15 Songs on My Travel Playlist

Written by:

Aynari Garcia

Have you put together a playlist to listen to specifically when you’re traveling? I have. The following are three personal lists of songs that I listen to when I’m either on a road trip, on a plane, or hiking.

On a Road trip

Road trips often take a long time. That being said, if I am the person driving, then I like to listen to songs that hype me up and keep me awake and aware. So, for anyone who will go on a road trip with me in the future, just warning you that I will be screaming the entire way.

Miss You Much by Janet Jackson

I don’t know what is about this song, but every time I hear it and electrical current charges through me. I dance – as best as I can behind the wheel – I scream the lyrics, and I can’t help but look a little stupid doing it.

Emotions by Mariah Carey

This song creates an explosion of emotions within me that I cannot contain. I can only hope that my screeches in some way sound good enough to be similar to the many iconic whistle notes Mariah Carey gifts us in the song.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston

You need a nice, feel good song that will hype you up? This is a sure-fire way. First, Whitney Houston’s otherworldly voice, then the infectious beat. I can’t help but love it.

Into You by Ariana Grande

This song hooks you from the absolute beginning with the base sounding almost like a heartbeat, and it just builds and builds into you get to the screech-worthy chorus. You need to screech, or else you mess with the fabric of time and space. This is real, I promise.

Before I Let Go by Beyoncé

This cover, first released with Beyoncé’s Homecoming film, is so feel good you don’t even know what to do with yourself other than dance and sing along.

On a Plane

When I’m travelling on a plane, I don’t like to have too many songs that will hype me up because I won’t be able to dance or sing freely. So, these next songs are a little dialed down, but not by too much, and help me get through the flight.

Fantasy by Mariah Carey

Again, we have the Songbird Supreme on our list. This song has the right amount of hype and the right amount of go with the flow that makes a 12-hour flight bearable, even for just 4 minutes.

Versace on the Floor by Bruno Mars

There is nothing like being serenaded by Bruno Mars on a funky beat, and wishing you had a Versace dress on.

Toothbrush by DNCE

Joe Jonas – the best Jonas – is not only good for Burning Up and Love Bug. Also funky, this song is giving just enough where I don’t burst out with a screech.

Party by Beyoncé Ft. Andre 3000

Queen Bey again. I know I keep saying feel good, but this is a feel-good song. Beyoncé’s stacked harmonies carry you through the song, making you imagine your own little party.

Wonder What She Thinks of Me by Chloe x Halle

This song may be the slowest of the five, but it might be the most beautiful. If you’ve never listened to Chloe x Halle, they often join their voices together to create angelic harmonies. It’s dramatic and wonderful.

On a Hike

When hiking, I like listening to calm songs best – that way what I’m listening to won’t take away from my surroundings, but play off them.

What You Won’t Do for Love by Bobby Caldwell

This is an easy song to listen to in that it doesn’t command too much of my attention. Instead, it makes me feel serene.

A Long Walk by Jill Scott

This isn’t a pun. I promise. Not much to say but it’s such a calming song that I can’t help but include it.

Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder) by Maxwell

This song has a kind of magical effect on me where I get happier while and after listening to it, making me actually enjoy whatever is I’m doing – even if it is a muscle-burning hike.

Nothing Even Matters by Lauryn Hill

This is a bit of mantra that I enjoy listening to. Of course, this song is about love but with regarding a hike, nothing even matters except everything I’m seeing because “there’s no place I’d rather be.”

BIGGER by Beyonce

I will not apologize for adding her in a third time. This song connects me to my surroundings being that it’s a realization that I am “part of something way bigger” than myself, which is the world – a small portion of which I am directly interacting with.