20 Songs For Your Next Great Road Trip Playlist

This weekend, we bring you all the essentials for the perfect winter holiday road-trip. Songs that were MADE for the open road. It’s ‘Are We There Yet’ Weekend on Smile 90.4 FM.

Hitting the open road is exciting. The wind whipping up your hair and large scenic routes unfolding before you. Besides snacks and GPS, every great road trip needs a great soundtrack. Here are 20 Songs For Your Next Great Road Trip Playlist.

Mr. Brightside – The Killers

It is the voice of a generation. The Killers’ first hit is all about the pain of being cheated on, feelings of jealousy and heartbreak swirl around. It has morphed into one of the greatest sing-along songs in history! Plus, the beat matches the tempo of the road ahead.

A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton

There is no denying: this is the greatest karaoke song of all time! Plus, it has themes of travelling too. It is perfect for your road trip playlist.

Nkalakatha – Mandoza

It might have been over 22 years since its release, but the electro beats match so well with Mandoza’s rough voice. It is the unofficial national anthem of SA’ns everywhere!

Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

Even if you are a small-town girl or a city boy, this classic road trip hit will have you singing until you get there.

Hey Ya! – Outkast

Nothing is as iconic as Outkast’s Hey Ya! Turn those travel frowns upside down with this happy sounding song.

GreatHeart – Johnny Clegg

Brought to you by the artist who needs very little introduction. While Johnny is no longer with us, his music has left an undeniable mark on all South Africans. Local is lekker!

Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

Need a soundtrack to your girls’ road trip? Not only is this classic hit dripping in 80s vibes, it is sure to life everyone’s spirit on a long straight road.

Africa – Toto

Some forty years later, Africa is still being blessed with success! Travel broadens the minds, and offers a chance to enjoy new sights and experiences.

Hurts – Joy Crookes

Not all road trips are fun-fuelled. Sometimes you need a break from everything, especially after breaking off that toxic friendship. Joy Crookes gets it.

Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi

Livin’ On A Prayer is concentrated 80s goodness! Anything is possible (even this trip) when you have a dream – love – and you believe in it!

Tainted Love – Soft Cell

Let go of everything that haunts you, and blast Tainted Love down the open road.

Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae

The chorus in this jazz-pop tune is honestly the best part. Just go ahead, let your hair doowwnn…

Waterfalls – TLC

Funky beats + catchy chorus = perfect road trip song that is just asking to be sung along to!

NewJeans – OMG

Warning: prolonged earworm is imminent.

Levitating – Dua Lipa

You know you’re in for a good time when Dua Lipa is in the playlist. Everyone – and I mean everyone – loves this song.

Run Away With Me – Carly Rae Jepsen

Just listening to this song will make you want to plan your next road trip. The lovable queen of pop brings yet another preppy song.

Back to December – Taylor Swift

Are you driving back to your hometown for the holidays: after finding nothing but heartbreak in the big city? You need Taylor Swift in your road trip playlist. What better addition than Swift’s break up ballad about her relationship with teen heartthrob, Taylor Lautner?

You Don’t Know – Katelyn Tarver

The deep lyrics about trying to juggle feelings of loneliness, while keeping up a happy act speaks to how many people live everyday. Not all trips are happy ones, sometimes, we need space to figure things out.

Sleep On The Floor – The Lumineers

The acoustic sounds, beautiful harmonies and piano melodies is an ode to venturing through our youth. Searching for a place in the world, a purpose in life.

SBCNCSLY – Black Coffee ft. Sabrina Claudio

Coming from the album that landed Black Coffee his Grammy Award in 2022. You can tell that Nkosinathi knows what he’s doing.