Truck drivers have limited entertainment when they’re out on the road. However, one thing that truckers do have is their radio. One of the most overlooked trucking tips is to mix in various media to keep your mind occupied. For example, some truckers will listen to their music for eight hours a day, but if they’re jamming out, they’ll get tired.
Another group will remain in silence for 80% of the day.
However, most truckers recommend mixing up what you listen to avoid getting tired and drained. For example, you might put on your favorite Spotify playlist, turn to talk radio for a while and then listen to a sports game.
Modern truckers use a few forms of entertainment to pass the time and keep themselves sane:
- Music
- Audiobooks
- Podcasts
And when it comes to audiobooks, truckers always note that they require significantly more attention than music. If you do listen to a few audiobooks, be sure that you’re listening on the open road rather than while in the middle of the city or in a construction zone when you need to have your undivided attention on trucking.
Long-haul truckers wanting some good music to jam out to are in for a treat. We’re going to cover the top trucking playlists for long-haul drivers – each with many hours of listening time. We’ll mix in a little something for everyone, so you’ll never get bored with your playlists when hauling across the country.
6 Great Trucking Spotify Playlists for Long Hauls
1. Outlaw Trucking
Outlaw Trucking is a playlist that is composed of some of the best truck driving songs of all time. You’ll find an incredible mix of amazing artists including Steve Earle, Clint Black, Restless Heart, Brooks & Dunn, Bruce Springsteen… just to name a few. In total, this playlist offers:
- 404 songs
- Over 24 hours of playtime
For literally non-stop trucking driving tunes, you can do no better than this playlist to keep you going for the long haul.
2. Top Hits of the 2000s
Do you like the hits of the 2000s? If you find yourself jamming to the likes of Usher, Shakira, Maroon 5, Kanye West, Lil Jon, Destiny’s Child and others, this is the playlist for you. The list has an eclectic mix of music and artists, and you’re going to love some songs and not others.
But the playlist has:
- 258 songs
- 16 hours of playtime
If you want to go back to the 90s, there are also playlists that you’ll love.
3. Best 90s Alternative Playlist Ever
The 90s were an influential time for music, and there were many great artists that really shined at the time. From grunge to indie rock to shoegaze, this playlist is filled with a mix of well-known artists , many of whom are still churning out the hits today.
- 167 songs
- 11+ hours of playtime
The playlist has an amazing mix of artists such as Blink 182, the Cranberries, Weezer, Third Eye Blind, Radiohead, Stone Temple Pilots and many, many others.
4. 80s Greatest Hits
Do you want to listen to the likes of a-ha, Journey, Elton John, Toto, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, Van Halen and others? This massive playlist is for you, and will keep you in the Big-Hair decade for over 24 hours straight. This playlist consists of:
- 629 songs
- Over 24 hours of playtime
When it comes to. the hits of the 80s, this playlist offers the ultimate non-stop mega-mix of everything you can possibly imagine..
5. 70s Rock
The 70s was another magical time in music. If you love 70s music, you’ll love the artists on this playlist, which include the likes of the Bee Gees, Eagles, Donna Summer, Queen, ABBA, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many others.
- 130 songs in total
- 9+ hours of runtime
If you love the 70s, this is a well-rounded playlist that offers many of the greatest hits and iconic rock songs of the era.
6. Top Country Hits of Today
If you’re looking to stay up on some of the latest in country music, you can do no better than this long-lasting playlist, featuring a few artists you probably haven’t heard before, and many other who you definitely have. All of them are currently working their way up the country charts, and will keep you toe-tapping for hours on end.
- 364 songs
- 19+ hours of playtime
You’ll enjoy music from the likes of Old Dominion, Darius Rucker, and Jesslee.
7. Jazz Classics
Jazz is one of the most recommended genres among truckers. You don’t have to focus on vocals as much, and jazz will relax you while also allowing you to stay in the zone. With over 8 hours of the best jazz songs of all time, this is the perfect playlist to relax to.
- 134 songs
- 10+ hours of playtime
You’ll enjoy music from the likes of John Coltrane, Theloniouss Monk, and Talk Five.
Final Notes on the Optimal Trucking Music
Distracted driving is a serious issue across the country. While music can keep you awake and alert, some music is more distracting than others. In fact:
- Young drivers prefer making their own playlists, but preferred lists lead to higher traffic violations
- Some studies show that music helps calm aggression
However, certain music genres, volume and tempo can also impact driving. If you find that certain music or playlists lead to greater distractions, limit them.
For most truckers, music should be background noise that you can ignore when you want but keep you awake and alert when needed. If you love country music but find that it puts you to sleep, you might not want to play any of this genre, especially if you’re going to be on the road at night.
With the lists above, you’ll find a wide range of music options that offer something for everyone, from the senior trucker to the person who just obtained their CDL out of high school.
You can also add on to these lists to include your favorite songs and artists.
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