Highway Companion is Tom Petty's third solo album, although it was released under his name without the Heartbreakers. The record was produced by Petty along with Jeff Lynne and Mike Campbell, marking Petty's first collaboration with Lynne since the 1994 album Wildflowers.
The album was recorded at Petty's home studio in Malibu and at The Clubhouse in Los Angeles. The song 'Saving Grace' was released as the lead single and reached number 1 on the Billboard Triple A chart. The album title references the highway as a metaphor for life.
Highway Companion received positive reviews and debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2007. Petty described the album as an introspective journey, with influences from folk rock and country rock.