25 songs that belong on your travel playlist

There’s nothing a good Fleetwood Mac song can’t fix. If you’re in the mood to let loose during your travels, “Gypsy” is the perfect track for you. Its upbeat melody and inspiring lyrics are the ideal combination for your travel playlist. 

This song is for those stuck working at corporate jobs in cold weather, yet dreaming of a life along the warm coastlines. “Tell Me, Laurel” has that beachy sound you’ll want to dive into. It’s the ideal track to set the scene for your travels. 

The song “Honey” is as sweet as its name. To me, this track is all about letting go of your worries and insecurities and embracing life for the beautiful journey it is. When life throws obstacles your way, remind yourself: “It’s all honey.” 

While these lyrics are about heartbreak, the melody is incredibly catchy and lighthearted. This ironic track talks about meeting a lover in São Paulo and realizing it wasn’t meant to be, like many things in life. However, you just keep your head above water and continue with a hopeful heart.

I chose this song for my own travel playlist because the name itself is incredibly relatable, especially for anxious drivers or travelers like me. While it’s not actually about having a panic attack on the interstate, the song is for those battling shame and feeling disconnected from themselves. Travel is a great way to explore and mend those feelings we all know too well.

“Dugout” seems to detail a failing relationship, where one person is trying to walk away but doesn’t want to hurt the other person. Why add that kind of song to a travel playlist, you might ask? Its underlying, hopeful tone is all about letting go of what doesn’t serve you anymore so you can make room for people and experiences that do. Sometimes, traveling gives us the opportunity to get out of our comfort zones and pursue more aligned paths.

This is an incredibly positive and fun song to lose yourself in. It’s especially great for those friends or lovers who, while perhaps don’t make the most grounded of partners, always have the best time together. 

This song is a great call-out for those stuck in the mundane routine of working their lives away. Life is so much more than paying your bills and hustling the hours away just to make ends meet. As the lyrics go: “Every second you waste, the world you’re trying to chase / Gets away from you.”

If you listen to the lyrics of “Blue Skies,” you might feel equal parts bummed out and comforted. However, the upbeat nature of this track is a reminder that life keeps moving on, despite the heartbreak and struggles we endure. If you’re traveling as an escape from the chaos and pain in your life, let this song be your friend along the way.

Our twenties are a time for exploration and, according to Jordy Seacy, ”wasting time.” And while you might not be in your 20s anymore (I unfortunately just left that torturous yet magical decade behind), you can still embrace that mindset. These lines in particular are powerful realizations: “I don't wanna take the world for granted / While I'm still trying to understand it.” and “Lots of little life we take for granted when we / Finish our Decembers empty-handed, but I'm / Never empty-handed when I'm holding your hand.” It’s a great reminder to cherish the love you have and make the most of the little moments you get together.

This dreamy track sets the perfect scene for a quiet, beachy getaway. The lyrics (and calming melody) say it all: “I'm leaving home for the Coastline / Some place under the sun / I feel my heart for the first time.”

Whenever I feel disconnected from myself or overwhelmed by life, I play “Lavender Girl” as a pick-me-up. This feel-good song highlights the little things in life and reminds me to cherish the people I have when I have them.

You might want to skip this track if you came to this list for only high-energy, cheerful songs. To me, traveling (especially solo) is an opportunity to process your emotions and pull yourself out of the rut of a mundane life. “All Day, All Night” is a partially comforting, partially gloomy piece that acknowledges the pain and rumination following a breakup. However, there’s still a calming, underlying message: "It is what it is.” Life keeps moving on, and you should, too. Now’s the chance for a new adventure. 

This song is about a girl constantly on the run, hitting the road in her van and touching the lives of those she meets along the way. Many of us dream of this free-spirited lifestyle, and at the very least, traveling can give you a taste of it. I especially love the lyrics: “Sold her heart to a van and the road and it goes to show / It doesn't really matter if you're broke and alone.”

Okay, those of you who are here for the upbeat, beachy tunes will love this song. Jack Johnson is a travel go-to for me, and “To The Sea” is the perfect track for a coastal getaway.

This song is a great reminder to embrace your freedom and take advantage of life’s wonders. The ebbs and flows are what make it so special. All we have is the moment, so we might as well live it up.

This track, while fast-paced and energetic, seems to touch on the realities of constantly being on the road. If you’re traveling often, whether for work or for pleasure, it can certainly take a toll on your personal life. However, as the song goes, “this life’s the only one we got.” It’s time you made the most of it.

This track is about being away from and eventually coming home to your partner after time away. It has that feel-good summer sound we all crave when vacationing. 

A similar vibe to The Beatles, “Megabus” has that classic indie-rock feel to it. This song serves as a great reminder to let loose and go with the flow, even if just for one night.

This song is for those pining for an escape in the form of travel. Are you seeking a break from your everyday routine? “Glowing Brightly” has a simple yet hopeful tone. “I just want love, I just want sun, I just want your company.”

“Cold Water Swimming” is a slow, melancholic song that explores the idea of two friends/lovers getting away from their troubles for a while. We all need an escape from time to time to remember who we truly are, whether together or apart. This is the perfect song to keep you company while on the road. 

I think it’s physically impossible to feel upset when listening to this song. It’s a great reminder to think positively, treat others with kindness, be yourself, and enjoy the simplest of moments. 

This song is purely vibes — the perfect track to lose yourself to. Whether you blast it during a scenic drive or play it softly while lounging on the beach, you’ll feel like you’re right where you belong.

Another relatable escapism song, “Keep Driving” is the perfect addition to your travel playlist. The upbeat, melodic tune serves as a great reminder to enjoy the ride and keep moving forward.

I’ll never forget when I first heard this song. Immediately, I felt comforted by its underlying message and peaceful, hopeful tone. The lyrics say it all: “Open your eyes, you're alive / Another fine night near the ocean / Please don′t cry, it's alright / You′re always gonna be my darling.”