What are the most unhealthy snacks on the market? (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Around the world, food plays a big part in so many different ways. Food brings people together through different cultures, ideologies, and walks of life. Food breaks barriers, as no matter what you believe, which political party you align with, or anything in between, everyone eats food. My personal favorite subcategory of food is snacks, particularly road trip snacks.

There’s something unique about snacks. Snacks typically are not of the most highly regarded nutritional value yet are beloved by millions. There’s nothing quite like snacking on some Oreos, a bag of potato chips, pop, crackers, candy, or popcorn after a long day. The key is always to eat in moderation, of course, but still, having quality snacks is a must, especially when discussing snacks on a road trip.

Road Trip Snacks Are Special

Road trip snacks are special for a few reasons. They have specific criteria that automatically make them a much more desirable snack choice because you’re in a moving vehicle instead of stationary. For instance, eating chips and salsa at the dinner table is sublime; trying to devour a bowl of salsa with tortilla chips in a moving vehicle is a mess. This is where certain foods win out.

Fritos are a great Road Trip Snack.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
MIAMI -MARCH 22: Bags of chips manufactured by PepsiCo Frito-Lay brand are seen on a shelf on March 22, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Another reason road trip snacks are special is because they taste better on the road. While this isn’t backed by science or studies, certain snacks just simply taste better on the road. For example, I don’t enjoy eating snacks like Pringles, Trail Mix, or Cheetos. But for some reason, if I’m a driver or passenger on a road trip, I crave and love these snacks.

Maybe it’s desperation, maybe it’s psychological, but all I know is I only eat Cheetos in the car. For these reasons, road trip snacks are their own food category. Keep reading to discover which snacks you should include on your next road trip. For easy-to-cook food options at home, check out this list.

  • Pretzels

    Pretzels are an amazing road trip snack. Their salty flavor, combined with their ease of eating while driving, makes them a prime choice for any road trip. 

    Road trip snacks

    A new line of stick pretzels made by the Mary’s Gone Crackers team boasts a trio of flavors (sea salt, chipotle-tomato, curry), lots of grains (rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet) and a gluten-free certification. (Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

  • Beef Jerky

    I am a firm believer that beef jerky is only good on a road trip or when camping. If you think that’s crazy, tell me why it can be found inside literally every gas station.

     

    Road trip snacks

    The Hay Merchant, 1100 Westheimer, makes its own sweet and spicy beef jerky using Black Angus beef from 44 Farms in Cameron;

  • Combos (pizzeria Baked Pretzel Flavor)

    Combos are taken for granted. They have been around for a long time but still are one of the best road trip snacks. Specifically, the Pizza and Pretzel flavor is an amazing enhancement to any trip in the car. 

     

     

  • Goldfish

    Goldfish are a prime travel companion until you eat them all. They are the perfect mix of cracker and cheese taste—not an overwhelming amount of cheese yet cheesy. Also, they are not a messy snack.

     

    Goldfish

    Campbell Soup Co. Pepperidge Farm brand Goldfish crackers are arranged for a photograph in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015.

  • Honey nut cheerios

    Honey nut Cheerios are interesting; this is very much a snack that little kids would eat in a plastic baggy. But have you ever wondered why kids never complain when eating these out of that little baggy? It’s because they are very underrated. 

     

    honey nut cheerios

    MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: In this photo illustration, the General Mills cereal Honey Nut Cheerios is seen on September 23, 2014 in Miami, Florida.

  • Pringles

    Pringles were made for road trips. I don’t really care for Pringles on a daily basis, but once I’ve started a road trip, they are the best.

    pringles

    Packets of Pringles chips, manufactured by Kellanova, in a shopping basket in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024.

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