No — Rascal Flatts didn't write 'Life Is a Highway.' Tom Cochrane wrote and first recorded it in 1991, hitting No. 1 in Canada and No. 6 on the US Hot 100. Rascal Flatts covered it in 2006 for Disney/Pixar's Cars, and their version reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It's a Rascal Flatts recording, but not a Rascal Flatts original. The song was written and first recorded by Canadian musician Tom Cochrane in 1991. Rascal Flatts covered it in 2006 for the Disney/Pixar film Cars — and that version became so popular that many people now assume it's theirs.
Who actually wrote it
Tom Cochrane, 1991. — The Canadian rock musician wrote and first recorded 'Life Is a Highway' for his album Mad Mad World, released in September 1991 on Capitol Records.
It was a hit on its own. — Cochrane's original reached No. 1 in Canada and No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 — a rock hit years before any country version.
Rascal Flatts covered it 15 years later. — Their version is a cover, released in June 2006 for the Cars soundtrack, not an original composition. Chris LeDoux had also covered it in 1998 for his album One Road Man.
Why everyone links it to Rascal Flatts
It's on the Cars soundtrack. — Rascal Flatts recorded it for the 2006 Disney/Pixar movie Cars, putting it in front of a massive family audience.
It became a crossover smash. — Their cover reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, sold over three million copies in the US by 2013, and is the band's most-streamed song.
They even named an album after it. — The reunited trio called their June 2025 duets album Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets and their reunion tour the Life Is a Highway Tour — a measure of how central the cover has become to their identity.
Original vs. the Rascal Flatts cover
Two versions of the same song, 15 years apart.
Original artist — Tom Cochrane, who wrote it and first recorded it for his album Mad Mad World (September 1991, Capitol Records)
Original chart peak — No. 1 in Canada; No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (August 1992)
Rascal Flatts cover — Released June 2006 for the Disney/Pixar film Cars; also a bonus track on later editions of Me and My Gang
Cover chart peak — No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100
Other notable cover — Chris LeDoux, on his 1998 album One Road Man
Genre shift — Cochrane's original is rock; the Rascal Flatts version is country rock
Bottom line
If you're asking who wrote 'Life Is a Highway,' the answer is Tom Cochrane, back in 1991. Rascal Flatts didn't write it — they covered it in 2006 for Cars and turned it into one of their signature crossover hits, which is why it's so often mistaken for an original.
Related questions
Who sings 'Life Is a Highway'?
Tom Cochrane sings the 1991 original, which hit No. 6 on the US Hot 100. Rascal Flatts sing the 2006 cover from the Cars soundtrack, which reached No. 7. Chris LeDoux also recorded a 1998 version.
Did Rascal Flatts write 'Life Is a Highway'?
No. Tom Cochrane wrote and first recorded it in 1991. Rascal Flatts recorded a cover in 2006.
What movie is the Rascal Flatts 'Life Is a Highway' from?
The Disney/Pixar film Cars (2006). Rascal Flatts recorded their version for that soundtrack.
Whose version of 'Life Is a Highway' came first?
Tom Cochrane's 1991 original came first; Rascal Flatts' cover came 15 years later in 2006.
What album is 'Life Is a Highway' on?
Tom Cochrane's original is on his 1991 album Mad Mad World. The Rascal Flatts version is on the 2006 Cars soundtrack, later editions of Me and My Gang, and Greatest Hits Volume 1.