20 Road Trip Snacks and Meals
It’s no secret that snacks and meals on the road can add up fast in both dollars and calories. We have found that avoiding gas station snacks and drive-thrus on our travels helps us to keep our budget in line and allows us more time for exploring as we make our way to our destination.
One of my favorite travel mom hacks is stopping at a park or playground for meals, rather than sitting down at a restaurant. Our oldest has ADHD and after a long car ride, sitting still at a restaurant can be the source of a major meltdown for him. Instead, I feed the kids right before or after our stop, and then my husband and I enjoy a picnic while the kids play. In the event of inclement weather, a fast food restaurant with a play place is a good alternative. I still feed the kids in the car and then let them play while my husband and I eat. It’s not as budget friendly or healthy, but sometimes you’ve gotta roll with it. We travel the I95 corridor often and have compiled a list of stops here, ranging from parks and playgrounds to restaurants and roadside attractions.
Breakfast
Single Serve Yogurt Cups- we will grab these from the grocery store, or if we are lucky enough, one of the hotels we stay in will have them. When they do, we always make sure to grab one for the road.
Cereal Cups with Shelf Stable Milk- this is significantly pricier than a box of cereal and a gallon of milk, but convenience is the name of the game and it’s still much less expensive than a restaurant or drive-thru breakfast.
Fruit- apples, bananas, and oranges tend to pack best. My kids love individual containers of peanut butter to go with their apples. When packing berries, I only pack as much as we can eat in one day, as they can get mushy in the cooler. If you are short on cooler space, fruit cups are another great option.
Muffins- Before leaving home, make a big batch of muffins. You can even do it in advance and freeze them until you’re ready to leave. Yummy Toddler Food has a great recipe. You can swap out berries for the chocolate chips if you prefer.
PB&J- this is a classic for a reason! No refrigeration is needed and easy to pack. Containers like this can hold 2-3 sandwiches and slide easily into the back pockets of the car seats.
Overnight Oats- This one is more for me, but it’s a great breakfast that can be made ahead. I am not a huge fan of hotel breakfasts, but my kids and husband will gladly fill up on them. I like to keep these in the cooler so we don’t have to stop along the way. There are some prepackaged options, but I prefer to make my own. Feel Good Foodie has some great recipes that can be made in mason jars, which travel extermely well.
Lunch/Dinner
DIY Lunchables- Believe it or not, my oldest will not eat a sandwich. These containers are great for making DIY Lunchables. We love turkey and provolone or pepperoni and mozzarella, paired with crackers or chips and a fruit or veggie. Having things already assembled before leaving home, helps with easy picnic stops or car-ride snacking.
Wraps- Tortillas pack much better than a loaf of bread and can be filled with deli meat, tuna salad, peanut butter and banana, or rotisserie chicken. Wraps also pack well for picnics, hikes, or park days.
Pasta Salad- There are so many options and variations for pasta salads. You can add veggies and protein to suit your family’s tastes. This is an easy, filling option.
Rotisserie Chicken- I like to get a rotisserie chicken before we leave. You can’t beat Costco if one happens to be along your route. It is perfect to put in wraps, chop up in pasta salad, and to make chicken salad.
Protein Bowls- Microwaveable rice packets are great for the road. From simple white rice to flavored blends like this, they are a quick and easy base for a filling dinner. Add rotisserie chicken and veggies for a complete meal.
Quesadillas- These can be made ahead at home and heated in a hotel microwave or eaten cold. Pack some sour cream, salsa, and avocados for a complete meal.
Mac and Cheese Cups- This is one of my kids’ favorites and a quick option to heat up in our hotel microwave before they hit the pool for the evening.
Snacks
Chex Mix- I make this at home based on the recipe on the Chex website. This is something that is totally customizable based on your family’s preferences. I will often make it Gluten Free by eliminating the bagel chips, using gluten-free pretzels, and only using Rice Chex, but the bagel chips add a lot of flavor to the mix, so I usually add a bit more garlic powder if I do it this way.
Trail Mix- This is another one I make at home to save money and control what goes in it. I have an almond allergy and most pre-made mixes contain almonds. Grab a big Tupperware and combine your favorite nuts (we like peanuts and cashews) and something sweet like chocolate chips or raisins. Of course, you can add whatever your family likes: sunflower seeds, craisins, M&Ms, pretzels. The possibilities are endless.
Deviled Eggs- We usually pack a large cooler, as we like to have some meals on hand both on the road and once we have reached our destination. I have a compact deviled egg carrier that fits perfectly into the freezer and prevents them from rolling around. Worst case, if they do roll around, you have egg salad!
Veggies with Dip- Baby carrots and snap peas are two of our favorites, and travel well. For day trips, I like containers like this to pack dips or hummus. If we are on the road for an extended period, I pack shelf-stable cups like this.
String Cheese- Quick and easy, this classic snack keeps extremely well on the road. We love that Aldi offers other varieties like Colby Jack and Swiss cheese sticks.
Homemade Cookies: It’s a lot easier to say no to gas station snacks when you have something sweet and yummy in the car. This is my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. It is also an amazing base for so many variations, which I have listed below the recipe.
Lollipops: My oldest has a food dye sensitivity so we avoid it whenever possible. I always have a bag of these in the center console for a quick, safe treat.
Looking for more inspiration? Our friends over at Dinkum Tribe have an awesome list of over 40 tips and ideas for eating on the road. Check it out here!