Summer may be over but with the price of gasoline falling and the holidays approaching, Americans, to quote Willie Nelson, are going to be on the road again. To help make long road trips tolerable, motorists cue up music that helps melt away the travel time. (If you’re not actually hitting the highway yourself, consider watching one or more of these 35 must-see road trip movies.)
To determine America’s most popular road trip songs, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a study by the insurance and financial services comparison site Confused.com which analyzed some 1,481 U.S. road-trip playlists on Spotify. The site then reported the 100 songs that appeared on the most lists as of August 30, 2022. Our list covers the top 35.
As you might expect, many of the songs on our list have travel as the theme and/or title of the song. At least five songs mention or allude to California as a destination.
Travelers might start their trip with reliably singalong tunes such as Don McLean’s “American Pie,” Miley Cyrus’ celebration anthem “Party in the U.S.A.,” and one-hit wonder The Proclaimers song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” As travelers settle in to the journey, and the road ahead seems endless – especially if you’re on a desert road out West – the mood might become more subdued and you’re more inclined to listen to Don Henley’s wistful “Boys of Summer” or Bryan Adams’ nostalgic song “Summer of ‘69.”
Click here to see America’s favorite road trip songs
Bruce Springsteen has three songs on the list, more than any other artist, including his signature song “Born to Run.” Creedence Clearwater Revival, which had a string of hits in the politically charged 1960s, had two songs on the list, as did more mellow rockers Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. (See which singers and bands made our list of the absolute best songs in history.)
35. The Boys of Summer
> Performed by: Don Henley
> Number of playlists: 88
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34. For What It’s Worth
> Performed by: Buffalo Springfield
> Number of playlists: 89
33. Summer of ’69
> Performed by: Bryan Adams
> Number of playlists: 90
32. Have You Ever Seen the Rain
> Performed by: Creedence Clearwater Revival
> Number of playlists: 91
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31. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
> Performed by: The Proclaimers
> Number of playlists: 100
30. All Summer Long
> Performed by: Kid Rock
> Number of playlists: 100
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29. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)
> Performed by: Elton John
> Number of playlists: 101
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28. Party in the U.S.A.
> Performed by: Miley Cyrus
> Number of playlists: 102
27. Sweet Child O’ Mine
> Performed by: Guns N’ Roses
> Number of playlists: 105
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26. Mrs. Robinson – From “The Graduate” Soundtrack
> Performed by: Simon & Garfunkel
> Number of playlists: 108
25. San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) – Single Version
> Performed by: Scott McKenzie
> Number of playlists: 109
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24. Dancing in the Dark
> Performed by: Bruce Springsteen
> Number of playlists: 109
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23. Free Fallin’
> Performed by: Tom Petty
> Number of playlists: 112
22. Dreams – 2004 Remaster
> Performed by: Fleetwood Mac
> Number of playlists: 113
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21. Surfin’ U.S.A. – Remastered 2001
> Performed by: The Beach Boys
> Number of playlists: 114
20. Sweet Caroline
> Performed by: Neil Diamond
> Number of playlists: 116
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19. Born to Run
> Performed by: Bruce Springsteen
> Number of playlists: 128
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18. California Dreamin’ – Single Version
> Performed by: The Mamas & The Papas
> Number of playlists: 130
17. More Than a Feeling
> Performed by: Boston
> Number of playlists: 136
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16. Go Your Own Way – 2004 Remaster
> Performed by: Fleetwood Mac
> Number of playlists: 137
15. Fortunate Son
> Performed by: Creedence Clearwater Revival
> Number of playlists: 147
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14. Africa
> Performed by: TOTO
> Number of playlists: 153
13. Brown Eyed Girl
> Performed by: Van Morrison
> Number of playlists: 155
12. Highway to Hell
> Performed by: AC/DC
> Number of playlists: 156
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11. A Horse with No Name
> Performed by: America
> Number of playlists: 156
10. Born to Be Wild
> Performed by: Steppenwolf
> Number of playlists: 159
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9. Take Me Home, Country Roads
> Performed by: John Denver
> Number of playlists: 168
8. Californication
> Performed by: Red Hot Chili Peppers
> Number of playlists: 170
7. Don’t Stop Believin’
> Performed by: Journey
> Number of playlists: 182
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6. Life is a Highway
> Performed by: Rascal Flatts
> Number of playlists: 187
5. Take It Easy – 2013 Remaster
> Performed by: Eagles
> Number of playlists: 227
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4. Born in the U.S.A.
> Performed by: Bruce Springsteen
> Number of playlists: 276
3. American Pie
> Performed by: Don McLean
> Number of playlists: 296
2. Hotel California – 2013 Remaster
> Performed by: Eagles
> Number of playlists: 352
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1. Sweet Home Alabama
> Performed by: Lynyrd Skynyrd
> Number of playlists: 489
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