Windows down. Volume up. These are the greatest road trip bangers of all time – and yes, we’ve ranked them.
There’s a certain thrill that only the open road can offer. The kind that comes with a full tank, a bag of salty snacks and a playlist so good it deserves its own Spotify Wrapped category. And let’s face it – every great Aussie road trip needs a killer soundtrack.
So, we’ve done the honourable thing: combined our own cult favourites with the most popular road trip tracks from over 10,000 Spotify playlists. The result? A ranked list of the ultimate road trip songs – sing-alongs, bangers and windows-down classics included.
31. Brazil – Declan McKenna
A certified indie darling that hits differently when you’re cruising past gumtrees at golden hour. Ranked third most common in Spotify’s travel playlists, this track proves road trips aren’t just about big ballads – sometimes it’s the offbeat gems that stay with you.
30. Just Dance – Lady Gaga
The song that launched Gaga into our collective playlists – and it still hits. It’s got the beat, the bounce and the carefree energy that makes even the longest road stretch feel like a pre-party. If you’re looking for an instant mood lift (or a distraction from Google Maps rerouting you again), this is it.
29. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae
Sweet and sun-kissed, this song is like a deep exhale. Corinne Bailey Rae’s breezy vocals create a chilled-out vibe that fits perfectly with scenic routes, windows down and snacks within reach. It’s like a musical nap in the sun.
28. Levitating – Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s disco-pop groove injects instant energy into any trip. Slick, playful and full of bounce, Levitating is your go-to when you hit the open highway with excitement to spare. Ideal for daytime cruising and feel-good vibes.
27. Paradise City – Guns N’ Roses
From the slow build to the explosive chorus, this one packs a punch. It’s a long-haul banger that makes you want to drive harder, faster and further. Best used when rolling into somewhere new and feeling like a rock star.
26. Ridin’ – Chamillionaire
Left field, but totally worth it. Ridin’ is smooth, gritty and unexpectedly satisfying at volume. For night drives and main-character moods, this beat-heavy banger sets the tone and raises the cool factor considerably.
25. Call Me – Blondie
Cool, sharp and endlessly stylish. Call Me is for hairpin turns, late-night petrol stops and moments when you remember how iconic you are. Equal parts punk and pop, it’s a timeless road trip power move.
24. Highway to Hell – AC/DC
It’s loud, proud, and pure rock and roll. Highway to Hell makes any road feel epic. It’s built for wide-open stretches, heavy feet, and rebellious moods. Definitely a track to play when you’re feeling bold (and the road signs agree).
23. Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
Unwritten is an important part of the plot in Anyone But You. (Image: Eddy Chen © 2023 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved)
There’s no skipping this one. Still holding strong in the global top 10 for travel playlists, it’s a euphoric slice of 2000’s pop that refuses to die. And rightly so – it’s all optimism, fresh starts and wind-in-your-hair joy.
22. Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi
A highway legend. Bon Jovi’s power vocals and that legendary key change make this track the ultimate second wind booster. Whether you’re halfway there or just hit the road, it’s impossible not to punch the air and shout the chorus.
21. Getaway Car – Taylor Swift
It’s Swift at her cinematic best. All fast exits, broken hearts and neon-drenched freedom. The song feels like a movie montage of you leaving your past in the rear-view mirror. Not her biggest hit, but among Swifties, it’s a cult-favourite – and for road trips, it’s practically a theme song.
20. Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts
Literal? Absolutely. But effective? Definitely. Rascal Flatts delivers pure road trip optimism. This one’s for sing-alongs on sun-drenched stretches and belting choruses with zero shame. A must for cross-country vibes.
19. Party in the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus
A pop anthem that brings instant joy. This track screams group sing-along, sudden dance breaks and spontaneous detours. It’s nostalgic for some, iconic for others, and always guaranteed to lighten the mood when the road gets long.
18. Seven Wonders – Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac + long drives = magic. This synth-soaring track from the Tango in the Night era is the Fleetwood Mac road trip anthem that actually makes you feel like you’re off to discover something magical. Lush harmonies, a sense of movement and pure ’80s energy – it’s criminally underrated.
17. Down Under – Men at Work
Playfully patriotic and full of nostalgia. Perfect for cruising through a small town, this Aussie classic feels like a Vegemite sandwich on wheels.
16. Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
A hyper-pop burst of energy that sounds like a servo iced coffee. It’s bubbly, cheeky and endlessly replayable. For zippy drives and silly moods, this track gives modern road trip chaos in the best way.
15. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
This one’s for the moments when you need to rally the troops. It’s goofy, it’s feel-good, and it’s nearly impossible not to sing. Whether you’re halfway to somewhere or not even close, it turns every road into a joyful march to nowhere in particular.
14. Shut Up and Drive – Rihanna
An aggressive contender that brings out your inner Formula 1 driver (in a legally safe way, of course). Fast, punchy and iconic. Road rage, but make it danceable.
13. Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
A classic with soul. Mustang Sally is feel-good driving music with sing-along appeal. Throw it on as you pull into a country town or take a detour through memory lane. Guaranteed to get the toes tapping.
12. Chasing Pavements – Adele
If you’re in your feels, this one’s for you. A moody ballad for the long road ahead, Chasing Pavements lets you fully embrace the melodrama of movement. Best paired with empty roads, early mornings or quietly emotional moments.
11. Waterfalls – TLC
Smooth, soulful and packed with meaning, Waterfalls is a thoughtful addition to the playlist. It’s perfect for cruising through cities at night or driving into a slower-paced morning. And yes, attempting Left Eye’s rap is still mandatory.
10. Little Red Corvette – Prince
Seductive and slick, this synth-heavy slow-burn from Prince brings cool confidence to any road trip. It’s sexy without trying and smooth as bitumen on a hot day. Play it after dark and let the purple vibes roll.
9. Scar Tissue – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Melancholy, dusty and cool, Scar Tissue has a lazy rhythm that fits perfectly with long drives through heat-hazed landscapes. The guitar is laidback, the vocals wounded, and the whole thing feels like a desert road under fading light. Ideal for thinking, spacing out, or quietly vibing.
8. Little Talks – Of Monsters and Men
A folk-pop shout-fest full of chaotic energy. The call-and-response lyrics practically demand a car full of co-drivers to sing along. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it sounds especially good when you’re slightly lost but vibing anyway.
7. In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins
Dark and brooding, with the most iconic drum solo of all time. This one is pure atmosphere. Play it at night. Play it in the rain. Just make sure you don’t talk through the build-up.
6. Riptide – Vance Joy
This one had to be on here. A sun-drenched Aussie classic that makes you feel like you’re on a beach even when you’re dodging potholes inland. No surprises that it’s the second most-played song on travel playlists, with over 2.5 billion Spotify streams.
5. Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
Velvety and vibey, Dreams still floats like a cool breeze. It’s made for winding roads, moody skies and rolling conversations. The perfect blend of chill and movement, this song feels like freedom.
4. Yellow – Coldplay
One of Coldplay’s most beloved tracks, and a stunning match for road trips that linger into twilight. With its simple lyrics and sweeping sound, Yellow captures that quiet, reflective mood of watching the scenery roll by.
3. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Every road trip needs one six-minute-long drama-filled group karaoke moment. This is it. From “Is this the real life?" to the final headbang, it’s a theatrical masterpiece that turns every vehicle into a travelling stage.
2. Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
Poetic and powerful, Fast Car is the ultimate emotional road trip companion. Tracy Chapman’s lyrics paint a picture of longing, hope and escape. It’s introspective, wistful and deeply human. Honourable mention goes to Luke Combs’ faithful cover, but the original remains unmatched for raw road trip resonance.
1. Mr. Brightside – The Killers
It had to be. Universally known. Chronically overplayed. Eternally screamed in full. It ranked ninth in global playlist data, but we’re giving it the top spot because nothing gets a carload going like that opening line. “Coming out of my cage…" You’re already singing it, aren’t you?
TL;DR: Pack the aux, not just your bags
Music makes the journey on a road trip. (Image: Getty Images/simonapilolla)
Whether you’re chasing summer across state lines or doing a snack-fuelled dash to the coast, music makes the journey. From indie gems to timeless sing-alongs, the right playlist turns any road trip into a core memory.
So next time you’re prepping your playlist, think of it as part of your travel toolkit – right up there with snacks, chargers and choosing the right passenger DJ.
