The Ultimate ’60s Road Trip Playlist You Never Knew You Needed (15 Songs)
Road trips and music go together like peanut butter and jelly, especially when you’re cruising down the highway with the windows down.
The 1960s delivered some of the most iconic tunes perfect for the open road. Those are the songs that capture freedom, adventure, and the spirit of exploration.
Ready to transform your next journey with some groovy beats from yesteryear? These forgotten gems will have you drumming on your steering wheel in no time.
1. “California Dreamin'” by The Mamas & The Papas
Dreamy harmonies and wistful lyrics make this 1965 hit perfect for those long stretches of highway when your mind starts to wander. The song’s longing for warmth and sunshine resonates with anyone who’s ever escaped winter’s grip for sunnier shores.
Four-part vocal magic weaves through gentle guitar strumming, creating a hypnotic soundtrack for desert crossings or coastal drives. Close your eyes (passengers only, please!) and you’re instantly transported to palm trees and ocean breezes.
2. “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
The ultimate anthem for highway warriors everywhere! Released in 1968, this track practically invented the term “heavy metal” and became forever linked with motorcycles and open roads after featuring in the film “Easy Rider.”
The thundering bass line and rebellious lyrics capture that feeling of wind in your hair and endless possibilities ahead. Next time you hit the interstate, crank this up and watch your speedometer creep higher.
3. “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Nothing gets the blood pumping like John Fogerty’s protest anthem! Those opening guitar chords hit like a shot of adrenaline straight to your road trip vibe. I remember blasting this through the Ozarks with my uncle in his restored Mustang, both of us shouting the chorus at the top of our lungs.
Released in 1969, this track combines foot-stomping rhythm with razor-sharp social commentary. The driving beat matches your tires on pavement perfectly, creating that magical road trip synchronicity that makes time fly by.
4. “Green Onions” by Booker T. & the M.G.’s
This 1962 organ-driven groove transforms any vehicle into an instant cool-mobile. The hypnotic Hammond B3 organ riff creates the perfect backdrop for night driving through small towns. What makes this track road trip perfection? Zero lyrics to argue about or get tired of singing!
Just pure, unadulterated rhythm that somehow makes every landscape more cinematic as you cruise by. The song’s steady tempo works like a musical cruise control for your mood.
5. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
Soul-soothing perfection for those peaceful stretches of your journey. Recorded just days before his tragic passing in 1967, Redding’s masterpiece captures that beautiful road trip feeling of watching the world go by outside your window.
The gentle whistle solo and lapping waves sound effects might have you pulling over at the nearest body of water just to soak in the atmosphere. Back in ’89, my first cross-country drive featured this song on repeat through three states – still wasn’t enough.
6. “Roadrunner” by The Modern Lovers
Proto-punk energy with a beat that matches your accelerator foot! Technically recorded in 1972 but written in 1969, this ode to driving alone at night with the radio on captures road trip joy in its purest form.
Jonathan Richman’s enthusiastic vocals celebrate the simple pleasure of movement, radio waves, and the open road. The repetitive chorus becomes a mantra for the highway hypnosis that hits around hour three of driving. Perfect for that second-wind energy boost when fatigue starts creeping in!
7. “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” by Nancy Sinatra
Nancy’s 1966 kiss-off anthem brings attitude to any dashboard. That iconic descending bass line feels like you’re strutting down the highway, even while seated. The confidence in Sinatra’s delivery transforms even the most timid driver into a road-commanding force.
When the horn section kicks in, good luck keeping your foot light on the pedal! Every road trip needs at least one song that makes you feel like the coolest person on the interstate.
8. “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones
Storm clouds gathering? Embrace the drama with this apocalyptic 1969 masterpiece. Keith Richards’ opening guitar riff creates instant atmosphere, perfect for those stretches of highway where dark clouds loom on the horizon.
Merry Clayton’s haunting vocal solo will send shivers down your spine no matter how high you crank the heat. I once drove through a thunderstorm in New Mexico with this as my soundtrack – felt like I was in my own personal music video.
Sometimes the best road trip moments come when the music matches the weather perfectly.
9. “Wipe Out” by The Surfaris
This 1963 instrumental surf rock classic features one of the most recognizable drum breaks in music history, guaranteed to have you pounding your steering wheel. The frenetic pace and manic energy make this perfect for winding coastal roads or when you need a shot of adrenaline to stay alert.
The maniacal laugh at the beginning sets the tone for three minutes of pure driving joy. Bonus points if you can time the drum solo to a series of tight curves!
10. “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield
Haunting and hypnotic, this 1966 protest song creates the perfect contemplative mood for those long, empty stretches of highway where your mind starts to wander. Stephen Stills’ gentle warning to “stop, hey, what’s that sound” might have you rolling down your windows to listen to your surroundings.
The song’s spacious production leaves room for thought – essential for any meaningful road trip. Something magical happens when this plays at sunset, transforming ordinary landscapes into cinematic vistas worthy of deep conversation with your passengers.
11. “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
Queen Aretha’s 1967 powerhouse demands volume and participation! This anthem of empowerment transforms any vehicle into a rolling karaoke booth within seconds of those first iconic notes. The call-and-response sections practically require a car full of friends to spell out R-E-S-P-E-C-T together.
During a cross-country move in my twenties, this song became our gas station re-entry ritual – blasting it while pulling away from every fill-up. Even after the fifteenth play, the energy never diminished.
12. “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
This CCR’s 1969 hit combines sunny guitar strumming with warnings of doom, creating an irresistible contrast that somehow works perfectly for highway cruising. The short running time (just over two minutes) makes this ideal for singalongs that won’t wear out their welcome.
Something about John Fogerty’s voice just sounds right coming through car speakers, especially when you’re racing against those gathering storm clouds on the horizon.
13. “River Deep – Mountain High” by Ike & Tina Turner
Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production meets Tina Turner’s volcanic vocals in this 1966 masterpiece that deserves to be played at maximum volume! The song’s dynamic range mirrors the changing landscapes of a great road trip – from gentle valleys to dramatic peaks.
Tina’s powerful performance will keep you alert and energized even on the most monotonous stretches of highway. The orchestral grandeur makes even ordinary scenery feel epic and significant.
14. “On the Road Again” by Canned Heat
Blues-rock perfection for the perpetual wanderer! Released in 1968, Alan Wilson’s falsetto vocals and harmonica create a hypnotic groove that seems to synchronize with the white lines disappearing under your tires.
Unlike Willie Nelson’s later song of the same name, this version captures the gritty, dusty reality of life on America’s backroads. The repetitive boogie pattern becomes meditative after a few minutes, perfect for those zen-like driving states where time seems to stand still.
15. “Little Honda” by The Beach Boys
This 1964 ode to motorcycle joy works just as well for four-wheeled adventures. The song’s propulsive rhythm mimics the feeling of acceleration perfectly.
Mike Love’s lead vocals capture youthful excitement about hitting the open road, while those trademark Beach Boys harmonies add sonic sunshine to any journey.
The song’s compact structure makes it perfect for short hops between attractions or when you need a quick burst of energy before the next rest stop.