Spending hours in the car to and from school, to Spring Break, or on the way back home after months of being away can get a little bit dull, even after the first few minutes. If this is your first long road trip or your fourteenth, you've certainly got all your necessities: your bags, a huge supply of candy, your best friend sitting shotgun with the directions on her iPhone, and your favorite Starbucks coffee. All that's missing is a great playlist of songs to sing along to, to cheer you up as you drive along the never-ending highway through the sprawl, and, most importantly, to keep the hours passing. Here are some of my favorite songs and why you should absolutely download them as soon as possible.

1. "These Are Days" by 10,000 Maniacs

This upbeat song is definitely a throw-back and will take you back to a simpler time. This 1992 hit, released well before my time and yours, is best played on a road trip on an overcast, dreary day because it will instantly cheer you up and bring a smile to your face. "These Are Days" is so catchy; the vocals are incredible (thank you, Natalie Merchant); and you'll be singing along in no time, wishing you were dancing with all of your friends instead of trying to find your next exit.

2. "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" by Tracy Chapman

You may be familiar with Tracy Chapman's song "Fast Car," another great choice for your road trip mix, but "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" is one of my top picks for a good playlist and one of my most-played songs in general. Another excellent example of amazing vocals, the chorus of this song is an absolute gem and you'll have trouble keeping your hands on the wheel instead of in the air.

3. "Mary Jane's Last Dance" by Tom Petty and Heartbreakers

This classic song will remind you of summer nights gone by and of the last time you gave swing dancing your best shot at a band party. Tom Petty's country-rock hit will make the minutes pass more quickly and will have you humming along in no time. Soon enough you'll be out of the car and requesting this song that every band knows at your next college party.

4. "Jubel" by Klingande

Before you ask me about how to pronounce both this song's title and the name of the artist, I highly recommend giving this song a listen. This song has very limited vocals, but the beat is amazing: melancholic, high-energy, and inspiring all at once. "Jubel" is best played while driving into the sunset, traveling at at least 60 miles per hour. Play this song at the point in your road trip when you need a little pick-me-up, when the coffee has worn off, and when you think you can't drive any further.

5. "Scar Tissue" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

This Red Hot Chili Peppers classic is a great addition to any road trip playlist. With incredible guitar solos and meaningful lyrics, this song will become one of your favorites soon enough, even if you are convinced that you're not an RHCP fan. "Scar Tissue" will have you and everyone in your car singing along in no time, not even thinking about the long hours ahead of you.

6. "Good Day" by Nappy Roots

This catchy, feel-good classic will quickly become one of your favorites, even among the other (amazing) songs on the list. You won't be able to hold back a smile when you hear the song's familiar introductory words "let's begin now," and you'll be singing along even if you weren't familiar with "Good Day" before. This song will instantly uplift even the most downtrodden of listeners (e.g. those of you who still have 200 miles to go).

7. "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens

"Peace Train" is one of Cat Stevens' most inspiring songs and in most cases plunges its listener into an era of flower children and peace marches. This song reflects the strong anti-war sentiment that pervaded the 1970s, and its message is one that still matters today, for both individuals and society. Even if you are someone that doesn't usually become emotional while listening to songs, "Peace Train," the perfect mix of woe and bliss, will certainly move you.

8. "Homegrown" by Zac Brown Band

This country hit is reminiscent of late summer and early fall nights with friends, and even if you are adamant that you do not like country music, you have to give this one a listen. You'll be tapping your hands on the steering wheel to the beat and singing along after a few seconds, and you'll surely reconsider your feelings about country music in no time.

9. "Against the Wind" by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

This classic song should be on everyone's playlist, and if it's not already, you should add it right away. "Against the Wind" is one of the most sentimental, emotion-inspiring, and quintessential songs of all time and is best listened to when the end of your journey is in sight.

10. "Adore You" by Miley Cyrus

No road trip playlist would be complete without a little Miley. "Adore You" is one of Miley Cyrus' more serious, passionate songs, and you'll be singing along (not nearly as well as our girl MC), pretending your cell phone is a microphone. This song is for those who are heartbroken, cheerful, or anything in between. Thank you, Miley, for this fabulous hit.

11. "Layla" by Derek & The Dominos

This song, from its legendary instrumental introduction to its iconic ending notes, is well worth a spot on your road trip mix. Although many are partial to the acoustic version of this number, I recommend the seven-minute-long original. Eric Clapton will soon become one of your favorite musicians, if he is not already, and this song will certainly have you in tears if you're at all a sap like myself. This jewel of a song is best played as you arrive at your destination, but you have to promise that you'll stay in the car until the final guitar chords fade away.

12. "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac

"Thunder only happens when it's raining. Players only love you when they're playing." These renowned lyrics and many others, sung by Stevie Nicks, go down in history as some of the most inspirational, meaningful, poignant words ever put to music. If you feel like a flower child or have the spirit of a gypsy, you'll fall in love with Queen Stevie. Fleetwood Mac is always your best bet, in the car and out, and "Dreams" is best listened to whenever you want, on repeat if you please. "Dreams," the final song in this selection, wins my vote for best song by a mile landslide.