There’s no better co-pilot for long-haul trucking than the perfect playlist. At Carter Express, we know the right music can keep your energy up, your focus sharp, and your spirits high. That’s why we’ve created nine playlists packed with classic hits, sing-along favorites, and even a few surprises. Whether you’re chasing the sunrise or winding down after a long day, we’ve got the songs to match your drive.

 1. Classic Rock Road Trip

Timeless rock hits that make the miles fly by. This playlist is the ultimate soundtrack for the open road.

·        "Hotel California" – The Eagles

·        "Sweet Child O’ Mine" – Guns N’ Roses

·        "Go Your Own Way" – Fleetwood Mac

·        "Born to Be Wild" – Steppenwolf

·        "Don’t Stop Believin’" – Journey

·        "Free Fallin’" – Tom Petty

·        "Fortunate Son" – Creedence Clearwater Revival

·        "Runnin’ Down a Dream" – Tom Petty

·        "More Than a Feeling" – Boston

·        "Life in the Fast Lane" – The Eagles

 2. Country Hits for the Open Road

Celebrate life on the road with heartfelt country tunes. Perfect for truckers who love stories in their music.

·        "On the Road Again" – Willie Nelson

·        "Take Me Home, Country Roads" – John Denver

·        "Highway Don’t Care" – Tim McGraw (ft. Taylor Swift)

·        "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" – Alan Jackson

·        "Dirt Road Anthem" – Jason Aldean

·        "Wagon Wheel" – Darius Rucker

·        "Something Like That" – Tim McGraw

·        "My Front Porch Looking In" – Lonestar

·        "Where the Green Grass Grows" – Tim McGraw

·        "Chicken Fried" – Zac Brown Band

 3. Truckin’ Motivation Mix

When the drive feel send less, these tracks deliver the energy to power through.

·        "Thunderstruck" – AC/DC

·        "Lose Yourself" – Eminem

·        "Eye of the Tiger" – Survivor

·        "Can’t Hold Us" – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

·        "Stronger" – Kanye West

·        "Don’t Stop Me Now" – Queen

·        "Radioactive" – Imagine Dragons

·        "We Will Rock You" – Queen

·        "Enter Sandman" – Metallica

·        "Born to Run" – Bruce Springsteen

 4. Easy Listening and Chill Vibes

Feeling too on edge to really enjoy the ride? Unwind with mellow tunes that create a calming atmosphere.

·        "Take It Easy" – The Eagles

·        "Banana Pancakes" – Jack Johnson

·        "Gravity" – John Mayer

·        "Better Together" – Jack Johnson

·        "Come Away With Me" – Norah Jones

·        "Ophelia" – The Lumineers

·        "Holocene" – Bon Iver

·        "To Be Alone with You" – Sufjan Stevens

·        "Let It Be" – The Beatles

·        "Into the Mystic" – Van Morrison

 5. The Carter Express Favorites

We couldn’t resist slipping some of our favorites in here. This playlist celebrates truckers with a mix of classic and modern hits.

·        "Convoy" – C.W. McCall

·        "East Bound and Down" – Jerry Reed

·        "Six Days on the Road" – Dave Dudley

·        "Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)" – Alabama

·        "King of the Road" – Roger Miller

·        "Big Wheels in the Moonlight" – Dan Seals

·        "Truck Driving Man" – Buck Owens

·        "Driving My Life Away" – Eddie Rabbitt

·        "18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses" – Kathy Mattea

·        "I’ve Been Everywhere" – Johnny Cash

 6. Roadhouse Blues andSouthern Rock

Feel the grit and groove of Southern rock and blues.

·        "Ramblin’ Man" – The Allman Brothers Band

·        "Simple Man" – Lynyrd Skynyrd

·        "Pride and Joy" – Stevie Ray Vaughan

·        "La Grange" – ZZ Top

·        "Midnight Rider" – The Allman Brothers Band

·        "Tush" – ZZ Top

·        "Sweet Home Alabama" – Lynyrd Skynyrd

·        "Statesboro Blues" – The Allman Brothers Band

·        "Crossroads" – Cream

·        "Melissa" – The Allman Brothers Band

 7. ’80s Hits for the Highway

Want to add another type of travel to your skillset? Turn your cab into a time machine with these iconic tracks.

·        "Livin’ on a Prayer" – Bon Jovi

·        "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" – Cyndi Lauper

·        "Africa" – Toto

·        "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" – Whitney Houston

·        "Jump" – Van Halen

·        "Take On Me" – A-ha

·        "Don’t You (Forget About Me)" – Simple Minds

·        "Every Breath You Take" – The Police

·        "With or Without You" – U2

·        "Another One Bites the Dust" – Queen

 8. Upbeat Pop Hits

If you’re feeling that classic afternoon slump, keep the energy high with pop bangers that never fail to bring the motivation.

·        "Uptown Funk" – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

·        "Shake It Off" – Taylor Swift

·        "Levitating" – Dua Lipa

·        "Happy" – Pharrell Williams

·        "Can’t Stop the Feeling!" – Justin Timberlake

·        "Blinding Lights" – The Weeknd

·        "Sorry" – Justin Bieber

·        "Firework" – Katy Perry

·        "Rolling in the Deep" – Adele

·        "Chandelier" – Sia

 9. Podcasts and Audiobook Picks

When you need something different from track after track, podcasts and audiobooks are great for not just entertainment but also learning.

·        The Boyd Brothers Podcast – Trucking insights and driver stories

·        Stuff You Should Know – Educational and fascinating topics

·        The Trucking Podcast – News, tips, and trucking lifestyle

·        Serial – Gripping investigative journalism

·        Audiobook: The Road by Cormac McCarthy – A powerful journey narrative

 Tips for Crafting Your Perfect Road Playlist

If none of these playlists are striking your interest, or if you just want to try your hand at creating your own, here are some key tips to unlocking the perfect playlist.

·        Mix it up: Combine fast-paced tracks for energy and slower tunes for when you need to relax.

·        Stay fresh: Rotate new songs into your favorites to keep things interesting.

·        Prep ahead: Download playlists or podcasts so you’re never stuck without entertainment, even in low-signal areas.

At Carter Express, we care about more than just delivering freight—we care about our drivers. Whether it’s through playlists, safety tips, or industry-leading support, we’re here to make every mile enjoyable.

 Got a song or playlist that makes your drive better? Let us know—we’d love to add it to the Carter Express favorites!

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