Bringing healthy foods that don’t need refrigeration is a great option to save money and time while on the road. Since I travel most weeks for work, I’ve gotten to truly test out the best nonperishable foods to bring on a road trip for kids and adults.
All these road trip food ideas don’t need refrigeration for at least a day, and most of them will last indefinitely. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a cross-country adventure, any of these nonperishable snacks will keep you satisfied without having to constantly stop at restaurants or grocery stores.
This article covers well over a hundred road trip food ideas that don’t need refrigeration, including pre-packaged foods, meals for each time of day, and some simple recipes you can make ahead of time. Simply use the table of contents below to navigate to what type of road food you seek.
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Pre-Packaged Foods For Road Trip
Healthy pre-made snacks are among the best foods to bring on a road trip, because not only do they save you time, but they’re easy to find and can please kiddos as well as adults.
- Snacking Ramen
- Protein Bars
- Snack Bars
- Homemade Pop-Tarts
- Mini Muffins
- Seaweed Sheets
- Garlic Peas
- Tahini-Based Fruit Dip (for crackers, chips, or other fruits)
- Fresh Walnuts
- Thai Chili & Lime Cashews (from Trader Joe’s)
- Shell-On Pistachios (Wonderful Pistachios are reliably delicious)
- Salted Sunflower Seeds
- Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Whole Peanuts
- Raw Macadamia Nuts
- Spiced Pecans (homemade are easy & less expensive!)
- Chocolate-Covered Almonds
Kids Road Trip Snack Ideas
- Popcorn
- Animal Crackers
- Freeze-Dried Snap Peas (they’ll be so obsessed with the crunch they won’t even realize it’s vegetables!)
- Pretzels (filled or plain; whichever your kiddos prefer)
- Cheese Sticks (mozzarella sticks are easiest to find)
- Freeze Dried Cheese Bites (like Moon Cheese)
- Apple Juice Packs
- Fruity Chia Squeeze Packs
- Healthy Fudge (Nut Butter or Seed Butter Base)
- Graham Crackers
- Annie’s Fruit Snacks
- Single-Serve Dry Cereal
- Nut or Seed Milk (this shelf-stable option comes in single-serves, as well, and can make getting your kid to eat breakfast just as easy as at home, especially with the addition of the crunchy freeze-fried fruit!)
- Cherry Tomatoes
Fruits To Bring on a Road Trip
- Dried Fruit (i.e. mango, pineapple, apple, etc.)
- Freeze-Dried Fruits (for kiddos with missing teeth or anyone who doesn’t like the tough texture of the dried versions; I recommend trying strawberries or mangoes)
- Applesauce Cups
- Mixed Fruit Cups
- Canned Fruit
- Fruit Leather
- Squeezable Fruit Pouches
- Toasted Coconut Chips
- Raisins or Dried Cranberries
- Watermelon Squares
- Dates
- Cherries on the Stem
- Grapes
- Apples or Apple Slices (great with peanut butter or tahini)
- Asian Pears
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Dragon Fruit
- Mango
- Oranges
- Kiwis
- Blueberries
Gluten-Free Road Trip Foods
Finding gluten-free snacks for road trips is easier than ever these days, and for my fellow grain-free friends, most of these options are also free from grains.
- Veggie Straws
- Flaxseed Pudding in Mason Jars
- Baby Carrots
- Celery Sticks With Dip
- Pre-Cut Bell Peppers
- Kale Chips
- Rice Cakes
- Cassava Chips (the Siete brand one comes in several shapes & sizes and we love it with hummus or salsa)
- Lentil Crackers (these can be homemade or sometimes found in stores)
- Tortilla Chips
- Potato Chips
- Plantain Chips
- Simple Mills Grain-Free Crackers
- Corn Nuts
- Popped Sorghum
- Clusterbucks (Chocolate Buckwheat Treats)
- Roasted Chickpeas
- Coconut Cookies or Macaroons
- French Macarons (fillings vary)
- Halva (Sesame Seed-Based Sweet Treat)
Road Trip Breakfast Ideas
- Bagels
- English Muffins
- Cereal
- Blueberry or Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Protein Bars
- Cereal Bars
- Granola (here’s my favorite recipe)
- Waffles (making studier versions ahead of time makes them easy to be stored in bags & squirted with jam, nut butter, or chocolate spread for a sweet treat)
- Banana Bread
- Biscuits
Road Trip Lunch Ideas
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
- Pita Bread (with deli meats, nut butters, pomegranate seeds, a sprinkle of granola, or any combination of flavors you take along)
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Trail Mix (Homemade or Store-Bought)
- Crackers and Hard Cheeses (like parmesan or gouda)
- Chips and Salsa
- Packets of Nut Butter (Justin’s brand is reliable)
- Pita Chips and Hummus
- Sweet Potato Chips
- Avocadoes
Road Trip Dinner Ideas
- Canned Chili (Annie’s brand is great)
- Canned Soups
- Canned Beans
- Beef Jerky
- Salmon Jerky
- Canned Tuna or Chicken
- Packet Rice or Quinoa
- Packets of Lentil Stew or Chickpea Stew
- Salami Sticks (can easily be sliced, or you can buy small ones for easy snacking)
- Premade Falafel Balls
- Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Road Trip Snacks
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Almond Flour Brownies
- Dark Chocolate Chips
- Homemade Chocolate Chip Rice Crispy Treats
- Rice Pudding Cups
- Nut Butter Cups
- Sugar-Free Candy Bars
- Chocolate Tahini Spread
- Candied Ginger
- Merengues
- Energy Bites
- Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans
- No-Bake Cookie Dough
- Pepero Sticks (or Pocky)
- Peanut Brittle
- Dark Chocolate Bars
