So you’re finally taking some time off to go on that road trip you’ve been dreaming about for years! A road trip is an exciting adventure whether you’re heading out on your own, stopping to see friends and meet new people on the way to your destination (if you have one!), or packing up the kids and the dog into a van to see the beautiful country. Whatever your motivation and whatever your destination, one thing is certain – having a well-planned trip will take a lot of pressure off of you when you’re actually out there on the road. And that requires preparation, including making a road trip food list complete with essential snacks!

You know what you and your family need to have on any given day at home. You need soccer uniforms, backpacks with homework checked inside, a fridge and pantry with healthy snacks and last minute dinner plans for busy nights. All of these things are old hat, but when you get on the road you’ll want to think about how your needs will change and what you can bring with the limited cargo space you’ll have. Of course, this is part of the fun (and kind of the point) of a road trip. Mixing it up is good and experiencing something outside of your daily routine can be extremely rewarding. Especially if you give it a little thought and do some planning.

You might find yourself taking weeks, or sometimes even months, to plan your road trip. You’ll be busy making arrangements for camping or hotel accommodations. You’ll want to make any purchases for supplies you don’t already own like sleeping bags and tents or fun car games, etc. You’ll also want to stock up on – and pack – some essential road trip snacks.

Road Trip Food List: Essential Snacks

If you’ve ever been on a road trip or a family vacation, you know that planning for meals and snacks is a top priority. When you’re making your road trip food list, you’ll want to remember that it’s not always possible to stop for food. Sometimes, even when it is possible to stop, you have very few healthy or fresh items to choose from depending on where you are. That’s why we’ve created this quick reference guide featuring five essential road trip snacks. Knowing you will have delicious and healthy snacks along the way makes the journey all the more enjoyable!

  1. Water

One thing you don’t want to be left without is a sufficient water supply. Bring your reusable bottles and fill up when you are near good clean water sources – water in some places tastes much better than others. You may very well notice this in your travels. Be sure you have plenty of water for your day trips and extra in the vehicle so you don’t have to make unnecessary stops. You’ll also save money buying your water in bulk rather than stopping for bottles along the way. You may choose to reduce your plastic consumption by buying large bottles and filling your reusable bottles from the large bottle. 

  1. Sandwiches

Sandwiches will likely be at the top of your road trip food list. And for good reason, as they are great on-the-go snacks. It’s also easy to tailor them to the tastes of your family members and please even the picky eaters. However, depending on the length of your journey, sandwiches may not be the best option for extended trips – especially if you are not planning to maintain a cooler with ice. Still, simple peanut butter sandwiches can be eaten quickly and easily until you’re tired of them.

  1. Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snacks

Baby carrots and apples are easy to pack and super healthy, which is why they are essential road trip snacks. You can choose a variety of fruits and vegetables. Just keep in mind that some snacks are cleaner and easier to eat on the go. You may not want to bring fruits and vegetables that require peeling, cleaning, or cutting.

You’ll also want to think of the longevity of these snacks and how they hold up to various temperatures. After a while, carrots will dry up. Ideally, you will want to have them cooled. If that’s not possible, don’t worry – they can last up to five days unrefrigerated. If you store your apples someplace where they will be out of the sun and will be protected from bruising, you should be good to go for the duration of your road trip. 

  1. All-Natural Meat SnacksSubscribe to Emails from Sweetwood Smokehouse and Save

It would not be an overstatement to say that Sweetwood Smokehouse’s all-natural meat snacks are the absolute best and most essential road trip snacks! Rather than loading up on potato chips, candy, and protein bars, pack these snacks for a healthy alternative. They won’t leave you feeling sluggish and bloated like so many other snacks will. This is so important when you’re sitting in the car for hours on end. You want something that is going to give you energy and make your body feel good. 

Your road trip food list isn’t complete without Sweetwood’s Beef JerkySteak Bites, and FATTY Smoked Meat Sticks. With so many healthy, delicious options to choose from, you’ll never get bored with these snacks. And, rest assured, they are always made in America with a short list of all-natural ingredients. These snacks are high in quality protein, low in sugar, and seasoned with stuff you can pronounce. They’re also packaged to always stay moist and tender, which is yet another reason they top the list of essential road trip snacks!

  1. Nuts and Dried Fruit

Make your own trail mix for a slightly sweet and healthy snack. Dried fruit and dark chocolate are healthy in moderation, but they contain high amounts of sugar. Dried fruit will make up for that a bit with a high amount of micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. Choose nuts like sprouted almonds, if you can, and go with unsalted over salted. Also go for a dark chocolate that is fifty to ninety percent cocoa.

Armed with the spirit of adventure, Google Maps, and these essential road trip snacks, you’re bound to have a terrific time!

>> Shop Sweetwood.com now to stock up on all-natural meat snacks for your road trip.