Ah, road trips. Remember when you were a kid and you had to help cram all your crap in the car … and then you just got to sit in the back for hours watching the scenery go by? Thank goodness those days are gone. Turns out, though, as an adult, road trips are even more work: You get to do all the packing, all the list-making, and a lot of the driving. But, you also get to pick the music. (As an added bonus: If you have kids, a good playlist helps drown out the whining.)
Here are a few of our fave Spotify playlists to download or stream, whether your destination is the Grand Canyon, New York City … or just 30 minutes down the road.
So, go on: Roll down those windows, let the wind whip your hair, channel your inner Beyonce’. It’s OK; we don’t judge.
For the Indie Aficionado
In a folksy mood? We gotcha covered. This Indie Rock Road Trip playlist has the singer-songwriter road-trip genre down pat with Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Wilco, The Shins, and plenty of other well-known and under-the-radar gems.
For the Hip Hop Crowd
Road Trip Rap? Yes, please! More than 16 hours of Lil Wayne, Young Thug, Drake … with a little Yeezy, Jay-Z, and Post Malone thrown in for good measure.
For the 90's Fans
Know all the fast-paced lyrics to Barenaked Ladies’ “One Week”? What about “Wonderwall,” “Californication,” and “Bullets with Butterfly Wings?” Check out the rad 90s/00s Road Trip playlist, JNCO jeans and butterfly clips not necessary.
For the Country Crooners
On the Country Road Trippin’ Playlist, you’ll find songs from cowboy-hat troubadours, including Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, and Little Big Town.
For the Oldies Lover
Your Mother’s Station Wagon is one of our all-time favorite playlists. The balance of cheesy nostalgic tunes hits just the right note. America’s “Ventura Highway,” Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” and Jim Croce’s “Operator” will simultaneously break your heart and stitch it back together with songs your mom grew up listening to in the back of her mom’s wood-paneled wagon (seatbelts may or may not have been required). Whether you’re 10, 20, or 50, there’s something for everyone here.
Part of Your World
Channel your inner Ariel, let down your hair like Rapunzel, or dream of more than a provincial life like Belle. Disney Car Rides gives you permission to relive your childhood and sing really, really loud like the princess you are.
So go ahead, download or stream the above songs, create your own road-trippin’ tunes, and go on your own adventures!