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The summer months should be filled with fun and adventures, and it’s a great time to get together with family or friends and plan a road trip. Whether traveling to somewhere you’ve been before or exploring a new destination, part of the fun is the delicious snacks you can have along the way.
Forget expensive gas station snacks and overpriced restaurants. We’re offering our list of 15 must-have road trip snacks for summer you can pack and take along with you.
Some of the road trip snacks on this list will need to be kept in a cooler. Remember to pack any utensils you might need and napkins or wet wipes so everyone can clean up when they are done snacking. What snacks do you pack for your summer road trip?
Jerky
This snack is full of protein, so it will help you feel full and minimize cravings for sugary snacks. Jerky doesn’t need to be refrigerated and isn’t messy to eat, so you can happily share it with the kids.
Hard-boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs need to be kept in a cooler, but they are a delicious, nutritious snack containing protein and healthy fats. Peel your eggs before you pack them so they are easy to grab on the go.
Trail Mix
Trail mix is a healthy snack full of fiber, protein, vitamins, and fat. You can purchase ready-made bags or make them yourself. If someone doesn’t like trail mix, you could also take just nuts.
Popcorn
Popcorn is not just for the movies. It is high in fiber and filling. Plain popcorn is also gluten-free, making it a great option for anyone with gluten sensitivities.
Fresh Fruit
Healthy and delicious, fresh fruit is always a great road trip option. If it needs to be peeled, cut, or prepared in any other way, make sure you get it ready before you leave. Put everything in snack-size bags or containers and keep in a cooler for a cold, sweet snack.
Protein Bars
Available in a wide variety of flavors, protein bars can increase energy levels and help you feel full. Remember that some protein bars contain a lot of sugar, so be sure to check the nutritional values or make them at home.
String Cheese
String cheese is a great road trip snack for kids and adults. For extra flavor and nutrition, pair it with jerky or fresh fruit.
Fruit Snacks
Fruit snacks are less sugary than candy and not as messy as some whole fruit. They contain the same vitamins and nutrients as fresh fruit. Just be sure to check the packaging to make sure they don’t contain too much sugar.
Pretzels
My favorite road trip snack. Pretzels are salty, crunchy and delicious. They are high in carbohydrates, which can give you a boost of energy, cholesterol free and low in fat.
PB&J Sandwiches
Easy to throw together at the last minute and super tasty. Most adults and kids love PB&J sandwiches. You get protein from the peanut butter and a sweet fix from the jelly. Of course, if PB&J isn’t your thing, you could do bologna sandwiches or any other type of filling.
Celery Sticks
Celery is crunchy and tasty on its own. But, to jazz it up, you can fill the sticks with peanut butter, cream cheese, or almost any type of savory spread.
Veggie Sticks and Hummus
Baby carrots, cucumber sticks, and broccoli florets are all great when dipped in hummus. You can cut up the veggies yourself and buy small, single-serve hummus cups, which are ideal for road trip dipping.
Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are a lighter option but still tasty and satisfying. They also go really well with cheese or almost any type of spread.
Chips
Savory and crunchy chips are ideal road trip snacks. A vast selection of flavors is available, so it’s easy to find something for every taste. Choose single-serving bags for easy portion control.
Mini Muffins
Mini muffins are less messy and more portable than regular muffins. They come in a variety of flavors and can quickly satisfy a sweet tooth.
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