New York, NY — The Trujillo Gonzalez Law Firm released a study on September 18, 2026, ranking the most frequent Spotify driving songs by tempo. The analysis examined 30 road‑trip playlists, identified 50 songs that appeared most often, and measured each track’s beats per minute.

The firm’s data show that the top five songs are Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” at 192 BPM, Oasis’s “Wonderwall” at 173 BPM, The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “STAY” at 169 BPM, Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell” at 166 BPM, and Blondie’s “One Way Or Another” at 162 BPM. “Shape of You” appeared on 24 of the 30 playlists and has more than 5 billion Spotify streams. The remaining top‑ten entries include Pharrell Williams’s “Happy” (164 BPM), Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” (165 BPM), Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” (168 BPM), The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” (167 BPM), and Bruno Mars’s “Locked Out of Heaven” (165 BPM).

Tempo was used as the primary metric because research has linked higher BPM to changes in driver attention and speed. Studies indicate that faster music can increase alertness in some settings, but it may also elevate cognitive load when driving demands are high. The Trujillo Gonzalez Law Firm notes that a high BPM does not automatically cause unsafe driving; it is one piece of a complex interaction between music and the driving environment.

Long‑haul research adds another layer. Medium‑tempo music has been found to balance fatigue and attention best over extended trips, while fast music can reduce fatigue early on but may impair focus after many hours. Very slow music tends to increase drowsiness over time. These findings suggest that a playlist that feels fine on an open interstate may become problematic in heavy traffic, bad weather, or a construction zone.

Volume also matters. Reviews of driving studies show that louder music can influence speed and reaction time. A driver who keeps volume high on a fast track may experience a different level of distraction than one who listens at a moderate level. Adjusting volume in response to road conditions can mitigate some of the potential risks identified by the tempo analysis.

What This Means for Drivers

CDL‑A holders and owner‑operators should monitor how their music choice matches the current driving context. If a high‑energy song is playing on a congested highway, lowering the volume or switching to a slower track can reduce mental load. In long, open stretches, medium‑tempo music may help maintain alertness without over‑stimulation. Drivers who notice lapses in concentration should consider pausing the music or turning it off entirely, especially during critical maneuvers such as lane changes or merging.

Industry Reaction

While the study did not gather direct comments from carriers, trucking associations have highlighted the importance of driver wellness and focus. FMCSA regulations emphasize safe driving practices, and many fleets already implement driver‑assist programs that include audio guidelines. Industry observers suggest that the data can inform future playlist recommendations and training modules for fleet managers.

Key Points

• Trujillo Gonzalez Law Firm ranked “Shape of You” (192 BPM) as the fastest song on 24 of 30 Spotify road‑trip playlists.
• Medium‑tempo music best balances fatigue and attention over long hauls, while fast music may reduce fatigue but impair focus after several hours.
• Volume changes can alter the effect of music on driving speed and reaction time.
• Tempo alone does not prove unsafe driving; it is one factor among many influencing driver distraction.

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