Top 5 Road Trip Snacks

There’s nothing like hitting the open road with good music, great company, and the right snacks within arm’s reach.

Whether you’re cruising the highway for a weekend getaway or tackling a cross-country adventure, the food you pack can make or break the trip. The best road trip snacks aren’t just tasty—they’re easy to eat on the go, don’t create a mess, and keep you fueled mile after mile.

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By AutoGuide.com Staff

From salty classics to sweet pick-me-ups, here are the top five road trip snacks that deserve a spot in your passenger seat.

5. Granola or Protein Bars

Compact, clean, and packed with energy—they’re the perfect one-hand snack when you don’t want to pull over.
Protein bars especially offer a reliable energy boost—who doesn't love a good nutty or chocolate-flavored pick.

4. Gummy Bears

Colorful, chewy, and impossible to eat just one. The perfect sugar rush to keep spirits high and passengers entertained.
The variety of flavors and shapes means you can mix and match to make sure everyone gets what they want.

3. Chips/Pretzels

Crunchy, salty, and impossible to stop eating. Whether you’re into classic potato chips, spicy tortilla chips, or something more exotic like yogurt-covered pretzels, no road trip feels complete without them.
Just don't forget the napkins and water.

2. Trail Mix

This travel staple offers a satisfying balance of sweet and salty, carbs and protein. Lightweight and mess-free, it's a go-to for sustained road energy.
The best ones offer a handful of nuts, raisins, and M&M’s—basically the fuel of road trip heroes everywhere.

1. Beef Jerky

Beef jerky is protein-packed, salty, and road-tested—it’s the snack that keeps your hands busy and your stomach happy mile after mile.
Careful, though, some of the spicier or flavored versions might come back to haunt the cabin a few hours later.

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