Hey friends! Packing snacks is one of the easiest ways to save money on a road trip. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to pack for a road trip. It’s easy to grab a bunch of small bags of chips, and cookies, and call it a day. But, foods like that aren’t going to keep your kids (and yourself) full. Packing more nutritious snacks will help your family stay full longer.
This week we’re sharing 25 of the Best Road Trip Snacks that have been road-tested by our family.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Packing Snacks for a Road Trip
Saves Money – Avoid expensive and overpriced gas station or fast-food stops.
Healthier Choices – You can bring nutritious snacks instead of relying on processed fast food.
Saves Time – Reduces unnecessary stops, allowing you to stay on schedule.
Keeps Everyone Happy – Prevents hunger-related crankiness, especially for kids.
Caters to Dietary Needs – Ensures options for allergies, preferences, or special diets.
More Variety – You can pack a mix of sweet, salty, and protein-packed snacks to keep things interesting.
Reduces Food Waste – Use up food from home instead of letting it go bad.
Emergency Backup – Useful in case of unexpected delays, traffic, or breakdowns.
Keeps Energy Levels Up – Helps drivers and passengers stay alert and refreshed.
Encourages Hydration – If you pack water bottles, it ensures everyone stays hydrated.
25 Best Road Trip Snacks
Healthy Snacks 🥦🍎
- Fresh Fruit (apples, grapes, berries – easy to eat, no mess)
- Baby Carrots & Hummus (crunchy, nutritious, and satisfying)
- Celery & Peanut Butter (add raisins for “ants on a log”!)
- String Cheese (protein-packed and fun for kids)
- Dried Fruit
- Greek Yogurt Pouches (less mess than regular yogurt)
- Trail Mix (customizable with nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate)
Savory & Crunchy Snacks 🥨🧀
- Beef Jerky (protein-rich and long-lasting)
- Popcorn (light and crunchy, perfect for munching)
- Cheese Crackers (like Cheez-Its or Goldfish, a kid favorite!)
- Pretzels (salty and satisfying)
- Roasted Chickpeas (crunchy and packed with protein)
- Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter (easy to pack and filling)
- Veggie Chips (a healthier alternative to potato chips)
Sweet Treats 🍫🍪
- Granola Bars (great for energy without a sugar crash)
- Dark Chocolate Squares (a little indulgence without melting too fast)
- Fruit Leather (like fruit roll-ups but healthier)
- Oatmeal Cookies (a sweet treat with fiber!)
- Dried Mango Slices (chewy and naturally sweet)
Classic & Indulgent Road Trip Snacks 🍩🍩
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches (classic and easy to eat)
- Muffins (banana, blueberry, or chocolate chip are great choices)
- Mini Donuts (fun and easy to eat, but be ready for powdered sugar mess!)
- Gummy Bears (a little sugar boost for long drives)
- Chex Mix (a mix of flavors and textures)
- Chips & Salsa (or Guacamole Cups) (for those who love a little spice)
How We Pack Our Road Trip Snacks
For our longer road trips, I’ll pack the kids a lunch or a snack box. These Bento Boxes are excellent for road trips. This box pictured (left) is great for a small sandwich and snacks. This box has a space large enough for a sandwich.
On shorter road trips, I’ll pack these awesome cups for the kids. The bottom part holds a drink and the top has a cup that is perfect for trail mix, or other finger foods.
Bonus Tips for Road Trip Snacking 🚙💡
- Pack napkins & wet wipes – for inevitable messes.
- Use resealable containers or Ziploc bags – keep things fresh and portioned.
- Bring a small cooler – for items like yogurt, cheese, and fruit.
- Stay hydrated! – Pack reusable water bottles or flavored sparkling water.
Closing Thoughts
Despite my best efforts to pack healthy snacks, the minute our kids see a sign for Buc-ees, we make plans to stop. What are some of your road trip must-haves? What would you add to the list?
Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit
🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?
Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!
🎒 Includes:
Packing checklist
I Spy game
Travel Bingo boards
Snack list
Activity ideas
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure
For future reference, be sure to save “25 Best Road Trip Snacks- Healthy Snacks Your Kids Will Love!” Pin one of the images below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!
Use our post “How to Plan a Road Trip the Whole Family Will Love” to help you start planning your family adventures. See how we pack our car, check out our road trip essentials, and view our Ultimate Family Road Trip Playlist.
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