21 Best Road Trip Snacks (2024)

From granola bars and cookies to chips of all kinds, here are some of the best road trip snacks to take with you on your next road trip.

Road trips aren’t complete without snacks. Be sure you’ve packed enough nourishment for the long drive!

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (1)

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.

Whether you’re in the mood to indulge or want something clean to nibble on, I have you covered.

This last has everything from healthy roasted chickpeas to sinful caramel corn.

Fill up the tank and get your itineraries ready. This list will take care of the snacks.

21 Healthy Snacks for Your Next Road Trip

1. Trail Mix

Let’s start things off with a snack that’s loved both by kids and adults. This trail mix isn’t just about nuts and dried fruit.

Also loaded with pretzels, Cheerios, mini-marshmallows, and M&M’s, it gets a 12/10 for color, flavor, and texture.

It’s so good, it’s almost impossible to stop snacking on it.

So instead of packing it in one big bag, I suggest you place it in smaller bags so everyone gets their own.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (2)

2. Puppy Chow

Puppy chow, also called muddy buddies, doggy bag, and reindeer chow is a snack made of rice cereal squats (such as Chex) coated in peanut butter and chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar for good measure.

While its sounds like something a dog would it, it is nothing of the sort.

In fact, no matter how your pup begs for it, you mustn’t give in. Remember, it contains chocolate.

3. Beer Nuts

Personally, I don’t find peanuts a fun and exciting snack. Beer nuts, however, is an entirely different story. These nuts I can eat all day!

co*cktail peanuts are cooked in sugar syrup. Once it sets, the sugar crystallizes, forming a sweet and crunchy coating covering the nuts.

Finishing it off is a sprinkling of sea salt, adding a nice salty contrast to the sweet sugar coating.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (3)

4. Popcorn

If you’re a sucker for caramel corn, you’ll love this recipe.

If you think there’s no way to make your very own without making a huge mess, think again.

This recipe for caramel popcorn takes place in the microwave. This is not a drill, people!

Yes, you can achieve that sweet, crunchy, beautiful golden brown caramel popcorn by only using this nifty kitchen appliance.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (4)

5. Texas Trash

The name may be disgusting, but Texas Trash is a treasure.

It’s a sweet, salty, and savory mix of Cheerios, pretzel crisps, peanuts, and a variety of Chex cereals.

It doesn’t end there, though. The medley of crunchy munchies is coated in a garlic-y, buttery, and umami-rich sauce to tie all the flavors together.

Finally, they’re popped in the oven to give them that extra crunch.

6. Granola Bars

Granola bars are awesome at keeping you energized throughout the day. The only thing is, they cost a lot.

Don’t spend all your money on granola bars. Save it for pocket money and souvenirs. With this easy, budget-friendly recipe, your problem is solved.

A mix of almonds, oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, and dates, these homemade granola bars are just as delicious, if not more, than any you can find in stores.

The best part? You’ll get to enjoy as many granola bars as you can at a fraction of the cost.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (5)

7. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing adds more joy to a road trip than chocolate chip cookies do. These classic treats are iconic for a reason – they’re seriously delicious.

These aren’t your average chocolate chip cookies, though.

This recipe is a copycat of the famous Doubletree cookies – gigantic cookies that are outrageously buttery and chewy.

They’re not just packed with chocolate chips, but walnuts as well – a wonderful combination of gooey and crunchy.

8. Fire Crackers

Let’s be honest – saltines are no fun. If there’s any way to put a damper on your road trip, it’ll probably be saltine crackers.

That’s not to say you can’t turn the boring crackers into something exciting, though.

This recipe for fire crackers will revamp those squares from bland to banging.

Saltin crackers are drizzled with spiced melted butter and baked until golden. The difference it makes is simply astonishing.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (6)

9. Apple Chips

Excursions with friends and family are generally fun, but the long drive can get boring.

What better way is there to pass the time than with a bag of chips?

Sure, potato chips are king, but if you’re looking for a cleaner option, these apple chips have you covered.

They’re just as crispy and crunchy as potato chips, but they won’t make you feel guilty.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (7)

10. Fantasy Fudge

These fantasy fudge squares are truly a dream come true.

They’re chewy, ooey-gooey, and oh so chocolatey. They’re loaded with walnuts, too, giving you a crunchy surprise in every bite.

Here’s a bonus: fudge is so easy to make. It’s impossible to fudge up!

The hardest part is waiting for it to set. It takes 4 hours, but the wait is worth it.

11. Bagel Chips

Got some stale, leftover bagels? Put it to good use and turn it into bagel chips. You’ll be snacking on these crispy-crunchy delights all day and night!

It couldn’t be easier to make. You can use seasoned bagels for a flavorful snack, or use unseasoned and flavor them yourself.

You can make them smokey and savory with BBQ seasoning, or sweet and spicy with cinnamon sugar. Either way, these chips will be a road trip hit.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (8)

12. Apple Fritters

Got a hankering for fall flavors? Scratch that itch with these glorious apple fritters.

Pillowy cakes are bursting with sweet apple chunks and bathed in a sweet cinnamon-sugar glaze.

These fritters are extra special, too, because, for this recipe, we’re using donut batter.

That’s why they’re so plump and pillowy. Move over, Krispy Kreme!

13. Roasted Chickpeas

Chickpeas aren’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to road trip snacks.

But trust me, you’ll definitely want to take this treat with you wherever you go.

Canned chickpeas are soft, sometimes mushy. But when you pop them in the oven, a magical transformation occurs.

They become wonderfully crispy and addictive. Seasoned with a slew of herbs and spices, they’re so tasty they’ll blow your taste buds away.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (9)

14. Banana Muffins

Muffins are always a good idea for road trips. These grab-and-go snacks aren’t only mess-free, but insanely delicious as well.

These banana muffins are dense and moist at the same time.

Flavored with sweet, overripe bananas, their delicious banana flavor can’t be denied.

The recipe calls for Bisquick for the batter, so you know it’s an easy one.

15. Peanut Butter Pretzels

Pretzels are already a fun snack, but you can always take it up a notch.

Coat those crunchy treats with a mixture of melted chocolate and peanut butter, and they become a thousand times better.

Drizzled with even more melted chocolate garnish, these pretzels are as tasty as they are pretty.

16. Coconut Chips

I love all things coconut. Whether it’s in cake or cookie form, I’ll eat it all. So when I saw this recipe for coconut chips, I just had to give it a try.

These coconut chips are mind-blowingly amazing! They’re sweet, nutty, and unbelievably crunchy.

They’re sprinkled with a bit of salt, so they also have that sweet and salty contrast going on.

Best of all, these chips are healthy.

17. Baked Veggie Chips

Just because you have diet restrictions doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy an addictive snack.

These veggie chips are oil-free, vegan, gluten-free, and definitely guilt-free.

Most importantly, they’re delicious. With this recipe, you get a mixed bag of crispy beetroot, zucchini, carrots, sweet potato, and rutabaga.

How fun is that? The colors alone will make your mouth water.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (10)

18. Blueberry Muffins

Need some last-minute road trip snacks? These blueberry muffins are here to save the day.

They’re soft, moist, and bursting with fresh blueberries. Also, they’ll only take you 15 minutes to make – and that’s not a typo!

Thanks to Bisquick, these muffins come together in no time, without sacrificing flavor.

19. Green Bean Chips

If you have a dehydrator, I know exactly what you should make.

These green bean chips are a billion times tastier and healthier than store-bought veggie sticks, and they’ll cost you a lot less.

Flavored with just a bit of salt and nutritional yeast and dehydrated overnight, these green bean chips are surprisingly crispy and delicious.

Believe me, even the kids will love them.

20. Chocolate Covered Almonds

Almonds and chocolates are great. Put them together and you’ll get a snack that’s even better.

I can never say no to chocolate-covered almonds.

They have the perfect combination of smooth and crunchy, sweet and nutty. They’re absolutely addictive.

Instead of buying them, I prefer making them myself. It’s more affordable and tastes just as good, if not better.

If you want to stay within budget, this recipe is a must-try.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (11)

21. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

How about some thirst quencher? If you’re looking for a sweet, hearty, and refreshing drink to bring on your next road trip, this smoothie perfectly fits the bill.

Bananas and peanut butter are an age-old combination that never disappoints.

Turn them into a smoothie, and you’ll have an outrageously tasty refreshment that’ll keep you full throughout the long drive.

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (12)

21 Best Road Trip Snacks For Long Car Rides

These road trip snacks are a must for your next car trip! From roasted chickpeas to caramel corn to trail mix, don’t hit the road before packing these tasty snacks.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a road trip snack in 30 minutes or less!
21 Best Road Trip Snacks (13)

Did you like the recipe?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4 / 5. Vote count: 5

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Thanks!

Share on social media:

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Related posts

40 Christmas Snacks and Festive Treats17 Easy Peanut Butter Snacks10 Best Dried Mango Recipes and Snacks25 Best Valentine’s Day Snacks and Treats25 BEST Indian Snacks (+ Easy Recipes)30 Best Midnight Snacks for Late-Night Cravings

21 Best Road Trip Snacks (2024)

FAQs

What is the number 1 snack food on road trips in the US? ›

While potato chips were the road trip snack champion by a decent margin, there were quite a few other snacks that were the favorite of at least 2 states, including rice cakes, Combos, Sour Patch Kids, sunflower seeds, hummus, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, popcorn, and pork rinds.

How to pack snacks for a long road trip? ›

When traveling, needing snacks is inevitable!
  1. Hard-boiled eggs. I like to cook a batch of Nellie's Free Range hard-boiled eggs in my Instant Pot once or twice a week to have on hand for healthy snacking and for taking on the go. ...
  2. Fresh fruit. ...
  3. Shelf-stable fruit. ...
  4. Dry cereal. ...
  5. Whole grain snack bars. ...
  6. Muffins. ...
  7. Cheese sticks.

What are easy snacks to eat while driving? ›

Apples celery with peanut butter can easily be pre-portioned and brought on the road. There are many options for peanut butter in single serving containers. This is one of the easiest portable snacks because it won't spoil and provides a good mix of fat and protein.

What is the largest selling snack food in the United States today? ›

Rice Krispies Treats Are America's Most Popular Snack

The customer and data-centric platform HubScore recently released its Favorite Snack By State Report, showcasing the most sought-after munchies nationwide.

How to budget for food on a road trip? ›

Budgeting for Food

“On average, it costs about $4 per person per meal when doing the cooking yourself.” By using this cost estimate, you can get ahead on planning by multiplying $4 by the number of times a day you will be making meals at home, and multiplying that number by the number of days the trip will be.

How do you make food last on a road trip? ›

Pack logically

Store foods that will be consumed last on the bottom and often-used food on top of the cooler. Cold air travels down so ice should always be on top with pre-chilled cans and bottles on the bottom. Perishable foods like meat and dairy should be stored on top of ice.

What are good snacks? ›

Healthy Snacks
  • Apples (dried or cut into wedges), 1 medium or ¼ cup (35 grams)
  • Bananas, 1 medium.
  • Raisins, ¼ cup (35 grams)
  • Fruit leather (dried fruit puree) without added sugar.
  • Carrots (regular carrots cut into strips, or baby carrots ), 1 cup (130 grams)
  • Snap peas (the pods are edible), 1.5 cups (350 grams)
  • Nuts, 1 oz.

What is the best fruit to take on a trip? ›

Certain fruits travel better than others. If you want berries, for example, blackberries will hold up a lot better than raspberries. Grapes will travel better than figs. Dried or freeze-dried fruit can be a healthier way to satisfy a craving for sweetness, but be mindful of serving sizes.

What food to buy when traveling? ›

No matter if you're traveling by land, air or sea, your family can eat healthfully with these simple options:
  • Whole or dried fruit.
  • Nuts (pre-portioned into snack-size bags).
  • Nut butters (travel packs are great for planes).
  • Whole-grain pretzels, crackers and bread sticks.
  • Trail mix.
  • Snack bars.
Nov 28, 2018

What is the best car snack? ›

More healthy options for a grab and go snack

Things like popcorn, sweet potato chips and dried fruit bars are strips can be great options. We love That's It bars and Just Bare apple chips.

What not to eat while driving? ›

Although every meal consumed behind the wheel poses a risk, some meals cause bigger distractions than others. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hot coffee, tacos, hamburgers, fried chicken, jelly donuts and chocolate are on the list of top ten most dangerous foods to eat while driving.

What is the 1 food in America? ›

popularity is the % of people who have a positive opinion of a american dish. Find out more
  • 1 Mashed potatoes86%
  • 2 French Fries86%
  • 3 Hamburgers85%
  • 4 Cheeseburger83%
  • 5 Grilled Cheese82%
  • 6 Steak and Baked potato82%
  • 7 Hash browns82%
  • 8 Fried Chicken82%

What is the best food to eat in the car? ›

The Best And Worst Foods To Eat While Driving
  • French Fries. ...
  • Soft Serve in a Cup. ...
  • Smash Burgers and Only Smash Burgers. ...
  • A Sandwich Not Loaded With Condiments. ...
  • Good Pizza. ...
  • Ice Cream Cones. ...
  • Tacos. ...
  • Salad.
Jul 18, 2023

What is the snack food capital of the United States? ›

Manufacturers also include several pretzel and chip bakeries in Hanover, Pennsylvania, which holds the nickname "the snack capital of the world", as well as other examples like Hershey, Pennsylvania, home of the Hershey Chocolate Company and Asher's Chocolate Co., in Souderton, Pennsylvania.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 6112

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.