The Ultimate Guide to Making Road Trip Playlists

Picture this: cruising down the countryside, the sun setting on the horizon, when someone hijacks the radio and blasts heavy metal music – talk about a vibe killer! Whether you’re off on a spontaneous romantic weekend getaway, embarking on a cross-country adventure with friends, or simply driving to clear your mind, the right playlist can transform any road trip into an unforgettable experience.

With the overwhelming array of choices on Spotify, curating the perfect playlist can be daunting. But, fear not! In this ultimate guide, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. We’ve curated playlists tailored to various moods, ensuring that no matter where the road takes you, your journey’s soundtrack is as epic as your road trip snack stash (because let’s be real, we all know snacks are serious business).

Upbeat and Energetic

Kick off your road trip with a bang! These high-energy tracks will have everyone singing at the top of their lungs and dancing in their seats. Here are some must-have songs to get those booties bouncing:

‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen – because nothing screams road trip like belting out Freddie Mercury vocals (or attempting to, at least)
‘The Boys of Summer’ by Don Henley – an absolute classic that captures the spirit of adventure and the perfect starter to your trip
‘The Summer of 69’ by Bryan Adams – a timeless track that sounds just as good the 100^th time playing in the car as it does the 1^st
‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi – not just another song, but a road trip anthem
‘Teenage Dirtbag’ by Wheatus – channel your inner teenager with this perfect rock out song
‘S8ker Boi’ by Avril Lavigne – always a great choice for keeping the energy high
‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers – perfect for an all car sing along, because who doesn’t know the lyrics to this song?
‘Shake it Off’ by Taylor Swift – because you can’t have a road trip without Swifty
‘Levitating’ by Dua Lipa – this track will get everyone bouncing in their seats
‘High Hopes’ by Panic! At the Disco – a great choice to keep those spirits high

Chill and Relaxed

When the initial excitement settles, or the chatter box in the car finally runs out of things to say, it’s time to soak in the scenery (or count the cows). These laid-back tracks will help set a serene mood:

‘A Beautiful day’ by U2 – an absolute classic that can’t be left off the list
‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac – perfect for getting everyone into a dreamy state
‘Castle on the Hill’ by Ed Sheeran – great to accompany countryside views
‘Riptide’ by Vance Joy – a mellow tune to keep everyone relaxed
‘Old Town Road (remix)’ by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus – a fun laid-back anthem
‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond – a tune that can’t be helped but sung along to
‘Let it Go’ by James Bay – a great track to wind down the vibe
‘Lost in Japan’ by Shaun Mendes (Acoustic Version) – a top song to create serene moments
‘Let her go’ by Passenger – also a great tune for a reflective time

Adventurous and Free-Spirited

For those moments, mid travel, where everyone needs a pick-me-up, these songs are great at inspiring wanderlust and adventure. Blast these tunes in the car and let them make you feel like the world is your oyster:

‘Don’t stop believin’ by Journey – anyone who doesn’t know the words to this song should be left behind
‘Country Roads’ by Hermes House Bands – embrace your inner cowboy and cowgirl
‘Go your own way’ by Fleetwood Mac – a feel-good song about exploring new paths
‘Circles’ by Post Malone – a melancholic ballad which also boasts a desire for adventure or change
‘On Top of the World’ by Imagine Dragons – a tune guaranteed to instill joy and excitement
‘Shut Up and Drive’ by Rihanna – an up-beat tempo tune about taking on adventure
‘Fast Car’ by Tracey Chapman – A song that captures the universal desire for freedom and a must-have on the list for those daydream times
‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor – a catchy rousing anthem
‘Young Blood’ by The Naked and Famous – nothing like a song about youth to make you feel young again
‘The Final Countdown’ by Europe – another oldie, but a goodie

Romantic and Intimate

Set the mood with these romantic tracks, perfect for those cosy moments with your special someone or even just for a little self TLC time (Hot tip: make sure you have a stash of tissues in the car when listening to this list):

‘I Want to Know What Love Is’ by Foreigner – let this song guide you through the twists and turns of the open road, pondering the mysteries of love and whether your GPS can find it
‘Malibu’ by Miley Cyrus – a beautiful tune perfect for an escape
‘Higher Love’ by Kygo & Whitney Houston – a timeless anthem with an uplifting beat
‘I Want it that Way’ by the Backstreet Boys – sing along to this classic boy band hit and wonder if you’ll ever truly understand what ‘that way’ actually means.
‘Every Breath You Take’ by The Police – a haunting tune that reminds us of that stalker we all once knew
‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ by Whitney Houston – a song that makes you dance like no one’s watching
‘Back to You’ by Bryan Adams – a great song to listen to and imagine Bryan Adams himself serenading to you on the way home
‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran – a tune that will bring at least one tear to someone’s eye

Nostalgic and Reflective

When it’s time to pack up the car and head home, these nostalgic songs are perfect for reminiscing about all the fond memories made on your trip:

‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by John Denver – another absolute road trip anthem
‘Time After Time’ by Cyndi Lauper – a timeless classic that will have you swaying in your seat
‘I’m Gonna Be’ by The Proclaimers – classic road trip tune that never gets old
‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics – a hypnotic beat to help carry you home
‘I will Remember You’ by Sarah McLachlan – a tune to help you reflect on moments that have defined your trip
‘All of me’ by John Legend – a song that helps deepen your travel reflections
‘Sweet Home Alabama’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd – a beautiful song to accompany a beautiful drive

Whether you’re rediscovering classic hits or finding new favourites, these songs will ensure your road trip is accompanied by the perfect soundtrack. So, crank up the volume, roll down the windows, and let the music take you on a journey. And remember, no road trip is complete without belting out the chorus like you’re the star of your own karaoke show – it’s basically road trip law!

Start booking your road trip today and check out our holiday parks on the way. See our website to book your stay with us – New tab (aspenholidayparks.com.au)

Explore our website or contact us directly for more advice or booking assistance.

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