14 Of The Best Travel Snacks To Fuel Your Family's Next Adventure
As summer break winds down, we have a few more weeks to fit in some family travel before returning to the school year. While the 4th of July is typically the most famed travel day, 83% of people said they plan to drive to their summer vacation destination, a cost-effective choice that allows for more flexibility. In fact, 54% said they will drive instead of fly due to the increasing cost of airfare, according to a survey conducted by Gas Station TV.
Whether you're looking for something sweet, savory, healthy, or picky-eater approved, we've rounded up 14 tasty snacks to fuel your family's next adventure.
1. Albanese True to Fruit Exotic Fruit Gummy Bears
Albanese True to Fruit Gummies
Many claim to be the best fruit snack or gummy, but Alabense is far above the rest. If you follow me on social media, you'll know that every trip, whether it's a flight or a road trip, starts with a snack haul, and Albanese gummies are always in my cart! I remember the first time I tried them, it was on a long flight, and they instantly became my go-to snack. They're soft, the perfect amount of gumminess, and just plain ole' delicious!
2. Sargento Shareables Snack Tray
Sargento Shareables
Sargento, known for its delicious cheese, offers a convenient solution for your on-the-go days. Simply toss a few of these snack trays in your cooler, and you're all set for a day of adventure. Who can resist a savory cheese and cracker moment?
3. Made Good Granola Bites
Made Good Strawberry Granola Minis
These granola bites come in a convenient resealable bag, making them perfect for on-the-go snacking. I am not a huge breakfast person when I am traveling, but I like to have something. These granola bites are a staple in my house and always in my bag. They're chewy with the perfect hint of sweetness and flavor.
4. Justin's Almond Butter
Justin's Maple Almond Butter
My youngest niece, a picky eater, has found her match with these nut butter pouches. The beauty of these pouches lies in their versatility. Whether she's eating it alone, spreading it on a cracker, or dipping apple slices, she's in control of her snack time.
5. Stellar Pretzel Braids
Stellar Maui Monk Pretzel Braids
We may all be familiar with Stellar Pretzels, as it's offered as a snack option by some airlines. They offer bold flavors, such as Dijon Mustard, without being overpowering. One bite, and you'll be back for more.
6. Tru Fru Snacks
TruFru Strawberries
Prepare to indulge in a delightful treat. The fruit is fresh, and the chocolate used for dipping is velvety smooth. Whether you choose white chocolate, dark chocolate, or both, each bite is a journey into pure satisfaction. Trust me, you'll find yourself sampling all the flavors.
7. Jack Links Beef Jerky
Jack Links Duo Jerky Packs
How many times have we had to juggle multiple packs of our favorite jerky flavors to mix into one bag? The struggle is over with Jack Links Duo. Each pack offers two flavors, providing a convenient solution that saves you time and brings joy to your taste buds with every bite. You won't be able to pick a favorite, the duos are just too good!
8. Zarbee's Triple Action Hydration Electrolyte Drink
Zarbee's Hydration Electrolyte Drink Pouches
Encouraging children to drink water can be challenging. We love these drink pouches because they allow the tiny ones to easily grab one for a self-serve option, keeping them hydrated. These pouches are not just convenient, but also loved by picky eaters due to their delicious and natural flavors. Anything that is picky-eater approved is 10/10 in our house! She loves both the Strawberry Lemonade and Lemon Lime pouches.
9. Effie's Homemade Biscuits
Effie's Homemade Biscuits
These little treats are somewhere between a cookie and a cracker, but definitely pack the flavor. The corn, yes, corn, biscuits are a pleasant surprise. They're easy to toss in everyone's snack bag and are a good source of nutrition on the go!
10. Sprinkles Cupcake Cups
Sprinkles Red Velvet Cupcake Cups
Every road trip needs a little something sweet. These bite-sized pieces of joy, with their convenient packaging, combine the flavors of cupcakes with the taste of rich chocolate. However, it's not too overwhelming or overindulgent. The Red Velvet and Birthday Cake flavors are exceptionally delicious!
11. That's It Mini Fruit Bars And Crunchables
That's It Snack Options
Healthy snacks help maintain a good balance and reinforce healthy eating habits. The mini fruit bars and crunchables, packed with essential nutrients, are great for the whole family to enjoy, especially the little ones!
12. Belgian Boys Breakfast All Day
Belgian Boys Breakfast All Day
These snack packs are a lifesaver for those hectic mornings when you need breakfast on the go. They come with a small wedge of cheese, mini buttered waffles, and dried fruit, making it a convenient and satisfying meal.
13. Heirloom Pipcorn Mini Popcorn
Pipcorn Variety Pack
Don't forget to pack an extra bag or two of this popcorn for your trip. Its mini size and truffle flavor make it a tasty and irresistible snack. One bag won't be enough for a road trip, so make sure you're prepared with extra snacks!
14. Unreal Snacks
Variety Of Unreal Snacks
Another notch for healthy snacks that are as delicious as they are nutritious. Unreal makes the candy we like, without the additives and yucky stuff we don't need. Think of them as a healthier alternative to treats like M&M's and Snickers.
Don't Skip The Rest Stop Eats
Even if you come prepared with a car full of snacks, sometimes you just want something hot and fresh. If you're traveling with a large family, lugging everyone into a restaurant can be a hassle. Convenience store foods are meeting consumer habits by providing budget-friendly and road-ready meals that are good.
Pilot Travel Center's Fuel Kit
Launched earlier this summer and available until September 2, Pilot Travel Center debuted an $8 Fuel Kit at over 340 locations nationwide. The Fuel Kits are customizable snack boxes, offering a variety of options to cater to your taste, featuring three crispy tenders, one choice of candy, a fountain drink of any size, and one bag of Frito-Lay brand chips.
Circle K Meal Deal Line Up
Circle K, the popular gas station, is your new destination for budget-friendly and delicious pit-stop meals. Their $3-$5 menu offers great value for money, with options for every meal of the day. If you're in need of a quick snack, their $3 meal deal includes a hot dog or a taquito, a 1-2 oz bag of Frito-Lays chips, and any size Polar Pop.
For breakfast lovers, their mid-tier meal deal is the perfect choice. It's all about convenience-choose between a breakfast sandwich, add a hash brown, and any 16oz BANG, Ghost, C4 energy product, medium-sized coffee, or any size Polar Pop. No need to worry about what to eat in the morning, they've got you covered.
Lastly, the $5 meal deal includes two slices of pizza or a personal pizza and a 20 oz soda product or any size Polar Pop.
How To Store Your Travel Snacks
Igloo Trailmate 70 Quart Cooler
We store our snacks in various ways, depending on the type of adventure. For road trips, we opt for coolers. The Igloo Trailmate, our trusted companion, makes these trips a breeze. It's not just for road trips, but also for beach or park days, thanks to its all-terrain wheels. It features two built-in bottle openers, a butler's shelf, an interior food basket, side storage, and cup holders. And, it can fit 112 cans! We love how we can split the internal space for beverages, fruit trays, deli meats, and other perishables, making it a convenient and easy-to-use storage solution for any outdoor activity.
Igloo KoolTunes Cooler With Built-In Speaker
Our larger cooler, always ready in the trunk, is our refill station. In the backseat, we have a smaller cooler that's perfect for drinks, perishables, and group meals. It's a practical solution that keeps us reassured and prepared. For this, we use the Igloo KoolTunes, a versatile addition that doubles as a portable speaker. It's not just for beach days, hikes, or lake outings; it's for feeling ready for anything.
The kids also travel with their backpacks filled with anything they may need during our travels, including snacks they don't want to share. We use a few things to help them keep their snacks close, depending on their needs.
Whiskware Snack Containers
Whiskware Snack Containers are a parent's dream, fitting perfectly in cup holders or bags, customizable, and each one features perfectly portioned jars to keep kids' favorite snacks handy for the whole ride. And when the journey is over, toss them into the dishwasher to ensure they're squeaky clean for the next use, giving you peace of mind about your child's snack time hygiene. I was able to select containers that matched my crew's personalities and interests, such as Disney Princesses, Toy Story, or their favorite color schemes.
Owala FreeSip Series
Speaking of, we matched our favorite containers to Owala tumblers. Additionally, their line of FreeSip and FreeSip Twist bottles makes it easy to manage drinks on the go: no spills, no leaks, no fuss, no mess. The Triple-layered, vacuum-insulated stainless steel keeps drinks cold for 24 hours. It's just what you need moving about on a hot summer day.
AllHaula Insulated Dry Pouch 5L
For snacks or bites that don't quite fit into containers, we rely on the All Haula Insulated Dry Pouches. These versatile pouches fit easily into any backpack or on the side of the All Haula Cooler. Despite their compact size, they can hold a surprising amount. Plus, they're a breeze to clean, ensuring you stay organized even in the face of leaks or spills.
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'It's basically Christmas morning,' Penny said, 'at least for people who like golf.' Two employees arrived in a golf cart at 4:31 a.m., and the campers were told to get back in their cars and drive toward the lot exit to receive their bracelets and tickets (if they were getting on that day). The previous night's chaos had inspired another new system. 'This is a magical moment,' Penny said when he received his bracelet, guaranteeing the trio the day's first tee time. The procession of cars inched through the lot. The white Silverado pickup from spot 34 finally reached the front at 5 a.m., claiming three of the day's last available bracelets. The truck nearly shook when the group let out a collective sigh — a nail-biting 15-hour wait that paid off. 'Let's gooooo!' White bellowed into dark, as the pickup moved toward the next parking lot. At 8 a.m., Farrell and his friends stepped onto the first tee, staring down the same fairway that awaits Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler & Co. next month. Nerves mixed with excitement for a round that was 44½ hours in the making. Back in the parking lot, a new group of campers had already settled into place and pulled out camping chairs, knowing they still had at least 24 hours to go. The first 26 spots were already filled, all dreamers who were certain the payoff would be more than worth the wait.
