With social distancing in practice and the travel industry still questioning how to move forward, many people are choosing road trips as their form of vacation this year. And why not? They’re awesome!
Road trips are one of my favorite ways to travel because I love the quality time it gives me with my family and/or friends. In fact, one of my favorite road trips I’ve ever been on was from Maryland to Utah with my mom. 3 days of non-stop getting to know each other. And yes, quality time is my love language…
If you are thinking of doing a road trip with your family this summer, but are hesitant because you don’t know how your kids will act, don’t worry. Check out my articles on how to road trip with a newborn and 9 tips for a successful family road trip.
In my humble opinion, nothing makes a road trip better than good music to jam out to. Would you agree?
For that reason I have created this ultimate road trip playlist – 30 songs that are sure to keep you happy while driving (or riding).
PS: There is something you should know about me and this list before you play it though. I like pop and country music. If you’re not into that, it may not be for you. However, I still recommend scanning the list for a song you like. You never know, you may be surprised by a new song! In addition, I believe that every song has a memory attached to it. That’s why you will see some older songs mixed in with the new. It’s a good song if it brings back a good memory!
Without further ado, please enjoy my Ultimate Road Trip Playlist!
- “Barcelona” – Ed Sheeran
- “A Thousand Miles” – Vanessa Carlton
- “Body Language” – Jesse McCartney ft. T-Pain
- “Since U Been Gone” – Kelly Clarkson
- “Crush” – David Archuleta
- “Life’s About to Get Good” – Shania Twain
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake
- “Love on Top” – Beyonce
- “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
- “Downtown” – Lady Antebellum
- “Summer Nights” – Rascal Flatts
- “Southbound” – Carrie Underwood
- “I Want Crazy” – Hunter Hayes
- “Party in the U.S.A” – Miley Cyrus
- “Good to be Alive (Hallelujah)” – Andy Grammer
- “Somethin’ Bad” – Miranda Lambert ft. Carrie Underwood
- “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” – Jake Owen
- “Confident” – Demi Lovato
- “Sugar” – Maroon 5
- “This is How We Do” – Katy Perry
- “Stereo Hearts” – Gym Class Heroes ft. Adam Levine
- “Clumsy” – Fergie
- “Good Girls Go Bad” – Cobra Starship ft. Leighton Meester
- “Black Magic” – Little Mix
- “Replay” – Iyaz
- “Better When I’m Dancin'” – Meghan Trainer
- “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
- “Let’s Get Loud” – Jennifer Lopez
- “Magic” – B.O.B. ft. Rivers Cuomo
- “Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
Well, what did you think? Were there any songs you were surprised by?
I would love to hear your own road trip playlists! Leave them in the comments below and I may add them to my list here!
Check out these Virtual Trips Around the World!
I have never thought of making a playlist for a road trip. My kids would probably like that idea, to add variety to the audio books we usually listen to.
Books are great too! But music lets you dance ๐
Awesome list! There were a couple I didn’t think I knew, but when I listened to them… I did! So fun! Thank you!
Thank you! It’s fun to go back in time with music ๐
I have to admit… I’ve never heard of.some of these songs or the artists!
That’s okay! I don’t always have mainstream taste in music.
I’ve never made a playlist but it’s a great idea – sometimes the radio can get so boring and you’ll hear all the popular songs on repeat. Having good music helps to pass the time for sure!
I totally agree! Music that you choose can make you look forward to listening to it.
Great idea! You picked some good upbeat songs for the whole family!
Thanks! It’s important that everyone riding in the car have at least one song that they like.
What a great playlist with lots of variety! Now I have โSomethinโ Badโ โ Miranda Lambert ft. Carrie Underwood stuck in my head. Yay!
Haha it’s always in my head!
Those are awesome choices for a road trip!
Thanks!
Motown all the way for this gal!
I love Motown! Whatever makes you happy, play it!
Gotta have my oldies. This is a great list with variety though. I can definitely add it in!
Yes! Add whatever songs you like!
I should probably make a road trip list to listen to – when I let my girls pick, they use the songs they have dance routines to, and those get old fast, lol.
Haha I’m sure they do! If you make a playlist beforehand, then everyone knows what to expect.
I haven’t listened to David Archuleta in ages! I had forgotten all about him.
His songs bring back all the middle school memories for me ๐
๐ Great ideas!
Thanks!
If I’m traveling with just me and the kids, then I make sure the kids have their ipads and headphones and I have my playlist. My playlist has to be full of upbeat songs or I’ll start falling asleep. If my husband is traveling with us too then I’m usually reading to the family or we are listening to an audiobook.
It’s great that you all can have your own thing to do. My husband normally likes listening to the sports radio station ๐
Anything by Ed Sheeran is always a hit in our vehicle.
I completely understand why!
Thanks for the suggestions we are always up for a road trip!
Aren’t they fun?
We don’t have a playlist for our road trips as my husband does most of the driving and prefers silence minus the kids watching their movies in the back. I do have a podcast playlist I listen to if I end up doing the driving. These are great options.
Sometimes it is nice to have everyone do their own thing too.
Great list! Road Trips are made for jamming for sure! Thanks
I completely agree! Thanks!
I’m not sure I’ve heard many on your list. I’m not one to listen to the radio or even own many CDs. Most of the time I like the quiet.
Quiet can be nice too. I’m definitely a huge CD person myself ๐
Great suggestions! We have a handful of these songs on our road trip playlist we built on Spotify. We road trip a lot so our list is always growing.
Spotify is amazing!!
I have five driving playlists on my phone. One of those playlists is always playing when Iโm in the car! Thanks for some new suggestions.
No problem! It’s great to switch out playlists so you don’t get bored of the same songs ๐
I love this playlist and cannot wait to use it on my road trip next month!
Yay! I hope you dance with it as much as I do!
Love this list, definitely some upbeat tunes. We love to have a playlist ready for road trips. Music is such a great distraction for the little ones and it keeps everyone’s spirits up.
Thanks! My son loves dancing with us ๐
Great list! Thanks!
Thanks!