With sunglasses on and the wind in our hair, a fold out map covering the dashboard, a giant pack of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and a huge $1.99 cup of Dr Pepper filling the car for snacks , and the wide open road ahead of us. Our great American road trip was everything I had imagined it to be and more.
I love the freedom of a road trip – being able to go wherever we want, whenever we want (as long as it fits in with my planned out itinerary of course!). We hopped out of the car to see the stunning blue coastal views along the Big Sur; grabbed lunch at quirky Route 66 roadside diners; came across the most random attractions like Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo and added our own bubblegum to the wall (a gross kind of abstract art). We stumbled upon the coolest places to eat and drink; posed in front of wacky street art; hiked mountains and dipped our toes in the ocean. But most of all we did lots and lots (and lots) of singing.
No road trip is complete without an epic soundtrack along for the ride and our favourites were a mix between some old American classics as well as some more funky modern tunes. These are our pick of the best songs for an American road trip and they kept us thoroughly entertained on our adventures (although I think I’ll keep the video of us singing along to Rockstar to myself!).
1. Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root
2. California – Phantom Planet
3. Style – Taylor Swift (gotta have a bit of Swifty in there somewhere!)
4. Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
5. Home – Edward Sharpe
6. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
7. Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
8. Dirty Paws – Of Monsters and Men
9. Ridin’ – Chamillionaire (picture Mr Ayla with the window rolled down, elbow leaning out and one hand on the steering wheel, trying (and failing) to be a gangster)
10. Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
11. Love Shack – B-52’s
12. Girls Fast Cars – The Wombats
13. Proud Mary – Tina Turner
14. Rockstar – Nickleback
15. Easy Love – Sigala
16. Have Love Will Travel – The Sonics
17. Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
18. Gambling Man – The Overtones (if you’re visiting Las Vegas)
19. Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
20. Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
21. Ex’s and Oh’s – Elle King
22. Alright Now – Free
23. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
24. Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
25. Hotel California – Eagles
For more of my road trip tips check out my post on 10 Essentials for an American road trip.
What other songs would you add to your ultimate road trip playlist? Let me know in the comments below or at:
Mama Ayla's Adventures 
Great list! Some of my favourite songs ever on here. In Vegas though, you need some more Rat Pack in there 😄 X
Ooh yes good shout! Looks like I’ll have to plan another road trip to Vegas then doesn’t it? 😉
I’m not joking, I played California by Phantom Planet on repeat basically our whole road trip…
Ha! Same here, especially as we were driving down the California coast! It just feels so right 🙂
Oh my goodness – Somewhere Only We Know – absolutely epic for a road trip! I saw them live once and even after all these years, I could listen to this on repeat time and again – now for the open topped car and the open road!! You’re making me want to get in the car right this second 🙂
I so want to go on another road trip Shikha! Our road trips have been some of the most memorable trips we’ve ever done. Can’t wait to plan another one somewhere!
Yes yes and yes! Totally agree with all of them! Somewhere Only We Know is just perfect, California by PP as well, Rockstar too.. I mean, I could do this for all the songs you put =)
Aria
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Glad you like my playlist Aria! All these songs are still in my head 2 months later since our trip! Such a fun addition for a road trip 🙂
Awesome playlist! Sang Somewhere Only We Know at Karaoke last night! :-O
Love Bon Jovi – Livin’ On a Prayer is a personal favourite – need a Lost Highway on there too!!! Perfect road trip song!
I just want to go on a road trip now – my Hubby puts together fab playlists and I sing along to them! 😀 xxx
It’s completely our job to sing along to them right?! Road trips are just so much fun!
im so old i only know 5 of them!
Most of them are old songs!!
Rockstar by Nickelback has me downloading all of these for our Texas roadtrip later in the year!
Ooh a Texas road trip needs even more classics!