If you’re headed on a road trip as a vegan family, you can certainly find vegan road trip snacks at just about every gas station convenience store. I mean, potato chips and Fritos are pretty universal. And you’re likely to find a Chipotle somewhere along your drive for some lunch.
But if you don’t like the idea of figuring it out when you get there. Or if you prefer some healthier options to fuel your body, you may want to consider bringing along a few snacks from home. Or even heading to the local grocery store for a wider variety of options.
- Crunchy Vegan Road Trip Snacks
- Sweet Vegan Road Trip Snacks
- Healthy Vegan Road Trip Snacks
- Vegan Road Trip Lunch Foods
- Drinks for Your Road Trip
Crunchy Vegan Road Trip Snacks
Crunchy snacks are kind of the definition of road trip snacks in my opinion. Road trip snacks are meant for filling your time rather than your belly, right?
When planning your crunchy road trip snacks, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. The most important one being… the mess factor.
No one wants vegan “cheesy” fingerprints all over their car seat at the end of a trip. And you certainly don’t want greasy finger marks on the steering wheel. So if those are your snacks of choice, at least come prepared with napkins and towels.
Some Crunchy Vegan Road Trip Snack Ideas:
Popcorn
- As much as I like to remain minimal waste in my “normal” life, on the road, I prefer individual packets of anything… especially popcorn.
- Popcorn is also one of those snacks you can find just about anywhere!
“Not-Potato” Chips
- Things like lentil chips, rice cake rounds, and cassava chips. I mainly say not-potato because these “healthier” options tend to leave your fingers less greasy.
Pretzels
- Crunchy? Check. Salty? Check. Available just about anywhere? Check.
Crackers
- I love Mary’s Gone Crackers, but even a simple rice cracker will do.
Cauliflower stalks
- Kind of like veggie straws, but with less grease. These make it look like you’re eating a lot without actually filling your belly. So they’re perfect for the “filling time” category of vegan road trip snacks.
Tortilla Chips
- Another snack that can be found at just about any grocery store. I tend to avoid eating tortilla chips on a road trip, mainly because I know I won’t stop until the entire bag is empty! Too bad they don’t offer individual bags of tortilla chips.
Roasted Chickpeas
- I’ve tried making these at home, and they are delicious. But for some reason mine just don’t stay crunchy. For that reason, I’d suggest buying some store bought crunchy chickpeas like these from Saffron Road.
Crunchy Snacks I’d avoid:
Veggie Straws and Potato Chips
- Greasy finger alert! If you’re in the passenger seat, this may not be as big of an issue for you. But also, these snacks tend to sit really heavily in my stomach.
Anything “cheesy”
- Cheesy puffs (sorry, Hippeas, I love you. Just not on a road trip.)
- Cheesy crackers or chips (Think vegan “Doritos”, like the ones from Siete.)
Kale Chips
- Do I love kale chips? Yes. But they are crumbly beyond belief, and you will be finding little bits of dried up kale all over your car for months after your trip. Just skip it for now. Trust me.
Road Trip “Gear” You’ll Want to Bring Along for Crunchy Snacks:
Napkins or Towels
- We even bring our cloth napkins with us and just reuse them for each snack. You don't want the seat cushion to become your go-to hand wipe.
Rubber bands or Chip Clips
- Once the bag is open, you don’t want to risk one bump in the road spilling the remaining chips all over the back seat. Come prepared with some "bag-closure" options.
A Garbage Bag
- You’ll want somewhere to put all those dirty napkins and empty chip bags. A simple plastic grocery bag will do… especially because you can use the handles to tie it up and prevent trash from falling out.
Optional: Plastic Containers or Stasher Bags
- I use these to portion out some of my snacks, or even a combo of my snacks, before embarking on the next leg of the journey. Without it, I can do a lot of damage in a 2 hour stretch!
Sweet Vegan Road Trip Snacks
If you have a sweet tooth that needs some satisfaction on the road, there are certainly some vegan road trip options for you. Just please, for your own sanity… avoid chocolate. Even if you’re careful about what gets on your fingers, you never know when or where a hot car will unknowingly melt a chocolate bar.
Fully Indulgent Sweet Road Trip Snack Ideas
Candy
- If you’re at a health food store, you can likely find the “healthier” versions of traditional candies that YumEarth makes… which are delicious. But if you find yourself at the gas station convenience store, there are plenty of “regular” candies that happen to be vegan. Things like Sour Patch Kids and Jolly Ranchers.
- If you’re unsure, you can peruse lists of accidentally vegan candy like this one and this one. Or you can simply search, “Is XX vegan?” and get a quick, straightforward answer.
Cookies
- By now, I think everyone knows that Oreos are accidentally vegan. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I’d recommend them for a road trip. Maybe something a little less… chocolatey.
- Ginger snap cookies, White Chocolate Macadamia, or even individual packets of good ole chocolate chip cookies will do.
Healthier Sweet Road Trip Snack Ideas
Dates
- Nature’s candy. Sweet, chewy, utterly satisfying… and healthy!
Energy Balls
- You can buy some at the store, like these. Or easily make them at home out of just about anything you have on hand. If you have dates, nut butter, and some oats, you’re all set!
- But if you’re looking for a specific recipe, you can try these Gingerbread Bites or these Carrot Cake Energy Bites… though I would skip the coconut on the outside. Hello, mess!
Granola Bars
- You can’t go wrong with Lara Bars. They’re not only delicious, but most of their bars have just 2-3 ingredients. If you’re looking to make your own, these Quinoa Granola Bars have been a favorite in my house, along with these Banana Nut Bars.
Homemade “Cookies”
- I often find that if you put healthy, sweet foods into a circle shape, all of a sudden it becomes a cookie! Something like these Chewy Trail Mix Cookies, or these Chewy Snickerdoodles.
- I also love making “muffin top” cookies. I just take a muffin recipe, and form them into cookie shape on a baking sheet. We’ve loved these Pumpkin Blender Muffins in cookie shape, or even these Coconut Flour Donuts turned into cookies.
Sweet Snack “Gear” for the Road
- Same as with the crunchy snacks, you’ll want to make sure you have napkins on hand, as well as a trash bag handy.
Healthy Vegan Road Trip Snacks
I know we’ve covered quite a few healthy options in the “crunchy” and “sweet” categories, but there are a few other snack options that are “road trip friendly” and what I would consider healthy.
If eating healthy is not a priority for you on a road trip, skip this section! But for me, I kind of start to feel just… blah if I get too deep into the chip bags and a vegetable hasn’t entered my mouth in a while.
Healthy Vegan Road Trip Snack Ideas:
Nuts and Trail Mix
- Nuts, seeds, and dried fruits are a great option for the driver. Check out Brent’s version of eating peanuts below, ha! They’re healthy. They’ll keep you full for longer. And they could even be entered into the “crunchy” category.
Sandwiches or Wraps
- Pre-make a few peanut butter sammies, or simple wraps before you go, and it could be a good option to reach for on the road. I always make sure to bring a container for the driver. If they need to set down they’re sammie quickly, this gives them a safe place to put it.
Hummus and Veggies
- This is not a good option for the driver. But as a passenger, this is one of my favorite road trip snack options. You can get some crunch with carrots or celery, and feel filled and satisfied without the “grossness” factor that can set in with too many lentil chips.
- You can pre cut the veggies, or just munch on whole carrots, like I sometimes do, haha! Or I guess you could buy baby carrots, but I never seem to be that organized.
Fruit
- Bananas and apples are a great road trip snack. I also love grapes, though I’m careful not to give them to kiddos in carseats. You may want to skip super juicy fruits like peaches and plums. Clementines are another great option… just make sure you have somewhere to put the peel!
Steamed or Roasted Veggies
- Okay, I may be crazy, but there’s something about roasted cauliflower that I just love. I don’t often bring cooked veggies on a road trip. But if I’m emptying the fridge before leaving home, sometimes I’ll roast or steam up some of these veggies, throw them in a container, and have them as a snack on the road.
Gear for Healthy Vegan Road Trip Snacks
Garbage bag
- For all those banana and clementine peels, as well as grape stems and apple cores. In my car, the floor is not a viable option. I want a trash bag.
Napkins
- Apples may not be in the “juicy fruit” category, but your hands may still need a good wipe afterwards. Have something handy in the front seat.
Containers
- Sometimes, I’ll create individual servings of hummus in little containers. In larger containers, I’ll place sammies, or even a portion of grapes. Having options for “food vessels” is always helpful.
Cutting board and knife
- This is a must for us wherever we travel. If you head to the grocery store and buy a cucumber, you’ll want a way to slice it up for your hummus! No, I don’t cut these veggies while we are in motion! I don’t recommend that! But a quick chop at your break stops is super easy if you keep a knife on hand. We have a knife with a sheath, and just give it a quick wipe throughout the day before giving it a thorough cleaning at our destination for the evening.
Vegan Lunch Foods for a Road Trip
For lunches on the road, we typically eat during our driving breaks. These days, that means either at a hiking spot or a playground. That means we self-cater our lunches rather than grabbing some fast food. It also ensures something healthy is entering our bodies throughout the day.
Vegan Lunch Ideas for a Road Trip
Sandwiches or Wraps
- Pack up some bread, condiments, and fillings. Decide what you’re in the mood for when you get there! Some simple options include peanut butter and pickle (one of Brent’s favorites… not mine, ha!), hummus and cucumber, or avocado and tomato. I’ve even bought pre-made falafel before, and whipped up some delicious falafel wraps with hummus, falafel, cucumber, and tomato.
Leftovers
- We often empty the fridge before we leave home. Sometimes that means there are leftovers that we bring along. To me, things like pasta or stir fry are perfectly acceptable served cold. But if it’s not your thing, feel free to save it for your hotel microwave.
- If you’ve been on the road for a few days, leftovers from a restaurant the night before work out well, too. Things like pizza make a perfect, easy lunch made of leftovers.
Prepared Salads
- I’m not opposed to whipping up a salad, and having hummus and salsa be my dressing. But by “prepared salads”, I mean things like quinoa salad, pasta salad, or even a black bean and corn salad. They're so easy to stick a spoon in and have a few bites of something delicious. It takes a bit of forethought (or at least a trip to Wholefoods), but it’s a great option to have on hand for road trips.
Hummus and Veggies
- This is my personal favorite. I love a meal made up of “snacks”. So I’ll chop up a ton of carrots, cucumber, and anything else I have on hand. I’ll often bring homemade hummus, and when I run out, restock at a local grocery store. If I really thought ahead, I’ll also bring along some roasted sweet potato wedges from home for something a bit heartier.
Any Messy Foods You’ve been wanting
- Are peaches your favorite and in season right now? Eat them out of the car. Do you just love chips and salsa? Don’t even attempt that in the driver’s seat! Can’t go a day without chocolate? Keep those fingers away from the steering wheel! Now is your time to eat anything that belongs in the “messy” category. Just don’t forget the napkins.
Vegan Lunch Gear for Road Trips
Spreading knives
- The assembly of sandwiches can be done without the use of knives, but your life will be a heck of a lot easier if you remember to pack at least one.
Sharp knife and cutting board
- This is always top of our list for a road trip. Whether it’s the carrots for my hummus, or the cucumber for someone’s sammie, you’ll be glad you brought your own. In the past, I’ve tried bringing along pre-cut veggies from home. But they can end up soggy. And when your supply runs out, you’re a bit SOL.
- Our knife has a sheath for easy travel. If you don’t have one, no problem. For a long time, we traveled with a knife in a homemade sheath made out of cardboard and masking tape.
Cooler
- Depending on how long your road trip is, I suppose you could survive without a cooler. That’s the beauty of not carting meat and cheese around. But a cooler definitely helps to keep foods fresh and drinks cold.
Towels/Napkins
- Messes happen. And you’ll want to at least give your knife a quick wipe down before putting it away. The more towels and napkins, the better. You'll be surprised with how many you can go through.
Containers or Plates
- What are you eating off of? A dirty picnic table at the park is probably not your best option. Make sure you bring something to place that sammie on!
Cutlery
- Especially if you plan on eating some leftovers, you’ll want to bring along at least one fork and spoon set. Leftover stirfry doesn’t make the best finger food.
Garbage bag
- What are you doing with everything when you’re ready to buckle up and drive on again? If you’ve been in a hiking spot, there likely isn’t a garbage bin to be found. Bring along at least some plastic grocery bags that you’ve accumulated, and throw it out at the next gas station.
Drink Ideas for a Vegan Road Trip
Coffee!
- There’s no better way to start the day than settling down in the front seat to a good podcast and a coffee. Or a tea if you prefer. My coffee cutoff time is 10am, but Brent will often get a coffee for the afternoon as well. Plus, checking out a local coffee shop along the way can be a fun destination for a stretch break.
Sparkling Water
- Flavored sparkling water is my favorite drink of choice for the afternoons these days. Something that tastes good, hydrates me, and doesn’t have caffeine! My go-to brand is Spindrift because they don’t use “natural flavors”. Instead, they put real juice in the sparkling water to flavor your drink. Plus they taste amazing.
Juice
- Even a lot of gas stations have green juices these days. If you’re spending your day munching on pretzels and Sour Patch Kids, do your body a favor and pick up a vitamin-filled juice.
Water
- Okay, seems simple. And I know you don’t want to be making a million pee stops. No one likes feeling like they’re about to burst with no bathroom to be found. But especially with all those salty snacks, you’ll want to stay hydrated. Because being constipated isn’t fun, either!
Kombucha
- I love kombucha. My body is sensitive to caffeine these days, and doesn’t like it in the afternoon. But for a late morning burst of flavor? Count me in! Just don’t forget to open carefully! In a bumpy car ride, you could end up with kombucha fizz all over your lap.
Drink “Gear” for Your Road Trip
Coffee Mug
- It’s the easiest way to fill up at the hotel buffet, plus it's better for the environment 🙂
Water bottles
- Yes, plural intended. If you drink all of your water, and stop at a hiking spot, you likely aren’t going to be able to refill anywhere. We usually bring along a few Nalgenes that we fill as back-up water bottles. When we forget the back-ups, we regret it!
What are your favorite road trip snacks? Let me know what I’ve missed!
As a final note, you do not need to have all this on hand when you leave home! Grocery stores everywhere have fruit, veggies, hummus, and bread. I’m also a sucker for checking out local health food stores and seeing what fun goodies I find there. Anyone else?? Ha!
Also, if you’re traveling with young kids, check out my 9 Tips for Surviving a Road Trip with a Toddler.
