150+ Road Trip Songs: Your Ultimate Driving Playlist

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The Best Road Trip Music

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

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

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

road trip songs

Classic Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the classic road trip songs playlist here

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

DJ’s & Collaborations

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

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

Get the alternative road trip songs playlist here


Road Trip Songs from the Twenties (2020 – 2022)

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

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

Get the twenties playlist here

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

Late Noughties (2011-2019) Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the late noughties playlist here


The Early Noughties (2000-2010) Best Driving Songs

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

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

Get the early noughties playlist here

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Cool Road Trip Remixes

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

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

Get the cool remixes playlist here

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

Best 90’s Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the 90’s road trip songs playlist here

winding road across islands and sea in Norway

Best 80s Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the 80s road trips songs playlist here

Woman hanging out of RV window wearinh mirror shades

Best Driving Power Ballads

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

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

Get the driving power ballads playlist here


Disco Road Trip Songs

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

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

Get the disco road trip songs playlist here

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

Your Ultimate Driving Playlist

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

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