19 Best Foods to Pack Up for a Road Trip

The busiest traveling day of the year may have come and gone, but you still have more car adventures ahead of you this summer. If you’ve ever tried to grab a snack on the go, you know that driving and eating isn’t always easy. We’re here to change that because we believe that you shouldn’t have to lower your food standards just because your traveling. These 19 snacks are the best foods to dive into on your next road trip, or morning commute. Happy dining and driving!

1. PARMIGIANO–BLACK PEPPER POPCORN

Popcorn is a great choice for the car: You can take a handful and concentrate on the road without much fuss. This recipe with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and aromatic extra-virgin olive oil with freshly ground black pepper is way more delicious than the standard stale bagged version you’ll find at the gas station.

2. MINI ROASTED VEGETABLE BURRITOS

Pack a burrito for the road! Easy to hold with one hand and full of tasty roasted vegetables, this recipe has red and green roasted peppers, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and cumin, for extra flavor. Use small six-inch flour tortillas to make mini burritos that you can easily pack in a Ziploc or some tinfoil.
Photo and recipe from Food Republic

3. BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND GOAT CHEESE HAND PIES

Try out our butternut squash and goat cheese hand pies for a great easy-to-take-on-the-road snack. With cumin, butternut squash, coriander, and goat cheese, they are small, savory, self-contained vehicles of deliciousness.

4. TAMARIND TRAIL MIX

This trail mix is packed with protein and is a lot more interesting than your normal peanuts and raisins mix. Cayenne pepper, cumin, coriander, tamarind paste, and tomato paste add a ton of interesting flavors, and coarsely chopped dried mango is a delightfully unexpected addition.
Recipe and photo from Kitchen Konfidence

5. CHEESE CRACKERS

These homemade cheese crackers are so good you’ll wonder why you ever ate Cheez-Its or Goldfish on the road instead. You can substitute whole grain or spelt flour to make them even more nutritious, and onion powder adds some nice seasoning alongside the grated sharp cheddar.
Photo and recipe from Leite’s Culinaria

6. PRETZELS

You won’t reach for the bag of Rold Gold after you try these amazing soft pretzels (though dipping sauces aren’t recommended while driving). Pretzels are a lot easier to make than most people think and have very few ingredients, things that you probably already have on hand: flour, water, yeast, salt, butter, and sugar. You can make the traditional pretzel shape or get creative and make any shape that suits your fancy.
Photo and recipe from Catch My Party

7. CRACKLY SUGAR COOKIES

Our recipe for this seasonal favorite is foolproof, and sometimes you want to snack on something sweet while you’re on the road. These are a lot better for you than any packaged cookies (no preservatives, less salt, no artificial flavorings) so you don’t have to feel guilty if you pack a few and stow them in the glove box.

8. HOMEMADE VEGGIE CHIPS

Homemade veggie chips are a great healthy alternative to potato chips, and if you make a big batch you can keep them around for on-the-go snacking. Use a mandolin to make thin, uniform vegetable slices, and you can try anything from rutabagas to parsnips, carrots, and beets.
Photo and recipe from A Beautiful Mess

9. MINI CALZONES

These mini calzones from Food & Wine are stuffed with pepperoni, pesto, and ricotta. Pizza is one of the most beloved road foods but also the hardest to safely eat while keeping your hands on the wheel. These are the perfect solution to your pizza craving when you’re eating on the run.
Recipe and photo from Food & Wine

10. BANANA CHIPS

Savory spiced banana chips are easy to pack and a lot safer to snack on than trying to peel a banana with one hand while maneuvering through traffic. Try adding different spices and increasing the amount of heat (cayenne, red pepper flakes, curry powder) until you find your perfect blend.
Recipe and photo from Taste Junction

11. STRAWBERRY FRUIT LEATHER

Your favorite childhood snack is perfect to pack for your road trip. You can use any kind of fruit—fresh or frozen—and add lemon or lime juice to adjust the flavors. Make a big batch and cut it into thin strips: It’s like you made your own Fruit by the Foot!

12. GRAPES

Grapes are not only portable but easy to grab from a container while keeping your eyes on the road, a must when eating while driving.

13. CHERRY POWER BARS

What is easy to hold in your hand, stuffed with cherries, and healthy to boot? Homemade granola bars! Check out this highly customizable recipe from Chowhound, and try adding dark chocolate chunks to make it even more delicious.

14. LENTIL HUMMUS WRAP

Want to eat your favorite sandwich in the car without looking like you got into a fight with a salad bar? Put your favorite sandwich filling in a tortilla wrap! Chowhound can get you started with this wrap stuffed with lentil hummus, squash, and pomegranate molasses.

15. SPICED ZUCCHINI MUFFINS

Muffins are great road food for their minimal messiness and portability. These delicious spiced zucchini muffins from Chowhound provide a little bit of sweet and a little bit of healthy.

16. CHEESE STICKS

Cheese sticks are small, easy to eat, and can be made from just about any variety of semihard cheese you can buy, be it mozzarella, Colby, or pepper jack. Buy them prewrapped from the store, or slice and wrap them at the beginning of the week so you can grab and go before hitting the road.

17. CRISPY RYE CRACKERS

Crackers are great to eat on the road, adding a nice crunch to your daily drive. Try these crispy rye crakers from Chowhound for the perfect on-the-go snack.

18. SWEET POTATO CHIPS

Munching on potato chips while driving is a no-brainer. Kick up your road-meal game a notch by making your own. Chowhound has a great sweet potato crisp recipe that uses smoky paprika to play off of the potatoes’ sweetness.