Table of Contents Show
Good country songs about the road evoke a special feeling when traveling. Even someone that doesn’t consider themselves a huge “country fan” can find joy in belting out a tune at full volume on a travel day.
Country music can be a great option if you need a song to sing along to on a long stretch of highway or simply want something to set the mood for your journey.
We’ve got a list of 15 country songs about the road you can add to your playlist for your next road trip. Pull up your favorite music app and sing along to these country hits.
Why Are Country Songs Popular for Road Trips?
Country songs are popular for road trips because they often speak to the experiences and emotions associated with travel. Songs about the open road, leaving home, and finding your way can resonate with anyone who has ever hit the highway in search of adventure.
In addition, country music often celebrates the simple joys of life, which can be a welcome change of pace when dealing with the stresses of travel.
Generally, country songs for the road are also mostly upbeat and easy to sing along to.
15 Country Songs You Have to Listen to on Your Next Road Trip
We dove deep to cover a wide range of country songs — and a couple of outliers — to fill out your road trip playlist. They cover everything from old standards to modern masterpieces. Most of these songs will have you feeling the beat, though some are a bit more on the reflective side. But they all have lyrics that make them easy to sing along to and enjoy while traveling along stretches of the open road.
1. It’s a Great Day to Be Alive – Travis Tritt
Travis Tritt’s “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” is the perfect country song for a road trip. It’s all about the joys of life, from the simple pleasures of a sunny day to the excitement of hitting the open road. The upbeat tempo and positive lyrics can put a smile on your face, no matter how long the drive gets.
2. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is about taking the long way home. It captures the feeling of freedom that comes with the open road. The song is also catchy and easy to sing along to. This country song stands the test of time, being a standard for the open road since its release in 1971.
3. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American classic. It’s got a great beat and talks about taking a journey to find your way back home. That’s what a road trip is all about, isn’t it? Finding your way back to yourself? The open road stretches out before you, and all you have to do is follow the yellow brick road. This song is also a perfect choice if you want to visit Alabama.
4. Life Is a Highway – Rascal Flatts
“Life is a Highway” is an upbeat country song about living life to the fullest and enjoying the journey. It’s also about taking risks and being open to new experiences. This is what makes it perfect for a road trip. It’s a reminder that life is an adventure and that we should all seize the day. Belt this country song while driving down long highways on your next road trip.
5. Old Town Road – Lil Nas X
“Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X is a country song with a bit of a hip-hop twist, a perfect blend for an easy sing-along. It features some of country music’s most iconic images, like dusty roads, horses, and cowboy hats. The lyrics are also full of wanderlust, making it the perfect song for a road trip.
Keep in Mind: If you’re looking for even more entertainment about being on the road, then you’ll love these Movies About Camping!
6. That Lonesome Road – James Taylor
“That Lonesome Road” by James Taylor is a song about a man traveling. It captures the loneliness and freedom that comes with being on the open road. It also encapsulates the adventure and discovery that comes with exploring new places. This country-inspired tune has a mellow, folksy feel that makes it perfect for relaxing as you drive.
7. Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean
“Dirt Road Anthem” by Jason Aldean is all about taking life slow and enjoying the simple things, like driving down a country road with the windows down. It’s a great song for a road trip because it captures the feeling of freedom of traversing great highways and backways. Plus, the chorus is impossible to resist singing along to.
8. Long and Lonely Road – Hawk Nelson
Okay, so this list is all country songs about the road, right? Well, almost. We had to shake it up a little bit. Hawk Nelson puts their spin on the genre with “Long and Lonely Road,” a pop-punk opus about lonely travels down a country road and longing for a companion to share the journey. It has an upbeat, raucous tempo that will break you out of James Taylor’s more melancholy mood.
9. I Play the Road – Zac Brown Band
“I Play the Road” by Zac Brown Band is about living on the open road. The lyrics talk about the different places the singer has been and how each has a special meaning. The chorus is particularly catchy and perfectly captures the spirit of a road trip.
10. Six Days on the Road – Sawyer Brown
Sawyer Brown’s take on “Six Days on the Road” is the driving anthem of a trucker on the road for days at a time. The original version dates back to 1963. It captures both the loneliness and the excitement of the journeys. It also has a sense of freedom, as the trucker is his own boss and answerable to no one. This sense of freedom is something that everyone can relate to, making “Six Days on the Road” a great song for a road trip.
11. Body Like a Back Road – Sam Hunt
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt is a cheeky song all about the joys of taking a drive with no particular destination in mind. Its laid-back vibe is guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Plus, the country-infused beats make it the perfect soundtrack for a long drive.
Pro Tip: Looking for the perfect road trip music service to use? Here’s what we recommend!
12. I’ve Been Down That Road Before – Hank Williams
“I’ve Been Down that Road Before” is a country song from 1951, written by Hank Williams. The song is about a man trying to advise against making the wrong decisions he has already experienced. That’s part of the song’s double meaning, as Williams, a country icon, repeatedly references having been down that road before.
13. Gulf Shore Road – Hank Williams, Jr.
Hank Williams Jr., like his dad, has written many songs ripe for a road trip. “Gulf Shore Road” is one of the best. It’s a song about a man who lives on Gulf Shore Road, thinking about the woman he loves and how much he relishes their slow way of life. The song has a laid-back, country feel that makes it perfect for reflecting on a long drive.
14. Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts
There is a reason that Rascal Flatts takes up two spots on this list. “Bless the Broken Road” is about taking the scenic route and appreciating all the ups and downs that life throws your way en route to your final destination. It’s a great song to sing along to and has a catchy beat that keeps you hooked. Plus, the relatable and inspiring lyrics make it the perfect song to motivate you on your journey.
15. Rhythm of the Road – George Strait
George Strait is a country legend for a reason. He cranks out song after song that’ll have you singing along. “Rhythm of the Road” is a perfect example, with its quick tempo and simple lyrics about life on the road. This one will have your toes tapping and keep you chipper when you’ve got that last few miles to go.
Listen to Country Songs About the Road on Your Next Trip
There’s something special about country songs about the road. They always seem to capture the feeling of wanderlust and adventure while providing comfort and familiarity. Some of these classics may take you back to your childhood family road trips.
They’re also simple, upbeat, and easy to sing along to. Listening to great music can keep you entertained without taking your eyes off the road on a long drive.
Whether your favorites are the old standards, the new genre-crossing vibe, or somewhere in between, we hope this carefully curated list makes it onto your road-tripping playlist.
What other country songs about the road do you recommend adding to this playlist?
You left out the best road song ever! Willie Nelson’s “On The Road Again”!
Agree. What about Willie?