Your Memorial Day 2021 Road Trip Playlist When Leaving NC

CHARLOTTE, NC — Unless you’re someone who enjoys long, meandering drives in complete, contemplative silence, a road trip just isn’t a road trip without an hourslong playlist of energizing songs that drum up waves of nostalgia, annoy your kids and pass the summer vibe check with flying colors.

We asked Patch editors and staff from across the country to share their favorite road-tripping songs with North Carolina readers. One thing is certain — Patch is filled with an eclectic mix of generations, from Boomers to Gen-X to millennials to Gen Z and everything in between. Their music recommendations are just as wide-ranging, representing a variety of decades, artists and genres.

Does this list have recent Billboard chart toppers? Yes. Does it have songs from way back in the day? Absolutely. Are there songs you’ve never heard of? Probably, but there’s no better time than a road trip to introduce yourself to a new tune or two.

So let’s start with a few songs that embody the essence of any road trip. If you're not including these songs, you're not doing it right.

• “Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers Band
• “Running Down A Dream” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
• “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
• Road to Nowhere” by Talking Heads
• “Going Mobile” by The Who
• “Africa” by Toto
• “City of New Orleans” by The Highwaymen
• “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” by The Hollies
• “Truckin’” by The Grateful Dead

Then there are songs that simply symbolize summer. These are the next best thing until you can plop your bottom on the sand and feel the ocean on your toes:

• “The Boys Of Summer” by Don Henley
• “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
• “West Coast” by Lana Del Rey
• “Southbound” by Carrie Underwood
• “Jenny” by The Mountain Goats
• “Summer Wind” by Frank Sinatra
• “Summer Jam” by Set Your Goals
• “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett
• “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys
• “Pontoon” by Little Big Town

Let’s not forget those songs that will keep you moving and energized when you’re on that last leg of a long trip:

• “I Like To Move It” by Reel 2 Real feat. The Mad Stuntman
• “DARE” by Gorillaz
• “As” by Stevie Wonder
• “When Doves Cry” by Prince & The Revolution
• “I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
• “Sunflower” by Post Malone ft. Swae Lee
• “Renegades” by X Ambassadors
• “Youngblood” by 5 Seconds Of Summer
• “Magic Man” by Heart
• “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake
• “Say Something” by Kylie Minogue

Then there are the songs that will simply remind you of home when you’re on the road:

• “Boondocks” by Little Big Town
• “God’s Country” by Blake Shelton
• “Turn The Page” by Bob Seger
• “American Pie” by Don McLean
• “Drive” by The Cars
• “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band
• “Take Back Home Girl” by Chris Lane & Tori Kelly

Here are a few more fantastic songs nominated by Patch editors to get you in road trip mood:

• “House Of The Rising Sun” by The Animals
• “Blue Skies” by Noah And The Whale
• “Smino” by Trina
• “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band
• “State Trooper” by Cowboy Junkies
• “Guaranteed” by Eddie Vedder
• “Never Could” by Mr. Chicken
• “Under The Pressure” by The War On Drugs
• “Motion Sickness” by Phoebe Bridgers
• “Dramamine” by Modest Mouse
• “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak

What’s on your road trip playlist as you leave North Carolina? Share it in the comments.

SEE ALSO:

• Everything You Need For An Amazing Memorial Day Weekend
• Memorial Day Beach Trips: NC Drowning Rates, Water Safety Tips
• Traveling This Memorial Day? Check Gas Prices In Charlotte Metro
• Memorial Day 2021: Best, Worst Times To Travel From Charlotte