8 Songs for Your Ontario Summer Road Trip Playlist

With summer around the corner, we’re daydreaming about one of our favourite Ontario experiences, the summer road trip. Whether you’re beach-hopping along the coast of Lake Huron, or day-tripping to Niagara Falls, nothing says summer like exploring Ontario, and lingering over the hidden gems you find along the way.

What completes the trip? The perfect summer playlist, of course! We asked you to share your essential summer road trip songs (by Ontario artists), and here’s what you told us:

Kiss Cam by Arkells
Submitted by Croppedsensor_ and Boondzy via Instagram
Road Trip Pairing: Cruisin’ the South Coast

A stone’s throw from the Arkell’s hometown of Hamilton, this scenic route tours through picturesque villages and beachy wonders all the way to Ontario’s Southcoast.

Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane
Submitted by Sensationalkp and Suereid049 via Instagram and Linda Latimer and Scooter PF via Facebook
Road Trip Pairing: A Superior Journey

From “the soo” to the Giant, there’s no better way to experience the Lake Superior coastline than on the open road, and this song perfectly captures the freedom of this iconic northern drive.

Open Window by Sarah Harmer
Submitted by _.piccolo._
Road Trip Pairing: Georgian Bay Loop

Get in touch with the natural beauty and rich heritage of scenic Georgian Bay. Take in views of the Niagara Escarpment, a natural wonder which features in many of Sarah Harmer’s songs.

Bobcaygeon by the Tragically Hip
Submitted by Sdmoults andTy__perry via Instagram and by Lisa Marie via Facebook.
Road Trip Pairing: Lakeside Leisure

Wind your way through the rugged Canadian Shield to the lakeside resorts of the Muskoka, Haliburton and Kawarthas region, with an essential stop in Bobcaygeon, the summery town made famous by the Tragically Hip.

Hold On, We’re Going Home by Drake
Submitted by victoria_yyz via Instagram
Road Trip Pairing: Toronto & Niagara Grand Tour

A road trip from the big city to the Falls wouldn’t be complete without a soundtrack provided by one of Toronto’s biggest supporters.

Hasn’t Hit Me Yet by Blue Rodeo
Submitted by Laurie Scott via Facebook
Road Trip Pairing: Waterways to Ottawa & Beyond

Follow the waterways through a region steeped in history from Prince Edward County to Ottawa – be sure to spend some time in Kingston where Blue Rodeo lead singer, Jim Cuddy, spent time in his early music career as a student at Queen’s University.

Down by the Bay by Raffi
Submitted by Ejwoodla via Instagram
Road Trip Pairing: Beach Bound on Lake Huron

Sing along with the kids as you get a taste of the beach life on Lake Huron. Don’t miss the chance to treat the family to ice cream down by the bay at Scooper’s Ice Cream in Sauble Beach.

Great Lakes by Harlan Pepper
Submitted by Knymz via Instagram
Road Trip Pairing: True Explorer: Circuit Champlain

There’s over 250,000 lakes and waterways to explore in Ontario, and you’ll get a beautiful sample along this route, starting from the Ottawa river, finishing on Lake Huron.