vegan road trip fast food

Best Vegan Road Trip Fast Food Options

Not too long ago, it seemed the only vegan fast food option on a road trip was Taco Bell and, well, Taco Bell.

Easy-to-order vegan fast food is now available at more chains than ever before, but finding good options still takes a little planning and know-how.

Here are a few of our personal favorites here in the US when we’re hitting the road and what we like to order at each restaurant.

Hope you enjoy!

Note: As with almost fast food locations that are not 100% vegan, cross-contamination may be an issue at any/all of these locations. You choose your level of comfort. For more info on a chain, click their name to access their complete vegan guide.

Road Trip Vegan Fast Food

We’ve broken our favorite vegan road trip choices into four different categories: Coffee, Burritos, Burger & Fries, and Smoothies.

Coffee, because no road trip is possible without it. And then the other three options because they’re easy to eat in the car while on the go.

All of our road trips begin (and usually end) with caffeine. Here are a couple of our favorites:

Dunkin’

Our first choice for coffee is Dunkin’. Just a regular drip coffee from Dunkin’ with Oat Milk is the perfect flavor combination in my opinion. If it’s an afternoon treat that I’m craving, it’s a Large Iced Coffee with Oat Milk and a Mocha Swirl. Perfection.

Jen usually goes with a regular latte with Oat Milk although she is loving the new Salted Caramel Latte that Dunkin’ introduced this Spring (2022) .

Speaking of new items at Dunkin, they also rolled out a Hummus & Roasted Tomato Toast that is really good and makes an excellent on-the-go snack.

This list wouldn’t be complete without Starbucks. Love ’em or hate ’em, the fact is they make really good coffee and they are EVERYWHERE which makes them an option no matter where in the country you are.

Currently, some of Starbucks’ most featured drinks are vegan-friendly as-is straight off the menu like the Iced Toasted Vanilla Oatmilk Shaken Espresso.

As for us, I’m a huge fan of the Peppermint Mocha Latte (with no foam or chocolate curls) with Oat Milk either hot or iced. Jen likes an Iced Latte with Soy Milk and 1 pump of vanilla sweetener.

Peet’s Coffee

For our west coast friends, Peet’s Coffee is an excellent choice to get some great coffee and one of the best vegan breakfast food options at any coffee chain.

Peet’s has a completely plant-based breakfast sandwich – the Everything Plant Based Sandwich. It’s made with a seasoned Beyond Breakfast Sausage, a fluffy Just Egg Folded, and melty vegan cheddar on a toasted everything bagel thin.

Burritos are the ultimate road trip food. Easy to hold and easy to eat. What else could you ask for?

The Bean Burrito Fresco Style with Fire (Ryan) or Mild (Jen) is the OG vegan road trip option for us. Taco Bells are generally pretty easy to find, burritos are easy to eat and they’re delicious. Win-win-win.

I’ve recently started bulking up my Bean Burritos by adding potatoes and seasoned rice. What you end up with is a really filling burrito at a great price. Road trip or no road trip, it’s one of the best vegan fast food options you can find anywhere.

And don’t forget those Cinnamon Twists! Easily one of the best vegan fast food desserts you’ll find anywhere as well.

I could eat Chipotle every single day. In fact, when a new Chipotle was built two blocks away from where we were living, I pretty much did exactly that for the first two weeks it was open.

Admittedly, Chipotle burritos are a little harder to eat in the car because they can be massive in size and, yes, Chipotle doesn’t have a drive-thru so it’s technically more fast casual than fast food.

Even with those ‘issues’, a Chipotle burrito is still one of the best vegan options for any car trip. No drive thru just means you get to get out of the car and stretch your legs for a minute.

And, finally, I’m not willing to admit that a burrito that is stuffed with rice, beans, sofritas, lettuce and salsas is a problem because they’re ‘too big’ anytime soon.

With almost 600 locations in the US spread across 16 different states, Del Taco is now the second leading Mexican quick-service restaurant in the US.

And lucky for us, they have some ridiculously good vegan options!

Del Taco partnered up with Beyond Meat a few years ago to start developing Beyond Burritos. They’ve gone through a few different iterations over the years including one that even included their iconic crinkle fries inside the burrito.

One of their newest Beyond Burritos is the Epic Beyond Fresh Guacamole Burrito. Beyond Meat, slow-cooked beans, cilantro lime rice, pico de gallo and guacamole. It’s amazing, and it might not be as big as a Chipotle burrito, but it’s not too far off.

Burger and Fries

It’s hard to go wrong with a burger and fries when you’re on the road and with so many chains offering Beyond Burgers and Impossible Burgers now, it’s easier than ever to find one.

Burger King

I still remember when Burger King added the Impossible Whopper to their menu. I had barely been vegan a year and hadn’t really eaten many burgers since making the change.

Then came the Impossible Whopper.

I just happened to pass by a Burger King on my route home from work and the Impossible Whopper (order with no mayo) became a weekly staple in my diet for quite a while.

Pair it up with what Jen and I both consider to be a very underrated fry and you’ve got a quick and easy to order on the go meal.

Carl’s Jr

It’s been almost three years now that Carl’s Jr launched the Beyond Famous Star across their 1500 locations nation-wide. (Make sure to order your burger with no cheese and no mayo.)

You can also order fries, regular or crisscut, with your Beyond Famous Star, just be aware that Carl’s Jr’s fries share a fryer with animal products.

Smoothies have to be the ultimate in easy to consume calories while you’re in the car. If you’re in the mood for something cold and refreshing while you’re knocking down miles – a smoothie can be a perfect go-to.

Smoothie King

Smoothie King has to be one of the easiest chains to order vegan at. They have entire sections of their menu dedicated to plant-based smoothies.

They also have over 1000 US locations making the odds that you run across one on your trip pretty good.

Both of us tend to mix up our selections when we hit up a Smoothie King, but a few of our favorites are the Mango Kale, Veggie Lemon Ginger Spinach, and the Vegan Dark Chocolate Banana.

Like Smoothie King, Jamba has a ton of smoothies that can be ordered vegan as-is straight off the menu. They also have a few other options like steel cut oats and a sweet pretzel that you can pair up with your smoothie if you choose.

As for our personal favorites, Jen likes the Greens ‘n Ginger smoothie (unless the Vegan Pumpkin Smash Smoothie is in season). I’m a fan of the Protein Berry Workout with Pea Protein.

With almost 800 locations in the US, finding a Jamba while you’re on the road may be easier than you think!

Final Thoughts

It still takes a little planning and knowledge to find good vegan fast food options on the road, but it’s way better now than it used to be.

Finally, what could be more helpful on a road trip than an app that shows you how to order vegan at over 175 different chain restaurants? The VeggL app does just that and we’re adding new locations all the time!

The VeggL App

Download the ultimate on-the-go vegan resource. Quickly access over 400 vegan guides for restaurants, airports, sports venues and theme parks. Get unlimited access to all our guides with the free version. Upgrade to Pro to go ad-free!

Never get frustrated by not knowing what you can get to eat ever again!

VeggL (Jen and Ryan)

VeggL is the passion project of Jen & Ryan. Both vegan (Jen since 2012, Ryan since 2018), they wanted to help other vegans & plant based folks through an incredibly frustrating process--trying to figure out what you can eat & where in the US. Pictured w/ our pups, Mia & Chompers.

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23 Vegan Fast Food Options in 2024: Where To Go When You’re Traveling

When I’m on the road, stopping for a bite to eat at a fast-food chain (unless it’s a vegan one) isn’t my first choice, but sometimes it’s the only choice! And I would bet plenty of you out there have found yourselves in similar situations. 

Or, it’s entirely possible that you’re on a tight budget, and dinner at a fancy-pants vegan restaurant just isn’t in the budget — there’s no shame in that!

No matter your reason for seeking out vegan fast-food options, you’ll be pleased to know that options exist and they are growing! According to a Future Markets Insight report, over the past six years, vegan fast food grew over 4.5% and is expected to continue that same growth between 2023-2033. 

What was once an April Fool’s joke (years ago VegNews ran a story about vegan chicken at KFC) is now a reality! The next time you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, check out the vegan options at these fast-food chains (plus a few vegan fast-food spots) throughout the US!

Table of Contents

Vegan Options at Fast Food Chains Around The US

Finding vegan options at fast food restaurants can be a struggle, but it’s not impossible! The next time you’re on the road, check out this lineup of vegan options at some of the most popular fast-food spots. 

#1 Burger King

The most noticeable veggie option on the Burger King menu is their Impossible Whopper, but it’s not vegan by default; you’ve got to omit the cheese, mayo, and ask them not to butter the bun (sometimes they do that before grilling the bun). In addition to that, these other menu items are vegan-friendly:

• French fries: Burger King’s French fries are usually vegan. 
• Onion rings: Some Burger King locations offer onion rings that are vegan. 
• Salad: Most locations have a garden salad on the menu. Just make sure you double-check for any non-vegan dressings, cheeses, or sneaky meat toppings.

#2 McDonald’s

McDonald’s has been testing and introducing vegan options at its fast food locations globally (in Europe, the prized McPlant burger is common on most UK menus). In the US, you’ll also find these vegan-friendly options:

• McPlant Burger: You can only find this veggie burger at selection locations (there is a complete list on their website ).
• French Fries: McDonald’s French fries are NOT vegan in the US , but are in the UK and Europe
• Apple Slices
• Side Salad: Request a vegan dressing option like balsamic vinaigrette or Italian dressing.
• Hash Browns

This popular sub-spot built a fast-food franchise on the mission to eat fresh, which makes it a little easier for vegans. They offer some vegan options, or you can create your own sub or salad.  

• Bread: Many of their bread options are vegan, like Italian, 9-Grain Wheat, Hearty Italian, Roasted Garlic, or Sourdough.
• Sauces: Many of Subway’s sauces are vegan. Some options include mustard, sweet onion sauce, oil, vinegar, and buffalo sauce. 
• Veggie Delite: The long-time vegan favorite, loaded with various veggies and your choice of bread and sauces. 
• Salads: Choose the Veggie Delite salad or create your own salad. 

#4 Taco Bell

Taco Bell has long been a favorite of the veggie community! They have a dedicated vegetarian menu (Veggie Cravings), and many of the items can be customized to be vegan. You can also request things to be made “Fresco,” which replaces dairy-based sauces with tomatoes. Here’s a breakdown of their vegan options:

• Bean Burrito or Fiesta Veggie Burrito: Both can be made vegan by omitting the cheese and sour cream. 
• Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme: Can be made vegan by omitting sour cream and nacho cheese. 
• Black Bean Chalupa Supreme: Can be made vegan by omitting cheese and sour cream. 
• Power Menu Bowl: The Taco Bell spin on a burrito bowl; ask them to hold the cheese and sour cream.
• Sides: Cinnamon Twists, Fiesta Potatoes (without the sour cream and nacho cheese), and, of course, corn tortilla chips.

#5 Chipotle

Chipotle offers a variety of vegan options. You can customize your burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos with Sofritas (spicy tofu), beans, rice, vegetables, and salsa. Here are some vegan options at Chipotle:

• Sofritas: A flavorful shredded tofu braised with chipotle peppers and spices. 
• Veggies: Load up your bowl, burrito, tacos, or salad with a variety of vegan-friendly vegetables such as grilled peppers and onions, lettuce, tomatoes, corn, and guacamole.
• Rice and Beans: Chipotle offers white or brown cilantro-lime rice and black or pinto beans, which are vegan.
• Salsas and Sauces: Fresh Tomato Salsa (mild), Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa (medium), Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa (medium-hot), and Tomatillo Red-Chili Salsa (hot).
• Tortillas and Taco Shells: Chipotle’s flour tortillas, crispy corn taco shells, and soft corn tortillas are all vegan.

Just like its Tex-Mex-inspired competitor, Qdoba also has a good lineup of vegan options which include: 

• Rice and beans
• Raw Veggies & Fajita Veggies: Load up on a variety of veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, corn, and guacamole.
• Salsa: Many of Qdoba’s salsas, such as the pico de gallo, salsa verde, and salsa roja, are vegan. 
• Tortillas: Qdoba’s flour tortillas are vegan. You can opt for a burrito or a quesadilla with vegan fillings.
• Tofu: Some Qdoba locations offer grilled tofu as a protein option. 

#7 Del Taco

I had no idea Del Taco was veggie-friendly until the hit comedy show, “Grace and Frankie” enlightened me! They have quite a few vegetarian options, but their vegan options include:

• Beyond Guac Taco: features Beyond Meat crumbles, avocado, lettuce, and tomatoes in a crunchy shell. It’s vegan as is.
• Epic Beyond Fresh Guac Burrito: The burrito is loaded with seasoned Beyond Meat crumbles, beans, cilantro lime rice, guac, and pico de gallo. It is vegan as is.  
• Crinkle Cut Fries & Hash Brown Sticks

#8 Wendy’s

In 2020, Wendy’s introduced the veggie-friendly Plantiful burger, but a quick search of the website shows it’s gone. Have no fear; there are a few other options you can order:

• Baked Potato: Wendy’s offers plain baked potatoes, which are typically vegan. You can customize it with vegan-friendly toppings like chives, onions, or salsa. 
• French Fries: Wendy’s natural-cut French fries are typically vegan. 
• Garden Side Salad: Just omit the cheese or croutons, and use a dressing like Italian vinaigrette or balsamic vinaigrette.

#9 White Castle

This slider spot is well known for its greasy meat option, but it does have two veggie options:

• Impossible or Veggie Slider: An Impossible or veggie-based patty with pickles and onions. Just make sure to order it without cheese or mayo.
• French Fries: White Castle’s French fries are typically vegan. 
• Onion Chips: The White Castle take on onion rings that are generally vegan-friendly but not available at all locations.  

#10 Tropical Smoothie Café 

If you’re a smoothie lover, this is a solid option. You’ll find a wide range of smoothies, many of which can be made vegan (they also have edible straws). A few of the vegan-friendly smoothie options include the Island Green, Mango Magic, and Acai Berry Boost.

#12 Smoothie King 

You can never have too many smoothies, right? In addition to smoothies, you’ll also find vegan-friendly smoothie bowls here:

• Make-Your-Own-Smoothies: Whip up your own berry or veggie-packed drink by selecting the base, fruits, veggies, and Sunwarrior vegan protein for a boost. They offer dairy-free milk and fruit juices as vegan base options. If you don’t want to make your own, a few vegan options include: Mango Kale, Pineapple Spinach, and Espresso Mocha. They also have a few vegan-friendly energy enhancers that are vegan.
• Acai & Pitaya Bowls: You’ll find multiple vegetarian smoothie bowl options that can be made vegan by omitting honey. Double-check with the staff that the granola doesn’t include honey as well.

In the morning, you can pair your coffee or tea with a few different vegan breakfast options at this on-the-run coffee shop:

• Bagels: Vegan options include Cinnamon Raisin, Plain, Everything, & Sesame.
• English Muffin
• Oatmeal: (only available at select locations)
• Avocado Toast
• For your coffee, Dunkin has a few non-dairy options like oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. In addition to coffee-based drinks, Dunkin’s Coolatta, Refreshers, and Energy Punch are also vegan. 

#14 Shake Shack

This burger joint just dropped new vegan options in partnership with NotCo at over 260 locations throughout the US. Although vegans can’t get a burger, you can indulge in these items:

• Non-dairy chocolate custard made with NotCo’s vegan milk that is created using AI. Although it mimics milk, it doesn’t contain cholesterol, lactose, and is non-GMO.
• Non-dairy chocolate shake also created with NotCo’s frozen custard.
• Crinkle-cut French fries (they do contain gluten)
• Shake Shack does have a vegetarian burger and also had a vegan burger in partnership with Slutty Vegan, but at this time, there isn’t a vegan option.  

Temporary Vegan Fast-Food Menu Options (That Hopefully Come Back)

At the beginning of 2022, KFC launched a vegan fried chicken partnership with Beyond Meat. At the time of launch, KFC said it was only for a limited time and hasn’t since announced if the partnership will return — some locations sold out within a day! Given that demand, hopefully, they bring it back.

Until then, the only vegan-friendly thing at KFC is the French fries (surprisingly, they aren’t gluten-free)!

#16 Panda Express 

Like KFC, Panda Express also partnered with Beyond Meat to offer Beyond Orange Chicken at select locations throughout the US. The unique menu option was launched in NYC and California in July 2021 and then expanded to over 2,000 locations in 2022 but by 2023, the Orange Chicken was gone. 

But all is not lost; vegans can enjoy their Super Greens and Eggplant Tofu at select locations, and of course, the steamed rice is vegan.

#17 Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s 

For a limited time, Hardee’s featured a Beyond Famous Star Burger made with Beyond Meat and a Beyond Sausage breakfast burrito. Unfortunately, both are no longer on their regular menu.

Although those are gone, vegans can enjoy their French fries and Hash Rounds.

Fully Vegan (& Vegetarian) Fast-Food Chains

#18 native foods.

This was one of the first vegan fast-food (or fast-casual) spots I visited and has remained one of my favorites. You can find locations throughout the US in California, Oregon, Colorado, and Illinois. 

Their menu features veganized comfort favorites, some inspired by other fast-food behemoths like the Munchwrap Supreme, Veggrib, meatball sub, and much more. 

In addition to vegan options, their menu is also gluten-free friendly. 

#19 Amy’s Drive Thru

Amy’s took their popular frozen entrees to the next level when they opened this California-based vegetarian fast-food chain (four locations throughout the state, including at the San Fransisco airport). Just about everything has a vegan option, from organic burgers and cheese fries to ultra-creamy milkshakes. 

Just like Native Foods, Amy’s Drive Thru menu is also gluten-free friendly. 

#20 Plant Power Fast Food 

This plant-powered fast-food chain in Las Vegas & California is on a mission to change the world with its lineup of veganized favorites. You’ll find everything from egg and cheese croissant sandwiches for breakfast to their Big Zac burger (two plant-based patties with special Big Zac sauce)! 

But that’s just the start of their extensive menu! You’ll also want to try their chick’n waffle sandwich, Southwest Avo wrap, buffalo wings, and of course, dessert! Ice cream fans shouldn’t miss their Snow Days (a veganized take on a Blizzard or McFlurry), sundaes, chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake, and more. 

And their menu is also gluten-free friendly. 

#21 Mr. Charlie’s 

This viral fast-food chain is taking aim at the Golden Arches with its veganized take on the chain’s popular menu options. Just for fun, you’ve got to grab a Frowny Meal — obviously, a spin on a kid’s Happy Meal but without cruelty. The bright red box with a yellow frown can be filled with one of their Not Burger or Not Chicken options, along with golden French fries and a drink.

There are currently two Mr. Charlie’s locations, in LA and San Francisco. 

#22 Veggie Grill

This fast-casual restaurant chain is trying to make plant-based eating easier and more accessible. Unlike its counterparts, it doesn’t just focus on veganized fast-food favorites; the menu is quite diverse along with burgers; it includes hearty kale salads, Japanese Katsu sliders, Southwestern nachos, and mac-n-cheese. It’s also a great place to go if you’re gluten-free. 

You can find Veggie Grill locations throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York. 

#23 Next Level Burger 

You’ll find giant vegan burgers, crispy chick’n sammies, and milkshakes galore at this vegan fast-food spot, which is considered the first of its kind in the US! The founders put everything on the line to create a concept that would not only appeal to vegans and meat eaters but would also be a game changer in fighting climate change.

The franchise operates nine US locations in Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, Texas, and New York. Six of the locations are conveniently located in Whole Foods stores. 

Vegan Fast-Food FAQs

McDonald’s French fries are NOT vegan in the US. The ingredients include milk and beef flavoring — full ingredients can be found here . They are however vegan in the UK and Europe.

Sadly, in the US, Pizza Hut no longer offers its Beyond Meat Pizza options, which came with vegan cheese and plant-based meats. If you’re in the UK, you will find Violife Cheese that can be topped on their popular pan crust or All-American thin crust.

Starbucks’ Impossible Breakfast sandwich is vegetarian, not vegan, but there is talk that they will be adding a vegan breakfast sandwich option soon. Currently, their only vegan breakfast options include select bagels, oatmeal, and of course, coffee with non-dairy milk. 

At this time, no, Sonic doesn’t have a vegan burger. Its fries, tater tots, and slushies are vegan-friendly.

Yes, the McPlant is available at select McDonald’s locations throughout Texas and California. Hopefully, we will see the McPlant on more menus soon.  

Obviously, from this list, there are quite a few options — Del Taco, Subway, Panda Express, and many more. The menus at each location may vary slightly, so it’s always best to ask what’s vegan before you order. In my opinion, the fast-food chain that is most consistent with its vegan options and tastiest is Chipotle. Even if I’m not traveling, I enjoy visiting Chipotle.

More Vegan Travel Help

Whether your travels are taking you throughout the US or abroad, don’t miss these other tasty articles and travel guides!

The Best Vegan Restaurants & Dessert Spots in Madison, Wi Where to Find Vegan Tacos in Austin The Best Restaurants for Vegan Brunch or Breakfast in LA Complete Vegan Travel Guide to Lisbon The Best Vegan Travel Guide to Paris: Where to Eat, Explore, & More The Best Vegan Documentaries to Watch Right Now The Best Vegan Travel Snacks to Pack The Best Spots for Vegan Food in Boca Raton

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• Food Culture

21 Best Vegan Fast Food Options To Try in 2024

Finding the best vegan fast food can be challenging, but gone are the days of settling for salad or fries. Due to increasing demand for plant-based options with more consumers concerned about animal welfare and protecting the planet, vegan fast food options are popping up on menus everywhere. There are even fully vegan fast food chains opening in cities across the globe. 

Whether you still eat animal products on occasion or avoid them altogether, enjoying a burger and fries, slice of pizza or ice cream sundae that’s fully vegan is easier than ever. But which vegan restaurants are actually tasty and even healthy? And what mainstream restaurants have the best vegan fast food options?

To end the hunt for the best vegan fast food, we’ve gathered up several restaurants and given each one a one to three-star rating based on their range of vegan options. So keep reading to discover where you can find the best vegan fast food options, from burgers to tacos, desserts and more, that even omnivores won’t be able to resist. 

  Jump to Section  

21 Best Vegan Fast Food Restaurants

Learn to cook vegan food, 1. veggie grill.

Acquired by the owners of Next Level Burger, Veggie Grill is a 100% plant-based restaurant where everything on the menu is vegan — yes, everything! This health-conscious chain is one of the best vegan fast food restaurants, serving up diner classics like burgers, wraps, fries, mac and cheese and more.

If you want your fast food a little healthier, you can also get grilled broccoli instead of fries as a side. Veggie Grill has restaurant locations in Washington, Oregon, California and Massachusetts, so if you’re in one of those states, be sure to give it a try.

Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

2. Mr. Charlie’s

Even vegans crave a classic burger now and then, and Mr. Charlie's might remind some people of a McDonald’s restaurant — except the menu is completely vegan and free of trans fats. This quirky burger joint serves up funny fast food options like the Frowny Meal, the Big Chuck and even breakfast Mr.Muffins, all guaranteed to turn your frown upside down with their delicious flavor. Mr. Charlie's has three locations in California and one location in Sydney, Australia, all serving up the best vegan fast food.

3. Hart House

Did you know that comedian Kevin Hart is a fan of the plant-based diet? Another restaurant with some of the best vegan fast food, Hart House was recently founded by Kevin Hart and others who dreamed of tasty plant-based burgers, sandwiches, shakes and more. Hart House currently has four locations, all within California, but their tasty offerings may be well worth the road trip for those outside the Golden State.

Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐  

4. Loving Hut

Loving Hut is arguably one of the best vegan fast food restaurants in terms of variety. This chain has several locations throughout the United States and offers everything, from Vietnamese pho to Mexican seitan wraps, barbecue burgers and pizza. Loving Hut also has gluten-free and soy-free options for those with special dietary needs. 

Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 

5. Neat Burger

With big-name supporters like Leonardo DiCaprio and Lewis Hamilton, Neat Burger is one of the best vegan fast food restaurants for delightfully crave-worthy classics. Some tasty menu options include tater tots, hot dogs, cheeseburgers and milkshakes — all 100% vegan and served with eco-conscious wrappings and utensils. Neat Burger has a few locations throughout the U.K. and one in New York City.

6. White Castle

An icon among American fast food businesses, many White Castle menu options are surprisingly vegan-friendly. Ask about the Impossible Sliders or Dr. Praeger’s Veggie Slider without ranch, mayonnaise or cheese. Select locations may also have vegan cheese available. Other plant-based options include French fries, hash brown nibblers, wheat toast and most sauces, jams and condiments.

Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐  

7. Burger King

You may be surprised to see Burger King on the list of best vegan fast food options. However, while the chain clearly isn’t entirely vegan, it can be a good place for vegans to stop in a pinch. The Impossible Whopper is available at select locations, and some other vegan options at Burger King include French fries, French toast dippers, hash browns, garden salad and a build-your-own sandwich option (like burger without the patty and with extra toppings). 

In the U.K. and some other European countries, you can also get a plant-based Chicken Royale Sandwich and bean burgers. Do note that some of the plant-based food is cooked on the same grill as meat, so check with your server before ordering if you want to avoid cross-contamination.

8. Taco Bell

Interestingly, Taco Bell is surprisingly welcoming to plant-based folks. Of course, not everything on the menu is vegan, but you can easily create your own vegan-friendly choices by customizing official menu options and even choosing some things from the Taco Bell secret menu . For example, try the black bean Crunchwrap Supreme without beef, cheese or sour cream or a bean burrito but “make it fresco” to remove animal products like cheese and sour cream.

Vegan Rating: ⭐

9. Mellow Mushroom

With several locations in most U.S. states, Mellow Mushroom offers a fairly generous (and clearly labeled) plant-based menu that makes it one of the best vegan fast food restaurants. Dig into a vegan soft pretzel, greek salad, avocado hoagie, tempeh hoagie or build-your-own pizza that comes with vegan cheese. Best of all, this funky restaurant is sure to please your vegetarian and omnivore companions as well.

Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐ 

10. Qdoba 

Qdoba Mexican Eats is another widespread restaurant chain that may not have the best of the best vegan fast food variety, but they do offer a handful of tasty vegan-friendly choices. Try a grilled fajita vegan bowl, Impossible fajita burrito or build-your-own tacos with vegetables and toppings like pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, guacamole, pickled red onions and spicy salsa.

Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐   

11. Next Level Burger

If you’re lucky enough to have one nearby, Next Level Burger is a must-try for the best vegan fast food. Look forward to choices like the Spicy Ghost Pepper Popper Burger or the Crispy Chik’n Burger. You can accompany your meal with a delicious vegan milkshake as well. Next Level Burger is completely plant-based and offers house-made veggie patties as well as Beyond Meat patties, so you can chow down on all the classics without having to limit your options.

12. Chipotle Mexican Grill

Opened in 1993, Chipotle Mexican Grill has always been slightly ahead of the curve when it comes to vegan options. Chipotle’s build-your-own format makes it easy to get everything you want and nothing you don’t. Chipotle’s tortillas, white and brown rice, black and pinto beans, tofu sofritas, vegetables, guacamole, pico de gallo, chips and salsa are all vegan. Combine them any way you like in a bowl or burrito to get a tasty plant-based meal.

Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐

13. Slutty Vegan

Slutty Vegan is a Black and woman-owned small business that started out in Atlanta and quickly rose to foodie fame with some of the best vegan fast food in the nation. This highly-rated vegan restaurant serves plant-based staples with an indulgent twist, like the Dancehall Queen, a burger with sweet jerk plantains or the Project Chik sandwich with bacon, ranch and jalapeños. Today, Slutty Vegan has locations in Georgia, Alabama, New York and Texas.

14. MOD Pizza

MOD Pizza is a crowd-pleasing restaurant chain for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike because it’s hard to go wrong with their build-your-own format. Choose from classic or gluten-free dough, a handful of plant-based sauces and dozens of fresh vegetables and herb toppings. Some locations have vegan Italian sausage too. A cheese-free pizza is always an option for vegans, but MOD also offers Daiya vegan cheese for those who prefer the extra creamy edge.

15. Einstein Bros. Bagels

Craving the best vegan fast food for breakfast? Einstein Bros. isn’t entirely vegan, but this widespread chain restaurant has quite a few vegan options like avocado toast, a fresh vegetable sandwich and almond milk for coffee. Many bagels are also vegan, including the plain, everything, poppyseed, pumpernickel, sesame, cinnamon raisin and blueberry varieties.

16. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

If you’ve had enough with the salads and sandwiches, head to Menchie’s for the best vegan fast food to satisfy your sweet tooth. This popular frozen yogurt chain offers rotating vegan yogurt and sorbet flavors like salted caramel, chocolate fudge, cake batter, mixed berry, cherry cola, blueberry lemonade and more. Fresh fruit, popping boba and a few candy toppings are vegan as well.

17. PLNT Burger

When it comes to the best quick burger bite, PLNT Burger brings some fierce competition to the vegan fast food game. Fans rave about their classic menu options like the Mushroom Barbecue Bacon Burger or “Save the Bay” fish-style sandwich. PLNT Burger has locations in several states along the Northeast Coast, so you’re in luck if you’re craving the best vegan fast food in New England.

18. Ike’s Love & Sandwiches

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches is your stop for the best vegan fast food subs and sandwiches. Not everything on the menu is vegan, but they provide a few scrumptious options like the Fall’ing for Ike’s with vegan turkey, cranberry, sriracha and vegan cheddar or the Handsome Owl with vegan chicken, teriyaki, wasabi plant-based mayo and vegan Swiss. Ike’s Love & Sandwiches restaurant locations can be found in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Utah and Nevada. 

19. Plant Power Fast Food

Three words: vegan soft serve. Plant Power Fast Food is the perfect place to enjoy classic vegan burgers, tenders, chicken and waffles and more, but they stand out with their vanilla oat milk soft serve, milkshakes, sundaes and even cheesecake slices. If you’re feeling extra nostalgic, you can even dip your fries in the soft serve.

20. Blaze Pizza

If you’re looking for the best vegan fast food pizza chain to grab a slice on a Friday night, Blaze Pizza can be another brilliant build-your-own option. Blaze’s classic dough, high-rise dough, classic red sauce and spicy red sauce are vegan. For toppings, you can enjoy plant-based cheese, spicy vegan chorizo and all the usual fresh vegetables and herbs.

21. Más Veggies

An offshoot of Veggie Grill, Más Veggies brings all your favorite dishes from south of the border and makes them plant-based and grab-and-go friendly. The 100% vegan menu features options like carne asada tacos, crispy Baja fish tacos and smokey asada mushroom burritos, plus beans, rice, chips, queso and all the other Mexican food must-haves.

Dining out is a great way to explore the best vegan fast food near you, but learning to make delicious and healthy vegan meals at home can be even more rewarding. If you’re not sure where to start or you’re looking to take your culinary skills to the next level, sign up for online cooking classes or in-person cooking classes near you to learn techniques for making vegan fast food favorites and more.

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Finding vegan fast food while you’re out on the go can be a challenge, but luckily, more vegan options and vegan-friendly restaurants are emerging every day thanks to increasing demand and support. Whether you’re vegan for the animals or plant-based for your health, the planet or any other reason, you can depend on the best vegan fast food options near you to deliver an all-around awesome and delicious experience.

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.

Discover the best in culinary experiences and products on Cozymeal: From in-person cooking classes to virtual cooking & mixology classes to private chef meals and top-rated cookware — from world-class chefs, mixologists & more.

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20 Fast-Food Restaurants with Vegan Options

If you love burgers, tacos, pizza, fries, and ice cream, check out these plant-based fast-food faves.

Anja Grommons / Jul 2, 2023

Courtesy of Taco Bell

Whether you’re on a road trip or just need a quick, easy bite to eat, vegan-friendly fast-food joints can come in handy. If you’re hoping for plant-based pizza, we’ve got you. If you’d prefer a veggie burger, consider it done. If you’re craving Mexican-American fare, we’ll give you something to taco ‘bout. To get in on the convenient, on-the-go eats, check out these 20 fast-food restaurants with vegan menu options!

Baskin-Robbins

With over 2,400 locations in the United States, there’s a good chance that you will encounter Baskin-Robbins in your travels. The American ice cream chain offers vegan-friendly fruit smoothies, Mangonadas (a Mexican-inspired frozen beverage), flavored sorbets, and Non-Dairy Mint Chocochunk ice cream. Enjoy your scoops in a vegan-friendly cake cone or cup.

Courtesy of Baskin-Robins

Blaze Pizza

Craving some plant-based ‘za? Head to Blaze Pizza. Opt for the fast-casual eatery’s Vegan Pizza or build your own plant-based pie. Vegan offerings include a variety of well-labeled doughs and red sauces along with vegan cheese , spicy vegan chorizo, and plenty of vegetable toppings.

Photo by Kimberly Tran

Burger King

As the second largest fast-food burger chain in the world, chances are you have a Burger King in your area. When ordered without mayo, the Impossible Whopper is a vegan-friendly choice. And the Single Impossible King is also vegan without cheese. Other plant-based orders include classic french fries, hash browns, and French toast sticks.

Courtesy of Burger King

Headed out on a road trip? This West Coast fast-food fave has your back. You can rarely go wrong with fried potatoes, so opt for the vegan-friendly hash browns, Natural-Cut Fries, and waffle fries from Carl’s Jr. For a more substantial travel bite, order the Beyond Famous Star Burger without cheese or mayo.

Courtesy of Carls Jr.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

At Chipotle, you can build your own salads, burritos, tacos, and bowls loaded with rice, beans, and Sofritas (seasoned tofu). For the ultimate meal customization at this fast-casual joint, add Chipotle’s fajita veggies, a variety of salsas, guacamole , and chips to your order. Don’t mind if we do!

Photo by Edward Green

Dairy Queen

Need a little open-road pick-me-up? Head to Dairy Queen! In addition to DQ’s fries, side salad, pretzel sticks (ordered sans cheese), and breakfast hash browns, this ice cream chain also features a vegan-friendly Dilly Bar. That’s right, the vegan ice cream bar is made with a coconut cream base and coated in vegan chocolate.

Photo by Katelyn Goutermont

In the mood for some fast, American-style Mexican cuisine? Del Taco is the place to be! Sadly, Del Taco removed its Beyond Meat offerings, but the plant-based options don’t stop there. Both the Crinkle Cut Fries and hash browns are vegan as-is and many of the vegetarian menu items can be easily veganized. Remove the cheese and sour cream from the bean burritos and Crunchtada Tostada for a delicious on-the-go option.

Photo by Jesse Tenorio

In addition to a variety of vegan-friendly café beverages—we see you, oat, almond, and coconut milk— Dunkin offers some tasty plant-based bites to enjoy as well. Vegan diners can enjoy avocado toast, hash browns, English muffins, oatmeal, and various bagels ordered without cream cheese .

Photo by Annie McCloskey

Known for its burgers and shakes, Fatburger’s inclusive menu makes it easy for vegans to get in on the fast-food options too! Opt for the Impossible Burger, but order it without mayo and substitute vegan cheese. The Skinny Fries, Fat Fries, and sweet potato fries are also plant-based. And for a tasty treat, Fatburger has several vegan milkshakes to enjoy. Find dairy-free vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, and Maui-Banana flavors.

Photo by Jodie’s Vegan Eats

Fresh Brothers

In addition to veganizable salads, Fresh Brothers offers meat-free chicken tenders and delicious vegan pizzas made with plant-based cheese, sausage, and pepperoni. Oh, and let us not forget about Fresh Brothers’ vegan ranch dressing for all your dipping needs. This inclusive chain takes pride in truly nailing good vegan options, and we have major appreciation!

Photo by Joel Alatorre

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches has been transforming the traditional fast-food sandwich space since 2007. This inclusive joint offers a variety of veggie sandwiches and many of them can be made vegan, just be sure to specify. Enjoy handheld creations loaded with vegan cheese, Vegan Dirty Sauce, and vegan-friendly protein choices ( meatballs , turkey, fried chicken, and steak).

Courtesy of Ike’s Love & Sandwiches

Customizable vegan pizza coming right up! Step inside this fast-casual joint and create a vegan pizza or loaded salad. Choose from a variety of vegan-friendly pizza crusts and sauces (just avoid the Cauliflower Crust, pesto, and cream-based sauces). MOD Pizza features vegan cheese, plant-based Italian sausage, and all the veggie toppings you can imagine.

Courtesy of MOD Pizza

Panera Bread

Passing a Panera Bread ? You’re in luck! This comfort food fast-casual eatery  offers a variety of vegan-friendly bowls, salads, sandwiches, bakery items, and smoothies. Opt for the Baja Bowl or Mediterranean Bowl without feta or Greek yogurt. We also love the Asian Sesame Salad sans chicken and the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich ordered without feta cheese on Black Pepper Focaccia.

Photo by Devyn Howard

Panda Express

While the Beyond Orange Chicken is no longer available, Panda Express remains a vegan-friendly fast-food spot when you’re on the go. When craving some quick American Chinese fare, opt for the Chow Mein, White Steamed Rice, Super Greens, and Veggie Spring Rolls for a fast, plant-based meal. Select Panda locations also offer Eggplant Tofu. Yum!

Courtesy of Panda Express

Qdoba Mexican Eats

The plant-based options are endless at Qdoba Mexican Eats ! Opt for the Fajita Vegan Bowl for a pre-set plant-based meal. If you’re feeling creative, you can build your own burrito, bowl, salad, tacos, and cheeseless nacho platter too! We love adding rice, beans, fajita veggies, and guacamole to all of our orders.

Courtesy of Qdoba

Vegan in a small town ? Your local Subway has your back! Head on in for the nostalgic smells of freshly baked bread. Build a wrap, salad, or sandwich by choosing from Artisan Italian White, Artisan Flatbread, or Hearty Multigrain bread, and pile on the veggies. While not available at all locations, Subway’s Veggie Patty is another vegan-friendly sandwich addition to consider.

Photo by Robert Taylor

Taco Bells across the nation have the hookup on vegan-friendly options. Create cruelty-free burritos, tacos, chalupas, Crunchwraps, and bowls by removing the meat and asking for the meal “fresco style” which replaces cheese and creamy sauces with fresh tomatoes. Our go-to Taco Bell order is the Fresco Style Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme.

The Habit Burger Grill

This American fast-casual restaurant features a tasty selection of vegan choices. For starters, the Veggie Burger is vegan as-is (when you choose the one without cheese). When ordered without mayo or caramelized onions, the Original Impossible Burger is another delicious plant-based choice. Other Habit Burger vegan choices include french fries, sweet potato fries, tempura green beans, and the garden salad when ordered without croutons.

Courtesy of The Habit Burger Grill

White Castle

Welcome to White Castle! Both the Impossible Sliders and Veggie Sliders can be made vegan when ordered without cheese. Other vegan-friendly choices include hash browns, french fries, and sometimes onion rings (depending on the location). Be mindful of your sauce selection, but the BBQ and Everything Sauce are both vegan-friendly options.

Photo by Rudy Ramos

Wienerschnitzel

Calling all vegan hot dog lovers! Wienerschnitzel has multiple plant-based menu options to enjoy. So take the next exit and head to this hot dog chain. Both the Wienerschnitzel Barbeque Veggie Dog and Chicago Veggie Dog are vegan as-is. The Backyard Veggie Dog, however, does need to be ordered without cheese. We’ll take one of each!

Photo by Shawn Shawns

Anja Grommons

@vegcentricdietitian

During her studies to become a registered dietitian, Anja—a longtime vegetarian—transitioned to a vegan diet. Living in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the time (Go Broncos!), she met Maggie and Tammie through VegOut Kalamazoo (one of VegOut’s first focus cities) and began collaborating with the duo. When she’s not writing about new vegan eats, practicing as a pediatric clinical dietitian, and virtually coaching fellow plant-based eaters, you can find her creating veg-centric recipes, trying new cruelty-free products, and spending time with her partner Addison and cat Kovu.

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Ultimate guide to eating vegan on the road

Published: Apr 8, 2019 · Modified: Feb 2, 2023 by Maria · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Learn how to eat vegan on the road with these six simple tips. Once you learn these tips and tricks, eating vegan while traveling becomes a breeze! Learn how to find and order from vegan friendly restaurants, how to order vegan at common fast food chains and easy vegan road trip snacks and foods to pack

🧠 Get your mindset right

❄️ pack a cooler and prep food, 🍎 vegan road trip snack ideas, 📲 use apps to find vegan friendly restaurants, 🍝 learn how to order vegan at restaurants, 🍟 learn how to order vegan at fast food chains, 🥑 more tips for dining out as a vegan.

• ❓ FAQ's

🚙 To sum it up

If you’re a new vegan, chances are that eating vegan on the road feels like an unsolvable riddle.

Never fear! Once you learn a few tips and tricks, eating vegan on the road will become as easy as putting on underwear…unless you’re not into that, then by all means let it all HANG OUT!

To eat vegan on the road, you have to learn to see through your new vegan glasses. Once you do, you’ll see options where you didn’t see them before.

It’s not necessarily harder, it’s just that you have to re-learn some things. Once you learn those tricks, it becomes second nature.

When you’re on the road, finding vegan options can be a breeze but there are definitely those times when it takes a little bit more effort.

Just be mentally prepared for this. Without a strong ‘Why’, all of this will feel pointless and annoying.

Before I give you tips and advice on how to eat vegan while on the road, the first thing you have to have in place is your ‘Why’.

Why are you vegan? For veganism to stick, your ‘Why’ has to have a strong emotional pull.

Your ‘Why’ is so important because it keeps you motivated in those instances when finding vegan options takes a little more effort.

For me, my ‘Why’ is animal suffering. When I see animal products at restaurants, my mind doesn’t even register it as an option anymore because I’ve established such a strong connection to my ‘Why’.

Whatever it is, find a strong, emotional ‘Why’ and keep connecting to it until animal products don’t register in your mind as an option anymore.

Now that you’re connected to your strong, emotional ‘Why’, here are some tips and tricks to staying vegan on the road.

If you'd like more motivation on becoming and staying vegan, check out my article on how to quit eating cheese and go vegan .

This is probably the smartest, healthiest and cheapest way to eat vegan on the road, but it does take a little planning.

To make this even easier, get an electric cooler that plugs into your car outlet. Then you don’t have to waste money on ice or bother draining the water every time the ice melts.

You can always find a grocery store, even in the most remote places.

Here are some easy snacks and foods that are easy to make ahead and bring with you on your trip. All of these foods travel well.

Buy vegan sandwich meat, hummus and mustard. PB&J is also easy. Check out this chickpea salad sandwich recipe below. Just keep the chickpea salad part separate until you're ready to make the sandwich, so it doesn't get soggy.

Vegan chicken salad sandwich

Pasta salad

I love making a big container of this and taking it with me on a road trip or even in an airplane.

Black bean and quinoa salad

Baked potatoes

I know this sounds weird but I was on a two week tour and we brought 10 baked potatoes. We wrapped them in aluminum foil and kept them in the cooler. They were amazingly satisfying and easy to clean up. Bring some A1 sauce to eat them with. Killer combo.

Homemade granola

Great for an easy, healthy snack on the road. Super cheap to make yourself.

Couscous salad

This salad keeps really well in a tupperware container.

Vegan muffins

Muffins make a great travel food. They last about a week and are great for an easy breakfast or snack.

These are the ultimate road trip snack. They'll fill you up with energy and will last for about a week. Made with dates, peanut butter and oatmeal.

More ideas :

• Fruit - anything but bananas. They get ripe and stink up the whole car. They also bruise easily and you have to handle them gently. Opt for oranges, clementines, apples and grapes.
• Soymilk and cereal
• Hummus with pre-cut vegetables or pretzles
• Refried beans, salsa and wraps to make easy tacos. You can warm them up in a gas station microwave.
• Bean and corn salad
• Chips and salsa
• Peanut butter and apples or celery
• Fig bars and fig newtons

You get the idea. Bring a bowl, utensils and cups. Clean out your dishes at rest stops.

If you’re not the food-prepping type, bring packaged snacks like fruits, granola bars, and veggies and hummus to ensure that you have something to eat.

You can also order at fast food chains, if you don't want to prep a bunch of food. I give you some tips on how to do that a little later on.

These apps have helped me to find vegan options all over the world. To find restaurants while traveling, my process is this:

• First I search Happy Cow for vegan only or veg friendly restaurants. If there aren’t many options in the area I then try Yelp.
• In Yelp’s search bar, enter ‘vegan options’ and see what comes up. This usually helps when I’m in the U.S. Look through the restaurant’s menu and see if there are any plates that can be made vegan by asking to omit the cheese. If I’m international and I haven’t found many options, I then go to Trip Advisor.
• When searching for restaurants on Trip Advisor, go to the filter and select ‘Dietary Restrictions’ and choose ‘Vegan Options’. Check the menu online before going to make sure they have things that could be made vegan.

When looking for a sit down restaurant, I will first use the apps above. I generally try to find more ethnic restaurants since these are easier to eat vegan at. Be prepared to play around with the menu a bit and ask for substitutions. Here’s some of my tips:

Mexican Restaurant - I order veggie fajitas. I ask for no cheese and sour cream. Also ask if the beans have lard in them

Chinese Restaurant - Mixed vegetables and tofu in a brown sauce. I ask if the sauce can be made with no chicken or beef stock. If not, then I’ll ask what sauces don’t contain animal stock and I’ll order that sauce instead.

Thai Restaurant - Ask if they can take out the fish sauce in their curry. If not, get pad thai with no egg and no fish sauce.

Indian Restaurant - ask if they use ghee. If they don’t, the options are endless. Chana masala (chickpea curry) and Dhal curry (yellow lentils) are my favorites.

Pizza is always easy to find as well. Ask if their crust has eggs or dairy. If not, then order a veggie pizza, no cheese and extra sauce. I love my pizza nice and saucy.

American - many American restaurants serve vegan burgers on their menus now. It's easy to adjust menu items in America, so just order the burger without cheese and mayo if it comes with it.

Diners - In the more remote places, diners are usually the only restaurants around. To order breakfast at these places, I order a veggie omelet with no cheese and no egg. This basically gets me a side of hash browns and sautéed veggies, which is fantastic and so satisfying. Just ask to use oil instead of butter. Be very friendly and people will not mind if your order is weird!

I have traveled all over the U.S. as well as internationally. I can always find vegan options by looking for a handful of common restaurants that I know are easy to order vegan at.

Check out my blog on how to order vegan at fast food chains, next!

I show you how to order at Burger king, Taco bell, Tropical smoothie cafe, White castle, and many more.

According to world population review the top five countries with the most vegans (and therefore more vegan options) are the U.K, Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Switzerland. Destinations with a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables will also be easy to eat vegan in.

According to VegOut magazine , Portland, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegan, Austin, and Philadelphia are the most vegan friendly cities in the United States.

It's easy to eat vegan on the road once you learn a few tips and tricks. Pack easy road trip food like sandwiches, hummus, granola, fruit and fig bars. Learn how to order vegan at restaurants and fast food chains. If you're flying and the the flight offers a meal, make sure to mark that you'd like a vegan option when buying your ticket.

Finding vegan options while traveling can at times be a little bit trickier, but a little inconvenience is nothing compared to the suffering the animals go through.

I hope these tips and tricks helped. Once you know how to find vegan options while traveling, it becomes a breeze! Leave me any questions you may have below and share this with a friend who is having a hard time eating vegan while traveling.

Happy munching!

More Vegan Lifestyle Tips

About Maria

Maria is the creator of the blog and YouTube channel Damn Tasty Vegan. She has been a vegetarian since 2005 and vegan since 2015. She loves showing new vegans how easy and delicious living a vegan lifestyle can be. She is passionate about animal welfare and strives to help change the way animals are viewed and treated, by helping people transition to a vegan lifestyle.

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Best vegan road trip food ideas (with no fridge)

On our European road trip , we travelled 1700 miles across Europe in our Mazda Bongo. The longest drive was 10 hours! As a family of vegans (2 adults and 2 young kids), we had to come up with lots of vegan road trip snacks, main meal vegan food ideas and packed lunchboxes that didn’t need refrigeration. Our Bongo is not converted and we only had a cool box, which wouldn’t keep food cold for long when we set off from home in the UK. If you’re looking for vegan road trip food ideas that don’t need a fridge, read on as I share a huge list of road trip food ideas based on what we took with us!

Why we needed vegan road trip food ideas with no fridge

We did take a camping stove with us, but we were out on day trips most days when we weren’t on the road for hours travelling to destinations. So we needed plant-based road trip food ideas that needed no fridge, and no stove, for eating on long journeys and also to take on days out as a vegan packed lunch.

We didn’t have a fridge or any way of cooling food, so we needed vegan travel food that would last for a few days or several days for our eight-day trip. Some of the driving was up to 10 hours non-stop and we needed food for us and our two children, as well as vegan travel snacks and drinks that wouldn’t spoil.

I thought it was going to be really tricky to come up with enough snack ideas and vegan travel meals that don’t need refrigeration or cooking, especially healthy ideas. However, we actually surprised ourselves and came up with a pretty massive list of healthy, non-perishable foods to take with us which I’ll share with you in this blog post.

From the below list, we were able to have easy vegan meals while travelling on the road, snacks for when we were peckish, or create healthy packed lunches to take out with us for the day when exploring new cities.

We explored Amsterdam for a day , visited my husband Ben’s Gran in Germany, took an epic 10-hour drive to see many of the Delta Works in the Netherlands and we stopped in Bruges before heading back home.

For two nights we camped in the Bongo in Amsterdam, we stayed at Ben’s uncles for a couple of nights in Germany and then an AirBnB whilst in Belgium.

We don’t have a fridge in the camper as we haven’t converted it (instead, keeping the 8 seats and having a massive bed), so we had to come up with a whole list of vegan meals and snacks that we could eat on the go and not need to store in a fridge.

Of course, we had a fridge at the Airbnb and at Ben’s uncle’s, but we decided to take as much food from home as possible to keep eating costs low, so we had to take things that didn’t need a fridge as the first part of our trip was a lot of travelling and camping!

All of our plant-based meal ideas had to be made from as much dry food as possible.  None of it could be refrigerated. 

We’re also all vegan so they’re all suitable for anyone following a plant-based diet. These snacks are all easy to prepare, non-perishable, and perfect for your next road trip!

Between Ben’s uncle’s house and our Airbnb, we had a whopping 10-hour drive, so we needed meals and snacks for this.  We also had two nights camping in Amsterdam, so had to be inventive with vegan road trip food ideas here too.

If you’re wondering what on earth you can eat on a road trip as a vegan or what food to take camping without a fridge, then here’s a stack of ideas!

We came up with as many ideas as we could to create a shopping list before our trip and took loads of food from home.  That was a great benefit to driving across Europe in our own car, as we could really save money on food by visiting a UK supermarket before we left.

Huge list of the best vegan road trip food ideas without a fridge!

• Celery and peanut butter – take some cutlery with you and spread some cupboard-friendly peanut butter onto the celery for a great energy-boosting snack. Celery should last a couple of days at least in the car, so long as your car isn’t too hot!
• Rice crackers with peanut butter or marmite, or plain.  Rice crackers are perfect to munch on as a snack or to make peanut butter or marmite cracker sandwiches!  These are perfect for kids’ lunch boxes on the go.  Marmite doesn’t need to go in the fridge so it’s the perfect road trip food to create tasty no refrigeration lunches and snacks. Kallo rice cakes are our fave and we always have a pack or two at home!
• Crackerbread – great eaten on its own, dipped into hoummous or spread with marmite or peanut butter.
• Wraps with peanut butter or marmite.  Take an airtight container and you can store bread or wraps for a few days to make vegan sandwiches on the move.

• Wholemeal pittas stuffed or with hoummous – Like the wraps, you can also stuff pittas with some of the salad you take that will last a few days, and even take houmous in a cool box which will be good for a day or two and can be eaten with the pitta or salad. You can tear the pittas and dip them in houmous, guacamole, salsa or any other dip for the first day or two (if you buy chilled dips). You can even buy jars of dips from the tortilla crisp/nacho section of supermarkets which don’t need to be refrigerated until open! So buy the smallest jars or share the larger-sized jars with everyone so you use them up in one go.
• Nachos – A bit like crisps and dip, but you can have nachos and dip, or you can even make cold-topped nachos as unique vegan meals on-the-go idea. Vegan grated cheese will last a couple of days out of the fridge, or you can skip the cheese. Add cold sweetcorn, pickled shredded red cabbage, ready-to-eat refried beans out of a pack or tin, add some guacamole and you’ve got a delicious nacho meal box right there!

• Cereal to snack on dry, or with water or long-life plant-based milk.  Cereal is perfect if you take bowls and cutlery with you. It’s so easy to make a bowl of cereal with some long-life milk.  Try and get smaller cartons of the milk, or make sure you all eat cereal at the same time so you don’t waste any milk.  If you’ve milk leftover then the kids may want it as a drink as you venture on. Pack some reusable straws to make drinking on the go easier for kids.
• Fresh fruit – some fruit will last a few days and doesn’t need refrigerating so take grapes, oranges, pears, bananas and apples to snack on. We’ve always got organic fresh fruit and vegetable deliveries to our home from Riverford or Abel and Cole. Just remember to pause your delivery while you go on your road trip if you’ll be away when the next delivery comes!

• Salad – the same applies to some salads.  Tomatoes, lettuce, carrots and cucumber can often last a few days out of the fridge, so you can snack on this, or make your wraps and sandwiches more exciting for a couple of days at least.  You can always plan to visit supermarkets whilst travelling to keep fresh salad and fruit topped up.  Take a cool box to store it in, though the coldness will only last the first day unless you buy ice each time too. For no ice road trip food then your salad is really only going to be best for a day or two. If you’re travelling somewhere in heat, then you’ll want to use it on the first day ideally. A cool box with ice packs when you leave your home is best to start, then you could choose to buy ice packs as you travel to cool your food on the go. Most garages and food stores will sell these in their freezer sections.

• Dried fruit makes one of the best vegan road trip snacks as there are so many varieties and textures nowadays, and they won’t spoil.  We love apricots, prunes, chewy dried bananas, mango, strawberry and raisins. You can buy so many different varieties of fruit as a dried version and it can be crunchy or chewy. We love to take little pots of dried fruit out with us as part of our lunches too. We use stainless steel containers with silicone lids like these to store them in our backpacks.  Health stores sell big packs of dried fruit for good prices if you buy in bulk, or you can always stock up on some dried snacks from Graze before you head off.
• Bliss balls also known as energy balls are mostly made from dried fruit, nuts and seeds so they last ages too and don’t need refrigerating.  You can buy these from the shops, but it’s so easy to make your own too before you leave.

Here are some vegan no-bake energy ball recipes:

• Cacao nibs energy balls
• Coconut + green matcha energy balls recipe
• Peanut butter balls
• White mulberry, cocoa and chia energy balls recipe

• Bars, bars, bars !  We love dried fruit, nut and seed bars of all different kinds.  There are Trek bars, Pulsin bars and Nakd bars to name a few.  These are perfect to pack in bags when exploring to stop hunger in between meals and on long car journeys. For long-lasting energy and to feel satisfying full after a bar, give these superfood bars by Aduna a try! They’re delicious and full of goodness!
• Crisps – my favourite crisps are the Eat Real crisps and we also get the kids Organix crisps as they are organic and contain no sugar.
• Tortilla chips and dips – many dips like jars of salsa dips for tortilla chips don’t need to be refrigerated and can be kept in the cupboard, only needing refrigerating once opened. Take small jars, or larger jars to share that you know you’ll polish off in one sitting.

• Fruit pouches are great for kids and adults too!  ‘Baby’ fruit pouches aren’t just for babies, but kids and adults too.  The best thing is they don’t need refrigeration at all.  These were great for adding some more fruit snacks into our packed lunches each day.  The kids get really excited about a fruit pouch in their lunchbox. Me and Ben had one every day in ours too!
• Jelly in pouches exists too! This stuff isn’t solid like jelly, but the kids get excited when they hear the word jelly!
• Breadsticks – nice and easy snack to hand out in the car when the kids are complaining they’re hungry!
• Fruit crisps – it’s amazing how many things are made from fruit nowadays!  Dried fruit crisps satisfy that crisp crunch you might be craving, but they also provide a portion of fruit, so are much healthier than regular crisps.

• Popcorn is another great dried food snack that doesn’t need a fridge and the kids always love it!
• Nuts and seeds will keep you going when you get peckish. Make some trail mixes with mixed seeds, nuts and dried fruits like raisins or diced papaya for delicious snacks day and night.
• Sweetcorn is one of my favourite things to eat out of a tin!  It’s so refreshing and satisfies any sweet cravings.  Most tins have a ring pull so it’s really easy to eat on the go. You just need a spoon.  You can drink the remaining water too.
• Pineapple – another tinned item that is great vegan road trip food! I love pineapple in tins. So refreshing too, it’s like having a drink as well as a snack.  It’s another portion of fruit and you also get to have the juice!  We love the chunks in juice and the kids use reusable straws to get all the juice out of the tin.

• Tinned fruit – think peaches, mandarin and fruit cocktails. Opt for those in juice or water rather than syrup to keep it healthier. Sometimes these come in plastic pots too, but the lids can be tricky to pull off on the move and make a mess everywhere! That’s a good point actually – make sure you choose tinned things with ring pulls so you can easily open them on the road.
• Jelly – yep, you can now buy readymade vegan-friendly jelly in the store that doesn’t even need refrigeration!
• Noodles and rice pots are a great idea if you have a way of heating up some water.  We did take a camping stove with us so we could heat up some water for noodle/rice pots and hot drinks.  But of course, this was only good when we were parked up somewhere and could be next to the van itself and not on the move, such as stopping in car parks, to see sights or when we were camping.  We didn’t take the stove into the cities with us, so that had to be cold meals! We enjoyed eating some of these when visiting the Kinderdijk Windmills in the Netherlands before we arrived in Amsterdam.

• Vegan jerky – another great non-refrigerated vegan snack! You can buy readymade or learn to make your own before you go. Seasoned and dried, but still chewy, soy strips packed full of protein and tasty non-perishable food that can be kept in packets or Tupperware.
• Pickled onions – if you like pickled onions then these are a great savoury, tangy and sometimes sweet snack that doesn’t need a fridge. You can get large onions or mini ones already pickled in a jar from most supermarkets and convenience stores. The large ones certainly fill a hunger hole when you’re peckish in between meals!
• Green tea is packed full of antioxidants and great to sip on each day, in the car and when out if you take a thermal flask with you and can get some hot water.  Otherwise, it’s also a refreshing cold drink. You can get thermal flasks for hot or cold drinks with diffuser attachments so you can brew green tea or other herbal and fruit teas on the go.
• No-bake cookie bites are also something you can make easily, in advance, for a delicious sweet treat to enjoy after your plant-based road trip meals as a dessert. These are quick and easy to make and don’t require cooking. Simply take them in an air-tight tinned container to keep them fresh for a few days.

So many vegan road trip food ideas!

It’s actually really easy to come up with fridgeless vegan road trip food ideas once you start thinking about it…!

Hopefully, this list has got you started on thinking outside of the box when it comes to vegan food that doesn’t need refrigeration or no ice road trip meals!

When planning our road trip, we thought we’d really struggle to come up with non-perishable vegan food ideas on the road.  We actually managed to think up so many ideas that we had plenty of plant-based food options in the car for our exceptionally long drives, camping and whilst exploring Europe.

Also, depending on what your budget is and where you are travelling, there are so many more options for vegan food nowadays. Pretty much every major supermarket, service station and fuel station will have prepackaged vegan meals in their chillers so you can grab sandwiches, salads or other chilled meals on the journey.

You can also check out my healthy living blog for loads of vegan meal and snack ideas!

Love healthy living and saving money?

Check out these healthy living discount codes to make some great savings on vegan snacks and more!

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Our 8-day Europe road trip travel diary

If you want to see what we got up to for the whole eight days and all the photos then check out all my Europe 2019 road trip travel diary blog posts here:

• Europe family road trip day 1 – England to Netherlands / UNESCO World Heritage Kinderdijk / Camping Vliegenbos
• Europe family road trip day 2 – exploring Amsterdam
• Europe family road trip day 3 – driving from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Munster, Germany
• Europe family road trip day 4 – Soltau, Germany
• Europe family road trip day 5 – Munster, Germany
• Europe family road trip day 6 – coastal scenic drive from Germany to Belgium
• Europe family road trip day 7 – a few hours in Bruges
• Europe family road trip day 8 – back to the UK

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2 thoughts on “ Best vegan road trip food ideas (with no fridge) ”

What a great list! I find that generally, plant-based options keep really well, which helps a lot.

Lots of great ideas!

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Little Blue Plates

Plant-based meals on a little blue plate. simple enough to recreate..

Vegan ROAD TRIP! (Whole Food, Plant-based & Oil-free)

You know those times when you are in the car longer than expected and hunger sets in? Suddenly you find yourself overwhelmed with temptation to pull into the nearest fast food drive through, and… well there goes your healthy eating goals. But, with a little pre-planning, you can have a wonderful road trip with convenient, satisfying travel food, while still staying true to your plant-based lifestyle.

Tip #1: Always keep an EMERGENCY FOOD BOX in your car, because you never know when you are going to get stuck in traffic, or are running late, or you are just too hungry to wait until you get back to a plant-based safety zone. But with your food box fully stocked, it’s super easy to just open up some pop-top cans and bowl of sealed, pre-cooked brown rice, and you’ve got a delicious, FILLING meal ready to eat RIGHT NOW!

The other day, I went to the grocery store to look specifically for cans of whole, plant-based food that has a pop top or peel back seal to add to my car box.  Here are some of the things I found, and tips on what to look for when stocking your car box: (All items purchased from our local Walmart)

The rice has somewhat of a hard, dense texture when you first open the bowl, but it will soften up once you’ve added other ingredients, such as tomatoes, salsa, corn, or beans. (Place it near a heater vent 30-60 minutes before opening, and it will soften up even more!)

These little sealed cups of  CORN   (upper right) and GREEN BEANS   (lower right) are just the right size to mix into your burrito bowl (either open the car door and drain off the juice first, or you can drink the juice! (Am I the only bean juice drinker out there?) Or, if you just need a quick snack to hold you over till lunch, these little veggie cups are absolutely perfect.

Sealed fruit cups (lower left) make a nice refreshing “dessert” after a spicy burrito bowl. Look for cups with no sugar added,  or cups that are packed in fruit juice or coconut water. (Yes, of course I drink that juice too.) *Note: No sugar added varieties generally contain Sucralose (Splenda) as a sweetener, so if you are opposed to artificial sweeteners, then stick with the varieties that are packed in 100% juice or coconut water, or just drain off the juice.

Pop-top cans of STEWED TOMATOES  (not pictured) are another great snack item to have in your car box. (No-salt added or regular) They fill you up as much as a granola bar, but are more nutrient dense and much lower in calories. How can you beat that?

Disposable spoons, forks, napkins, wet-wipes, etc . Keep a stock of these in your car box, so you’ll always be prepared to eat quick meals on the go.

HAPPY TRAVELING!

*Note: In climates with extreme heat, you may not want to leave these items in sitting your car all the time. But they would still make a great back-up supply of food to keep at the office, or in your briefcase or purse for those days when you unexpectedly have to work late, or forget to bring your lunch, etc.

Find more great Whole Food, Plant-based ideas and recipes at WWW.LittleBluePLates.com

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• In the Kitchen

Easy-to-make Vegan Meals That You Can Pack With You During A Road Trip

• January 12, 2022

Various kinds of Mexican food wrapped in a tortilla is every seasoned vegan dream. If you’ve ever wondered how to make an incredible vegan burrito you don’t have to anymore as there are some simple and easy burrito recipes you can try at home. Ingredients for this burrito will be similar to most other burritos, but if you want some variety you could add in your favorite vegan ingredients.

The burrito is an excellent meal to take on the go and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. All you need is a tortilla, some refried beans, rice, salsa, avocado, and guacamole (optional).

The best thing about sandwiches is that you can basically put anything between two slices of bread and call it a sandwich. Sandwiches are also extremely easy to make, making them perfect for road trips or other places where cooking facilities are scarce.

Here are some vegan sandwich ideas:

• peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• vegan club sandwiches
• sandwiches made with vegan deli meat
• avocado and hummus sandwiches
• vegetable sandwiches
• vegan grilled cheese sandwiches

Sandwiches are a great choice for anyone looking to pack easy lunches that they can eat on the go! If you have never tried making your own sandwiches before it is time to give them a try. You might be surprised by how much better homemade sandwiches taste compared with store-bought ones. All of these would work well as vegan road trip meals so feel free to add any or all of them into your travel plans in the future!

Black Bean Quesadillas 

Black bean quesadillas are a quick and easy vegan meal that can be made ahead of time and packed for a road trip. They are portable, filling, and tasty! The black beans are packed with protein so you will stay full for longer.

The black bean quesadillas can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to eat. Let thaw overnight in the fridge if using frozen black bean mixture. Otherwise, let it sit at room temperature while you prepare your other ingredients.

Just add all ingredients into a food processor until smooth! Add more water as needed if it is too thick.

Add mixture onto one tortilla then top with another tortilla before placing on the heated skillet, this helps seal them when flipping over! Cook about two minutes per side, pressing down occasionally to flatten out any air bubbles that might form between tortillas. You could also cook these in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hummus And Veggie Wraps

This amazing recipe is perfect for anyone on the go. These hummus and veggie wraps are easy to make and can be packed in your bag for a quick, healthy meal.

Ingredients are, as the title says, hummus, vegetables of choice (we recommend cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce), and wraps or tortillas.

Spread hummus onto wraps or tortillas. Top with vegetables of choice. Roll up and enjoy! Note that if you’re taking these hummus and veggie wraps on the go, we recommend packing them separately from any wet ingredients like tomatoes so they don’t get soggy. You can also pack a small container of hummus to dip your wrap into. Enjoy!

Veggie-packed Pasta Salad

Everyone loves pasta salad during the summertime, and it’s a great vegan meal to take on the go! This recipe is easy to make and can be tailored to your liking.

You will need a pound of pasta (any shape will do), half a cup of olive oil, one diced red onion, two cups of chopped vegetables (e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc.), one teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain the cooked pasta and rinse with cold water to stop it from cooking further. 

Roasted Portobello Caps With Veggies

This recipe is a simple roasted portobello cap with veggies, and it is also vegan. Portobello caps are large mushrooms that have been used for all kinds of things from burgers to salads because they retain the flavor well even when cooked. The roasted mushroom can be served as is or on top of some mixed greens for added texture and nutrients.

As far as packing these roasted portobello caps for a road trip goes, you will need an oven-safe dish or pan to cook them in before putting everything into containers so you can store it at room temperature until being eaten later on your trip.

Vegans can enjoy meals just as tasty and simple as others. There are burritos and sandwiches, for starters and your options with them are huge. Make sure to make some black bean quesadillas and get some hummus on vegetables wrapped in a tortilla. There are lots of vegan pasta options and portobello caps are another option for you. These are just some of them, enjoy!

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Carolyn Scott-Hamilton

The Healthy Voyager, aka Carolyn Scott-Hamilton, is the creator and host of The Healthy Voyager web series, site, and overall brand. An award winning healthy, special diet and green living and travel expert, holistic nutritionist, plant based vegan chef, best-selling cookbook author, media spokesperson, sought after speaker, consultant and television personality, Carolyn Scott-Hamilton is a respected figure in the world of healthy lifestyle and travel as well as special diet cooking and nutrition. The Healthy Voyager aims to help people live well, one veggie at a time!

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Create Mindfully

Published: Feb 17, 2015 · Modified: Dec 1, 2022 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Vegan Travel Food

Whether you're traveling by plane or taking a road trip, here I show you how to prepare Vegan Travel Food in advance to make it easy!

Traveling can be hard as a vegan. Even harder when you are also gluten-free. I will show that if you prepare your Vegan Travel Food in advance, your life will be much easier!

In the middle of nowhere, there are only fast food options. ( vegan French fries , fresh fruit, and a side salad - can you say nap in an hour?)

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Flying abroad can be even more difficult. I recently went to Milan, Italy.

The vegan choices I saw were salad, salad, and more salad. Maybe I just didn't go to the right places.

I was hoping to find a vegan meal at a Thai restaurant or other vegan restaurant that serves savory tofu , so I could get in some protein.

At least the grocery store had some gluten-free vegan options, and some really good olives. Those will fill you up.

Luckily, I planned for the lack of protein options - too much so in fact. I brought enough of my own vegan food for about another 5-8 days.

🧳 Plan Ahead

🚙 road trip, 🛩 traveling by plane.

To make your life a little easier, I am going to share with you my favorite Vegan Travel Food and how I travel to make your next trip more enjoyable.

Before I realized that I needed to plan ahead for a lack of foods that I could eat, I was a miserable traveler. It is no fun watching your companions fill up on a satisfying meal while you are eating a plate full of lettuce, vegetables, and vinegar.

I am going to focus on filling vegan proteins, since those are the hardest to find in the middle of nowhere. Also, depending on your destination, it may be cheaper to bring your own vegan travel food.

I will go over vegan road trip snacks and meals, as well as vegan airplane snacks and foods that travel well.

Photo: Vegan Refried Bean Burrito with Jalapeño Cilantro Hummus

Road trips are much easier than vacations where you fly somewhere, so let's take a look at those first. When I search for a hotel, I look for one that has at the very least, a microwave so that I can have some hot meals.

If the hotel room also has a fridge, even better. If the room has a full kitchen, I am in heaven.

Trips where you fly to a destination with a kitchen in your room, make your stay easier as well. I always travel with a cooler and dry storage on road trips. That way I can pack refrigerated vegan food as well as dry goods.

I also pack utensils, plates, etc. I usually camp at a campsite between hotel stays, so I have a camp stove as well.

I have been known to use the stove on my truck's tailgate in a hotel parking lot. (Whatever gets the job done.)

Alternatively, you could bring a hot plate. I always bring some premade soup, or other premade meals so that I can easily heat them up in the room's microwave.

The foods on this list work well for day trips as well. Instead of packing food into a large cooler, you can use an insulated bag and ice pack.

1. Beans - Beans are great for vegan road trip meals because you are not taking up valuable cooler space. If you some vegan restaurants that serve vegan food, you may not get to a cooler item. This way if you don't get around to eating something, it doesn't go to waste.

I love beans of all varieties because you can easily throw together a meal with little preparation. Bring some tortillas and salsa, and you have a refried bean burrito .

Add beans to tortilla chips with some vegan cheese, throw them in the microwave, and you have nachos.

If you have access to a stove, make a vegan refried bean quesadilla  with some refried beans. Bring some premade brown rice and some serrano salsa , and you have a meal. 

Make some beans with tomato sauce and seasonings ahead of time to put in vegan refried bean tacos .

2. Nuts - Another great dry storage food and the perfect vegan road trip snack. Add to coconut yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal, and you have a filling meal. 

Add some dried fruit, cacao nibs, coconut flakes, coconut granola , and seeds, and you have a filling trail mix.

3. Tofu and tempeh - These are great if you have access to a stove, keeping in mind they will take up some of that precious cooler space. I like to limit my cooler options because I always have a large supply of fruit and vegetables with me.

With tofu and tempeh, you have a huge variety of meal options. You can make a tofu pepper stir fry , a spinach tofu scramble , vegan tofu tacos , a  tempeh avocado wrap - you name it. If you cook them ahead of time, even better.

You can easily make vegan vegetable spring rolls on the road. If your room only has a coffee pot, you can heat up water, dip the rice wrappers in the hot water, and roll together your favorite veggies and tofu.

Bring along some sweet chili sauce for dipping, and you have a restaurant-style meal.

4. Veggie burgers and other analogues - Veggie burgers along with other analogues (Tofurki, vegan hot dogs, etc.) are great because some don't have to be heated and you can make a sandwich. Others you can heat up quickly in the microwave and throw together a sandwich.

You can also make some veggie burgers ahead of time. You can freeze them and pack them in the cooler frozen.

5. Avocados and mushrooms - These are always great to have around. They are both filling and can be thrown into a sandwich or salad. I love to spread a smashed avocado on toast with some lime juice and salt for a quick meal.

Make some homemade guacamole ahead of time to eat in a bean burrito. I also like to eat an avocado by itself, with some salt and lime juice. 

Either cook mushrooms ahead of time, or fry them up with some peppers and onion, and make vegan fajitas .

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Photo: Cashew Cranberry Bars

For air travel think lightweight! All of the items that I list here I travel with on a road trip as well. 

I look for vegan airplane snacks that are filling, compact, and again - lightweight. It's good to be prepared for a long flight.

1. Protein powders - Protein powders can be found in single-serving packets. Bring a shaker cup (a cup that has a spring coil in it for better mixing), an aseptic container of nut milk, and you have a protein shake. Alternatively, you can mix it with water in a water bottle for less baggage.

2. Nut butter packets - These are some of my favorite vegan travel snacks.

They come in almond butter, peanut butter, chocolate hazelnut butter, mixed with maple syrup, etc. I love Justin's, but there are other brands as well. You can even buy a variety pack.

  I always have a couple of nut butters in my purse .  When I go to a concert, I don't like to bring my purse so I have one of these in my pocket.

I eat one of these by itself, but you could bring crackers or a sliced apple for a light snack.

3. Vegan protein bars, energy bars, and trail mix - These are probably one of the most popular vegan travel snacks. There are many options of vegan snack bars; from high protein to a glorified candy bar.

The same goes with trail mix. You can get a trail mix with chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth. You could also make your own so that you can customize it.

You could make your own Chocolate Almond Energy Bites instead of buying protein bars.

4. Soy curls - These are made from whole soybeans. They are the lightest thing on this list. They just need to be soaked in water, seasoned, then cooked on a skillet.

The drawback is you need access to a stove. Put them in a wrap with some BBQ sauce, or add them to a salad. You could order  vegan vegetable soup take-out and add the soy curls to it for a filling meal.

5. Tofu - I have traveled with an aseptic container of tofu (found on shelves). It is not too heavy, but a warning - it shows as a black object on the X-ray machine at the airport.

Take this bad boy out, so that airport security can see what it is. I did not know this when I traveled with a shelf-stable box of tofu, and security searched my whole suitcase. If you are in a hurry, that can be no fun.

6. Hummus - Hummus is great for a vegan road trip as well. For traveling by plane, I like to buy single-serving packets.

Many grocery stores sell single-serving packs with gluten-free rice crackers. You can also buy a single serving of hummus in many airports, just bring your favorite crackers, carrot sticks or cherry tomatoes, and you have a filling snack.

Or make your own favorite hummus. One of mine is red pepper hummus .

7. Soy Jerky -  If you are gluten-free there are quite a few options to choose from but read the labels, many are made with seitan and soy sauce. 

They are a great snack because they are filling, protein-rich, and portable. My favorite brand is Primal Strips. 

Several of their flavors are gluten-free. You could also make your own vegan soy curls jerky .

8. Chia Seeds -  These fiber-rich seeds are sold in single-serving packets. They come in ground and whole seed. Add them to a smoothie, cereal, salad, vegetables, or rice.

Or you could buy some non-dairy milk and a banana and make chia pudding.

Make some chia seed crackers ahead of time. These are perfect if you are gluten-free and want an alternative to rice crackers.

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How to Pack for a Roadtrip (Vegan Style)

Hey y’all!  Did you miss me?  I left you for quite awhile, didn’t I?

Gradually readjusting to the daily rhythm after a vacation, I find myself with a lengthy list of tasks, including unpacking, tidying up, restocking our pantry, catching up on my blog and work commitments, and more. Despite the wonderful and restful experience I had (details to come on my blog this week), returning from vacations always leaves me feeling surprisingly exhausted. Nonetheless, I’m eager to share the adventures and insights from my travels, especially those facilitated by the excellent travel team we chose, similar to the one at https://madeinturkeytours.com , who made the journey all the more memorable. Now, if only I could summon the energy to tackle that to-do list with the same vigor!!

Just the 8 hour drive back on Saturday was enough to exhaust me for a day or so.  Let’s hope I make it through the work day in one piece and with some sanity intact.

I’ll be recapping the Colorado trip sometime this week, but since I am still trying to get my brain working I am going to keep things simple today by sharing how I prepared for my trip food-wise.  Since adopting a mostly plant-based diet, I have definitely been more conscious about prepping food and snacks for road trips and vacations.  It is not always as easy to find vegan options, so I always plan ahead.  It has paid off for me on several occasions.  Hopefully this recap of my food will help you out when you are prepping food and snacks for a road trip- vegetarian, vegan, or not.

So now that I have made it to the end, I am thinking that it probably seems like I majorly over-packed.  But my motto is that you can never be too prepared.  Or maybe I am just a chronic over-packer 😉  Either way, we were eating good the whole way there, during the trip, and the whole ride back.  Just a little preparation helps to keep things healthy and cheaper while on the road.

Have a great Monday, friends!

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34+ Vegetarian (and Vegan) Snack Ideas for Travel and Road Trips

Written by Becca

Updated on June 3rd, 2024

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Table of contents

• Whole fruits
• Cut-up fruits
• Whole veggies
• Cut-up veggies
• Dried Fruits
• Nuts (Vegan)
• Vegetarian & vegan alternative protein snacks
• Beyond Meat Plant-Based Jerky (Vegan)
• Wahoo Ono Fish Jerky (Vegetarian)

EPIC Smoked Salmon Strips, Wild Caught (Paleo-Friendly, Vegetarian)

• Primal Spirit Vegan Jerky (made from wheat gluten, Vegan)
• Kool Ranch Kale Chips (Vegan)
• The Only Bean Crunchy Dry Roasted Edamame Snacks, Sea Salt (Vegan)
• Dang Toasted Coconut Chips, Original (Vegan)
• The Daily Crave Veggie Chips (Vegan, Kosher)
• Crispy Cauli Sea Salted Bites (Keto Cauliflower Chips, Vegan)
• HIPPEAS Organic Chickpea Puffs + “Cheeze” Variety Pack (Vegan)
• Organic Hummus (Vegan)
• Tostitos Medium Chunky Salsa To Go, 3.8 Ounce (Travel Size, Vegan)
• Every Body Eat Snack Thins, Cheese-less Flavor (Vegan)
• Just the Cheese, Low Carb Snack (Vegetarian)

Plant Snacks VEGAN Cheddar Mix Cassava Root Chips (Allergen-free)

• HA! - The Healthier Alternative Snacks - Cheddar Cheese Crunchers (Vegan, Gluten-free)
• ParmCrisps Plant-Based Sea Salt Crisps (Vegan)
• Outstanding Foods Outstanding Cheese Balls “Chedda” (Vegan)
• Magic Spoon Cereal (Grain-free, Vegetarian, Kosher)
• Vegan Espresso Bites by Big Island Coffee Roasters
• Partake Foods Crunchy Chocolate Chip Mini Cookie Snack Packs
• Love + Chew, Banana Bread Minis
• Vegan Organic Gummy Bears
• Organic Chocolate by Hu
• OWYN Vegan Bottled Protein Shakes
• Pirq Vegan Protein Shakes
• EVOLVE Plant-Powered Protein Shakes
• No Cow Plant-Based Protein Bars

With our extensive experience traveling, and taking many different types of trips, we’ve picked up a few tricks for snacking.

Dan and I love snacks and between the two of us, with my allergy to gluten and intolerance to dairy, and Dan keeping a vegetarian diet, we find that the best travel snacks and road trip foods are vegan and/or plant-based.

We like keeping vegetarian and vegan because it simplifies things. With a health mindset, we seek out snacks and foods that are friendly for the environment, natural, organic and free of harmful chemicals.

We’ve organized this guide into categories that have made sense for us throughout our travels as we’ve perfected the art of vegan and vegetarian snacks for on the go. In the list that follows, you can expect to find ideas for healthy vegan snacks to take on your trip, along with vegan and vegetarian foods that travel well.

Fruits and Veggies for on the go

The downright healthiest way to get healthy vegetarian and vegan snacks on the go is to look no further than the produce section at your grocery store, corner market or farmer’s market.

Whether you are looking for vegetarian road trip food or vegan travel snacks, fruits and veggies can be filling, full of fiber, nutrient-rich and more. If you eat enough of them, they can even constitute a full meal if you need to pack in a quick and healthy lunch during a car trip.

Here are our best ideas for vegetarian and vegan road trip and travel snacks that you’ll be glad you packed!

Whole fruits

Whole fruits are an easy go-to and easy to pack snack. Plus, they don’t require any additional packaging. An apple or a banana go a long way in a variety of different vessels.

We’ve found the most luck with apples, bananas, oranges (or clementines and tangerines). And, don’t forget that some fruits come in handy snack-size dimensions already, like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries! These make a great berry medley in a travel-sized sustainable container like EcoLunchBox travel containers .

Please keep in mind, though, if you are hiking or in nature somewhere, throw away your peels and various fruit droppings.

While peels biodegrade, they might not be good for the environment in which you leave them (for example, if the seeds are not native to the surroundings).

Cut-up fruits

We like the convenience of cut-up fruits. They are a nice treat on a hot day or staying balanced with a diet. Cut-up fruit like cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon and strawberries make great snacks for on the go.

Put your cut-up fruits into sustainable plastic-free travel containers like ECOlunchbox Seal Cups , and you’ll have leak-free storage for food while you’re on a trip.

Whole veggies

Some vegetables can be eaten whole, which makes the convenient to take right from a grocery store or market, to your plane, train, trip or hike! Among these are grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, mini sweet peppers and small (or large!) Persian cucumbers.

During road trips in Portugal and Spain, we munched on grape and cherry tomatoes right from the carton, and it was a great way to add in healthy vegetables during the day.

Cut-up veggies

Cut-up veggies require a little big of prep, but the rewards are, of course, nice and yummy. Among the snack-able veggies you can buy either same-day or a few days in advance are celery stalks, zucchini (sliced), large carrots and bell peppers.

We tend to slice these to the size of the container we put them in, like the ECOlunchbox stainless steel travel cups .

Pickling your vegetables for snacks

If you haven’t left home yet, one thing you can do before you leave for a trip is to pickle your veggies. With a few days of pickling or kraut-ing, you can have travel-ready snacks that either do, or do not, require silverware to eat.

Among our favorite vegetables to pickle for snacks are Kirby cucumbers, string beans, red onion slices and baby carrots. These snacks pack quite a zesty punch (and just remember to maybe consume them outside instead of in a cramped environment like an airplane).

Dried Fruits

Dried fruits are great for vitamins, nutrients and fiber, and one of our favorite vegetarian and vegan hacks is having some figs, dates, prunes or Craisins on hand when we leave for a day trip or a longer-haul vacation.

Some tips for these handy and healthy travel snacks are to a) buy in bulk and pack them, and b) buy a whole package of these, rather than a single serving, which won’t be priced as competitively.

As for buying in bulk, the good news is that it takes months for them to go bad! Try getting these types of snack items at your Costco.

The last time we had flights to Mexico, we made homemade trail mix with dates, prunes and walnuts with sunflower seeds, getting in all those fiber elements before not being sure what our diet would look like in the next few days.

Vegan and Vegetarian Protein-Heavy Travel Snacks

As people who tend to avoid meat while traveling, sometimes, our protein sources can be a bit low!

We typically seek out protein sources like nuts (vegan), eggs (vegetarian), fish (vegetarian) and vegan “meat,” depending on where we are. If you sense you may have trouble at your destination, pack along some of these road trip and on-the-go plant-based protein snacks.

Nuts (Vegan)

• Brazil nuts
• Peanuts (not actually a nut because they’re legumes)
• Sunflower seeds (technically a seed)

What’s your favorite? I tend to love cashews and walnuts, mixing them with dried fruit for snacking on a trip.

Vegetarian & vegan alternative protein snacks

Getting enough protein is a challenge when you are vegetarian or vegan, but when you put your mind to diversifying your protein sources through a little additional snacking, you can be surprised!

Beyond Meat Plant-Based Jerky (Vegan)

Beyond Meat is one of our favorite plant-based meat alternative brands, and their new jerky is made of pea protein!

You can use their store locator or pick up some jerky on Amazon .

Wahoo Ono Fish Jerky (Vegetarian)

Forget that jerky was originally for meat: vegetarians can enjoy fish jerky with all the flavors.

I got introduced to EPIC products before leaning into a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. Their new paleo-friendly fish-based snacks are convenient and healthy.

You can find EPIC products on Amazon and also use their store locator to find their products near you.

Primal Spirit Vegan Jerky (made from wheat gluten, Vegan)

This vegan jerky is for plant-based snackers and travels very well.

Chips & Crackers for Road Trips

If you know us, you know we can’t stop ourselves when it comes to chips and travel snacks that have a crunch to them. In fact, we try to avoid buying large bags of chips because we’ll eat the whole thing in one sitting. Yikes!

Chips don’t have to be potato chips, nor corn chips, and this is something I’ve found out in my gluten-free diet. Chips these days come in an array of amazing varieties, from black bean chips to sweet potato chips to cassava and coconut chips. Let’s look at some great on-the-go vegan and plant-based snack ideas that fall into the ‘chips and crackers’ category.

Kool Ranch Kale Chips (Vegan)

Remember cool ranch Doritos from elementary school? If you’re now a vegan, you can still enjoy the flavor with this plant-based chip snack.

Learn more about Rhythm Superfoods on their website (you can shop there too). Their products are typically shipped and sold by Amazon , which is nice!

The Only Bean Crunchy Dry Roasted Edamame Snacks , Sea Salt (Vegan)

Crunchy and salty, these edamame snacks really do the trick on a long car trip. How cute are they! When we took them out of the package, they looked delectably munch-able and satisfying.

With only 100 calories per travel-size mini bag of roasted edamame beans, they’re gluten-free, keto-friendly, vegan and high in protein. They check all our boxes for ideal snacks to bring on road trips.

Dang Toasted Coconut Chips, Original (Vegan)

I can’t get enough of Dang products. They’re delicious, crunch, and pretty guilt-free for vegan snacking.

Dang products aren’t sold on their website anymore. You can usually find them at Whole Foods and Amazon ).

The Daily Crave Veggie Chips (Vegan, Kosher)

Veggie chips are a simple snack that you can take on a hike, train or plane, and these are vegan and kosher.

Crispy Cauli Sea Salted Bites (Keto Cauliflower Chips, Vegan)

Cauliflower products are all the rage now! These keto chips are vegan and perfectly salted.

HIPPEAS Organic Chickpea Puffs + “Cheeze” Variety Pack (Vegan)

Hippeas have found a way to make yummy snacks from chickpeas. This vegan snack is cheese-flavored, and great for travelers who gave up dairy ages ago. Dan really enjoys these!

HIPPEAS are found at most grocery stores. We always see them at our local Whole Foods. Use their store locator to find them near you.

You can also find them on Amazon through a variety of different sellers.

Vegan and Vegetarian Dips

In this day and age of convenience, it’s easy to come by packable and travel-size vegan and vegetarian plant-based dips for chips and snacks. So many of these foods are the best things to take on road trips for everyone in the car!

Take for example, Sabra hummus cups: they’re so cute, and the perfect size for having in the car, or on a plane!

Organic Hummus (Vegan)

So convenient, and great for dipping veggies or chips. Hummus is one of Dan’s favorite snacks because it levels up fresh cut veggies.

You can find hummus at almost every grocery store. It’s sometimes harder to find snack-sized cups. Depending on your travel situation, you can pick up a few, portion some out into a container and go on your way! You should try to keep them chilled but look on the packaging to see if that is necessary.

Tostitos Medium Chunky Salsa To Go , 3.8 Ounce (Travel Size, Vegan)

Personally, I like salsa with mostly anything, from carrots (try it!) to tortilla chips. What will you dip in your travel-sized salsa?

Similar to hummus, it’s harder to find individual cups of salsa. You can find jars at pretty much every grocery store, small market and gas station. You almost never need to refrigerate (even after opening) so it’s great to have it around — even if you don’t find the smaller cups.

Dairy & Vegan Dairy Alternative Snacks

I personally don’t eat dairy products or cheese, so I’m open to cheesy alternative snacks that don’t contain lactose or animal products and are therefore vegan. Keep in mind that a lot of vegan cheeses may contain nutritional yeast, so if you have an intolerance to histamine, be sure to read the ingredients.

Check out these cheese-flavored plant-based snacks below for a surprise, the next time you’re on the go.

Every Body Eat Snack Thins, Cheese-less Flavor (Vegan)

Holy smokes, these are delicious and absolutely addictive. These brown rice crisps pack in the flavor, without the dairy products, and they are free of common allergens.

They’re crispy, crunchy and make great little dippers if you have some dip on hand. We can’t wait to take them on a trip.

Note that the cheese flavored varieties have nutritional yeast in the ingredients, in case you have an intolerance to histamines (good to mention, for those who do). Otherwise, the EBE facility is free of wheat/gluten, milk/dairy, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, corn, sesame, eggs, mustard, celery, lupins, sulfites, fish, shellfish, and mollusks (according to their website).

Check out this store locator to find out where to get them.

And, they turned out to be a pretty snazzy flight snack.

Just the Cheese, Low Carb Snack (Vegetarian)

These vegetarian cheesy snacks are mini and cute!

I like the taste of cassava, and these vegan cheese-themed snacks are free of common allergens.

HA! - The Healthier Alternative Snacks - Cheddar Cheese Crunchers (Vegan, Gluten-free)

Are you on a gluten-free diet and going vegan? Even if you’re not, try these cheddar-flavored crunchy snacks for a trip.

ParmCrisps Plant-Based Sea Salt Crisps (Vegan)

Could you believe that these cheese-ish oven-baked crispy snacks are gluten-free, dairy-free, keto and vegan? Incredible.

Outstanding Foods Outstanding Cheese Balls “Chedda” (Vegan)

Plant-based cheese balls? Count us in! These are nutritious and low-calorie, with no dairy.

“Guiltless” Snacking

Sticking to a vegetarian or vegan diet may make your friends think you’re a health nut, but we all know that everyone deserves a treat every now and then! Check out these delectable vegan and vegetarian snacks that are super close to the “real thing.”

Magic Spoon Cereal (Grain-free, Vegetarian, Kosher)

Magic Spoon was created to be a guilt-free cereal that fits a keto diet. It is gluten-free, with 13-14g of protein per serving, great for a veggie diet. Dan has had their cereal as a snack and thinks it’s a great way to keep your diet on track.

Because the cereal has a decent amount of protein, it truly is a guilt free snack that fits into most diets.

With flavors like Cinnamon Roll, Cocoa, Peanut Butter and Maple Waffle, we’re excited to try them all, and bring them on vacation for breakfast (or really, any time of day).

Try the Magic Spoon Variety Pack or their new bars combo pack , which make an even better vegetarian snack on the go.

You can also browser some of their products on Amazon .

Vegan Espresso Bites by Big Island Coffee Roasters

We love the flavor in these smooth and creamy espresso bites . They are totally vegan (as per these selections below), and made with 100% Hawaiian island coffee. As a bonus, you can also melt them in hot water for a coffee drink on the go when you’re traveling.

If you live in a hot climate or if the weather has been hot recently, keep in mind that these could melt a little while being shipped. We put ours directly into the freezer when we unpacked the package.

We also recommend the “edible espresso” sea salt espresso bites , which are also completely vegan and pack a flavorful punch, with a kick of caffeine. If we could, we would eat these all the time, especially with our morning coffee.

And, if you love coffee…

Big Island Coffee Roasters makes travel-friendly Hawaiian Coffee Singles, which are compostable steeped coffee sachets for making coffee on the go, like on a road trip. All you need is hot water, so there’s no need for a grinder, coffee maker, filter or anything like that.

We tried this at home, to practice for making coffee while traveling on our next trip. We thought this coffee tasted great, in only minutes of this quick brewing technique.

We put a bit too much water in the mug and the coffee was a bit light. Next time, we will use less water or let the coffee steep for longer.

Partake Foods Crunchy Chocolate Chip Mini Cookie Snack Packs

I discovered Partake Cookies at my local store a few years ago and I’ve made them my birthday treat year after year.

They’re vegan, gluten-free and free of common allergens, which makes them very easy to bring to gatherings and parties where someone might have a random allergy to eggs or soy, not to mention road trips, when you may be sharing snacks!

Love + Chew, Banana Bread Minis

These soft-baked paleo and vegan mini treats come individually wrapped and are great for taking on the go.

Vegan Organic Gummy Bears

Gummy bears are my true guilty pleasure, but the original kind is full of junk, sugar and gelatin. Good thing there are vegan and organic ones on the market now! Check out the Project 7 Low Sugar Variety Pack (8 pack) !

Organic Chocolate by Hu

I’m a HU ge fan of the Hu products, since my days trying the paleo diet. Hu Chocolate is a winner because it’s vegan, free of soy (and soy lecithin) and gluten and it tastes amazing .

Vegan & Plant-Based Smoothies & Shakes

There are plant-based smoothies that come pre-bottled, so you can take them on the go! Just keep in mind that for going through airport security, these will not be able to come with you.

However, they’re totally fine for going on road trips, train rides, bus trips or day trips from your home. You can also pick up these types of bottled protein drinks when you arrive in your destination and you head to a grocery store.

OWYN Vegan Bottled Protein Shakes

These bottled protein drinks have vegan protein sources from pea protein, pumpkin seed protein and flax, with added Omega-3s and a green blend. They’re gluten, dairy and soy-free, so they check all my boxes for vegan protein on the go.

Pirq Vegan Protein Shakes

Pirq makes vegan protein shakes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO, kosher and keto-friendly, featuring (in this flavor) strawberry golden milk with turmeric tumeric, maca, plus plant protein. They’re perfect for taking in your bag when you’re heading out for some travel.

EVOLVE Plant-Powered Protein Shakes

These vegan shakes are a source of calcium, iron, vitamin B12 and zinc, which are essential nutrients for anyone whose diet does not contain meat! The EVOLVE protein (20g per bottle) is sourced from pea protein, so it’s 100% vegan.

Vegan & Vegetarian Protein Bars

No cow plant-based protein bars.

We became recently introduced to the No Cow products and personally, we’re glad that they’re all of the following, for both our dietary preferences: vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free low sugar, high protein AND Kosher.

There are a variety of flavors to choose from, like Birthday Cake, Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Mint Cookie and S’mores. Somehow, they’ve packed 20-21 grams of protein into these vegan snack bars.

Regarding the flavor, we felt there was slightly something to be desired, as these bars are a little dry. With the sweetness coming from a sweetener blend of stevia and monk fruit, you may find the flavor reminiscent of other nonperishable snack foods that use the same idea.

Nevertheless, these will satisfy a dessert craving if you’re on the road, a hike or in flight.

Check them out !

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Easy, Plant-Based Snacks and Meals for Road Trips (and restaurant guide!)

In my opinion, one of the best parts of road trips is the snacks! Even though snacking isn’t the healthiest habit, some snacking makes all the difference in long car rides. Having healthy options in your car allows you to stay alert, avoid weight gain, and feel good while traveling. You want to do everything you can to avoid convenience stores and fast food stops, since they have so few options that are real food.

As Michael Pollen wisely says, “Never get your fuel from the same place your car does.”

By far the healthiest snacks are the ones God made–fruits and vegetables! Little sections of tangerine, berries, grapes, etc. are nature’s fruit snacks! Veggies cut into sticks are nature’s Veggie Straws!

#1 Tip: Pack a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and make them your staple snacks. Promise yourself you’ll eat some fruits and veggies before digging into the more exciting stuff.

And now, 21 Healthy Snacks (or meals!) for Traveling

• Ready-to-eat fruit . Simply taking a few minutes to peel oranges, wash apples, cut grapes into little bunches, cut the stems off of strawberries, etc. makes you so much more likely to reach for them. In the summertime, lots of fruits are in season: peaches, melons, pineapple, mangoes, berries, yum!
• Veggie sticks. Carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, jicama sticks, red pepper strips, celery sticks, or baby tomatoes with hummus. You can buy little individual hummus cups at Costco (although they have added oil) or make your own and put them in these little containers that have lids.
•   Best Hummus Recipe from Cookie and Kate
• Green Chili Hummus 
• Curry Hummus. 
• Peanut butter banana sandwiches. A staple if you need to eat breakfast or lunch on the road. Filling, delicious, and easy.
• Banana bars or muffins. Click here for my recipe for Banana Muffins or Banana Bars that are whole-grain, no-oil, naturally sweetened and can be gluten-free. Make them ahead and pull them out of the freezer on the morning of your trip for optimal freshness.
• No-Bake Granola Bars via From My Bowl.
• Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars via Minimalist Baker.
• Lara Bars. The ultimate bar, in my opinion! Made of only fruit and nuts, these are delicious while having no junk. They are pretty high calorie, but they make for a great treat. When they go on sale for less than a dollar each, I stock up. Buy some of my favorite flavor right now, so you’re always prepared with a whole-food option on the go.
• Rice Crispy Balls. Make this recipe for Rice Crispy Granola Bars and roll the mixture into balls instead pressing them into bars. Balls are less crumbly and you can make more of them. Skipping chocolate chips helps them hold together better, and they are still delish! Irrestistable!
• Chex (2 grams)
• Cheerios (1 gram sugar)
• Kix (2 grams sugar)
• Life (6 grams sugar)
• Puffed Brown Rice (0 grams sugar)
• Shredded Wheat (0 grams)
• Brown Rice Cakes. Rice cakes are fun to munch on, and have only two ingredients: brown puffed rice and salt. I get the Quaker brand of lightly salted rice cakes at my grocery store.   Alternatively, t his brand of crunchy Rice Rollers are very low sugar and great eaten alone. They are only 39 cents per rice cake and only 50 calories.
• Popcorn. Pop popcorn at home and put it into individual bags for a very cheap, plant-based, light snack.
• Energy  Bites. While this is a higher-calorie snack, it will make everyone in your car a little happier. Get my favorite recipe bursting with nutritious chia and flax seeds by signing up for my email list. You’ll automatically get a free download of 10 healthy treats, and my energy bites are on there.
• Healthy-ish Cookies. Try these Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies , or these delicious garbanzo bean chocolate chip cookies for a special treat. Make them half-size to help you not eat them too fast! Homemade Aussie Bites are also delicious for snacks or breakfast-on-the-road.
• Chia Pudding cups. I stir together 2 tbsp chia seeds with 1 cup light coconut milk and some frozen fruit, with a little honey or maple syrup if needed, and let sit overnight. These little containers would be perfect for chia pudding, oatmeal, hummus, rice pudding, etc.
• Bento Boxes.   This is particularly fun for kids. Get a container, ideally with compartments, (a great plastic option is here and a glass version here  that looks amazing!) and put their favorite fruits, vegetables, crackers, bread, beans, nuts, edamame, roasted chickpeas, or whatever else your children like. This is a fairly clean meal they can eat while sitting in their car seat.
• Applesauce or fruit cups. Make sure they have no sugar added and fruit cups are packed in juice or water, not sugary syrup! These make a great non-perishable option to eat fruits. Click here to order 20 pouches for $10. 
• Baked potatoes. My husband loves potatoes so much, he is happy to eat a baked potato like an apple. A little shaker of salt would make it even tastier, although you might want to salt them out the window or when the car is stopped so you don’t make a mess.
• Pepitas (or pumpkin seeds). You can buy different flavored pumpkin seeds, such as Chili-Lime, or enjoy them plain. I’ve seen them in the bulk bins sections of grocery stores.  They are a great source of protein, healthy fats, magnesium, zinc and iron.
• Roasted Chickpeas . You can buy these at the grocery store–I’ve seen several flavors in the bulk bins at Winco, although they do have processed oil as an ingredient, or you can order them online like these ones, here, that have a delicious variety  You can also make them yourself, see my recipe for roasted chickpeas . They are best within one or two days of roasting them, although I’ve heard they are crispier if you use an air-fryer.
•  100% Fruit Leather or Dried Fruit. At any grocery store that has bulk bins, go crazy trying different dried fruits! Try to avoid ones that have added sugar. Dried apricots, raisins, figs, apples and dates usually have no added sugar.  Stretch Island Fruit Leather i s one brand that has no added sugar. Although expensive, t his dried pineapple from Trader Joe’s is super tasty, and has no added sugar.
• Individual Packs of Nuts. These are perfect to keep in your car at all times so you always have something hearty and nutritious when you’re hungry. Here is an 18 pack for $10.

What to Order at Restarants

Subway –Veggie Delite sandwich on whole grain bread. You can load it up with as many veggies as you want!

Taco Bell –They have an entire vegetarian menu and you’re always welcome to customize and take the cheese and sour cream off. In ANY menu item you can swap meat for beans.  Make it “fresco style” to swap any higher-fat or dairy ingredients with diced tomatoes instead. 

Chipotle —Easily customizable to be 100% plant-based. Guacamole is free when you don’t order meat or sofritas (tofu).

Panera Bread –Several vegetable soups, salads, and bowls are vegan and vegetable-heavy. The Baja Bowl, Mediterranean Bowl, Tomato Basil Cucumber salad, and many more can be customized to be completely plant-based. 

Wendy’s –Get a few baked potatoes (ask for no sour cream or butter) and/or a side salad.

Blaze Pizza, Mod Pizza (or most build-your-own wood-fired pizza chains)–Customize your own pizza with a wide variety of vegetables. Vegan cheese is available, or it’s still yummy with no cheese at all. Gluten free crusts are available if needed.

Thai restaurants –Many curries and Thai dishes can be made with tofu instead of meat, or just vegetables. 

Indian restaurants –Most Indian restaurants have delicious vegan options, such as aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower), chana masala (chickpeas in sauce over rice), or veggie samosas with chutneys. Some dishes may have butter or yogurt, so just ask. 

Mexican Restaurants –A burrito without meat or cheese, a taco salad with beans instead of meat, veggie fajitas, or even just sides of rice and beans with lettuce and tomato. 

Chick-Fil-A : Order the Spicy Southwest Salad,  Market Salad, or Grilled Cool Wrap without chicken or cheese. Add a non-dairy dressing like the Chili Lime Vinaigrette if desired. Fruit Cups are also available.

Mongolian Grills –Customize your bowl with tons of veggies and tofu, and you can even have it grilled with water instead of oil. 

Whole Foods Salad Bars –Load up your carton with a variety of salads, cut fruit, and plant-based entrees, and pay for your food by the pound. 

Costa Vida –Salads with beans, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, fajita veggies, and tortillas, mango salsa, Tomatillo Cilantro Sauce, Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette, are all vegan-friendly ingredients (although not all oil-free). Rice contains butter, and tortillas are grilled with some butter. 

Tropical Smoothie Cafe —Many smoothies are completely plant-based and sugar can be omitted. Hummus Wrap (ordered without cheese or ranch), Peanut Butter Banana Crunch Flatbread. 

Grocery Stores —When traveling, sometimes the best option may be to go into a grocery store and buy a few things to create a meal to eat in your car or take to a park for a picnic. A bag of baby carrots or snap peas, bananas, oranges, Lara Bars, whole wheat pita bread and hummus, a veggie tray, Mary’s Gone Crackers, rice cakes (look for ingredients of only brown rice and salt), peanut butter, jam, pre-made salads, popcorn, nuts or dried fruit (look for bulk bins), premade smoothies or green juices. 

Ideas for kids: You don’t have to order “kids meals” for kids! They don’t need separate “kid food” which is often just an overpriced collection of nutrient-poor foods coupled with a toy or treat. Although not always on the menu, simply ask for sides that fit the type of restaurant: a side of rice and beans, a simple bean burrito, a plate of tofu and rice, pasta and vegetables, pita bread and hummus, or share the adult entree you order. 

You can download the free app Happy Cow to do searches for restaurants with vegan options near you. This is a great way to find unique local restaurants to try. 

What to eat when Flying

Not going on a road trip, but a plane trip? (Those are my favorite kind of trips!!) Know that you are allowed to take food through airport security! I pack apples, bananas, or clementines on every trip so I have something healthy to eat in the airport when I smell Cinnabons or Wetzels Pretzels wafting through my gate.  For early morning trips, pack a container of cooked oatmeal or overnight oats and a spoon, or a square of baked oatmeal. My other go-to flying food is a PB&J. All food is allowed except liquids (like soups or smoothies), so healthy flying!

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From North to South: The Ultimate California Vegan Road Trip

From redwood forests to palm-lined beaches, california’s coastline isn’t just drop-dead gorgeous—it’s a treasure trove of vegan eats..

by Sarah McLaughlin

July 27, 2023

Foggy coastlines and sandy beaches. Towering redwoods and vineyard-covered hills. Historic vistas and swaying palm trees. California’s coast is world-renowned for its diverse landscapes and jaw-dropping cliffs that give way to the stunning Pacific Ocean. This summer, skip the international jet setting, hop in the car, and take a vegan food tour of this stretch of roadway that winds from the quiet and misty town of Mendocino to bustling and sunny San Diego.

It’s a highway voyage full of unbelievable getaways into nature and some seriously great hidden plant-based gems (think an all-vegan hillside eco-resort, chocolate biscotti-topped oat milk cocktails, and plant-based burritos at the world’s most beautiful Taco Bell). 

Where to eat and stay in Northern California

Start your drive in the quaint cliffside town of Mendocino. With a population of less than 1,000, this tiny town is perched on a headland and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean crashing at its cliffs. Its incredible vistas have made it a destination, not just for tourists, but for film crews and artists alike.

Nestled into the hills of the winding roads through this town lies Stanford Inn by the Sea , an all-vegan, environmentally minded resort complete with pine and redwood-paneled rooms, wood-burning fireplaces, an upscale vegan restaurant, rolling vegetable gardens, and a holistic wellness center that treats guests to massages, tai chi, acupuncture, and yoga. A morning dip in the solarium-enclosed pool and sauna, dripping with lush trailing houseplants, provides a world of calm before embarking on the rest of your journey. 

As you head back onto Highway 1, continue down to Bodega Bay and make your way to the Bohemian Highway. Tucked into the green hills dotted with grazing cows and red barns, you’ll find a vegan carb-lovers dream.

Wild Flour Bread is a hole-in-the-wall bakery specializing in rustic French-style sourdough baked in giant wood-fired brick ovens that has made a name for itself far and wide. The loaves are anything but basic: Greek olives are kneaded into the olive loaf before being topped with a generous dusting of nigella seeds and za’atar seasoning, while the Dragon Loaf is infused and twisted with jalapeños, garlic, polenta, and cornmeal. Make sure to get there in the early hours to snag a hot-from-the-oven vegan scone (with ever-changing seasonal add-ins such as rhubarb, nectarines, marzipan, figs, and pears) to sip with your alt-milk latte. 

Vegan dining in the San Francisco Bay Area

Just one hour further down the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll be crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge into the city on a hill that is San Francisco . From Peruvian tiger’s milk-jicama ceviche, silky vanilla coconut panna cotta, and butterfly pea aloe cocktails at the chic eatery Wildseed to buttery garlic knots and wood-fired pizza at Matthew Kenney’s upscale Italian dining spot BAIA , a quick detour into this diverse city is worth a day (or two) of exploration.

And while the city is filled with great vegan restaurants, don’t miss the nighttime pop-up scene where you can catch The Vegan Hood Chefs —the marinated papaya poke bowls with vegan crab or the lion’s mane “steak” Surf and Turf fries are worth the trip.

With San Francisco’s foggy hills shrinking in your rearview, look forward to the sleepy city of Pacifica, just 20 minutes south. Time your arrival here carefully—don’t come after a heavy meal in San Francisco, as you’ll want to leave space for an absolute staple of road trips: fast food.

Pacifica is home to the most beautiful Taco Bell in the world. Located right on the beach with a gorgeous outdoor patio, fireplaces, and even spots for beachgoers to park their surfboards, this internet-famous location has drawn guests worldwide. And, luckily, the chain is very vegan-friendly ! Order items without cheese or queso and sub with pico de gallo salsa. Plus, with the option to add potatoes to black bean-style Crunchwraps and burritos, there will be plenty to leave you feeling fueled for your drive. 

The best spots for vegan food in the California Central Coast

Ninety minutes later, pull into the beach town of Santa Cruz, known for its competitive surfing and crowds of tourists who flock to the historic boardwalk every summer. Pull up to mom-and-pop dumpling spot Mo’s Dumplings and order the crispy, sticky rice balls stuffed with red bean paste, the spicy kimchi noodle soup, and at least a couple orders of the vegetable-tofu dumplings in chili oil broth with sweet potato noodles.

If you stay the night, wake up and head downtown to Veg On The Edge , a totally vegan West African fusion eatery, for a Roasted Scramble Stack with fluffy tofu scramble, juicy Beyond Sausage, roasted potatoes, and a drizzle of West African-style pumpkin seed-based sauce.

Staying for the day? A stop at Akira Sushi is more than worth the time. The vegan options abound with rolls named after pop culture references such as the Silence of the Yams (with mango, tempura yam, spicy sesame miso aioli, and wasabi vinaigrette), or the Veggie Gaia (with spicy tofu, tempura yam, green beans, and unagi sauce). 

As you leave town, quickly stop in neighboring Capitola for a meal at the beloved vegetarian hotspot Dharma’s Restaurant . Founded in 1981 as a meatless, fast-food-style spot, the family-owned eatery has served plant-based food to hungry college students and beach-going tourists for over four decades. The gigantic menu boasts a wide variety of cuisines spanning the globe: housemade tempeh burgers with pineapple and grilled onions; platter-sized tofu rancheros with vegan cheese; five different variations on tofu scramble; curry plates with papadum and fruit chutney; butternut squash ravioli; and old-school-style macro plates. Come hungry, leave satisfied.

The next leg of your tour will bring you through ritzy Carmel-by-the-Sea, which hugs the awe-inspiring Big Sur coastline, and past Ragged Point (a landmark often referred to as “the Million Dollar View”).

An hour later, you’ll arrive in San Luis Obispo, known for having one of the best farmers’ markets in all of California. Every Thursday night , more than 120 vendors sell locally grown produce, freshly made hummus, vegan cheese , and loaves of fresh bread.

After picking up a few staples, head over to the town’s cherished vegan spot Ziggy’s for Korean-style fried cauliflower with gochujang; housemade black-and-pinto bean burgers with vegan pepper jack, guacamole, and charred jalapeños; and Impossible taquitos with sour cream.

Prefer a lighter option? Try Bliss Cafe , a plant-based restaurant and marketplace with an Ayurvedic twist, where you can enjoy dishes such as protein Buddha bowls with almond nutritional yeast dressing , quesadillas stuffed with sautéed kale, and feel-good golden milkshakes with a kick of turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom. 

Where to wine and dine in Southern California’s Wine Country

You’ll know you’ve entered Southern California when you come upon picturesque Santa Barbara—trading the rocky, ocean-sprayed bluffs of the north for broad sandy beaches and swaying queen palms .

Find your way to Oliver’s , Santa Barbara’s premier plant-based fine-dining institution. Its menu is impressive, replete with smoked almond goat cheese apple salads, shredded hearts of palm artichoke crab cakes, and heirloom zucchini-tomato towers with macadamia ricotta and pistachio pesto.

In a town known for its wine, a visit to a vegan-friendly natural wine bar is a must. Satellite in bustling downtown serves their local pours alongside farm-to-table tasting items such as filet de hongo with polenta, seared shiitake mushrooms, and herbed chimichurri; gigante beans with harissa, garlic, and hemp seed pesto; and roasted broccolini with creamy vegan parmesan, basil, and vegan bagna cauda (an Italian hot dish traditionally made with anchovies).

Twenty minutes off the highway is the quaint, getaway town of Ojai―where celebs the likes of Britney Spears, Emily Blunt, and Tom Selleck have called home―and it’s worth the detour.

Renowned for sunsets that paint the surrounding mountains in dusty pinks and pale purples, this scenic spot is where you can find the vegan gem that is Hip Vegan . Located right off the main downtown street, this old-school eatery’s tree-shaded patio is always bustling with customers enjoying dishes like jackfruit carnitas tortas, South Indian dal with spicy cashews, bánh mì with marinated tofu and cashew “laughing cow” cheese, and piles of Gunpowder Fries tossed in seasoned salt and served with spicy ketchup. Grab a few of the massive chocolate chip, strawberry hempseed, or herbed cheese scones to go.

From Ojai, wind your way down to the jaw-droppingly beautiful Malibu coastline and into Los Angeles’ beach enclaves of Santa Monica and Venice. Swing by Margo’s Bar + Kitchen in Santa Monica for a next-level brunch of Jumbo French Toast sticks made from custard-soaked brioche and seasonal berries; Frittata Española with vegan eggs, soyrizo, caramelized onion, and pickled peppers; and a giant Breakfast Pizza loaded with buttery cashew mozzarella, spiced sausage, scrambled vegan eggs, and a maple syrup drizzle.

And if that pie kicked off a pizza craving, head down to Venice for acclaimed vegan chef Matthew Kenney’s Double Zero to nosh on slices of rosemary potato pizza with cashew cream, vegan-egg-yolk-topped, four-cheese pizza, and wild mushroom truffle pies. 

The best spots for vegan brunch and more in Southern California

With your trip nearly at its close, roll down the windows and enjoy the warm coastal air as you traverse among the cliffs of Palos Verdes into the city center of Long Beach. There you’ll find the bright and fun, woman-owned must-stop The Wild Chive . Arrive early to find a seat in the bustling eatery, or get your food to-go and walk five minutes to the waterfront for an ocean picnic. Dig into a sweet-and-savory Monte Cristo: grilled cheese and ham stuffed into caramelized potato French toast with fresh strawberry jam and maple syrup. Or the popular Chick’n & Waffles with crispy beer-battered chicken over Belgian-style cornbread waffles served with habanero-strawberry jam, chive butter, more maple syrup, and a dusting of powdered sugar. 

It’s time to hit the highway again for your final destination: the always pleasantly warm San Diego. Roll into town, and head straight to Kindred , a whiplash-inducing clash of a bar and restaurant where elements of French gothic, heavy metal, and airy pink and gold are expertly blended to create a completely one-of-a-kind space.

Slide into your seat at the marble-topped bar to sip down refreshments such as the strawberry-rhubarb-key lime Spinal Tap with gin and tiki bitters or the coffee-chocolate-oat milk White Noise with vodka, biscotti, and vegan marshmallows. As you sip the delicately crafted tipples, dig into bar snacks like chargrilled seitan skewers napped in chimichurri, harissa, and horseradish aioli or everything bagel-spiced puff pastry knots with togarashi pub cheese.

And if your sweet tooth beckons, head to Split Bakehouse to pick up boxes of ever-rotating pastries such as strawberry pistachio frangipane tarts, pandan coconut cookies, and matcha rose scones. 

For food and natural beauty lovers alike, this road trip will prove unforgettable. And with more than 650 miles of excitingly diverse terrain, blissful weather, and world-class vegan food, it’s an expedition that can be returned to again and again with endless opportunities for exploration. So next time you’re itching for an adventure and unable to decide between a beachy escape, a mountainous hideaway, or a metropolitan escapade, just block out a few days on the calendar, pack the car, and do it all. The coast awaits.

For more travel pieces like this, read:

• 10 Best Hotels in America With Vegan Options
• Relax and Indulge at Some of the World’s Most Vegan-Friendly Resorts
• 16 Must-Try Vegan Spots in Orange County

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Sarah McLaughlin (@ sarahmclaughlin ) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food. 

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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