Preparing for the road trip of a lifetime requires more than just making sure you’ve got enough gas in the tank. You need the ultimate road trip playlist to occupy those empty stretches of road that last for miles. What pairs better with the perfect audio than a fragrance that’s just as memorable? 

The guide below includes an inspirational list of soundtracks custom-tailored to every type of driver. Feel free to mix and match as you please to craft your ultimate soundtrack for your next road trip, regardless of your destination. Don’t forget to complement it with a luxury car freshener from Drift! 

How Music Influences Every Mile

Music and driving are as timeless a pairing as drive-in restaurants and the family car. While hearing anything over the engines of the first cars ever made might have been close to impossible, as time went on, filling the space between departing and arriving became the job of songs that lasted anywhere from less than two minutes to more than 10. Today, we listen to a variety of audio in our cars, from podcasts to our favorite road trip playlists. 

It also doesn’t take a long look at the countless songs produced since the dawn of the automobile to find titles that address the topic of cars directly. Practically every generation uses songs to connect to driving, from the Beach Boys’ T-bird in “Fun, Fun, Fun” and John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to “80s Mercedes” by Maren Morris. Country music may get a bad rap for cowboys talking about their trucks, but there’s something liberating about four wheels, freedom, and a fight song you can belt out at the top of your lungs. 

7 Road Trip Playlists for the Ultimate Traveling Soundtrack

Many drivers who set out on a journey typically fall into one of the following seven categories that correspond to a particular playlist. However, if you feel like one or more apply to you, feel free to mix and match songs to create your own custom playlist. In addition to the playlist and to fully set the mood, add a Drift signature car freshener for the ultimate ambiance. 

Highway Cruiser

Whether you blast “Born to be Wild” or “Magic Carpet Ride” by Steppenwolf, or get your groove on to Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way,” the open road is full of miles ready to be eaten up by the well-traveled tires beneath you. A highway cruising playlist can also include Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Jet Airliner” by the Steve Miller Band, or the iconic Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) hit, “Up Around the Bend.” Sure, this list is full of classic rock, but it features some of the most famous artists like Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and the Eagles.

Scenic Drifter

For some drivers, the dotted lines don’t necessarily lead anywhere in particular. Solo trips, nature drives, and that Sunday morning stroll on four wheels may start with songs like Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why” and wind into “Holocene” by Bon Iver, José González’s “Stay Alive,” or “Bloom” by The Paper Kites. Other songs on this playlist for the scenic drifter include Sufjan Stevens’ “Should Have Known Better” and “Big Black Car” by Gregory Alan Isakov.

Energy Driver

If you’re someone who enjoys splitting lanes and weaving through slow-moving traffic, an upbeat dance tune can help you get your blood—and the gas—pumping. Artists like Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, and Calvin Harris make up this playlist, complete with songs like: 

• Lizzo – “About Damn Time”

• Pitbull – “Time of Our Lives”

• Dua Lipa – “Levitating”

• Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna – “This Is What You Came For”

• Lady Gaga – “Rain On Me”

• Glass Animals – “Heat Waves”

When high energy is exactly what the doctor ordered, add these songs to your road trip playlist. They’re the perfect musical backdrop to a group trip with friends. 

Deep Thinker

Some people take road trips to get away from it all, and that includes taking it slow. On these meditative drives, a moving instrumental and ambient soundtrack like “Awake” by Tycho, “Immunity” by Jon Hopkins, or Ólafur Arnalds’ “Near Light” hit the right notes. If it’s still early morning and you’re preparing for the long haul ahead, check out “Time” by Hans Zimmer, Explosions in the Sky’s “Your Hand in Mine,” and “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

Family Road-Tripper

If your family’s headed out of town, put on kid-friendly and somewhat nostalgic tunes like “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles, “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift, and Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” Other titles that come to mind include “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon, Raffi’s “Down By the Bay,” and Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.” 

Vintage Vibes

Similar to the songs for the highway cruiser, but with a mix of upbeat funk, the vintage vibes road trip playlist incorporates soul and a retro attitude second to none. Names like Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, and the powerhouse Aretha Franklin herself have created legendary hits like “Superstition,” “September,” and “Respect,” respectively. If you need more classic oldies to jam out to while on the road, look no further than The Temptations’ “My Girl,” Sam Cooke’s “Wonderful World,” and “I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown. 

Late-Night Driver

The sassy tones of a saxophone can be soothing on a late-night drive when you’re feeling bluesy and moody. Take your pick from the following playlist suggestions to craft your own R&B mix: 

• Frank Ocean – “Pink + White”

• Lana Del Rey – “Brooklyn Baby”

• Childish Gambino – “Redbone”

• SZA – “Good Days”

• The Weeknd – “After Hours”

• James Blake – “Retrograde”

If you need more ideas for your late-night driver playlist, tap into that old-school hip-hop. There’s no other sound like it. 

How to Build Your Own Road Trip Playlist

Creating your own road trip playlist is easy with apps like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio. Err on the side of caution by adding more songs than you think you’ll need, because even the shortest trip requires a handful of songs that last anywhere from two to three minutes. Plus, you can also switch it up between songs to alternate between upbeat tunes and slower melodies to keep things entertaining. 

Regardless of the specific songs you choose, no road trip playlist is complete without a premium car freshener to set the mood. Create a calming and relaxing atmosphere with a Drift car freshener made from sustainably sourced alder wood, organic stone, or alloy metal infused with essential and fragrance oils. Our Wood, Stone, and Metal car fresheners blend seamlessly into your car’s decor so you can enjoy the sounds and smells coming from your car’s interior. 

Every Drive Deserves a Soundtrack—and a Signature Scent

Every Drift luxury car freshener features a sophisticated scent that stimulates your senses as you take on whatever adventures lie ahead. Take the road less traveled by subscribing to the Scent of the Month Club and receive exclusive scents sent straight to your door. Where will your next road trip—and Drift car freshener—take you?