Music is an essential part of the driving experience, so could movie soundtracks be the perfect accompaniment to the open road? They certainly have a knack for capturing the mood...
In September 2014, the BBC revealed that John Williams' Star Wars theme was the nation's favourite movie soundtrack, with The Good, The Bad and The Ugly at number two and West Side Story coming in Third.
Three dramatic choices there. But what goes best with a long holiday drive through the countryside and what's going to bring some excitement to a particularly dull stretch of motorway?
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Phil Edwards, Editor in Chief of film site Live For Films, told Huff Post UK Lifestyle that a great film soundtrack has the potential to "transform miles of road or a banal airport lounge into something almost magical.
"A good soundtrack can make a film. A great soundtrack does that too, but also makes you want to listen to it again and again. They can even make the jump to become soundtracks to our own lives".
Film expert and creator of the blog What Movie This Week, The Sloth, adds that the key ingredients to choosing a soundtrack for the road are "head-nodding potential, play acting potential and, of course, sing-along potential, which is something we can all indulge in once those windows are firmly wound up."
You may have a few favourite soundtracks in mind already, but for those in need of some inspiration, Phil and The Sloth have shared their top driving soundtracks for all terrains (and all vocal styles).
8 Movie Soundtracks For The Open Road
Reservoir Dogs(01 of08)
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Quentin Tarantino has a real talent for putting together excellent compilation soundtracks that match the intensity and excitement of his films. Phil says "Driving along to the soundtrack of Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs can make you feel as if you are driving along the streets of Los Angeles even if you are stuck in slow moving traffic on a British motorway while the rain falls". (credit:Miramax)
Almost Famous(02 of08)
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What better driving soundtrack could you find than one that's set on the road? "Want to imagine driving around in a tour bus going from gig to gig?" asks Phil, "then whack on the Almost Famous soundtrack and sing along to Elton John's Tiny Dancer with your friends". This album picked up a best compilation soundtrack Grammy in 2001. (credit:Dreamworks)
Kick Ass(03 of08)
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The Sloth Suggests the Kick Ass soundtrack which includes the "driving (no pun intended) beat of the Kick Ass theme, by Prodigy, to pound along to on your steering wheel and a stonking horn section. Dressing up as a pseudo-outlaw is optional". (credit:Universal Pictures)
Guardians Of The Galaxy(04 of08)
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Want to up the tempo and keep things light? Phil says "The recent Guardians of the Galaxy took songs from the 70s and 80s and worked wonders on a modern day sci-fi action film. If you just want some cool sounds to put a smile on your face then slip that into the tape deck and away you go". (credit:Disney / Marvel Studios)
This Is Spinal Tap(05 of08)
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Turn your car stereo up to 11 and get ready to rock out. There's no shame in knowing all the lyrics to this, because you're in your car... (credit:Polydor)
The Lincoln Lawyer(06 of08)
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The Sloth recommends the Lincoln Lawyer Soundtrack for letting your imagination take flight. "Pretend you're Matthew McConaughey's too-cool-for-school laconic lawyer in a Stetson and washed out jeans, with a terrific soundtrack that mixes hip hop with blues and soul, all blaring from your giant American convertible". (American convertible not required...) (credit:Lionsgate)
Drive(07 of08)
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No, this isn't in here just because it's driving themed.Drive's iconic Cliff Martinez electro soundtrack manages to be relaxing, moody and haunting all at the same time. Perfect for a night-time journey. (credit:FilmDistrict)
Little Shop Of Horrors(08 of08)
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It's difficult not to suggest a musical or two when you're putting together a compendium of soundtracks, but if you're looking for something a little more unorthodox, the Sloth's suggestion of 80's comedy horror Little Shop has sing-a-long/guilty pleasure appeal in droves. (credit:Warner Bros.)