time to the golden days of 90s country with Faith Hill and sway to the beat of 'This Kiss'.

WATCH: Faith Hill - 'This Kiss' (Official Music Video)

14) george strait - 'amarillo by morning'.

No road trip playlist is complete without the King of Country Music. 'Amarillo By Morning' is the ideal accompaniment for a long drive, even if you're not going to Amarillo. Check out this incredible live version below.

WATCH: George Strait - 'Amarillo By Morning'

15) maren morris - 'my church'.

Maren Morris got the idea for her breakthrough hit when she was driving around Los Angeles thinking to herself: "This is my idea of church." We couldn't agree more, Maren. There is something undeniably spiritual about driving on an open road with country music as the soundtrack.

WATCH: Maren Morris - 'My Church' (Official Music Video)

16) keith urban - 'somebody like you'.

File this under "songs it's impossible not to sing along to". From the catchy chorus to the twangy banjo, what's not to love? Keith Urban churns out enough smash singles to have his own playlist, but this song is our go-to on any road trip.

WATCH: Keith Urban - 'Somebody Like You' (Official Music Video)

17) gretchen wilson - 'redneck woman'.

It's not often in country music we get to celebrate country women just being country from their own perspective. Whether you're a redneck woman or not, find your inner hillbilly and yell 'hell yeah' with Gretchen Wilson.

WATCH: Gretchen Wilson - 'Redneck Woman' (Official Music Video)

18) chris stapleton - 'broken halos'.

If you're needing a more mellow sound, look to Chris Stapleton. 'Broken Halos' is an infectious tune that hits that sweet spot no matter how many times it's played.

WATCH: Chris Stapleton - 'Broken Halos' (Official Audio)

19) little big town - 'pontoon'.

You might not be floating or barbecuing, but nevertheless, these guys know how to party, and 'Pontoon' is a great addition to any driving playlist. Pile your friends in the backseat and go to town. Little Big Town, that is.

WATCH: Little Big Town - 'Pontoon' (Official Music Video)

20) sara evans - 'suds in the bucket'.

Leave your suds in the bucket and the clothes out on the line, get in a pickup truck and drive. That's what the song says, and it's what it'll make you want to do. Sara Evans has such a distinctive voice and moxie that she'll make any dull road trip a little sweeter.

WATCH: Sara Evans - 'Suds In The Bucket' (Official Music Video)

21) zac brown band - 'chicken fried'.

It doesn't get more country than singing about fried chicken. But in case you haven't heard this one before (where have you been?!), don't be put off. It's a country classic and a crowd pleaser.

WATCH: Zac Brown Band - 'Chicken Fried' (Official Music Video)

22) maddie & tae - 'girl in a country song'.

Maddie & Tae were just teenagers when they called out male country artists for painting women as two-dimensional background characters in their music. For that alone, they deserve a spot on every list. But this song is a jam, plain and simple.

WATCH: Maddie & Tae - 'Girl In A Country Song'

23) rascal flatts - 'life is a highway'.

This one is fairly self-explanatory. Featured in the kids movie Cars, this Rascal Flatts song is so good and shouldn't be overlooked.

WATCH: Rascal Flatts - 'Life Is A Highway' (Official Music Video)

24) jo dee messina - 'heads carolina, tails california'.

Want to go on a road trip, but can't decide where? Just flip a coin, grab Google Maps and go. But don't forget to put Jo Dee Messina on. Some fans new to the country genre might not know her, but her songs are incredible and this song belongs on every road trip list.

WATCH: Jo Dee Messina - 'Heads Carolina, Tails California' (Official Music Video)

25) kenny rogers - 'the gambler'.

Last but certainly not least, we have Kenny Rogers and 'The Gambler'. Sadly, Rogers is no longer with us, but his musical legacy lives on.

WATCH: Kenny Rogers - 'The Gambler' (Official Music Video)

Now see which country stars are members of the grand ole opry:, carly pearce.

INDUCTED: 3rd August 2021 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Carly Pearce has done well for a girl who left her Kentucky home and high school at 16 to take a job at Dollywood! She's gone on to become one of the most exciting new voices in country music, earning two ACM Awards for her Platinum-certified Number 1 duet with Lee Brice on 'I Hope You're Happy Now'. In the summer of 2021, Carly Pearce was invited by Dolly Parton to join the Grand Ole Opry, after over 80 performances on the show.

INDUCTED: 21st January 2021 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Over the course of their career, Lady A have racked up more than 18 million album units - and the trio earned their 11th career Number 1 with the multi-week chart topper 'Champagne Night'. Known for their 9x Platinum hit 'Need You Now' - the highest certified song by a Country group - they have earned CMA 'Vocal Group of the Year' trophies three years in a row and countless other honours including five Grammy Awards.

INDUCTED: 16th July 2019 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Luke Combs is a multi-platinum, ACM, CMA, CMT and Billboard Music Award-winning artist. His deluxe album, 'What You See Ain't Always What You Get', debuted at Number 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart as well as Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. His Platinum-certified single 'Forever After All' is Combs' 11th consecutive Number 1 single. Combs also recently made history as the first artist ever to have their first two studio albums spend 25 weeks or more at Number 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and his 2017 debut 'This One's For You' spent 50 non-consecutive weeks at Number 1 - tying the record for the longest reign atop the chart.

Kelsea Ballerini

INDUCTED: 16th April 2019 OPRY DEBUT: 14th February 2015 Kelsea Ballerini has already got two Grammy Award nominations and won two ACM Awards - and she's just getting started. Her debut and sophomore albums were both certified gold and total streams exceeding 2 billion to date. At the time of her induction, she became the Grand Ole Opry's youngest active member.

Dustin Lynch

INDUCTED: 18th September 2018 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Dustin Lynch has had six Number 1 hits, three Top 5 albums, and toured with genre giants Luke Bryan , Florida Georgia Line and Brad Paisley. After visiting the UK for the first time to play C2C, he's scored over one billion total career streams, the Grand Ole Opry member has scored industry recognition with Billboard Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and CMT Music Awards nominations - plus he's made high–profile appearances on ACM Awards, CMA Music Fest, Good Morning America and Jimmy Kimmel.

Chris Janson

INDUCTED: 20th March 2018 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Chris Janson is Platinum-selling, high octane entertainer, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning singer/songwriter. In the years since the release of his 2015 debut album 'Buy Me a Boat', the three-time CMA nominee has collected prestigious accolades that place him amongst country music greats. He took home the trophy for ACM Video of the Year for his Gold-certified, inspiring hit song 'Drunk Girl,' which also earned the Song of the Year title at the 2018 MusicRow Awards and was named one of the 'Ten Songs I Wish I'd Written' by NSAI. His chart-topping, triple-Platinum smash 'Buy Me A Boat' earned the same NSAI honour, making him one in a handful of the industry's most elite artists to earn the title multiple times.

Chris Young

INDUCTED: 17th October 2017 OPRY DEBUT: 10th June 2006 Chris Young is a Grammy-nominated recording artist, dynamic entertainer, international ambassador for country music and talented songwriter with a handful of Number 1s to his name, including 'Getting You Home,' 'Voices' and 'Tomorrow.'

Crystal Gayle

INDUCTED: 21st January 2017 OPRY DEBUT: 1st January 1967 She might be Loretta Lynn's younger sister, but Crystal Gayle is a star in her own right. She has racked up an impressive 20 Number 1 country singles, beginning with 'I'll Get Over You' and including her signature song, 'Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.' That song earned Crystal a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Her album 'We Must Believe In Magic' was the first by a female country artist to go Platinum.

Little Big Town

INDUCTED: 17th October 2014 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Little Big Town made their very first public appearance as a band on the Opry stage in 1999. Fast forward a few years and the band were enjoying success with albums as well as singles, including 'Boondocks', 'Bring It On Home', 'A Little More You' and 'Little White Church'. They have gone on to win Vocal Group of the Year nominations at the CMAs and the ACMs.

Darius Rucker

INDUCTED: 16th October 2012 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Darius Rucker found success with his band Hootie & The Blowfish, with the Grammy-winning group's 1994 debut 'Cracked Rear View' continuing to be one of the best-selling albums in history, surpassing the 16 million album mark. Rucker made the transition to country music with his first album, 'Learn to Live', releasing the single, 'Don't Think I Don't Think About It', which made him the first black artist to reach Number 1 on the Hot Country Songs charts since Charley Pride in 1983. In 2009, he became the first black American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association, and the second black person to win any award from the association.

Keith Urban

INDUCTED: 21st April 2012 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown New Zealand-born and Australia-raised, Keith Urban moved to Nashville in 1992. With hits including 'Somebody Like You', 'Cop Car' and 'Raise 'Em Up', Urban has sold more than 15 million albums, been named radio's most-played country artist and has won praise the world over with his electrifying sold-out concerts that have taken him from Australia to Germany, Canada and the UK.

Rascal Flatts

INDUCTED: 8th October 2011 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Rascal Flatts boast over 20 million albums and 25 million digital downloads sold - as well as 13 Number 1 singles AND over 6 million concert tickets sold. With all the hits came millions of fans at live shows and awards to fill each group member's mantlepiece, now amounting to over 40 awards; among them, seven wins as the Academy of Country Music's Top Vocal Group Award. The Country Music Association honoured the group with its Horizon (Best New Artist) Award in 2002 followed by six consecutive Vocal Group of the Year trophies.

Blake Shelton

INDUCTED: 23rd October 2010 OPRY DEBUT: 5th May 2001 Blake Shelton has won CMA Entertainer of the Year, is a multiple Male Vocalist of the Year, and he and Miranda Lambert garnered Song of the Year honours for co-writing the Platinum-selling chart-topper, 'Over You'. He has earned a host of other awards and nominations, including multiple Grammy nominations, six Gold and Platinum albums, and has hosted the ACM Awards repeatedly.

Craig Morgan

INDUCTED: 25th October 2008 OPRY DEBUT: 21st April 2000 Craig Morgan has made a name for himself with massive radio airplay of his signature hits, among them 'Almost Home' which Music Row magazine named its song of the year for 2003; 'That's What I Love About Sunday,' which spent five weeks at Number 1 and was Billboard magazine's most-played country song of 2005; and regular-guy singles including 'Redneck Yacht Club,' 'Bonfire,' and 'International Harvester.'

Carrie Underwood

INDUCTED: 10th May 2008 OPRY DEBUT: 10th June 2005 Carrie Underwood has reigned supreme at the top of the country charts, including 'Jesus, Take the Wheel,' 'Before He Cheats,' 'Cowboy Casanova,' 'All-American Girl,' 'Good Girl' and 'See You Again.' She has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, received seven Grammys and multiple awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association, which she has co-hosted with fellow Opry star Brad Paisley.

Josh Turner

INDUCTED: 27th October 2007 OPRY DEBUT: 21st December 2001 Josh Turner's 2003 debut album 'Long Black Train' sold more than a million copies and its follow up single, 'Your Man', debuted at Number 1 on Billboard magazine's Top Country Albums chart. His third album, 2007's 'Everything Is Fine', produced the hit 'Firecracker', and his fourth studio album, 'Haywire', released in 2010, gave us the chart-topping track 'Why Don't We Just Dance'.

Dierks Bentley

INDUCTED: 1st October 2005 OPRY DEBUT: 18th April 2003 Dierks Bentley's studio albums have accounted for 25 singles on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, of which 17 have reached Number 1. While he's a regular atop the country charts, he makes sure to include a bluegrass tune on every album. He's received three CMA Awards, four ACM Awards and been nominated for fourteen Grammy's.

Terri Clark

INDUCTED: 12th June 2004 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Shortly after a trip to Nashville, Terri Clark honed her craft playing for tips at clubs. Signing with Mercury Records in 1994, she hit the charts in short order with four Top 10 hits 'Better Things to Do,' 'When Boy Meets Girl,' 'If I Were You,' and 'Poor, Poor Pitiful Me', as Billboard named her its Top New Female Country Artist in 1995. The following year, she picked up her first Canadian Country Music Award, underlining what would turn out to be enduring home country appeal.

Brad Paisley

INDUCTED: 17th February 2001 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Brad Paisley has scored 32 Top 10 singles on the US Billboard Country Airplay chart, 19 of which have reached Number 1. He set a new record in 2009 for the most consecutive singles (10), reaching the top spot on that chart. Paisley has sold over 11 million albums and has won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, and two American Music Awards.

Martina McBride

INDUCTED: 30th November 1995 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Martina McBride has won the Top Female Vocalist trophy four times at the Country Music Association Awards and three times from the Academy of Country Music, and eight of her albums have gone Platinum. Through 2010, 20 of her singles reached the Top 10, from 1993's breakthrough 'My Baby Loves Me' to 'Wrong Baby Wrong.' It's a voice - and career - you'd be hard-pressed not to consider 'Blessed,' to cite one of her Number 1 hits.

INDUCTED: 10th August 1991 OPRY DEBUT: 29th July 1989 Vince Gill is one of the most awarded artists in country music history, and one of the youngest to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the 1990s, he was consistently in the Top 10, racking up several dozen hits, not to mention the fact that he's sold more than 22 million albums.

Alan Jackson

INDUCTED: 7th June 1991 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Alan Jackson is one of the best-selling music artists of all-time, having sold over 75 million records worldwide, with 44 million sold in the United States alone. He has had 66 songs appear on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and is the recipient of two Grammy Awards, 16 CMA Awards and 17 ACM Awards.

Garth Brooks

INDUCTED: 6th October 1990 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown The only male artist to have four albums exceed sales of 10 million, Garth Brooks has sold more than 128 million records. That total places Garth second only to The Beatles as the best-selling act of all time, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Garth has received nearly every accolade the recording industry can bestow upon an artist, including two Grammys, 11 Country Music Association Awards and 24 Billboard Music Awards. His TV credits include eight NBC specials, hosting Saturday Night Live twice and executive producing the made-for-TV movie, Call Me Claus. He's also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Reba McEntire

INDUCTED: 17th January 1986 OPRY DEBUT: 17th September 1977 Reba is the only female artist to have scored Number 1 singles in each decade from the 1980s through to the current one. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998, has sold more than 55 million albums and earned two Grammy Awards. Reba is the most-nominated female artist in the history of the Country Music Association Awards, which named her its Entertainer of the Year in 1986.

Dolly Parton

INDUCTED: 4th January 1969 OPRY DEBUT: Unknown Dolly Parton has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Parton has garnered 11 Grammy Awards and 50 nominations, including the Lifetime Achievement Award; 10 Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year and is one of only seven female artists to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award; five Academy of Country Music Awards, also including Entertainer of the Year; four People's Choice Awards; and three American Music Awards.

Loretta Lynn

INDUCTED: 25th September 1962 OPRY DEBUT: 15th October 1960 Loretta Lynn's countless accolades include three Grammys and eight Country Music Association Awards. In 1972, she became the first female artist to win the Country Music Association's coveted Entertainer of the Year award. Now a member of the Country Music and Songwriters Halls of Fame, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.

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A Country Music Fan's Guide to Texas: A Musical Road Trip Through the Lone Star State

Alright, let's get this out of the way — it's impossible to experience all the musical awesomeness that Texas has to offer in one trip. It would take weeks to experience Texas' great country music history, let alone all the other spots for blues, rock, tejano, Hip-Hop and several other genres.

But it's worth a shot!

This ultimate Texas country music road trip is designed to actually be feasible — and done in seven days. Each stop features a cool place in Texas music history to visit during the day and a renowned Texas venue to visit at night.

The best part? You can start in any city, since it's arranged in a (sort of) circular pattern. Unfortunately, this means we have to leave out cool places like Padre's out in Marfa, or the Roy Orbison museum in Wink, Texas — for now. But don't worry, you'll get plenty of other cool history and music along the way.

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Day 1 - Lubbock

Day : buddy holly's grave, the buddy holly center and the west texas walk of fame.

View of American rock and roll musician Buddy Holly's gravestone in Lubbock, Texas, 1975. The gravestone reads 'In loving memory of our own Burrdy Holly, September 7, 1936 - February 3, 1959.'

Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Buddy Holly changed the face of music, and all by his untimely death at 22 years old.

To understand the scope of Buddy Holly's influence on music, consider this: The Beatles named themselves in homage to Buddy Holly and The Crickets and Paul McCartney said the first 40 songs they wrote they were trying to copy him. Mick Jagger credits Buddy Holly for being the reason The Rolling Stones exist. Elton John wore glasses to look like Buddy to the point of actually needing glasses. Bob Dylan says his most powerful music memory is when he was a teenager and Buddy looked at him at a concert. To this day, Bruce Springsteen still plays Buddy Holly before going on stage.

Giant glasses in front of the Buddy Holly Center on November 8, 2008 in Lubbock, Texas. Februray 3, 2009 will be the 50th anniversary of what is referred to as

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Pay your respects at his grave site in Lubbock, then go get more of the story at the world famous Buddy Holly Center a few miles down the road. Across the street from the museum is the West Texas Walk of Fame, a site started by Waylon Jennings to honor musicians from the area. Check out inductees ranging from Buddy and Waylon to Mac Davis, Richie McDonald of Lonestar fame and, most recently, Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks.

Night: The Blue Light Live

Photo credit: Charlie Stout

The Blue Ligh t, a modest venue tucked away in the downtown Depot District is a breeding ground for some of the area's future stars. Texas country acts like the Josh Abbott Band came together at the venue, which now hosts plenty of great touring acts from all over the state.

Day 2 - Brady, Luckenbach, Bandera

Day: the heart of texas country music museum (brady), luckenbach general store, related content, the best places for live country music in texas, the most underrated music towns in texas, 12 texas dance halls every country fan should visit.

Start your day early to make it down to the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum in Brady, where you'll see artifacts from all sorts of country greats, from Loretta Lynn to Johnny Cash to George Strait. The museum started after a local radio station began receiving the items from the performers themselves, thanks to its "Hillbilly Hits" program.

Guests of the bar in Luckenbach play guitars under some trees in Luckenbach (Texas), USA, 19 March 2013. German is spoken in the middle of Texas. Descendants of German settlers meet at the bar every evening. They speak their German-English dialect to save it from extinction. Photo: Christina Horsten /dpa | usage worldwide

Photo by Christina Horsten/picture alliance via Getty Images

Then head down the road to the Luckenbach General Store in Luckenbach, Texas. Pick up a souvenir or two from the spot made famous by several singers, where "Everybody is Somebody" and "Ain't Nobody Feelin' No Pain." The store was an old trading post started in 1849, and if you're there on a weekend, you'll likely find some afternoon pickin' and a-singin' before the evening's headlining concerts.

Luckenbach Texas 1-2015. Cowboy telling western stories.

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Night: 11 th Street Cowboy Bar

Mark Scherer, right, dances with his wife Shelley Scherer, left, at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar during the Cowboy Mardi Gras celebration in Bandera, Texas on February 15, 2020.

Photo by Mark Felix / AFP) (Photo by MARK FELIX/AFP /AFP via Getty Images

About an hour south of Luckenbach in Bandera, you'll find the 11 th Street Cowboy Bar, a venue unlike any other in Texas. The clientele ranges from bikers to cowboys to international tourists. Bras hang from the ceiling (be sure to ask how they got there) and a jet-cooled dance floor in the back hosts throngs of visitors checking out the great nightly country music. If you've got time the next day, feel free to stop by and join a jam session inside.

Day 3 - Helotes, San Antonio, New Braunfels

Wikipedia Commons/ Larry D. Moore

Day : John T. Floore's Country Store, Lucchese Boot Company

Make sure this stop is either on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, because you're going to want to get some of the world-famous tamales at the Honky Tonk Café inside John T. Floore's Country Store. Randy Rogers likes them so much he recorded a live album at Floore's called Homemade Tamales. The venue has hosted everyone from Elvis to Little Richard and is known fondly as the "birthplace" of Willie Nelson (his career, anyway).

Then head into San Antonio for a true taste of cowboy culture. The Italian-born Salvatore Lucchese traveled to San Antonio to set up shop in 1883. The Lucchese Boot Company would eventually be the choice of cowboys and country artists the world over. But be forewarned: if you plan on buying a pair, they generally range from $800 to $13,000.

Night: Gruene Hall

Feel free to head back to Floore's for a night show if you like, but you'd be remiss not to head a few minutes north to Gruene Hall for the evening. Established in 1878, the oldest dance hall in Texas hosts some of the best in Texas music almost every night, from heritage artists to modern stars. Very little about the venue has changed since the 1800s. The woman responsible for revitalizing its status as a Texas music mainstay in the '70s still books it to this day. Tracie Ferguson and Gruene Hall have helped jumpstart the careers of artists like Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams and Robert Earl Keen.

Day 4 - San Marcos, Austin

Day: cheatham street warehouse, the cactus café, texas music museum, willie nelson/stevie ray vaughan statues.

On your way up from Gruene, stop off at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos and pay your respects to Kent Finlay. Cheatham Street was the birthplace of George Strait and the Ace in the Hole Band. Finlay gave the band a Wednesday night residency when no one else would book them. Strait played his first 60 shows at Cheatham Street before coming one of the most successful country artists ever. Finlay also gave another famous Texas a residency there. In the early '80s, Steve Ray Vaughan called Cheatham Street his home on Tuesday nights. Finlay sadly passed away earlier this year, but his legacy continues with great Texas country shows every night of the week.

Then head into Austin and have a drink at the famous Cactus Café on the University of Texas campus. A world-class acoustic listening room since 1979, you can just feel the magic sitting in the room. The venue almost closed in 2010, but was saved after a community outcry. It's now operated by KUT, the University's public radio station.

While in Austin, be sure to check out many of the great musical sites, such as the Texas Music Museum and the famous Stevie Ray Vaughan and Willie Nelson statues downtown. You can't sling a guitar in Austin without finding a cool piece of Texas music history.

Night: The Broken Spoke, Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon, The Continental Club

Joan Mir of Spain and Leopard Racing, Thomas Luthi of Switzerland and Carxpert Interwetten, Dani Pedrosa of Spain and Repsol Honda Team and Pol Espargaro of Spain and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing dance with the girls during the pre-event

Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Bongarts/Getty Images

There are a number of world-class venues in Austin. For this road trip, there are three worth your time. The first is the Broken Spoke — a bastion of traditional country music and a place Entertainment magazine called "The Best Country Dance Hall In The Nation." Get a famous chicken fried steak and visit the "tourist trap" room full of Broken Spoke memorabilia. And don't forget to try out a dance lesson, hosted Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.

Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon, a small bar on the north side of town, is an authentic slice of old-school Austin where you can listen and dance to old-school country music. If you make your way there on Sunday during the afternoon, you can catch Chicken Shit Bingo, which is exactly what it sounds like. The Continental Club on South Congress isn't strictly a country bar, but they do host some of the best country acts around, like Dale Watson and Haybale!

Day 5 - Conroe, Houston

Day: dosey doe music café, cactus music store.

Head to Conroe for a meal at the famous Dosey Doe Music Café before moving down into Houston to check out Cactus Music, arguably Texas' most famous record store. Browse the great selection of new releases and old classics, and stick around for some live music. Cactus Music always has great in-store performances from all different kinds of artists.

Night: Firehouse Saloon

Firehouse Saloon gets its name from its former firefighter owners. The venue is famous for showcasing up-and-coming Texas musicians alongside favorites and modern hitmakers. The venue infamously got behind Miranda Lambert, helping build her audience at 17 shows before she skyrocketed to stardom. Be sure to visit on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday when they have shows going on.

Day 6 - Corsicana, Irving, Dallas

Day: lefty frizzell museum (corsicana), texas musicians museum, gilley's dallas.

Find a new appreciation for Lefty Frizzell, one of the most influential country artists of the '50s whose influence can be seen in the likes of Merle Haggard (who recording Frizzell's songs) and John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Then travel into the Dallas area to visit the Texas Musician's Museum, a new museum in historic downtown Irving featuring memorabilia from all kinds of Texas musicians, from Steve Miller to Selena to Pantera to Beyonce.

Afterward, head over to the new Dallas location of Gilley's — the club formerly located in Pasadena that made the "Urban Cowboy" famous. See if you can't ride the bull, you know, just to say you did it.

Night: Take your pick — The Rustic, The Kessler, or The Granada Theater

All three of these venues have incredible merit. The Rustic is a new venue owned by Pat Green, featuring an awesome intimate outdoor venue with a world class bar and restaurant to boot. The Kessler Theater is all general admission and always features quality acts, but they're not always Texas country. The Granada Theater is a converted movie theater that still shows classic pictures alongside top-notch live music. If the Granada has a show going on when you're in town, make it a priority. But you can't go wrong with any of these upscale Dallas venues. Then again, there just might be a great show going on at Gilley's, too...

Day 7 - Fort Worth

Day: the ft. worth stockyards.

Stockyards. Fort-Worth,Texas. United States.

Photo by Sylvain GRANDADAM/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

You're going to want a whole day to peruse the Stockyards, one of Texas' most famous multiple-block destinations. Check out all the cowboy culture and some of the coolest saloons in Texas, like the White Elephant Saloon and Pearl's Dancehall. There's also weekly rodeos, a twice-daily cattle drive and seriously good eats all around.

Night: Billy Bob's Texas

One of the most famous music venues in America, Billy Bob's Texas is the world's largest honky-tonk. It features 127,000 square feet of space, 30 bars and enough room for 6,000 people. The venue offers free line dancing lessons every Thursday night and a calendar chock full of the biggest stars in Texas and mainstream country. No Texas road trip is complete without a trip to Billy Bob's.

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

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

Road Trip Songs For Your Road Trip Playlist

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

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

10 Best Road Trip Songs of All Time

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

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

Best Classic Road Trip Songs

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

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

80s Road Trip Songs

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

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

90s Road Trip Songs

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

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

Modern Road Trip Songs

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

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

Road Trip Playlist on Spotify

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

What are your favorite road trip songs?

Need some road trip inspiration?

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savvyglobetrotter

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

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

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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”.

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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.

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.

13: Bob Seger: Hollywood Nights

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

12: Cyndi Lauper: I Drove All Night

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

11: Snoop Dogg: Gin And Juice

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

10: Jackson Browne: Running On Empty

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

9: The Beatles: Day Tripper

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

8: Stevie Wonder: Master Blaster (Jammin’)

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

7: Willie Nelson: On The Road Again

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

6: Tom Cochrane: Life Is A Highway

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

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.

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.

Honorable Mentions

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

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

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

11 Comments

June 26, 2019 at 7:37 pm

Golden Earring – Radar Love

June 27, 2019 at 5:16 pm

Mountain Jam, The Allman Brothers Band

August 2, 2019 at 8:34 am

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

September 21, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Joanne Nagen

September 25, 2019 at 5:02 pm

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

September 25, 2019 at 6:29 pm

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

Mike Einhorn

May 28, 2020 at 5:24 am

Bruce Springfield?

September 18, 2021 at 7:27 am

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

How’s these NOT make the list?

Belvin Sweatt

January 7, 2022 at 1:08 am

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

January 7, 2022 at 12:01 pm

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

June 3, 2023 at 5:42 am

The triffids – Wide Open Road

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

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

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

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

Can’t read now? Pin for later!

Best Road Trip Songs for a Road Trip Playlist

The Top 50 Road Trip Songs

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

Road Trippin’ (The Red Hot Chili Peppers)

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

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

American Girl (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

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

Super Bass (Nicki Minaj)

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

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

Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)

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

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

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

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

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

Come on Eileen (Dexy’s Midnight Runners)

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

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

A Horse with No Name (America)

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

Love Shack (The B-52s)

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

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

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

Toxic (Britney Spears)

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

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

America (Simon & Garfunkel)

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

Back to You (Bryan Adams)

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

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

9 to 5 (Dolly Parton)

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

Burning Down the House (Talking Heads)

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

Run Run Run (The Velvet Underground)

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

Society (Eddie Vedder)

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

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

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

Ramblin’ Man (The Allman Brothers)

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

Fell in Love with a Girl (The White Stripes)

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

Hold On (Wilson Phillips)

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

Life is a Highway (Rascal Flatts)

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

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

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

Crazy in Love (Beyonce)

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

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

Keep the Car Running (Arcade Fire)

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

I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Whitney Houston)

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

Rocky Road to Dublin (The Dropkick Murphys)

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

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

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

Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)

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

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

Down by the Water (The Decemberists)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Breeze (Xavier Rudd)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fast Car (Tracy Chapman)

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

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

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

Mustang Sally (Wilson Pickett)

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

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

Oklahoma - Big sign by the roadside of Highway 1 at the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area and campsite at the Ouachita National Forest in Muse, Oklahoma.

Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)

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

Umbrella (Rhianna)

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

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

Immigrant Song (Led Zepplin)

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

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

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

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

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

…Baby One More Time (Britney Spears)

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

So Good (B.o.B.)

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

Woman Jumping on Highway sign for Route 66 on asphalt of country road

Raspberry Beret (Prince and the Revolution)

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

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

Party in the USA (Miley Cyrus)

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

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

Vogue (Madonna)

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

Movin’ Right Along (Alkaline Trio)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hit the Road Jack (Ray Charles)

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

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

USA - Oklahoma - Scenic descent from Mt Scott, Oklahoma A scenic view descending the twisting road from Mt. Scott, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma

No Diggity (Backstreet)

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

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

Khawabon Me Parinde (Mohit Chauhan)

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

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

One Week (The Barenaked Ladies)

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

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

I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)

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

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

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

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

Oklahoma - Driver view of 2-lane curved road beside large rock cliff

Doo Wop [That Thing] (Lauryn Hill)

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

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

Into the Great Wide Open (Tom Petty)

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

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

July, July (The Decemberists)

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

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

Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)

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

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

Mr. Blue Sky (ELO)

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

De Donde Vengo Yo (Choc Quib Town)

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

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

Oklahoma - Country road in Oklahoma with white clouds against a blue sky.

My Sharona (The Knack)

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

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

Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver)

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

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

Behind the Wheel (Depeche Mode)

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

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

On the Road Again (Willie Nelson)

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

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

Route 66 (Chuck Berry)

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

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

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

Route 66 badge hanging on a car mirror of a classic car

Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero)

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

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

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

Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)

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

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

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

The Long Way Around (The Chicks)

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

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

Ghost Riders in the Sky (Johnny Cash)

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

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

Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N Roses)

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

Africa (Toto)

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

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

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

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

It was covered by American band Weezer in 2010.

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

Ei Path Jodi Na Shes Hoy

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

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

Thinking of a Place (War on Drugs)

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

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

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

Free Road Trip Playlist on Spotify

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

More Great Road Trip Songs for Your Road Trip Playlist

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

Apesh*t (The Carters)

Hurtin’ Me (Stefflon Don Ft. French Montana)

If She Wants Me (Belle & Sebastian)

Waterloo (ABBA)

Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show)

Here I Go Again (Whitesnake)

Feel Good Inc. (The Gorillaz)

Boasty (Wiley Ft. Steflon Don and Idris Elba)

Roadrunner (The Modern Lovers)

Running on Empty (Jackson Brown)

Jolene (Dolly Parton)

American Idiot (Green Day)

Summertime Sadness (Lana Del Ray)

Island in the Sun (Weezer)

Proud Mary (Tina Turner)

Uptight (Stevie Wonder)

Where It’s At (Beck)

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

Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel)

Walk It Talk It (Migos Ft. Drake)

Jack & Diane (John Cougar Mellencamp)

We Didn’t Start the Fire (Billy Joel)

Me Gusta (Shakira)

1979 (The Smashing Pumpkins)

The Way (Fastball)

Black Beatles (Rae Srummond)

Under Pressure (Queen and David Bowie)

Basket Case (Green Day)

Whatever You Like (T.I.)

If I Had a Million Dollars (Barenaked Ladies)

Little Red Corvette (Prince)

King of the Road (Roger Miller)

Linger (The Cranberries)

I’ve Been Everywhere (Johnny Cash)

Little Deuce Coup (The Beach Boys)

Down on the Corner (Credence Clearwater Revival)

Juice (Lizzo)

Bailando (Enrique Iglesias)

Truckin’ (The Grateful Dead)

Me and Bobby McGee (Janis Joplin)

Flashlight (Parliament-Funkadelic)

How We Do [Party] (Rita Ora)

Cracklin’ Rosie (Neil Diamond)

She’s a Lady (Tom Jones)

One Headlight (The Wallflowers)

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

Pin these Road Trips Songs for Your Next Trip!

In this Article:

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

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

Thank you! And thanks for your suggestion!

The 30 Best Country Road Trip Songs, Ranked

30 Best Country Road Trip Songs, Ranked

The Ultimate Country Road Trip Playlist: Top 15 Country Road Trip Songs

Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean

Cruise (Remix) – Florida Georgia Line ft. Nelly

Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show

American Kids – Kenny Chesney

Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck – Kip Moore

Beer Money – Kip Moore

Who Says You Can’t Go Home – Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles

Life Is A Highway – Rascal Flatts

On the Road Again – Willie Nelson

Small Town Big Time – Blake Shelton

Nothing On But The Radio – Gary Allan

Somebody Like You – Keith Urban

Forever Country -Artists of Then, Now, And Forever

Mud on the Tires – Brad Paisley

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The essential country music road trip playlist

"On The Road Again," Willie Nelson

"Amarillo By Morning," George Strait

"King of the Road," Roger Miller

"80s Mercedes," Maren Morris

"Wagon Wheel," Darius Rucker

"Heads Carolina, Tails California," Jo Dee Messina

"East Bound and Down," Jerry Reed

"Traveller," Chris Stapleton

"Jackson," Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

"Life Is A Highway," Rascal Flatts

"Toes," Zac Brown Band

"Wide Open Spaces," The Chicks

"Take Me Home, Country Roads," John Denver

"Fast Car," Luke Combs

"Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood

"Sweet Home Alabama," Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Settling Down," Miranda Lambert

"Red Dirt Road," Brooks & Dunn

"I've Been Everywhere," Johnny Cash

"Let's Go to Vegas," Faith Hill

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The essential country music road trip playlist

"On The Road Again," Willie Nelson

"Amarillo By Morning," George Strait

"King of the Road," Roger Miller

"80s Mercedes," Maren Morris

"Wagon Wheel," Darius Rucker

"Heads Carolina, Tails California," Jo Dee Messina

"East Bound and Down," Jerry Reed

"Traveller," Chris Stapleton

"Jackson," Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

"Life Is A Highway," Rascal Flatts

"Toes," Zac Brown Band

"Wide Open Spaces," The Chicks

"Take Me Home, Country Roads," John Denver

"Fast Car," Luke Combs

"Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood

"Sweet Home Alabama," Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Settling Down," Miranda Lambert

"Red Dirt Road," Brooks & Dunn

"I've Been Everywhere," Johnny Cash

"Let's Go to Vegas," Faith Hill

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