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.)
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
35. The Boys of Summer
> Performed by: Don Henley
> Number of playlists: 88
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
34. For What It’s Worth
> Performed by: Buffalo Springfield
> Number of playlists: 89
Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images
33. Summer of ’69
> Performed by: Bryan Adams
> Number of playlists: 90
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
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
Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
30. All Summer Long
> Performed by: Kid Rock
> Number of playlists: 100
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Source: David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images
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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Source: Kristian Dowling / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
28. Party in the U.S.A.
> Performed by: Miley Cyrus
> Number of playlists: 102
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
27. Sweet Child O’ Mine
> Performed by: Guns N’ Roses
> Number of playlists: 105
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
26. Mrs. Robinson – From “The Graduate” Soundtrack
> Performed by: Simon & Garfunkel
> Number of playlists: 108
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
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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Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
24. Dancing in the Dark
> Performed by: Bruce Springsteen
> Number of playlists: 109
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
23. Free Fallin’
> Performed by: Tom Petty
> Number of playlists: 112
Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images
22. Dreams – 2004 Remaster
> Performed by: Fleetwood Mac
> Number of playlists: 113
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
21. Surfin’ U.S.A. – Remastered 2001
> Performed by: The Beach Boys
> Number of playlists: 114
Source: Archive Photos / Archive Photos via Getty Images
20. Sweet Caroline
> Performed by: Neil Diamond
> Number of playlists: 116
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Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images
19. Born to Run
> Performed by: Bruce Springsteen
> Number of playlists: 128
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
18. California Dreamin’ – Single Version
> Performed by: The Mamas & The Papas
> Number of playlists: 130
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
17. More Than a Feeling
> Performed by: Boston
> Number of playlists: 136
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
16. Go Your Own Way – 2004 Remaster
> Performed by: Fleetwood Mac
> Number of playlists: 137
Source: Evening Standard / Getty Images
15. Fortunate Son
> Performed by: Creedence Clearwater Revival
> Number of playlists: 147
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
14. Africa
> Performed by: TOTO
> Number of playlists: 153
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
13. Brown Eyed Girl
> Performed by: Van Morrison
> Number of playlists: 155
Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images
12. Highway to Hell
> Performed by: AC/DC
> Number of playlists: 156
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Source: Jack Kay / Getty Images
11. A Horse with No Name
> Performed by: America
> Number of playlists: 156
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
10. Born to Be Wild
> Performed by: Steppenwolf
> Number of playlists: 159
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Source: David Warner Ellis / Redferns via Getty Images
9. Take Me Home, Country Roads
> Performed by: John Denver
> Number of playlists: 168
Source: Handout / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
8. Californication
> Performed by: Red Hot Chili Peppers
> Number of playlists: 170
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
7. Don’t Stop Believin’
> Performed by: Journey
> Number of playlists: 182
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Source: Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic via Getty Images
6. Life is a Highway
> Performed by: Rascal Flatts
> Number of playlists: 187
Source: RB / Redferns via Getty Images
5. Take It Easy – 2013 Remaster
> Performed by: Eagles
> Number of playlists: 227
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Source: Jemal Countess / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
4. Born in the U.S.A.
> Performed by: Bruce Springsteen
> Number of playlists: 276
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
3. American Pie
> Performed by: Don McLean
> Number of playlists: 296
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
2. Hotel California – 2013 Remaster
> Performed by: Eagles
> Number of playlists: 352
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
1. Sweet Home Alabama
> Performed by: Lynyrd Skynyrd
> Number of playlists: 489
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