Charlotte Eriksson once said, “Go outside. Don’t tell anyone. Don’t bring your phone. Just walk until the road stops feeling familiar.” In Mzansi, we say: “Start the car. Grab your charger. Hit the road until the robots are replaced by traffic circles and instead of taking a pic of the pothole for your claim, you’re snapping pics of the breathtaking Hole in The Wall.”

That’s what road trips are about: breaking routine, finding fresh scenery, and letting the road take you somewhere you’ve never been. But when it’s time to hit the road, Jack, a good journey isn’t just about where you’re going. It’s about the soundtrack that gets you there (and Extended Car Warranty cover that helps you make a U-turn when things take a turn for the worst).

Whether you’re heading home after the holidays, or your “time off” is only starting now, or even if you’re just chasing a good sunset, we’ve put together the ultimate 2026 road trip quotes, car captions, and driving music playlist to make you vibe all the way to your destination.

RELATED: 25 THERAPEUTIC DRIVING QUOTES

The Ultimate Road Trip Quotes

Driving quotes on adventure and discovery

  • "The only impossible journey is the one you never begin." - Tony Robbins.

  • "Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost." – Unknown.

  • "Look at every exit as being an entrance to somewhere else." – Unknown.

  • "The road less travelled is the road to adventure." – Unknown. 

Driving quotes on the journey and happiness

  • "Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey." - Babs Hoffman.

  • "The journey, not the arrival, matters." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

  • "Happiness is planning a trip somewhere new with someone you love." - Saadiyat Rotana.

  • "Happiness is a road trip with a good playlist." – Unknown.

  • "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." - Eleanor Roosevelt. 

Driving quotes on the road and freedom

  • "Life is a highway, and I want to ride it all night long." - Tom Cochrane.

  • "The open road is a beckoning, a strangeness, a place where a man can lose himself." – Unknown.

  • "Wander where the Wi-Fi is weak." – Unknown.

  • "Take the scenic route, your soul will thank you for it." – Unknown.

Your Ultimate Driving Music Playlists

From sing-alongs to steering-wheel drumming. Whether you’re Rolling in the Deep, cruising with No Scrubs, or mumbling along to songs you pretend you know: you want the kind of music where the journey becomes less about the destination and more about the perfect rhythm of wheels, headlights, and beats. Here’s what you need to know when putting together your 2026 playlist.

  • Feeling pumped? Rock. Hip-Hop. Or anything you usually play loud enough to vibrate the number plates.

  • Feeling nostalgic? Local classics or the real tearjerkers, you choose. You need the kind of songs that make you hold your breath and let the emotions breathe.

  • Need a boost? Upbeat Amapiano or dance tracks to keep the energy high. Dubstep? Anything but lullabies goes here.

Loud and local gems

No matter where you’re going, every South African road trip deserves at least one song that turns the car into a moving karaoke booth. And if your playlist jumps from Amapiano to a random “Nkalakatha”, with Kurt Darren’s “Kaptein” sneaking in somewhere, then congratulations; you’re proudly RSA, no DNA test required. But whatever your local flavour is, from Gqom-ing things up, to keeping it kiff with The Kiffness, one thing’s for sure: you can’t go wrong with your local faves on a long journey.

Rocking while you’re rolling

When the kilometres stretch out, you need music that really rocks on. That’s where your pop-rock arsenal comes in, with you belting out Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody”, then segueing between Reggae, Country, and back to Imagine Dragons. That sounds like a good road trip to us, literally. Because when it comes to the perfect playlist, there really are no rules.

The Perfect Night Drive Playlist

There’s something magical about driving under the streetlights with the city fading behind you. Cue your playlist. Maybe it's smooth jazz or R&B drifting through the car as headlights carve through the darkness. Perhaps for you, it’s all about the club going up on Tuesday and settling the beef between Drake and Kendrick. And then, as you pass sleepy towns, it’s all about Gladys Knight, making the shadows dance along the dashboard. And Sade! What’s a long drive under the stars without Sade?

Simple singalong

You can’t go wrong with pop songs everyone knows by heart. Windows up or down, it doesn’t matter. These are the tracks that turn stop-and-go traffic into a concert, and have you absolutely convinced you could headline if someone just gave you a mic. That pure bliss of, “I’ve heard this a thousand times, and I’ll happily hear it a thousand more”, energy. Because sometimes the best road trip music isn’t about discovering something new. It’s about knowing every word, every beat drop, every dramatic pause… and loving it every single time.

This is hands-down the easiest playlist you’ll ever make, because you don’t really have to make it. It works everywhere: short errands, long drives, traffic that turns a 15-minute trip into a full podcast commitment. You know the songs, even if you don’t know all the words yet. And that’s the beauty of it – it’s fresh, familiar, and somehow still hits every time. It’s also the safest playlist choice when you’ve got passengers. No explaining your taste. No apologising. If you're looking for music that feels current and completely stress-free, the Trending Now playlist is your go-to.

Car Captions to Level Up Your Road Trip Instagram Photos

  • “Life is a highway, and there are always Waze around the potholes.”

  • “Always take the scenic route. Even when Maps says it adds 47 minutes – that’s what the playlist is for.”

  • “Every road trip teaches you something. Even if it’s just who shouldn’t control the AUX.”

  • “Always take the scenic route. Your camera roll will thank you.”

  • “Chasing sunsets and petrol specials.”

  • “New views, same snacks. Let’s go.”

  • “Road tripping: because therapy is expensive.”

  • “My car and I? Bonded by fuel receipts and memories.”

  • “On the road again, tell everyone I’ll be late.”

  • “Windows down, worries gone.”

  • “BRB, finding myself (somewhere out there).”

  • “Cruising into 2026 like it’s my era tour.”

  • “A good playlist takes care of your mood, dotsure.co.za takes care of everything else.”

RELATED: CAR TRIP INSTAGRAM QUOTES FOR GIRLS

“Drive Safely” Message: A Small Gesture That Goes a Long Way

Send a Drive Safe message to the people you love who are travelling. It’s a small habit, but it quietly sets the tone for the whole journey. It’s a reminder that someone is waiting for you on the other side, and that getting there safely matters more than getting there fast. A simple “Drive safe, nê”(yes – the nê is compulsory). “Let me know when you arrive” carries weight. It says take your time, watch the road, and I care — all in one line. And when that “We’re here” message finally comes through, it’s a small relief that feels like a deep exhale.

An insured car turns detours into stories, not disasters

Hit the road knowing those “what’s that sound?” moments can be music to your ears with our Extended Car Warranty cover that hits all the right notes.

Because we know that your car sometimes plays sounds that aren’t on the playlist. A strange rattle. A knock you swear wasn’t there yesterday. A noise that makes you turn the music down and your worry up. It’s in those moments that dotsure.co.za’s warranty really earns its place. With cover for over 60 key mechanical and electrical components, it steps in when your car starts singing in a language you don’t understand. Speak to us about warranty that makes the weird noises fade away, anytime.