Skip to content

Road Trip Snacks Are Not to be Taken Lightly. Here’s What We’re Packing

You put gas in your car to keep it running, but what keeps you fueled on the road? Our road-trip writers share their favorite snacks.

By Seattle Magazine Staff November 3, 2017

9504

This article originally appeared in the October 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.

Check out the rest of our fall road trips package here.

Hilary Meyerson
Wild Things’ healthy and sweet (and local) Skinny Dipped Almonds have just enough chocolate to be dangerous and are easy to eat while driving. I’m also a fan of the adult-palate-friendly Jones Soda Lemoncocco beverages, which give a hint of European sophistication. 

Kristen Russell
My favorite road snacks are Honeycrisp apples eaten with slices of sharp cheddar cheese and dry-roasted almonds. And to drink, 
a tall cold-brewed coffee.

Diana Wurn
Cheetos (puffed preferred, crunchy shown here) are easy to hold and eat (and don’t forget the napkins to avoid orange hands). I also like to pack a few cans of grapefruit LaCroix water to stay hydrated between stops at diners and to balance out the Cheetos.

Jess Thomson
Beef and pork jerkies (especially the spicy Singaporean version from Mei Jan Hong, in Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, British Columbia) are perfect on long stretches of road. And coffee—we always pack insulated coffee mugs with strong seals (Klean Kanteen is our favorite brand) so we can buy coffee that stays hot until we want to drink it. 

Roddy Scheer
I am kind of a minimalist; I like to mix together my own trail mix, with Dang coconut chips, chocolate chips, peanuts and raisins. I also like to stock up on beef jerky, granola bars and Rice Krispies treats. And my favorite road drink is Mountain Dew Kickstart.

Danielle Centoni
Though ginger chews could be considered a snack, I really take them along to remedy any cases of car sickness (myself or my kids’). Peanut M&Ms are the perfect combination of straight-up sweet, plus rich and chocolaty. And the nuts offer a bit of protein to keep you from experiencing a sugar crash. Also, water bottles for everyone, because anything with a flavor gets old after a while or too gross to drink once it’s warm. 

 

Follow Us

A Lighthouse Stay on Bellingham Bay

A Lighthouse Stay on Bellingham Bay

Hotel Bellwether’s refreshed waterfront stay, dapper lobby dog, and scenic route north turn the short drive from Seattle into a real getaway.

The first sign that Bellingham was going to feel farther away than it is came in Edison, over a rich, flaky pastry. Earlier this spring, I was invited to stay at Hotel Bellwether, and my friend and I headed north from Seattle, a roughly 90-mile drive that usually takes about an hour and a half…

Five Lesser-Known Washington State Parks for Spring and Summer

Five Lesser-Known Washington State Parks for Spring and Summer

From Hood Canal beaches to Blue Mountain wildflowers, these quieter parks give warmer weekends some breathing room.

As the outdoor season gets going, many of us, myself included, tend to gravitate toward Washington’s national parks and a handful of the state’s most popular trails. There’s no arguing that they’re pretty spectacular. However, we also know that summer crowds are an issue and detract from the very reason we went in the first…

The Warmest Welcome: Why You Should Visit the Tri-Cities This Year

The Warmest Welcome: Why You Should Visit the Tri-Cities This Year

Just a few hours away from Seattle, this robust community offers great wine, a budding food scene, and more than 300 days of sun.

There is a point, when I’m traveling along Interstate 82 (I-82), somewhere around Exit 26, when I usually notice a shift in the light—especially in the wintertime. Coming out from the pass and heading south to leave the flat, cloud-shrouded gray of Western Washington behind, I feel a burst of happiness at the blue skies…

Paint Check: Select Alaska Airlines Planes Get a Fresh Look

Paint Check: Select Alaska Airlines Planes Get a Fresh Look

The local aviation company debuts a bold Aurora Borealis-inspired livery as it expands internationally.

At the beginning of the year, Alaska Airlines unveiled its new global livery: a bold design inspired by the Aurora Borealis. Painted in a palette of deep blues and shimmering emerald greens, the sleek look is a nod to Alaska Airlines’ continued addition of international destinations, which will expand to London, Rome, and Reykjavik by…