The open road beckons travelers in countries around the world, not just the U.S.. And while American travelers tend to favor homegrown music to help pass the time on the highway, the musical tastes of road-trippers in other countries vary.
To determine the most popular road trip songs in the world, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a study by the insurance and financial services comparison site Confused.com which analyzed some 999 of Spotify’s top road trip playlists from 13 countries – the U.S., the U.K., Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa. The site then reported the 100 songs that appeared on the most lists as of Aug. 30, 2022. Our list covers the top 35.
Click here to see the most popular road trip songs in the world
American song selections still prevail on the list, with nearly half of the 35 songs here being by American performers, including eight of the top 10. Offerings by artists from the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden, and Iceland also help travelers pass the time on the road. (If you don’t feel like hitting the highway yourself, you might want to watch a few of these 35 must-see road trip movies.)
British musicians appear most frequently after U.S. performers. They include venerable performers such as Queen and Fleetwood Mac (two songs each), punk groups like Busted and The Kooks, and soloists George Ezra and Harry Styles (also two songs).
One interesting road song on the list is from British singer Kate Bush. Her song “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” from 1985 experienced a resurgence this year because of the song’s appearance on Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” It was the most streamed throwback song on Spotify in 2022. (It’s one of the classic songs that have returned to the Billboard Hot 100.)
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
35. (tie) Drive By
> Performed by: Train
> Number of playlists: 51
[in-text-ad]
Source: Rich Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
34. (tie) The Nights
> Performed by: Avicii
> Number of playlists: 51
24/7 Wall St.
Source: John Phillips / Stringer / Getty Images Europe
33. (tie) Year 3000
> Performed by: Busted
> Number of playlists: 52
Source: Tristan Fewings / Stringer Getty Images Entertainment/
32. (tie) Naive
> Performed by: The Kooks
> Number of playlists: 52
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
31. (tie) Sweet Child O’ Mine
> Performed by: Guns N’ Roses
> Number of playlists: 52
Source: David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images
30. (tie) Bohemian Rhapsody – Remastered 2011
> Performed by: Queen
> Number of playlists: 52
[in-text-ad]
29. (tie) Heat Waves
> Performed by: Glass Animals
> Number of playlists: 53
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
28. (tie) Highway to Hell
> Performed by: AC/DC
> Number of playlists: 53
27. (tie) Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)
> Performed by: Kate Bush
> Number of playlists: 54
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
26. (tie) Go Your Own Way – 2004 Remaster
> Performed by: Fleetwood Mac
> Number of playlists: 54
Source: RB / Redferns via Getty Images
25. (tie) Don’t Stop Me Now – Remastered 2011
> Performed by: Queen
> Number of playlists: 54
[in-text-ad]
Source: Rich Fury / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
24. (tie) Watermelon Sugar
> Performed by: Harry Styles
> Number of playlists: 54
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
23. American Pie
> Performed by: Don McLean
> Number of playlists: 56
Source: Peter Kramer / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
22. (tie) High Hopes
> Performed by: Panic! At The Disco
> Number of playlists: 58
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Archive Photos / Archive Photos via Getty Images
21. (tie) Sweet Caroline
> Performed by: Neil Diamond
> Number of playlists: 58
Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
20. (tie) Party in the U.S.A.
> Performed by: Miley Cyrus
> Number of playlists: 60
[in-text-ad]
Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
19. (tie) As It Was
> Performed by: Harry Styles
> Number of playlists: 60
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
18. (tie) All Star
> Performed by: Smash Mouth
> Number of playlists: 65
Source: Bryan Bedder / Staff / Getty Images Entertainment
17. (tie) Stacy’s Mom
> Performed by: Fountains Of Wayne
> Number of playlists: 65
[in-text-ad-2]
16. (tie) I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
> Performed by: The Proclaimers
> Number of playlists: 65
Source: Catherine Ivill / Staff / Getty Images Europe
15. Dancing in the Moonlight
> Performed by: Toploader
> Number of playlists: 66
[in-text-ad]
Source: Jerod Harris / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment
14. (tie) Classic
> Performed by: MKTO
> Number of playlists: 67
Source: Mickey Bernal / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment
13. (tie) Shut Up and Dance
> Performed by: WALK THE MOON
> Number of playlists: 67
Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images
12. Dreams – 2004 Remaster
> Performed by: Fleetwood Mac
> Number of playlists: 68
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Jesse Grant / Getty Images
11. (tie) Shotgun
> Performed by: George Ezra
> Number of playlists: 70
Source: Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images Entertainment
10. (tie) Hey, Soul Sister
> Performed by: Train
> Number of playlists: 70
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
9. Little Talks
> Performed by: Of Monsters and Men
> Number of playlists: 71
Source: RB / Redferns via Getty Images
8. Hotel California – 2013 Remaster
> Performed by: Eagles
> Number of playlists: 72
Source: Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
7. Pumped Up Kicks
> Performed by: Foster the People
> Number of playlists: 73
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images
6. Life is a Highway
> Performed by: Rascal Flatts
> Number of playlists: 78
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
5. Africa
> Performed by: TOTO
> Number of playlists: 83
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
4. Don’t Stop Believin’
> Performed by: Journey
> Number of playlists: 88
Source: Brittany Long / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment
3. Riptide
> Performed by: Vance Joy
> Number of playlists: 112
Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
2. Mr. Brightside
> Performed by: The Killers
> Number of playlists: 114
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
1. Sweet Home Alabama
> Performed by: Lynyrd Skynyrd
> Number of playlists: 121
Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE
Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
