How to make a road trip playlist (that pleases everyone)

Famously dubbed the "greatest college tradition of all", the road trip has rooted itself deep into our collective psyche. And while road trips once served as performance benchmarks for early automobiles, advances in automotive technology have opened the roads to anyone with a sense of adventure and a DVLA licence.

In many ways, they represent a motorised variety of the traditional pilgrimage, complete with cushioned seating and cup holders. Our modern pilgrim sits comfortably in defiance of the hardships endured by ancient seekers of truth and provenance. 

Theirs is a journey in the purest sense, shielded from the elements, traversing borders and cultural differences, with only their thoughts and some gas station snacks to keep them occupied. But our motorway mares have one crucial advantage over yesterday's beasts of burden – car stereos!

Fun, fun, fun auf der Autobahn

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Whether you're travelling across Europe with friends, taking a family trip to the seaside or moving your life to the big city, there's nothing quite like cruising cross-country with loved ones while your favourite songs pipe out of the stereo.

The downtime on a road trip presents a rare opportunity to cue up some old classics and share new music along the way. Think of the journey as two-fold – as a journey through sound and space! You catch our drift, man?

But the road trip playlist can be fraught with competing interests and must be handled delicately. Your great idea of exploring every album from Bob Dylan's "lost decade" (the 80s…) may not be for everyone, and keeping spirits high is vital when you're trapped inside a metal container. 

Of course, there's no formula. There's no one solution to soundtracking your trip. Moods swing from one hour to the next, as will your driver's patience. Give yourself plenty of options, prepare to be unprepared and let the highway guide you, song by song… bridge by bridge. 

Choose your format

The first thing to consider is your format. The age and sophistication of your car will ultimately decide for you, so if you're planning on tripping your 1920's T-Bucket, then a portable speaker or FM radio may be your only salvation.

If your car was manufactured before 1984, you may be limited to cassettes only. In all likelihood, most of you will be travelling in a car with a CD player – at the very least – and possibly MP3 and Bluetooth features.

Now, we know what you're thinking – "MP3s and Bluetooth win, hands down". You're probably right. For breadth of choice and ease of use, modern digital formats are hard to beat.

For example, Spotify offers several driving playlists for those of you who want an easy life. Expect the biggest hits – era-defining classics like Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac and Phil Collins. You know the score – a fun, singalong wedding party on wheels. 

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Alternatively, ask everyone to bring a selection of their favourite CDs. It will streamline your options and get everyone talking – you may be surprised by Grandma's choices and you may learn a thing or two.

Start as you mean to go on

Like all good stories, your road trip will have its share of twists and turns, tears and laughter – and, god forbid, a cliffhanger. Think of your playlist as the soundtrack to your touring blockbuster. 

Start strong – we're talking top-drawer clobber. Think The Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice", Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" or some fist-pumping classical music like Wagner's "Ride of The Valkyries".

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The plot thickens. As you exit the slip road and merge with the motorway traffic, settle down with your Costa coffee and open the floor… "any requests?"

This will keep everyone onside. Remember – it's not just your road trip. Everyone who's travelling should get a say in the soundtrack.

Stuck for ideas? Try these

If there was ever a genre made for long drives, it's soft rock. Anything from Steely Dan to Hall & Oates will do the trick. Mums and dads will love it – but bear in mind that anyone born after 2000 may become restless.

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If you're running out of ideas, find a playlist on Spotify. These can be hit and miss, but a few skips here and there and you'll find the inspiration you needed to light the fire once again.

Kids will want to chip in on the tunes too. And that's fine. But make sure to give everyone a fair shake, lest your road trip turns into a Peppa Pig marathon…

Don't distract the driver

While you sit back and watch the countryside flicker past your window, your driver is concentrating on making sure you get to your ferry safely and on time. Their job can be demanding and must be taken seriously. 

While most drivers will tell you if the music is distracting – or lulling them into the land of nod – not all drivers understand the risks associated with certain types of music. 

A study in 2019 revealed that drivers were more likely to speed up when fast music was playing. In addition, busy and frenetic styles have been linked to increased stress levels at the wheel.

On the contrary, the same study suggested slower music with softer sounds had the opposite effect – lowering the heart rate and increasing concentration. 

Taken at face value, these findings reinforce the importance of the driver's safety and well-being, so make sure to check in with them once in a while.

Then again, maybe they're the one who insists on listening to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" while you want to keep the volume down.

Road tripping around the northeast? Check out our cars for hire in Newcastle – complete with all the mod cons you need for a road trip to remember!