In this economy, aren’t we all $10 cowboys on a Texas vacation? Baby, that’s a fact, as this handsome fella from San Benito, Texas, would say. The country artist has blessed us with many albums since his debut in 2015, but it’s this standout from last year that I was playing on repeat before and after I saw him live at the rodeo in March. It’s a soulful and mellow album for an end-of-day drive. —Emma Balter

It should come as no surprise that this genre-bending country album from Houston’s own would make our list. With its blend of soulful ballads, head-bopping anthems, and legend-filled narrations, Cowboy Carter feels like a road trip in itself—full of detours, history lessons, and moments that hit you right in the gut. Whether you’re shimmying to “Ya Ya” or channeling your inner Thelma and Louise to “II Most Wanted” with your bestie, this album makes the miles melt away. It’s cinematic, it’s bold, it’s Beyoncé doing country her way. —Uvie Bikomo

Reggaeton is fun to listen to anytime, but when you’re on a long road trip and need something to hype you up, I deem it a necessity. That’s why I love jamming to this latest Bad Bunny release. A love letter to Puerto Rico, the album includes various samples of salsa songs that make me want to sing and dance my heart out. You don’t even have to understand Spanish to appreciate this masterpiece. —Sofia Gonzalez

This album gives off immaculate vibes. I love to listen to it with my windows rolled down, hair going crazy, and wind in my face. It truly makes you feel like you’re entering an endless summer vacation of your own, so duh, it’s a road trip fave. Although the album starts on the slower side, as you go through the tracks you’ll notice a gradual change to upbeat, experimental, dance-pop songs. Miley Cyrus’s talent is unreal. —SG

This is one of my “trapped on a desert island” albums, so of course I have it listed as one of my top road trip listens, too. Outside of the cities, Texas freeways can often be long stretches of stone nothing. It gets boring. A little hypnotic, even. You’ve got to keep yourself awake somehow, and this quintessential punk album has all the high energy you need to make it to your next destination. —Meredith Nudo

“Take the hiiiighwayyyy,” begins the first song of the titular album of this classic ’70s Southern rock band. It’s so on the nose I often put it on at the beginning of a long drive, unironically. The mix of country, rock, blues, and folk provides the ideal melody for a roll through Texas country roads, and you’ll definitely find yourself belting out the lyrics to “Can’t You See” (oooh, can’t you see). —EB

This timeless EP is the perfect soundtrack for a breezy Texas road trip. Fort Worth–raised indie soul singer Leon Bridges croons you into a golden haze of nostalgia, channeling Sam Cooke vibes with a modern edge, with the help of vibey Houston-born band Khruangbin. The self-titled track makes it easy to slip into cruise mode, windows down, heart wide open. It’s soulful, soothing, and rooted—just like the Lone Star State. —UB

David Byrne’s directorial debut, True Stories, is the greatest movie ever made about Texas (and among national treasure John Goodman’s greatest performances). The soundtrack is full of thematically appropriate Tejano, rock, and country bangers. If you’re able to get ahold of the album straight from the film, do yourself a favor and snag that one. But the version with just the Talking Heads performing is a reasonable enough substitute. —MN