27 Best Songs for Your Epic Road Trip Reels: The Ultimate Playlist

Hitting the open road? Then you need the perfect soundtrack! Crafting the ultimate road trip reel for Instagram or TikTok requires more than just stunning scenery – it demands music that captures the adventurous spirit and evokes that feeling of freedom. This is why we've compiled the ultimate list of the best songs for road trip reels, guaranteed to elevate your travel videos from ordinary to extraordinary. In today's social media landscape, captivating video content is key, and the right music can be the difference between a scroll-past and a viral sensation. We're diving deep into genres, moods, and tempos to find the perfect tunes to match your epic adventures, whether you're cruising down a coastal highway or exploring winding mountain roads. Get ready to curate the soundtrack to your next unforgettable journey and boost your reel's engagement with these hand-picked, road trip-ready bangers.

27 Best Songs for Your Epic Road Trip Reels: The Ultimate Playlist
SongArtistAlbumListens
1. Wake Me Up Avicii True 2B+
2. Paradise Coldplay Mylo Xyloto 2B+
3. Adventure of a Lifetime Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams 2B+
4. Africa TOTO Toto IV 1B+
5. High Hopes Panic! At The Disco Pray for the Wicked 785M+
6. Castle on the Hill Ed Sheeran ÷ (Deluxe) 551M+
7. Take Me Home, Country Roads John Denver Poems, Prayers and Promises 517M+

1. Wake Me Up (2013)

Uplifting Melody: Avicii's "Wake Me Up" boasts an irresistibly catchy melody that'll keep you energized throughout your road trip.

Driving Beat: The song's powerful, four-on-the-floor beat provides the perfect rhythmic pulse for cruising down the highway.

Perfect Vibe: Its blend of electronic dance music and country influences creates a unique and upbeat atmosphere ideal for capturing the essence of adventure on your reel.

Wake Me Up - Avicii

2. Paradise (Mylo Xyloto - 2025)

Uplifting Melody: Coldplay's "Paradise" boasts a soaring, anthemic melody perfect for capturing the freedom and exhilaration of a road trip.

Driving Beat: The song's rhythmic pulse keeps you energized and engaged, ideal for maintaining a positive vibe throughout your journey.

Evocative Lyrics: Images of open roads and limitless possibilities in the lyrics enhance the feeling of adventure, making it a great soundtrack for scenic drives.

Paradise - Coldplay

3. Adventure of a Lifetime

Upbeat Tempo: Coldplay's "Adventure of a Lifetime" boasts a relentlessly positive and driving rhythm, perfect for setting a joyful mood on any road trip.

Anthemic Quality: The soaring vocals and powerful instrumentation create a feel-good atmosphere that's infectious and encourages singalongs, transforming your drive into a memorable experience.

Visual Appeal: Its vibrant and energetic music video, full of playful imagery, adds an extra layer to the song, making it highly shareable and visually engaging for road trip reels.

Adventure of a Lifetime - Coldplay

4. Africa (TOTO)

Africa

Artist: TOTO

Epic Soundscapes: The expansive instrumentation and layered vocals create a powerful, cinematic feel, perfect for capturing the vastness of the open road.

Unforgettable Melody: The instantly recognizable and anthemic chorus will stick with viewers long after the reel ends, making it highly memorable.

Nostalgic Vibe: Its classic rock sound evokes a sense of carefree adventure, ideal for adding a timeless quality to your road trip video.

Africa - TOTO

5. High Hopes (2018)

High Hopes - Panic! At The Disco

Uplifting Melody: The anthemic quality of "High Hopes" makes it perfect for capturing the feeling of freedom and adventure on a road trip; its soaring instrumentation naturally evokes a sense of wide-open spaces.

Driving Beat: The song's energetic rhythm creates a pulse that matches the motion of driving, keeping the energy high and the mood positive throughout any journey.

Visual Storytelling Potential: The optimistic lyrics and powerful vocals lend themselves well to visually dynamic road trip montages, creating a compelling narrative for your reels.

High Hopes - Panic! At The Disco

6. Castle on the Hill - ÷ (Deluxe)

Driving Rhythm: Castle on the Hill boasts a driving, upbeat tempo perfect for cruising down open highways, creating an energetic soundtrack for your road trip reel.

Nostalgic Vibes: Sheeran's storytelling evokes a strong sense of longing and nostalgia, making it ideal for capturing the bittersweet feeling of adventure and memories on the road.

Visual Appeal: The song's imagery of youthful escapades easily translates to visually compelling road trip footage, enhancing the storytelling power of your reel.

Castle on the Hill - Ed Sheeran

7. Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver - 1971)

Nostalgia Factor: John Denver's warm vocals and gentle melody evoke a powerful sense of homesickness and longing, perfectly capturing the bittersweet feeling of adventure on the open road.

Evocative Imagery: The lyrics paint vivid pictures of rolling hills and country roads, creating a strong visual connection for viewers watching your road trip reel.

Timeless Appeal: This classic track transcends generations, ensuring its relevance and emotional resonance with a broad audience for your reel.

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

8. Shotgun (Staying at Tamara's)

Upbeat Tempo: Shotgun's infectious rhythm and driving beat create an irresistible urge to sing along and tap your feet, perfect for cruising down the highway.

Anthemic Quality: The song's powerful vocals and soaring chorus evoke a sense of freedom and adventure, ideal for capturing the spirit of a road trip.

Visual Appeal: Its cheerful and energetic vibe makes it visually engaging for road trip reels, easily enhancing the mood of your travel footage.

Shotgun - George Ezra

9. Don't Stop Believin' (Journey)

Anthemic Chorus: Journey's iconic chorus is instantly recognizable and irresistibly singalong-able, perfect for belting out with friends on a long drive.

Uplifting Energy: The song's driving rhythm and powerful vocals create an electrifying atmosphere, ideal for boosting the mood of any road trip.

Nostalgic Vibe: "Don't Stop Believin'" evokes a sense of classic rock nostalgia, making it a perfect soundtrack for capturing those carefree moments on film for your reel.

Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

10. Drive (Make Yourself)

Sound: Incubus's "Drive" boasts a mellow yet driving beat, perfect for cruising down the open road. The layered guitars and subtle percussion create a relaxed yet energetic atmosphere ideal for a road trip reel.

Vocals: Brandon Boyd's distinctive vocals are both soothing and captivating, making the song easily memorable and enjoyable for extended listening during a long drive.

Emotional Impact: The song's nostalgic feel and introspective lyrics evoke a sense of freedom and adventure, enhancing the overall vibe of your road trip video.

Drive - Incubus
  • Home
    11

    Home

    Edward Sharpe , The Magnetic Zeros

    2009

  • Dancing in the Moonlight
    12

    Dancing in the Moonlight

    Toploader

    2000

    Onka's Big Moka

  • Here I Go Again
    13

    Here I Go Again

    Whitesnake

    1982

  • Send Me on My Way
    14

    Send Me on My Way

    Rusted Root

    1992

  • Fast Car
    15

    Fast Car

    Tracy Chapman

    1988

    Tracy Chapman

  • Lovely Day
    16

    Lovely Day

    Bill Withers

    1977

    Menagerie

  • Walking on Sunshine
    17

    Walking on Sunshine

    Katrina and the Waves

    1983

  • Sweet Home Alabama
    18

    Sweet Home Alabama

    Lynyrd Skynyrd

    1974

    Second Helping (Expanded Edition)

  • I Lived
    19

    I Lived

    OneRepublic

    2014

    Native

  • Born to Run
    20

    Born to Run

    Bruce Springsteen

    1975

    Born To Run

  • Runnin' Down A Dream
    21

    Runnin' Down A Dream

    Tom Petty

    1989

    Full Moon Fever

  • Leaving on a Jet Plane
    22

    Leaving on a Jet Plane

    John Denver

    1969

  • Roam
    23

    Roam

    The B-52's

    1979

  • Take It Easy
    24

    Take It Easy

    Eagles

    1972

    Eagles (2013 Remaster)

  • Life is a Highway
    25

    Life is a Highway

    Tom Cochrane

    1991

  • Good Vibrations
    26

    Good Vibrations

    The Beach Boys

    1966

    Purple Rain

  • Go Your Own Way
    27

    Go Your Own Way

    Fleetwood Mac

    1977

    Rumours