Creating the perfect road trip playlist

You can’t beat a good road trip with your friends and family. Whether you’re setting off on the journey of a lifetime or making the long drive to see family, there’s one thing you’ll need: a good road trip playlist. 

A good playlist makes or breaks a road trip. If you get it right, the vibes will be up for the whole journey. If you get it wrong, it could lead to an awkward conversation… 

In this blog, we’ll provide expert advice on cooking up the perfect playlist, what technology you’ll need, and how you can make the trip a memorable one. We discuss: 

Every great road trip playlist doesn’t start in the car, it starts in your study (or a place where serious thinking can happen). Before you start queuing up your favourite songs, take a moment to think about who’s going to be on board. 

A solo drive through the Lake District demands a very different playlist to one shared with your children, or worse, your best friends! 

The playlist should be a shared experience. If you’re travelling with friends, lean into upbeat songs that will get everyone singing. For family trips, mix in kid favourites (think Disney songs) with nostalgic bangers for the adults. 

Remember, a road trip is a joint effort. Tailoring it to your audience helps keep spirits high and also ensures that everyone will want to be on board on the way back!

Once you’ve sussed out who’s on board, it’s time to craft the soundtrack to your adventures. A great playlist is about creating a vibe that evolves with the trip. The right track at the right time can really lift spirits and keep everyone going. 

• Start with essentials - Begin with universally loved bangers, songs that everyone knows and will sing along to. Think here of songs that you guarantee you’ll hear in your local nightclub. Think Fleetwood Mac, The Killers, and Beyonce. 
• Mix up the energy - Balance is key. High-energy tracks are great for motorway cruising, but you’ll want to sprinkle in some slow, more reflective songs throughout. Get pulling on those heartstrings! We’ll leave this one up to you. 
• Consider the journey - Flexibility is also important. On a coastal drive? Consider artists like Jack Johnson or Tame Impala. On a city break? Think Arctic Monkeys or Dua Lipa. 
• Wild cards - A wild card is key to every trip. You’ve got to keep your passengers on their toes! Add a few unexpected choices for surprise singalongs or guilty pleasures. Backstreet Boys, Busted, and ABBA spring to mind!

If you really want to ramp up the ‘driving theme’, check out our playlist below:

Even the most finely tuned playlist can start to get boring. That’s where audiobooks come in, especially if you are travelling alone. They can add depth and variety to your road trip, and they’re a great way to keep your mind engaged. 

Here are our recommendations: 

• Adventure & thrillers - If you want adrenaline in the air, a thriller or adventure story will keep you hooked. Think tales like The Reckoning by John Grisham or the true-life wild ride of Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. 
• Romance - Feel like adding a bit of heart to your journey? Romance audiobooks like The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks or the time-travel epic Outlander by Diana Gabaldon are great choices. 
• Mystery & crime - Mystery and crime audiobooks are perfect for keeping your brain ticking. Get your detective hat on with classics like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. 
• Sci-Fi & fantasy - If you fancy escaping into another world while on the road, you can’t go wrong with a sci-fi or fantasy book. Classics like Dune by Frank Herbert or the iconic Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling will have you hooked. 
• Non-fiction - Sometimes the best stories are based on ones that actually happened. If this takes your fancy, try Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert or The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. 

The perfect playlist is only one part of the question. If you’re going the distance, your driving habits matter just as much. 

Here are a few driving tips to keep your journey smooth, safe, and stress-free: 

• Take breaks - It’s tempting to power through, especially when the road is clear. But aim to stop every two hours, even if it's just for five minutes to stretch your legs. 
• Prep your technology - Fumbling with Spotify while doing 70mph on the motorway is a big no-no. Set up your playlist or audiobook prior to setting off.
• Keep the cabin comfortable - Adjust your seat, mirrors, and cabin temperature before you hit the road. 

If music, podcasts, and audiobooks are a big part of your road trip routine, it might be time to get a car that supports them. In-car entertainment has come a long way, so if you’re still faffing around with CDs, you’re missing out. 

Here’s the tech to look out for: 

• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto - Seamless access to your phone’s apps, including Spotify, Audible, and Google Maps. 
• Voice assistant - Use Siri or Google Assistant to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Believe it or not, you can tell your car to skip a song! Tech these days!! 
• Wireless charging - Keeps your devices powered for the whole drive. 

Leasing means you can enjoy the latest in-car tech without a huge upfront cost. Whether it’s a spacious SUV with surround sound or a sleek saloon with wireless smartphone connectivity, leasing gives you plenty of options. 

Whether you’re heading to the coast or the countryside, the right soundtrack makes all the difference. From belting out 80s classics with your mates to getting lost in a gripping audiobook, in-car entertainment is part of the adventure. 

If your current car isn’t cutting it on the entertainment front, it might be time for an upgrade. Leasing gives you access to the latest tech and comfort features without the hefty price tag.