There’s almost no better feeling than hitting the open road and the wind whipping through your hair. Every great road trip needs a great soundtrack. Here we take a look at 55 of the greatest road trip songs to sing along to on your next interstate adventure.
1. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
No song captures the thrill of hitting the open road better than Bruce Springsteen’s classic hit, Born To Run. The epic love song captures all the passion of young lovers trying to find a place to call their own in this world. This is to be sung at full volume on the highway with the windows rolled down!
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2. Mr. Brightside – The Killers
An anthem for a generation, The Killers’ first hit, Mr. Brightside, turns the lead singer’s pain of being cheated on into one of the greatest sing-along songs of all time. With a driving tempo, the track taps into feelings of jealousy and heartbreak that many of us, unfortunately, know too well.
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3. All Star – Smash Mouth
It is basically impossible not to sing along to Smash Mouth’s biggest hit, All Star. Following the story of a, perhaps delusional, wannabe rock star, the song features top-notch wordplay and an addicting melody that demands to be sung, even when we’ve heard it far too many times.
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4. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Queen’s epic masterpiece, Bohemian Rhapsody, is one of the greatest songs ever written. Clocking in at almost six minutes, their record company balked at the idea of such a long song. Lucky for all of us, Wayne and Garth included, the band persisted and gave us one of the greatest driving songs of all time.
5. Hotel California – The Eagles
The Eagles epic about a haunted hotel is an essential road trip track. With spooky imagery, a catchy melody, and a killer guitar solo, Hotel California is one of their very best tunes.
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6. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
First heard in the 2001 film Legally Blonde, Vanessa Carlton’s track, A Thousand Miles, is one of the greatest karaoke songs of all time. With its upbeat piano and themes of traveling, this is a perfect song for singing on the road.
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7. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) is one of the catchiest proclamations of love that has ever been sung. The Proclaimers’ most well-known hit is the perfect song for singing on the highway, especially if you find yourself on your way back home to the one you love.
8. TiK ToK – Kesha
Ke$ha’s party anthem, TiK ToK, is the ultimate car-ride sing-along. With fun verses, a catchy chorus, and a heavy dose of rebellious energy, this song will make sure your road trip party “don’t stop” anytime soon.
9. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
Everyone knows the words to the song about a small-town girl and a city boy. Journey’s greatest hit is the ultimate track for your road trip journey playlist—with that catchy piano, killer guitar solo, and a chorus that will push you to your vocal limits.
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10. Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
One thing the 80s got right was hair metal power ballads. With big hair, bigger guitar, and even bigger vocals, this catchy tune will have you speeding down the highway. The real question is whether or not you can hit that high note!
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11. Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra’s most iconic hit, the cheery tune Mr. Blue Sky, is impossible not to sing along to. While the actual meaning of the song is open for interpretation, the optimistic tone of the music and fun-to-sing lyrics make it a necessary addition to your road trip playlist.
12. Highway to Hell – AC/DC
AC/DC’s rock anthem is sure to have you rolling down the highway. Highway To Hell is an all-time classic rock ‘n’ roll anthem. Put this on the radio, and you’ll have everyone in the car doing their best Bon Scott impression.
13. Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts
Originally by Tom Cochrane, Rascal Flatts hit track, Life Is A Highway, is perfect for cruising down the interstate. With that catchy guitar riff and infectious lyrics, this one is great for singing with the windows down and the wind in your hair.
14. Bat Out of Hell – Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf‘s greatest song is his epic masterpiece, Bat Out Of Hell. The eight-minute track about a motorcycle out of control is a defining rock opera track and perfect for testing out your vocal chops.
15. What I Got – Sublime
Sublime’s 1997 hit What I Got is a perfect addition to any road trip playlist. Trying to figure out “why my money’s all gone,” the lyrics tell a story that is both relatable and fantastic. Bringing ska and rap together, this track just demands to be sung along to while you roll down the road.
16. Valerie – Amy Winehouse
Originally by The Zutons, Amy Winehouse made the iconic track, Valerie, all her own. The song lets us all tap into our desire to love and to be loved. It’s a perfect track to put on in a car full of friends and to try and match the intensity of Winehouse’s vocal delivery.
17. Hey Ya! – Outkast
Atlanta-based rap duo Outkast is one of the greatest hip hop acts of all time, and fewer tracks are more iconic than Hey Ya! It’s impossible to hear this song and not be filled with joy. This will have you feeling “ice cold” while you roll down the highway.
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18. Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty
Everyone knows the words to Tom Petty’s defining ballad about a small-town girl who’s “crazy ’bout Elvis.” Even if you don’t know all the words to each verse, the chorus demands to be sung (or screamed, depending on your vocal range). This tune will have everyone singing along.
19. Drops of Jupiter – Train
Train’s iconic cosmic hit Drops Of Jupiter is a quintessential karaoke track. With epic lyrics, a catchy melody, and a chorus that just demands to be belted, this is a perfect song for testing your vocal chops while you coast down the highway.
20. Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
There’s no better track for a girls’ road trip than Cyndi Lauper’s classic hit Girls Just Want To Have Fun. All about rejecting societal expectations for women, not only is this song an absolute banger, but it is dripping with 80s nostalgia that will lift everyone’s spirit in the car.
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21. Mr. Jones – Counting Crows
One of the Counting Crows’ most beloved tracks, Mr. Jones has an infectious melody and is full of relatable imagery. The song is all about the dream of being famous and believing how much better life will be when it does finally happen. While it leaves out some of the pitfalls of becoming a superstar, this is a perfect sing-along for long car drives with friends.
22. Chasing Pavements – Adele
Before Adele was the Queen of Pop, she put out her first big hit, Chasing Pavements. The ballad is about the difficult decision to leave a relationship leading nowhere, and its epic chorus is impossible to not belt along to, especially if you are struggling with a similar situation in your own life.
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23. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
![Fleetwood Mac - Landslide (Official Music Video) [HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WM7-PYtXtJM/0.jpg)
Fleetwood Mac’s iconic track Landslide has everything the perfect sing-along song needs: a beautiful melody, great lyrics, and a powerful chorus. The right song for a road trip, especially if you are traveling alone on a rainy day.
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24. Psycho Killer – Talking Heads
With driving drums and bass, Psycho Killer is the perfect excuse to shout in faux-French as you roll down the highway. Whether you are out on a drive around town or you are trying to “run, run, run away,” this is a perfect tune to give your road trip a weird edge.
25. Love on Top – Beyoncé
While Queen B has got plenty of great tunes for a road trip, Love On Top is perfect for anyone whose heart is full of love. With catchy music giving major 80s throwback vibes, this is perfect for channeling all the love in your heart. And it’s also perfect for testing your vocal chops, especially after that key change!
26. Africa – Toto
Few songs capture that 80s vibe like Toto’s big hit, Africa. The quirky track full of vibey synths is a love song to the entire continent or at least a love song to the idea of it. The chorus is perfect for belting as you roll down the highway.
27. Complicated – Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne’s pop-punk ballad, Complicated, is one of the genre’s best tracks, especially for everyone growing up in the early 2000s. The tune brings together country and punk aesthetics to create one of the best sing-along songs of all time.
28. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
No song romanticizes a scenic getaway like John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads. All about the beautiful roads that lead back home, the chorus of this classic is perfect for singing while enjoying the scenic highways of America.
29. Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
One of Kelly Clarkson’s first big hits, Since U Been Gone is a powerful and cathartic song. We’ve all been in relationships where we weren’t treated like we should’ve been, and this track fully captures the feeling of getting free from a toxic relationship.
30. Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
Nothing screams 80s rock ‘n’ roll like Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer. The story of the down-on-their-luck couple, Tommy and Gina, reminds us that anything is possible when you’ve got love and a dream. The epic tune is perfect for singing while rolling down a city street or open highway.
31. Crazy – Patsy Cline
For anyone who has dreamed of being a country diva, Patsy Cline’s Crazy is one of the standards you’ve got to know. The country ballad showcases her signature soaring voice and is perfect for singing along in the car, especially if your love life is currently in shambles.
32. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
One of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll songs of all time, Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven is one of the ultimate road trip tunes to blast on full volume. With an exciting story and a song that builds to an epic solo and chorus, heads will be banging in the car.
33. Say It Ain’t So – Weezer
One of Weezer’s most iconic tracks, this entire song is a vibe. Capturing teenage angst and anger in a four-minute capsule, this takes you from chill to screaming and back again, a perfect song to belt with buddies on the road.
34. In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins
The song that made air-drumming cool, Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight is one of the most epic radio hits of all time. Building up from a soft synth, the track demands to be sung. Just make sure you hold onto the steering wheel when the big drum solo hits.
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35. Tainted Love – Soft Cell
Do you ever feel like you’ve got to run away? Soft Cell’s Tainted Love is the perfect song to blast while you make your way out of town and get away from all that is haunting you.
36. Your Song – Elton John
Every road trip needs a ballad, and Elton John is the king of radio ballads. Perhaps none more romantic or recognizable than his hit, Your Song, which represents the gift of his love.
37. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae
Coming in with that funky guitar, Corinne Bailey Rae’s Put Your Records On is one of the best jazz-pop tunes to ever hit the airwaves. It’s best to turn the radio up and roll the windows down and let go of all your worries and sing as loud as you can when the chorus comes around.
38. Friday I’m In Love – The Cure
The Cure’s Friday I’m In Love captures the energy and aesthetic of every John Hughes movie. If you want to feel like the protagonist of everyone’s new favorite coming-of-age film, throw this one on and belt it out while you head down the highway.
39. More Than a Feeling – Boston
Few classic rock bands have captured a sound as epic as Boston’s. Their hit song, More Than A Feeling, will get you rolling down the highway with its epic guitar solos and huge vocals that you can try your best to match.
40. F*ck You – CeeLo Green
CeeLo Green’s tune F*ck You is the perfect sing-along song for all of us who have been dissed, dumped, or hurt. Few songs are more cathartic to sing and, given the vulgarity, the car is the perfect place to let it blast.
41. I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
If you are ready for them to bring our favorite boy bands back then Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way needs to be on top of your road trip playlist. Few songs have ever been more fun to sing along to.
42. How You Remind Me – Nickelback
![Nickelback - How You Remind Me [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Aiay8I5IPB8/0.jpg)
Before Nickelback was a meme about a photograph, they were a hit machine. Embodying the post-grunge energy of the 2000s, How You Remind Me is a great song to blast while you’re on the road.
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43. Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
There are only two kinds of people in this world: those who want to get with Stacy’s mom, and those who want to be Stacy’s mom. Whichever camp you fall in, you’ve got to blast Fountains Of Wayne hit, Stacy’s Mom, on your next road trip.
44. I Try – Macy Gray
With that smokey voice, Macy Gray gave us a masterpiece with her hit, I Try. The song captures how all of us awkward folks feel when we are around the person that we have a crush on and is a cathartic tune to blast in the car.
45. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
![Jason Mraz - I'm Yours (Official Video) [4K Remaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EkHTsc9PU2A/0.jpg)
One of the most well-known love songs of the 2000s, Jason Mraz gave us a track full of wordplay and tongue twisters to sing along to. I’m Yours is a perfect way to pass four minutes in the car, singing the catchy tune.
46. What’s Up – 4 Non Blondes
4 Non Blondes iconic hit What’s Up is a perfect soundtrack for a solo ride down country backroads. With an epic chorus, the tune is perfect for screaming at the top of your lungs.
47. Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
This lusty pop hit is all about the singer’s friend’s girlfriend and his unhealthy obsession with her. The build-up to the chorus is perfect singing material for your next road trip, especially if there is someone you can’t have on your mind.
48. Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s
If you are trying to get into your feelings during your long drive, then the Plain White T’s Hey There Delilah is the perfect tune for you. All about the hardships of chasing your dreams while being in a long-term relationship. The beautiful song is perfect for a rainy stretch of highway.
49. Don’t Speak – No Doubt
This break-up song about No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani and the band’s guitar player is an absolute classic. This is one of the greatest sing-along tunes for anyone suffering from a broken heart and is a perfect tune to add to your next driving playlist, especially if you’re trying to get away from lost love.
50. White Flag – Dido
Dido’s anthem White Flag is a song for women all across the world. This is about standing strong, being true to yourself, and never giving up on what you believe in. This is the perfect track to sing at full volume while you roll down a sunset highway.
51. Lose Yourself – Eminem
Eminem’s classic hit Lose Yourself is one of hip hop’s most fun songs to rap along to. A big hit from his film 8 Mile, the guitar comes in and sets the mood for the track all about having the courage to live up to your potential.
52. Every Morning – Sugar Ray
With a chill guitar lick, Sugar Ray’s Every Morning is a four-minute dose of dopamine. It is a perfect tune to throw on and sing along with friends as you roll down the highway.
53. Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
![Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1gX1EP6mG-E/0.jpg)
Old Crow Medicine Show reached out to Bob Dylan and asked if they could finish writing a demo he recorded decades earlier. Thank goodness for all of us, because it gave us one of the best party tunes, Wagon Wheel.
54. She’s So High – Tal Bachman
Tal Bachman’s big hit, She’s So High, remains an iconic ballad. The build-up to the chorus just demands that we all hit that big falsetto note with him. It’s a perfect track for any road trip playlist.
55. Waterfalls – TLC
It doesn’t get much better than TLC’s Waterfalls. With a funky backbeat and catchy chorus, this tune just asks to be sung along to. It is one of the trio’s best tracks and a perfect road trip tune.
As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.
