1. “I Gotta Feeling” - The Black Eyed Peas (2009)
This high-level energy song has the perfect road trip vibe. With lyrics like, "tonight's gonna be a good night" you're basically manifesting a good time. Sing it. Feel it. Be it.
Album: “The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)”
2. “Runnin’ Down a Dream” - Tom Petty (1989)
You can just feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair when this baby starts up with, “It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down, I had the radio on, I was drivin’”. Add in that guitar riff and I mean, come on. You may never want to come back home.
Album: “Full Moon Fever”
3. "Shut Up and Dance" - Walk The Moon (2014)
This song’s snappy beat may start with toe tapping but will end with full-body dancing in your seat where the only restraint you have is your seatbelt. You will definitely not shut up when this little ditty is on.
Album: Talking Is Hard
4. “Hey Ya” – Outkast (2003)
It's like a musical energy drink for your road trip. Good luck not getting sucked into the “alright, alright” chanting on this one. This song will have you “shaking like a Polaroid picture” before you even pull out of the driveway.
Album: "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below"
5. " Bohemian Rapsody" - Queen (1975)
We can thank Wayne and Garth for bringing this operatic masterpiece back to life in 1992. Singing, “Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?” is just plain fun, and if you don’t catch yourself headbanging to this one, you’re not doing it right.
Album: "A Night at the Opera"
6. “On the Road Again” - Willie Nelson (1980)
No road trip playlist is complete without Willie Nelson’s distinctive voice guiding the way. With a chill vibe of hitting the open road and going wherever it takes you “like a band o’ gypsies”, this jam captures the essence of wanderlust like no other.
Album: "Honeysuckle Rose"
7. “All Night Long” - Rainbow (1979)
Be warned that it’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll be playing the steering wheel drums and belting out “all night long” in your best hair metal voice before this tune is over. If you really want to put on a show, make sure you’re stopped at a red light. *Caution: May cause a serious earworm.
Album: "Down to Earth"
8. "Cruise" - Florida Georgia Line (2012)
Turn your country twang up all the way up to 110% because this groove nugget is going to make you “wanna roll your windows down and cruise” with its breezy lyrics and vibe.
Album: "It’z Just What We Do"
9. “Wannabe” - The Spice Girls (1996)
This 90s girl-power anthem is perfect for when you have a car full of people, since everyone who’s along for the ride gets to be their own Spice Girl. Flying solo? Even better! Nail down all five parts yourself. You got this. Let this musical time machine take you back to when times were a little…spicier.
Album: “Spice”
10. "Whole Lotta Rosie" - AC/DC (1977)
This is a whole lotta song, so you’re going to want to make sure you have a clear, open road ahead since your foot may feel a little heavier on the gas pedal when you crank this one. As can be expected when one throws on AC/DC, don't be surprised when the air guitar superstar busts loose and makes an appearance.