Travel, whether by car or by air, always held a powerful appeal for me growing up. That might be the reason I decided to pack up and head to the Midwest for school, 1300 miles or so from the only city in which I'd ever lived. If I were forced to name a favorite feature of travel, though, I choose the music.

Chances to listen to music are hardly scarce, but a travel atmosphere makes music all the more pure. Conversation is rare on a truly long road trip, and the confined quarters of a plane make direct contact both unavoidable and genuinely uncomfortable. Consequently, the splendid isolation of a perfect playlist becomes all the more precious.

Moreover, I name the winter travel season as my unrivaled favorite. The crisp outside air and pleasant music make for a heart-warming jaunt home, but a season so special deserves a very specific playlist. For anyone who will be traveling this week to spend time at home or with loved ones, allow me to share a mix of my favorite selections for the trip.

1. Death Cab for Cutie - "Transatlanticism"

I've always felt that Death Cab for Cutie could have released the eponymous album "Transatlanticism" with only this song included. It's lengthy at nearly eight minutes, but although it's no Christmas song it's nonetheless one of my favorite songs to travel with.

2. Pentatonix - "Mary, Did You Know"

This Christmas standard didn't know what hit it when pop acapella group Pentatonix recorded a version in their holiday standards collection. Since the first time I heard it performed, I've associated Christmas with this track above other traditional holiday standards, and I especially enjoy listening by the window on a night flight.

3. Snow Patrol - "New York"

The flagship single from "Fallen Empires," the only album I've ever preordered, this tune encapsulates the sense of distance in a powerful way. No, it's no Christmas song, but it's hard to find a better song to describe separation from the comfort of home, love, and family.

4. Namco Sounds - "Glacial Skies"

As Namco might have given away from the artist description, this is a soundtrack selection. The Ace Combat series for PlayStation was an iconic franchise in its prime, and nothing set the tone quite like its unique mix of instrumentals and electronics. This is a song for cloudy skies and swift flight.

5. Something Corporate - "I Woke Up In A Car"

I love the music of Andrew McMahon; this is the first of two appearances on this list for the Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin front man. Written to express the wildness of cross-country touring, you will come to appreciate it as I do if your trip lasts longer than two days by car.

6. New Politics - "Tonight You're Perfect"

If you should be so unfortunate as to be stranded on your trip, may you be as lucky as Denmark's New Politics. Indeed, they seem to be happier on their post-cancellation misadventure than at their original destination. This recording can't capture the full quality of the group's live sound, but it comes close.

7. Dean Martin - "Let It Snow"

I give a nod to family tradition with this one; many a year have we listened to the Christmas collections of the Rat Pack as we made the neighborhood Christmas light rounds. I chose this over Santa Claus is Comin' to Town in a tight contest, but there isn't a bad standard in the bunch.

8. Jack's Mannequin - "The Lights and Buzz"

This wonderful B-side from the 2005 album Everything in Transit was an iTunes exclusive, and it remained until recently one of the best-kept secrets in my music library. Though I substitute Arizona for California, the ironically chilly chorus of a "West Coast winter" speaks to my sense of place. As a closing track, I submit The Lights and Buzz.