50 Songs to Make Your Commute Back to College Seem a Little Less Sucky

No matter where you’re coming from or how long you’re in the car, the worst (or arguably, only bad) part of going back to school as a college kid is the drive. Whether you’re commuting by yourself, or awkwardly carpooling with hometown acquaintances, I’ve compiled a three hour playlist of head bangers and heart warmers to make the slowly-passing time a little less sucky, if not a bit more enjoyable.

1. It’s Time - Imagine Dragons

The perfect feel-good song to get you on your way.

2. This is How a Heart Breaks - Rob Thomas

Honestly anything by Rob/Matchbox 20 deserves a spot on this list.

3. I Don’t Want to Be - Gavin DeGraw

This one is for my fellow OTH fanatics.

4. Potential Breakup Song - Aly & AJ

It was her birthday, her stupid birthday.

5. Complicated - Avril Lavigne

If Avril’s new album is anything like her work in 2002, 2017 will be one for the books.

6. They Don’t Know About Us - One Direction

This song is a 1D banger, and you all know it.

7. Singing in the Rain/Umbrella - Glee Cast

Hate on Glee all you want, but this mashup is one of my favorites.

8. No Air - Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown

You can't sing this song without screaming the high notes, it's like a universal rule .

9. The Middle - Jimmy Eat World

It's catchy, and reassures you that you haven't screwed your life up entirely. Nicely done, Jimmy Eat World.

10. Leavin’ - Jesse McCartney

*Swoons*

11. Anything Could Happen - Ellie Goulding

Ellie is my favorite artist/person of all time, so it’s a miracle she’s only on this list once, but this song in particular is a classic.

12. Wonderwall - Oasis

This is one of those songs that you don't remember learning, but you've somehow always known the words to it.

13. Hall of Fame - The Script (feat. will.i.am)

You’re lying if you say this song doesn’t give you goosebumps.

14. Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Wanz)

As overplayed as it may have been, I can’t help but blare this song every time I hear it.

15. Somebody to Love - Justin Bieber

Ya’ll knew I had to make a place for the Biebs on this list.

16. Hey Ya! - Outkast

Give me some sugar, I am yo neighbor!

17. I Dare You to Move - Switchfoot

I relive One Tree Hill’s most iconic Naley scene every time I hear this song, and it doesn’t get any less emotional.

18. Here’s to Never Growing Up - Avril Lavigne

Part of me is ready to have a steady career and own a house, but then I listen to this song and want to be 19 forever.

19. Footloose - Kenny Loggins

Jeez, Louise.

20. Trashin’ the Camp - Phil Collins and Rosie O’Donnell

This one may not have any actual words in it, but it’s still lit enough to be on everyone’s playlist.

21. Pocketful of Sunshine - Natasha Bedingfield

No one can top Emma Stone singing along with this song in Easy A, but that doesn’t stop me from trying.

22. 21 Guns - Green Day

My inner fourth-grade emo thrives when this head banger plays.

23. Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus

The first of many Miley songs on this list, get used to it now.

24. She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5

This one is representative of everything that made the early 2000s amazing.

25. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke (feat. T.I. & Pharrell)

Hey hey hey.

26. The Reason - Hoobstank

This song will make you cry even if you don’t relate to its meaning.

27. Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye (feat. Kimbra)

Once you hear the unmistakable beat of the xylophone, there’s no going back.

28. This is Gospel - Panic! At the Disco

Prime example of a song that must be screamed at the top of your lungs.

29. Because of You - Kelly Clarkson

Young Kelly is the best Kelly.

30. Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani

Thank God for Gwen Stefani.

31. Come Clean - Hilary Duff

Also thank God for Hilary Duff aka arguably the only Disney star that didn’t go bat shit crazy.

32. The Climb - Miley Cyrus

Speaking of bat shit crazy, here's Miley song number 2.

33. London Bridge - Fergie

Fergalicious is definitely a classic, but London Bridge is way underrated. You know it’s about to go down when you hear that first “Oh shit!”

34. 1985 - Bowling for Soup

7-year-old me first learned this head banger from Kidz Bop 7, and I’ve been jamming to it ever since.

35. Party in the U.S.A - Miley Cyrus

If I had to pick a walk up song, this would be it without hesitation (Miley song number 3),

36. Yeah! - Usher ( feat. Lil John and Ludacris)

I have yet to meet someone who knows more than 25% of these lyrics, but its a classic nonetheless.

37. Teardrops on My Guitar - Taylor Swift

The first of many Taylor songs you memorized.

38. Sk8er Boi - Avril Lavigne

After Party in the U.S.A., this song is a close second for my walk up song.

39. Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

Just straight up inspirational, some of Natasha’s best work.

40. This Love - Maroon 5

Maroon 5 has gone through a lot of styles over the years, but every song they make from now on should be like this one.

41. Stop and Stare - OneRepublic

OneRepublic is one of those bands that are waaay underrated, especially when they make songs like this one and Viva La Vida (one of this list’s unlisted honorable mentions).

42. We Are Young - Fun.

The Glee version of this song is better, and I’m not apologizing for that claim.

43. I’ll Be There for You - The Remembrands

In honor of the best television show ever created.

44. Just Give Me a Reason - P!NK (feat. Nate Russe)

I honestly can’t think of a better duo to sing any song in the history of music.

45. Beautiful Soul - Jesse McCartney

*Swoons… again*

46. All the Small Things - Blink-182

A true head banger.

47. Stacy’s Mom - Fountains of Wayne

It’s been almost fourteen years, but Stacy’s mom still has it going on.

48. He Could Be the One - Hannah Montana

Some may say this doesn’t fall in the category of a Miley song, but number 4.

49. Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey

The ultimate classic.

50. I Love College - Asher Roth

And to conclude this extensive list of belt-worthy songs, here’s one to remind you of what college is REALLY all about (okay maybe not but that's how this song makes me feel).

Welcome back to your home away from home! Let's kick this semester's ass.