Bringing the best road trip food can make or break the journey, particularly when hunger hits in the middle of nowhere! Having the right mix of tasty snacks and refreshing bites is key to keeping everyone’s spirits—and bellies—full while on the go.
To help make your long journey smooth and stress-free (and your cooler stocked with the good stuff), here are our top picks that will keep you fueled from start to finish.
Easy Road Trip Snacks To Pack
These options travel well and can keep hunger in check, even without constant refrigeration.
- Trail Mixes: These snacks are classic for a reason. Lightweight, easy to pack, and full of the good stuff like nuts, dried fruits, and dark chocolate chips (they're a great source of protein and healthy fats, too!). You can even make your own from scratch!
- Granola Bars: Nothing beats homemade granola bars that are tailored to your family’s preferences.
- Munchies (Popcorn, Pretzels, Crackers, Potato Chips): These are a must, especially if you have kids and teens traveling with you. Choose options that have less salt and/or are made from whole grains for extra fiber.
- Cheerios: A good snack to pack if you’re traveling with younger kids or toddlers. They’re perfect for little hands and practically mess-free!
- Roasted Chickpeas: Bring these along for a crunchy, healthy snack. They keep well in bags or jars.
Fruits and Veggies That Travel Well
If you want more healthy road trip snacks for your family, then fresh produce is your friend! Here are some wonderful ideas to try.
- Fruits: Slice up apples, rinse a container of grapes, or bring a couple of bananas to peel and eat on the road. These fruits won’t need refrigeration for a few hours, and they’re tasty, too!
- Vegetables: Baby carrots, celery sticks, cucumber sticks, and cherry tomatoes make for excellent road-ready buddies. Pair them with creamy dips like hummus, ranch, or tzatziki sauce to make them more enjoyable to eat.
Protein-Packed Options For Long Drives
You’ll need more than just munchies if you’re planning to travel long distances! These road trip food ideas can help you stay fuller longer.
- Hard-boiled Eggs: These are simple to make and pack! Enjoy them with a pinch of salt and pepper for flavor.
- Tuna Salad or Chicken Salad: Delicious and filling, you can enjoy them with crackers or use them to fill wraps. Just make sure to pack them in leak-proof containers in your cooler.
- Jerky: Choose from several options: beef, turkey, or plant-based jerky. These are high in protein and need no refrigeration if kept sealed.
- Cheese: Bring string cheese, small cubes, or wedges of aged cheese, and pair them with fruit or crackers. Yum!
- Peanut Butter Packets: Squeeze packets of peanut butter are handy and delicious, perfect for pairing with fruits and veggies. You can even eat it on its own!
Easy Meals And Treats To Keep Everyone Happy
Not everything has to be a snack! Below are road trip foods that can double as easy-to-eat meals in a jiffy.
- Classic Sandwiches: Pack along those filled with nut butter or deli meat. They can last in the cooler for hours. (Pro-tip: this veggie burger recipe is perfect for your vegan or vegetarian travel companions!)
- Mini Muffins: Less crumbly than full-sized ones, these mini treats are great options for breakfast or dessert.
- Pasta Salad or Grain Bowl: These options don’t need to be heated and are super filling.
- Sweet Treats: Can’t forget dessert! Bring along bags of treats, such as homemade chocolate chip cookies, oats, mocha protein bars, dark chocolate bars, or bags of candy (like mint or fruit-flavored). They add a sweet finish to meals and can also curb sugar cravings while on the road, which is very important, especially if the next pit stop is miles away!
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