Your Official Road Trip Playlist: 150+ Songs Everyone Knows
There’s nothing quite like a good road trip — it’s one of the best ways to spend time with friends and explore new scenery. To have a successful journey, you’ll need three things: a functioning vehicle, a full tank of gas, and (most importantly) an amazing road trip playlist!
Sharing music on the road is a great way to discover new artists and dive into styles that you normally wouldn’t listen to. Everyone has their own unique song picks that they like to put on the stereo, but having a playlist of songs everyone loves lets you all sing along and enjoy the experience together.
Whether you’re looking for a list of classic old songs everyone knows or the best singalong songs of the 2000s and beyond, you’ve arrived at the right place. Crank up these tunes to prevent drowsiness on the road and make your journey more fun!
150+ Best Singalong Songs for your Road Trip Playlist
Best Road Trip Songs
Need to stay awake during a long trip? Here are some of the most popular road trip songs everyone knows
- “Life is A Highway (cover)” – Rascal Flatts
- “Back in the Saddle” – Aerosmith
- “Life in the Fast Lane” – the Eagles
- “Roam” – B-52s
- “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
- “Livin’ on A Prayer” – Bon Jovi
- “Here I Go Again” – Whitesnake
- “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – the Proclaimers
Road Trip Songs that Make You Dance
These popular road trips songs are guaranteed to get you wiggling in your seat
- “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” – Eiffel 65
- “Doctor Jones” – Aqua
- “Raise Your Glass” – P!nk
- “Dancing Queen” – ABBA
- “Dark Horse” – Katy Perry
- “Crazy in Love” – Beyonce and Jay-Z
- “Gold Digger” – Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx
- “Around the World” – Daft Punk
- “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson
- “Hey Ya” – Outkast
’90s Nostalgia Road Trip Songs
Tunes from the ’90s and beyond, including the best singalong songs of the 2000s
- “Quit Playin’ Games With My Heart” – Backstreet Boys
- “You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
- “Tearin’ up My Heart” – *NSync
- “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- “Roll to Me” – Del Amitri
- “Ocean Avenue” – Yellowcard
- “I Miss You” – Blink-182
- “Jane Says” – Jane’s Addiction
- “Welcome to Paradise” – Green Day
- “Only Wanna Be with You” – Hootie & the Blowfish
- “Champagne Supernova” – Oasis
- “Just A Girl” – No Doubt
- “Absolutely (Story of A Girl)” – Nine Days
- “Man in the Box” – Alice in Chains
- “Drops of Jupiter” – Train
- “Gives You Hell” – All-American Rejects
- “1985” – Bowling for Soup
- “Stacy’s Mom” – Fountains of Wayne
- “Here It Goes Again” – OK Go
- “Save Tonight” – Eagle-Eye Cherry
Beats with a Bounce
Spunky yet chill, rock and alternative tunes to add to your road trip playlist
- “The Guitar Man” – Cake
- “Scar Tissue” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
- “What I Got” – Sublime
- “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” – George Thorogood
- “Girls Don’t Like Boys” – Good Charlotte
- “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)” – The Beastie Boys
- “The Joker” – Steve Miller Band
- “Zombies Ate My Neighbors” – Single File
- “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
- “Sugar, We’re Going Down” – Fall Out Boy
- “Feel Good, Inc.” – the Gorillaz
- “Sex and Candy” – Marcy Playground
- “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” – Jet
- “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” – R.E.M.
- “The Impression That I Get” – the Mighty Mighty Bosstones
- “Float On” – Modest Mouse
- “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” – Cage the Elephant
- “Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s
- “99 Red Balloons” – Nena
- “White & Nerdy” – “Weird Al” Yankovic
- “I’m on A Boat” – the Lonely Island featuring T-Pain
- “Party Like A Rockstar” – Shop Boyz
- “Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice
- “Someday” – Sugar Ray
- “Seven Nation Army” – the White Stripes
Blastin’ Backbeats
For when you want to turn it up to eleven
- “Sorrow” – Bad Religion
- “Should I Stay or Should I Go” – the Clash
- “I Wanna Be Sedated” – the Ramones
- “The Four Horsemen” – Metallica
- “Fear of the Dark” – Iron Maiden
- “Peace Sells” – Megadeth
- “Ten Thousand Fists” – Disturbed
- “Shout at the Devil” – Mötley Crüe
- “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” – Judas Priest
- “Fat Lip” – Sum 41
- “Come Out and Play (Keep ‘Em Separated)” – the Offspring
- “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana
- “Beverly Hills” – Weezer
- “Too Many Puppies” – Primus
- “This Is Not A Song, It’s A Sandwich” – Psychostick
Retro Road Trip Music
Old songs that everyone knows, featuring classic tracks from back in the day
- “My Girl” – The Temptations
- “Wipeout” – The Surfaris
- “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
- “Bang the Drum All Day” – Todd Rundgren
- “California Dreamin’” – The Mamas and the Papas
- “Welcome to the Jungle” – Guns N’ Roses
- “Panama” – Van Halen
- “Fun, Fun, Fun” – the Beach Boys
- “American Pie” – Don McLean
- “Rock Around the Clock” – Bill Haley and His Comets
- “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper
- “Mother” – Danzig
- “Purple Haze” – Jimi Hendrix
- “One Love (People Get Ready)” – Bob Marley
- “Take On Me” – A-Ha
- “No More Mr. Nice Guy” – Alice Cooper
- “I Know It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)” – the Rolling Stones
- “Once in A Lifetime” – Talking Heads
- “Stuck in the Middle with You” – Stealers Wheel
- “Cheeseburger in Paradise” – Jimmy Buffett
- “Ring of Fire” – Johnny Cash
- “It’s Raining Men” – the Weather Girls
- “Hound Dog” – Elvis Presley
Best Road Trip Songs for Singers
Addictive melodies to show off your vocal skills
- “Piano Man” – Billy Joel
- “All These Things That I’ve Done” – the Killers
- “Send the Pain Below” – Chevelle
- “Closer to Fine” – Indigo Girls
- “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” – Panic! At the Disco
- “Knights of Cydonia” – Muse
- “No One Knows” – Queens of the Stone Age
- “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
- “Piece of My Heart” – Janis Joplin
- “All Along the Watchtower” – Bob Dylan
- “Interstate Love Song” – Stone Temple Pilots
- “Pardon Me” – Incubus
- “Rocket Man” – Elton John
- “Black Hole Sun” – Soundgarden
- “Birdhouse in Your Soul” – They Might Be Giants
- “Ziggy Stardust” – David Bowie
- “Dog Days Are Over” – Florence and the Machine
- “Layla” – Eric Clapton
- “Imagine” – John Lennon
- “Someone to Watch Over Me” – Ella Fitzgerald (music by George and Ira Gerschwin)
- “I Ain’t Superstitious” – Willie Dixon
- “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele
SEE ALSO: 100+ Best Karaoke Songs
Awesome Anthems
Classic singalong anthems that everyone knows and can agree on
- “In the Street” – Cheap Trick
- “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
- “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
- “Jack & Diane” – John Mellencamp
- “Born to Be Wild” – Steppenwolf
- “Rock and Roll All Night” – KISS
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – the Supremes
- “We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Twisted Sister
- “Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osbourne
- “Dancin’ in the Street” – Martha and the Vandellas
- “Ballroom Blitz” – The Sweet
- “Rock You Like A Hurricane” – the Scorpion
- “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
- “Cum on Feel the Noize” – Quiet Riot
- “Carry On, Wayward Son” – Kansas
- “Thriller” – Michael Jackson
- “You Shook Me All Night Long” – AC/DC
- “Soak Up The Sun” – Sheryl Crow
- “Pinball Wizard” – the Who
- “Juke Box Hero” – Foreigner
- “Summer of ’69” – Bryan Adams
- “The Time Warp” – Rocky Horror Picture Show
- “Another Brick in the Wall (pt. 2)” – Pink Floyd
- “The Twist” – Chubby Checker
- “Do You Love Me” – the Contours
- “Old Time Rock and Roll” – Bob Seger
Songs Everyone Knows
If you’re looking for more recent hits, here is popular road trip music from the last decade
- “Work” – Rihanna ft. Drake
- “No Broken Hearts” – Bebe Rexha ft. Nicki Minaj
- “Cheap Thrills” – Sia
- “Wild Things” – Alessia Cara
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake
- “Ride” – Twenty One Pilots
- “Cake by the Ocean” – DNCE
- “Kill Em With Kindness” – Selena Gomez
There you have it, our list of the top songs that everyone knows. Use this as a starting point to develop your own perfect road trip playlist. And when it comes to listening to playlists like these in the car, there are two schools of thought: either the driver has full authority to skip a track or you go by majority vote. Whatever your listening style is, crank it up and sing along to make the most of your trip!
Being in the car also happens to be a great opportunity to work on your singing skills. If you want to impress your friends on your next road trip together, consider taking free online singing classes to improve your vocal abilities.
Let us know below what your top road trip tracks are and check out even more songs to sing here!
Photo by photosteve101
You will probably agree that there are so many others that could be included. The one specific song I would call out for singing along with is Paradise by the Dashboard light – Meatloaf. I remember singing along to this song as a teenager at one of so many teen parties that I held/attended.
That is all
gives you hell is not from the 90s it was released in 2008.
the heading clearly states that the songs listed there are from the 90’s and the 00’s. Please read carefully before posting a ridiculous comment.
Emily – It says in the description for that section “Tunes from the ’90s and ’00s, for the millennial in everyone”
Don’t ever give Rascal Flatts credit for my work ever again. This article is absolutely terrible. Are you an 18 year old sorority girl just now discovering music???
And I thought that was a Chris Ledoux song…
Jealous much?
I really hope this was/ is Tommy Cochrane.
All in all a depressingly middle-of-the-road list. I’d hoped for at least vaguely interesting.
And btw Tom, it does say (cover) letting us all know that Rascal was singin’ somebody else’s tune.
No highway to hell? And may more could be added… some are obvious.
Very true… But it is almost impossible to name every good song that has ever come out and they probably like that song but just forgot.
omg, these are all of the songs that are already playing on the boring radio…worst list ever…you lost me at Rascal Flatts…they’re terrible…worse than a poor excuse for music.
What happened to Radar Love by Golden Earring? And Jack and Diane by John Mellencamp came out in the 80’s, not the 90’s
how could have possibly left out RADAR LOVE by Golden Earring???
The best driving song of all time!
Also, Alice Cooper’s SCHOOL’S OUT
This list is missing some fun songs ….
King of the Road – Roger Miller …anything by Roger
Bad Bad Leroy Brown – Jim Croce …again anything
Fancy – Bobby Gentry
so many others
Lol I love this. This will be my playlist on our next road trip for sure.
Cool list….When im in a trip i always take with me some Pink Floyd`s music, they turn the trip into a epic travel instantly! =)
Agreed, “Dark Side of the Moon” is always a part of a long drive for me.
I got some good ideas from this list. Thanks!
I can’t believe you left out ‘Love Shack’ by the B-52s
As soon as ABBA showed up, end of list.
I’m with Cochrane..It’s so sad that you know so little about –uh–music. still, there’s no accounting for “taste”. Personally, i go for long stuff, like Beethoven sonatas, or his concerti, or symphonies….even the Egmont Overture. Also, I like to provide a Dead concert or two as a soundtrack for my trip. You know, something that requires a little ATTENTION SPAN.
Good list. However, “Life is a highway” is not a Rascal Flatts tune. They ripped it off of Tom Cochrane whose original version is infinitely better than Rascal Flatts’ “version.”
I’m only writing to clear something up. Country music is shite. That’s a given. But give credit where credit is due, Rascal Flatts covered Life is a Highway BETTER than the original as far as vocal talent and entertainment value are concerned.
The list specifically says it is a cover so why are people commenting as if the author never heard of Tom Cochrane?
Gos bless the broken road. By rascal flatts
No “Gimme Shelter” by the Stones. Pfff… this list is shit
HIGHWAY TO HELL is missing n i think should be on top
These songs are BANAL, and many of them are HORRIBLE! Who in the world ever sings along to “Mr. Jones”, much less with others on a road trip? Moreover, NO one sings the whole song on most of these, they only know the chorus, such as:
-“One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” – George Thorogood
“In the Street” – Cheap Trick
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – the Supremes
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Twisted Sister
“Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osbourne (wtf….?)
“Rock You Like A Hurricane” – the Scorpion
“Cum on Feel the Noize” – Quiet Riot
“Carry On, Wayward Son” – Kansas
“The Time Warp” – Rocky Horror Picture Show
“Send the Pain Below” – Chevelle
“Pardon Me” – Incubus
“Ziggy Stardust” – David Bowie
“Dog Days Are Over” – Florence and the Machine
“Layla” – Eric Clapton
“Someone to Watch Over Me” – Ella Fitzgerald (music by George and Ira Gerschwin)
“I Ain’t Superstitious” – Willie Dixon
“Layla”? seriously? This list is garbage. And now I know “Take Lessons” had no competence. They just discredited themselves.
rock you like a hurricane was voted one of the most pointless song lyrics wise! I mean what does it even mean?!
A lot of that “90’s Nostalgia” was released after 2000. My 5 year old nephew could pick out better tunes.
Yeah I was going to read this, but putting the Rascal Flats version of life is a highway as the first item totally destroyed any credibility you might have had.
how could have possibly left out RADAR LOVE by Golden Earring???
The best driving song of all time!
Also, Alice Cooper’s SCHOOL’S OUT
Where’s “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” a classic sing along tune!
yes i do
jooouli
This is a populist, trite MOR list that includes some of the worst examples of popular music listened to today. There are a small number that I would respond to positively if they came on the radio but most of these are so over exposed they merit merely ridicule. I cannot imagine driving to these I would be cringing and rolling my eyes too much to concentrate. Any credibility as a music lover is gone if this is what you like. Sorry and yes I am a snob and yes I do have taste.
Give it a rest people! You aren’t going to like all of her song choices and certainly there are many that could be added (to YOUR list). Give her some credit for taking the time to compose this list. Wow! So much arrogance in the world. Grow up.
Any list will be subjective. I just listened to quite a few, and she did a fine job.
This is not something curated from the worlds great music critics(of which I dont think
much of anyway, they having never written or sung anything themselves, add play as well).
Just another list. I think it better than average as well. What lists have the people that complained compiled? I see not a one downloaded or linked to one, so it looks like zero.
At least she went on a limb and made one, and I enjoyed it. I saw some discrepancies, and I am 53, but this is not grading a college course, just fun, and I thank the person that made it.
Uh no Sweet Caroline? Who made this list?
Jack & Diane is from the 80s, not the 90s
You could use Tunesnapper to get tracks direct to your phone for free. This site uses youtube to stream the audio and then youtubeinmp3 to do the conversion to mp3 format
Worst lists ever 😉
Suitable for a slow and long walk: “Animals – House of rising sun” from 1964. And slow drivin’ trip: “Rag’N’Bone Man – Human” of 2016 . For a travel BY Train I even suggest “PINK FLOYD – Welcome to the machine” of 1975. Each song set to loop +1. Remixed songs and versions of original tunes (higher beats rate) are suitable for related trip speeds depending BY the speed You’re going at.
Great picks, Tor!
There go my money directly to iTunes store 🙂
Playlist on Sporfy?
Music addiction serves as a surrogate for lack of human bonds. Songs can pierce the heart directly; it takes no mediation. Weekly Chillstep mixtapes uploaded each and every Wednesday. Hear us out on MixCloud.
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This is an awesome list as I keep on traveling solo. There are moments that I’m bored already and the music in my playlist are outdated. I agree with the songs that are really the best to sing along to. This is great. 😀
Always looking to update my list. I love the way you categorize them too!
Enjoying reading through these lists.
Just want to give Slade credit for “Cum on Feel the Noize”,
especially as Quiet Riot didn’t do anything to try and make it ‘their’ song.
Sounds like Noddy Holder on Benylin