In this month’s ancient epic, Year One, actor-writer David Cross sets off on a hilarious journey with hunter-gatherers Jack Black and Michael Cera. Here, the Emmy winner maps out his own Cross-country mix. Play that Fünke music, white boy.

When I think of a road trip, I think of the numerous trips I’ve taken cross-country or up and down either coast. A soundtrack to one of those trips would probably be 100 songs long. Since you’ve asked for 10, I’ll assume this is a much shorter trip. The first five songs are for the ride there and the second five are for the ride home, when you’re exhausted and more than a little buzzed. Also, let’s be honest -- I’m a professional. I have more than 50 songs on my iPod, so I could do this in my sleep. This probably took me about 48 seconds.

GETTING THERE: “Go,” by the Apples in Stereo. Make sure everyone’s buckled in. Let’s say you’re up earlier than normal -- this is like aural caffeine.

“Stereo,” by Pavement. This is a great get-up-and-go, make-you-shake song.

“Bad Kids,” by the Black Lips. By the time you get to “Bad Kids,” which almost has a ’60s feel to it, you’re awake. You’re on the highway now, out of the city on the highway. This song allows you to actually dance in the car while you’re driving. Plus, nobody’s up this early, so you can swerve and sway without the fear of hitting anybody.

“I Don’t Give a Fuck,” by Boss. You’re getting close, and you’re all gassed up -- you gassed up the night before -- so you don’t have to fucking stop for nothing.

The Who’s “Baba O’Riley.” No one wants to roll up to the beach looking like they’re on day three of a meth bender, so you’ve got to come down with this song.

Okay, it’s been a long day. You’ve been lounging for hours in this inner tube, soaking up the sun. You got drunker faster than you’d planned; you forgot to pack half the shit you wanted, while the other half got soggy. So you eat wet egg salad, because who gives a shit about soggy egg salad? You’re just a little exhausted, in a good way, and as I said, you’ve been sitting in the sun. Listen to this on your way home. It’s a bit mellower.

COMING HOME: Yo La Tengo’s “Big Day Coming.” Your brain is kind of wide open, but you don’t want to get too relaxed or you’ll crash. This is a great sing-along song -- perfect to decelerate.

“NY,” by the Doves. Any of the songs from the first part of the trip would just be annoying at this point. I can’t fucking listen to “I Don’t Give a Fuck,” because I’m mellow. I had a great day. I can’t believe I banged that girl over at Dead Man’s Island.

“We Got Time,” by Moray McLaren. The only hooch they had at the rest stop was shitty sweet wine on ice, so you’ve got a bit of a headache, but that’s what the weed is for.

The Bird and The Bee’s “The Races.” Listen to Inara George’s voice -- it’s beautiful and soothing. It’s like the road has turned into two angel wings that have been covered in velveteen fur by some guy who makes really good slipcovers. The tires are gone from your car, and you’re riding on hot, greased marshmallows.

“Easy Silence,” by the Dixie Chicks. The album that this comes from, Taking the Long Way, is phenomenal. Every song is great. This song is especially nice if your lover is sitting next to you, and you can think about him or her while you sing that song -- not too loud, though, because that’s just annoying to other people in the car. Nobody wants the driver to be singing at full volume.

“Harvest Moon,” by Neil Young. It’s kind of soft, but still upbeat and pleasant, and gets you in a good frame of mind as you pull in the driveway. Leave most of your stuff in the car. You’ll get it in the morning -- it’s fine.

DAVID'S FAVORITE JAPANESE RESTAURANT: SOTO, NEW YORK CITY

Sound check: Cross, photographed in a red 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, New York City. Photo by Allison Michael Orenstein; Styling by Bryan Levandowski