The 15 Best Road Trip Snacks To Satisfy Every Kind Of Craving

Who says animal crackers are for kids? Evidently, they haven’t tasted these grahams from Persephone Bakery, a James Beard Award–nominated spot in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Spiked with honey and cinnamon, these adorable cookies are shaped like moose, bison and other Western wildlife. If you know what’s good for you, order an extra box—once you open one up, these go quickly.

Trader Joe’s is the king of snacks, and these Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers are one of its best. Imagine a Frito crossed with Mexican street corn: That’s what these are bringing to the table. A little spicy, smoky and tangy, the chips are perfect for scooping up salsa or guacamole, but they’re also so flavorful, they don’t even need a dip.

Granola bars are a classic entry in the road trip–snack handbook for a reason: They’re single-serve, highly portable and more nourishing than a handful of chips. Out of the endless options out there, Kind Minis are some of the very best. Not only do they have a relatively short ingredient list and come in an array of delicious flavors, but they’re also the perfect size for a satisfying snack.

If you love sour gummy bears but want candy that feels a little more sophisticated, here’s the sweet for you: Behave’s Serious Good Sour Bears. Made using natural sweeteners and concentrated fruit juice, every bag comes with raspberry-, lychee- and passion fruit-flavored bears that are the perfect mix of sweet and sour. And if you prefer gummies that don’t make your lips pucker, the brand also sells Sweet Bears.

Chips that incorporate alternative grains can be disappointing in texture or flavor—but not the Tangy Baobab chips from Yolélé, an African food brand founded by Senegalese chef and cookbook author Pierre Thiam. Made out of fonio, an ancient grain that’s been that’s harvested in West Africa for thousands of years, and flavored with onion and moringa, these naturally gluten-free chips are bold, zesty and anything but bland. Think Doritos, but better.

Salt and vinegar isn’t just for potato chips. Case in point: these flavored pre-shelled pistachios, which are every bit as delicious as a handful of Lay’s. And because pistachios pack more protein and fiber, they make for a better filling snack.  

If you love a meaty, protein-packed snack, there’s nothing better to have in tow than beef jerky. (Maybe just make sure your travel buddies don’t despise the smell of jerky, since its scent will linger in the air for, well, a long time.) For a premium variety, check out the offerings from Brooklyn Biltong, which makes some of the most flavorful air-dried beef jerky around with no additional sugar added. Spring for a single flavor or the variety pack, which includes one of each five flavors: original, steakhouse, salt and vinegar, peri peri and lemon pepper.

You don’t have to be vegetarian to enjoy Pan’s Mushroom Jerky, a meatless variety made from dried organic shiitakes. That said, this ultra-savory snack is especially great for those with food allergies or restrictions, as it’s gluten-free, soy-free and vegan. Pick from flavors like teriyaki, curry, applewood BBQ and zesty Thai.

Cheese boards are a classic, widely beloved snack—but they’re not exactly car-friendly. Instead of attempting to assemble a bite of cheese, cracker and jam in a moving vehicle, pick up a bag of Whisps Cheese and Pretzel Bites, which will satisfy your cravings for something cheesy and crunchy at once. While the brand’s cheddar cheese flavor is a delicious crowd-pleaser, the real winner is the honey mustard, which is cheesy, tangy and a little bit sweet. 

If you’re looking for more straightforward cheese crackers, you can’t miss with Annie’s Organic Cheddar Bunnies. Made with real cheese and no artificial flavors, these baked rabbit-shaped crackers are sure to please kids and adults alike. And if you prefer white cheddar to its orange brethren, Annie’s has you covered.

Chances are, you’re familiar with Tate’s chocolate chip cookies, which are impossibly crispy, buttery and all too easy to eat several of in one sitting. While you have to be careful about crumbs, these cookies make for the perfect sweet treat while you’re on the road, thanks to their petite size and resealable package.

You can’t go wrong with any of West-bourne’s snacks, especially not the Togarashi Crunch, an elevated umami riff on Chex Mix. Tossed with togarashi, a Japanese spice blend that lends some flavorful heat, the vegan mix—composed of rice crisps, organic smoked almonds and puffed rice—is simultaneously smoky, spicy, sweet and salty. Better yet, it’s sold in a resealable, compostable bag that’s easy to pass around the car.

You have to be careful with chocolate in the car: The odds of it melting can be high, especially if you’re traveling during the summer or in warmer climates. The good thing about these Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars is that they’re so delicious, you won’t have to worry about them melting—they won’t last long. Made with coconut, cassava syrup, dark chocolate and nothing more, these vegan sweets answer the question, “What if a Bounty bar had a glow-up?”

Fans of Sichuan food will adore these roasted peanuts. Inspired by the cuisine’s classic condiment, the nuts aren’t super spicy so much as they are tingly, thanks to the addition of Sichuan peppercorns. Even if you don’t love the peppercorns’ numbing effect on your lips and tongue, it’s worth trying these out—they might just make you change your mind. (And of course, if someone in the car has a peanut allergy, considering checking in with them before packing these.)

If your drive will be on the shorter side or you’ve packed a cooler, hummus can make for a great on-the-go snack, whether you scoop it up with baby carrots or pretzels. (The dip can be left out at room temperature for up to four hours.) And Sabra’s pack of six single-serve hummus containers are especially road trip–friendly.