Are you planning a road trip in the USA? Before you hit the road, download these songs for the ultimate American road trip playlist!
No matter where you’re headed in the US, there is a song for that.
The songs listed below will make the miles fly by as you take in the beautiful scenery.
So let’s hit the road with the great American road trip playlist!
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1. Sweet Home Alabama
What better way to start the ultimate American road trip playlist than with a trip down to Alabama? Turn it up!
2. California
Calllllll-i-forrrrr-nia, here we come!
There are many great songs about California (California Dreamin’, Hotel California, and San Francisco to name a few). I chose this one by Phantom Planet because I like its optimistic feel.
3. Take Me Home, Country Roads
A friend recently shared a video from Oktoberfest in Germany, where hundreds of people from around the world were belting out this song.
A song about West Virginia that’s beloved around the world? That makes it a must for your American road trip playlist.
4. Pink Houses
Well, ain’t that America.
The lyrics of this song encourage the listener to question the American dream. And what better place to do that than while driving across the country?
5. Empire State of Mind
For the sanity of you and other drivers, I hope your road trip doesn’t require you to actually drive on the streets of Manhattan. But once you find a nice parking spot, the streets of NYC have a lot to offer you!
6. Devil Went Down to Georgia
I dare you to not sing along to this song! While I’ve yet to master the faster lyrics, it seems like a road trip is a pretty good place to practice.
7. Born in the USA
This is another song that asks the listener to really think about life in the USA. Something to think about as the miles pass by.
8. Kentucky Rain
Driving through a rainstorm? You need Elvis! Kentucky Rain is the perfect song to get you through the rain.
9. Walking in Memphis
After you listen to an Elvis song, the next logical song is about Memphis, where you’ll find Elvis’ Graceland home.
10. American Pie
While the song covers serious themes, its upbeat pace almost encourages the listener to look for a better future. However you interpret the lyrics, this is a song that belongs on your American road trip playlist.
11. Proud Mary
While I love Creedence Clearwater Revival’s original version, the building pace of Tina Turner’s version is great for entertainment during a dull stretch of your road trip.
12. All My Exes Live in Texas
We can’t leave Texas off the American road trip playlist. And while George Strait is hanging his hat in Tennessee, there is a lot to explore in Texas.
13. Rocky Mountain High
Of course this playlist has two songs by John Denver. John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High will have you rerouting your GPS to Colorado.
14. Take It Easy
Have you even lived if you haven’t stood on the corner of Winslow, Arizona?
I have a super awful picture of me standing on a street corner in Winslow, Arizona. You can bet that anytime this song comes on, I’m telling anyone who will listen that I stood on that street corner.
15. Meet Virginia
So, this song isn’t exactly about the State (er, Commonwealth) of Virginia. But it’s catchy and as a resident of Virginia, I love it.
16. Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas is a completely awesome and completely different version of Elvis than Kentucky Rain. Both songs are fantastic road trip material.
17. Party in the USA
Prepare to get strange looks on the highway as you shoulder dance to this song in your car.
18. House of the Rising Sun
New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the world. This song is just as mysterious as New Orleans itself.
19. Small Town
You’ll pass through many small towns driving across America. Stop by a local diner to eat some delicious food before heading on to your next stop.
20. Miami
Yes, this song was horribly overplayed for awhile. But I think it’s ready for a comeback. Welcome to Miami!
I hope this list helped you put together an incredible American road trip playlist. Happy travels!
