With Spring Break and summer break just around the corner, that only means one thing – road trips. Whether it’s to some far-off destination or just your local grocery store, this playlist is everything you need to make a 15 hour or 5 minute car ride into more than just a drive.
So create the perfect playlist, gather up your friends and go live an incredible adventure.
1) First Time – Jonas Brothers
Jonas Brothers – need I say more?
2) Old Pine – Ben Howard
A perfect song if you love those indescribable moments with your friends that nothing but a song can capture and bring to life.
3) On My Way – Phil Collins
This song is a masterpiece by a legend. Found in the movie Brother Bear, it captures adventure and wanderlust that is perfect for a road trip.
4) Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root
You’ve probably heard this on commercials throughout your lifetime, but it does make a great playlist song – especially if you’re going somewhere you’ve never been to before.
5) Follow The Sun – Xavier Rudd
This song is every perfect trip’s emotions summed up: slow, sunny, melodic and full of positive vibes.
6) Castle On The Hill – Ed Sheeran
This single will be on Ed’s new album, Divide, and is so beautiful that everyone should have to listen to it. He’s perfect. The acoustic version is just as amazing, too.
7) Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
You can never go wrong with this song. Ever.
8) Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
If you need a pep-talk kind of trip, play this.
9) Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners
Another feel-good classic that you can never, ever go wrong with.
10) Viva La Vida – Coldplay
Who doesn’t love this song? It was a huge hit in the mid-2000s and it’s still frequently played.
11) Adventure of a Lifetime – Coldplay
Another Coldplay song (listen, they’re just that good), but as the title suggests, it is a perfect addition to any road trip playlist.
12) You Make My Dreams – Daryl Hall & John Oates
This song never fails to be empowering and uplifting and put you in an instantly better mood.
13) No Rain – Blind Melon
This song includes kind of sad lyrics with a great beat. It’s perfect for those that like the feeling a song gives them rather than the words themselves.
14) Head Over Feet – Alanis Morissette
This is more of a love song, but come on – it’s Alanis Morissette.
15) Valentina – The Hunts
An underrated band that has amazing songs, this is only one of their road-trip worthy songs. If you like this one, you should check out the rest of their music. You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll have a great playlist.
16) 15 Years – Houndmouth
Sounds like an oldies track but really isn’t (circa 2015 to be exact).
17) Helm – Tow’rs
All of their songs are honestly great and road-trip worthy.
18) Wild Heart – Bleachers
Best if listened to in loud volumes, or just loud enough so that you can sing/scream the chorus at the top of your lungs.
19) Walking on a Dream – Empire of the Sun
This will probably be everyone’s favorite. If you know “The Thrill” by Wiz Khalifa, this is the song that’s in the background.
20) Wilder Mind – Mumford & Sons
It’s Mumford & Sons – need I say more?
21) Brothers – Prince of Spain
One of my personal favorites, this is perfect if you live in a mountainous region and can relate to the song itself. If you don’t, it is still such a beautiful melody that you should listen to.
22) Always Gold – Radical Face
Slow, melodic and just a general feel-good song that you can either sing along to or just listen to and it will make you feel something.
23) American Oxygen – X Ambassadors
A remake of Rihanna’s song, this acoustic version is bound to be a staple on your playlist.
24) One Black Sheep – Mat Kearney
Within the first few seconds, you will know why this song has to be on your playlist.
25) Bird in a Cage – SPELLES
Sort of a mash-up between Florence + The Machine and “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.” It’s great.
26) Beautiful – Ben Rector
Nostalgia is written all over this song – a great addition to a trip with your closest friends.
27) All Your Favorite Bands – Dawes
Perfect for those “late night drives with hot French fries” kind of moments. We’ve all had those late night food trips.
28) Holdin’ Out – The Lumineers
Since it is from the movie “Storks,” you may think this is a child-oriented song. Don’t judge it by the album cover. Plus, it’s The Lumineers.
29) White Flag – Joseph
A song that you can clap or nod your head or scream the words to and all three ways will be acceptable. It has the signature, folky beat that a majority of these songs have.
30) All We Never Knew – The Head and the Heart
You just need to listen to this. (P.S. – if you like slower music, check out “Rivers and Roads.” You won’t be disappointed.)
31) Charlie Boy – The Lumineers
Coming in with another song that’s worthy of making this list, The Lumineers are just that good.
32) Candles – Daughter
Slow at first (as most of their songs are), but grows into a very uplifting song towards the middle.
33) Landslide – Dixie Chicks or Fleetwood Mac
The perfect song to sing with your best friends that will also hit you right in the feels.
34) Hello My Old Heart – The Oh Hellos
So. Good.
35) Yamaha – Delta Spirit
The best way to listen to this song is at the highest volume that your ears can withstand. You can thank me later.
Happy listening!