Best Road Trip Ever, Part 1: The Top 27 Snacks for Your Journey
It’s the season for road trips, and you definitely shouldn’t overlook the most essential item on your packing checklist: theMore
It’s common knowledge that countless individuals are eager to explore the world, and fresh insights from the Amex Trendex—a research tool by American Express analyzing travel and spending sentiments—show that 41% of people would willingly go without internet for a chance to travel.monthTo travel safely once more, recent data gathered in late May reveals that 62% of individuals would feel safest using a car, matching prevailing predictions that the upcoming months will be dominated by road trips. For those preparing for unforgettable summer journeys across America, *Best Road Trip Ever* is a four-part guide offering top recommendations for snacks, bags, gadgets, gear, and clothing. This installment highlights 27 essential road trip snacks, ranging from *Best for Crunch Cravings* to *Best for Snack Snobs*.
Nuts
Most Exciting Tastes
Why should potato chips have all the exciting flavors? Blue Diamond Almonds’ BOLD collection elevates snacking with options like Habanero BBQ, Sriracha, Salt ‘n Vinegar, and the latest Spicy Dill Pickle. The whole range comes in convenient 1.5-ounce “tubes” (packets), perfect for pouring directly into your mouth to avoid messy fingers and seasoned furniture. (Naturally, larger bags and cans are also an option!).
Ideal for Skin-timate Getaways
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Stay calm—this refers to the nuts’ skin, not your own. Karma Nuts’ Wrapped Cashews range replaces the less nutritious oil-frying method used for conventional cashews with air-frying, keeping the natural skins intact. This enhances crispiness, preserves more nutrients, and intensifies taste. Those with a sweet preference will enjoy Cinnamon or Cocoa Dusted, while purists may favor Sea Salt. For bold flavors, try Lime Twist or Golden Turmeric.
Most Sugar-Conscious
Enjoy a touch of sweetness with your nutty snack without excessive sugar by choosing SkinnyDipped Cashews. Unlike typical sugar-laden candy-coated almonds that skimp on nuts, these cashews feature a delicate, light sweet coating to highlight the natural protein and fiber of the cashews. Pick up resealable packs in Dark Chocolate Cocoa or Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel flavors, and be sure to store them in a cool place to prevent the chocolate from melting.
Sips and Snacks
Best for Bellies
You may assume this is all about protein bars and granola bars, but skipping CORE Bars, loaded with probiotics and prebiotics, would be a mistake. Probiotics require prebiotics to function effectively, and CORE Bars deliver both, sourced from real ingredients, to nourish your core wherever you go (or whenever you need it). Plus, they’re satisfyingly hearty and available in six delicious flavors, ranging from Blueberry Banana Almond to Peanut Butter Chocolate. For an added boost during travel, try the caffeinated CORE Energy Bars, like Mocha Chip Espresso or Strawberry Basil Tea. Store them in a cooler to maintain freshness.
Most Deceptively Delicious
If a gluten-free, plant-based snack bar made entirely from organic ingredients reminds you of zoo food, the name Monkey Bar might not help, but the taste certainly will. Crafted solely from apple, banana, and cashew (ABC!), each individually wrapped energy bar has the appearance and flavor of banana bread, delivering a delight far more delicious than you’d expect from a health-conscious treat. Indulge in these and go wild.
Ideal for Vehicles Loaded to Capacity
When the vehicle is packed with more people than luggage, finding snacks that cater to everyone’s dietary needs can be challenging, especially when avoiding allergens. KUBEBA Bars, free from all top 8 food allergens—including nuts—provide a minimum of 12 grams of protein and no more than 5 grams of natural sugars in a compact yet powerful snack. The latest flavors include Salted Fudge, Blueberry Ginger, and Cinnamon Fig.
Ideal for the Insatiable Snacker
If you often snack on multiple bags of junk food during long rides (and later feel guilty about it), replace those empty calories with the new Crunchy Granola Bars from Kodiak Cakes—crafted to keep you fuller faster and for longer. With options like Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, and Maple Brown Sugar, you’ll enjoy the sweetness you desire while getting 10 grams of protein in every 100%-whole-grain serving.
Ideal for Traveling with Your Socially Conscious Companions
Alright, the title of these protein bars isn’t about social consciousness but rather highlights their main protein ingredient: whole egg yolk. You might not require their muscle-enhancing perks during an extended ride, but Woke Protein Bars by Fourth & Heart assist in managing hunger and mood. They also maintain your muscles, ligaments, and tendons in peak condition with grass-fed collagen, which supports your hair, skin, and nails for a comprehensive uplift when your usual habits are off track.
Ideal for Butter Enthusiasts
Most granola bars create a crumbly mess, while protein bars often fall short on taste, but Abby’s Better Nut Butter Bites avoid both issues. These soft, naturally sweet bites deliver rich flavor without any fuss, and options like Coconut Cashew and Vanilla Cashew are especially protein-rich. For those prioritizing indulgence over protein, alternatives like Apple Cinnamon Walnut and Brownie Walnut offer a more dessert-like experience.
Ideal for Delicious Desserts
When you crave a lighter snack but still desire something sweet and nutritious, keep Berg Bites in your car. Packed with energy-boosting oats, nuts, and seeds, these irresistible treats deliver natural sweetness without the guilt. Choose from four delicious flavors: Dark Chocolate Banana Bread, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate, Sunflower Butter White Chocolate, and Almond Butter and Jelly. Prefer bars over bites? You’re covered—Berg Bars now come in the same four tempting varieties.
Cheesy Treats
Ideal for Vegans and Those Avoiding Cheese
If you enjoy cheesy tastes but avoid (or can’t consume) cheese, Brass Roots Crunch Puffs could be your ideal car snack. Available in varieties such as Jalapeño Cheddar and White Cheddar (plus Truffle Rosemary for those with milder cheese cravings), these snack sticks lean toward the firmer side of “puff” and are free from grains, the top eight allergens (including milk), and animal products. An added perk: With 8 grams of protein per serving, they’re a much healthier choice than those orange, powdered cheese puffs from gas stations that end up coating your car.
Ideal for Cheese Enthusiasts
Struggling to pick between cheese or nuts as your go-to snack? You don’t have to. Hilo Life snack packs blend crunchy cheese bites with flavored nuts in two unique varieties: Super Cheesy (featuring cheddar cheese crunches and almonds coated in a tangy cheese seasoning) and Really Ranchy (with gouda crunches and pecans in a savory herb ranch seasoning), crafted especially for those mindful of calories. Each pack contains just a handful of net carbs.
Ideal for Traditionalists
The complete list of ingredients in Just the Cheese snack bars and mini bites is easy to deduce: It’s simply cheese. Crafted from 100% Wisconsin cheese, baked into crunchy snack bars and small rounds, Just the Cheese snacks deliver protein levels comparable to top protein bars and meat bars—without any sugars and significantly fewer carbohydrates. For those who explore the brand’s bolder varieties, such as Jalapeño Cheddar or Garlic & Chive, a second or third ingredient may appear (those being jalapeños, garlic, and chives, in case you missed it).
Ideal for Transforming Unhealthy Snacking Habits
For children, friends, or partners who stubbornly avoid healthier options from the convenience store snack section, secretly stash a few bags of Barbara’s Cheese Puffs in the car. These puffs deliver the same satisfying crunch as the heavily processed, bright orange snacks you know, but with whole-grain, real-cheese recipes that encourage mindful eating instead of thoughtless munching. Consider them a stepping stone to better snacking habits. Alongside the Original flavor, options like Baked, White Cheddar, Multigrain Cheddar Jack, and Jalapeño are also available.
Snacks, Crisps, and Biscuits
Perfect for Satisfying Crunchy Desires
Mary’s Gone Crackers has always been a favorite among those avoiding gluten, but this thoughtful brand deserves a spot on every travel snack lineup. Free from common allergens, plant-based, and USDA organic certified, these extra-crispy crackers are crafted with wholesome ingredients such as quinoa, brown rice, flax, and sesame seeds. They’re perfect for solo munching while driving or paired with simple car-friendly dips like hummus for fellow travelers. Even picky eaters who usually shy away from healthier options will find these hard to resist.looksStay healthy by choosing Real Thin Crackers for smoother, more effective deception.
Great for Staying Healthy and Avoiding Visits to the Doctor
Not every chip is crafted from potatoes, and alternatives can often be a healthier choice. Bare’s Fuji & Reds Apple Chips live up to their simple name: Washington apples are thinly sliced, baked to a crisp without any additives, and sealed in convenient pouches ideal for portable snacking that boosts energy rather than weighing you down. Plus, you’ll dodge the mess of crumbs and oily residue typical of conventional potato chips.
Ideal for Party Fowls
Ditch the party mishaps (particularly behind the wheel) and welcome the party fowls with Flock Chicken Chips. Crafted in California, these low-carb (0-1 grams per bag), high-protein (13 grams) chips feature wok-fried skins from American-raised chickens and are free of artificial additives. Ideal for snacking on the move, they also make a great addition to salads or sandwiches during a quick roadside meal. Available in Original, BBQ, and Salt & Vinegar flavors.
Ultimate Cookie Enhancement
Craving a cookie that offers more than just empty calories during your on-the-go snacking? Lenny & Larry’s The Complete Cookie is like a protein bar in dessert form, packing fiber and protein into a dairy-free, egg-free baked good. These vegan cookies are denser and more satisfying than classic versions, available in bold flavors such as Birthday Cake, Apple Pie, and Chocolate Donut, as well as milder choices like Oatmeal Raisin and Lemon Poppyseed.
Just For Enjoyment
Best Sweet Treat
No road trip is complete without candy, and few treats are as iconic or beloved as HARIBO Goldbears. While you should definitely pack a couple of bags for the journey, summer travelers should also pick up the limited-edition Passport Mix—a selection of gummies from HARIBO’s global lineup to fuel their wanderlust. But hurry, these are only around until September, so don’t miss out!
Most Classic Chew
Jerky is a road trip essential, found in almost every packed car and frequently restocked at gas stations along the way, making it a must-have for meat lovers before hitting the road. Country Archer Jerky Co. offers a range of chewy options, from Mango Habanero to Sriracha, all made with grass-fed and grass-finished protein and free from preservatives, nitrites, MSG, gluten, antibiotics, and added hormones. For those who prefer a softer bite, the new snack sticks are a great alternative.
Ideal for Discerning Snack Enthusiasts
To upgrade your snack experience while keeping the classic road trip essentials, pack some biltong from Stryve. Offering up to 50% more protein than regular jerkies and zero sugar, biltong is air-dried instead of heat-processed, preserving its natural meaty texture. Stryve’s sliced biltong comes in convenient resealable packs, perfect for travel, with six flavors like Peri Peri, Zesty Garlic, and Original—all crafted using a 17-step process.thCentury South African recipe. It also comes in three stick varieties.
Drinks
The Most Revolutionary Kombucha
Kombucha skeptics often avoid the gut-friendly beverage for two main reasons: it requires refrigeration and has a vinegary taste. KÖE addresses these concerns by offering fruit-flavored, shelf-stable canned kombuchas, perfect for travel. Their sparkling black-tea-based drinks contain 15 grams of caffeine for a mild energy boost and feature delicious options such as Raspberry Dragonfruit, Blueberry Ginger, and Strawberry Lemonade.
Perfect for Summer Atmosphere
Summer isn’t complete without lemonade, but if you prefer to reserve your sugar intake for a stash of sweets, bring along Calypso Light Lemonade for your travels. Introduced in 2020, these 5-calorie bottles deliver the same flavor as traditional sugary lemonades (yet contain zero grams of sugar) and are available in four options: Original, Strawberry, Ocean Blue, and Southern Peach. Each variety is ideal for satisfying intense summer thirst or treating kids without the risk of a sugar-fueled frenzy in your tight car space afterward.
Most Dense in Protein
Skip the hassle of bringing protein powder and mixing shakes while traveling—opt for ICONIC Protein Drinks instead. These convenient 11.5-ounce beverages provide 20 grams of grass-fed protein and a boost of electrolytes to maintain hydration and energy during your trip. Plus, they’re light on sugars (just 3 grams per bottle) and calories (ranging from 130 to 140), available in delicious options such as Chocolate Truffle, Café Latte, and Turmeric Ginger.
Top Sources of Caffeine Beyond Coffee
When will you next find a rest stop offering fresh coffee, and is another hot beverage—or that jittery feeling—really ideal for your extended trip? GOJAI Organic Sparkling Water provides 45 milligrams of caffeine without calories, sugar, or preservatives, offering a balanced energy lift without the crash commonly associated with coffee or standard energy drinks. Featuring bright flavors such as Orange, Grapefruit, and Lemon, it’s an excellent companion for summer travel, and its slim cans fit effortlessly into any cupholder.
Alcoholic Beverages
Avoid consuming any of the listed products while operating a vehicle. These adult “snacks,” intended for individuals aged 21 and older, should be used responsibly and only after your journey for the day has ended.
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Bulky wine bottles are impractical for travel, and most boxed wines aren’t worth the purchase. Instead, choose Ah-So’s premium canned wine for a relaxing evening. As Spain’s inaugural canned wine, it’s made from 100% organic, sustainably produced grenache. Each can is perfectly sized, travel-friendly, and far superior to those small juice-box-style wines. Plus, with options like Red, White, Rosé, and Bubbles, there’s no need to waste half a bottle if your group can’t settle on one variety.
Most Energetic
Combine some juice, a splash of vodka, and a handful of ice for a simple summer cocktail. While ice might be hard to come by on a road trip, NEFT Vodka solves that problem. This high-quality, small-batch vodka is packaged in a durable barrel-shaped container, preventing broken glass on rough roads and keeping the vodka chilled for up to six hours after being refrigerated. It’s the ultimate travel-friendly spirit, ideal for crafting your own drink or enjoying it straight before bedtime.
Discover *Best Road Trip Ever, Part 2: Backpacks And Weekenders* available for you to explore.here.
Discover *Best Road Trip Ever, Part 3: Clothes And Accessories* for your next adventure.here.
Discover *Best Road Trip Ever, Part 4: Gadgets And Gear* for all your travel essentials.here.
