25 Best Road Trip Snacks for Adults That Make Long Drives Way Better

After years of road-tripping through Canada and the USA with family and friends, I’ve learned one thing—good road trip snacks can make or break a trip! Whether it’s cruising through the Rockies or chasing fall colors in New England, having the best snacks to take on a road trip on hand keeps everyone happy and hangry-free.

Which is why I’ve put together this list of over 25+ of my favorite homemade travel snacks that are quick to make, easy to pack, mostly mess-free, and actually taste good after hours on the road.

From protein-packed bars, trail mix and candied nuts, to crunchy, salty favorites like snack mixes & spicy pretzels. Not to mention savory pasta salads, Buffalo chicken biscuit bites, and pinwheel sandwiches. These easy to make road trip snacks for adults will keep you fueled and satisfied.

1. Date Bars

No need to buy expensive snack bars when you can whip up these easy Date Bars in just 10 minutes!

Made with only three simple ingredients; dates, raisins, and almonds, they’re naturally sweet, Whole30-friendly, and free of refined sugar.

Keep a batch on hand for a grab-and-go snack that’s as budget-friendly as it is delicious.

Get the recipe: Easy Date Bars Recipe

2. Easy Italian Pasta Salad

This quick Italian Pasta Salad is the #1 snack we bring along everywhere in our family. Whether it’s for a road trip, a summer picnic or our camping adventures. Adults love it, and as a bonus our kids do too.

It works well as a delicious snack or a light lunch or dinner too. Plus easily adaptable by adding your favourite veggies, cheeses, olives etc, and just skipping the one’s you don’t like. For the adults we like to add artichoke heart pieces too.

Get the recipe: Easy Italian Pasta Salad

3. Tri Flavor Popcorn Snack Mix

Nothing says snacking more than a Popcorn Snack Mix.

When you get a hankering for something salty, savory and the right amount of crunch, just whip up a quick batch of this tasty mix and keep in a sealed container. We like to use these reusable food bags (like ziplocs), to reduce our plastic use.

Plus it starts with microwave popcorn, so what could be easier. Though easy enough to just add homemade or store bought popcorn instead.

Get the recipe: Tri Flavor Popcorn Snack Mix

4. Easy Pumpkin Spice Walnut Muffins

Pumpkin Walnut Muffins are the ideal healthy road trip snack for adults in the car.

Hand held nuggets of moist and flavourful pumpkin spice treats. You can always skip the icing to cut down on the sugar and potential sticky finger mess, and they’re still just as good.

We eat these all year round, and find we can make a huge batch in only about 30 minutes.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin Spice Walnut Muffins

5. Peanut Butter Snowballs

Can there be a road trip without some peanut butter snacks? I think not (unless you’re allergic to nuts), as I am sure you’ll notice a few more in this list later on.

Just change up the mini wrappers for festive fun (we love this rainbow set), or use the reusable silicon mini cupcake liners for less waste.

Even as an adult I crave peanut butter sometimes, and these no bake road trip treats can be made in under 20 minutes. The hard part is waiting for them to harden in the fridge. Taste testing for quality control purposes only of course.

Peanut Butter Snowballs work best if you are bringing a cooler on your trip, as I find they do get a bit soft if left at room temperature too long.

Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Snowballs

7. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip & Oatmeal Energy Balls

Energy Balls are a protein packed, healthy snack for on the go, to tide you over between meals.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip & Oatmeal Energy Balls remind me of chocolate chip cookie dough, but with more protein, fiber, and nutrients. And as they’re made with pantry ingredients you likely already have at home, they’re easy as can be.

9. Spicy Tuna Onigiri

Never go hungry again with these easy Spicy Tuna Onigiri. No fancy wrapping or utensils needed.

Made with mostly pantry staples like canned tuna and rice, these Japanese rice balls come together in just 15 minutes for a quick, budget-friendly meal.

Perfect for road trips, picnics, or last-minute lunches, they’re a fun, beginner-friendly snack you’ll want to make on repeat.

Get the recipe: Spicy Tuna Onigiri

10. Easy Mixed Candied Nuts

Easy Candied Nuts are the perfect thing to add to your road trip packing list this season.

Sweet, crunchy, and just the right amount of salty, these mixed candied nuts are an irresistible snack with a cozy cinnamon twist. I love that they take only 5 minutes to prep and make your kitchen smell like warm cinnamon French toast. Yes, please!

Ideal for road trips, picnics, camping trips or munching by the handful, this easy recipe lets you mix and match your favorite nuts and spices for a custom treat every time.

Get the recipe: Easy Mixed Candied Nuts

11. Strawberry Puppy Chow

Who says Strawberry Puppy Chow can only be for Valentine’s Day or red and pink themed events?

The strawberry flavour goes well as a snack any time of year, especially when you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s an easy Nut Free Snack Mix.

12. Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Bright, zesty, and bursting with juicy blueberries, these Lemon Blueberry Muffins are the ultimate car ride snacks. They’re pretty mess-free and can be eaten one handed.

Made with wholesome ingredients like applesauce and maple syrup, they’re moist, naturally sweetened, and easy to make in minutes.

I like to whip up a batch with extra lemon zest before our trips, as they’re so good for breakfast, a midday snack, or even a quick dessert.

Get the recipe: Lemon Blueberry Muffins

14. No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bars

True to my word, here is another peanut butter recipe, and even better it’s no bake, and requires no milk or eggs.

In my 20’s I spent a good amount of summers tree planting and road tripping around northern British Columbia, Canada.

And the No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats were always the first to disappear as a snack for the day. So much so, the cook always had to make a triple batch. And for good reason. They’re filling, delicious and nostalgic for us adults.

Get the recipe: No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bars

15. Sweet and Spicy Pretzels

If you like your snacks with a little kick, these Sweet and Spicy Pretzels deliver the perfect mix of heat and sweetness in every crunchy bite.

The blend of sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of spice makes them totally addictive. Way more exciting than your average snack.

Whether you’re road-tripping, working at your desk, or just craving something different, this easy-to-make snack will keep you coming back for more.

Get the recipe: Sweet and Spicy Pretzels

16. Turkey and Cheese Rolls Ups

Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups are the easy, no-fuss snack or lunch upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

Ready in just 5 minutes, they’re a fun twist on the usual sandwich, and I love that they’re so simple, satisfying, and totally snackable.

Whether you need a quick lunch, a bite on the road, or an easy picnic snack, these roll-ups get the job done.

Get the recipe: Turkey and Cheese Rolls Ups

17. No Bake Granola Bars

I love the idea of making granola bars, as they’re the perfect adult travel snacks for road trips.

However, EVERY time I’ve made the one’s that require cooking, they’ve never turned out. They’ve always ended up too burnt, too under done, or they fell apart, or tasted funny.

Which is why this No Bake Granola Bar recipe is the best. Simple, sweet and filling.

Get the recipe: No Bake Granola Bars

18. Buffalo Chicken Biscuit Bites

Spicy, cheesy, and wrapped in a golden biscuit, these Buffalo Chicken Bites bring big flavor with just five simple ingredients.

Crispy on the outside and melty on the inside, they’re a total crowd-pleaser for a quick, no mess car ride food. With minimal prep and a whole lot of flavor, these bites disappear fast, so you might want to make a double batch.

Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Biscuit Bites

19. Cinnamon Sugar Sweet & Salty Chex Mix

Sweet and Salty Chex Mixes are the ultimate homemade road trip snacks.

This Cinnamon Sugar Sweet & Salty Chex Mix recipe combines the best of both sweet and salty for a Chex mix that will feed a hungry adult crowd.

They remind me so much of the Bits and Bites packages my mom used to always pack for our summer vacations, only a little sweeter. My brothers and I would inevitably end up fighting over who got to eat the pretzels and those little cheese crackers, until all that was left were the Shreddies / Cheerios look alikes. Which we begrudgingly ate if there was nothing else left.

Get the recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Sweet & Salty Chex Mix

20. Protein Snack Pack

Looking for high protein, healthy snacks for your next road trip? Then these Protein Snack Packs are just the thing.

We make these a lot for our travel adventures, as they’re so versatile. We just mix and match all of our favorite proteins or meat, cheeses, and crunchy veggies. I like to also add blueberries, as they travel well.

They’re the ultimate grab-and-go fuel, keeping things simple, delicious to keep you energized all day long.

Get the recipe: Protein Snack Packs

21. Fatayer – Homemade Lebanese Pies

Fatayer are Lebanese hand-held pies stuffed with savory spinach, meat, or cheese. While traditional served at breakfast they’re also just the thing when you need healthy snacks for the road.

Their soft, golden dough and flavorful fillings make them a tasty grab-and-go option for breakfast, lunch, or mid day bite.

Whether shaped into triangles or boat-like pastries, these easy to make treats are a satisfying way to switch up your snack game.

Get the recipe: Fatayer – Homemade Lebanese Pies

22. Chocolate Date Balls

Looking for a sweet and healthy road trip snack for adults you can whip up in about 15 minutes? Then this Chocolate Date Balls recipe with only 5 ingredients is perfect.

They’re naturally gluten free, vegan, paleo and taste just like decadent chocolate brownie bites.

Get the recipe: Chocolate Date Balls

23. Apple Cinnamon Bread

Soft, cinnamon-kissed, and bursting with juicy apples, this Apple Cinnamon Bread makes every bite feel like a warm hug from your favorite person.

Whether you enjoy it for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or a cozy dessert, its blend of fall spices and subtle sweetness is hard to resist. One slice won’t be enough.

We always find this is the kind of bread that disappears fast, whenever we bring it out. So make extra.

Get the recipe: Apple Cinnamon Bread

24. Oven Baked Sweet Potato Chips

My latest take along snack obsession are the Terra, Real Vegetable Chips (Original With Sea Salt). They’re sooo good at satisfying my partners and mine salty, crunchy snack attacks. But they’re pretty darn expensive.

So these homemade Sweet Potato chips baked in the oven at home are the perfect substitute.

Get the recipe: Oven Baked Sweet Potato Chips

25. Cajun Snack Mix

Now Cajun Snack Mix is more my kinda car trip food. Salty, spicy, crunchy and super easy to make a large amount to feed even the hungriest adult.

I always add in extra pretzels as my family always fights over who gets those first. LOL!

Get the recipe: Cajun Snack Mix

26. Smoked Beef Jerky

My family loves beef jerky, but the store bought kind is sooooo expensive. Which is why we love this smoky, spicy, homemade beef jerky recipe.

The secret? A rich marinade with sesame oil that gives every bite an irresistible depth of flavor. Whether you like it extra hot or toned down, this jerky is the best high-protein snack.

One tip, it does tend to disappear super fast, so make extra (or portion it out individually so there’s no complaining!)

It’s a must-try for any jerky lover.

Get the recipe: Smoked Beef Jerky

27. Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips

This Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips recipe nostalgically reminds me of the cinnamon sugar toast I used to make as a kid. Only better, as the pita chips have such a satisying crunch.

With only 4 ingredients, they’re easy to make. Plus the crispy, sweet, and cinnamon sugar coating make these homemade pita chips seriously addictive. I dare you to stop at just one.

Get the recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips

28. Crack Chicken Pinwheels

Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with ranch-seasoned chicken and crispy bacon, these Crack Chicken Pinwheels are the ultimate easy road trip snacks.

Rolled up in soft tortillas and sliced into bite-sized spirals, they’re a no-mess, grab-and-go option for road trips, lunchboxes, or picnic snacking.

Whether you use rotisserie chicken or a quick canned chicken shortcut, these pinwheels are always a hit will ages.

Get the recipe: Crack Chicken Pinwheels

29. Monster Cookie Protein Balls

Monster cookies are not just for kids!

These Monster Cookie Protein Balls give you all the chewy, peanut buttery goodness of the classic cookie in a bite-sized, protein-packed snack. Loaded with oats, peanut butter, and just the right amount of chocolate, they’re a sweet treat that won’t weigh you down.

Whether you need a quick pre-travel boost or a grab-and-go bite, these no bake energy balls are always a good idea we think.

Get the recipe: Monster Cookie Protein Balls