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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, if you’re planning a summer road trip, check out the top ten most popular driving songs to be the soundtrack to your travels!
Sun glinting off the windshield, endless road stretching before you, and the wind whipping through your hair – summer road trips are the epitome of freedom and adventure. But what elevates a good road trip to an epic one? The perfect soundtrack, of course!
Whether you’re cruising with your best friends, belting out tunes with the family, or enjoying a solo adventure, the right music sets the mood and keeps the energy high. So, ditch the generic radio stations and crank up the volume!
Thanks to a study conducted QR Code Generator, which used Spotify’s Playlist Miner to identify the songs that occur the most in playlists related to driving, we’ve compiled the top ten most popular driving songs guaranteed to make your summer road trip unforgettable. This study resulted in a ranking of 637 unique songs from a total of 19,988 playlists with names such as ‘driving mix’, ‘car mix’. ‘driving anthems’ and ‘road trip’. Get ready to sing along, tap your toes, and roll down the windows – the ultimate summer road trip playlist awaits!
It is interesting to discover the songs that drivers are listening to, whether this to be on the way to work, picking up groceries or even a road trip. There is a wide range of music genres in this list, as well as the release dates of songs, spanning from 1985 to 2022, showing their timeless appeal.
Perhaps this list can offer inspiration for your next car journey, wherever you’re going, since listening to the music we love can instantly boost our mood.
–Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator
| Rank | Song title | Artist | No. of times featured in driving playlists | Percentage of features out of total no. of playlists |
| 1. | Mr. Brightside | The Killers | 1,023 | 5.1% |
| 2. | No Role Modelz | J. Cole | 942 | 4.7% |
| 3. | Stick Season | Noah Kahan | 920 | 4.6% |
| 4. | The Hills | The Weeknd | 725 | 3.6% |
| 5. | Everybody Wants To Rule The World | Tears for Fears | 698 | 3.5% |
| 6. | Blinding Lights | The Weeknd | 628 | 3.1% |
| 7. | Yellow | Coldplay | 592 | 3% |
| 8. | Do I Wanna Know? | Arctic Monkeys | 585 | 2.9% |
| 9. | Starboy | The Weeknd | 570 | 2.9% |
| 10. | Feel Good Inc. | Gorillaz | 558 | 2.8% |
Despite its 2003 release, The Killers’ Mr Brightside firmly takes the crown as the most popular song to drive to in 2024. The song appeared in an impressive 1,023 out of 19,988 playlists related to driving (5.1%). It is the longest-charting single on the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100, having spent over 390 weeks (nearly seven and a half weeks) and is the rock band’s best-selling song in the US.
The fast tempo (around 148 beats per minute) and the steady drumbeat practically push you forward in your seat, keeping the energy high for a long drive. The catchy chorus with its repeated “coming out of my cage” line is practically begging to be belted out at the top of your lungs, perfect for shared carpool joyrides. The song’s overall energy and rebellious spirit create a sense of empowerment and freedom, ideal for cruising down the open road.
In second place is J. Cole’s No Role Modelz, with a total of 942 features across driving playlists (4.7%). This hip-hop tune was released in 2014 and peaked at number 36 in the US Billboard Hot 100.
The smooth, laid-back beat with a steady bass line creates a cool and relaxing atmosphere for cruising. J. Cole’s introspective lyrics offer something to contemplate on a long drive, sparking conversations or individual reflection. The song’s underlying message of self-reliance and carving your own path can be empowering, adding a touch of motivational energy to your journey.
Noah Kahan’s Stick Season closely follows in third spot, where despite only being released in late 2022, it appears 920 times in car playlists (4.6%). Stick Season went viral on TikTok, reaching number one in the UK and in the top ten in the US.
The song’s bittersweet tone, with its reflective lyrics and melancholic melody, creates a mood perfect for contemplative drives through scenic landscapes. The steady rhythm and moderate tempo (around 100 beats per minute) provide a comfortable background for cruising without being overpowering. The lyrics often reference places and journeys, creating a sense of movement and exploration that resonates with the road trip experience.
The Hills by The Weeknd, takes fourth place, with 725 occurrences in driving song playlists (3.6%). The song, which was released in 2015, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, with The Weeknd replacing his own song “Can’t Feel My Face” for the top spot.
The song’s dark, electronic production and The Weeknd’s signature brooding vocals create a cool, mysterious vibe that sets the mood for a nighttime summer drive. The repetitive, pulsating beat creates a sense of forward momentum, keeping you engaged and propelling you down the road. While not a traditional sing-along, the catchy melody and singable verses in The Hills are perfect for head-bobbing and quiet carpool karaoke.
The fifth most popular driving song in 2024 is Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears, which peaked at number two in the UK and number one in the US. This throwback tune from 1985 features in 698 road trip lists (3.5%).
The song boasts a steady, upbeat tempo (around 100 beats per minute) that keeps your energy high without being overwhelming. The driving drumbeat and synth bassline propel you forward, mirroring the feeling of cruising down the road. The iconic chorus with its soaring melody and the repeated line “Everybody wants to rule the world” practically begs to be sung along to, creating a sense of shared joy and camaraderie on a road trip. The song’s structure feels like a journey, with building verses and a soaring chorus. It provides a dynamic listening experience that keeps you engaged for the entire song, perfect for a long drive.
Another one for The Weeknd as Blinding Lights ranks sixth, with 628 appearances in car playlists (3.1%). The song was only released in 2019, yet it is the most streamed song in history, surpassing a staggering four billion streams!
The song’s upbeat tempo (around 160 beats per minute) and pulsating synth melody create an infectious energy that gets you pumped and ready to hit the road. The steady, driving drumbeat feels like it’s pushing you forward, mimicking the feeling of cruising down the highway. The catchy chorus with its repeated “I blinded by the lights” line is perfect for belting out at the top of your lungs, creating a fun and shared experience with your road trip companions. While not strictly limited to nighttime, the song’s shimmering soundscape and synth-heavy production evoke a sense of cruising under the summer night sky, adding a touch of atmosphere to your drive.
Coldplay’s Yellow takes seventh spot, with 592 occurrences in playlists related to driving (3%). Yellow was released in 2000 and was Coldplay’s first American hit in the top 50.
The song’s bright, optimistic melody with a moderate tempo (around 100 beats per minute) creates a feel-good atmosphere without being overpowering. It’s perfect for cruising along scenic routes and enjoying the summer sunshine. The lyrics have a sense of longing and looking towards the future, which can resonate with the introspective nature of a road trip. The iconic chorus with its repeated line “Yellow” is catchy and easy to sing along to, adding a touch of shared enjoyment on your journey.
In eighth place is Do I Wanna Know? by Arctic Monkeys, which features a total of 585 times across driving playlists (2.9%). Released in 2013, this indie rock tune peaked at number 11 in the UK Singles Chart and number 70 in the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
The song features a strong, steady guitar riff and a driving drumbeat (around 120 beats per minute) that propels you forward, mirroring the feeling of cruising down the open road. While not a traditional sing-along, the catchy melody and the repeated line “Do I Wanna Know?” create a call-and-response feel that’s perfect for carpool karaoke with a bit of an edge. The overall sound and lyrics have a cool, nonchalant attitude that can create a sense of adventure and freedom on a road trip.
Ranking ninth is a third song by The Weeknd with Starboy, which occurs 570 times in playlists related to driving (2.9%) and was released in 2016 featuring the French electronic duo Daft Punk.
The song boasts a fast tempo (around 125 beats per minute) and a powerful, pulsating beat that injects pure energy into your drive. It’s perfect for getting pumped up and conquering long stretches of highway. The relentless, rhythmic drums and bassline create a sense of forward momentum, propelling you down the road like a sonic engine. While not a classic sing-along, the catchy chorus with its repeated “Starboy” chant is perfect for enthusiastic head-bobbing and carpool karaoke with a bit of an attitude. The song’s dark, electronic soundscape and The Weeknd’s signature brooding vocals evoke a sense of cruising under the summer night sky, adding a touch of atmosphere and coolness to your adventure.
Completing the top ten most popular driving songs is Feel Good Inc. by the Gorillaz, with 558 appearances in car playlists (2.8%). This song was released in 2005 and topped the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks for eight consecutive weeks.
The song features a fast tempo (around 130 beats per minute) and a driving beat with a mix of hip-hop and rock elements that injects pure energy into your drive. It’s perfect for getting pumped up and keeping the mood lighthearted. The catchy chorus with its repeated “Feel Good Inc.” chant is practically begging to be belted out at the top of your lungs, creating a fun and shared experience with your road trip companions. The song throws in different musical elements and De La Soul’s rap verses keep things interesting, preventing it from becoming monotonous on a long drive.
Spotify Playlist Miner was used to search for the most frequently occurring songs in playlists containing keywords related to driving. This included ‘driving mix’, ‘greatest driving songs’, ‘driving anthems’ and ‘car mix’. Tory Lanez’s song The Color Violet was omitted from number nine in the top ten ranking following his ongoing prison sentence.
Source: Spotify Playlist Miner
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