Six in 10 Americans have a carefully curated playlist to set the mood when taking a road trip, according to a new poll.
In a survey of 2,000 Americans, results revealed having favorite tunes ready to go is so essential that they may be the ultimate make-or-break for a successful road trip.
Not having access to a playlist was enough to constitute a U-turn for some: 35% of respondents would actually be willing to “turn the car around” if they don’t have everything they need to jam out to their music of choice.
What songs make an appearance on the best road trip playlists? Popular choices included Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd (39%), Hotel California by The Eagles (29%) and Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane (27%).
In addition to the 59% who have a curated playlist, 47% said they have a road trip memory tied to a particular song.
When asked to describe these music-related mementos, one respondent said, “Moving to Colorado a few years ago, heard As We Ran by The National Parks for the first time and it [sort of] became an anthem to going west to start over.”
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Christian Brothers Automotive, the survey delved into the contents of Americans’ playlists—especially the differences between generations.
Forty-two percent of respondents said they “couldn’t stand” the music their parents played on road trips growing up, and 52% believe their generation’s playlist-making skills are superior to those of other generations, with millennials most likely to agree (61%).
When it comes to how respondents listen to music, enjoying albums straight through may be dead, as only 10% said they do this.
Nearly half (42%) prefer to hit shuffle on their entire library and let fate determine what they’re listening to, followed by 26% who like to have a set playlist of songs.
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“As we began to see the number of COVID-19 cases decrease and more guests come to our stores to get their cars road-trip ready, we could feel their hope and excitement,” said Donnie Carr, President of Christian Brothers Automotive. “Their eagerness got us thinking about all the things that make car trips fun and at the top of that list is listening to great music as you drive.”
Carr’s comments echo what respondents indicated, as 78% feel comfortable taking a road trip in the coming months.
WHAT SONGS WOULD BE ON THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST?
- Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd 39%
- Hotel California, The Eagles 29%
- Life is a Highway, Tom Cochrane 27%
- Take Me Home Country Roads, John Denver 26%
- On the Road Again, Willie Nelson 25%
- Old Town Road, Lil Nas X 25%
- Shut Up and Drive, Rihanna 24%
- Highway to Hell, ACDC 23%
- Hit the Road Jack, Ray Charles 20%
- Here I Go Again, Whitesnake 18%
- Don’t Stop Me Now, Queen 18%
- Go Your Own Way, Fleetwood Mac 18%
- Ramblin’ Man, The Allman Brothers Band 17% (tied)
- Paradise City, Guns ‘N Roses 17% (tied)
- Route 66, Chuck Berry 17%
- Drivers License, Olivia Rodrigo 16%
- I’ve Been Everywhere, Johnny Cash 16%
- A Thousand Miles, Vanessa Carlton 15%
- Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen 15%
- This Land is Your Land, Woody Guthrie 14%
- I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), The Proclaimers 14% (tied)
- Cruisin’, Smokey Robinson 14% (tied)
- Everyday is a Winding Road, Sheryl Crow 13%
- Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan 13%
- Greased Lightnin’, John Travolta 13%
- Drive, The Cars 12%
- Made in the U.S.A., Demi Lovato 12%
- Little Deuce Coupe, The Beach Boys 12%
- Ride, Lana Del Rey 11%
- Roll with the Changes, REO Speedwagon 11%
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