27 Road Trip Snacks for Your Next Adventure

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Before 2020, our road trip snacks included a lot of things we did not normally keep in our cabinets. We thought of it as a “treat”, but when you come home 10lbs heavier it can feel like the dread was just building by some bad habits. This doesn’t mean we don’t allow ourselves some wiggle room, but over the last few years we found that sticking to more of a normal diet really helps our energy throughout our trips.

“What snacks do you want for our trip?” Is the question for the day as we prepare for our next road trip. Depending on which type of transportation you take for your vacation, it can really play a large role in what snacks you choose. In this post, we are going to talk all about road trip snacks that we like, love, and have found to be mistaken on our many adventures.

Get ready for your next road trip with ease with our tips on road tripping.

1. Apples

We love a good juicy Honeycrisp apple. They are satisfying and delicious without the added sugar we might get from a candy bar. We usually try to pack 1 per person for each day we are planning to be gone. However, sometimes they are so good, we wish we packed more.

If your hotel offers you a breakfast you might find some apples as part of the menu, this can be a great way to grab a healthy snack even when you forget to pack them before you leave the house.

2. Bananas

Just like with apples, bananas are a great alternative to breakfast & are usually available at most hotel breakfast bars. However, the downside to bananas is the peels. What do you do with them when you are finished eating?

A few suggestions we have found that help is to have a dedicated trash bag & cleaning schedule or prep those bananas in the freezer with some chocolate to have a nice sweet and savory treat of chocolate-covered bananas.

3. Berries

I love blackberries and strawberries for our road trips. They are easy to eat and don’t require you to hold anything while chewing such as the apple. When I’m packing these great treats, I throw a few paper towels in the bag or tubberware to help suck up any moisture that could cause mold to grow.

4. Cherries

Similar to berries, cherries are a great treat to have, plus I found that cherries are a great inflammation killer for me. The one downside of cherries is the stems and pits. If we remember, we try to pit our cherries before leaving with our cherry pitter.

5. Yogurt

Yikes, yogurt!?!? Yep, believe it or not, Melissa will pack yogurt as a snack on our road trips. If the hotel doesn’t offer breakfast, this is a great light breakfast that won’t hurt her stomach, but allow her to rid the morning hanger. The one thing about yogurt that might turn many away from packing it as a road trip snack is the need for spoons or the mess in general. Thankfully with yogurt drinks, it can be so much easier to bring them along these days.

6. Cheese

This is one of Peter’s favorites, but string cheese is a great way to quickly grab some protein when you are nowhere near a rest stop.

7. Veggies

You might be thinking, why didn’t you just lump fruit together like vegetables? That is because most veggies require the same thought and prep. We normally do carrots and celery, but with Melissa being allergic to carrots these days, we really try to avoid the cross-contamination. So instead we add in tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and a few other options for the crunch and flavor variety.

8. Granola Bites

These Granola Bites from Bear Naked are to die for. Sweat, salty, crunchy, but also chewy they make the perfect snack whether driving in the car or hiking up Mount Washington.

9. Nuts

Whether it is mixed nuts, roasted peanuts, cashews, or even the messy pistachio, nuts are a great source of protein and omega fats that can help you with energy and concentration. So it’s no wonder we add in a container for the trip. Our go-to is usually roasted almonds and honey roasted peanuts.

10. Protein  Bars

We aren’t talking about the power bars you see many gym-goers eat, but a good protein bar can go a long way on a road trip. The best part is you don’t have to keep them in the cooler unlike many fruits, vegetables, and dairy products on this list.

A good protein bar can be used as a meal replacement as well, so if you are trying to reach a destination in the middle of the night or have a tight arrival window to your destination, stopping for food might not be the best. This is where protein shakes and bars really come into the game for long-haul road trips.

We also utilize our protein shakes for breakfast when there is no hotel breakfast option, helping to save on food costs during our trips.

11. Meat and Cheese Pinwheels

If you have ever been to the North East, specifically in the Philadelphia region, then you might have experienced the phenomenon that is Wawa. They have an Italian pinwheel that I absolutely love. However, I hate paying the price for them. So I make my own!

Pinwheels can be made in any way you want with any meat, cheese, veggie combo you want. I don’t always include bread, but wraps or tortillas are a great alternative.

12. Beef Jerky

This is all Melissa, but beef jerky is a great protein and really easy to pack. While not on the top of our list of healthy foods for road trip snacks, we definitely know it can be satisfying and fulfilling even when you are out for a hike.

Ok, this might just be junk food but to some, it might also be a treat.

13. Chips

Who doesn’t love a good crunch every once in a while? Whether it be with lunch or on hour 3 of a car ride, chips are an easy way to satisfy that craving for salt.

14. Gummies

Gummy Bears or worms, or really anything made with a  gelatin substance can be both nostalgic and fun. Just make sure you don’t make the mistake of buying sugar-free if you don’t need them. You don’t want to have roadside bathroom emergency!

15. Popcorn

Freshly popped popcorn smells delicious but isn’t really possible when on the road. Consider pre-popping your popcorn and adding in some flavor before hitting the road.

16. Chocolate

Milk, dark, or white chocolate, whatever your favorite is, these quick pick me-ups are perfect for the sweet tooth, but it can cause a quick sugar crash later in the day.

17. Pretzels

Great for upset stomachs, pretzels can be the bland food you need. When I was a kid my mom always bought pretzel logs for our road trips, which were easy to hand out and a lot less messy than the bag of pretzels.

18. Dried Fruit

Not always a fan favorite in our house, but when you find a good dried fruit it is worth putting on the list. It is easy to store and doesn’t need a lot of special instructions such as keeping it cold.

19. Seaweed Snacks

Seaweed snacks are great in vitamins and minerals. They are also lite to carry in a bag or hiking sack. There are many different flavors on the market these days too.

20. Cheese and Crackers

With the option to purchase pre-sliced cheese, it can be easy to add this great combo to the list of road trip snacks next time.

21. Trail Mix

If you thought we weren’t going to mention this great combination of salty, sweet, and savory snacks… you were wrong. Trail mix comes in so many options these days and it is easy to make at home as well, that it can satisfy everyone in your party.

22. Cookies

Anywhere from a Fig Newton to an Oreo or even homemade chocolate chip, reaching for these sweet sensations can always make for a great snack.

23. Soda

While not the best choice, sometimes grabbing a can of Coke or Sprit can help with car sickness.

24. Seltzer

This is Peter’s go-to drink whether on a road trip or the couch. Zero calories, different flavors, and the bubbly tingle on the tongue make it exciting to keep hydrated.

25. Water

Staying hydrated when traveling can be difficult when traveling. Recently I purchased gallon and liter water bottles that we fill before leaving. The gallon water stays in the cooler while the liter gets frozen the night before and stays in the passenger seat.

26. Juice

Juice is always a great option especially when you have kids.

27. Protein Shakes

Just like protein bars, protein shakes provide a great burst of protein throughout the day to keep your energy up and your mind focused on the road. Many premade protein shakes are milk-based so it is recommended to keep them cold, but you can always grab a container of protein powder and mix it in water if you want.

Final Thoughts

Road trip snacks can be fun, but also helpful when avoiding fastfood and gas station snacks. Pack as many and as few as you think you will want and need. Remember, you can always find a local store and stock up again when you run out.