Summer is here, and for many, that means one thing: road trips! There’s something inherently freeing about hitting the open road, with miles of asphalt stretching out before you and the promise of adventure around every bend. Maybe it’s the echoes of childhood summer vacations crammed into the family car, or the thrill of finally getting your driver’s license and experiencing true independence. Whatever the reason, the allure of the road trip is undeniable, and what better soundtrack for your journey than a killer playlist of Songs About Driving?
Open road stretching into the distance under a clear blue sky, symbolizing freedom and the perfect soundtrack for songs about driving.
For me, the real magic of the road trip ignited the moment I could get behind the wheel myself. The world opens up when you’re in the driver’s seat, quite literally. It’s a rite of passage, that moment you get your license and the keys to freedom. I remember thinking I was hot stuff because I’d mastered driving a golf cart around my grandma’s golf course – a lesson my wife jokingly says I still apply to my car today. “Don’t drive on the putting green,” – a surprisingly valuable life lesson learned the hard way. Of course, for some, like my wife who grew up in the country, driving started much earlier, probably cruising around in a pickup truck as soon as she could reach the pedals.
When driving becomes an option, the desire to drive takes over. Suddenly, errands become exciting opportunities. “Need eggs from the store? I’m on it!” It was less about the eggs and more about the escape, the chance to break free from the stationary routine. But initially, these drives were local – school, part-time jobs, the usual crosstown traffic. The real road trip, the open highway, that was still a distant dream.
My first taste of true road trip freedom came the summer before senior year of high school. A buddy, another Steve, and I embarked on an epic journey to Houston. Details are hazy, some memories best left sealed in the vaults of the Houston Police Department (at least until well after we’re gone). Let’s just say fake IDs were involved, a mechanical bull was ridden backward, and a legendary country bar called Gilley’s (of Urban Cowboy fame) played a significant role. It was an… unconventional start to what would become, for a while at least, a life lived on the road.
College brought my first car – a dark brown Camaro affectionately (or perhaps ironically) named “The Dirt Mobile.” The previous owners were so attached to it, they took photos as I drove away. I wrecked it within three months. But The Dirt Mobile was my gateway to highway cruising, to the joy of pushing the pedal down and heading towards the horizon. Mostly, my horizons were limited to the highway between Kansas City and Manhattan, Kansas, with the occasional rebellious trip to Lawrence, home of a rival university. I can still picture the endless fields of wheat and corn blurring past my window. After freshman year, trips home became less frequent, usually just for major holidays. Concerts in Wichita or Dallas were exceptions, thrilling deviations from the routine. Those early road trips, often fueled by youthful indiscretion (and perhaps too much cheap beer – definitely don’t drink and drive!), instilled a love for the open road. While Kerouac inspired a generation to explore, we were probably more inspired by the road trip scene in Animal House. “Leaving, what a good idea!”
The solo road warrior phase truly began after college when I found myself in the somewhat geographically undesirable location of Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Feeling exiled, I sought any excuse to escape. Six-hour drives on a whim became the norm. In my first year there, I spent only two weekends out of 52 in Ft. Smith. One weekend was wisdom teeth recovery; the other remains a mystery, likely illness-related. Chasing a fleeting connection with someone in Shreveport was a frequent destination, along with trips to Dallas or back home to Kansas City. Anywhere was better than Ft. Smith. Tulsa, the nearest functional airport, became a frequent jumping-off point for flights to Chicago or anywhere that wasn’t the “wilderness” I felt trapped in. My internal monologue often echoed, “What’s a dazzling urbanite like you doing in a rustic setting like Ft. Smith?” When road trips ended and the return to Arkansas loomed, I’d delay departure until the last possible minute, spending countless hours driving late at night. Cranking the radio – if a decent station could be found – or popping in a mixtape, I’d put the pedal down on those two-lane blacktop roads. There was a spooky solitude to those midnight drives, but also something almost spiritual about being alone under the moon, passing through towns where everyone else was tucked away in their warm homes, living settled lives, while I was just… passing through, “outside of society.”
Even after returning to Kansas City, the long-distance driving habit remained. Like Pete Townshend sang, I was “just a hippy gypsy.” This restlessness, this geographic unease, hinted at a deeper sense of displacement. Most of my relationships were long-distance, a reflection perhaps of a desire for emotional distance as much as physical. Moving on down the road seemed like a way to keep people at arm’s length. I joked that I didn’t want to own anything I couldn’t carry to the car in the middle of the night. Eventually, even I tired of chasing something intangible or running from a past that was always going to be behind me. As Jackson Browne wisely sang, “’Cause I’ve been up and down this highway far as my eyes can see, No matter how fast I run I can never seem to get away from me…”
Eventually, the gypsy phase subsided. Dating within my zip code became the norm. Road trips became less about escape and more about occasional adventures, often tied to my job as a “traveling salesman.” But even now, the thought of road trips instantly conjures up the soundtrack of those journeys – the songs about driving, the highway anthems that fueled countless miles. There’s a certain energy, a forward momentum in these songs that’s addictive. Unlike a previous playlist focused on cars themselves, this one is purely about being on the road, the act of driving. I’ve attempted a “Road” playlist before, but it never quite captured the feeling I was after.
So, here it is: the ultimate playlist of songs from the road. Play them in order, shuffle them, skip the ones that don’t resonate – it’s your road trip, your rules. Hopefully, this inspires your own perfect driving mix. Compiling this, I started with nearly 200 songs and had to seriously edit it down, leaning towards the high-energy, uptempo tracks. For instance, I chose Jackson Browne’s “Road And The Sky” over the equally great “The Road” because it better captures that feeling of forward motion. And yes, with Neil Young back on Spotify, he’s heavily featured – enjoy!
- AC/DC, “Highway To Hell” – The quintessential driving song. This track was the immediate starting point for this playlist. Heaven or hell? With Bon Scott at the wheel, I’m in for the ride. The entire Highway To Hell album is practically a road trip necessity.
- Black Crowes, “Go Faster” – Driving songs often use the road as a metaphor for other pursuits, sometimes romantic or physical ones. Even if this isn’t literally about a car, the energy fits perfectly.
- David Lee Roth, “Tobacco Road” – Sometimes, the songs are literally about roads. This track is a reminder of when David Lee Roth was genuinely cool, with Steve Vai’s incredible guitar work adding to the drive.
- Steppenwolf, “Born To Be Wild” – An essential anthem for the open road. “Get your motor runnin’, head out on the highway,” – it’s a direct call to action.
- Deep Purple, “Highway Star” – From the legendary Machine Head album. This song embodies the feeling of speed and invincibility on the highway. “Oh, I’m a highway star.”
- Social Distortion, “Highway 101” – A fantastic track with lyrics that resonate with the road trip spirit. “Listen to the boulevard, listen to the falling rain, I believe in love now, with all of its joys and pains…” It evokes memories of road trips with my wife.
- Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Crosstown Traffic” – Jimi, the master. “You say you just want me to take you for a drive…” Even urban driving can feel like an adventure with Hendrix.
- Eric Clapton, B.B. King, “Ridin’ With The King” – B.B. King and Clapton covering a John Hiatt song? That’s a musical road trip I’m definitely taking.
- Talking Heads, “Road To Nowhere” – One of Talking Heads’ best, and a song that acknowledges that sometimes the journey is the point, even if there’s no destination.
- Don Henley, “Drivin’ With Your Eyes Closed” – Definitely not recommended in practice, but a great song from Henley’s Building the Perfect Beast album. “Women are the only works of art…”
- Tom Petty, “Drivin’ Down To Georgia” – A gem from the Wildflowers outtakes, capturing that Petty road trip vibe.
- Blackfoot, “Highway Song” – Maybe a “poor man’s Freebird,” but still a solid Southern rock driving tune.
- Jerry Harrison, “Rev It Up” – First heard this in a rental car in Atlanta – sometimes a song and a place become intertwined.
- Depeche Mode, “Never Let Me Down Again” – “I’m taking a ride with my best friend…” The ride might be metaphorical (possibly heroin-related), but the driving rhythm is undeniable.
- ZZ Top, “Arrested For Driving While Blind” – A cautionary tale – don’t drink and drive. Especially not in the age of ride-sharing.
- The Band featuring Eric Clapton, “Further On Up The Road (Live)” – Here, “the road” is a metaphor for life and reunions, but with Clapton and Robbie Robertson trading guitar licks, it earns its place on this driving list.
- The Doors, “Roadhouse Blues” – “Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel” – solid driving advice from The Doors.
- Eagles, “Life In The Fast Lane” – Another metaphorical road song, but its high-speed energy makes it perfect for driving. “Faster, faster, the light is turning red.”
- Rod Stewart, “Hard Road” – From Rod’s Smiler album. Some roads are easy, some are hard – this song acknowledges the tougher journeys.
- The Beatles, “Drive My Car” – Already on my car playlist, but too iconic to exclude here. It’s The Beatles and driving – a perfect combination.
- Bob Seger, “Roll Me Away” – “Took a look down a westbound road, right away I made my choice…” A song about escape and choosing your own path, often a solitary journey.
- The Rolling Stones, “Down The Road Apiece” – Early, bluesy Stones, perfect for cruising. Should have been on my Rolling Stones deep tracks playlist.
- Jackson Browne, “Runnin’ On Empty” – Could be the theme song for my 20s – that feeling of constantly moving, never stopping.
- The Doobie Brothers, “Rockin’ Down The Highway” – The Doobies deserve more respect. This is a straight-up highway rocker.
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse, “White Line” – Happy to have Neil back on playlists. Following that white line on the highway has led to some interesting places. “And I’m rollin’ down that open road…” From the epic Ragged Glory.
- Cinderella, “Gypsy Road” – From one of my favorite hair metal bands. The “gypsy road” – the life of a traveling musician, always on the move.
- Aerosmith, “Road Runner” – Not sure about the elephant reference, but it’s a great, chugging, rocking cover for driving.
- Alice Cooper, “Under My Wheels” – Late to the Alice Cooper party, but now a huge fan. This song has raw driving energy.
- Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Call Me The Breeze” – J.J. Cale classic, Skynyrd’s version is arguably definitive. “Call me the breeze, I keep blowin’ down the road.”
- The Who, “Going Mobile” – My buddy Doug is now an RV owner – maybe he’s embracing the “hippy gypsy” life.
- Judas Priest, “Heading Out To The Highway” – Perfect to crank up as you hit the highway on-ramp. Pure driving metal.
- Greta Van Fleet, “Highway Tune” – Lyrics might be a bit…indistinct, but these young rockers bring the classic highway sound. From their From The Fires EP.
- The Modern Lovers, “Roadrunner” – Not the Aerosmith cover. “Gonna drive past the Stop ‘n’ Shop, with the radio on…” Takes me back to a summer in Boston.
- The Babys, “Midnight Rendezvous” – “Driving faster than you want me to, can’t help myself when I’m alone with you.” “All revved up and no place to go” – a relatable feeling.
- Bruce Springsteen, “Thunder Road” – An invitation to a lifelong journey, a road that stretches beyond just asphalt.
- Tom Petty, “Runnin’ Down A Dream” – Highway cruising with Del Shannon on the radio – pure Petty magic. Miss you, Tom.
- Allman Brothers Band, “Ramblin’ Man” – Dickey Betts’ finest moment. The “ramblin’ man,” always on the move.
- Starcrawler, “Roadkill” – Needed some female energy. Arrow De Wilde brings the aggression – road rage rock.
- Cream, “Crossroads” – Robert Johnson’s legendary tale of a crossroads encounter with the Devil – a dark side of the road.
- The Rolling Stones, “Route 66” – A travelogue set to music, a classic road trip itinerary by the Stones.
- ZZ Top, “Drive By Lover” – Been there, done that – both sides of this ZZ Top scenario.
- Lucinda Williams, “Car Wheels On A Gravel Road” – Evokes a specific, almost nostalgic road trip feeling. Reminds me of a past 4th of July.
- Tom Petty, “Love Is A Long Road” – Indeed it is, Tom, indeed it is.
- Bruce Springsteen, “Born To Run” – “Tramps like us, baby…” Another Springsteen anthem of escape and the open road.
- Sammy Hagar, “I Can’t Drive 55” – Pure rebellion against the 55 MPH speed limit – Sammy voicing collective frustration.
- Bob Dylan, “Highway 61 Revisited” – This song is how I remember the story of Abraham and Isaac. Dylan’s highway mythology.
- Paul McCartney & Wings, “Helen Wheels” – Also on the car playlist – the line between cars and driving is blurry. Fun, driving McCartney.
- Little Feat, “Down The Road” – Little Feat with Lowell George – funky, bluesy, New Orleans vibes – perfect for a laid-back drive.
- Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Truck Drivin’ Man” – Always misheard the lyric as “white cross and coffee” (speed reference). Turns out it’s “white cups and coffee.” Different times.
- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “U.S. 41” – Tom and the Heartbreakers taking the backroads, the old U.S. highways. Been there many times.
- Paul Simon, “Graceland” – A different kind of journey, a father taking his son to Graceland. Not a trip my dad would have planned.
- Ray Charles, “Hit The Road Jack” – Everyone gets told to “hit the road” eventually. Ray Charles delivers the definitive version.
- Neil Young, “Spirit Road” – A more obscure Neil track about driving, but it fits the mood perfectly.
- Led Zeppelin, “Ramble On” – No cars mentioned, but the vibe is there. “Time I was on my way” – that feeling of wanderlust.
- Billy Idol, “Blue Highway” – From Rebel Yell, possibly my favorite track from that album. Billy Idol cruising the “blue highway.”
- The Doors, “L.A. Woman” – “Drive through your suburbs into your blues…” Jim Morrison at his poetic best, capturing the L.A. driving experience.
- Aerosmith, “One Way Street” – Early Aerosmith at their rawest. “Honey, you’re headin’ down a one-way street…” A song about realizing you might be in trouble.
- Mudcrutch, “Six Days On The Road” – Glad I saw Mudcrutch live. Relatable business trip anthem.
- The Rolling Stones, “Driving Too Fast” – My reaction when my wife gets behind the wheel. “Starsky” is her driving nickname.
- Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Highway Chile” – Romance gone wrong, leading to a life on the highway. Sound familiar?
- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “Kings Road” – Hard Promises is a perfect album, and this track is pure Petty road rock.
- Golden Earring, “Radar Love” – “I’ve been driving all night, my hands wet on the wheel.” Says it all about long drives.
- Sniff ‘N’ The Tears, “Drivers Seat” – Took years of record store digging to find this track. A hidden gem about the driver’s seat perspective.
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse, “Drive Back” – Awkwardness of telling someone to leave, set to a driving beat.
- Pearl Jam, “Rearviewmirror” – Some things and some people are best left in the rearview mirror. Driving away from the past.
- Hole, “Pacific Coast Highway” – Hole taking on a scenic drive. The beauty and freedom of the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Chuck Berry, “I Want To Be Your Driver” – Chuck loved cars and driving songs. Pure rock and roll driving energy.
- Eagles, “Take It Easy” – Co-written by Jackson Browne, the Eagles’ classic driving song. “Standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona…”
- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “Kings Highway” – Kings Road or Kings Highway, Tom Petty is an American treasure, especially when singing about roads.
- The Doors, “Moonlight Drive” – Forgot The Doors had so many road songs. “Moonlight Drive” vs. “Queen Of The Highway” – tough choices. “Let’s swim to the moon…”
- The Donnas, “Roll On Down The Highway” – BTO cover, but The Donnas’ version rocks just as hard, maybe harder.
- Bruce Springsteen, “Further On (Up The Road)” – First track I heard from The Rising. A powerful Springsteen rocker about continuing the journey.
- ZZ Top, “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” – Road trip with ZZ Top? Crowded car, long miles, guaranteed fun. But maybe not let the beautician drive.
- Journey, “Dixie Highway (Live)” – Exuberant Steve Perry-era Journey. Sounds like a wild ride down the Dixie Highway.
- REO Speedwagon, “Back On The Road Again” – One of my favorite REO tracks, sung by their bassist Bruce Hall. The feeling of returning to the road.
- CSNY, “Drivin’ Thunder” – Neil Young and Stephen Stills kicking up dust. From American Dream – a CSNY album only I seem to love.
- Tom Cochrane, “Life Is A Highway” – “And I’m gonna ride it all night long…” Life as a highway, a constant journey.
- Jackson Browne, “The Road And The Sky” – Jackson, out on the highway, chasing the horizon. Can almost feel the steering wheel just listening.
- David Crosby, “Drive My Car” – Sometimes you just need to drive, explore, maybe find a little trouble.
- Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey, “Ice On The Motorway” – A reminder to drive safely out there.
- Bruce Springsteen, “Soul Driver” – Great track from the unfairly maligned Human Touch/Lucky Town era.
- Neil Young, “Roll Another Number (For The Road)” – Not recommending driving under the influence, but Neil makes it sound…poetic. Maybe save that for after you arrive.
- Warren Zevon, “My Ride’s Here” – That feeling when your ride finally arrives, ready to take you away.
- Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Road Trippin’” – Ending on a mellow note. Road trips with friends, simple joys. “These smiling eyes are just a mirror for the sun…”
That’s my list – my personal favorites from Bourbon & Vinyl. If I missed any essential hard-driving road songs, let me know in the comments! If they fit, I’ll add them – these are our playlists, not just mine. Any song that jumpstarts a summer road trip is welcome.
I like to think my serious road-tripping days are over. But my wife loves a good drive. She drove 15 hours on Memorial Day this year to visit family, then flew back, saying the drive was better than the flight. Maybe I’m still out there on the road somewhere, “a-headed for another joint,” but now, I’m not alone for the ride. Instead of running from something or chasing a mirage, I’m just enjoying the journey. Maybe they’re right – maybe it’s not about the destination, but about the road itself.
Crank up this playlist, put the pedal down, and enjoy the ride! Cheers!
