25 Classic Rock Songs For The Open Road

Ever hit the open road and wish you had the perfect trucker playlist to go with it? We sure have—and now you can, too.

Truck driving is a whole way of life and not just a job. It’s filled with its own slang, movies, jokes, and, of course, great music. There’s nothing quite like cruising down the highway with a good trucker song blasting from the speakers.

That’s why we made this list of the 25 best trucker songs. It’s full of old favorites about life on the road, big rigs, and the freedom of the highway. These songs are the best for driving, whether you’re actually driving or just having a dream about it.

1. “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)” – Alabama
Alabama kicked off 1984 with this classic anthem for road warriors. Written by Dave Loggins, “Roll On” became the title track of their hit album and quickly turned into a trucker favorite. It’s all about the spirit of rolling down the highway and keeping the wheels turning.

2. “Big Wheels in the Moonlight” – Dan Seals
Dan Seals co-wrote and recorded this heartfelt song that captures the magic of seeing those big rigs under a glowing night sky. Released in 1988, it’s still one of the most loved trucker songs today. Seals’ smooth voice makes you feel every mile.

3. “Truckin’” – Grateful Dead (2013 Remaster)
“Truckin’” first rolled out on the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty album in 1970. Written by Garcia, Weir, Lesh, and Hunter, this song is pure classic Dead—full of good vibes, rhythm, and that freewheeling road energy. Even decades later, it’s still the ultimate cruising song.

4. “East Bound and Down” – Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed’s high-energy tune from Smokey and the Bandit became an instant classic. Co-written with Dick Feller, “East Bound and Down” captures the wild spirit of outrunning trouble on the open road. No trucker playlist feels complete without it.

5. “I’ve Been Everywhere” – Johnny Cash
Originally written by Aussie Geoff Mack, “I’ve Been Everywhere” got a new life with Johnny Cash’s deep, rolling voice. The song’s rapid-fire list of towns turned it into a fun, foot-tapping anthem for anyone who’s ever dreamed of hitting every highway. It’s a traveler’s dream set to music.

6. “Six Days on the Road” – Sawyer Brown
Sawyer Brown gave this classic trucker anthem a fresh spin in 1997 with their album Six Days on the Road. It’s a high-energy shoutout to life behind the wheel and the long haul home. No wonder it’s one of the all-time favorites among truckers and country fans alike.

7. “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” – Kathy Mattea
Kathy Mattea’s sweet voice made this 1988 hit a true heart-melter. Written by Paul and Gene Nelson, it tells the story of a trucker retiring after years on the road, dreaming of coming home to the one he loves. It’s sentimental, beautiful, and pure country gold.

8. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” blasted onto the scene in 1974 and never looked back. It’s a Southern rock anthem, proudly celebrating their roots while clapping back at Neil Young’s critical songs. With that iconic guitar riff, it’s a must for any road trip playlist.

9. “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits
Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits struck pure magic with “Sultans of Swing” in 1977. Written after watching a lackluster pub band, it turned into a guitar-driven classic that radio DJs couldn’t stop spinning. Smooth, cool, and made for cruising.

10. “I’m a Ramblin’ Man” – Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings turned “I’m a Ramblin’ Man” into a country staple in the ’70s. Originally written by Ray Pennington, Jennings’ version made it a gritty anthem for anyone who can’t stay in one place too long. It’s the perfect tune for anyone with a restless heart and a love for the open road.

11. “Roll On Big Mama” – Joe Stampley
Joe Stampley brought some serious trucker energy with “Roll On Big Mama” in 1975. Written by Dan Darst, this catchy tune became an instant favorite for anyone who loves the rumble of a big rig. It’s pure classic country made for the highway.

12. “Life Is a Highway” – Tom Cochrane
Tom Cochrane’s “Life Is a Highway” roared onto the scene in 1991, topping charts in Canada and beyond. With its infectious beat and feel-good vibe, it quickly became the ultimate road trip anthem. Roll the windows down—this one’s made for singing at the top of your lungs.

13. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver (Rerecorded)
Few songs capture the soul of the open road like John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Released in 1971, it’s a heartfelt tribute to West Virginia and a longing for the comfort of home. Every road trip playlist needs this classic sing-along.

14. “Danger Zone” – Kenny Loggins (From Top Gun Soundtrack)
Kenny Loggins cranked up the adrenaline with “Danger Zone” in 1986 for the Top Gun soundtrack. Written by Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock, it’s a high-flying, fast-driving anthem that makes you feel invincible behind the wheel. Hit play and prepare for takeoff.

15. “I’m a Road Hammer” – The Road Hammers
Canadian country rockers The Road Hammers brought serious trucking spirit with “I’m a Road Hammer” in 2005. Fronted by Jason McCoy, the song is all about life on the road, big rigs, and chasing the next mile. It’s loud, proud, and built for a long-haul ride.

16. “Start Me Up” – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones cranked out pure energy with “Start Me Up” in 1981, kicking off their Tattoo You album. With its killer guitar riff and driving beat, it shot straight to number one in Australia. It’s the perfect song to fire up any road trip.

17. “Folsom Prison Blues” – Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” is pure outlaw storytelling at its finest. Written in 1953 and recorded for his first album in 1955, it cemented Cash’s place as a country legend. Few songs capture grit, rebellion, and raw emotion quite like this one.

18. “Chattahoochee” – Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee” is all about Southern life, growing up, and having fun down by the river. Released in 1993, this upbeat country hit became an anthem for good times and muddy boots. It’s impossible to hear it and not want to sing along.

19. “Wagon Wheel” – Old Crow Medicine Show
“Wagon Wheel” is the perfect mix of Bob Dylan’s early chorus and Ketch Secor’s storytelling magic. Old Crow Medicine Show turned it into a modern classic, with later covers by Nathan Carter and Darius Rucker topping charts too. It’s the ultimate sing-along for any open road adventure.

20. “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)” – The Hollies
The Hollies nailed it with “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)”—a sleek, swampy rock anthem from the early ’70s. Written by Allan Clarke, Roger Cook, and Roger Greenaway, it’s got the kind of groove that makes you feel like a total boss behind the wheel. Timeless and effortlessly cool.

21. “Like A Wrecking Ball” – Eric Church
Eric Church brought raw emotion with Like a Wrecking Ball, released in 2015 from his album The Outsiders. Co-written with Casey Beathard, it’s a bold, soulful track that hits just as hard as its title suggests. Perfect for those late-night drives when you’re feeling a little wild.

22. “Livin’ On The Edge” – Aerosmith
Aerosmith rocked the early ’90s with Livin’ On The Edge, a gritty anthem about the chaos of the world around us. Written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Mark Hudson, it led the charge for their Get a Grip album. It’s big, bold, and impossible to ignore.

23. “We Rode In Trucks” – Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan’s We Rode In Trucks is a heartfelt love letter to country living and growing up simple. Released in 2007, it captures those small-town memories that stick with you forever. It’s the kind of song that feels like a warm, familiar road home.

24. “Whole Lotta Love” – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin unleashed pure rock power with Whole Lotta Love in 1969. With its heavy riffs and hypnotic groove, it helped shape the sound of classic rock. It’s that song that demands to be cranked up loud on a long highway stretch.

25. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival is a timeless classic with a strangely cheerful beat and a spooky warning. Written by John Fogerty, it dropped in 1969 and quickly became a road trip staple. It’s catchy, a little eerie, and totally unforgettable.