Best Music Playlists for Road Trips by Decade

One sure way to make a great road trip even better is to add great music. Choosing the "top ten best" songs over the decades that are perfect for a road trip can be subjective, as different people have different tastes. However, Family Living has compiled a list of iconic songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, & 90s that are often associated with fun road trips and have stood the test of time:

The 1960’s

The 1960s produced a wealth of timeless music that's perfect for road trips. These songs capture the spirit of the 60s with their catchy melodies, memorable lyrics, and timeless appeal, making them perfect companions for a road trip playlist. Here are ten iconic songs from that era:

1. "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf (1968)

2. "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan (1965)

3. "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas & The Papas (1965)

4. "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

5. "I Get Around" by The Beach Boys (1964)

6. "A Hard Day's Night" by The Beatles (1964)

7. "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals (1964)

8. "Respect" by Aretha Franklin (1967)

9. "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys (1966)

10. "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones (1969)


The 1970’s

Choosing the "top ten best" songs from the 70s for a road trip can be tricky because there are a lotm to choose from. These songs have a timeless quality and are often associated with driving and the open road, making them great choices for a road trip playlist:

1. "Hotel California" by Eagles (1977)

2. "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen (1975)

3. "Take It Easy" by Eagles (1972)

4. "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)

5. "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC (1979)

6. "Life in the Fast Lane" by Eagles (1976)

7. "Radar Love" by Golden Earring (1973)

8. "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac (1977)

9. "Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors (1970)

10. "Ramblin' Man" by The Allman Brothers Band (1973)


The 1980’s

Top ten best 80s songs for road trips is actually a pretty fun list. These songs are known for their catchy tunes, making them great companions for a memorable road trip. Check out this playlist:

1. "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey (1981)

2. "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi (1986)

3. "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses (1987)

4. "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor (1982)

5. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston (1987)

6. "Take On Me" by a-ha (1985)

7. "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves (1983)

8. "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson (1983)

9. "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams (1984)

10. "Every Breath You Take" by The Police (1983)


The 1990’s

The 90s offered a diverse range of music, so this one was tricky; but here's a selection of iconic tracks from that decade that could enhance your road trip playlist:

1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana (1991)

2. "Wonderwall" by Oasis (1995)

3. "Livin' La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin (1999)

4. "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys (1999)

5. "Don't Speak" by No Doubt (1996)

6. "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden (1994)

7. "Waterfalls" by TLC (1994)

8. "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991)

9. "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia (1997)

10. "No Rain" by Blind Melon (1992)