Around the world, food plays a big part in so many different ways. Food brings people together through different cultures, ideologies, and walks of life. Food breaks barriers, as no matter what you believe, which political party you align with, or anything in between, everyone eats food. My personal favorite subcategory of food is snacks, particularly road trip snacks.
There’s something unique about snacks. Snacks typically are not of the most highly regarded nutritional value yet are beloved by millions. There’s nothing quite like snacking on some Oreos, a bag of potato chips, pop, crackers, candy, or popcorn after a long day. The key is always to eat in moderation, of course, but still, having quality snacks is a must, especially when discussing snacks on a road trip.
Road Trip Snacks Are Special
Road trip snacks are special for a few reasons. They have specific criteria that automatically make them a much more desirable snack choice because you’re in a moving vehicle instead of stationary. For instance, eating chips and salsa at the dinner table is sublime; trying to devour a bowl of salsa with tortilla chips in a moving vehicle is a mess. This is where certain foods win out.
Another reason road trip snacks are special is because they taste better on the road. While this isn’t backed by science or studies, certain snacks just simply taste better on the road. For example, I don’t enjoy eating snacks like Pringles, Trail Mix, or Cheetos. But for some reason, if I’m a driver or passenger on a road trip, I crave and love these snacks.
Maybe it’s desperation, maybe it’s psychological, but all I know is I only eat Cheetos in the car. For these reasons, road trip snacks are their own food category. Keep reading to discover which snacks you should include on your next road trip. For easy-to-cook food options at home, check out this list.
Pretzels
Pretzels are an amazing road trip snack. Their salty flavor, combined with their ease of eating while driving, makes them a prime choice for any road trip.
A new line of stick pretzels made by the Mary’s Gone Crackers team boasts a trio of flavors (sea salt, chipotle-tomato, curry), lots of grains (rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet) and a gluten-free certification. (Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Beef Jerky
I am a firm believer that beef jerky is only good on a road trip or when camping. If you think that’s crazy, tell me why it can be found inside literally every gas station.
The Hay Merchant, 1100 Westheimer, makes its own sweet and spicy beef jerky using Black Angus beef from 44 Farms in Cameron;
Goldfish
Goldfish are a prime travel companion until you eat them all. They are the perfect mix of cracker and cheese taste—not an overwhelming amount of cheese yet cheesy. Also, they are not a messy snack.
Campbell Soup Co. Pepperidge Farm brand Goldfish crackers are arranged for a photograph in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015.
Honey nut cheerios
Honey nut Cheerios are interesting; this is very much a snack that little kids would eat in a plastic baggy. But have you ever wondered why kids never complain when eating these out of that little baggy? It’s because they are very underrated.
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: In this photo illustration, the General Mills cereal Honey Nut Cheerios is seen on September 23, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
Pringles
Pringles were made for road trips. I don’t really care for Pringles on a daily basis, but once I’ve started a road trip, they are the best.
Packets of Pringles chips, manufactured by Kellanova, in a shopping basket in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024.
