Planning a summer road trip? Here are 26 ideas for packing healthy vegan snacks for a long family or solo road trip. There are some that don’t have to be refrigerated, and others that should be stored with ice in a cooler. This can help you save time, continue your healthy eating choices, and save money, too.
This country is beautiful and you can appreciate it best with a close-up view. Here is a photo from the Appalachian mountains in western Virginia.
Road trips are also a great way to spend time with your loved ones. As we have now driven to Florida 8 times, I thought I would share some ideas for packing healthy foods for the journey.
It is a great idea to plan ahead and pack yourself some healthy snacks and even meals. The alternatives often are fast food and convenience store snacks – not the best fuel for our bodies! While at home in Pennsylvania there is an excellent chain of convenience stores known for fresh produce, soups, and sandwich options, I didn’t find much in the way of fresh food in our brief stops in convenience and gas stations. But with a little preparation, good nutrition doesn’t have to take a back seat on your trip.
Breakfast the Morning of the Trip
Having a filling breakfast is the first step. Look for good sources of fiber, protein, and some healthy fat to help to stay full for a while. Here are some healthy plant-based ideas I like:
- Whole-grain cereal with berries and soy milk
- Mashed avocado with lemon and tomatoes spread on whole-grain toast
- A pumpernickel bagel with almond butter and a banana
- Plant-based yogurt with chopped apples
- Whole-grain pancakes: make the night ahead of time and heat up in the morning
- Whole grain waffles: homemade or frozen ones. Top with nut butter and fruit or coconut yogurt and granola
These are quick and easy when trying to get an early start.
Healthy Snacks to Pack
Fruits are really refreshing on a trip. They provide water and often important nutrients like fiber and vitamin C. Grapes hold up well for travel. I also like to pack raisins since they aren’t perishable. Clementines or quartered oranges, blueberries, apple slices, mango slices, and pineapple chunks are good too.
I like to take a banana, but there is high mushiness potential so I just pack one for the first day. Strawberries and watermelon also can get messy. I only recommend these if you need to clean out your fridge before leaving. And then maybe you can eat them at a rest-stop picnic table. Plant-based yogurt cups in a cooler would be refreshing for a rest stop.
Try hummus with whole-grain crackers – the 2-ounce snack packs are convenient. Whole-grain pretzels, sliced carrots, celery sticks, cucumber slices, and pepper strips go great with hummus. But know your audience: try to avoid messes.
Keeping Cold Foods Cold
While I have used an insulated lunch bag with ice packs previously, this year I got a small cooler. It does seem to hold the temperature of foods better, although it is a little bulkier to carry. I put in an ice pack and a baggie of ice cubes and that worked well for a 600-mile day. Keep anything perishable at 40 degrees F. or slightly less.
Sandwich Ideas
Whole-grain bread with peanut butter or another nut butter and fruit preserves keep well in a cooler. Or try a tortilla with fillings like bean dip, guacamole, grilled tempeh, spinach, and roasted red peppers. Whole wheat mini bagels or pita bread are also convenient.
Recipes for Healthy Snacks
Grains and Crunchy Snacks
Some of my favorites are popcorn, apple cinnamon rice crisps, and granola bars without melty chocolate chips. A container of a low-sugar cereal is also nice to crunch on. Look for baked or whole-grain chips.
For younger kids, avoid hard and crunchy foods like baby carrots, whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, and spoonfuls of peanut butter. See this article about choking prevention from healthychildren.org for more tips.
More Road Trip Ideas
Beverages: We pack ice water in thermal mugs.
Brushing Teeth: I keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in my purse for rest stops.
Keeping Your Vehicle Neat: sanitizing hand wipes are helpful. Bring napkins or paper towels and a bag for trash for each day.
Exercise: this is a challenge if you are in the car for 8, 10, 12, or more hours! It is great to find a hotel with a fitness center and a pool.
Hopefully sharing these tips can help you plan your road trip: and still have energy by the time you arrive!
More Healthy Eating and Travel Tips
- How to Eat Plant-Based at an All-Inclusive Resort
- 21 Healthy Beach Snack Ideas
- Healthy Eating at Indoor Water Parks
- How to Enjoy Healthy Eating on Cruises
- Healthy Choices from Free Breakfasts at Hotels
What’s one of your favorite healthy snacks for road trips? Please let me know in the comments below.
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Originally published 2019, Updated 7/9/22
