After Dark: The Top 5 Best Albums For A Night Drive

Maybe you are heading back home after a night shift from work. Or you could be on a cross-country trip when you decide to soldier on overnight instead of stopping at a hotel. Or maybe you’re just cruising around town, giving yourself time to think and appreciating the lack of traffic.

Many circumstances could leave you driving in the middle of the night. When those moments arise, make sure you have the proper soundtrack. Consider these five albums for accompaniment the next time you embark on a nocturnal journey.

The Photo Album by Death Cab for Cutie

Truthfully, every album from the Washington-based band makes for excellent driving music.

 When you’ve listened to Plans or Transatlanticism too many times, try one of Death Cab’s earlier outings. This album delivers the same long, haunting instrumental sections and poetic lyrics you’re used to.

Winning Song: “A Movie Script Ending”

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie

If you’ve seen the film adaptation of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” you may remember that the movie’s misfit heroes drive through a tunnel at night to the sweet sounds of some unidentified song. Charlie, the main character, says that they “feel infinite” during that moment. At the end of the movie, we finally learn that the mysterious track was “Heroes” by David Bowie. Find your own moment of infinity with Bowie’s most acclaimed album.

Winning Song: “Moonage Daydream”

Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming by M83

If the title alone doesn’t convince you that this album is perfect for a night drive, try listening to its tracks. Each song has a dreamlike quality to match the evening atmosphere and a synthesized beat to ensure that you don’t fall asleep while on the road. And if you’re impressed with critical acclaim, Pitchfork Media dubbed M83’s most recent offering as one of the 100 best albums of the decade thus far (#22, to be exact). 

Winning Song: “Wait”

Moontan by Golden Earring

Do your road trips often involve belting out “Livin’ on a Prayer” or “Don’t Stop Believin’“? Find a new classic rock favorite with this album from Golden Earring. This pick might be a little on the nose—the first line to “Radar Love” is “I’ve been driving all night, my hands wet on the wheel”—but that doesn’t make it any less perfect for a long night on the road.

Winning Song: “Radar Love”

Kid A by Radiohead

Let’s finish out a list full of psychedelic beats, melancholy voices, and repetitive loops with a pick that combines all three. Radiohead uses synthesizers, strings, drums, brilliant songwriting, and even samples of classical music to create an otherworldly sound.

Winning Song: “The National Anthem”

Whatever playlist you end up forming, choose songs that will help you stay focused on the road and make it home safe at the end of your music-fueled trip. Too often, those driving at night become drowsy or will choose to ignore certain traffic laws. Distracted or drowsy driving could increase your risk of causing an accident and even death. This is known as vehicular homicide, which attorney Ben Sessions says drivers can be charged with even if they had no intention of causing another’s death. Make sure your nighttime drives, regardless of the soundtrack you select for them, are enjoyed with a clear head and not so much as a hint of drowsiness. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional nighttime road trip, as long as you stay safe and alert.