21 Ultimate Relaxing Driving Playlist Songs

If car journeys make you feel tense and stressed and make your kids feel agitated, then you need this playlist of relaxing classics to drive to.

Whether you’re coasting down country roads or just trying to carve out a moment of calm on your daily commute, music has a powerful way of shifting gears in our minds. It is scientifically proven to alter moods and is a quick and powerful tool to rest your mind and body if you are feeling overwrought.

To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, private plates supplier Regtransfers has curated the “Ultimate Relaxing Driving” playlist on Spotify – a handpicked collection of chilled classics designed to bring a little peace to your journey. Each of these tracks serves a gentle reminder to slow down, breathe deep, and enjoy the ride.

The full playlist features 20 tracks (about an hour and a half of music), but below, we’ve drawn up a few highlights – with a little trivia and reflection on what makes each one such a joy to drive to.

Let me tell you a little about 2 of my faves from the playlist and what is special about them.

U2 – “Beautiful Day”

Bono and U2 get a lot of flak, thanks in no small part to the baffling decision to release their 2014 album “Songs of Innocence” onto the music accounts of 500 million iTunes users without their permission.

14 years prior, however, the Irish rock band released their tenth studio album, All That You Can’t Leave Behind, kicking off proceedings with the exceptional audio adventure, “Beautiful Day”. This one’s perfect if you want to ramp things up just a touch without losing the chilled undertone. It’s a rock song, sure, but U2’s unmistakable “arena rock” sound gives it an extra quality of spaciousness that fits well even among more subdued tracks.

Sadly, both band and song have become something of a cliche in recent years, but this song remains an absolute must-have for long drives in broad, open spaces. Set your eyes on the horizon and sing along.

Harry Styles – “Watermelon Sugar”

Alright, we’re cheating with this one – it’s not a “classic” in the same sense as the other songs on this playlist, but it’s still a classic.

Critics have likened Styles to iconic pop personalities like David Bowie, Mick Jagger and even Prince – all we know is that “Watermelon Sugar” sounds even better when listened to with the wind in our hair and a smile on our face.

With a hazy introduction that builds to a suitably toe-tapping crescendo, “Watermelon Sugar” builds enough to become a fun little mood-lifter while driving, but not so much that it’ll be out of place in your “chill driving” playlist. Your kids will definitely love this one too!

want to check out the full list?