Even with high gas prices, there’s an undeniable allure to the open road. The United States is a big, diverse country, and it’s worth seeing as much of it as possible. Beyond a full tank and the right tire pressure, music is absolutely essential to the perfect road trip. Nothing says freedom like singing a song at the top of your lungs as you drive with the windows open . Keep the snack supply in easy reach, then turn up the volume for these road-trippin’ tunes. Please note: these are only suggestions based on opinion. Feel free to personalize the list according to your preferences.
North East:
1. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen: Because he’s The Boss, he's a Jersey boy, and you’ve “gotta get out while [you’re] young.”
2. No Sleep Til Brooklyn – The Beastie Boys: Because it’ll keep you awake and get you pumped.
3. Where Everybody Knows Your Name – Gary Portney: Because it’s the theme song from Cheers, which was filmed at a bar in Boston and you definitely know the words, so you can sing along.
4. Empire State of Mind – Jay Z & Alicia Keys: Because it sums up New York City, and everyone’s already heard Sinatra.
5. The Last Resort – The Eagles: Because it mentions Rhode Island
South East
1. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd: Because it’s classic
2. Graceland – Paul Simon: Because it’s there
3. Country Road – James Taylor: Because he’s from North Carolina
4. Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones: Because it’s about New Orleans
5. Georgia (On My Mind) – Ray Charles: Because. Just because.
Mid-West
1. Colorado Rocky Mountain High– John Denver: Because those mountains are beautiful
2. Dirty Vegas – INXS: Because “if you think you need it, here’s the place to beat it”
3. Ballad of Billy the Kid – Billy Joel: Because no music list is complete until it includes at least one Billy Joel song, and a song about a gun-slingin’ cowboy is perfect when driving through this region.
4. Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show: Because it captures the road trip spirit.
5. Ramblin’ Man – The Allman Brothers Band: Because… why not?
South West
1. Days Go By – Keith Urban: Because they do…all too quickly. This is a good reminder to make the most of the time we have.
2. Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts: Because it is.
3. Whiskey Girl – Toby Keith: Because nothing says southwest America like a country song about liquor and women
4. Jolene – Dolly Parton: Because it’s Dolly Parton.
5. Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood: Because it’s modern rock-n-roll with some good ol’ fashioned country twang.
West Coast
1. California Love – Tupac Shakur: Because “California knows how to party.”
2. California Girls – Katy Perry (with or without the Snoop Dogg remix): Because it’s upbeat and fun.
3. Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers: Because “the sun may rise in the east but at least it’s settin’ in a better location.”
4. The New Wild West – Jewel: Because exploring a new frontier is awesome.
5. Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding: Because now that you’ve made it cross country, you can sit back and relax in the Frisco Bay.
To Sum it Up
1. Keep on Rocking Me Baby – The Steve Miller Band: Because you’ve been to “Pheonix, Arizona all the way to Tacoma. Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A.” and more.
2. America – Simon and Garfunkel: Because you’ve come to look for America.
3. Ain’t That America – John Mellancamp: Because by now you can answer his question: “Ain’t that America something to see?”
4. Truckin’ – The Grateful Dead: Because you can reflect on “…what a long, strange trip it’s been”
5. Amaze Me – Girlyman: Because if this isn’t a road trip song, I don’t know what is. Sample lyric: “Let’s dig up the map and let’s leave while we’re happy.” Don’t judge by the name. They’re good.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
