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49 Non-Perishable Road Trip Food Options For Your Next Adventure

When you’re planning a road trip , one of the biggest expenses is food. And one way to help alleviate the expense is to pack your own non-perishable road trip food. You don’t always want to lug a cooler around or have to rely on accommodations with a refrigerator.

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But what are the best choices? And can you even get healthy road trip snacks? Or choose things the kids will eat?

Well, I’ve compiled a list of 49 non-perishable food choices to pack for your next road trip . I’ve broken them down into categories for you so you can find options that are healthy, kid-friendly, have plenty of protein, or work great as a quick snack on the go.

And if you want a list you can print out and take to the store with you, check out the download near the end of this post!

Non-perishable road trip food ideas

Quick & easy non-perishable road trip snacks.

When you’re driving, sometimes it’s easiest to just grab something that’s individually packaged to curb your hunger instead of having to pull over and make a snack or get something from the gas station.

These options can come in single-serving bags that you can throw in the car and have ready to go, or you can also buy the larger boxes and divide up the servings into your own bags for the road. These are great road trip snack ideas for adults and for kids and teens.

1. Crackers

3. Pretzels

4. Snack bars – these are some of my all-time favorite foods to pack for road trips. They are quick and easy and there are so many out there that are healthy.

My ultimate favorite snack bars are Larabar . They are made with simple, healthy ingredients and taste SO good! My favorites are Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough , Cashew Cookie , and Mint Chip Brownie .

Made Good is another brand that is healthy and looks delicious that I’d like to try out soon!

5. Quaker rice cakes

6. Popcorn – there are so many great popcorn options out there! I’m a sucker for Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn but you could go for any flavor that you like!

Non-Perishable Kid-Friendly Options

We all know kids can be picky eaters, but that’s one of the great things about packing your own snacks – you can make sure you have something you know the kids will eat!

These non-refrigerated road trip food options are going to be crowd-pleasers for most children.

7. Goldfish – the classic kid snack! You can get the individual bags or divide a larger bag into single servings.

8. Fruit snacks – what kid doesn’t like fruit snacks? If you are looking for a great healthy choice, YumEarth fits the bill.

9. Cereal – another great option is to divide up some of their favorite cereal and put it into smaller bags for them to munch on.

10. Cookies – again, it’s probably best to have these separated out so they don’t eat an entire box of cookies (yup, it’s me, I’m still that person).

11. Poptarts – these could also be a great option for a quick breakfast on the road.

12. Candy – sometimes a nice treat of their favorite candy can cheer up kids and keep them happy on a rougher day…I mean, it still works for me too!

Non-perishable food choices High In Protein

We’ve all been there – you have a few more hours until you reach your destination and your stomach is grumbling. Choosing a high-protein road trip snack will curb hunger and keep you fuller longer. These are some great non-perishable road trip food choices for in-between meals that will fill you up.

13. Tuna/chicken/salmon cans or packets – These are one of my top road trip food choices. They are the perfect non-perishable protein option for when you are on the go, but they also work well for making sandwiches or putting on salads. They are incredibly versatile!

The Starkist Tuna Creations packets are easier for eating on the road, but the cans are a good option for camping and when you are sitting down to eat. Just don’t forget to get the ones with the pull tabs so you don’t need a can opener (or make sure to bring a can opener with you) and also have some utensils easily available.

14. Jerky – while a more expensive option than some of the others, there are so many flavors available, and jerky is always an easy and filling choice. You can try different unique kinds too, like Buffalo Bob’s assortment . 

15. Meat sticks – lots of options for these too, such as Wenzel’s Farm Variety Pack Sticks .

16. Pepperoni

17. Protein bars (like Clif, Kind, or Power Crunch)

18. Trail mix – you can make your own or find some good premade kinds. I absolutely love Power Up Trail Mix .

19. Pumpkin seeds – try to find a brand that doesn’t use a ton of salt, like Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Pumpkin Seeds .

20. Nut butter – a good choice to eat with crackers for a more filling snack (almond, peanut, pistachio).

21. Protein powder – mix up some protein powder with water in a shaker cup and you’ve got a filling, healthy drink for the road!

Non-perishable meals + Sides

Let’s be real, one of the best parts of road trips is getting to try new foods and eating out at local establishments. But if you’re on a tight budget, you probably will need to watch how much you spend on food, so sometimes you’ll need to make road trip meals for yourself.

After a long day of traveling or exploring, you might just want to come back to your campsite or hotel and make something quick and simple. And if you have some easy road trip meals already on hand, you don’t even need to go to the grocery store!

When we travel, my husband and I always bring some staples along for late nights and when we are too lazy to make anything fancy. Here are some of the best foods for a road trip that you can bring along to help cut costs and that also don’t need a refrigerator.

22. Quaker Instant Oatmeal – you can add dried fruit, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, and other items to make this a great hearty breakfast. I like to buy the version in disposable cups so it’s easy to just add hot water or milk.

23. Peanut butter + jelly on a tortilla – tortillas last much longer than regular bread and are a great choice for road trips.

24. Ramen/cup of noodles – always an easy choice!

25. Spaghetti + pasta sauce – we’ve made spaghetti on our camp stoves and it works really well!

26. Canned soup – there are so many canned soup choices, and they are very filling and easy…just warm it up and eat!

27. Kodiak Cakes Flapjack Mix – this is one of our camping staples…just add water to the mix and cook over a fire or a camp stove. We also like to add peanut butter to our pancakes and it’s SO GOOD!

28. Pizza dough mix + pizza sauce + toppings – we almost always make pizza when we camp because it’s easy and most of the ingredients are non-perishable so we can buy them ahead of time.

29. Rice packets – a great easy option for a side.

30. Canned veggies and beans – more simple side options…just warm up and eat!

31. Instant mashed potatoes – you can get these in different flavors as well.

32. Condiment packets & spices – you can pack along a few of these to help flavor your meals and also not have to worry about bringing along a whole bottle of something that you then will need to refrigerate or toss.

33. Olives/pickles – another option for pizza or burger toppings or just to snack on (is that weird? Maybe…but I still like them for snacks).

34. Soy/almond milk cans/boxes – can be used with cereal or to mix with sides that call for milk (these don’t need to be refrigerated until opened).

35. Powdered milk – can also be used as a milk substitute for recipes.

Healthy Non-Perishable road trip food

Road trip food is pretty much known for being processed, unhealthy junk which is one of the reasons most of us gain weight on vacation (I’m definitely one of those people).

But there are plenty of healthy snacks and food choices out there that are better than just going through the drive-thru for the fifth time.

If you are looking for some options for non-perishable food for a road trip that is healthy, here are some ideas for you.

36. KIND Granola – mix with a little powdered milk and water for a healthier cereal option. KIND has very little added sugar which makes it a solid choice.

37. Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, etc.) – try to find some with very little or no added sugar, such as Mavuno Harvest .

38. Nuts (cashews, walnuts, pistachios, etc.)

39. Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)

40. Dried chickpeas and beans – if you are ambitious you can make these yourself, or you can buy premade ones like these from The Good Bean .

41. Wildmade Fruit Leather

42. Kiwa Veggie Chips – these can be a good alternative to potato chips or crackers.

43. Simple Truth Applesauce – this is a great brand with no added sugar.

44. Salsa – a better chip dip choice than queso or other processed dips.

45. Bare Baked Coconut Chips – oh man, we just discovered these and they are SO GOOD! They are much healthier for you than regular potato chips and they taste like a dessert.

Non-Perishable Drinks

Drinks can get expensive on road trips, so it’s a good idea to bring a few options along with you so you don’t need to constantly grab something at the gas station.

While I always bring along a water bottle and fill that up as I go, sometimes you want something with flavor, so here are a few suggestions.

46. Coffee – the instant stuff might not be any good, but you can make your own favorite coffee over a fire with a camping coffee pot, or anywhere you go with this Aeropress . I lot of hotel rooms and Airbnbs will also have coffee pots you can use.

related: Ways to save money on a road trip

47. Tea – my husband’s the coffee person, but I love my tea. I like to bring some along for the mornings I need a little pick-me-up or to chase away the chill.

48. Water flavors – there are plenty of water flavorings out there, so you are sure to find one you like. Just squeeze a few drops in your water bottle and have something delicious to drink without the added calories.

49. Iced tea/lemonade packets – this is another good option you can add to your water for some flavor and without needing to constantly purchase bottles in the store.

Non-perishable road trip food list

If you’d like a road trip packing list of food you can download and take with you to the store, fill out the form below to download it for free!

Benefits to packing your own road trip food

So why should you pack food along on your next road trip? That’s just more work and one more thing you have to do to prepare for your vacation!

Yes, it might take a little planning and be a little more work, but there are lots of reasons why bringing some of your own food with you when you travel is a great idea.

It saves you money

One of the biggest reasons to pack along food is because it will save you money.

Your vacation money is precious, and if you can use less of it on food so you can spend more of it on activities and other things that matter, you’ll be able to stretch your budget even further.

By taking a little time to plan for some good travel food ideas and grocery shop before you go, you’ll be able to plan your budget better and not blow all your food money by grabbing whatever you can find to eat at every gas station and vending machine to keep the family fed.

It saves you time

We all know that on vacation, time flies and it feels like we never have enough of it.

And while some of the experience of a trip is sitting down and eating a good meal, there are other days when you’d rather be hiking or exploring a museum or zoo and you’d rather not spend several hours finding a place to eat when all you want to do is go and see ALL. THE. THINGS.

On days like that, packing your own food is a life (and time) saver. Just whip up a couple of make-ahead meals from your food stash and throw in some snacks, and you can take the day to explore and then have nourishment on hand when the stomach growls.

You can eat healthier

Obviously, not all road trip food is healthy. But packing your own allows you to make healthier choices instead of being at the mercy of fast-food restaurants and gas station hot dogs.

Sure, you can definitely find salads and wraps and veggie trays at stores, but it’s not always guaranteed, so knowing you have some healthier items with you allows you to not feel guilty or forced to eat bad food when there isn’t much else to choose.

You have things you know you will eat

If you have picky eaters, there’s no guarantee you are going to find food choices they will like. If you pack along meals you know they will eat, it will save your sanity.

You can Have a picnic

Who doesn’t love a picnic? I know I sure do! It’s a great addition to the ultimate road trip experience! When you have all your food with you already, you can have a picnic anytime it strikes your fancy!

Keeps you from getting hangry

My husband will attest that I can get hangry pretty easily, and my son seems to have inherited that trait from me as well. We need to eat something every few hours, and if we don’t we get crabby. And then that makes all of us crabby which can ruin the day if we aren’t careful.

So by having something to eat with us wherever we go, we don’t have to worry about a lack of food ruining an otherwise amazing day.

Non-food items to pack for a road trip

If you’re going to eat on the road while traveling or if you’re camping, you’ll need some additional items to prep and store your food as well as clean up afterward. Here’s a list of things to bring with you.

• Plastic plates, cups, and cutlery (plastic is nice because you can wash them and reuse them a few times)
• Paper towels
• Bamboo/reusable straws (better than paper since you can reuse them)
• Hand sanitizer
• Ziplock/storage bags
• Plastic tote for storing food (a much easier choice than bags)
• Reusable water bottles
• Coffee mugs/thermos
• Cutting board & knife
• Sponge, bucket, dish soap

How to keep your food organized on a road trip

So you’ve got your food, you’ve got your non-food items, and now you’re ready to hit the road. But how do you keep everything organized so you can find what you’re looking for? Here are a few road trip tips to keep your car from getting cluttered.

Use plastic containers/totes to organize

I’ll admit I’m guilty of just shoving all my food into Aldi bags, throwing them in the back seat, and calling it good, but every time I’m looking for something, it takes me way longer than it should (not to mention everything ends up spilling everywhere).

So buy a couple of clear plastic containers to put your food in and make it easier on yourself.

The nice thing with these is that you can see what’s in them, you can write on them with dry-erase markers so you know exactly what’s in them, and they stack nicely in the car. So much better than grocery bags.

Everyone has their own reusable water bottle

Rather than having a bunch of half-drunk plastic water bottles piled up everywhere and nobody knows whose is whose, get everyone their own bottle or mug so there’s no confusion and less trash.

Use small storage bags for individual servings

It’s usually cheaper to buy a larger bag of something than a bunch of smaller bags of the same thing, so to save money, buy that large box of Cheez-Its or popcorn or potato chips or whatever you’d like and divide them up into separate smaller bags.

Not only will you save money, but it makes it easier to divvy up the snacks among the group without passing around the larger bag, and you can also control portions better (because I know it’s not just me that will mindlessly eat that whole sleeve of cookies because it’s just sitting there).

You can even buy reusable silicone ones so you can wash them and use them again instead of throwing away the plastic ones constantly.

Have clean-up items close by and easily available

It’s bound to happen. You’re reaching back for something and you knock over a cup, or one of your kids drops their bag of Goldfish, and then you’ve got a mess to clean up.

Have a separate small box or bag with clean-up supplies (paper towels, wet wipes, sponge, upholstery cleaner, etc.) so when the accidents happen, you can take care of it quickly and move on.

Keep a garbage can/bag in the car

It’s something so simple that will keep your car much cleaner and organized. Designate a plastic bag or get a garbage can for the car and discard your items in there instead of hoarding a pile on the floor of the car until the next stop.

Conclusion: Non-Perishable Food Options For Your Next Road Trip

Purchasing food ahead of time for your next road trip will help save you money and time, and non-perishable items are perfect so you aren’t restricted by having to have a cooler or fridge. And if you’re looking for road trip food on a budget, most of these food items fit the bill!

I hope this list gives you some great choices for your next vacation!

Want to save this for later? Pin it!

Stefanie Henne is an experienced road trip travel blogger who specializes in helping others plan their dream vacation, no matter their budget or time restraints. Go here to read more about Stef's story. If you want to send Stef a message, visit her contact page here.

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ottimo locale sempre con ottima musica e bel arredo consiglio vivamente alle persone che non sanno cosa fare. le bevande sono buone compreso il cibo , la musica dipende

Locale per noi non nuovo, cibo come sempre ottimo, personale attento, preparato ed empatico nei confronti dei clienti. Ottima serata con musica dal vivo, la cosa negativa è stata, a fine esibizione, assistere al rivolgersi in un modo poco appropriato ed aggressivo nei confronti della... cameriera da parte di uno dei componenti della band. Evitando di entrare nel dettaglio l’ho trovato molto fuori luogo ed offensivo. Nell’insieme posto consigliato e ben organizzato. Altro

Locale all' insegna del divertimento assicurato Pulito Personale gentile e attento alle esigenze del cliente nonostante fosse affollato Cibo ottimo Ho visto piatti gustati e clienti soddisfatti Proprietario e staff che lavorano con il cuore e si vede. Le recensioni negative le trovo un po'... fuori luogo e costruite per ferire persone che lavorano con passione e sacrificio Ci torneremo sicuramente Continuate così Bravi Altro

Proprietario una persona infima, si è rifiutato di pagare il gruppo che suonava perché aveva ricevuto la disdetta di un tavolo prenotato per 4 persone amiche del cantante. Quel tavolo è stato subito occupato da 10 persone per il dopocena sempre amiche del gruppo. Vi... sembra una persona corretta??? Altro

Buongiorno la ringrazio innanzitutto per la recensione, anche non so con che titolo l’abbia fatta. Comunque la miglior risposta alla sua sono quelle dei clienti che c’erano nel locale e hanno fatto recensioni sull’accaduto. Riflettendo sul passato se non erro , tutte le altre (... Altro

Siamo sempre andati di sera a fare apericena e a sentire la musica live e la disco è vi siamo sempre divertiti. Il clima è bello, e anche il cibo è discreto. Oggi siamo andati a pranzo e devo dire che ci siamo trovati benissimo

LOCACALE ACCOGLIENTE! PROPRIETARIO E CAMERIERI FANTASTICI! SI MANGIA E SI BEVE BENE! OTTIMA QUALITA PREZZO! OTTIMA PROGAMAZZIONE DI BAND MUSICALI PARCHEGGIO COMODO MI SONO VERAMENTE DIVERTITO!

locale piccolo e con una buona atmosfera, il personale cortese e sempre a disposizione, specialmente Simona che nonostante il locale fosse pieno si è sempre resa disponibile alle nostre richieste. Bravi gli artisti che si sono esibiti live e bella musica dopo le h24. L'unica... pecca è il cibo, suggerirei di rivedere le cotture e i sapori..... nonostante ciò ritorneremo :-) Altro

Sconsigliato! Il menu non corrisponde al menu del sito. Alle mie rimostranze mi è stato risposto “non guardare il sito, non è affidabile” Tempi di attesa lunghissimi Usciti dal locale i vestiti puzzavano di fritto!!!!

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Grazie! Davvero ci fa molto piacere 🤗

Arrivi qui per la prima volta e sembra un bar malfamato. Invece l'apparenza inganna. Sei trattato bene, con educazione, da bere c'è un po' di tutto, cocktails compresi, da mangiare c'è in cucina la regina della Thailandia che cucina meglio di una casalinga di Milano.... È vero nei week end devi aspettare ma è normale c'è tanta gente. Preferiresti stare da solo e non aspettare? Che tristezza.... Voto allo staff 8, nonostante abbiano vestiti improponibili, al locale 9. Da provare assolutamente Altro

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The Ultimate Road Trip Food Packing List

April 7, 2021 //  by  Follow Me Away //   Leave a Comment

If you are planning a road trip anytime soon, then you are probably looking for some ideas for delicious and healthy road trip food. You have come to the right place for yummy ideas! We have created lists organized by each meal of all our favorite road trip foods.

Packing your own food for a road trip is a great idea for multiple reasons. For one, it is a healthier choice. You don’t want to be bogged down by fast-food calories. Eating healthier on the road will help you feel good.

Also, bringing your own meals saves money because you will not have to eat out all the time. You’ll save time too since you won’t be stopping every few hours for your next meal.

There will also be less waste and trash build-up in your car from fast food wrappers, so it is a good environmental choice as well.

Besides, you want to spend your road trip looking for beautiful sights , not keeping an eye out for the next exit sign with the best restaurant choices. Having all your meals planned out ahead of time helps to make the rest of your trip less stressful. Food will be one less thing to worry about.

Okay, clean out your cooler and get your grocery list ready! It’s time to meal plan for a road trip! Keep reading for some of the best food for road trips.

Table of Contents

Quick Tips For Road Trip Food

Keep the cooler cold.

It might seem obvious, but it worth reminding you of how important it is to keep your cooler cold, especially on a long trip. To help with this, make sure to only open your cooler when necessary. By opening it as little as possible, you help to keep that cold air inside and prevent the ice from melting.

It helps to know exactly what you plan on taking out before you even open the lid. That way you can get what you need quickly without having the cooler open for long. Keep the contents organized so you know where everything is.

Also, consider putting your ice on top of the food instead of on the bottom. This way the cold air will move down and keep your food colder more efficiently.

Pack With Care

How you pack your road trip food plays a big role. You need to make sure everything is organized by how likely it is to get smashed. Softer foods go on top and away from anything that might shift and smash it.

Overall, consider packing snacks that won’t get crushed. Things will move around as you drive and you don’t want to open a bag of crackers and find only crumbs.

Another thing to keep in mind is where you put your cooler and food containers in your car. If they are far in the back, you won’t be able to easily reach them without having to stop. Make sure they are within arm’s length and also out of direct sunlight.

Don’t Bring Delicate Foods

Going along with the last point, you might want to consider leaving more delicate foods such as certain fruits at home. If not, eat them first before they get smashed or go bad.

Also, think about alternatives to certain foods. For instance, tortillas for wraps take up less space than a loaf of bread and also won’t get crushed.

Use a Filtering Water Bottle

Instead of bringing a pack of single-use water bottles, bring along a few reusable water bottles. These of course take up less space and are better for the environment.

Also, consider using a filtering water bottle specifically. These water bottles will keep your water tasting fresh and clean, even when you have to fill them up at the gas station.

Use Two Coolers

Using two coolers will not only help you pack more food, but you will also be able to keep things more organized. One cooler can be used as your fridge and the other as your freezer. Use big ice blocks to keep things super cold in the freezer.

Avoid Too Much Sugar

Sugar is bad not only because it is unhealthy but also because of its effects. Too much sugar will lead you to feeling tired and sluggish, which is not want you want while on a fun road trip.

We’ve tried to list healthy road trip food options that are low in sugar, especially highly processed food. If you start to crave sugar try something with natural sugar like fruit.

Use Condiment Packets

Big bottles of ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise take up a lot of space, plus they need to be refrigerated after they are opened. Instead, try stocking up on individual condiment packets.

These packets can be stowed easily and won’t take up precious space in your cooler. Plus you can use just as much as you need, and you won’t be left with a bunch of half-full bottles.

Pack Non-Food Essentials

Along with food, you need to remember to pack all of the essentials that go with road trip food. Napkins and wet hand wipes will keep you clean before and after you eat.

Pack plastic or bamboo utensils that can easily be wiped clean and stored after use. Travel-worthy bowls won’t let food go flying with the movement of the car. Garbage bags will keep your car clean from litter and can easily be disposed of at a pit stop once they are full.

Another helpful thing to bring is a plastic cutting board. You can use this as a makeshift counter to prepare your food.

For any leftovers, use airtight containers to keep your food fresh. These containers are also more stackable. Alternatively, Ziplock bags might fit more snugly in your cooler.

Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and can really set your attitude for the rest of the morning. You want to eat a healthy road trip breakfast that will keep you going.

Foods like whole grains and nuts will keep you energized. Plus, they are better in the long run than a greasy breakfast sandwich from McDonald’s every day.

Yogurt makes a great starting point for a healthy road trip breakfast. Choose ones that have low sugar and are non-dairy to make it even healthier. The great thing about yogurt is how you can customize it. Mix in granola and fruit to add even more flavor.

You can make your own healthier version of an Egg McMuffin by using hard-boiled eggs and precooked, turkey bacon. Or try a filling bagel with cream cheese and jam.

If you like to bake, you can make some banana bread or blueberry muffins for a delicious road trip meal. These will keep better than the fruit alone as well.

If traveling with younger kids, a bag of dry cereal like Cheerios could satisfy.

• Hard-Boiled Egg and Bacon on English Muffin
• Fruit Such as Bananas, Strawberries, and Blueberries
• Bagels with Cream Cheese and Jam
• Croissants with Nutella
• Homemade Banana Bread

Road Trip Lunch Ideas

When lunchtime rolls around, you will want something a little more filling than breakfast. You can prepare road trip meals before you leave on your trip. Or you can bring ingredients that can easily be put together in the passenger seat.

Mix a salad in a Mason jar for easy packaging and consumption later. Use a Thermos to keep soup warm for the first leg of your journey or eat it cold later.

• Vegetable Wraps
• Pre-Made Salad or Salad in a Jar
• Soups in a Thermos
• Pre-Cut Summer Sausage, Cheese, and Crackers
• Ham and Cream Cheese Pinwheels
• Smoked Fish on Crackers

Road Trip Sandwich Ideas

Sandwiches are such a go-to easy lunch idea, why not create a list specifically for them? Not all sandwiches have to be the same and there are so many ways to make them with different ingredients.

You can make these sandwiches traditionally with bread or mix it up by rolling the ingredients up in a tortilla. Premade salads such as egg or chicken are great on bread, just add some lettuce. You can also use single packets of tuna that do not need to be refrigerated.

• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Chicken Salad
• Hot Dog Sandwich
• Pizza Sandwich with Pepperoni and Cheese
• Cucumber With Cream Cheese
• Peanut Butter, Banana, and Honey

Best Road Trip Snacks

The road trip snacks you choose can really make or break your trip. You will want to bring snacks you like. Healthy road trip snacks will leave you feeling good physically and mentally.

Also, bring a variety of snack types so you won’t get bored of what you are munching. Have a mix of salty and sweet so you have the best road trip snacks for whatever you are craving.

There are so many healthy and organic choices for snack foods these days that this road trip food category is easy to prepare for. Most of these ideas can easily be bought off the shelf and packed as they are.

If you want to keep portions small, open your bags and boxes of snacks and separate them into smaller containers. This helps if you have kids, too, since then each kid will have their own treat.

Another tip if you have kids is to have them help prepare the snacks ahead of time. They can help make the no-bake bars and cookies or dip pretzels in melted chocolate. This will make them excited to try their creations and give them something to look forward to during the ride.

• String Cheese
• Clementine Oranges
• Pita with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips Rolled Up
• Goldfish Crackers
• Homemade Trail Mix
• Healthy No-Bake Energy Bars or Cookies
• Carrot Sticks
• Celery With Peanut Butter
• Bell Pepper Slices With Veggie Dip

Best Road Trip Meals For Dinner

Your road trip dinner should be easy to make and healthy as well. This is where meal prep comes in the most. Of course, you can’t cook while on the road, but there are plenty of road trip meals that you can eat cold.

Do some cooking before your trip so you are prepared to feed your family on the go. Things like soup, salad, and pasta are easy to make and come in so many varieties. They also keep well and can be easily stored in Tupperware.

Your meals do not have to be complicated to be good. Keep it simple! Pita and veggies dipped in hummus, for example, takes little prep and is a healthy road trip food idea.

• Hearty Soups
• Hearty Salads
• Pasta Salad or Cold Pasta
• Potato Salad
• Pita with Hummus
• Pre-Cooked Chicken for Wraps or Salad
• Pre-Made Pulled Pork on Buns

Best Drinks For A Road Trip

Road trip drinks are important in keeping you hydrated. Options like coffee and tea will keep you energized for hours behind the wheel. You will want healthy drinks to keep your calorie intake low when you are sitting for hours.

Consider the vitamins you can get from your drinks as well. Be mindful of what you are allowing into your body. Try making some health smoothies ahead of time or buy some bottled ones at the health food store.

Of course, water is the best choice health-wise. Plus it is free to fill up almost anywhere. Freeze your water bottles the night before so you can enjoy cold water throughout the day as it melts.

If riding in the car makes you queasy, try drinking ginger tea to settle your stomach.

• Pre-Made Herbal Tea
• Cold Matcha Tea
• Fruit Juices
• Healthy Smoothies
• Water with Refillable Water Bottles

At the end of the day, you will want road trip food that will keep you both happy and healthy. Overloading on a bunch of sugary food while sitting in the car for long stretches might not make you feel good about your choices. However healthy road trip snacks are great tasting and good for your body.

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13 Under-the-radar Dining Destinations Around the World, According to Travel Experts

If you plan your vacations around your meals, you'll want to book a trip to one of these expert-approved foodie destinations.

Discovering new food is one of travel's great pleasures. Whether it involves snagging a coveted multicourse reservation, or simply wandering from one street stall to another searching for the best snacks, many travelers structure their trips based on the meals they'll have.

To help you plan your next great meal, we asked Travel + Leisure's A-List of travel advisors for their suggestions of the best under-the-radar dining spots around the world. So, if you've already checked some foodie cities — Paris , San Sebastián , Cusco , Osaka — off your list, consider these lesser-known destinations.

Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

"Hawke's Bay became one of the most popular dining destinations in New Zealand during our lockdowns. Mary's in Havelock North has an excellent wine list, and comfort dishes like gnocchi, burgers, and grilled prawns. Bostocks , which is one of the largest organic apple producers in the Southern Hemisphere, also has a superb organic kitchen which is open for lunch only, and serves one rotating meal per day." — Alexandra Stewart, Antipodean Luxury Travel

Tbilisi, Georgia

"People often get hung up on the number of Michelin-starred restaurants a city has, but there are some places it seems the Michelin inspectors haven't been to. Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is one of them. Georgian cuisine is pretty special, with some unique spice blends and even a special salt from the remote Svaneti mountain region. It has some divine comfort food, like khinkali (soup dumplings), and chachapuri, a bread stuffed with cheese, and sometimes spinach. At its most photogenic version, the chachapuri is shaped like a boat, full of salty cheese and an egg." — Jay Ternavan, JayWay Travel

José Ignacio, Uruguay

"José Ignacio in Uruguay has one of my favorite under-the-radar food scenes in South America. One of the region's most acclaimed chefs, Francis Mallmann, has a small yet elegant restaurant called Garzon in the area, which uses fresh, local products from the countryside and the nearby sea. Marismo also seats its guests on the beach but offers a more quaint candlelit setting to enjoy its famous slow-braised lamb as a bonfire crackles nearby." — Emmanuel Burgio, Blue Parallel

Nashville, Tennessee

"There is an incredibly rich and complicated history behind southern food. I think Nashville has some exciting new restaurants like the Appalachian-inspired Audrey from Chef Sean Brock, who started Husk in Charleston. It's a prix fixe experience and the bar also offers five cocktails daily. The Mockingbird features a great global menu, and The Catbird's Seat also has incredible chef's table experience." — Christie Holmes, Global Community Travel

"From the Italian-inspired foods — including truffles — of Istria, to the oyster farms of Mali Ston Bay, and the wineries of Peljesac Peninsula (often called Croatia's "Napa Valley"), this country's culinary scene is vibrant, original, and delicious. I also always recommend Bokeria in Split. — Gary Portuesi, Authentic Explorations

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

"I would like to give a shout out to Wales. It is an under-appreciated region with incredible traditions. The Walnut Tree is a Michelin-starred gem deep in the countryside, two miles east of Abergavenny. The set menu changes but you can count on local game and fish. The Potted Pig , which is set in a former bank vault underneath the city of Cardiff, is a delightful place to have dinner and try one of their 30 gins." — Jennifer Schawrtz, Authentic Explorations

San Ignacio, Belize

"Belize is one of my favorite culinary destinations due to the availability of fresh seafood and freshly grown herbs, vegetables, and tropical fruits. You can find a blend of cultural dishes and Guava Limb Cafe , a restaurant, cafe and lounge located in San Ignacio. From a street view, you wouldn't even realize that this hidden gem exists other than the street signage. They also have an amazing array of cakes and deserts to enjoy." — Maurice Smith, Eugene Toriko

Nairobi, Kenya

"Nairobi has a burgeoning food scene, with fantastic bistros and restaurants popping up in some of the hottest areas in town. Some have been around for a few years now, like Talisman , which is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. You also have small places like the Tin Roof Cafe or even the Cafe at Matbronze , which are small establishments but perfect for a quick bite while touring, and shopping!" — Daniel Saperstein, Hippo Creek Safaris

Vienna, Austria

"People always overlook Vienna for its more glittering neighbors of Rome, London, and Paris. However, Vienna continues to innovate with an incredible array of dining, from 3-star Michelin places to tiny little wine taverns. I just ate at the new Chez Bernard at Hotel Motto and loved that this pretty rooftop restaurant was full of locals. And I'm never disappointed by Zum Schwarzen Kameel . For a snack, you just can't beat Trzesniewski's open-faced sandwiches, found all over the city." — Gwen Kozlowski, Exeter International

Delhi, India

"One destination I feel can be overlooked for great dining experiences is Delhi. The city has a multitude of classic, sought-after restaurants, from Indian Accent at the Lodhi Hotel to the newly reinstated Sunday brunch at the Imperial Hotel . If you wish to step away from glitzy restaurants and high-end dining, you can also indulge in Delhi's amazing street food scene, joining the incredible guides from Delhi Food Walks , or if you prefer the more "established setting," try Bukhara restaurant." — Niall Causer, Audley Travel

Iraklia, Greece

"The small island of Iraklia, in the family of smaller islands of the Cyclades, hosts a small gem of a restaurant named Arakleia , from one of the best chefs in all of Greece, Yiannis Gavalas. Locally sourced ingredients and a true authenticity of Greek cooking make this a must visit." — Petros G. Zissimos, Hellenic Holidays

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

"Phnom Penh has an amazing up-and-coming culinary scene. What many people do not know is there a large number of Asian expats in the city, so you can see influences from Japan, China, and Vietnam in many restaurants. We also have the latest dining experience in the city on board our luxury boat, Samsara. Guests can enjoy sunset cocktails whilst cruising down the Mekong and then a five-course dinner." — Andy Booth, About Asia Travel

Buenos Aires, Argentina

" Aramburu in Buenos Aires, consistently ranked as one of the top Latin American restaurants, is a favorite I return to time and time again. The 18-course tasting menu is a work of art. You might try quail with amaranth, pak choi, and cucumber, or a quinoa, ricotta, and lime cannoli." — Eric Goldring, Goldring Travel

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Road Trip Food Ideas: Packable Snacks and Make-Ahead Meals

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I (The Winding Road Tripper) earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more . 

Are you planning a road trip and looking for snack and meal ideas that are convenient, mostly healthy, and money-saving? Then look no further.

We love a good road trip and one of our favorite things is packing fun snacks and meals to eat along the way.

This list of road trip food ideas will give you everything you need to plan all of your food for your next road trip. 

We include both refrigerated and non-refrigerated options to help you free up space in your cooler or to provide you options if you don’t have a cooler on this road trip. And we also share our tips for packing your cooling and restocking while on the road. 

Let’s dive in and find some mouth-watering road trip food ideas.

What Makes for Good Road Trip Food

When packing road trip snacks and meals, it is important to understand what makes for good road trip food. Not every meal or snack works well on the road. 

When coming up with your meal plan here are a few things to keep in mind when picking out your road trip food.

Try to focus on these types of foods when planning your road trip:

• Easily packable
• Easy to clean up
• Individual packaging 
• Easy to open
• Finger food
• Avoid strong odored food
• High protein and fiber (to keep everyone feeling fuller longer)

Road Trip Healthy Snack Ideas

Road trips are all about the snacks. And, of course, we always include our favorite sweet treats. 

But we also try to pack a bunch of healthy snacks to keep the hunger monster away and keep us energized until our next meal break. 

Non-Perishable Healthy Snacks

• Dehydrated fruits and vegetables (Mango is our favorite)
• Trail mix (w/o chocolate)
• Laughing Cow Cheese and Crackers
• Roasted almonds
• Whole apples
• Sunflower seeds
• Homemade energy bars, such as no-bake peanut butter energy bars  

Cooler-Required Healthy Snacks

• Fruits and vegetables, including celery, grapes, cut apples and pears, and baby carrots
• String Cheese
• Individual hummus, dressing, or dips for fruits and vegetables
• Spicy Hummus and Veggie Jar 
• Crackers and cheese
• Pre-packaged all-natural smoothies that come in drinkable containers
• Dark chocolate

Road Trip Indulgent Snack Ideas

Indulgent snacks are an essential part of a road trip because they are fun, tasty, and decadent. In addition, indulgent snacks, such as potato chips and cookies, are affordable and easy to pack in individual plastic baggies. 

Non-Perishable Indulgent Snacks

• Banana bread
• Cookies, such as sugar cookies (they don’t melt) 
• Fruit leather
• Potato chips
• Pretzel, cracker, and peanut mixtures
• Snack cakes and cupcakes
• Boiled peanuts
• Snack box – Check out Amazon for some unique snack boxes. We love the snack boxes from different countries.

Cooler-Required Indulgent Snacks

• Mini Roasted Vegetable Burritos 
• Peanut butter sandwiches
• Parfaits in a jar 
• Cheese spread for crackers
• Pudding cups 
• Power Balls

Make-Ahead Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

Enjoying a road trip often means early days and breakfast on the go. These make-ahead breakfast meals are perfect for those early mornings.

Non-Perishable Breakfast Ideas

• Granola bars
• Cake Donuts
• Power Scones – A Winding Road Tripper Favorite
• Whole fruits

Cooler-Required Breakfast Ideas

• Parfaits in a jar (see recipe above)
• Rainbow fruit kabobs with yogurt dipping sauce
• Bagels and cream cheese
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Peanut butter, granola, and banana wrap

Make-Ahead Road Trip Lunch Ideas

Make-ahead lunch meals provide easy-to-eat food items if you plan on driving through lunchtime. Road trip lunch ideas are perfect if you want to take a break, stretch your legs, and have a roadside picnic lunch. 

Non-Perishable Lunch Ideas

• Nut butter with pita chips
• Snack packs with crackers, grapes, and peanut butter
• Rice cakes with peanut butter
• Pita bread with canned tuna and mayo packets

Cooler-Required Lunch Ideas

• Vegetables with ranch, hummus, guacamole, or veggie dip
• Premade lunch sandwiches with deli meats and cheeses
• Salad in a jar
• Fruit salad
• Cucumber sandwiches
• Pita pockets stuffed with turkey, cheese, hummus, and cucumber
• Homemade lunch packs with summer sausage, crackers, and cheese
• Tortillas rolled with olive cream cheese and deli meat (such as turkey or pepperoni)
• Roll-up or pita sandwiches, such as a chicken tortilla wrap 

Make-Ahead Road Trip Dinner Ideas

Road trips are often exhausting. And by the time you make it to your destination, you may be ready to shower, eat dinner, and get some sleep. Making dinner meals ahead of time allows you to do these things while eating comfortably in your hotel or campsite. 

Non-Perishable Dinner Ideas

• Canned chili and cornbread
• Couscous and white beans, topped with salsa
• Garlic bread and marinara sauce (to go with the buffalo chicken pasta salad listed below)
• Microwave macaroni and cheese cups (if microwave is available)

Cooler-Required Dinner Ideas

• Salad topped with cubed rotisserie chicken
• Buffalo chicken pasta salad 
• Cold veggie pizza 
• Mediterranean pasta salad 
• Hummus and veggie wrap

Eating on the Road Non-Food Essentials

To help enjoy your preplanned road trip snack and meal ideas, it is helpful to pack some non-food essentials. Use this list to make sure you have everything you need for an easy and clean road trip meal time. 

• Paper plates
• Paper bowls
• Plastic cutlery — forks, knives, and spoons
• Sharp knife (for cutting fruits, veggies, and sandwiches)
• Paper towels or napkins
• Zip-locking food storage bags
• Plastic food storage containers
• Hard-sided cooler for trunk
• Soft-sided cooler for inside the car
• Reusable grocery bags to organize and store food
• Refillable water bottles
• Plastic trash bags

Protip: Splurge on Stasher bags (or any other silicon bag) for road trips. They are pricey but they are in your budget we highly recommend them as they are one of our favorite splurges. They are great to keep things dry in the cooler and to keep things organized and portioned out. 

More Road Trip Essentials: Road Trip Accessories You Need for Your Next Road Trip Family Road Trip Essentials: Things You Need to Pack for a Road Trip with Kids The Ultimate Camping Road Trip Camping List

Tips for Road Trip Meal Prepping 

Meal prepping before heading out on a road trip helps save time while on the road and makes grabbing snacks and meals easier. Additionally, road trip meal prepping helps ensure you have all the food, snacks, and beverages you need to keep everyone full and satisfied. 

• Create a list of meals and snacks to make ahead of time.
• Select meals with foods that can easily be mixed and matched together for more options.
• Choose finger foods to avoid the need for cutlery.
• Consider the trip length and plans to determine foods and how long ice will keep cooler-required foods cold.
• Pack ingredients for meals together using plastic and paper bags.
• Pack individual packets of condiments, such as mayo, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, and barbecue sauce.
• Clean and cut vegetables and store in individual size plastic bags for quick access.
• Split big bags of snacks into individual serving sizes.
• Consider storage space, such as how much room you have in the car and coolers.
• Keep things simple.
• Pack plenty of water or refillable water bottles to keep everyone fully hydrated.

Tips for Packing a Cooler for a Road Trip

Efficiently packing a cooler for a road trip means the difference between having all the foods you want and having to leave some food behind. Plus, the issue many road trippers face is their food getting soggy as the ice in the cooler starts to melt. 

• Use zip-locking plastic or silicon bags to keep ice in the cooler from getting things wet.
• Use zip-locking plastic or silicon bags to store food in the cooler in case ice bags break open.
• Keep what you plan to eat that day on the top, so you do not have to dig around the cooler, letting cold air out.
• Use leak-proof containers for meats and poultry, especially if raw, and pack these items on the bottom, separate from foods that will be eaten raw.
• To keep cooler food colder longer, freeze items, such as juices, and milk before packing in the cooler.
• Refrigerate items overnight before putting them in the cooler
• Keep the cooler full to help keep it colder longer.
• Layer food with ice bags, ice, or ice blocks (ice blocks take longer to melt than ice cubes).
• If not bagging ice, consider bagging some ice cubes to use for beverages.
• If possible, keep the cooler in the car instead of the hot trunk.
• If there is room, use two coolers, one for food and the other for beverages.

Tips for Restocking Food On Your Road Trip

When preparing meals for a road trip, you may realize that you cannot pack all the food you need for the duration of your trip. Additionally, you may run out of items sooner than expected because of excessive hunger or kids eating out of boredom.

• Make a list of everything you packed, and when you use items, mark them to know which items to pick up at the store. 
• Make a list of meals and snacks you could not fit in the cooler before leaving and use that to shop during your trip.
• To save time, check online for a grocery store ahead of you and see if they offer curbside pick-up. If so, order ahead of time for pickup, and you can save time not having to shop yourself.
• Consider shopping for fresh fruits, veggies, and homemade snacks at a farmers’ market where you stop for a night or two. Stopping at a local farmers’ market offers the opportunity to explore the area and restock your snacks and meals.

More Road Trip Tips: How to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip Best Weather Apps for Your Road Trip 20 Road Trip Hacks for a Stress-Free Road Trip

You Got This!

Preparing for a road trip may feel overwhelming, especially when you decide to do some meal prepping in advance. 

Don’t worry you got this. 

Use this list to help you prepare make-ahead food and pack the snacks you need for your upcoming road trip.

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Eating and Drinking Your Way Through A Trip, and Learning Something in the Process

Culinary travel is on the rise, but it’s not just food on the menu: Tours are offering deeper investigations into the cultural and geographic factors that surround what’s on your plate.

By Elaine Glusac

When it comes to consuming a culture, it’s hard to beat digesting it in the literal sense, which may explain the explosion of food-related trips.

From Texas to Turkey, food is a point of differentiation for many destinations and, according to the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization , has helped drive tourism to rural regions, giving often needy areas new income to supplement agriculture.

Counting culinary travelers is nearly impossible; after all, everyone eats. But in a 2016 survey, the World Food Travel Association , a nonprofit organization devoted to education and research in the culinary travel field, found that 59 percent of respondents believe food and drinks are more important when they travel than five years earlier.

In the decade or so since culinary travel began whetting the appetites of gastronauts, food-related travel has shifted from pure consumption — hitting that bucket list of Michelin-starred restaurants — to deeper investigations into where food comes from and the cultural and geographic factors that influence it.

“Food tourism is where walking tours were in the 1980s when there was confusion about walking versus trekking,” said Kathy Dragon, a veteran guide who now owns Whole Journeys , which organizes active trips with a food focus. “I don’t use the term ‘culinary tours’ because it puts too much emphasis on food rather than culture.”

The latest in food trips, which follows, runs the gamut from addressing food waste to forging connections with those growing, raising and making the food (all rates quoted are per person).

EAT AND EXERCISE

In addition to burning off calories, active food trips can offer ground-level entree to food producers.

“Instead of just pulling up in a bus, you’re learning about the traditions of food in a way that’s approachable to the artisans and farmers,” said Ms. Dragon of Whole Journeys .

The company’s newest itinerary follows the Rota Vicentina in southern Portugal, a long-distance hiking trail along the coast where fisherman cast from atop the cliffs. The next 12-day trip departs May 21 and will be repeated in the fall (from $4,295).

Beppe Salerno, the co-founder of the bike tour company Tourissimo, combines his passion for biking with his training as a sommelier in food-focused itineraries. This year, the company plans trips with well-known American chefs to bridge the two cultures. Brooke Williamson, a “Top Chef” winner, will accompany a new trip to Emilia-Romagna , the home of Parmigiano-Reggiano and prosciutto di Parma, June 4 to 10 ($3,995).

Among active tours that revolve around restaurants comes a new cycling itinerary from Trek Travel that spends three nights at the new Sonoma Valley hot spot SingleThread , which includes a restaurant, farm and inn, October 1 to 4 (from $4,799).

Back in Italy, the Italian owners of Discover Your Italy have begun designing private hiking and skiing itineraries in the Dolomites around their favorite rifugi , or Alpine huts, a modest term for a growing network of rustic restaurants with refined food (six days from $4,000).

MULTICOURSE TOURS

Outfitters of trips that are one week or longer use food as a prism for exploring culture.

Wild Frontiers specializes in adventurous destinations, and with its first food tours this year will focus on off-the-beaten foodie path destinations, including Colombia and Georgia. The nine-day Georgia trip , departing Sept. 26 and led by the food writer Carla Capalbo, will travel from Tbilisi to the wine-growing region of Kakheti and the Caucasus Mountains, where the itinerary includes a dinner and cooking demonstration in a local home (from 2,595 pounds, or about $3,620).

Two years ago, Jim Kane, the founder and director of the tour company Culture Xplorers , went to Chile to help make a series of videos on innovative chefs, foragers and food traditions. He put many of those experiences — including clamming with a local, cooking a feast in an earthen oven and eating in the home of a pair of chefs who source all of their food within a few miles — in the company’s new 10-day Chile: Fjords, Fields & Flavor private tours (from $6,995).

A specialist in South America, Kuoda Travel combines classic and contemporary food experiences in private tours of Peru. In addition to the Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley, for example, where ancient terraces are still used to grow indigenous grains, Kuoda has begun organizing itineraries around Mil , the new restaurant and research center from the chef Virgilio Martinez, that includes working on its farm.

New city outings highlight emerging neighborhoods and local storytelling.

In Portland, Me., Maine Food for Thought Tours , launching in June, will progressively feast at popular restaurants such as Union and Piccolo , where the chefs will discuss their use of local ingredients. The two-hour, five-stop itineraries aim to spotlight not just the dishes but food sustainability, from blueberries to lobster ($72).

In Indianapolis, the new Indy Cultural Trail Food Tours string together some of the most acclaimed restaurants along the eight-mile urban bike trail that cuts through dining-centric districts like Fletcher Place. Three- to four-hour walking or bike tours ($55 to $70) visit acclaimed restaurants such as Milktooth and Bluebeard, with samples at each of five to eight restaurants.

Noshtrekker connects travelers to locals for a meal at their homes. Operating in Singapore and New South Wales, Australia, the company has added new experiences to the Singapore program, including an evening in the home of an author and playwright who serves the food of modern-day northern Sri Lanka while discussing colonial history when both Ceylon and Singapore were under British rule.

LEARN TO COOK

The destination spa Miraval Arizona in Tucson recently introduced Conscious Cooking to its slate of activities, which range from hiking to horse grooming. Classes in the curriculum focus on reducing food waste while creating healthy, flavorful dishes from ingredients like vegetable peels, overripe fruit, stale cake and obscure chicken parts.

In Alaska, Within the Wild runs two lodges, Winterlake Lodge on the Iditarod Trail and Tutka Bay Lodge on the coast , that hold popular three-day culinary retreats. This year, each lodge has hired a forager with whom guests can explore the wilds in search of edible plants, fungi and berries. Tutka Bay Lodge will also prepare native dishes in a recently discovered 1,000-year-old hearth (three nights $5,035, all inclusive).

GOING TO THE SOURCE

Many new foodie experiences strive to get diners closer to the ingredients. Few are as elemental as Timber to Table trips that specialize in elk hunts in Colorado. New women-only outings aim to initiate first-time hunters (five-day trips from $2,500).

It’s not often a luxury hotel wants guests to leave, but Manoir Hovey in southern Quebec offers a Farm to Feast package that sends travelers off to the nearby farm that raises goat calves. Guests tour the farm and spend the night at its bed-and-breakfast, then return to the luxury hotel for an overnight and a meal featuring farm-raised products (from 370 Canadian, or about $290).

28 Drinks & Snacks for a Road Trip

By: Author Vanessa Hamlin

Posted on Last updated: July 12, 2022

Why waste tons of money stopping at convenience stores and fast food, when you can easily save money and stay healthier, by packing your own drinks and snacks for a road trip?

Save that money for something fun to do on your trip!

Our travel might look a little different these days, but, after 2 long years of lock-downs, stay at home orders and social distancing, more and more people are heading out into the world again.

And when you’re in vacation planning mode, one of the most important things to consider is your drinks and snacks for a road trip!

Not only does it save you a ton of money when you pack your own snacks and drinks, but they’re healthier for you AND you’re reducing your risk of contracting any particular illness out in the world.

So, instead of stopping at every other gas station down the highway, mix and match from the list below and pack up your favorite drinks and snacks, before you leave home, instead!

Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee Drink – Vanilla Sweet Cream

Drinks for a Road Trip

• Orange Juice
• Apple Juice
• Cranberry Juice

Rice Krispies Treats

Snacks for a Road Trip

• Granola Bars
• Fresh Fruit (apples, bananas, peaches, plums, etc.)
• Dried Fruit
• Fruit Chips
• Fruit Snacks
• Graham Crackers
• Cheese & Crackers
• Veggie sticks (carrots, celery, cucumbers)
• Veggie Chips
• Energy Bars
• Sunflower Seeds
• Cheese Crisps
• Rice Krispie Treats

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through this list of yummy drinks and snacks for a road trip!

You might also like these homemade snacks:

• Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe
• Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
• Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Have an Amazing Day!

Vanessa Hamlin is the owner and founder of Food Life Design and VLHamlinDesign. With her passion for frugal living and homesteading, Vanessa loves to write about easy recipes, making money, gardening, home remedies and everything else that a good life entails! When she’s not writing for Food Life Design or creating products for VLHamlinDesign, you’ll find Vanessa reading, drawing, gardening, cooking or spending time with her family.

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Food And Drink Ideas To Help You Refresh While On The Road

When you are out on the road, whether you are driving for a long distance and time, or you are taking stops to go hiking or experience the outdoors, one of the important aspects that you need to put thought into includes the food and drinks that you bring with you. This is important because you need to stay replenished for anything that requires and expends your energy, as well as being aware of your surroundings, especially behind the wheel. Here are some ideas for food and drinks to keep you going, wherever the road takes you.

Protein Bars

A beneficial snack to bring on any road trip or long drive includes snack bars and protein bars. This is because these snacks provide a variety of different nutrients, from being high in protein to providing fiber or grains. There are different flavors and types to bring, and they are all individually packaged. They can be stored at room temperature conditions, not needing to be refrigerated, and are great not only for the road but also on any trail or hike. If you are on the go, on the road, and just trying to keep your stomach from growling, make sure to pack a few protein bars for whatever adventure you are on.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Another food that can provide you with a great amount of energy for any day trip or while you are on the road is hard-boiled eggs. All you need is a pot of water, eggs, and a few minutes to heat and cook them. Take some time to boil eggs before any expedition, and you will have a snack that provides a lot of nutrients to give you the energy you need, whether that is for long drives or long journeys. Not only are eggs great for energy and snacking, but they are beneficial to your brain health, which will keep you alert.

Any sort of meat jerky is a suitable snack option for going anywhere and at any time. These are packaged in singular servings and can easily be carried on your person and shared with your travel companions. There are a variety of different meats to choose from, with beef jerky being the most common. These snacks provide you the flavor of salty meats that you might crave with some more strenuous activities.

Fruit And Vegetable Snacks

One of the best types of food to have that will keep you energized while on a road trip or long drive would be fruits and vegetable snacks. These would mostly include types of food you can snack on with your hands, sometimes adding in some dip if you want to add some extra flavor as well. Fruits give you a great amount of energy, as opposed to other snacks that might leave you sluggish. This is important for traveling and making the most out of your adventures.

Nuts And Trail Mix

A great snack to consider while you are on the road is trail mix. With trail mix, you can include a great variety of different snacks. The type of mix you have will vary depending on what you and others enjoy , whether that means sweet snacks or salty treats. Including nuts and dried fruits will provide you benefits and nutrients, while sweet and salty foods are going to give you treats that you enjoy. Nuts specifically provide you with protein, which is essential for keeping your energy up, and for This snack is simple to make, so whenever you are running low, it is easy to replenish and take with you wherever you go.

Smoothies And Shakes

Smoothies and shakes are great drinks to make and consume when you are on the road and traveling. This is because smoothies are easy and fast to make and provide you with a lot of nutrients and vitamins that you get from fruits and other ingredients. You also get natural sugars that help keep you alert and energized whether you are on the road or out and active. For long road trips, consider the benefits of a portable blender for travel . Not only are they portable and capable of making your favorite drinks, but many small portable blenders also utilize the blending compartment and double it as a cup or glass, allowing you to swap out the blades for a cover and take your drink on the go. These are perfect for creating individual drinks, and easy storage.

Energy Drinks

In terms of drinks, if you are looking to stay alert and refreshed on the road, consider different energy drinks. There are a variety of drinks that keep you alert and awake, which is especially useful while you are driving long stretches and need to keep your attention high. When you do get off the road, energy drinks can also provide you a means of replenishment, which is essential when you are hiking where you are burning a great deal of energy. Additionally, depending on the brand and drink, there are many flavors to choose from, depending on your personal preference. 

At the end of the day, when you are talking about drinks that you should be consuming while on the road, you should always consider water. As many benefits come with different shakes, smoothies, and energy drinks, consuming substantial amounts of water is still essential to your body. Your body needs roughly 7 to 8 glasses of water a day. The benefit of water is that you stay hydrated, ensuring that your muscles and organs are able to function efficiently when you are on long drives. You also want to avoid drinking as much caffeine and sugary drinks, as they can be detrimental in such large quantities. 

It is important that you always remember to eat and drink throughout your day. If you forget, which is possible while you are on a variety of travels, you may end up feeling light-headed with low blood sugar levels, and even faint from improper nutritional intake. Eating the right foods will give you loads of energy to enjoy any trip you take.

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Food For Road Trips – Ideas You’ll Actually Love

Planning food for road trips can be exhausting and time-consuming. Lucky for you, road trips have been a passion of ours for the last 10+ years. We have a lot of experience packing meals & snacks for our trips. Whether you’re going on a weekend getaway or an extended road trip, our list covers meals and snack ideas the whole family will love.

Why You Should Pack Your Food For Road Trips

• Eating out can be costly, especially for 3 meals a day.
• Packing your food can be healthier.
• Packing your food for road trips saves time.
• It guarantees access to food even in remote areas.
• Having easily accessible road trip snacks ensures your little kids will be full between meals. This will help prevent any tantrums that could occur due to hunger.
• It limits the number of road trip stops.

Things To Consider When Planning Food

Things to Consider When Planning Food For Road Trips 1- The size of your cooler & number of days you’ll be gone. If you’re headed on a long road trip you may not have enough room in your cooler to fit everything you’ll need for your entire trip. That’s ok. Buy what will fit and then plan a stop at a grocery store when you’ll have more room. 2- How long your cooler keeps things cool If your cooler only keeps things cold for a few days, plan to get more ice at gas stations when you stop for gas. If you are staying at a hotel, you can grab some ice from their ice machine for free. Tip- Freeze water bottles to use in place of or with ice & ice packs. Frozen water bottles last a long time and they don’t leave your food in a pool of water. Packing frozen food works too but it doesn’t stay frozen as long as water bottles. We always use water bottles & uncrustables. Pre-chill your cooler & beverages the day before filling your cooler. This will help the cooler stay colder longer. *We love our Orca cooler. It’s expensive but keeps our food cold for a long time (about 5-7 days), even in heatwaves. A cheaper alternative is RTIC coolers. 3- Keep in mind the foods your family actually likes to eat. When planning food for your road trips, I highly recommend sticking to the foods your family has tried and loves. If nobody likes the food you pack, it will be wasted and you will end up eating out instead. 4- Eat fresh foods that will perish the fastest first. 5- Keep snacks easily accessible in the car. We don’t limit our kid’s snacks when on road trips. We just want them to be happy and if that means they get a couple of extra snacks during the day, it’s worth it. Tip- Store snacks in a clear storage bin. This keeps all your snacks in one place and makes it easier to see what road trip snacks are still available. 6- Buy snacks & drinks from Sam’s Club or another bulk food store. This saves us so much money. Most of the snacks are individually packaged which makes things easier. 7- Any dishes or utensils that you’ll need for your meals.

Food For Road Trips – Snacks

Road trip snacks are not only essential for keeping the hangry-ness at bay but also to help boost your mood & energy levels. You’ll want to pack a variety of snacks so that you don’t get bored of eating the same thing over and over.

When choosing snacks to take on a road trip with you, it is helpful to keep in mind the activities that you’ll be doing on your trip. If you’ll be doing plenty of hiking you’ll want to pack some snacks that can hold up on the trails.

The best road trip snacks are those that can be eaten in the car mess free & don’t take up a lot of space.

Refrigerated Healthy Snacks Fresh Fruit- Cuties (easy-to-peel oranges), grapes (pulled off the stem), bananas, apples, & berries. You can pretty much bring any fruit but you’ll want to prep it beforehand. Something like canteloupe will be hard to cut up while on the road. String Cheese/Cheese Sticks GoGurt (or any yogurt in tubes)- This style of yogurt doesn’t take up much room and can be frozen which will help keep your cooler cold without ice. Fresh Vegetables- Cucumbers, baby carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers… Like the fresh fruit, you’ll want to prep the vegetables first. Bottled Smoothies Protein Drinks Hard-Boiled Eggs Summer Sausage Pepperoni Hummus Guacamole Non-Refrigerated Healthy Road Trip Snacks Granola Bars – We love these homemade granola bars & these pre-packaged ones . Prepackaged fruit- GoGo Squeeze (Did you know you can buy containers to make your own?), Dried fruit (raisins, prunes, apple chips , banana chips …), fruit cups Beef Jerky Trail Mix Nuts/Seeds- We love almonds & pistachios but you could also bring sunflower seeds, walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds… Tuna Kits Protein Bars Fruit Bars- That’s It bars are made from only fruit. Kale Chips Best Road Trip Snacks (Not so healthy) Potato Chips Popcorn Dark Chocolate Chips Candy Bars Pretzels Goldfish Crackers Crackers Fruity Candy Our favorite road trip snacks that we never leave the house without are- trail mix, fruit snacks, chips, squeezable applesauce & beef jerky.

Road Trip Meals

It is important to plan out your meals for a road trip. Doing so will ensure that you will have enough food for the duration of your road trip. Whether you’re planning to go on a long trip or a short trip, meal planning will prevent you from grabbing fast food and save you money.

Where to eat your meals while on the road? The options are endless. Our kids are older and really good on long road trips. We always plate our food at the gas station and then eat it in the car while we drive. However, when our kids were younger stopping to let them run was very important for their moods. So we would look up fun parks along our route (the park had to have a bathroom). This allowed the kids to fill their bellies, play & hopefully get tired. If we couldn’t find a park we would just stop at a rest stop to eat and play or run races.

To keep our kids happy on road trips we allow them to eat any meal at anytime during the day. Meaning if they want to eat another breakfast at dinner, they can. We just ask that they consume a fruit and vegetable with all meals.

Food For Road Trips- Breakfast Ideas Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make it good. We often stay at hotels with free breakfast so we rarely have to pack breakfast. But when we do, these are the options that we choose from. Muffins- Bakery muffins are always a great idea. Save money by making your own. Banana Bread Bagels with Cream Cheese or Peanut Butter Pop-Tarts Yogurt Tubes Breakfast Sandwich- Pre-cook all of your favorite breakfast sandwich components. Store in individual containers & assemble as needed. Yogurt Parfaits- Yogurt, granola & berries Bacon- Cook the bacon beforehand. It’s always a good idea to add bacon to all sandwiches. Sausage – Cook the sausage before you leave. My kids don’t mind eating it cold with a muffin or bagel. Dry Cereal Instant Oatmeal Croissants Eggo Cinnamon Toast Frozen Waffles- My kids prefer to eat these waffles cold & without syrup. They are so easy to toss in the cooler and eat as they unthaw. Protein Bar Hard-Boiled Eggs Breakfast Cookies- This breakfast cookie recipe is so good. Bottled Smoothie Protein Drink

Food For Road Trips- Lunch Ideas Simple meals are better as they are easier to prepare & assemble. For lunches, we always pack ingredients for simple sandwiches. An easy way to prevent sandwich boredom on a longer trip is to swap out the type of bread or meat. Instead of using a typical loaf of bread opt for buns, croissants, sub buns, bagels & wraps. Meat & Cheese Sandwich- Prevent the sandwiches from getting soggy by assembling them when you are ready to eat. Uncrustables- Save money by making and freezing your own. Fun combinations can include peanut butter & jelly, peanut butter & honey, Nutella, Nutella & peanut butter… Salads- Bagged salads are so convenient for road trips. They don’t take up a lot of room & if you need to you can assemble the salad right in the bag. Lunchables- For a healthier, tastier option make your own. Crackers, Meat & Cheese! Tuna Salad Chicken Salad

Food For Road Trips- Dinner Ideas While packing all your food can save you a lot of money, it can be a good idea to allow yourself to eat local a few times. Dinner ideas can be kind of tricky. At dinner time some people may still be in their car, some may stay at a hotel with a microwave or a full kitchen, while others may choose to camp or pull off to sleep for a few hours in a parking lot. We typically choose to stay at hotels, so we opt to buy frozen meals, hot pockets, individual mac & cheese cups, and make our food in the hotel’s microwave. But because this is a list for road trip food, I feel it necessary to list dinner ideas as if people are on the open road. Diced Rotisserie Chicken Chicken Salad Tuna Salad BBQ Chicken Sandwich- Rotisserie chicken, BBQ sauce, sliced cheese, bun Walking Tacos- Taco meat (made ahead of time), favorite taco toppings, and an individual serving bag of chips. Add taco meat and toppings to a chip bag & voila, walking tacos! Salad Topped w/ Rotisserie Chicken Soup at Hand Charcuterie Board- Place a little of everything on your plate. Calling it a charcuterie board makes it a little fancier. Make-Ahead Meals- Making some of your family’s favorite dinners beforehand can be a great option as long as you don’t mind eating them chilled.

Road Trip Drinks

Food For Road Trips- Drinks Water Body Armour Bottled Smoothies Protein Drinks Soda Juice Boxes Gatorade Drink Mix-ins we love These mix-ins are a great option if you don’t have room for a variety of beverages. They take up almost no room and can be added to water. Protein Powder- This unflavored powder can be mixed with anything to give an extra boost of protein. Liquid IV- Liquid IV has electrolytes and is very hydrating. One packet gets mixed with a bottle of water. Tip- Bring beverages that have a screw-on lid. This will prevent a lot of messes especially if traveling with younger kids.

Essential Non-Food Items

Packing food is very important but so is packing utensils. Without them, life on the road could get very interesting and messy. Here is a list of essential items that will make eating on the road a whole lot easier.

• Dishes (plates, bowls, & cups)
• Water Bottle
• Cutlery (fork, spoon, knives)
• Diaper Wipes (to clean any messes)
• Can Opener (if bringing canned items)
• Small Garbage Bags (to store trash in until you can throw it away)
• ZipLock Bags (in case you need to store something or a packaged food breaks open)
• Hand Sanitizer

There you have it, the ultimate road trip food list complete with good snacks, meal ideas, and beverages. Be sure to bookmark this page so that you can quickly reference it for your next road trip.

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What Foods and Drinks to Pack for a Long Family Road Trip

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Published July 10, 2017 | Updated April 29, 2021 | By Katelyn Fagan | 3 Comments

At the beginning of June, our family went on a massive family road trip. We drove from Central Texas to Omaha, Nebraska and then from Omaha, Nebraska to Indianapolis, Indiana, and then back home to Central Texas, in a massive 2800 mile road trip with four children over the course of only six days.

My oldest niece got married in Omaha and we wanted to go to her wedding. Coincidentally, my husband’s grandmother, and our only remaining grandparent between us, would be visiting his parents in Indiana the same week as the wedding.

Our youngest, who is now almost 2 years old, has never met her Great-Grandmother. Considering she is now 93 years old, we have no idea how much longer she’ll be with us. Also, the last time we saw her, our son was only like four months old. He is now four years old.

My grandmother passed away earlier this year and none of our children were ever able to meet her.

So, we decided to extend the road trip to “swing over” to Indiana as we were planning on traveling that week anyway.

We’ve done a few long-distance road trips with all of our kids before. We drove to Santa Fe, NM last year for a blog conference, and we have driven to Indiana from Texas (and back) to visit with my in-laws.

We’re no stranger to the dilemmas that come with traveling in a car for hours on end while taking care of grade schoolers, preschoolers, toddlers, and infants. In fact, we moved across the country from Utah to Indiana when our twins were just 6-weeks old!

Generally speaking, we like to keep things pretty simple, and cheap , when we travel . We pack as light as possible and are definitely okay with our kids being bored for long stretches of time.

But, we also know you need to prepare for emergencies too…. which is important as we had three puking kids on the first leg of this last trip (check out how to get rid of vomit smell in cars ), which is totally not fun (but I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be a real road trip without someone getting sick).

Today though I want to focus on the food and beverages to bring on a long-distance road trip with kids.

If you’d like a handy checklist for my recommended road trip food and drinks, as well as vacation packing checklists and checklists for before you leave so you won’t dread coming back , sign up in the box below for a handy FREE editable family vacation checklist!

Why You Should Bring Food from Home on Your Road Trip

Eating out on the road is super expensive and when you will be driving over breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and feeding six people, it’s crazy expensive!

Eating fast food for all three meals, plus snacks is also super unhealthy and makes you feel like garbage as the heavy, high-calorie food just sits in your stomach as you are left immobilized and trapped in an upright seated position for hours after consuming it.

It’s gross and not fun. And adds a huge expense to your trip.

Because we knew we had a long road trip ahead of us and didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on food or to feel sick the whole car ride, we brought a giant cooler (or two), prepped some food, and tried to eat the food we brought from home as much as possible.

How to Save Money on Food During a Road Trip

A major reason to pack food for your long road trip is the fact that food sold at convenience stores, gas stations, and rest stops are almost guaranteed to be more expensive than the prices you can find at your local grocery store or club warehouse.

We made sure to buy things in bulk wherever possible to save even more. Even things like our energy drinks (which we only drink on long road trips) we bought ahead of time in order to save money. (We put the remainder in storage for our next big trip).

But, think about all those foods you usually buy at convenience stores on road trips, and buy them in bulk or with coupons or on sale before the trip!

Chips. Crackers. Nuts. Grapes. Apples. Candy bars. Beef jerky. Soda. Energy drinks. Water bottles. Gum. Mints. And so on.

With the chips, you can buy a super-sized bag, and divide it up yourself into individual snack bags for each person. You can do the same for the nuts and crackers you buy too. Of course, you can buy individually packaged portions of these if you prefer too (and buy a big case from a warehouse store).

What Food and Drinks to Pack for Long Road Trip

Of course, not everything we normally eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are “car foods.” Milk and breakfast cereal in a bowl while driving? Pancakes with syrup? Hot soup in a bowl? Ain’t gonna happen!

Picking the right car foods is doubly challenging when you consider the fact that little kids will be handling said food in the car. These little people, secured in 5-point harnesses, can’t reach food they drop and are naturally messy, letting crumbs go all over them and their car seats, and the floor.

We like to keep things are hygienic and mess-free as possible!

Plus, they are pure fruit and don’t contain added sugar or high fructose corn syrup, and come in up to 12-count cartons (which is great since my older kids all love eating from apple sauce pouches too!).

Foods to Prep Ahead for Long Road Trips

However, we can’t live off snacks and sides alone on a road trip. We also wanted to bring foods that would serve as the “main course” for our big meals.

In order to bring some of our favorite meal foods on the trip, it meant we had to do some prep work, specifically cooking some items ahead of time.

The night before we left we cooked up several slices of bacon and sausage. We also cooked an extra large pizza, bagging it up to eat cold in the car (cold pizza FTW!).

You can also prep sandwiches ahead if you don’t mind them being a little soggy, and to save room in your cooler as you won’t have to bring all the separate condiments and elements.

We also cut and sliced up celery sticks. You could do the same for other fruits and vegetables you like to snack on as well.

Packing List of Food and drinks for Road Trips

Drinks to bring on car rides.

• Energy Drinks
• Orange Juice (boxes)

Food to Bring on Long Car Rides

• Granola Bars
• Peanut Butter
• Sliced Provolone Cheese
• Chips (personal-size bags)
• Nuts – Cashews, Peanuts
• Apples (whole or cut)
• Celery (cut ahead of time)
• Ranch (individual cups)
• Oranges or clementines
• Cheese sticks
• Goldfish crackers
• Cooked Pizza (prep ahead or buy ahead)
• Cooked Bacon and Sausage (prep ahead or buy pre-cooked)
• Tree Top Applesauce Pouches

Non-Food Essentials to Bring on Long Road Trips

• Paper plates
• Eating Utensils
• Paper Towels
• Wet wipes (Johnson Body Cleansers)

Meal Ideas for Eating in the Car

Doing meals when we stop saves us a lot of hassle of passing things around after we’ve already strapped ourselves in our seats, and is safer for all. Again, those 5-point harnesses are designed to prevent babies and kids from being able to lean forward much at all!

Here are some ideas of meals to eat on the road.

Breakfast in the car ideas:

• Cold Pancakes/Waffles/French Toast Pre-cooked the day before (without syrup)
• Pre-cooked bacon
• Pre-cooked sausage patties or sausage links
• Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches
• Yogurt fruit parfait
• Donuts or donut holes
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Blueberry Muffins
• Bagels with cream cheese

Lunch in the car ideas:

• Sandwiches – ham, cheese, mayo or PB&J (or whatever you like)
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Bag of chips
• Celery and ranch cup

Dinner in the car:

• Pre-cooked pizza
• Sandwiches (different kind – chicken salad, tuna, etc.)
• Carrots and Celery
• Pasta Salad
• Potato Salad
• Chicken Wrap (or another wrap)
• Hard-boiled Egg

Once we figured out what everyone in the family would eat and drink while driving, we packed our cooler, loaded it with ice, and secure the heavy cooler in a place in our vehicle that would make it very accessible during stops and as we drove along.

We ended up rearranging where our kids, and their car seats/boosters, sat in our suburban, putting three of our kids in the third row, and only our toddler in the middle, leaving a nice large space to secure the cooler and still allow the kids easy access in and out of the vehicle.

We kept dry goods towards the top of our luggage in the trunk area of our vehicle and made sure to grab snacks at stops. Our 7-year old twins were able to grab some as we drove down the road as well.

To help keep the car mess-free, we also made sure both my husband and I in the front of our vehicle, and our three kids in the back row, had our own trash can.

These trash cans are also great should anyone get sick while driving…. Which we were able to test out on this last road trip.

Be sure to keep wet wipes and/or napkins or paper towels handy in the car to clean up any accidental spills, sticky fingers, messy faces (or sickness) that may happen.

I hope that these tips on packing food and drinks for your road trip will help you keep it affordable, mess-free, and practical with kids. Because, we all know driving for hours on end as a large family brings lots of other fun and challenges naturally.

Have fun on your next long-haul family road trip!

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Biplab Poddar says

June 8, 2018 at 4:33 AM

Thanks for sharing this. Your tips are very helpful. I am a travel freak and travel a lot. Next year Alaska is on my card.Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness., and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. People often have a theme that they base their worldly travels on, but how about a mental mantra for your travel? Out of a cheer leading event that consisted of our family shouting supportive words at our daughter who was attempting to kill a rather monstrous spider that the rest of us were too chicken to get close to, came this great quote, “If you don’t think, and you just do….then it’s done!”

This quote came back to haunt me when on vacation in Seattle. I thought it would be a great idea to take the kids on the Seattle Great Wheel, the ferris wheel overlooking the ocean, but as we approached it, I realized how high it went and immediately panicked! Just as I had decided to put the kids on it on their own, my daughter says, “Come on dad…If you don’t think, and you just do….then it’s done!” What could I do at that point?! She was telling me to stop thinking and creating more fear about the situation and just get on the thing! “If you don’t think, and you just do, then it’s done!” We all now keep this quote in our back pocket, ready to whip out at any time to push one of us forward into an adventure we know they won’t regret. No hesitations, don’t allow any time for fear to set in, and be prepared for your kids to turn your life advice back on you

ramakrishnan says

August 9, 2018 at 12:23 AM

Thanks for sharing this list of travel snacks. It is very important to take care of health in traveling.

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Use These Food And Drink Hacks To Help Better Prepare You For A Hike

Y ou've picked your route, packed that extra pair of socks, and are ready to hit the trails on a long-distance hiking adventure that'll take you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes. There's just one thing left to figure out: What are you going to eat and drink along the way?

Choosing and packing your food before a long hike is a feat of its own. After all, you're probably going to be away from most comforts for a while — think gas stoves, fancy cookware, and refrigerators. Instead, you're stuck with what you can carry (and no, non-stick pans don't travel very well) and what you can quickly and easily prepare.

However, this doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice taste and health. It just means that you need to get a little creative (and smart) about your food and drink choices. From stocking up on hydration salts to dehydrating your own food or putting together "meal packs" to make prep a lot easier, there are plenty of steps you can take to ensure that your hike doesn't turn into a hangry disaster. Did someone say gourmet trail cuisine? Yes, chef!

Read more: The Complete Guide To Packing Light

Hydration Is Key

Staying hydrated while outdoors is key to maintaining energy levels and preventing health issues. In fact, it's one of the most important things to remember. But why does it matter so much? Well, forgetting to hydrate properly before and during a hike could lead to some pretty serious consequences, including heat exhaustion, loss of strength, UTIs, kidney failure, and even seizures.

In order to successfully hydrate for a hike, it's important that you drink at least 20 to 32 ounces of water before the hike even begins. From there, you'll want to drink 32 ounces of water roughly every two miles. This doesn't mean guzzling down water, though — small sips at regular intervals should be enough. Additionally, if you're hiking at higher altitudes, this amount should be doubled since your body tends to lose water nearly twice as fast.

As for enhancing your hydration, bring along some hydration packets to add to your water. Not only will these replenish essential electrolytes, but they'll also help you rehydrate faster than regular water. And don't forget: If you're drinking water only when you feel thirsty, you're probably already dehydrated.

Choose Non-Perishables

If you're going to be hiking for multiple days, you're probably not going to have access to the same food storage that you do at thome. That typically means no fridge or freezer, which also means that you won't want to bring along any food items or drinks that won't last outside of a cool box or go bad under the outdoor sun.

With that in mind, you'll want to be careful with fresh produce. Choose items that don't require refrigeration, like apples, bananas, and oranges, and plan to eat them during the early stages of your hike.You can also consider dehydrating fruit and vegetables in order to make them last longer. In fact, certain dehydrated veggies can last up to 25 years if stored properly — but, hopefully, you won't be hiking that long.

Other options of trail-ready foods include granola or muesli bars for breakfast, as well as beef jerky, bags of tuna, hummus and crackers, pita wraps, cold cuts and cheese, instant soups and noodles, boil-in-a-bag rice, pasta with jarred sauce, and variations of other ready-to-eat meals for lunch and dinner.

Consider Weight And Space

One of the cardinal rules of hiking is that you never want to bring more than you can carry. However, things can get a little more complicated if you're gearing up for a multi-day hike and still need to bring enough food to keep you energized and satisfied.

Ideally, you'll want to bring anywhere between 1.5-2.5 pounds of food per person, per day — and even more if your hike is going to be strenuous. This means that you need to choose your items very carefully if you don't want your back to take the brunt of the extra weight.

Make sure to avoid tins, glass jars, and any other bulky packaging. Instead, you'll want to reach for lightweight versions of your favorites (like tuna in a bag instead of a can) and single-serving packets. You should also repackage bigger items into daily servings so you're never carrying more than you need. Pro tip: Pack your spices in a straw so you can still add some flavor to whatever you cook without bringing along your entire spice drawer.

Easy Prep Always Wins

Let's be honest: That coast-to-coast hike you're about to embark on probably isn't the best time to try out a new, complicated recipe that requires 20 minutes of prep time. Nobody has the time (or patience) for that — especially after hiking for miles, when all you crave is to cozy up to the fire with a warm meal.

When you prepare for your hike, think of quick and easy meals that you'll still enjoy but won't require too much time or effort to prepare. For example, you can trade up your fancy ramen for an on-the-go noodle cup (bonus points if you add some dehydrated mushrooms and carrots), satisfy your pasta cravings with a mac and cheese cup, and even fuel up for breakfast with a pre-packaged oatmeal or granola mix.

One-pot meals are always a winner, too. Couscous, loaded scrambled eggs, and beans are always a great option — and, luckily, no one's going to be around to judge you on presentation. Not only will these quick-cooking meals keep you satisfied, but you'll probably need a lot less water to make them, which means you won't have to carry as much or ration your water supply as strictly. It's a win-win.

Keep Things Organized

Hiking long-term means you're forced to live out of a backpack -- and most of your things will probably end up scattered around by day two or three. Loose socks mingling with your morning coffee? No, thanks!

In order to avoid this, it's always best to keep things really organized. That could mean packing ingredients into "meal" bags so you know what to reach for, using separate compartments for different types of gear, or labeling your items for easy identification — just make sure you have a system in place that'll save you from having to dig through your bag for a missing spice or utensil.

Choosing different colored bags for different meals is a great system that'll be easy to follow. Along with this, reusable wax wraps are a way to extend the life of certain items and keep things dry. Alternatively, silicone bags also work well for snacks and small food items — and they cut down on harmful waste like single-use plastics and wrappers. From there, it's all five-star dining under the starry skies.

Read the original article on Explore .

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World’s top golfer Scottie Scheffler visited this Dallas bar after win at The Masters

Inwood tavern is one of dallas’ oldest bars, dating back to 1964..

By Sarah Blaskovich

3:24 PM on Apr 15, 2024 CDT

After Highland Park golfer Scottie Scheffler won his second green jacket in three years at the Masters Tournament on Sunday, he flew home to Texas and visited Dallas’ venerable Inwood Tavern.

The Love Field-area watering hole has been open in Dallas for 60 years, since 1964, making it one of North Texas’ longest-running bars .

Inwood Tavern is a pool hall, sports bar and patio hangout in one. It’s the kind of place where Scheffler, fresh off a Masters win, can slip in without much fuss. Manager Sam Graves said the day after Scheffler’s appearance at Inwood Tavern that she and her staff want celebrities to be able to blend in.

Actor Owen Wilson is another such celebrity who has visited Inwood Tavern.

Related: With Masters stardom secure, is Scottie Scheffler inching closer to Tiger Woods territory?

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Dialed-in Dallasites watched the Masters impatiently, wondering if Scheffler would be able to finish the tournament. Scheffler had said he would withdraw from the Masters if his wife went into labor with their first child. That didn’t happen, and it appears Scheffler is back home.

We asked whether Scheffler’s appearance would bring bigger crowds to the bar. Perhaps, Graves said, though it seemed to be business as usual on Monday.

Inwood Tavern is at 7717 Inwood Road, Dallas.

For more food news, follow Sarah Blaskovich on X (formerly Twitter) at @sblaskovich .

Related: Delicious history: the stories behind Dallas-Fort Worth’s oldest restaurants

Sarah Blaskovich , Senior Food Reporter . Sarah writes about restaurants, bars and culture in Dallas. Follow @sblaskovich on Twitter and ask her what to do, where to eat or where to drink in your area.

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