These 15 healthy road trip snack ideas and tips have balance of sweet and savory snacks. The whole family will love these healthy road trip snacks.

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Since many of you might be hitting the road this summer, I thought I’d share some road trip snacks packing ideas with you! If you’re traveling long stretches, consider your snacks as meal replacements and choose wisely. We packed these snacks for a drive that was nearly 9 hours.

I hope this list gives you great inspiration for your next road trip. I included a balance of healthy, sweet and savory snacks that will please the whole family!

We recently took a road trip to Sacramento Caleeefornia; my husbands home state. It was hot in Sacramento; I think it hit 106˚F. Hot dawwwg (did you know it’s cool to say things like “hot dawwg,” “neato” and “sha-zam?” Try it and see how many more friends you acquire!).

Anyway, it was so nice to see family and friends and the drive wasn’t too terrible considering we had very, very good snacks. Keep reading to check out how we munched on our trip!

Here are yours 15 Healthy Road Trip Snack Ideas:

If leaving early in the morning:

1. Muffins – homemade are best. The store-bought ones are kinda heavy on the gut.

2. Yogurt (drinkable or sqeezeable ones for kids work well – no spoons needed!)

3. Blend smoothies and take them along! The strawberry, green flaxie, tropical pineapple and blueberry smoothies will make you feel really good in the morning! For this trip, we chose the strawberry smoothies.

Fresh Fruit:

Buy whichever fruit is in season and is easy to peel/eat:

1. Mandarin oranges (clementines)

2. Apricots

3. Cherries (preferably yellow to keep clothes from getting splattered)

15 Healthy Road Trip Snack Ideas, Road Trip Packing List, and Tips for Traveling with Children from @natashaskitchen

Nuts/ Seeds:

1. Almonds, or mixed nuts

2. Sun flower seeds with paper cups as spitters (they are a little messy but it is the Ukrainian way to travel with a bag of seeds)

Veggies:

1. Sugar snap peas (these we picked from Mom’s garden the evening prior)

2. Baby carrots (or sliced carrots)

3. Ranch to dip (if your kids won’t eat the veggies plain – use a baby food jar and you can toss it when you’re done!)

4. Corn on the cob (tastes just as good cold, just don’t add butter)

5. Baby tomatoes  or sliced cucumbers

For longer trips, you’ll need lunch:

1. BLT’s with avocado spread: I bought fresh, soft bread and used avocado spread (click here for the recipe), then topped with lettuce and tomatoes for one incredible sandwich.

15 Healthy Road Trip Snack Ideas, Road Trip Packing List, and Tips for Traveling with Children from @natashaskitchen

Don’t forget drinks!

Choose low sugar options to keep hydrated. A can of regular soda has 10 tsp of sugar, which is like drinking liquid candy and the recommended daily amount is 6 tsp. And, I’d much rather eat real candy ;).

1. Unsweetened carbonated drinks like LaCroix satisfy the craving for something bubbly and are thirst quenching at the same time.

2. Reduced sugar kids drinks (These organic juice boxes are from Costco).

3. Coconut Water (this is my husbands drink of choice)

4. Water, of-course.

15 Healthy Road Trip Snack Ideas, Road Trip Packing List, and Tips for Traveling with Children from @NatashasKitchen

For savory cravings:

1. String cheese

2. Baked Potato Chips (the healthier junk food) and you can’t go wrong with Kettle Brand chips!

15 Healthy Road Trip Snack Ideas, Road Trip Packing List, and Tips for Traveling with Children from @NatashasKitchen

Other necessary items:

Straws
Paper bowls or cups
Zip loc bags
A large ziploc bag for garbage (it’s better if it seals so your car won’t smell like food)
A gazillion napkins
Baby wipes
(because rest stop bathrooms gross me out no end – and why on earth do they never have paper towels? They expect you to touch the door knob when at least 1/3 of people just don’t wash their hands and grab that same knob? Gross and 1/2).

Tips for traveling with children:

1. Bring pillows and a bed time teddy. Tell kids that it’s a really long boring drive and they need to sleep, reassuring them that when they wake up, you’ll be almost there. Repeat until children fall asleep. This works about 10% of the time but it’s worth trying.

2. Always pack a barf bag. Always.

3. Find a creative way to block sunlight coming into kids windows so they don’t end up with a sun tan on one leg. And they’ll sleep better.

4. Bring entertainment. We love listening to Adventures in Odessey (great stories with moral lessons that are entertaining for the whole family). An Ipad is a good idea too for cartoons, but we usually break it out as a last resort.

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

15 Healthy Road Trip Snack Ideas

5 from 8 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Since many of you might be hitting the road this summer, I thought I'd share some snack packing ideas with you! I included a balance of healthy, sweet and savory snacks that will please the whole family!

Ingredients 

If leaving early in the morning:

  • 1. Muffins - homemade are best. The store-bought ones are kinda heavy on the gut.
  • 2. Yogurt, drinkable or sqeezeable ones for kids work well - no spoons needed!
  • 3. Blend smoothies and take them along!

Fresh Fruit:

  • 1. Mandarin oranges, clementines
  • 2. Apricots
  • 3. Cherries

Nuts/ Seeds:

  • 1. Almonds, or mixed nuts
  • 2. Sun flower seeds with paper cups as spitters

Veggies:

  • 1. Sugar snap peas
  • 2. Baby carrots, or sliced carrots
  • 3. Ranch to di
  • 4. Corn on the cob, tastes just as good cold, just omit the butter
  • 5. Baby tomatoes or sliced cucumbers

For longer trips, you'll need lunch:

  • 1. BLT's with avocado spread

Don't forget drinks!

  • 1. Unsweetened carbonated drinks
  • 2. Reduced sugar kids drinks
  • 3. Coconut Water
  • 4. Water, of-course.

For savory cravings:

  • 1. String cheese
  • 2. Baked Potato Chips

Instructions

Tips for traveling with children:

  • Bring pillows and a bed time teddy. Tell kids that it's a really long boring drive and they need to sleep, reassuring them that when they wake up, you'll be almost there. Repeat until children fall asleep. This works about 10% of the time but it's worth trying.
  • Always pack a barf bag. Always.
  • Find a creative way to block sunlight coming into kids windows so they don't end up with a sun tan on one leg. And they'll sleep better.
  • Bring entertainment. We love listening to Adventures in Odessy (great stories with moral lessons that are entertaining for the whole family). An ipad is a good idea too for cartoons, but we usually break it out as a last resort.

Notes

!Other necessary items:
Straws, Paper bowls or cups, Zip loc bags, A large ziploc bag for garbage, A gazillion napkins, Baby wipes, Hand Sanitizer
Course: snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Road Trip Snack Ideas
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$

Final Final Picmonkey Hashtag banner15 Healthy Road Trip Snack Ideas, Road Trip Packing List, and Tips for Traveling with Children from @natashaskitchen

What is your favorite road trip snack? Do you have any travel tips to share?

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Comments

  • Cheryl
    June 7, 2020

    Hi, I love all of your recipes. One thing I want to add: I’ve been road tripping my whole life with and without children. I’ve never been without rolls of paper towels on my trips! They’re good for everything!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 7, 2020

      Thanks for your comments and suggestion, Cheryl!

      Reply

  • Debbie Solomon
    January 28, 2019

    Hi
    You had a fab almond bread (low card) on video on Face book. Do you perhaps have the recipe I could print. I can’t seem to find that video anymore.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 28, 2019

      Hi Debbie, Are you referring to this cake or our almond croissants??

      Reply

      • Debbie Solomon
        February 1, 2019

        Hi Natasha
        No, I’m looking for your low card Almond bread recipe.

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          February 1, 2019

          Hi Debbie, is it possible that was shared from another page? I recommend searching “almond” on our site to see the options we have 🙂

          Reply

  • Ali
    August 31, 2018

    Awesome

    Reply

  • Karolina
    January 3, 2017

    Natasha thank you so much for posting this, I’m going on a trip and have no clue what to take that’s healthy, here I found great ideas!!! God bless you and your family

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 4, 2017

      Perfect timing then! Thank you so much Karolina! 🙂

      Reply

  • Tania
    August 31, 2015

    These are really good tips, Natasha! All the options are healthy and easy to find.
    Thanks a lot!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 31, 2015

      You’re very welcome 🙂

      Reply

  • Sarah
    July 25, 2015

    We LOVE Adventures in Oddesey! This is a great list. I’m always looking for new snack ideas for my three kids! 🙂

    Reply

  • Now watch me naenae
    June 25, 2015

    Pfff 9 hours? I went on a 27 hour drive without goin to a hotel

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 25, 2015

      Wow, that’s impressive but did you have kids with you ;)?

      Reply

  • Tonya
    December 2, 2014

    Great ideas! I make pigs in a blanket, but I use turkey dogs. Bring along trail mix and for some reason my husband loves chili on the road. So I make a batch and store in mason jars and keep in a box. He will eat room temperature with crackers driving. then toss the rest in the cooler at the end of the day. I try not to do too many carbs so I also will make mini lamb patties or you can do beef.These are tasty even cold, but when you use good quality organic grass fed meats they are safe room temp in the car til lunch time. My husband loves meat so I will cube some beef or chicken too and put in mason jars and he likes to munch on that and cubed cheese and veggies. You can also take sliced turkey and roast beef and roll up individually and wrap with romaine lettuce(spear a little dijon) and I can hand to the kiddos in the back. It makes less mess than bread.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 2, 2014

      I bet kids would absolutely love the pigs in a blanket (and so would I!!). Thanks so much for sharing your awesome ideas. I want to go on a road trip with you! Wow! 🙂

      Reply

  • Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking
    June 15, 2014

    Goodness gracious! You have me covered! My patience for road trips would run out before all my food! lol! This is an amazing list! I really want that avocado BLT for dinner tonight – no road trip needed!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 15, 2014

      Thanks Lindsey! It does make a good any-time sandwich! 🙂

      Reply

  • Yelena
    June 15, 2014

    First of all, I LOVE LOVE your website. I have made half your cakes (all delicious) and some of the meals (also amazing). Thank you for sharing your recipes with us 🙂
    my question is about the Adventures in Odyssey, do you buy them somewhere or download them?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 15, 2014

      At home we listen to them on a local Christian radio station. My husband has had the collection for a long time and I’m not sure where we got them. I know they are available online at http://www.whitsend.org/ and download them to itunes.

      Reply

  • Oksana
    June 14, 2014

    Great ideas. And thank you for mentioning low sugar drinks. We almost always stick with plain or mineral water. The sugar will give you fake energy, then you’ll want to sleep, not good, esp for driver.
    I love adventures in odyssey, and I’m an adult, great stories and I think the lessons are for any age group. For older kids, we bring lots of books (preferably soft cover, so we can fit more in bag). And you’re right, a cartoon as last resort (we have portable, tiny dvd player, the kids don’t even complain about sitting so close together, lol)

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 14, 2014

      It looks like we aren’t the only fans of Adventures in Odyssey! Some of the stories are pretty suspenseful. Our son is just learning to read so he doesn’t like reading books on his own yet. 🙂 it’s true about the cartoons though, he is quiet as a mouse when we turn it on 🙂

      Reply

  • Luda
    June 14, 2014

    Our family loves Adventure in Odyssey as well, even us parents

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 14, 2014

      We’ve listened to so many of then I’ve lost count. They are seriously entertaining!

      Reply

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