Road Trip Playlist Tips

“If Music be the food for love, play on” is a phrase from a play by Shakespeare “Twelfth Night” which has since become a popular saying, often used to express the idea that music has the power to stir emotions and bring people together. Here are some of the Road Trip Playlist Tips for making a perfect play list for your next road trip.

It is a testament to the enduring power of music and its ability to bring joy, comfort, and solace to those who listen to it. Duke Orsino acknowledges that music inspires people to love, and that it can even cause people to fall in love with each other and their surroundings.

This brings us to the part where you can not embark on a road trip without music (playlist). The odds are that you’re going to get bored, gloomy and sleepy. A good play list brings positive energy to the travellers and actually make the trip shorter than expected.

Identify the purpose of your road trip:

The purpose of your road trip is very crucial in selecting the songs to add to your playlist. Begin with identifying the purpose of the journey, whether seeking relaxation, embracing adventure, or fostering moments of reflection.

Then select music genres and tempos that align with the desired mood, ensuring a seamless blend of auditory and atmospheric experiences. From soothing acoustic melodies for relaxation to energetic beats for adventure or introspective ballads for reflection, choose each song deliberately to enhance the overall driving experience.

Plan in advance:

Making the perfect playlist is a process; it’s not something you should do in one sitting. You may  begin making your road trip playlists about a week out, so that you have plenty of time to add the songs you love and to be on the lookout for new songs you might like. If you’re riding with friends or family, this also gives you enough time to take recommendations and add in what they want to hear.

Consider your travel companions’ tastes:

When travelling alone, you have the liberty to choose the songs to add to your playlist. This is not the case when your traveling with a group.

If you’ve taken on  the DJ role for the road trip, take initiative to find out what music your travel companions like and try to create a balance. In case you have children in your group, consider adding some “wheels on the bus” for them to also enjoy.

Select your music according to your activities.

Another fun approach to creating a road trip playlist is to align the music with the activities you’ll participate in on your trip for example hiking, game drives, camping or sightseeing.

Select specific songs tailored to planned activities along your route, whether upbeat tunes for sightseeing, invigorating melodies for hiking, or mellow rhythms for moments of camping serenity. Each song can be strategically chosen to complement the ambiance of the pit stops, enhancing the overall experience of the journey.

Have a variety of genres

Variety is key. It’s important that there’s a balance of upbeat and slower songs. If all of your songs are upbeat, it’ll get old, and if all your songs are slow, you’ll get sleepy.

 There needs to be a good mix of songs you know every single word to and songs you don’t know as well because this helps keep things interesting and exciting. It is recommended to balance older and newer songs to provide a range of sounds.

 Even better than that, you may mix in multiple genres. Add in some afro beats,  country, R&B, pop, reggae, and rock n roll, and you’ll be jamming the whole way.

Add many songs.

A good rule of thumb is to make the playlist time length a little bit longer than your estimated drive time. This is especially helpful if you hit traffic or take longer than planned, so you won’t be left listening to the same songs over and over again.

Adding more songs also helps if you want to listen to the same playlist on the drive back because you’ll get to hear songs you didn’t on your drive down. When it comes to songs, you can never have too many on your playlist!

Last but not least, have your playlist downloaded in case you travel to a destination that has poor Internet connection. Contact us for more Road Trip Playlist Tips to have a great car experience in Rwanda and beyond.