The Best Road Trip Snacks For Every Type of Traveler In 2023
Snacks are one of the most important road trip essentials you should think about ahead of time, especially for long hauls. Plus, if you’re anything like me, planning road trip snacks is a MUST.
Sometimes while I’m barreling down the interstate the last thing I want to do is stop somewhere to buy snacks.
Part of it is that I’m lazy and don’t want to stop more than I have to. The other part is cost savings. Buying all your snacks and beverages from convenience stores can get pretty expensive!
The best snacks for a road trip can be subjective, so I’ve compiled a list of different types of snacks for every type of road tripper.
From protein fans to veggie lovers, this list should have you covered so you can enjoy the drive without worrying about where your next food source will come from.
What Are the Best Road Trip Snacks?
Whether you are traveling with picky passengers or just want to add variety to your snacking regimen, the following types of road trip snacks should keep everyone in your group happy while you travel to your destination.
You’ll find it all in this list, from sugary snacks to healthy snacks and everything in between.
Let’s check it out!
Snacks For Protein Lovers
Beef jerky
Nuts (Almonds, Peanuts, Cashews, and pistachios just to name a few)
Peanut butter
Greek yogurt
Cottage cheese (add some fresh fruit to give it a kick)
Protein bars
Protein powder for shakes
Tuna (canned or packet)
Hummus (goes great with crackers or chips)
String cheese (one of my personal favorites and they have low-fat versions too)
Hard-boiled eggs
Snacks For Veggie & Fruit Lovers
Celery sticks (throw some peanut butter on ’em for a protein boost)
Whole Grain Crackers
Baby Carrots
Cherry Tomatoes
Veggie Chips or Straws
Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers (add some cream cheese to them and make them sing)
Mixed Nuts (not technically a vegetable, but for vegetarians that want a protein boost)
Dried Seaweed
Whole Fruit (apples, oranges, and bananas to name a few)
Veggie Muffins
Cucumber Slices (easy to pack and goes well with a variety of dips)
Dried Fruit (a non-refrigerated option to get that sweet fruit fix)
Snap Peas
Kale Chips
Snacks For Salt Lovers
Pretzels or pretzel sticks
Olives
Pickles (also great for staying hydrated)
Salted pumpkin seeds
Salted sunflower seeds
Cheese & crackers
Salt & vinegar chips (when you want some extra tang with your salty snack)
Sardines (a great source of omega-3 oils)
Mini salami slices
Wasabi peas (if you want a little extra spice to your snack)
Salted pita chips (great for dipping in hummus)
Salted potato chips (a classic when it comes to salty snacks)
Salted crackers
Snacks For Sweet Lovers
Fruit roll-ups
Twizzlers
Mini muffins (especially chocolate chip, blueberry, and cinnamon apple)
Granola bars
Sliced apples with Nutella (a true winner when it comes to fruit snacks)
Rice crispy treats
Dark chocolate (great for antioxidants)
Honey-roasted nuts (a healthy protein-filled option to tame your sweet tooth)
Coconut chips
Snacks For Sweet and Salty Lovers
Trail Mix (many options available depending on your sweet/salty ratio)
Kettle corn (salted popcorn with a sweet twist)
Pretzels and Dark Chocolate
Cheese and Fruit
Salted Nuts and Chocolate (dark chocolate chips + mixed nuts = WOW, that’s good)
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
Almond Stuffed Dates (throw some cream cheese on them too…you won’t regret it)
Yogurt-Covered Pretzels
Rice Cakes (Dress them up with some honey or nut butter)
Dark Chocolate Almonds
Roasted Chickpeas (add some cinnamon & sugar. MMM MMMM)
Salted Caramel Protein Bars
Homemade Granola
Raisin and Peanut Mix
Sweet and Salty Popcorn Mix (popcorn with some mini pretzels and M&M’s mixed in)
How To Choose the Best Road Trip Snacks For Your Trip
Selecting the right road trip snacks depends on a few different factors. Here are a few things to consider when packing snacks for your road trip.
The Length of Your Trip
The length of your road trip can play a big part in knowing what and how many snacks to pack.
Are you going on a day trip or driving cross-country?
How many people will be traveling with you?
Depending on how many people are in your road-tripping crew and the amount of time you will be traveling will play a major role in these decisions.
Also, consider the amount of time per day you will be behind the wheel. You will want to stay as energized and alert as possible, so this should also be a factor in which snacks you take along.
This brings us to our next point.
Nutrition Priorities
It’s important to prioritize nutrition. Snacks that are high in protein and fiber can keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer periods.
They can also provide you with sustained energy, which is especially important for the driver.
Avoid overly sweet snacks that are high in sugar during the day, as they can lead to spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels leaving you asleep in the car while your buddies take that hike you were looking forward to.
Instead, opt for healthy road trip snacks like nuts, seeds, fresh fruits, and whole grains. It’s also worth considering individual dietary needs or restrictions when selecting snacks.
If anyone in your party is vegan, gluten-intolerant, or has a food allergy, make sure to pack appropriate snacks for them or it could end up being unpleasant, to say the least.
Food Preservation
Lastly, consider the practicality of your snacks. They should be easy to eat on the go and create a minimal mess. No mess would be great, but let’s face it, someone will spill something at some point.
Bite-sized items and snacks that can be eaten by hand without utensils are the most ideal choices.
Also, remember that some snacks may need to be kept cool, so if you don’t have access to a cooler, it might be best to stick to non-perishable food items.
Finally, don’t forget to bring enough water! Staying hydrated is just as important as staying nourished during a road trip.
Properly Storing Road Trip Snacks
When packing for road trips, it’s important to consider not just what snacks you’re bringing, but also how you’ll be storing them.
Proper storage can make a huge difference in the quality, taste, freshness, and safety of your snacks.
Perishables vs. Non-Perishables
Start by categorizing your car snacks into perishables and non-perishables.
Non-perishable snacks, such as nuts, granola bars, and dried fruits, are the easiest to store.
These items don’t require refrigeration, so you can pack them in a simple reusable grocery bag or a sturdy tote bag to keep them together.
Store these in a temperature-controlled place within the car where they’re easy to reach but won’t get crushed by other luggage.
For perishable snacks like fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, and any homemade meals, it’s essential to maintain the right temperature to avoid spoiled food.
Traveling With a Cooler
Invest in a high-quality cooler that can maintain a low temperature for an extended period.
Ice packs work well, but remember that they can melt pretty fast, particularly on hot days.
Regular ice, while effective at keeping your food cold for long periods, will melt and can run the risk of soaking your food.
While your sandwich may be cold, nobody wants to consume soggy bread. At least I hope not.
Another alternative is to freeze some of your water bottles or juice boxes.
I do this all the time. They’ll serve a dual purpose – keeping the cooler and the food cold, and providing a chilled beverage when they melt.
Packing Your Cooler Effectively
When packing your cooler, place the items that you’ll eat last at the bottom and those you’ll consume first at the top.
This strategy minimizes the amount of time the cooler will be open, helping to maintain its internal temperature.
Also, try to limit the number of times you open your cooler, and close it as quickly as possible when you do.
Proper Food Handling
Finally, don’t forget about proper food handling, especially when traveling with young kids.
If you’re preparing sandwiches or other homemade snacks, make sure you do so with clean hands and surfaces to prevent foodborne illness.
Pack a hand sanitizer for on-the-go cleaning before snack time.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
As we wrap this up, remember that road trip snacks can greatly improve your travel experience by stopping less and spending less on fast food or gas station snacks.
Mix and match your favorite road trip snacks with a balance of sweet with savory, heavy with light, and indulgent with healthy.
Food is more than just fuel. You want to enjoy it while making sure everyone in your road trip group is satisfied during your journey.
Consider this list the next time you are planning your road trip, but personalize it based on your tastes and preferences.
In the end, create a balance and consider picking up a cooler not only for having your snacks in one place but to give you more options when those hunger pangs hit.
