The Ultimate Pacific Northwest Road Trip Playlist

One of my favorite things about music is how it can transport you. It’s irrevocably tied to our memories, able to instantly take us back to a specific age, moment, or place. This playlist is designed to be the perfect soundtrack to your adventure in Washington, Oregon, or Northern California. Inspired by the misty grey skies and casual vibe so iconically associated with the region, this road trip playlist has all the Pacific Northwest feels. And when you return, just throw on this playlist to instantly be transported back whenever you’re missing the PNW.

Whether you’ve got a trip coming up or you just want to mentally transport yourself, this is the ultimate Pacific Northwest Road Trip playlist.

Catch the full Pacific Northwest Road Trip playlist at the bottom of this article. Follow it on Spotify to have it added to your Playlists for easy access. Be sure to check out The Awayist on Spotify for more travel-themed playlists as well.

A foggy, overcast pine forest in Olympic National Park, Washington.

Pacific Northwest Playlist

The Vibe
Chill, Atmospheric, Low-Fi

Notable Artists
Bon Iver • Beach House • Vancouver Sleep Clinic • Barrie • spill tab • Sufjan Stevens • Damien Jurado • Novo Amor • Charlotte Day Wilson
• The Shins • and more.

The Inspiration

Picture yourself sitting in a Seattle coffee shop on a gray, drizzly afternoon. Or driving through a misty forest of mossy, towering pine trees on the Olympic Peninsula. Or perhaps walking the puddle-lined streets of Portland or Vancouver in your rubber rain boots. That was the inspiration behind this playlist. It’s a real vibe and one that feels wholeheartedly like the PNW.

The Pacific Northwest Playlist is perfect for a drive along Highway 101 in the fog in Redwood National Park, California

Start Planning your Pacific Northwest Road Trip

Featured Artists

While the majority of the songs on this playlist are one-offs, there are a few artists who make a reoccurring appearance. These artists anchor the playlist, ensuring that, although the playlist has tons of variety, the vibe stays consistent.

Bon Iver

This playlist has A LOT of Bon Iver and was heavily influenced by their sound. I had to restrain myself from just packing the playlist with their entire discography. Although Bon Iver’s founder, Justin Vernon, is a Wisconsin native (represent!), songs like “Hey Ma” and “Skinny Love” just scream Pacific Northwest.

Beach House

Beach House manages to make its way onto a lot of our travel playlists, and this one is no exception. She has some of the most chill and relaxing melodies I’ve come across, which make for an excellent soundtrack to any road trip. “Somewhere Tonight”, “Common Girl”, and “Wildflower” are all Pacific Northwest soundtrack staples in my book.

Vancouver Sleep Clinic

Despite the name, this band isn’t actually from Vancouver – they’re from Australia, but a deep love for Vancouver is woven into the music. Tim Bettinson chose this name for his musical project because of how beautiful he thought the city of Vancouver was, so it’s no wonder this band makes several appearances throughout this playlist. “I Sunk In All The Memories” is one of my favorite tracks on the playlist. And there’s something about the song “Lung” that inexplicably gives me goosebumps and watery eyes. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Moss-covered trees in Redwood National Park, California

Listen to the ultimate Pacific Northwest road trip playlist while walking the trails along the coastal forests of Oregon

Standout Songs

In addition to all of the songs mentioned above, there are a few other tracks worth calling out. These really round out the playlist and capture the vibe of the Pacific Northwest.

4:38am – ford (feat. Barrie)

I saw Barrie open for Miya Folick a while back, and they’ve been one of my favorite bands since. This particular song was perfect for a Pacific Northwest Playlist – relaxing melodies layered with a low-fi beat and the calming vocals of Barrie Lindsay. So good.

Should Have Known Better – Sufjan Stevens

The softness of this song is what really won me over here. Each time I play it, I can just picture raindrops hitting the window while I watch, a cup of coffee in hand.

Allocate – Damien Jurado

Admittedly, this playlist is lacking in artists local to the region. As a Seattle native, Damien is here to represent the PNW. With lines like, “I can only exist so long as you laugh”, this song is a beautiful addition to the playlist.

Seattle skyline from the ferry across the Puget Sound in Washington

While the bones of the playlist will always stay the same, I’m consistently searching for new songs to add to the mix. Have anything you would add to this playlist? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to check them out!

Follow this playlist on Spotify to have it added to your Playlists for easy access. Be sure to check out The Awayist on Spotify for more travel-themed playlists as well.