Thanks to international travel restrictions, by-car vacations have skyrocketed in popularity over the past year, and we think they’re not slowing down any time soon. No matter where you’re headed, there are a few things you must have before you hit the road, and it includes tons of the best snacks for road trips. Somehow our stomach seems to get hungrier during a long car ride. That’s why having snacks for long car rides is important. That said, we’re here to show you our favorite snacks for on the road. Regardless of where you’re traveling, these good snacks for road trips will definitely fuel you and your family through even the most extended drives!
Table of contents
- Seapoint Farm’s Dry Roasted Edamame
- ALOHA Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar
- Bare Baked Crunchy Apple Chips
- Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans
- BIENA Chickpea Snacks
- SkinnyPop Popcorn
- IQBAR Brain and Body Keto Protein Bar
- Harvest Snaps Green Pea Snack Crisps
- KIND Bar Minis
- Bobo’s Oat Bar
- CHOMPS Grass Fed Beef Jerky Stick
- Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter
- Karma Nuts
- How To Choose The Best Snacks for Road Trips
- What snacks should I bring on a road trip?
- What can you not eat on a road trip?
- What should I eat while driving a long-distance?
Seapoint Farm’s Dry Roasted Edamame
13
When you’re sick of nuts but want crunch that’s worth the bang for its buck, go for dried edamame. Introducing you to the Seapoint Farm’s Dry Roasted Edamame. This snack is filled with plenty of plant-based filling protein. We mean, who doesn’t like a good high-protein snack? Plus, it tastes delicious. Crunchy and salty, you’ll never have enough of this snack!
Thanks to this snack, you and your family will finally have something healthy to share when on the road. It’s not that expensive, and you don’t have to finish it in one go. Even better, it’s great as a salad topper, and you can add it to your favorite trail mix. It’s not a substitute for chips by any means, but it’s amazing for what it is.
- What We Love:
- A high-protein, plant-based snack that’s worth the money.
- Pros:
- High in protein and fiber
- Can be added to your favorite trail mix
- Crunchy and tasty
- Low-calorie
- Plant-based
- Cons:
- The skins tend to flake off
ALOHA Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar
12
If what you want is a bar that’s closer to a meal replacement bar, then ALOHA has you covered. Its Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar has 14gr of protein that’s sure to satisfy and nourish your body, even if you’re not working out. We also think it’s one of the best snacks for long car rides. Since you won’t be expending much energy when driving, you don’t need more than the 5g of sugar this bar features.
One box contains 12 protein bars, and there are many flavors for you to pick. They include Caramel Sea Salt, Vanilla Almond Crunch, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Mint, and many more. That’s not all, as it’s also high in fiber! Even better, you can also eat this scrumptious snack as a pre or post-workout meal!
- What We Love:
- It’s one of the healthiest meal replacements for the road that has no artificial ingredients.
- Pros:
- Vegan-friendly
- High in protein and fiber
- Tons of flavors
- Low in sugar
- Can be eaten as a pre or post-workout meal
- Cons:
- Has a weird smell
Bare Baked Crunchy Apple Chips
11
We think it’s safe to say that an apple is everyone’s favorite fruit. But did you know what’s better? Apple chips! Enter the Bare Baked Crunchy Apple Chips. Like other good snacks for road trips, these delicious chips are crunchy, sweet, and less dangerously addicting to munch during a drive. Unlike some camping food, this one is actually ready to eat!
Of course, it’s imperative to read the ingredient list when picking out snacks on the road. You never want to see words you don’t recognize or a very long list. Thankfully, this snack isn’t like that! The ingredients list reads “apples, cinnamon.” Yes, that’s it. As one of the best snacks for long car rides, there are no added caloric ingredients like vegetable oil, corn syrup, and added sugars!
- What We Love:
- A simple yet satisfying snack that can keep your stomach happy during a drive.
- Pros:
- Simple and easy-to-understand ingredients list
- No added caloric ingredients
- Sweet and crunchy
- Resealable bag
- Made from real fresh apples
- Cons:
- For some people, this snack isn’t sweet enough
Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans
10
Since broad beans are packed with protein, this snack is one of those snacks for long car rides that you can always rely on. The Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans is a 100-calorie bean snack in 13 tasty flavors, including Sweet Cinnamon and Spicy Wasabi. It might sound a lot, but trust us, each flavor will leave your taste buds wanting more!
Also vegan-friendly, this snack is high in protein, non-GMO, gluten-free, and has no cholesterol and saturated fat. Each bag is ready for on-the-go travel and the perfect size for you and your kids to snack on while in the car! All in all, this snack is a crunchy and satisfying option. Roasted and seasoned to perfection, this snack is proof that sometimes good snacking is just that simple!
- What We Love:
- It’s a healthy snack that doesn’t compromise on taste.
- Pros:
- Available in 13 different flavors
- Low-calorie
- Non-GMO and gluten-free
- High in protein and fiber
- Plant-based
- Cons:
- On the pricey side
BIENA Chickpea Snacks
9
Having snacks for the road like the BIENA Chickpea Snacks is really important. When you start getting stressed out and continue to hear, “are we there yet?” it’s time to crack out this snack! These chickpeas are packed with vitamin B6, a compound known to help the brain produce serotonin and dopamine to block your anxious thoughts and bring on happiness! It sounds like a nice option for a cramped car.
It comes in a pack of 10, so everyone in the car can enjoy this snack. It’s available in many flavors, but our favorite is the Honey Roasted one. It’s delightful and salty, with a touch of natural honey and sea salt. All you have to do with this snack is pop them in your mouth to get an explosion of fiber and flavor, which is perfect for when the drive gets a bit bumpy.
- What We Love:
- This snack allows you to have a nutritious and delicious snack when on the road.
- Pros:
- Packed with vitamin B6
- Available in many flavors
- Non-GMO and gluten-free
- Most flavors are dairy-free
- High in fiber and protein
- Cons:
- A bit dry
SkinnyPop Popcorn
8
When you’re not the one driving, a long road trip can be boring. So, why don’t you stream some movie, plug in your headphone, and grab the SkinnyPop Popcorn? This snack for long car rides offers you a guilt-free munch in any of its flavors. It doesn’t matter whether you’re getting the Cheddar, Butter, or Twist of Lime variant, as all of them are lovely!
As expected from one of the best snacks for road trips, it’s low-cal, high in fiber, and comes pre-popped. This leaves you with no need for a microwave, chemicals, or a reason to keep track of your consumption. Best of all, this non-GMO and gluten-free snack is wallet-friendly! It’s a pretty good deal.
- What We Love:
- A cheap and healthy popcorn that everyone can enjoy.
- Pros:
- Incredibly cheap
- 39 calories per cup
- Non-GMO and gluten-free
- Comes in many variants
- Pre-popped
- Cons:
- Not as good as freshly popped popcorn
IQBAR Brain and Body Keto Protein Bar
7
Who says you can’t maintain your keto diet when on the road? The IQBAR Brain and Body Keto Protein Bar is the solution that you’ve been looking for. As one of the best snacks for road trips, this plant-based bar is available in 10 yummy flavors. Each of them is gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, and has zero sugar alcohols.
Aside from the extra nutrients for your brain, this toothsome bar is also packed with 12gr of protein, 3gr of carbs, and 6 to 8gr of fiber. Once you devour this protein bar, you’ll definitely be full until you arrive at your destination! Chewy with crunchy bits distributed throughout, this bar is the perfect option for those who have diabetes.
- What We Love:
- A nice option for those staying away from soy, whey, and artificial sweeteners.
- Pros:
- Diabetic-friendly
- Has extra nutrients for your brain
- Keto-friendly
- No artificial sweeteners
- Uses plant protein
- Cons:
- The flavor isn’t strong enough for some people
Harvest Snaps Green Pea Snack Crisps
6
The bizarre cravings of road trip boredom are at an all-time high when you’re dreaming of chips and all things you probably should steer clear of. But this cheesy, chip-like snack will put your cravings to rest. Plus, there’s no additional need to hit the treadmill! Yes, the Harvest Snaps Green Pea Snack Crisps is one of those snacks for long car rides that’s low-calorie and not fried.
Made from only natural ingredients, this snack offers a decent amount of fiber and a serving of vegetables. It tastes so good that we even think picky eaters will have no problem munching these vegetable-based chips. As one of the best snacks for road trips, this snack is both gluten-free and non-GMO, so there’s nothing to worry about!
- What We Love:
- An ideal pick for those who want a healthy, non-fried snack that tastes just like regular chips.
- Pros:
- Baked chips
- Gluten-free and non-GMO
- Has a decent amount of fiber
- Low-calorie
- Crunchy and not too salty
- Cons:
- A bit oily even though it’s baked
KIND Bar Minis
5
One of the worst things that can happen on the road is having nothing to munch when your stomach is screaming. So, if you need to quell your hunger fast with a quick bite, always keep the KIND Bar Minis stocked in your car. For only 100 calories, you’ll get 7gr of healthy fats and 4gr of satiating protein that’ll zap those hunger pangs in under a minute.
Similar to some of the best snacks for road trips out there, this one is also pretty low in sugar. Plus, each flavor tastes amazing. Whether you’re into Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate or Caramel Almond & Sea Salt, this bar will surely be your new favorite snack. Best of all, it’s gluten-free and low in sodium! What more could you ask for?
- What We Love:
- A low-calorie and healthy bar that you can devour in under a minute.
- Pros:
- Each bar has 100 calories
- Low in sugar and sodium
- Gluten-free
- Available in many flavors
- Perfect size for those on the road
- Cons:
- Other bars have more protein
Bobo’s Oat Bar
4
For those who love home-baked oat bar taste, the Bobo’s Oat Bar is a must-have. There are many snacks for long car rides, but this one is easily one of the best. They come in various flavors, including Peanut Butter, Coconut, Chocolate Chip, Apple Pie, and a lot more! We’re sure you’ll be able to find one that your taste buds can’t resist.
If you want more protein, you can choose the nut butter flavors like Almond Butter and Peanut Butter. Even better, this bar is big enough for two servings, meaning you can eat half one hour, then the other half the next! It’s basically two snacks in one! Freshly baked in Boulder, Colorado, this snack is non-GMO, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly! Fill your reusable grocery bag with this snack, and your trip will be much better!
- What We Love:
- A freshly baked and chemical-free bar that doesn’t compromise quality or taste.
- Pros:
- Available in a variety of flavors
- Big enough for 2 servings
- Non-GMO and vegan-friendly
- High in protein
- Flavorful and filling
- Cons:
- Inconsistent quality control
CHOMPS Grass Fed Beef Jerky Stick
3
Want a better alternative to chemical-filled protein bars? Then you should try the CHOMPS Grass Fed Beef Jerky Stick. It’s one of those snacks for on the road that you’ll definitely enjoy. This healthy snack features sustainably sourced select meats with 100% non-GMO ingredients, including grass-fed and grass-finished non-GMO beef. Similar to some of the best snacks for road trips, it’s also gluten-free.
Studies have shown that grass-fed beef tends to be higher in good-for-you fats like omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid. On top of that, it’s lower in unhealthy fats than its conventional counterparts. Meanwhile, the flavors range from Original Beef to Jalapeno Turkey to Cranberry Habanero Beef to Salt and Pepper Venison. Compared to other jerky competitors sold at the gas station, this one is hunger quenching and has much less fat, sodium, and preservatives.
- What We Love:
- Compared to other jerky competitors, this one is way healthier and tastes amazing.
- Pros:
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Gluten-free
- High in healthy fats
- Has many different flavors
- Contains much less sodium, fat, and preservatives
- Cons:
- Pricey
Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter
2
There are tons of best snacks for road trips, but if you want something yummy and cheap, look no further than Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter. One container costs you less than 7USD, and it contains ten packs of lip-smacking peanut butter. But what’s most impressive about this snack is that it only has two ingredients; dry roasted peanuts and palm fruit oil.
Unlike some cheap snacks for on the road, this one actually has plenty of protein. That means you’ll be able to stay full longer. You can also try many different flavors, including Honey Peanut Butter, Classic & Maple Cashew Butter, and more. Filled with protein, fiber, and only natural ingredients, this squeeze pack is a great pick-me-up! Snag a piece of fruit to go with it, or, if you’re a huge peanut butter lover, eat it plain!
- What We Love:
- It’s one of the cheapest snacks for on the road that actually tastes good and is high in protein.
- Pros:
- High in protein
- Contains natural ingredients
- Has many different flavors
- Cheap
- One container contains 10 packs
- Cons:
- Some people think it’s too oily
Karma Nuts
1
Nuts can get pretty boring when you’re constantly noshing. That’s why we’re here to encourage you to try and spice things up with Karma Nuts. These wrapped cashews come in individual packs, so you don’t go overboard. Plus, each person in the car can have their pack, making it one of the best snacks for road trips.
Whether you want something sweet, spicy, or spicy, this snack has them all. The flavors include Peri Peri Chilli, Lime Twist, Raw Unsalted, Sweet Matcha, and Toasted Coconut. Plus, there’s no added sugar! We also like that this snack is full of nutrients. Cashews are great sources of magnesium, calcium, and biotin, one of the nutrients to make your hair shiny and strong. But the real winner here is that these nuts retain their natural skins, which means they have more fiber than the cashews you typically snack on.
- What We Love:
- It’s a healthy and individually packed snack that can be enjoyed by everyone in the car.
- Pros:
- Many flavors to choose from
- No added sugar
- Great for hair
- High in fiber
- Gluten-free
- Cons:
- Too dry for some people
How To Choose The Best Snacks for Road Trips
There are a bunch of foods and snacks to try in the USA, but choosing the best snacks for road trips needs some special considerations, which include:
Taste
If your snacks for the road taste nasty, you might as well not eat them! This is why you have to make sure the snacks you’re buying are tasty. If you have a sweet tooth, you can go for something like protein bars. But if you prefer something salty, snacks like chips might suit you better.
Price
When it comes to good snacks for road trips, you don’t have to spend a lot. There are a lot of delicious snacks that are incredibly cheap. But if you want something made from organic ingredients, you might need to spend a bit more.
Macro ratios
For driving, you might want to look for snacks that are high in protein and fiber. They’ll keep you full for a longer time. You can also opt for snacks that are packed with vitamin B6 since they can better your mood. We don’t recommend getting a snack that’s high in sugar, as the more sugar you eat, the more sleepy you’ll feel, which is dangerous if you’re the one driving.
Size
Another thing to consider is the size of the snack. If you’re on the road by yourself, we recommend getting something small that you can finish in a few bites. But if you’re traveling with your friends or family, it’s better to have family pack snacks.
What snacks should I bring on a road trip?
Well, there are tons of snacks that you can bring on a road trip. From bars to popcorns to chips, you can bring anything you want as long as they’re mess-free! Trust us, the last thing you want is to have your car filled with snack crumbs.
What can you not eat on a road trip?
If you’re sleepy, sluggish, bloated, or bolting to the nearest rest stop, a lengthy car ride can be more of a headache than an adventure. So, make sure to stay out of things like greasy fast food, soft drinks, milkshakes, and spicy snacks.
What should I eat while driving a long-distance?
Snacks for long car rides include fresh veggies, unsweetened yogurt, and or hard-boiled eggs. Or, you can also opt for snacks for the road like protein bars, nuts, seeds, and nut butter on long car rides. Make sure that what you eat won’t upset your stomach.
