Top Ten Classic Road Trip Songs

Before beginning on a road trip, you absolutely must take time to prepare your own personal soundtrack for hitting the great American highway. These ten suggestions are classic staples and it would be an absolute shame not to include them for your trip!

Now, of course everyone has their own music preferences, so keep your eyes open for my future top-ten road trip lists comprised of hidden gems, country tracks, and indie rock. Those are future lists and will probably take you off the beaten track, but here's your beginning set!

Whitesnake "Here I Go Again"

Tawny Kitaen on your hood or no Tawny Kitaen on your hood, this song is an absolute classic and belongs on your road trip set list. The chorus is definitely worthy of belting out and the fiercely independent statement "Here I go again on my own..." let's the world know you are taking a stand!

Tom Cochrane "Life is a Highway"

There might not be a better sing-along chorus than the one in Tom Cochrane's classic tune. You might have a little trouble with the verses, but blasting out that chorus is so much fun it should be illegal not to listen to this one on a road trip. The road reference is obvious and the song itself infectious. Simply a must have on your road trip soundtrack. Note: This song was remade by Rascal Flatts, but stick with the original!

Sammy Hagar "Can't Drive 55"

If you have even the slightest lead foot, you surely understand why this song makes the top ten road trip songs. Just remember to watch out for any of America's finest who happen to be wielding a radar-detector!

Tom Petty "Free Falling"

This one might be a tad less rockin' and have a mellower vibe than the other songs on this road trip list, but the liberating feeling this song invokes makes it appropriate for the open road.

Bon Jovi "Living on a Prayer"

Woah-oah! You need some energy to make the long haul and this doctor is prescribing a little Bon Jovi for the perfect pick-me-up. And who doesn't love belting out the "Woah-oah?"

The Eagles "Take It Easy"

Another laidback song, but when you're "running down the road, trying to loosen [your] load," you will understand why it makes the cut. Especially perfect for taking a road trip to clear your mind, this song helps give you some perspective.

Aerosmith "Crazy"

This inclusion on the list actually has more to do with the accompanying music video than any of the other selections. The video received heavy rotation play on MTV in the mid-nineties and featured Alicia Silverstone and lead singer Steven Tyler's own daughter Liv. The theme of this list is more geared towards solo road trips, but those two ladies showed everyone out there how a road trip should be done.

Pearl Jam "Evenflow"

Arguably the most rockin' track on this list comes courtesy of vintage early-nineties Pearl Jam. Whereas the track is more political in nature and concerned with the plight of the homeless, no one can deny the energy. This song is perfect for an open road with the absence of any speed limit enforcement!

Allman Brothers "Jessica"

The lone instrumental of this list is simply a feel-good, uplifting track. Try not bobbing your head along to this bouncy melody. The lack of lyrics does detract, obviously, from your ability to sing, but the benefit from being able to "dance" along makes up for it!

Counting Crows "Mr. Jones"

"Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la" doesn't really make much sense (and spell check might not recognize it), but so much fun to sing. The song has an uplifting melody and great images. Who hasn't wanted to be Bob Dylan at some point?

Regardless of what kind of music you are into, these songs will give you a great base to begin building your road trip soundtrack. Make sure you include at least a couple of these, toss in some of your own favorites, and you are primed to have an amazing road trip!