best road trip cooler food

THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP FOOD LIST: 50 Scrumptious Travel Snacks

Post Summary: The definitive road trip food list with 50 snack ideas and meals to keep you happy the entire car ride. Plus, tips for what else to bring and recommendations for the best road trip coolers.

Road trips are the classic adventure that everyone needs to do at least once in their life, whether you’re traveling solo, with your best buds, or packing in the whole family. What’s the secret to a great road trip? Besides having your maps already downloaded to your phone (travel must #1), it’s to have a collection of the best road trip food at your disposal. Being prepared with good travel food will ensure you don’t:

• Kill your travel mates because you’re hangry.
• Get killed by your travel mates because they’re hangry.
• Get lured in by every gasoline stop and somehow end up with bright orange Cheetos and Slim Jims.
• Waste your travel budget dining on Subway and Wendys road trip meals.

After road tripping with a toddler for half a year around the US, we’ve figured out the ultimate road trip food list so we can enjoy the journey together feeling nourished and happy. Our list includes road trip food ideas for adults and kids as well as healthy car snacks.

After the road trip food list, we’ve included non-food items you’ll want to bring and some tips on choosing the best road trip cooler.

Need More Road Trip Tips? Check out our other articles below:

The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 41 Essentials For The Road 160 Fun, Deep, and Sometimes Silly Road Trip Questions 41 Fun and Challenging Road Trip Trivia Questions 17+ Fun Things To Do On A Road Trip How To Survive A Road Trip With A Toddler 40 Must Have Items To Have In Your Camper

*This road trip food list post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely think are helpful.

The Ultimate Road Trip Food List

Healthy snacks for a road trip

We’ll start with healthy snacks for the road. I don’t know about you, but when we go on road trips, we tend to fall back on fast food and junk food. In an effort to have a quasi healthy road trip we make sure to include some healthy options so we can at least feel like we’ve balanced out all our snickers bars and Wendy’s frosties. Here’s our list of the best road trip foods that won’t leave you feeling sluggish at the end of the day. We also added in a few recommendations of some of our favorite brands.

Healthy Snacks For Car Rides 1. Fruit: Bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, apples, oranges 2. Sliced veggies: carrots, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, pickles, radishes 3. Cherry tomatoes 4. Olives (buy the pitted kinds) 5. Salsa 6. Deli sandwiches or wraps (already made from home or pre-purchased) 7. A simple charcuterie spread (summer sausage, pepperoni, sliced cheese, dried apricots, olives, crackers, etc.) 8. Popcorn 9. Yellow corn chips, blue corn chips, kale chips 10. Granola Bars and Energy Bars ( Munk Bars are our favorite! ) 11. Dried Fruit 12. Crackers (cheese crackers, saltines, whole wheat crackers, these almond crackers are my favorite!) 13. Pretzels 14. Nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, macadamia, walnuts, pecans) 15. Trail mix 16. Tuna (Get the kind that doesn’t need to be refrigerated! It can become a snack on crackers, a sandwich, or added to a salad) 17. Coconut chips ( Dang chips are our favorite. ) 18. Dark chocolate 19. Wasabi peas 20. Fruit leather 21. Whole-grain muffins 22. Bread (pretzel rolls, pita bread) 23. Water (Preferably in a water bottle like a Hydro Flask that will keep your water cold for hours.) *The following are all still healthy snacks for a road trip but will require a cooler. Skip them if you are going sans cooler. Further down, we’ll talk about the best road trip coolers. 23. Hard-boiled eggs 24. Small yogurt containers or drinkable yogurts 25. Humus 26. Guacamole 27. Pasta salad 28. Lentil salad 29. Grocery store salad kits (Can be eaten out of the bag! Just cut the top, pour in the salad dressing, and shake it away. You can also opt to do salads in a jar) 30. Cheese

Essential Road Trip Snacks

These road trip snacks might not be the healthiest, but look…you can’t always be perfect!

Road Trip Snack List 32. Beef Jerky 33. Chips 34. Fun candy (Any kind of candy that brings you joy for your road trip. Gummy bears, reeses pieces, airheads) 35. Ranch dip to go with your healthy veggies 36. Fun drinks (Just make sure the drink is able to be resealed or small enough that you’ll drink it all quickly. My favorite road trip drink is coconut water!) 37. Cookies

Road Trip Snacks For Kids And Toddlers

While we don’t put a distinction between road trip food for the adults and road trip food for kids, here are some fun ideas you can add in addition to the travel food listed above. We found that allowing for leniency with what we let our kid snack on will mean a more fun time for everyone in the car.

Road Trip Snacks For Toddlers and Kids 38. String Cheese or Babybels 39. Peanut butter pretzels 40. Clementines 41. Squeezable applesauce 42. Squeezable nut butters (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter) 43. Graham crackers 44. Goldfish 45. Fruit snacks 46. Fruit roll ups 47. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich 48. Dry cereal 49. Nutella 50. Snap pea crisps ( I love the wasabi ones from Harvest Snaps . I can only get them online because my grocery store never has them!)

Essential Non Food Items

Now that you’ve got your travel food and made your road trip food list, let’s talk about non food items to have on your road trip packing list. We are both advocates for minimal waste living so we do advise using reusable items like real utensils, glass containers, and reusable straws rather than single-use items. I know it can feel like a nuisance, but once you get used to doing it, it’s easy to integrate it into your habits. We’ve provided links to different products, so you can check out some good options.

-Trash bags (old shopping bags work well) – Stackable glass or plastic containers (While glass may feel like a hazard, I find that most of them are built for endurance and would require some extreme throwing around to actually break. Either way, bringing containers rather than an entire bag of snacks is a great space saver.) -Reusable straws (we like this multipack option here ) -Bento boxes (another option is to make individual bento boxes with everyone’s preferred snacks put in. It’s essentially a healthier version of a Lunchable. Great option if you’re traveling with kids.) Check out these cute bento boxes here . -Utensils -Plates -Paper towels -Hand sanitizer -Ziplock bags -Wipes -Cups if you want to share drinks -Ice packs for the cooler (We prefer to use reusable ice packs like these , but frozen water bottles or ice cubes in a ziplock back will do the job as well.) -Reusable grocery bag to carry your non-perishable stuff -Plastic tub (If you’re going on a long road trip and will have lots of snacks, a good option is to pack all your non-perishable items in a tub like this .) -Cooler

Related : A Comprehensive Guide To the Best Toddler Carriers For Traveling

Best Road Trip Coolers

If you’re going on a long road trip, you’ll definitely want to bring a cooler so you can have more options for the journey. Things to consider when deciding what kind of road trip cooler to bring.

• How much space will you have in your car?
• How many days will you be driving and subsequently how much food will you need?
• Cost of the cooler
• If you road trip or camp a lot and will use a cooler several times a year.

Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler

Our choice for the best road trip cooler is the Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler . It’s a mid-sized cooler that can fit a bottle of wine standing upright. We like its lightweight design and that its compact size can fit on the ground behind the passenger seat.

It has a mid-range price point, so if you are wanting something more economical, you’ll probably want our next pick.

Igloo MaxCold Cooler

If all you need is a no-frills cooler to keep your food cold, the Igloo Maxcold Cooler is a great option. The thin design also makes it a great choice for someone wanting to save room in the car.

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze

If you like a soft cooler, the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze consistently offers the best bang for your buck.

Yeti Tundra 45

Lastly, if you are wanting a high-end cooler that will be great for camping and can take the wear and tear of consistent use, the Yeti Tundra 45 is your best bet. Yeti is the reigning champion of coolers and you can’t go wrong with anything you purchase from them.

Before you head out on your epic road trip, we suggest packing the night before. Alleviating as much stress as possible on the day you leave, especially when you’re doing a road trip with a toddler , is key to enjoying the road trip journey. We find that the night before, it’s best to:

• Wash, cut, and peel all vegetables and fruit.
• Pack up all non perishable food and supplies.
• Prepare any road trip sandwiches you plan to eat.

Lastly, don’t forget to make sure all your tasty road trip snacks are within reaching distance in the car.

We hope you enjoyed our complete road trip food list. Happy road tripping!

** For more road trip inspiration follow us on Instagram . We travel… a lot.

NEED SOME TRAVEL INSPIRATION? A Complete Guide To A Utah National Parks Road Trip How To Plan A Cross Country Road Trip + Fun Routes To Take 10 National Parks To Visit In The East 50 Family Bucket List Experiences In The US

PIN IT FOR LATER

Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

Similar Posts

THE BEST ROAD TRIP PACKING LIST: 41 Essentials You Need For a Smooth Ride

160 FUN, DEEP, AND SOMETIMES SILLY ROAD TRIP QUESTIONS

FAMILY TRAVEL ON A BUDGET: HOW TO AFFORD FAMILY TRAVEL

A GUIDE TO VISITING ARCHES NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS

THE 20 BEST CAMPING TOYS FOR TODDLERS

Family Explorer’s Guide: The Best National Parks for Kids

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

49 Non-Perishable Road Trip Food Options For Your Next Adventure

When you’re planning a road trip , one of the biggest expenses is food. And one way to help alleviate the expense is to pack your own non-perishable road trip food. You don’t always want to lug a cooler around or have to rely on accommodations with a refrigerator.

Planning your trip? Use our favorite resources!

For accommodations –   Hotels.com  |  Expedia  |  VRBO ​ For car rentals –   Discover Cars ​ For tours & excursions –   Viator ​ For cheap flights – FareDrop ​ For travel insurance –   Safety Wing

But what are the best choices? And can you even get healthy road trip snacks? Or choose things the kids will eat?

Well, I’ve compiled a list of 49 non-perishable food choices to pack for your next road trip . I’ve broken them down into categories for you so you can find options that are healthy, kid-friendly, have plenty of protein, or work great as a quick snack on the go.

And if you want a list you can print out and take to the store with you, check out the download near the end of this post!

Non-perishable road trip food ideas

Quick & easy non-perishable road trip snacks.

When you’re driving, sometimes it’s easiest to just grab something that’s individually packaged to curb your hunger instead of having to pull over and make a snack or get something from the gas station.

These options can come in single-serving bags that you can throw in the car and have ready to go, or you can also buy the larger boxes and divide up the servings into your own bags for the road. These are great road trip snack ideas for adults and for kids and teens.

1. Crackers

3. Pretzels

4. Snack bars – these are some of my all-time favorite foods to pack for road trips. They are quick and easy and there are so many out there that are healthy.

My ultimate favorite snack bars are Larabar . They are made with simple, healthy ingredients and taste SO good! My favorites are Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough , Cashew Cookie , and Mint Chip Brownie .

Made Good is another brand that is healthy and looks delicious that I’d like to try out soon!

5. Quaker rice cakes

6. Popcorn – there are so many great popcorn options out there! I’m a sucker for Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn but you could go for any flavor that you like!

Non-Perishable Kid-Friendly Options

We all know kids can be picky eaters, but that’s one of the great things about packing your own snacks – you can make sure you have something you know the kids will eat!

These non-refrigerated road trip food options are going to be crowd-pleasers for most children.

7. Goldfish – the classic kid snack! You can get the individual bags or divide a larger bag into single servings.

8. Fruit snacks – what kid doesn’t like fruit snacks? If you are looking for a great healthy choice, YumEarth fits the bill.

9. Cereal – another great option is to divide up some of their favorite cereal and put it into smaller bags for them to munch on.

10. Cookies – again, it’s probably best to have these separated out so they don’t eat an entire box of cookies (yup, it’s me, I’m still that person).

11. Poptarts – these could also be a great option for a quick breakfast on the road.

12. Candy – sometimes a nice treat of their favorite candy can cheer up kids and keep them happy on a rougher day…I mean, it still works for me too!

Non-perishable food choices High In Protein

We’ve all been there – you have a few more hours until you reach your destination and your stomach is grumbling. Choosing a high-protein road trip snack will curb hunger and keep you fuller longer. These are some great non-perishable road trip food choices for in-between meals that will fill you up.

13. Tuna/chicken/salmon cans or packets – These are one of my top road trip food choices. They are the perfect non-perishable protein option for when you are on the go, but they also work well for making sandwiches or putting on salads. They are incredibly versatile!

The Starkist Tuna Creations packets are easier for eating on the road, but the cans are a good option for camping and when you are sitting down to eat. Just don’t forget to get the ones with the pull tabs so you don’t need a can opener (or make sure to bring a can opener with you) and also have some utensils easily available.

14. Jerky – while a more expensive option than some of the others, there are so many flavors available, and jerky is always an easy and filling choice. You can try different unique kinds too, like Buffalo Bob’s assortment . 

15. Meat sticks – lots of options for these too, such as Wenzel’s Farm Variety Pack Sticks .

16. Pepperoni

17. Protein bars (like Clif, Kind, or Power Crunch)

18. Trail mix – you can make your own or find some good premade kinds. I absolutely love Power Up Trail Mix .

19. Pumpkin seeds – try to find a brand that doesn’t use a ton of salt, like Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Pumpkin Seeds .

20. Nut butter – a good choice to eat with crackers for a more filling snack (almond, peanut, pistachio).

21. Protein powder – mix up some protein powder with water in a shaker cup and you’ve got a filling, healthy drink for the road!

Non-perishable meals + Sides

Let’s be real, one of the best parts of road trips is getting to try new foods and eating out at local establishments. But if you’re on a tight budget, you probably will need to watch how much you spend on food, so sometimes you’ll need to make road trip meals for yourself.

After a long day of traveling or exploring, you might just want to come back to your campsite or hotel and make something quick and simple. And if you have some easy road trip meals already on hand, you don’t even need to go to the grocery store!

When we travel, my husband and I always bring some staples along for late nights and when we are too lazy to make anything fancy. Here are some of the best foods for a road trip that you can bring along to help cut costs and that also don’t need a refrigerator.

22. Quaker Instant Oatmeal – you can add dried fruit, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, and other items to make this a great hearty breakfast. I like to buy the version in disposable cups so it’s easy to just add hot water or milk.

23. Peanut butter + jelly on a tortilla – tortillas last much longer than regular bread and are a great choice for road trips.

24. Ramen/cup of noodles – always an easy choice!

25. Spaghetti + pasta sauce – we’ve made spaghetti on our camp stoves and it works really well!

26. Canned soup – there are so many canned soup choices, and they are very filling and easy…just warm it up and eat!

27. Kodiak Cakes Flapjack Mix – this is one of our camping staples…just add water to the mix and cook over a fire or a camp stove. We also like to add peanut butter to our pancakes and it’s SO GOOD!

28. Pizza dough mix + pizza sauce + toppings – we almost always make pizza when we camp because it’s easy and most of the ingredients are non-perishable so we can buy them ahead of time.

29. Rice packets – a great easy option for a side.

30. Canned veggies and beans – more simple side options…just warm up and eat!

31. Instant mashed potatoes – you can get these in different flavors as well.

32. Condiment packets & spices – you can pack along a few of these to help flavor your meals and also not have to worry about bringing along a whole bottle of something that you then will need to refrigerate or toss.

33. Olives/pickles – another option for pizza or burger toppings or just to snack on (is that weird? Maybe…but I still like them for snacks).

34. Soy/almond milk cans/boxes – can be used with cereal or to mix with sides that call for milk (these don’t need to be refrigerated until opened).

35. Powdered milk – can also be used as a milk substitute for recipes.

Healthy Non-Perishable road trip food

Road trip food is pretty much known for being processed, unhealthy junk which is one of the reasons most of us gain weight on vacation (I’m definitely one of those people).

But there are plenty of healthy snacks and food choices out there that are better than just going through the drive-thru for the fifth time.

If you are looking for some options for non-perishable food for a road trip that is healthy, here are some ideas for you.

36. KIND Granola – mix with a little powdered milk and water for a healthier cereal option. KIND has very little added sugar which makes it a solid choice.

37. Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, etc.) – try to find some with very little or no added sugar, such as Mavuno Harvest .

38. Nuts (cashews, walnuts, pistachios, etc.)

39. Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)

40. Dried chickpeas and beans – if you are ambitious you can make these yourself, or you can buy premade ones like these from The Good Bean .

41. Wildmade Fruit Leather

42. Kiwa Veggie Chips – these can be a good alternative to potato chips or crackers.

43. Simple Truth Applesauce – this is a great brand with no added sugar.

44. Salsa – a better chip dip choice than queso or other processed dips.

45. Bare Baked Coconut Chips – oh man, we just discovered these and they are SO GOOD! They are much healthier for you than regular potato chips and they taste like a dessert.

Non-Perishable Drinks

Drinks can get expensive on road trips, so it’s a good idea to bring a few options along with you so you don’t need to constantly grab something at the gas station.

While I always bring along a water bottle and fill that up as I go, sometimes you want something with flavor, so here are a few suggestions.

46. Coffee – the instant stuff might not be any good, but you can make your own favorite coffee over a fire with a camping coffee pot, or anywhere you go with this Aeropress . I lot of hotel rooms and Airbnbs will also have coffee pots you can use.

related: Ways to save money on a road trip

47. Tea – my husband’s the coffee person, but I love my tea. I like to bring some along for the mornings I need a little pick-me-up or to chase away the chill.

48. Water flavors – there are plenty of water flavorings out there, so you are sure to find one you like. Just squeeze a few drops in your water bottle and have something delicious to drink without the added calories.

49. Iced tea/lemonade packets – this is another good option you can add to your water for some flavor and without needing to constantly purchase bottles in the store.

Non-perishable road trip food list

If you’d like a road trip packing list of food you can download and take with you to the store, fill out the form below to download it for free!

Benefits to packing your own road trip food

So why should you pack food along on your next road trip? That’s just more work and one more thing you have to do to prepare for your vacation!

Yes, it might take a little planning and be a little more work, but there are lots of reasons why bringing some of your own food with you when you travel is a great idea.

It saves you money

One of the biggest reasons to pack along food is because it will save you money.

Your vacation money is precious, and if you can use less of it on food so you can spend more of it on activities and other things that matter, you’ll be able to stretch your budget even further.

By taking a little time to plan for some good travel food ideas and grocery shop before you go, you’ll be able to plan your budget better and not blow all your food money by grabbing whatever you can find to eat at every gas station and vending machine to keep the family fed.

It saves you time

We all know that on vacation, time flies and it feels like we never have enough of it.

And while some of the experience of a trip is sitting down and eating a good meal, there are other days when you’d rather be hiking or exploring a museum or zoo and you’d rather not spend several hours finding a place to eat when all you want to do is go and see ALL. THE. THINGS.

On days like that, packing your own food is a life (and time) saver. Just whip up a couple of make-ahead meals from your food stash and throw in some snacks, and you can take the day to explore and then have nourishment on hand when the stomach growls.

You can eat healthier

Obviously, not all road trip food is healthy. But packing your own allows you to make healthier choices instead of being at the mercy of fast-food restaurants and gas station hot dogs.

Sure, you can definitely find salads and wraps and veggie trays at stores, but it’s not always guaranteed, so knowing you have some healthier items with you allows you to not feel guilty or forced to eat bad food when there isn’t much else to choose.

You have things you know you will eat

If you have picky eaters, there’s no guarantee you are going to find food choices they will like. If you pack along meals you know they will eat, it will save your sanity.

You can Have a picnic

Who doesn’t love a picnic? I know I sure do! It’s a great addition to the ultimate road trip experience! When you have all your food with you already, you can have a picnic anytime it strikes your fancy!

Keeps you from getting hangry

My husband will attest that I can get hangry pretty easily, and my son seems to have inherited that trait from me as well. We need to eat something every few hours, and if we don’t we get crabby. And then that makes all of us crabby which can ruin the day if we aren’t careful.

So by having something to eat with us wherever we go, we don’t have to worry about a lack of food ruining an otherwise amazing day.

Non-food items to pack for a road trip

If you’re going to eat on the road while traveling or if you’re camping, you’ll need some additional items to prep and store your food as well as clean up afterward. Here’s a list of things to bring with you.

• Plastic plates, cups, and cutlery (plastic is nice because you can wash them and reuse them a few times)
• Paper towels
• Bamboo/reusable straws (better than paper since you can reuse them)
• Hand sanitizer
• Ziplock/storage bags
• Plastic tote for storing food (a much easier choice than bags)
• Reusable water bottles
• Coffee mugs/thermos
• Cutting board & knife
• Sponge, bucket, dish soap

How to keep your food organized on a road trip

So you’ve got your food, you’ve got your non-food items, and now you’re ready to hit the road. But how do you keep everything organized so you can find what you’re looking for? Here are a few road trip tips to keep your car from getting cluttered.

Use plastic containers/totes to organize

I’ll admit I’m guilty of just shoving all my food into Aldi bags, throwing them in the back seat, and calling it good, but every time I’m looking for something, it takes me way longer than it should (not to mention everything ends up spilling everywhere).

So buy a couple of clear plastic containers to put your food in and make it easier on yourself.

The nice thing with these is that you can see what’s in them, you can write on them with dry-erase markers so you know exactly what’s in them, and they stack nicely in the car. So much better than grocery bags.

Everyone has their own reusable water bottle

Rather than having a bunch of half-drunk plastic water bottles piled up everywhere and nobody knows whose is whose, get everyone their own bottle or mug so there’s no confusion and less trash.

Use small storage bags for individual servings

It’s usually cheaper to buy a larger bag of something than a bunch of smaller bags of the same thing, so to save money, buy that large box of Cheez-Its or popcorn or potato chips or whatever you’d like and divide them up into separate smaller bags.

Not only will you save money, but it makes it easier to divvy up the snacks among the group without passing around the larger bag, and you can also control portions better (because I know it’s not just me that will mindlessly eat that whole sleeve of cookies because it’s just sitting there).

You can even buy reusable silicone ones so you can wash them and use them again instead of throwing away the plastic ones constantly.

Have clean-up items close by and easily available

It’s bound to happen. You’re reaching back for something and you knock over a cup, or one of your kids drops their bag of Goldfish, and then you’ve got a mess to clean up.

Have a separate small box or bag with clean-up supplies (paper towels, wet wipes, sponge, upholstery cleaner, etc.) so when the accidents happen, you can take care of it quickly and move on.

Keep a garbage can/bag in the car

It’s something so simple that will keep your car much cleaner and organized. Designate a plastic bag or get a garbage can for the car and discard your items in there instead of hoarding a pile on the floor of the car until the next stop.

Conclusion: Non-Perishable Food Options For Your Next Road Trip

Purchasing food ahead of time for your next road trip will help save you money and time, and non-perishable items are perfect so you aren’t restricted by having to have a cooler or fridge. And if you’re looking for road trip food on a budget, most of these food items fit the bill!

I hope this list gives you some great choices for your next vacation!

Want to save this for later? Pin it!

Stefanie Henne is an experienced road trip travel blogger who specializes in helping others plan their dream vacation, no matter their budget or time restraints. Go here to read more about Stef's story. If you want to send Stef a message, visit her contact page here.

We value your privacy

Privacy overview.

• Work With Jen
• USA Bucket List
• Follow Us On Instagram

Road Trip Food List: Easy to Pack Meals & Snacks

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

Are you looking for a road trip food list that includes the best road trip snacks and other food to bring on a road trip?

Road trips can range from being budget-friendly to out-of-this-world expensive if you do not plan ahead, especially when it comes to eating food.

The temptation to grab a snack at every gas station, as well as to eat out at restaurants or gorge on fast food, can really start to add up in terms of money and wasted time.

One way to save money and time while road tripping, however, is to bring your own food!

By making a road trip food list and packing fun road trip snacks, you’ll avoid having to stop and spend as much.

Our road trip food list includes easy road trip snacks, as well as portable breakfast, lunch, and dinner options – plus, a FREE Road Trip Food List printable to take with you to the grocery store.

The links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Road Trip Food List: Breakfast

One of our absolute best family road trip tips is to leave bright and early in the morning when starting a long road trip.

As the most important meal of the day, luckily, having breakfast on the road is the easiest meal to eat cold and on the go.

If you decide to hit the road early, or if your hotel en route doesn’t offer a free breakfast, plan ahead by bringing along these simple road trip breakfast foods.

Our tried-and-true road trip food list awaits!

Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

• Yogurt tubes and granola bars
• Muffins, donuts, and scones
• Bagels and cream cheese
• Squeezable applesauce
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Peanut butter, banana, and granola wrapped up in a tortilla
• Make-Ahead Fruit & Yogurt Breakfast Parfaits

Additional planning tip: For added morning fun, use the category “breakfast foods”, “brands or cereal”, or “types of fruit” while you play a road trip word game .

Road Trip Food List: Lunch

When it comes to planning for lunch and beyond, your road trip packing list should always include a reliable portable cooler .

Whether you chill made-ahead sandwiches, salami & cheese, fruits, or veggies, there are so many awesome road trip food ideas when it comes to having lunch on the go.

What we love about these road tip lunch ideas is that they keep us out of congested cities and fast-food drive-thrus during the busy noon hour.

Road Trip Lunch Ideas

• Premade sandwiches with deli meat and cheese (make them extra fun by using shaped sandwich cutters !)
• Peanut butter sandwiches (skip the jelly to avoid sogginess)
• Pita pocket with mozzarella, tomato, basil, turkey, cheese, hummus, cucumber, and/or tuna salad
• Home-ade Lunchables with summer sausage, cheese, and crackers
• Tortilla with cream cheese, sliced olives, and pepperoni
• Veggies and single-serve packs of ranch dressing, hummus, or guacamole
• Pre-assembled Salad In A Jar

Road Trip Food List: Dinner

If there is one meal that you choose to splurge on, I recommend stopping to have dinner at a roadside restaurant or cafe.

Though this may not be your final destination, experiencing another city in this way will help you check more places off of your family travel bucket list !

If you’re not keen on stopping, however, here are the road trip foods we enjoy that are tasty and hearty enough to serve as dinner.

Road Trip Dinner Ideas

• Cold rotisserie chicken, chunked and served with a garden salad (package in a disposable salad container )
• Pre-made pasta salad, such as Pizza Pasta Salad
• StarKist ready-to-eat tuna salad in an avocado half or on a bun
• Chicken and pickled veggies in pitas
• Hummus veggie wrap

Additional planning tip: If you’re road tripping in the winter when driving conditions are much more unpredictable, packing extra road trip food is an essential component of your winter road trip packing list .

Road Trip Food List: Snacks

In my opinion, snacks   are the No. 1 way to keep everyone (including you!) happy on a family road trip.

Homemade snack mixes and individual pre-purchased snacks are also a great way to help cut costs associated with buying food on the road.

For this reason, I suggest assembling an entire tub filled with fun and appetizing snacks and surprises that you know your kids will love.

We use these  16-quart storage tubs from Sterilite  that are the perfect size, price, and durability!

Road Trip Snacks Ideas

• Chips and pretzels
• Animal crackers (Suprise them with Barnum’s Originals !)
• Filled crackers (peanut butter, cheese)
• Nuts (cashews, almonds, peanuts)
• String cheese, Babybel, Laughing Cow cheese wedges
• Fresh or dried fruit
• Healthy no-bake cookies
• Candy and gummy candy

Be extra organized for your family road trip by clicking the following image to get your FREE family vacation packing list that is both customizable and printable!

Travel Snacks for Toddlers

Road tripping with toddlers presents its own set of challenges and requires additional thought when it comes to toddler-friendly road trip activities and food.

(It’s much harder to keep a close eye on them when they’re in the backseat, and you’re in the front.)

When considering toddler road trip foods, the most important thing is to avoid giving them anything to eat that could be deemed a choking hazard.

In addition, opt for healthy versus overly sweet options that may give them a tummy ache.

Our favorite healthy toddler car snacks and road trip foods include:

• Graham crackers
• Snap pea crisps
• Applesauce and/or yogurt pouches
• Cheese sticks
• Soft mini muffins
• Whole-grain crackers
• Bananas and/or this apple slices

9 Essential Tips For Traveling With Food

As seasoned travelers, we’ve assembled a list of tips for traveling with road trip foods and make-ahead hotel room meals.

• Use up your most delicate fruit first when on long-haul road trips.

In other words, start by eating bananas and berries, then move on to more sturdy produce such as apples and oranges that don’t spoil as easily.

2. Every family needs an organized packing strategy !

When it comes to road trip food, tortillas, pitas, or other sturdy flatbreads work better to bring along than do loaves of bread. They take up a lot less room and do not risk getting smashed.

3. When packing a cooler with items that need to stay chilled, be sure to lay the ice on the top, versus the bottom of the cooler.

This is because cold air sinks and will, therefore, disperse itself more evenly if laid on top of the food.

4. Aim to open the cooler only 1 or 2 times a day in order to maintain its refrigeration and keep the ice from thawing.

5. Also, make all food, including snacks, easily accessible throughout the duration of your family road trip.

This prevents someone (likely mom or dad!) from having to constantly bend over the back seat or stop to open the trunk every time hunger or boredom hits.

6. Avoid bringing anything made of glass on your road trip, including glass food containers. Glass is heavy, bulky, and very dangerous when broken within the confines of your family vehicle.

7. Assemble and bring along a road trip kit with the following road trip essentials for spills, clean-ups, and car sickness:

• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Garbage bags
• Ziplock bags
• Napkins/paper towels
• Saltine crackers and motion sickness medicine

8. Each time you stop while on a road trip, don’t forget to pitch any garbage that has accumulated.

This prevents build-up and smelliness.

9. Head to the grocery store with our FREE printable checklist and purchase all of your road trip food in one shopping trip!

If you enjoyed reading our best Road Trip Food List , click here to check out our Related Posts:

• Top 10 Tips for Planning a Family Road Trip (And Enjoying it Too!)
• 7 Road Trip Word Games to Play in the Car With Kids
• 18 Amazing “Are We There Yet” Road Trip Activity Bags
• Top 16 Tips for Flying With Kids & Ways to Keep them Calm
• The Ultimate Guide for International Travel with Kids
• 8 (Unexpected) Benefits of Traveling With Kids

*Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find our exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

Similar Posts

Daytona Beach Family Fun: A Complete Guide to a Day on Daytona Beach

9 Best Things to do in Grand Marais in One Day

Glensheen Mansion Tours: Top 5 Tips for a Fantastic Visit

The Best Seafood in Siesta Key: 8 Must-Try Eateries

An Inside Look At The Office Experience & What to Expect

Minnesota North Shore Scenic Drive Must-See (Amazing!) Stops

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Thank you for the road trip food list and travel tips.

You’re welcome! Was there something you saw that you hadn’t thought of before? Happy travels!!

This is a great list as we also big in road trip. Snacks is so important especially to keep them from asking are we there yet. Haha… I myself like peanuts to keep me awake when it’s my turn to drive.

Thanks for reading and for sharing your favorite road trip snack!!

This is such a comprehensive list and it is so helpful as I predict a lot of us will be going on more road trips once we can. Prepping these meals will definitely save some money and help the kids feel less bored. I know that my kids are usually pleased munching stuffs during road trips. I also like that it is more likely for the road trip snack to be more healthier than what you’ll buy elsewhere.

Thank you! Yes, the health factor of pre-packing is a big one, as is the enormous cost savings 🙂

I like to have a good mix of healthy (kids like apples, those are easy to eat) and snacky/salty. I am also very particular. about road trip drinks. Big coffees, la croix, iced tea!

I like your ideas! We’d be good road trip buddies!

Find Even More

Find your next vacation destination!

Connect on Instagram

Find out where we’re traveling now!

Make the memories now

You don’t have to wait until your kids are more grown up or you have a ton of money saved to start traveling.

With a little planning and a lot of love, lifelong family vacation memories can be made at all ages, stages – and places both near and far.

Destinations

• Attractions
• Girls’ Trips
• U.S. Cities
• All-Inclusive Resorts
• Universal Orlando

Free Printable

Free packing list printable when you subscribe for the latest travel updates!

Travel With A Plan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Family Vacation Packing List!

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

101 Road Trip Food Ideas: Best Fun and Healthy Snacks You’ll Love

Posted on Published: November 18, 2020  - Last updated: June 21, 2023

Who doesn’t love a good road trip? Better question: who doesn’t love a good road trip snack? Well here’s a mega list of road trip food ideas that you’ll want to pack along.

One of the worst things that can happen on a road trip is running out of food and dealing with a hangry family member. Don’t let that happen! Keep your ride peaceful with these road trip snack ideas!

This list of road trip snacks goes beyond gas station junk food and difficult-to-eat-on-the-go meals. The best road trip foods are convenient, satisfying and healthy (but also sometimes not!)

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my  disclosures .

On this mega list of 101 road trip food ideas, you’ll find:

Healthy road trip snacks, homemade road trip snacks.

• High energy foods on the go

Road trip snacks for kids

Vegan road trip snacks, ideas for your sweet tooth, meals for road trips, packing tips and food containers.

• Essential supplies you’ll need

Best road trip food

As someone who checks off bucket list locations and takes many road trips every year, I know my road trip food. 🙂 It’s important for food to be portable, easy to eat in the car and it needs to be able to travel well.

Some of the food ideas below you’ll want to prepare and package up at home before you hit the road. Be sure to pack a cooler to keep foods fresh as needed.

Note: stick around to the end of the list for the best packaging solutions and containers . Because it matters when packing food for a road trip!

You want something convenient and healthy, right? Well it’s just as easy to grab an apple for a long car ride as a bag of Doritos!

Now, before you head to the store to buy a bunch of fruit, make sure to think through them all. Like bananas…

Bananas are not a good option for road trips, as they get mushy. On my road trip to Moab, Utah, the bananas I packed split open and made a mess of my reusable grocery bag. So skip the bananas, okay?

Here’s the list of healthy road trip snacks

• Sugar snap peas and ranch
• Healthy granola (think savory seasoning, not sweet ingredients)
• Popcorn (my favorite budget-friendly snack using this air popper )
• Homemade trail mix
• Carrots and ranch
• Strawberries
• Sugar-free, gluten free muffins
• Veggie chips (store bought or homemade)
• Blueberries
• Basil, tomato and mozzarella salad
• Rice cakes with nut butter
• Cottage cheese and almonds
• Pita chips and hummus
• Healthy zucchini muffins
• Yogurt with mix-ins (just watch the sugar content)

Next let’s dive into the things you can make – or bake – from home. My kiddos always ask for a few of these on every road trip. Their favorite on our way to Glacier National Park was # 20 below!

• Rice crispy bars
• Or their yummy cousin, fruity pebble bars
• Other cereal bars – think Cheerios, Lucky Charms…the possibilities are endless!
• Paleo, keto and Whole 30-friendly nut bars
• Cheese quesadilla
• Pretzel hugs (just don’t pack a bunch – they’re addicting!)
• Ditch the flour with these black bean brownies
• Sweet trail mix (DIY – just throw pantry staples together!)
• ‘Cookie’ protein balls
• Almond bark with mix-ins
• Spicy roasted cashews
• Peach oatmeal muffins

High energy foods on-the-go

Sitting in the car can be B-O-R-I-N-G and an energetic snack can help to pick you up. Or if you’re driving an all-nighter like I did from Omaha, NE to Gulf Shores, AL , you’ll need some energy to get you through the long drive.

Here are some of my favorite high-energy snacks for the car:

• Greek yogurt
• Ham, chive and cream cheese pinwheels
• String cheese
• Cinnamon apple energy bites  
• Hard boiled eggs
• Energy bars ( RX bars are my favorite for road trips and hiking snacks)
• Salmon in a pouch
• Favorite energy drink (as needed) for driving over night

Let’s focus for a minute on food for little ones. While most road trip food on this list can be given to kids, there’s just some foods that are naturally designed for kids.

Pro tip: make sure to give the kids healthy road trip snacks first. It’s way harder to get them to eat an orange after having a bunch of chocolate. Don’t ask me how I know. 😉

Just a quick note: many of these food are pre-packaged which isn’t the most eco-friendly way of traveling. However if you balance it with homemade and reusable packaging when possible , it lessens the environmental impact.

Kid-friendly road trip snacks:

• On-the-go yogurt
• Homemade double chocolate zucchini muffins (my kids go crazy over these!)
• Kid-friendly trail mix
• Suckers (or any long-lasting sucking candy)
• Applesauce pouches
• Pirate’s Booty
• Fruit snacks (save money by buying them at a bulk bin grocery store)
• Pepperoni slices and cheese cubes
• Baby carrots
• Juice boxes or pouches
• Kid-friendly pinwheels
• Fun cheeses, like Baby Bell or Laughing Cow
• Raisins or cranberries
• Healthy toddler mini muffins

Also make sure out check out the 15 Things to Pack on a Road Trip with Kids

If you’re more comfortable with the vegetarian or vegan diet, here are some great options for your next road trip. Many of these will need to be prepared or portioned out ahead of time. (See recommended containers below.)

• Veggie chips (sweet potatoes, beets, parsnips, etc.)
• Bell pepper slices and hummus
• Celery and nut butter
• Pumpkin cake pops
• Cherry tomatoes with vegan ranch
• Cinnamon apple chips
• Cajun roasted chickpeas
• Roasted pumpkin seeds
• Vegan lemon blueberry muffins (homemade)
• Chocolate-drizzled caramel popcorn

Okay there comes a point in the road trip where cravings take over. Some of my favorite food to take on a road trip are the special sweet treats. I just try not to pack too many!

• Yogurt dipped pretzels
• Puppy chow / muddy buddies
• Chocolate covered almonds
• Medjool dates
• Scotcharoos
• ‘Crack’ popcorn (candy covered popcorn with sprinkles)
• Homemade cookies
• Candied almonds (make them in the crock pot before you leave to save money)
• Gummy bears, or chocolate covered gummy bears
• Your favorite candy bar (mini size bags are perfect for sharing)

It’s sometimes nice to plan stops for gas or stretching around mealtime. And eating out is nice and convenient when on the road!

But it can also really add up! If you’re on a budget trip , then eating out every meal isn’t always a great option.

Pro tip: make sure to pack items that you won’t mind eating cold or room temperature. I sometimes freeze snacks and to keep them longer and prolong ice in the cooler from melting.

One strategy my family uses for road trips is to pack food for the first meal in a cooler. We’ll stick other road trip snacks in there too, and if it’s a long road trip we’ll pack multiple meals.

Anyways, back to best meals for road trips:

• Egg salad sandwich
• Cranberry almond chicken salad wrap
• Pre-portioned salads (homemade or store bought)
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• Packaged tuna (not canned) and crackers
• Fruit salad (misc. fruit with a splash of honey and lime)
• Deli meat and cheese sandwiches
• Chips and guacamole (buy the small portion guac so it doesn’t go bad)
• Banana bread muffins for breakfast
• Gluten free strawberry oatmeal bars
• Milk, orange juice or iced coffee

More snacks to pack on-the-go

We’re almost there! Here are a few more ideas to add to your road trip food list:

• Water (of course this needs to go with!)
• Peanut butter filled pretzels
• Store-bought breakfast bars
• Mints or tic-tac’s (helps to pass the time)
• Traditional chips
• Sweet Tarts
• Hot Tamales (my husband’s favorite!)
• Yogurt covered raisins
• Dried fruit
• Jelly on rice crackers (use jelly packets for this)
• Mini cheese and cracker sandwiches
• Almond butter packets
• Sunflower seeds (what gets me through overnight driving)

So now that you have a ton of ideas, let’s move onto packaging. Breaking foods up into convenient portion sizes ahead of time saves a lot of headache – not to mention mess – in a moving vehicle.

Here are my favorite packaging solutions that are convenient, eco-friendly and ultimately will save you money.

Coolers – my family usually travels with a small, collapsible cooler in an easy-to-reach spot in the car that’s filled with drinks and snacks. Then we put meals and back-up drinks in the large cooler in the back.

Collapsible containers – great for making meals ahead of time and takes up less space in your car.

Mini containers – perfect for dips, trail mix, salad dressings and kid portions. I love these mini containers for road trips! I’ll even use them for snacks that I buy while on the road.

Reusable water bottles – my whole family has reusable bottles that we use for water on road trips. We usually put filtered water in old milk jugs (that have been cleaned) to refill water bottles throughout the trip. These water bottles are perfect for hiking or beaches, too!

Portable silverware set – perfect for meals, yogurt and to eliminate the need for plastic utensils during drive-through’s.

More supplies for your car

Alright now that you have your food list and packaging solutions, it’s time for the extra supplies that may help on the road . These are items I pack that help with snacks and meal times.

• Paper towels/napkins
• Gallons of filtered water for refills
• Wet wipes for sticky fingers
• Anti-bacterial gel
• Sharp knife for food prep (as needed)
• Plastic bag for trash

Road trip food – that’s a wrap!

Well there you have it! 101 ideas for road trip food! With a huge variety of options, you’re bound to find some you can buy or make ahead for your upcoming trip.

Hope you have a great trip, stay safe and satisfied!

Check out these fun road trip destinations you’ll love: Perfect Colorado Itinerary: 22 Road Trip Stops You Need to See 16 Midwest Road Trips: Scenic Routes You Can’t Miss Miami to Key West Road Trip: 22 Awesome Activities You Need to Do Denver to Moab: 16 Gorgeous Stops Along the Way

Find this article helpful? Save it now or share it on social media!

Wednesday 12th of May 2021

These are great ideas, thanks! We are just doing a big road trip in a few weeks, so this is perfect timing! Thanks!

Welcome, Erin! Have a great time on your road trip!!

Tuesday 11th of May 2021

Wow great ideas! Love this list and so many options!

Thanks... it was a fun one to create!

Awesome list! I definitely saved on Pinterest for later 😊

Glad you got some inspiration from this list! :)

Sunday 22nd of November 2020

Wow! This is one epic list of the best road trip snacks! Love it!

Monday 23rd of November 2020

Thanks - glad you found it helpful!

These are such wonderful and creative suggestions! :) Need to bring some peach oatmeal muffins for my next road trip :)

Oh yes Jiayi! They're so good!!

Get a free week of meal plans & grocery lists!

Workweek Lunch

• Browse Recipes
• Meal Prep Tips
• Meal Plan Subscription
• The WWL Team

Get our free meal planning template!

Road Trip Food: How To Pack Food For A 7-Day Road Trip

April 9, 2024 | by Workweek Lunch | Leave a Comment

One of the most exciting parts of our cross country move was planning all of our road trip food! I can’t wait to share how exactly we planned meals for this seven-day trip from NYC to Seattle, where we stayed and my best tips and tricks for eating healthy on a budget on the road.

What's In This Post

Planning Our Road Trip

I’m the planner in my family, so plotting out a road trip across the country was my responsibility. I loved every second of it. My app of choice is called Roadtrippers . I’ve used it for years to plan amazing road trips and I think it’s well worth the cost of $35/year, even if you only do one big road trip in a 12 month period. It’s way easier to plan a road trip with this app in comparison to using something like Google maps.

Even though we could have done a much longer trip, because this was a moving road trip, we decided to do it in 8 days, following almost the most direct route to Seattle. We aimed to average about 6 hours of driving per day and pretty much no sightseeing.

If you want to do a sightseeing road trip, you shouldn’t do more than 4 hours of driving/day.

We chose this route because not only is it more direct, but it also came super close to Glacier National Park. So we designed the trip around stopping there for two nights to be able to get a taste of the park, instead of just one night.

How we chose where to stay during our cross country trip

We did a mix of Airbnb, camping, hotels and glamping on this trip! The variety was awesome and I’m glad we branched out of Airbnb, to be honest.

Having a hotel one night was perfect after a night of camping and sleeping on the ground. And Airnbns that had access to laundry came in handy in the middle of our trip, since we packed pretty light!

Every Airbnb also had a fridge which helped us with taking food on this trip and preparing meals for the road.

Here are the places we stayed, all of which were affordable/budget in price but not always in feel!

• Airbnb in New Wilmington, PA –
• Fancy Airbnb in Chicago, IL
• Airbnb in Minneapolis, MN
• Campsite in Bismarck, ND
• Hotel in Lewistown, MT
• Glamping Site in Lakeside, MT (Glacier)

How I Plan Meals For Road Trips

Meal planning helped us save a lot of money and reduce stress during this trip. I approached it the same way I approach regular weekly planning by focusing on breakfast, lunch and dinner for myself and my partner. It was overwhelming at first, but once I filled in where we’d be and thought about the amenities we had at each place, it was easy.

While your approach to meals really depends on the type of road trip you want to take, my golden rule is to eat one takeout full meal per day .

When you’re sitting in a car for hours, it’s more fun to snack and it’s really nice to end the day with a big meal, rather than eat takeout multiple times and feel overstuffed and sleepy in the car. This method also saves money , which is important to me (but maybe not important to you!).

That being said, if I were designing a trip around visiting different foodie spots along the way, I would approach meal prepping and takeout very differently. This move was not a foodie trip, but we did make a point to try local beer and coffee everywhere we stopped.

Our trip was one week long, so it was easy to plan with an excel spreadsheet. If you want to try out our regular meal planning template/spreadsheet, you can download it here !

How much food cost on our road trip

My partner and I were pretty focused on saving money with our move happening at the same time. We spent about $1,500 total on the trip, including lodging, food, gas and random/emergency stuff.

This trip was all about driving.

Our Road Trip Grocery And Food Packing List

• Old fashioned oats*
• Peanut butter*
• Canned tuna*
• Pre-mixed salad bags
• Olive oil, salt, pepper and cooking spray*
• Cheddar cheese
• A small milk bottle
• Brown sugar*

The list above includes some ingredients we purchased before the trip as well as some that we grabbed from our pantry (marked with an *). We spent a total of $50 on groceries before the trip.

We also packed homemade baked banana bread and cookies!

During the trip, we spent about $30 on groceries we needed for cooking, like our two camping meal and a few picnic lunches . For these meals, we just needed fresh veggies and proteins to cook with! We kept things super simple and by the end, I was a little bit sick of tortillas.

Where We Stopped Ate On Our Cross Country Road Trip

The list below includes places we would eat at again, which we, unfortunately, can’t say of every place we stopped at.

Youngstown, OH (coffee): Culture House Coffee

Granger, IN (beer): Bare Hands Brewery

Minneapolis, MN (dinner): Red Cow

Bismark, ND: Stonehome Brew Pub

Lakeside, MT (dinner): Tamarack Brewing Co

Lakeside, MT (breakfast): Glacier Perks Coffee House

We spent about $200 total on restaurants during this trip! We stuck pretty well to our one takeout meal per day, so we only spent $28/day for two on food. I’m happy with that!

Easy Meals To Make On A Road Trip Without Equipment

Overnight oats.

Here’s our Master Overnight Oats Recipe if you want to try it out!

Fresh Wraps

Here’s an easy no-cook wrap recipe that would be perfect for road trips.

Crunchy Salads

This is more of a hack – pre-made salad kits are so easy to find in grocery stores on the road, and you can customize them however you like.

Meals You Can Cook While On A Road Trip

With the help of our stove and access to grills/a campfire, we were able to cook several meals on our trip.

Grilled Wraps & Paninis

We had a blast eating apple cheddar quesadillas at a rest stop! We happened to have apples and cheddar with us, but you can use really anything. All you need is a portable stove, a small non-stick pan and cooking spray to make it happen.

Loaded Campfire Baked Potato

You really can’t go wrong with a loaded baked potato or sweet potato. All you need is foil, your favorite kind of potato, cheese and any other baked potato fixin’s you like!

Roasted Veggie Wraps

We made these grilled veggie wraps on a grill at our KOA campsite! They tasted so good with just a dash of salt and pepper.

How We Cleaned Our Cooking Equipment On Our Road Trip

So we made a point to stay at places every few days with access to a sink or area to clean our dishes. We brought dish soap, a sponge and paper towels with us to do light cleaning at the campsites as needed. It wasn’t such a big deal! At the end of our road trip, we just loaded up the dishwasher with all our camp cooking equipment for a final wash.

How long does food last in a cooler on a road trip?

I highly recommend the cooler we bought for families or people going on long road trips. It’s not great for solo travel, as it was almost too big for us!

Every other day, we put a new bag of ice in the cooler (purchased at a gas station) and drained it before adding a new bag of ice. By the very end, some of the food definitely smelled a bit inside the cooler – but not in a bad way. We may have not kept up the ice re-stocking toward the end as well as we could have.

All in all, no food spoiled on our trip. Everything made it through the seven days, and whatever we didn’t eat we were able to store in our fridge when we got home.

Essential Equipment For Packing Road Trip Food

Bamboo Travel Utensils  – love these compact utensils for travel meals!

Coleman Cooler – we loved this cooler! It fit all our food

Mini Camp Stove – essential for when you don’t want to/can’t make a campfire

Food Containers – we used these to store food and as bowls!

Stasher Bags  – useful for dry snacks for any travel occasion

Small Non-Stick Pan – perfect for cooking on the camp stove

Cast-Iron Pan – ideal for campfire cooking

Cozy Flannel – I wore this every day of the trip! Super handy for the transitioning summer/fall weather.

I hope this inspires you to plan an epic road trip and stay within your budget!

If you want more travel meal ideas, here are some other posts that could help:

This post contains affiliate links.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign me up for the newsletter!

Love From Our Members

“I just had to send a message to say thank you SO much for your plan. I was so sick of spending so much money on groceries and this past week I only spent $40 which is soooo much better than the $100 I was spending a week for just me and my husband (!) I’m vegetarian and my husband is not—we have both loved every meal so far!”

“I am SO grateful to have found WWL and I am so happy to be a member. Originally I signed up for 6 months to see if I’d like it or keep up with it, now I regret not doing a full year. Absolutely will be renewing. Soooo happy!”

“I am SO impressed with how amazing the meals are! I shared with my mom, my boyfriend, and my work and they were all raving about how delicious they were! also LOVE the way you approach eating healthy! thank you so much”

“I have cut my food waste down to virtually zero with your program and having less food waste makes me feel so much better about my eating!! Thanks so much again for the amazing program”

How Can We Help?

• Cooking for Couples & Families
• Time Saving Tips
• Meal Prep on a Budget
• Intuitive Eating

Our Recommendations

• Kitchen & Meal Prep Tools
• Meal Prep Containers
• Intuitive Eating Resources
• No Re-heat Meal Ideas

Road Trip Food Ideas: Packable Snacks and Make-Ahead Meals

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I (The Winding Road Tripper) earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more . 

Are you planning a road trip and looking for snack and meal ideas that are convenient, mostly healthy, and money-saving? Then look no further.

We love a good road trip and one of our favorite things is packing fun snacks and meals to eat along the way.

This list of road trip food ideas will give you everything you need to plan all of your food for your next road trip. 

We include both refrigerated and non-refrigerated options to help you free up space in your cooler or to provide you options if you don’t have a cooler on this road trip. And we also share our tips for packing your cooling and restocking while on the road. 

Let’s dive in and find some mouth-watering road trip food ideas.

What Makes for Good Road Trip Food

When packing road trip snacks and meals, it is important to understand what makes for good road trip food. Not every meal or snack works well on the road. 

When coming up with your meal plan here are a few things to keep in mind when picking out your road trip food.

Try to focus on these types of foods when planning your road trip:

• Easily packable
• Easy to clean up
• Individual packaging 
• Easy to open
• Finger food
• Avoid strong odored food
• High protein and fiber (to keep everyone feeling fuller longer)

Road Trip Healthy Snack Ideas

Road trips are all about the snacks. And, of course, we always include our favorite sweet treats. 

But we also try to pack a bunch of healthy snacks to keep the hunger monster away and keep us energized until our next meal break. 

Non-Perishable Healthy Snacks

• Dehydrated fruits and vegetables (Mango is our favorite)
• Trail mix (w/o chocolate)
• Laughing Cow Cheese and Crackers
• Roasted almonds
• Whole apples
• Sunflower seeds
• Homemade energy bars, such as no-bake peanut butter energy bars  

Cooler-Required Healthy Snacks

• Fruits and vegetables, including celery, grapes, cut apples and pears, and baby carrots
• String Cheese
• Individual hummus, dressing, or dips for fruits and vegetables
• Spicy Hummus and Veggie Jar 
• Crackers and cheese
• Pre-packaged all-natural smoothies that come in drinkable containers
• Dark chocolate

Road Trip Indulgent Snack Ideas

Indulgent snacks are an essential part of a road trip because they are fun, tasty, and decadent. In addition, indulgent snacks, such as potato chips and cookies, are affordable and easy to pack in individual plastic baggies. 

Non-Perishable Indulgent Snacks

• Banana bread
• Cookies, such as sugar cookies (they don’t melt) 
• Fruit leather
• Potato chips
• Pretzel, cracker, and peanut mixtures
• Snack cakes and cupcakes
• Boiled peanuts
• Snack box – Check out Amazon for some unique snack boxes. We love the snack boxes from different countries.

Cooler-Required Indulgent Snacks

• Mini Roasted Vegetable Burritos 
• Peanut butter sandwiches
• Parfaits in a jar 
• Cheese spread for crackers
• Pudding cups 
• Power Balls

Make-Ahead Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

Enjoying a road trip often means early days and breakfast on the go. These make-ahead breakfast meals are perfect for those early mornings.

Non-Perishable Breakfast Ideas

• Granola bars
• Cake Donuts
• Power Scones – A Winding Road Tripper Favorite
• Whole fruits

Cooler-Required Breakfast Ideas

• Parfaits in a jar (see recipe above)
• Rainbow fruit kabobs with yogurt dipping sauce
• Bagels and cream cheese
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Peanut butter, granola, and banana wrap

Make-Ahead Road Trip Lunch Ideas

Make-ahead lunch meals provide easy-to-eat food items if you plan on driving through lunchtime. Road trip lunch ideas are perfect if you want to take a break, stretch your legs, and have a roadside picnic lunch. 

Non-Perishable Lunch Ideas

• Nut butter with pita chips
• Snack packs with crackers, grapes, and peanut butter
• Rice cakes with peanut butter
• Pita bread with canned tuna and mayo packets

Cooler-Required Lunch Ideas

• Vegetables with ranch, hummus, guacamole, or veggie dip
• Premade lunch sandwiches with deli meats and cheeses
• Salad in a jar
• Fruit salad
• Cucumber sandwiches
• Pita pockets stuffed with turkey, cheese, hummus, and cucumber
• Homemade lunch packs with summer sausage, crackers, and cheese
• Tortillas rolled with olive cream cheese and deli meat (such as turkey or pepperoni)
• Roll-up or pita sandwiches, such as a chicken tortilla wrap 

Make-Ahead Road Trip Dinner Ideas

Road trips are often exhausting. And by the time you make it to your destination, you may be ready to shower, eat dinner, and get some sleep. Making dinner meals ahead of time allows you to do these things while eating comfortably in your hotel or campsite. 

Non-Perishable Dinner Ideas

• Canned chili and cornbread
• Couscous and white beans, topped with salsa
• Garlic bread and marinara sauce (to go with the buffalo chicken pasta salad listed below)
• Microwave macaroni and cheese cups (if microwave is available)

Cooler-Required Dinner Ideas

• Salad topped with cubed rotisserie chicken
• Buffalo chicken pasta salad 
• Cold veggie pizza 
• Mediterranean pasta salad 
• Hummus and veggie wrap

Eating on the Road Non-Food Essentials

To help enjoy your preplanned road trip snack and meal ideas, it is helpful to pack some non-food essentials. Use this list to make sure you have everything you need for an easy and clean road trip meal time. 

• Paper plates
• Paper bowls
• Plastic cutlery — forks, knives, and spoons
• Sharp knife (for cutting fruits, veggies, and sandwiches)
• Paper towels or napkins
• Zip-locking food storage bags
• Plastic food storage containers
• Hard-sided cooler for trunk
• Soft-sided cooler for inside the car
• Reusable grocery bags to organize and store food
• Refillable water bottles
• Plastic trash bags

Protip: Splurge on Stasher bags (or any other silicon bag) for road trips. They are pricey but they are in your budget we highly recommend them as they are one of our favorite splurges. They are great to keep things dry in the cooler and to keep things organized and portioned out. 

More Road Trip Essentials: Road Trip Accessories You Need for Your Next Road Trip Family Road Trip Essentials: Things You Need to Pack for a Road Trip with Kids The Ultimate Camping Road Trip Camping List

Tips for Road Trip Meal Prepping 

Meal prepping before heading out on a road trip helps save time while on the road and makes grabbing snacks and meals easier. Additionally, road trip meal prepping helps ensure you have all the food, snacks, and beverages you need to keep everyone full and satisfied. 

• Create a list of meals and snacks to make ahead of time.
• Select meals with foods that can easily be mixed and matched together for more options.
• Choose finger foods to avoid the need for cutlery.
• Consider the trip length and plans to determine foods and how long ice will keep cooler-required foods cold.
• Pack ingredients for meals together using plastic and paper bags.
• Pack individual packets of condiments, such as mayo, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, and barbecue sauce.
• Clean and cut vegetables and store in individual size plastic bags for quick access.
• Split big bags of snacks into individual serving sizes.
• Consider storage space, such as how much room you have in the car and coolers.
• Keep things simple.
• Pack plenty of water or refillable water bottles to keep everyone fully hydrated.

Tips for Packing a Cooler for a Road Trip

Efficiently packing a cooler for a road trip means the difference between having all the foods you want and having to leave some food behind. Plus, the issue many road trippers face is their food getting soggy as the ice in the cooler starts to melt. 

• Use zip-locking plastic or silicon bags to keep ice in the cooler from getting things wet.
• Use zip-locking plastic or silicon bags to store food in the cooler in case ice bags break open.
• Keep what you plan to eat that day on the top, so you do not have to dig around the cooler, letting cold air out.
• Use leak-proof containers for meats and poultry, especially if raw, and pack these items on the bottom, separate from foods that will be eaten raw.
• To keep cooler food colder longer, freeze items, such as juices, and milk before packing in the cooler.
• Refrigerate items overnight before putting them in the cooler
• Keep the cooler full to help keep it colder longer.
• Layer food with ice bags, ice, or ice blocks (ice blocks take longer to melt than ice cubes).
• If not bagging ice, consider bagging some ice cubes to use for beverages.
• If possible, keep the cooler in the car instead of the hot trunk.
• If there is room, use two coolers, one for food and the other for beverages.

Tips for Restocking Food On Your Road Trip

When preparing meals for a road trip, you may realize that you cannot pack all the food you need for the duration of your trip. Additionally, you may run out of items sooner than expected because of excessive hunger or kids eating out of boredom.

• Make a list of everything you packed, and when you use items, mark them to know which items to pick up at the store. 
• Make a list of meals and snacks you could not fit in the cooler before leaving and use that to shop during your trip.
• To save time, check online for a grocery store ahead of you and see if they offer curbside pick-up. If so, order ahead of time for pickup, and you can save time not having to shop yourself.
• Consider shopping for fresh fruits, veggies, and homemade snacks at a farmers’ market where you stop for a night or two. Stopping at a local farmers’ market offers the opportunity to explore the area and restock your snacks and meals.

More Road Trip Tips: How to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip Best Weather Apps for Your Road Trip 20 Road Trip Hacks for a Stress-Free Road Trip

You Got This!

Preparing for a road trip may feel overwhelming, especially when you decide to do some meal prepping in advance. 

Don’t worry you got this. 

Use this list to help you prepare make-ahead food and pack the snacks you need for your upcoming road trip.

75+ Easy Road Trip Snacks To Pack, Grab & Go

Packed for Life contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure policy for more info.

Road trips are fantastic adventures to take with friends, family or solo. You’ll definitely need a road trip food list and all the best and easy road trip snacks for a successful trip. Because who wants hangry travel companions? Not to mention all those fast-food stops can really add up cost-wise. 

We’ve taken our share of road trips over the years, from cross country adventures to many, many multi-day road trips back and forth between our current home and where our extended family lives. Both as adults, and with kids ranging from months old to teenagers, and everything in between. 

With young kids, there is a strategy for finding the best road trip snacks . One’s that aren’t too messy, too crumbly, won’t stain or are low risk for choking.

Our road trip food list includes ideas for kids, adults, healthy car snack ideas , keto & gluten-free snacks. Plus tips for packing and what you’l l need to bring to pack all the snack essentials.

Table of Contents

Ultimate Road Trip Food List: Best Road Trip Snacks

There is something about road trips that lends itself to snacking on junk food and grabbing something somewhat edible to go from the gas station.

Vibrant orange Cheetos and a snickers bar are ok on occasion (hey, snickers has peanuts, that’s protein, right?).

While I’m all for a bit of indulgence on the road, let’s balance it out with foods that won’t leave you feeling sluggish or weird at the end of the day.

Here are some of the best road trips snacks around.

Healthy Road Trip Snacks

Let’s focus first on healthy road trip snacks. Many non-refrigerated prepared snacks are full of sugar and things that are hard to pronounce or spell.

While I do like the convenience, as there are soooo many details when planning a road trip (like this one from Boston to Acadia) . Just make sure to check the ingredient list first. 

We’ve broken up the healthy road trip snacks into those requiring a cooler and those that are non-perishable, to make planning a bit easier.

⭐️ Or check out some healthy & delicious snack recipes here

Healthy Road Trip Snacks Non-Refrigerated

Sometimes you need a boost of energy and nutrients on the road. Having a few non perishable snacks for travel on hand makes things easier.

From dried fruit to granola bars, here are some fun ideas for non-refrigerated road trip food to pack:

• Fruit; apples, blueberries, grapes, cherries
• Fruit Leather
• Dried fruit – dates, apricots, figs, mango
• Granola Bars
• Protein & Healthy Snack Bars
• Trail Mix / Homemade Trail Mix
• Roasted Legumes 
• Cheese Crisps 
• Homemade muffins
• Mary’s Gone Crackers
• Tuna – the little cans (come in many flavours) with pull tab 
• Bread – pizza buns, PB&J, pretzel buns etc.

Learn some tips for making a trip meal plan.

Healthy Road Trip Snacks That Require A Cooler

Many of these car snacks can be replenished along the way at a local grocery store. If you know there will be long distances between towns, make sure to stock up on travel food, and ice for the cooler before you leave for the day.

• Pre-Cut veggies – carrots, peppers, cucumbers, radishes, celery
• Cut up fruit for a sweet treat – pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew melons
• Energy Balls / Protein Balls
• Crackers and cheese
• Charcuterie plate – get all “fancy” with crackers, cheese, olives, salami, pepperoni, dried fruit
• Sliced meat -roast chicken, turkey, beef
• Yogurt / Yogurt drinks
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Broccoli Cheese Bites
• Egg Bites – ham, cheese, peppers, spinach
• Egg Muffins – olives, feta and sundried tomato
• Sausage rolls
• Stuffed Grape leaves (or buy canned food version for ease)
• Chicken wings
• Hummus Packs & pita bread/pita chips ( my daughter loves dipping pretzels in hummus)

Essential Road Trip Snacks

A road trip is not a road trip without your favourite road trip snacks. I mean hey, you gotta live a little, and you are on vacation, right. Splurge a little. These are good additions to add on occasion. 

I fondly remember our summer road trip each year where we were given a 5 pack of Hubba Bubba gum to chew as we pleased throughout our holiday. As the flavour would be gone in 5 minutes, we soon had chipmunk cheeks full of gum. 

Whether you are road tripping through the States to Bryce Canyon National Park , or taking a weekend trip up Vancouver Island, Canada to the sea side town of Parksville, BC , you’ll want to pack some yummy snacks.

Essential road trip snacks non refrigerated

These non perishable road trip food ideas are a great option for a little bit of a treat when you’re craving a little bit of sweet or salty goodness.

Sweet non-refrigerated snacks for your sweet tooth:

• Dark Chocolate
• Cookies – Homemade chocolate chip is the best 
• Candy – I like to add some gummy bears and smarties to the trail mix to get a little indulgence and some protein/fat at the same time.
• Licorice, small packs of oreos
• Rice Krispie Squares
• Black Bean Brownies

A salty non-refrigerated snack or two :

• Potato Chips
• Corn Chips & Salsa
• Plantain Chips
• Salted, roasted sunflower seeds

Road Trip Snacks For Kids

In addition to the other essential family road trip snacks mentioned previously, here are some additional classic road trip snacks kids will love. These aren’t just for kids. I like checking out the lions and camels in animal crackers with the best of em’.

Packing their favorite high-protein snack with some healthy fats, will tide them over til their next meal.

Here are some easy kid-friendly travel snacks for your next long road trip:

• Cheese strings
• Babybel Cheese
• Fruit Pouches or Smoothie Fruit Pouches (no refrigeration needed)
• Nut butter pouches
• Moon Cheese
• Seaweed Snacks
• Green Pea Crisps (Black Pepper is our favourite)
• Apple Crisps
• Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
• Yogurt – small containers or drinks
• Veggies & dip – Baby carrots, snap peas, cucumbers
• Ants on a log – Peanut butter & raisins on celery
• Fresh Fruit
• Goldfish crackers
• Animal Crackers
• Kids Trail mix – combine pretzels, goldfish, smarties, cereal, nuts (almonds, cashews, macadamia, brazil, hazelnuts etc.)
• Bagels & cream cheese or nut butter
• Cereal 

You may also like fun, practical RV Gift Ideas for Happy Campers

Staying hydrated is an integral part of any road trip. I know the tendency is to try not to drink too much, so there are fewer bathroom breaks. Gas Station and pull-out restrooms are NOT my favourites either. 

Drinking water is essential and should be the number one choice, but sometimes you want something a little more exciting. Here are some other healthy road trip drink options:

• Coconut water
• No sugar added fruit juices 
• Flavoured Sparkling water (or fizzy water as we call it in our house)

Road Trip Food List: Road Trip Snacks for Special Dietary Needs

If you are road tripping with special dietary requirements or restrictions, packing your own food will be the best option. Taking a rest stop and buying travel food at convenience stores may or not pan out.

Best to be prepared with your favorite road trip snacks on hand. Just in case.

Keto Road Trip Snacks

If you are strict keto, then packing some low-carb snacks will help prevent the temptation to stray, “just this once.” Not to mention these are all yummy, so the non-keto peeps in your road trip party will enjoy them as well.

• Beef sticks
• String Cheese
• Cheese Crisps
• Seaweed Sheets
• Giant Pickles
• Pecans, Macadamia nuts, Brazil Nuts
• Olive snack packs 
• Berries – raspberries, blueberries
• Coconut Chips
• Cherry tomatoes, Cucumbers
• Celery sticks & Peanut Butter or cream cheese
• Fat Bombs or Keto Nut Butter with MCT Oil packaged

Gluten-Free Road Trip Snacks

The majority of items listed above can be gluten-free, as long as you watch the ingredients list and check the labels of pre-packaged food. Here are a few of our favourite gluten-free snacks/brands:

• Seaweed Snacks – Sea Snaxs – salty cruncy goodness!
• Cheese Crisps – Whisps and astronaut cheese Moon Cheese
• Gluten-Free Bars – favs include these mini Gluten-Free Bars and their cousin the Gluten-Free Bites
• Nut Butter packets – Yumbutter (twist-off tops)
• Chips – Late July (often available at Costco too)
• Jerky – Country Archer Jerky or their beef sticks
• Beef Sticks – Paleo Valley Beef sticks
• Crunchy, Salty, Protein Snacks – Hippeas Puffed Chickpeas

PRO TIP: We pack everything in small stackable Rubbermaid containers.

Non-Food Items To Add To Your Road Trip Packing List

Now that we’ve got the most crucial thing sorted, SNACKS, let’s move on to the non-food items you’ll need to add to your road trip packing list. 

Reusable Items; Cutlery, Water bottles, Containers and more

We like to bring reusable items on our trips as much as possible to cut down on waste. It’s also quite easy once you get the hang of it and make bringing these along part of your routine.

Here are reusable items you’ll feel good about using and bringing on your next road trip:

• Cutlery – Knives, Forks, Spoons, 
• Dishes – Cups, Plates, Bowls
• Coffee Mugs, Thermos
• Straws of many colors
• Plastic, glass or stainless steel containers
• Water Bottles
• Cloth Fruit Bags 
• Bento Boxes
• Chopping Board
• Garbage bags – reuse grocery bags

Pro Tip: A few empty plastic, stainless steel or glass containers are super handy to have in the car just in case. Empty containers can do double duty as dishes, store leftover food, and hold sandwiches or snack packs for the next day. They also can become emergency crayon/toy holders in a pinch.

👉 You may also like Tips to save money on road trips .

Storage & Cleaning Supplies

• Reusable Ice Packs 
• Hand sanitizer
• Paper Towels & Wet Wipes (not just for kids, awesome for road trips)
• Washing items: Sponge, tub, biodegradable dish soap

PRO TIP – We pack everything non-perishable into small stackable Rubbermaid containers to keep things organized.

Travel Backpacks

We like to make sure both adults and the  kids have their own travel backpack for the road trip.

A good travel backpack can be used for many things. These include hiking, storing road trip activities and entertainment, using as a pillow in a pinch, plus provides easy access to a couple of snacks, and a handy change of clothes.

Essential for when you have a fully packed vehicle. Staying organized is easier.

How to Pack For a Road Trip: Tips for Keeping Snacks Organized

Snacking Tote – Yes, those Pinterest road trip hacks will come in handy. Grab a small plastic Dollar Store Caddy / Open Tote that you can throw your snacks into that don’t need to be cooled. As well it can hold entertainment items (crayons, books, small toys, magazines etc.). Reorganize and restock at the end of the day, for your next day’s adventures.

Water Bottles – Bring a stainless steel water bottle for each person. If you are travelling in the summer or in hot weather, freeze the bottle the night before, take it out in the morning, and it will melt as the day goes on. 

Handing out food – For young kids, bring a spill proof snack cup (it will fit in the cup holders), and fill with snacks.

Snack Bags – For older kids/adults, make each person a snack bag before your trip; they can keep with them. Avoids the constant asking for snacks, and they can monitor their own snacking. Of course, this will depend on the age of your kids. 

Clean-Up Kit – Kids, adults, toddlers all on occasion make messes. Have a clean-up kit handy just in case; wipes, paper towel, extra water, change of clothes.

Garbage Bag for the car – Have a designated garbage bag for the car, to keep the garbage contained. Empty or replace at rest stops. Reuse plastic grocery bags. 

Road Trip Coolers

A cooler is the essential item to add to your road trip packing list. It will provide you more flexibility with the types of snacks and food you can bring.

You may even want to cook up some make ahead vacation dinner recipes and keep them fresh too.

We’ve outlined some things to think about and a few great road trip cooler options available on Amazon, to help you out. 

Here are some things to consider before buying a cooler :

• How long is your trip?
• How much space do you have in your vehicle? Where do you want to put the cooler?
• How much food will you need? Can you stop at grocery stores along the way to replenish supplies quickly (ie. can you get away with just a day or two worth of food)

Best Overall Cooler ( Size and Holds the Cold) – Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler

This Yeti Roadi 24 Cooler is narrow, so it easily fits behind the seat , is well insulated, which holds the cold, and is lighter than previous versions. It can also be transformed into a stool if you buy the cushion. Plus it comes in cool colours.

Best Family Cooler & Long Road Trips – ORCA ORCP026 Cooler 

This Orca Cooler is a top pick for size and flexibility . It can hold a lot of food and ice, which can be kept frozen for up to a week or more. Plus it has cool whale tail latches.

Best Soft Sided Cooler – TOURIT Leak-Proof Soft-Sided Cooler Backpack

This Tourit Leak-Proof soft-sided backpack is an excellent option for shorter road trips or if you are planning a picnic or day at the beach . This leak-proof high-density insulated backpack can keep food cold for up to 3 days. It also has side pockets for extra storage.

Tips to Prepare For Your Road Trip

Check your road trip food list to see if there is anything you can do ahead of time, to make food prep and snacking easier while on the road. We recommend doing the following ahead of time:

• Make a Road Packing List, and check it off as you pack
• Wash and cut veggies and fruit
• Prepare sandwiches, meat slices, cheese slices etc.
• Prepare snack bags or snack tote – for easy grabbing
• Prepare your Clean up kit
• Pack non-perishable foods
• Pack your perishable foods in the cooler, right before you leave.

PRO TIP : Pack your car the night before you leave, to make sure everything fits. Make sure your cooler and essential road trip snacks are easily accessible. 

What foods are easy to pack?

Foods that are easy to pack for road trips include single serving foods such as applesauce or fruit pouches, granola bars, trail mix, string cheese hummous and tuna. Other easy foods to bring require a bit of preparation like sandwiches, whole fruit (apples, oranges and grapes), or baby carrots.

What Snacks are good for a trip?

Snacks that are good for trips are high in protein and contain some good fats, as well as one’s that are full of nutrients like fruits and vegetables. Our top picks for travel snacks include grapes, homemade trail mix, bagels with creamcheese or peanut butter, popcorn, energy balls, beef jerky, and cheese and multugrain crackers.

What can I eat to keep me awake when driving?

If you are trying to stay awake while driving, focus on eating crunchy foods like apples, carrots, celery and grapes, combined with protein like nuts, deli meats, nut butters or beef jerky. Make sure you are well hydrated (carbonated water is fun), and avoid eating too many sweet snacks as dehydration & sugar swings can also cause tiredness.

Chocolate or a little bit of caffeinated coffee or tea can also help you stay awake.

Road Trip Food List: 75+ Easy Road Trip Snacks

With over 50 delicious road trip snack options, you will find something for everyone in your party. Plus some tips to make packing and travelling easier.

Now all you need is your next road trip destination. Here are some family favourites:

• Zion National Park in Utah .
• What not to miss at Bryce Canyon in a day
• Big Sur California Road Trip itinerary; Best places to visit, eat & stay
• Boston to Acadia National Park

What are your favourite road trip snacks and favourite hacks for keeping food and snacks organized? Let us know in the comments below, or connect with us on social media, we’d love to hear from you.

Related Family travel tips and resources :

• Camping gift ideas outdoorsy kids will love
• Road Trip Packing List, all the essentials you’ll actually need & use
• 150 Road Trip questions to entertain your travel companions
• Best Anti-Theft Travel Bags

Packed for Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca.

Donna Garrison is the founder of Packed for Life, an ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with her family. With a unique perspective on travelling on a budget gathered over 30 years, 20 countries and 5 continents she gives families the tools & resources they need to experience the joys of travelling more for less through practical solutions. She helps over 20,000 families a month plan & take the family travel, camping and road trip adventures of their dreams in Canada, the USA and around the world. Contact her at: Donna [at] packedforlife.com

Similar Posts

Easy No Cook No Refrigeration Meals for Your Next Campout

If you’re heading to the great outdoors, these easy no…

Rise and Shine With These 25 Easy Vacation Rental Breakfast Ideas

Getting ready for your next family vacation but wondering what…

50+ Easy, Healthy Road Trip Snack Recipes: Road Trip Foods

Planning a road trip? It’s important to keep up your…

25 Family Vacation Dinner Ideas That Are Surprisingly Simple

When travelling with kids, there’s a lot to think about…

35+ Easy Make Ahead Camping Meals The Whole Family Will Love

Heading out on a family camping adventure and want to…

75 Best Road Trip Breakfast Ideas & Recipes (2024)

Looking for the best road trip breakfast ideas? We’ve got…

One Comment

Great tips! It gets better as the kids grow up and become less messy and fussy:)

Comments are closed.

Privacy Overview

Sharing is caring.

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!

• Skip to right header navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Follow Me Away

Couples Travel & Travel Photography Blog

• Middle East
• North America
• South America
• Photography
• Travel Tips

The Ultimate Road Trip Food Packing List

April 7, 2021 //  by  Follow Me Away //   Leave a Comment

If you are planning a road trip anytime soon, then you are probably looking for some ideas for delicious and healthy road trip food. You have come to the right place for yummy ideas! We have created lists organized by each meal of all our favorite road trip foods.

Packing your own food for a road trip is a great idea for multiple reasons. For one, it is a healthier choice. You don’t want to be bogged down by fast-food calories. Eating healthier on the road will help you feel good.

Also, bringing your own meals saves money because you will not have to eat out all the time. You’ll save time too since you won’t be stopping every few hours for your next meal.

There will also be less waste and trash build-up in your car from fast food wrappers, so it is a good environmental choice as well.

Besides, you want to spend your road trip looking for beautiful sights , not keeping an eye out for the next exit sign with the best restaurant choices. Having all your meals planned out ahead of time helps to make the rest of your trip less stressful. Food will be one less thing to worry about.

Okay, clean out your cooler and get your grocery list ready! It’s time to meal plan for a road trip! Keep reading for some of the best food for road trips.

Table of Contents

Quick Tips For Road Trip Food

Keep the cooler cold.

It might seem obvious, but it worth reminding you of how important it is to keep your cooler cold, especially on a long trip. To help with this, make sure to only open your cooler when necessary. By opening it as little as possible, you help to keep that cold air inside and prevent the ice from melting.

It helps to know exactly what you plan on taking out before you even open the lid. That way you can get what you need quickly without having the cooler open for long. Keep the contents organized so you know where everything is.

Also, consider putting your ice on top of the food instead of on the bottom. This way the cold air will move down and keep your food colder more efficiently.

Pack With Care

How you pack your road trip food plays a big role. You need to make sure everything is organized by how likely it is to get smashed. Softer foods go on top and away from anything that might shift and smash it.

Overall, consider packing snacks that won’t get crushed. Things will move around as you drive and you don’t want to open a bag of crackers and find only crumbs.

Another thing to keep in mind is where you put your cooler and food containers in your car. If they are far in the back, you won’t be able to easily reach them without having to stop. Make sure they are within arm’s length and also out of direct sunlight.

Don’t Bring Delicate Foods

Going along with the last point, you might want to consider leaving more delicate foods such as certain fruits at home. If not, eat them first before they get smashed or go bad.

Also, think about alternatives to certain foods. For instance, tortillas for wraps take up less space than a loaf of bread and also won’t get crushed.

Use a Filtering Water Bottle

Instead of bringing a pack of single-use water bottles, bring along a few reusable water bottles. These of course take up less space and are better for the environment.

Also, consider using a filtering water bottle specifically. These water bottles will keep your water tasting fresh and clean, even when you have to fill them up at the gas station.

Use Two Coolers

Using two coolers will not only help you pack more food, but you will also be able to keep things more organized. One cooler can be used as your fridge and the other as your freezer. Use big ice blocks to keep things super cold in the freezer.

Avoid Too Much Sugar

Sugar is bad not only because it is unhealthy but also because of its effects. Too much sugar will lead you to feeling tired and sluggish, which is not want you want while on a fun road trip.

We’ve tried to list healthy road trip food options that are low in sugar, especially highly processed food. If you start to crave sugar try something with natural sugar like fruit.

Use Condiment Packets

Big bottles of ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise take up a lot of space, plus they need to be refrigerated after they are opened. Instead, try stocking up on individual condiment packets.

These packets can be stowed easily and won’t take up precious space in your cooler. Plus you can use just as much as you need, and you won’t be left with a bunch of half-full bottles.

Pack Non-Food Essentials

Along with food, you need to remember to pack all of the essentials that go with road trip food. Napkins and wet hand wipes will keep you clean before and after you eat.

Pack plastic or bamboo utensils that can easily be wiped clean and stored after use. Travel-worthy bowls won’t let food go flying with the movement of the car. Garbage bags will keep your car clean from litter and can easily be disposed of at a pit stop once they are full.

Another helpful thing to bring is a plastic cutting board. You can use this as a makeshift counter to prepare your food.

For any leftovers, use airtight containers to keep your food fresh. These containers are also more stackable. Alternatively, Ziplock bags might fit more snugly in your cooler.

Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and can really set your attitude for the rest of the morning. You want to eat a healthy road trip breakfast that will keep you going.

Foods like whole grains and nuts will keep you energized. Plus, they are better in the long run than a greasy breakfast sandwich from McDonald’s every day.

Yogurt makes a great starting point for a healthy road trip breakfast. Choose ones that have low sugar and are non-dairy to make it even healthier. The great thing about yogurt is how you can customize it. Mix in granola and fruit to add even more flavor.

You can make your own healthier version of an Egg McMuffin by using hard-boiled eggs and precooked, turkey bacon. Or try a filling bagel with cream cheese and jam.

If you like to bake, you can make some banana bread or blueberry muffins for a delicious road trip meal. These will keep better than the fruit alone as well.

If traveling with younger kids, a bag of dry cereal like Cheerios could satisfy.

• Hard-Boiled Egg and Bacon on English Muffin
• Fruit Such as Bananas, Strawberries, and Blueberries
• Bagels with Cream Cheese and Jam
• Croissants with Nutella
• Homemade Banana Bread

Road Trip Lunch Ideas

When lunchtime rolls around, you will want something a little more filling than breakfast. You can prepare road trip meals before you leave on your trip. Or you can bring ingredients that can easily be put together in the passenger seat.

Mix a salad in a Mason jar for easy packaging and consumption later. Use a Thermos to keep soup warm for the first leg of your journey or eat it cold later.

• Vegetable Wraps
• Pre-Made Salad or Salad in a Jar
• Soups in a Thermos
• Pre-Cut Summer Sausage, Cheese, and Crackers
• Ham and Cream Cheese Pinwheels
• Smoked Fish on Crackers

Road Trip Sandwich Ideas

Sandwiches are such a go-to easy lunch idea, why not create a list specifically for them? Not all sandwiches have to be the same and there are so many ways to make them with different ingredients.

You can make these sandwiches traditionally with bread or mix it up by rolling the ingredients up in a tortilla. Premade salads such as egg or chicken are great on bread, just add some lettuce. You can also use single packets of tuna that do not need to be refrigerated.

• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Chicken Salad
• Hot Dog Sandwich
• Pizza Sandwich with Pepperoni and Cheese
• Cucumber With Cream Cheese
• Peanut Butter, Banana, and Honey

Best Road Trip Snacks

The road trip snacks you choose can really make or break your trip. You will want to bring snacks you like. Healthy road trip snacks will leave you feeling good physically and mentally.

Also, bring a variety of snack types so you won’t get bored of what you are munching. Have a mix of salty and sweet so you have the best road trip snacks for whatever you are craving.

There are so many healthy and organic choices for snack foods these days that this road trip food category is easy to prepare for. Most of these ideas can easily be bought off the shelf and packed as they are.

If you want to keep portions small, open your bags and boxes of snacks and separate them into smaller containers. This helps if you have kids, too, since then each kid will have their own treat.

Another tip if you have kids is to have them help prepare the snacks ahead of time. They can help make the no-bake bars and cookies or dip pretzels in melted chocolate. This will make them excited to try their creations and give them something to look forward to during the ride.

• String Cheese
• Clementine Oranges
• Pita with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips Rolled Up
• Goldfish Crackers
• Homemade Trail Mix
• Healthy No-Bake Energy Bars or Cookies
• Carrot Sticks
• Celery With Peanut Butter
• Bell Pepper Slices With Veggie Dip

Best Road Trip Meals For Dinner

Your road trip dinner should be easy to make and healthy as well. This is where meal prep comes in the most. Of course, you can’t cook while on the road, but there are plenty of road trip meals that you can eat cold.

Do some cooking before your trip so you are prepared to feed your family on the go. Things like soup, salad, and pasta are easy to make and come in so many varieties. They also keep well and can be easily stored in Tupperware.

Your meals do not have to be complicated to be good. Keep it simple! Pita and veggies dipped in hummus, for example, takes little prep and is a healthy road trip food idea.

• Hearty Soups
• Hearty Salads
• Pasta Salad or Cold Pasta
• Potato Salad
• Pita with Hummus
• Pre-Cooked Chicken for Wraps or Salad
• Pre-Made Pulled Pork on Buns

Best Drinks For A Road Trip

Road trip drinks are important in keeping you hydrated. Options like coffee and tea will keep you energized for hours behind the wheel. You will want healthy drinks to keep your calorie intake low when you are sitting for hours.

Consider the vitamins you can get from your drinks as well. Be mindful of what you are allowing into your body. Try making some health smoothies ahead of time or buy some bottled ones at the health food store.

Of course, water is the best choice health-wise. Plus it is free to fill up almost anywhere. Freeze your water bottles the night before so you can enjoy cold water throughout the day as it melts.

If riding in the car makes you queasy, try drinking ginger tea to settle your stomach.

• Pre-Made Herbal Tea
• Cold Matcha Tea
• Fruit Juices
• Healthy Smoothies
• Water with Refillable Water Bottles

At the end of the day, you will want road trip food that will keep you both happy and healthy. Overloading on a bunch of sugary food while sitting in the car for long stretches might not make you feel good about your choices. However healthy road trip snacks are great tasting and good for your body.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Join our Adventure: Get all my insider tips for motorhoming & road trips

25 Easy Make-Ahead Road Trip Meal Ideas they’ll love!

Planning a road trip? Looking for easy, make-ahead meal ideas, whether for a weekend break or a longer trip? Or maybe you want some easy recipes for meals on the road? Here are 25 great ideas for you!

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

JUMP AHEAD TO...

Easy Make-Ahead Road Trip Meals

I’ll be honest- planning meals for a road trip is one of the things I dislike most.

Don’t get me wrong- I like cooking and I DEFINITELY like eating … but I am not good at creating a meal plan.

I also have a daughter who has gone from eating whatever we give her to being more and more particular about what she likes- and she’d rather not eat at all than eat something she doesn’t love. At home, it’s pretty easy to cook separate meals, but in the van, it becomes a whole different issue- and it makes the process of meal planning a lot harder.

Why plan meals on a road trip at all??

Oh, I hear you. In an ideal world, we’d just head off into the unknown and see what we find. One of the things we enjoy most about travelling is sampling local foods and dishes and enjoying discovering new things.

Both Mr WB and myself are fairly easy to please and can make do with all sorts, but anyone with kids knows that it’s just not that easy. I also don’t want to spend my time on the road worrying about whether she’ll eat anything- so it makes MY life easier if I plan it out a little in advance.

Make planning your next road trip EASY (& fun!)

When you’re planning a road trip, keeping track & organising all your ideas is often the hardest part. Fix that TODAY with our printable pdf road trip planner. Grab yours FREE now

This form subscribes you to our mailing list. We share tips, itineraries, stupid mistakes and guides like this for road trippers and motorhomers.

We never spam (yuck) and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Road Trip Meal Planning

So, where do you even start with planning meals for a road trip??

For me, I break it down into 2/3 day intervals. Generally, we like to pop into a shop and buy fresh bread, fruit and other bits every 2/3 days. We don’t do MASSIVE week long shops when we travel- our fridge is nowhere near big enough to deal with that and there’s the worry about what happens if you lose power or gas? All that food will go to waste.

Of course, if you’re only going to a weekend, you can easily make-ahead several dishes and just heat them up- much easier.

TOP TIP for picky eaters- Make them choose some meals

One way I tackle our favourite picky eater is to get her to pick 5-7 dinners she will eat. (Annoyingly, this seems to change every week or so!) I also make her come shopping with me- I find if she chooses it, there’s a higher chance she’ll eat it.

While we’re on the subject of kids, here are some posts you might find useful:

• 21 EPIC Children’s car games & road trip activities
• 14 quiet time activities for kids, tweens and teenagers

Our Normal Road Trip Food shopping method

On a ‘normal’ two-week road trip to mainland Europe, this is my tried and trusted routine:

• Buy stuff in UK which we struggle to get overseas (see below)
• Make-ahead meals for first night or two
• Buy things as you travel (at local markets, supermarkets or Lidl)
• Do this every couple of days so we can buy fresh bread, fruit and croissants! Yum!!
• Try to ignore jeans not doing up….!! 
• Remember that people eat EVERYWHERE and try not to overbuy before you leave the UK.

This system has worked fairly well for us. It’s allowed us to discover new things, let Jade choose what she fancies and my stress levels don’t get too high trying to plan out a whole weeks worth of meals.

What about perishable foods?

We have a fridge which works both whilst we’re driving (battery) and when we’re parked up (gas). So we bring a small amount of perishable food with us- milk, cheese, ham, meat, yogurt, fruit, bacon.

We don’t buy too much in case there is a problem and the fridge breaks- it’s always been a little tempermental and is the part of the motorhome I trust the least!!

Easy Road Trip Recipes

When I’m on a road trip, especially if it’s a holiday, I don’t want to spend hours of my time in the galley, prepping, washing, chopping, cooking and washing up!

Here are a few easy recipes we use and love. Most only use one pot and many can be made in advance if you prefer.

5 easy road trip Breakfast ideas

• Greek Yogurt and fresh fruit
• Muesli/ cereal
• Scrambled eggs in a wrap or on toast (toast is HARD to cook on a gas hob though!)
• Bacon/ sausage sandwich (bring your own bacon from the UK. Alternatively, look in European supermarkets- but it won’t look the same. It’s usually much thinner and cooks MUCH faster.)
• One Pan English Breakfast 

Note how those went from fairly healthy to full-on delicious! I’m making myself hungry!

10 easy Lunch ideas for a road trip

We tend to do lunch as we travel- or if we’re exploring we’ll treat ourselves to a cheeky lunch out. Just don’t do that at Neuschwanstein Castle ! ( Jeez- you thought Norway was expensive!!!! )

• Fresh crusty bread and… anything. Cheese, ham, tuna, butter, garlic cheese, crisps, chicken, leftover beef, fish fingers…
• Salad. We try and add some fruit or salad in where possible- we’ll pretend to be healthy every once in a while! If we’re parked up I love to fry up some chicken and pop it onto a quick salad with avocado, tomatoes and peppers. Or try these delicious healthy salad recipes . TOP TIP- WASH your salad. Even the ones in bags. They don’t always wash it in Europe. It also doesn’t seem to last as long (that might be the heat) so don’t over buy.
• Grilled Cheese (see below for recipe)
• Couscous (see below)

I have still not found a decent way to make toast in the van. It’s an ongoing process that I will continue to work at! Still, Grilled Cheese sandwiches are a perfect snack:

Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

• Sliced Bread
• Cheese (Cheddar and Mozzarella work well)

Butter bread thinly and put butter side down into hot frying pan (not too hot and use butter, not oil.) Add slices of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Add other slice of bread on top, butter side up. After a couple of minutes (when bottom slice is brown but not burnt), flip sandwich over. Grill for a couple of minutes. For an extra touch, transfer sandwich to oven tray and bake in oven at 170’c for 5-7 minutes until cheese is totally melted.

Burritos are basically large wraps, with beans and/ or rice added into the wrap. One of the easiest ones is the bean and cheese burrito, but you can easily add in meat, sauces and any leftovers you might have.

Ingredients: 

• 1 whole-grain tortilla wrap
• 1 medium-sized can of black beans (cook in advance if needed)
• Cheese- sliced or grated

Simply spread ingredients over wrap, fold in all ends tightly and enjoy!

5 Easy Road Trip Sandwich ideas

Sometimes, simple is best. Here are some easy road trip sandwich ideas:

• Sausage or Bacon Sandwich – great for breakfast or lunch!
• Ham/Chicken/ Salami Sandwich – with or without cheese
• Jam or Peanut Butter Sandwich
• Egg Mayo Sandwich
• Tuna sandwich

Couscous is magical. Lighter than rice and so versatile. I make a big helping of this and it lasts for lunch and dinner quite happily.

The trick is to double the amount of liquid to cous cous. One cup couscous= 2 cups stock. I love to use chicken or vegetable stock. Nothing fancy; those little cubes in some boiling water are just fine. Stir until the cube disolves, then pour it over the couscous. Leave to stand for 10 minutes. The beauty of this is you can add whatever you like to it. We like lemon, mint, feta, avocado, red peppers, spring onions, celery… the list is endless. I generally make a bowl of plain couscous and we each add different fillings to it.

10 easy or make-ahead road trip meals for dinner

Ahhhh… now this is the fun part. Everyone’s been driving in the exact same motorhome for several hours… and as soon as you arrive somewhere and the van is parked up for the night, they all turn to you and ask ‘what’s for dinner?’…!

All of these recipes take no more than 30 minutes or you can make many of them ahead for the first few days of the trip.

TOP TIP- Be kind to yourself. Many people dislike ‘pre-made’ sauces, feeling that they’re ‘cheating’ if they don’t cook everything from scratch. But it’s your trip too, so don’t be judgemental about sauces from a jar. Yes, there might be a bit more sugar or salt- but it’s a heck of a lot better than a pizza or McDonalds. So be kind to yourself and make things easy.

Some easy or make-ahead meal ideas for dinners on the road:

• 3-way mince (Bolognaise, Chilli, Savoury)- can be made in the slow cooker

Spanish Omelette

• Easy make-ahead taco Bowl

Chicken Quinoa

• Pea/ Pesto Pasta

Cheats Pizza

3-way mince: bolognese, chilli or savoury.

Here’s the recipe for 3 way mince bulk cooking. You can get savoury mince, bolognese and chilli from 1 pack of mince. It’s the perfect ‘make-ahead’ recipe and is very easy to heat up on the road.

1 pack of 500g mince makes 5 meals: 2 x savoury mince 2 x chilli 1 x bolognese

Start with chopped onion, pepper, garlic and grated carrot all in one large pan with a little oil (or butter) until softened.

Split the mix between 3 pans & add the mince. Cut it long ways in the packet before adding so it’s easier to break up in the pan.

You can add any vegetables at this point. Previously I’ve used courgette, mushrooms and aubergine, all finely chopped. You can get 6/7/8 kinds of vegetables in there!

Brown the mince on a low to medium heat so it doesn’t clump together, break it up with a spoon as it cooks.  Add the seasoning to the chilli pan (cumin, turmeric, chilli powder, garlic powder and paprika) and garlic powder to the savoury mince & bolognese pans. 

Once browned, strain peas & sweetcorn (one small can of corn & 1 small can of peas and add to savoury mince pan.

Add one can of chopped tomatoes to the chilli pan & 1 to the bolognese, stir through. Drain and rinse the kidney beans and add to the chilli. I used half a can of beans, I’ll save the rest for a salad.

Rinse the tomato cans out with a little water & add to the savoury mince pan. Stir in Bisto granules (or beef stock & maybe cornflour or thickener as needed). Add a little Worcestershire sauce & pepper to taste.

Taste & adjust seasonings if necessary.

Divide & eat, or store in the fridge until ready.

Many thanks to Phillippa from PhilyaBelly for the recipe – follow her on Instagram

Serve with:

• Spaghetti, rice or potatoes.
• Garlic or crusty bread
• Grated cheese
• Side salad if your family will eat it.

I LOVE this Spanish Omelette. It’s so easy to make and only uses one pan.

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped

Heat the oil in large frying pan. Peel potatoes and slice thinly. Put the slices in the pan with the onion & garlic. Cover the pan and cook until the potatoes are tender, turning them occasionally. Beat the eggs.

When the potato and onion mixture is cooked, add it to the eggs and mix together. Heat another spoon of oil in the pan, and turn the heat down as low as it will go. Pour the egg, onion & potato mixture into the pan.

The essence of this dish is slow cooking and it should take about 20 minutes. When there is no liquid left turn omelette over for 2 minutes. It’s now ready to serve and eat! Delicious- perfect with salad or french loaf.

Lamb Kebabs

Take 500g (4 people) of lean lamb mince and add spices (salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, paprika… whatever you like!) Mould into balls or around a skewer and cook on BBQ or in oven until browned.

If using BBQ and wooden skewers, soak the skewers in water for about 30 minutes first.

Serve with Tzatziki- Greek yogurt, mint, lemon and cucumber

Easy make-ahead Taco bowl

• 1 can of beef
• ½ of a small jar of salsa
• Bag of tortilla chips
• 1 can of beans
• 1 avocado/ guacamole

Warm beef and cook beans as directed on label. Mix and add on top of chips (can be warmed in oven) Add Salsa, avocado/ guacamole, sour cream and grated cheese as desired (we pop the whole thing in the oven to melt the cheese.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/4 tsp. herb de Provence (or any herbs)
• 1 cup. quinoa
• 1/4 cup. white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup. olive oil
• 2 green onions
• 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 4 cup. rocket/ lettuce/ salad
• 2/3 cup. olives, quartered
• 12 oz. tomatoes, halved
• Season chicken breasts with herbs, salt and pepper. Grill 3 minutes per side on medium-high or until cooked through.
• Cook quinoa as label directs.
• Mix vinegar, olive oil, green onions, Dijon mustard and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss half of the vinaigrette with cooked quinoa, salad/ rocket, tomatoes and olives. Serve chicken over quinoa with remaining vinaigrette.

Pea / Pesto Pasta

• Pasta  
• fresh or frozen peas
• Chopped chives, for serving
• Cook pasta. Drain and return pasta to pot. 
• While pasta is cooking, roughly chop 1 cup peas. Add ricotta and lemon zest and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. 
• Add ricotta mixture, remaining 1/2 cup peas, and pasta water; toss to combine. Sprinkle with chopped chives, if desired.

Alternatively, cook pasta, add several large spoons of pesto and some grated cheese and mix well.

Salmon with rice and vegetables

We eat salmon a lot- it’s very good for you.

Grill (or use a low-wattage air fryer ) and serve with rice, couscous (see above) and vegetables.

Sure, you can make your own dough and add toppings- and if that works for you, then go for it. However, we cheat.

• Grab 2 pitta breads per person and pop them under the grill
• You want them warm, but not ‘crispy’
• Turn over, and spread with pesto (green or red)
• Add mozzarella cheese, ham, salami, mushrooms… whatever you like!
• Grill until bubbling

If you’d like more inspiration, here are a couple of our favourite camping cookbooks:

Healthy Road Trip Snacks

We’ve done an entire post on 15 quick & healthy road trip snacks (many of them Keto friendly) but here are a couple more ideas for you:

• 1 large can of tuna
• ½ cup of cranberries
• A packet of whole-grain crackers

First, take the tuna out from the can and empty it into a bowl. Next, mash a whole avocado and add it with the cranberries into the tuna. Use whole-grain crackers to dip into your tuna.

Apple Cookies

• 2 green apples
• Peanut butter
• Dark chocolate chips
• Almond slices

Cut an apple into slices that resemble a cookie, then layer the rest of the ingredients in between two slices to make the snack look like an apple sandwich. The snack will stay fresh in an ice cooler for two days.

Barabrith – great snack for afternoon tea!

Other things:

Whilst we’re on the subject, don’t forget to bring:

• Washing up liquid
• Big scrubbing pad for BBQ if using
• cleaning supplies
• Kitchen roll
• Bottle/ can opener
• Mugs and glasses
• Tea/ coffee/ sugar

How else can I help you today??

• See the BEST Road Trip Journal to record your adventures!
• Show me essential Road Trip Accessories
• Get 100+ essential road trip songs (+ playlist)
• Help me plan my road trip
• See gift ideas for road trippers

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

Last update on 2024-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sharing is caring!

Similar Posts

3 Easy & Warming Winter Meals to Make in Your Camper

10 ways to stay fit on a road trip

15 Quick and Healthy road trip snacks to buy on the go (Keto approved!)

Hi Kat I’ve not tried these yet but they get a good review on Amazon. As I’ve bought the barbecue you recommended in your blogs I thought I would try to keep my new BBQ clean as I absolutely hate scrubbing it after use. Just bought a pack to try on our trip to France in September BBQ Grill Mat, Set of 5 Beeway® Non Stick Barbecue Baking Mats for Charcoal, Gas or Electric Grill – Heat Resistant, Reusable and Easy to Clean, FDA Aproved – Bonus 12″ Just thought you may also find these useful

They look amazing- let me know how you find them 🙂

The https://wandering-bird.com website is one of the best we have found, and the 15 Easy Road Trip Meal Ideas article is very well written and useful! Thanks and kisses! 🙂

I recommend a ridge monkey for camper van cooking. You can cook chicken breasts, steaks, poach eggs, bake a cake, make an omelette, and it also makes great toast!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The 10 Best Coolers for Road Trips

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

• Last Updated on May 25, 2024
• Published on May 6, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

Ice, ice baby. That seems to be the motto for anyone on a road trip with a cooler of partially melted ice rattling around cans of your favorite beverage. Coolers are one of the most common pieces of road trip travel gear. And it’s also one of the most annoying.

Even the best “premium” cooler from a big-box retailer couldn’t keep ice frozen for more than a few hours. By the end of every road trip day, the chunks were converted into moderately chilled water. Labels peeled from bottles and seeped into cheap food containers.

What. A. Mess.

So, after years of road tripping with cheap soft-sided coolers, cheap hard-sided coolers, and no-name gas station coolers bought on the fly, I finally decided to invest in the last road trip cooler I’ll ever buy.

But first, I had to do some research. And this is what I found. A collection of best coolers for road trips. And the most surprising thing I tested was a cooler that never needs ice.

Table of Contents

Best type of cooler for road trips, best practices for coolers on a road trip.

Best Overall

YETI Roadie 24 Cooler

Jump to Review

Best Budget

Igloo BMX 25-Quart Ice Chest

Best 12V Fridge

Dometic 35-Liter Portable Refrigerator

Best Durable

Pelican Elite 30 Quart Cooler

Bote KULA 5 Cooler

Best Budget Alternative

Coleman 316 Series 52-Quart Cooler

Best 12V Alternative

Euhomy 37-Quart 12V Refrigerator

YETI Tundra 45 Cooler

Out of the three types of coolers – soft-sided, hard-sided, and 12v – avoid the soft-sided coolers on a road trip. This type of cooler has the least insulation and typically only keeps ice frozen for a day or less.

12V coolers are wonderful because you never have to worry about buying a $3 bag of ice at a gas station to keep the contents chilled. However, the downside is that a 12V cooler only operates when the vehicle is running. Insulation helps keep the contents chilled while the vehicle is turned off, but only for short periods – maybe only hours.

The best type of cooler for road trips is a hard-sided cooler. These feature the most insulation of any type of cooler and can keep ice frozen for days. They are stackable, making it easier to pack in the car for a road trip.

Any manufacturer hesitates to definitively claim how long ice can stay frozen in their coolers. Instead, they will admit it can vary because of several factors – air temperature, quality of the ice, and initial temperature of the contents.

But there are some things you can do to get the best results out of a cooler of any type.

• Refrigerate the contents overnight before placing them in the cooler.
• Don’t overpack the cooler. For any times that don’t require refrigeration, only pack what you need until you can find ice again.
• Use quality ice. Ice vending machines at hotels frequently have weak ice that feels wet to the touch – this kind of ice will melt faster. Five-pound bags of ice at gas stations are usually the best kind of ice. Dig to the bottom to find the best bag of ice.
• Drain warm water from the cooler before filling it with ice. But leave the cold water – this can help chill the empty spaces between contents.
• Pack the cooler with ice. Any empty space inside a cooler means warm air, and warm air will melt the ice faster. Pack every cubic inch possible with ice.
• Open the cooler as infrequently as possible and immediately close the lid.
• Store the cooler somewhere inside your vehicle out of direct sunlight.
• Don’t leave the cooler in the car overnight if the outdoor overnight low is higher than your hotel room. Bringing the cooler into the air-conditioned room will help keep the cooler itself chilled and keeps your ice frozen for longer periods.

The Roadie 24 is the perfect road trip cooler that can fit in the backseat’s floor, hold enough food and drinks for up to four people for two days, and keeps ice frozen for 3-5 days.

Founded in 2006, YETI is a Texas-based company known for making coolers that keep ice frozen with thick insulation and a hefty price. Their lineup includes dozens of coolers ranging from small soft sided lunch boxes to enormous deck boxes for boats. Their Roadie lineup includes the Roadie 48 and Roadie 60 , both wheeled coolers, but the best cooler for road trips is the Roadie 24 .

The Roadie 24 is 17-inches wide and 14-inches deep which means it can fit in the floor of the backseat in most cars. The lid features a gasket for an airtight, leak-proof seal and quick-release latches. The integrated strap also makes it easy to carry the cooler between the car and hotel on lengthy road trips.

YETI’s legendary pressure-injected polyurethane insulation keeps ice frozen in the Roadie 24 for about 3-5 days. It has a 24-liter capacity that holds 18 cans with a 2:1 ratio of ice to cans. Ideally, you could do a 1:1 ratio with 24 cans. Interestingly, the Roadie 24 can hold most wine bottles with an interior height of 13.3 inches.

Pick up a few add-ons to make the most of the Roadie 24. The YETI Basket Accessory is a clear plastic tray 4-inches deep and half the width of the cooler, allowing you to keep food out of the melted ice. The YETI Thin ICE is a reusable freezer block that replaces the need for ice and can be frozen overnight in hotel mini fridges.

Durable hard shell

Excellent insulation

Easy to pack in the car

Easy to open the lid

Carrying strap is too short

This ice chest is one of the least expensive on this list and includes some great features for the price like a rugged hard shell, easy carry handle, and decent insulation to keep ice frozen for about 2-4 days.

Igloo has been making coolers in Texas since 1947, and their first all-plastic cooler debuted in 1962. The Igloo 25-Quart BMX Ice Chest is one of the latest innovations for long road trips in tough conditions.

The ice chest is compact, measuring about 13-inches deep and 20-inches wide, so it fits in the floor behind the front seats. It’s built tough with stainless steel hinge rods on the handle and rubberized T-latches on the lid. And the Igloo’s iconic swing handle makes it easy to grab the cooler and go between hotel rooms and destinations on road trips.

The blow-molded construction features 20% thicker insulation for greater performance. The cooler can keep ice frozen form about 3-4 days. The 23-liter capacity can hold about 18 cans with a 2:1 ratio of ice, the necessary ratio to keep this budget cooler’s contents chilled.

And if the 23 liters isn’t big enough for your road trip, try the Igloo BMX 52-Quart or 72-Quart , both with pivoting side handles for carrying.

Easy to carry with the swinging handle

Good capacity for the price

Rubberized latches eventually break

This electric fridge ends the dependency on daily bags of ice and keeps the contents perfectly chilled to a temperature you can set through a smartphone app, but it doesn’t perform well while unpowered and is a beast to carry into a hotel room.

Dometic has become the go-to brand for 12V fridges in DIY campervans and overlanding vehicles – and for a good reason. Their lineup ranges from the 25-liter to an impressive 100-liter , but the Dometic 35-liter Portable Refrigerator is the best 12V fridge for road trips.

Dometic fridges feature a rugged exterior meant for long haul uses in tough conditions. The additional Protective Cover wraps the fridge in a heavy-duty 1200D nylon that adds protection to your investment for road trips. With or without the cover, the lid pivots open from a sturdy latch, making it easy to quickly access all the contents. It’s large, though, taking up a 27-inch long and 16-inch wide footprint somewhere in your car.

Inside, the fridge has a 35-liter capacity in a large compartment at the front and a shallow shelf at the back that sits on top of the motor. The fridge can hold 50 cans since ice is never needed. The temperature can be manually set using the digital display on the front of the fridge or with a smartphone connected through their app.

The downside to Dometic comes when the power is turned off. The fridge weighs 37 pounds unloaded, which already makes it difficult to carry into hotel rooms. But if you can manage, the fridges include a household power adapter so you can keep it going all night.

Never needs ice

Rugged exterior

Smartphone app for monitoring

Large capacity

Poor insulation for unpowered use

Difficult to carry

This cooler is built tough using Pelican’s impressive designs for durable travel cases. Although the cooler’s shape is awkward for packing in the car and it’s difficult to carry, the cooler can keep ice frozen for days and the sloped drain makes cleanup easy.

In 1976, David and Arline Parker founded a mail-order home business to develop special equipment for scuba divers. One of their first products was a hard-shell waterproof case – the product the brand is most popular known for making. In 2013, the new consumer division added coolers, backpacks, and flashlights to their lineup.

The Pelican Elite lineup of coolers includes the 8 Quart Personal Cooler and 20 Quart Elite , both descent coolers for solo road trips. But the best cooler for road trips in their lineup is the Pelican Elite 30 Quart Cooler .

Pelican applied their impressive durability to the cooler’s design with a rugged exterior that can withstand the toughest punishment. The company offers a lifetime guarantee that if you manage to break it, they’ll replace it. The anti-sheer hinges and durable latches make it easy to open the cooler while also providing a great seal. And the four integrated cup holders on the lid’s top feature drain holes.

Two inches of foam inside the polypropylene shell provide adequate insulation to keep ice frozen for about 3-4 days. The interior has a 28-liter capacity which is enough for 22 cans with a 2:1 ratio of ice. The drain plug features a sloped channel so the water can drain without tilting the cooler.

If the 28-liter capacity is too small for your road trip needs, the Pelican 70 Quart Elite Cooler has more than twice the capacity with the same features. The additional Pelican Cooler Ice Pack can eliminate the need for buying bags of ice – the 2-inch wide reusable ice pack can be frozen overnight in a hotel’s mini fridge. And the additional Pelican Elite Cooler Wire Basket can keep food out of the sloshy melted ice.

Good insulation

Easy open lid

Lifetime replacement guarantee

Sloped drain

Difficult to carry with the integrated handles

Awkward size for packing in a car

The KULA 5 was built specifically for Bote’s lineup of paddleboards, but the bucket-sized cooler is also great for solo road trippers who want something portable and easy to carry.

After Corey and Magda Cooper moved to Destin, Florida, they fell in love with paddleboarding. But when they couldn’t find a decent paddleboard in the Panhandle region, they decided to make their own. A few years after founding BOTE, they expanded their lineup of paddleboards and kayaks to include coolers.

The KULA 5 “combines the best parts of a cooler with a five-gallon bucket.” Made from ABS plastic, the lightweight but durable cooler also serves as a seat. The swinging handle features a padded grip to make it easy to carry. The newest innovation is Magnepod – integrated magnets in many of the products that allows tumblers, coolers, and paddleboards to securely fasten to each other.

The insulation keeps ice frozen for about 1-2 days. The interior of the 19-liter cooler is small – 11.75-inches wide and 11-inches tall. It has capacity for about 15 cans with moderate ice. And the round interior works best with cans – square containers quickly take up lots of room. The lid is fastened with a rubberized T-latch and the leak-proof gasket prevents accidental spills in the car.

Lightweight

Small capacity

Expensive vs larger coolers

Poor insulation

Best for solo road trippers only

This budget-friendly cooler has a large capacity and durable design, but it lacks any latches on the lid. It’s still a great cooler for a road trip.

Founded in 1900 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Coleman is a brand synonymous with budget-friendly outdoor recreational equipment like tents, camp furniture, cookware, and coolers. Their impressive lineup of coolers ranges from inexpensive day trip options to road trip worthy insulated behemoths.

The Coleman 316 Series 52-Quart Cooler is their best cooler for road trips. The blow-molded design is tough, and the cooler can even function as a seat with a 250-pound capacity. The pivoting side handles make it easy for one or two people to carry the cooler. And integrated cup holders on the lid with drainage make it easy to keep your drinks nearby.

The 49-liter capacity can hold up to 80 cans with moderate ice. Thick insulation can keep the ice frozen for about 2-3 days. A drain hole makes it easy to drain the water, but you’ll have to tip the cooler to get it all out.

The cooler is 26-inches long, 15-inches deep, and 17-inches tall. It’s easy to pack into the car for a road trip. But if the 80-can capacity isn’t enough, you can also get the 70-quart , 120-quart , and 150-quart sizes. And their lineup of rolling coolers includes the 62-quart and 100-quart .

Durable design

No latches on the lid

Lid won’t stay open without support

Heavy when fully loaded

This 12V fridge is less expensive than its competitor, Dometic, but it stands up to the challenge with decent performance, great capacity, and the ability to plug into a 12V accessory outlet or household outlet.

Euhomy is a small U.S.-based manufacturer of countertop ice makers and portable refrigerators. Most of their products are made in China, but don’t let that discourage you from considering this budget-friendly alternative to Dometic.

The Euhomy 37-Quart 12V Refrigerator features a durable plastic construction with integrated handles. The lid is fastened with a latch and swings open from the back, providing quick and easy access to the contents. The fridge is about 14″ wide and 27″ long, taking up a small footprint in your car.

The fridge’s temperature can be set manually using the digital display on the front or with a smartphone through an app. The interior is divided into two compartments: a 2/3 front compartment with a 14″ interior height and a 1/3 rear compartment with less than half that height. The compartments act like a freezer and fridge with a 10-degree difference. The included wire rack makes it easy to remove all the contents at once. The 35-liter capacity can hold about 60 cans and the front compartment is tall enough for wine bottles or two-liter bottles.

But like other 12V fridges, this one fails when the power is turned off. Inside a hot car, the poor insulation means the contents’ temps will soar in about 3-4 hours. But the fridge includes a household power adapter, so if you carry it into the hotel room, you can plug it in overnight.

Integrated carry handles

Digital temperature display

Manual temp control with display or smartphone app

Inexpensive vs competitors

Debuting in 2008, the YETI Tundra features the impressive insulation that made the company popular for keeping ice frozen. The durable design and integrated handles make this a great cooler for road trips.

Founded in 2006, YETI is a Texas-based company known for making coolers that keep ice frozen with thick insulation and a hefty price. The Tundra series of coolers debuted in 2008 and is among their most popular, divided between carried coolers and rolling coolers. The YETI Tundra 45 Cooler is their best large cooler for road trips.

The Tundra features a durable plastic shell that can withstand the rigors of road tripping. The lid is fastened with rubberized T-latches that are easy to unfasten when you want to get inside. Measuring 16-inches wide and 25.5-inches long, it doesn’t take up too much footprint in the car.

3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation gives the cooler it’s famed insulating value. Ice stays frozen for about 3-5 days. The interior has a height of 11 inches so tall bottles, like wine or soda, can stand upright. The 33-liter capacity has room for 26 cans with a 2:1 ratio of ice, but you can get away with a 1:1 ratio and stuff about 35 cans into the cooler.

The cooler weighs 23 pounds when empty, so it gets heavy when fully loaded with food, drinks, and ice. Integrated handles in the molded exterior make it easy to get a grip. The Tundra also features integrated rope handles with a rubberized grip that makes it easy for two people to carry the cooler.

The Tundra 45 Haul is the wheeled version of the cooler – for an extra price. The solid tires are impact and puncture resistant and the curved aluminum handle folds down when not needed.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• share this article

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Jason Barnette | All rights reserved | Seriously, don’t steal my stuff

Share this Article

Did you enjoy reading this article? If so, then share it with your friends. Sharing is caring, after all.

Road Trip Snacks to Fuel Your Next Getaway

If you see a fork in the road, you know it’s time for lunch.

By SAVEUR Editors

Updated on July 16, 2021

Road trips are an American birthright, and if you're setting out on one, remember that you’ll need to eat. While we're firm believers in sampling local fare along the way , we also like to be prepared with plenty of home-packed meals and snacks.

Here are some sweet and savory portable eats to keep you fueled, from New Jersey's greatest breakfast contribution to standout empanadas to chocolatey cookies that will power you through even the most grueling overnight drives. Focus on minimally drippy road trip food that can be eaten without utensils.

On longer journeys, a portable stove and a cooler full of ingredients will satisfy cravings for a home-cooked meal. So pack the essentials , pick a point, and grab your keys, because these quick and easy road trip recipes can be whipped up in no time.

Fried Shredded Beef Empanadas

These crunchy empanadas, featuring shells made with masa, lard, and salt, are filled with tender shredded beef tossed in a spicy salsa. You can prepare the masa and filling in advance, but don't fill or fry the empanadas until just before eating. Adding baking powder and using an electric mixer are two secrets to light, puffy empanada pastry. Get the recipe for Fried Shredded Beef Empanadas »

Chicken Katsu Sandwich

Fried chicken keeps surprisingly well during extended road trips. You'll often find chicken katsu sandwiches lining convenience store shelves in Japan and they are just as good as road trip food. There are four key components to a classic katsu sando: a perfectly fried cutlet (in this case, chicken), Kewpie mayonnaise, Bull-Dog tonkatsu sauce, and the fluffiest Japanese milk bread. Get the recipe Chicken Katsu Sandwich »

Ham-and-Jam Hand Pies

Erin Ambuster and Casey Dominguez, owners of The Salty Owl café, serve these hand pies to travelers and locals alike in the Knox County Regional Airport in Owl’s Head, Maine. The ideal airport food is also the ideal road trip food: quick, portable, and tasty. Get the recipe for Ham-and-Jam Hand Pies »

Grilled Chorizo Sandwiches with Chimichurri (Choripán)

Casually eaten and widely beloved in Argentina, these grilled sausage sandwiches are great with a cold beer. Get the recipe for Grilled Chorizo Sandwiches with Chimichurri (Choripán) »

Fennel Seed Taralli (Italian Olive Oil Crackers)

Crisp, biscuit-like Italian crackers, taralli taste best baked until dry and golden-brown: the toastiness brings out and complements the flavors of the spices and fruity olive oil. Baking them atop a drying rack helps ensure an even browning all around, but if you don't have one, dry the taralli briefly on clean kitchen towel and bake them on a parchment-lined sheet. You can omit the fennel seed and replace with 1 ¼ tsp. coarsely ground black pepper if desired, or leave the dough plain. Get the recipe for Fennel Seed Taralli (Italian Olive Oil Crackers) »

Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate Chunker Cookies

There are chopped salted cashews in the mix; winey, sweet-tart dried cherries; chopped milk chocolate; and both chopped and melted bitter-sweet chocolate. You need a lot of chocolate—more than a pound!—and every penny that you put into buying great chocolate for these will come back to you in oohs, aahs and culinary contentment. There's no question that Chunkers are one of the world's great cookies. Get the recipe for Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate Chunker Cookies »

Seed Crackers with Lacto-Fermented Brine

Chia seeds! Lacto-fermented brine! It sounds like hippie food, but these seed crackers are addictive. Get the recipe for Seed Crackers with Lacto-Fermented Brine »

Meyer Lemon Sandwich Cookies

Fragrant Meyer lemon zest goes into these shortbread cookies from pastry chef and author Emily Luchetti. She then uses the sweet–tart juice to make a silky citrus curd that sandwiches two cookies together. Get the recipe for Meyer Lemon Sandwich Cookies »

Chestnut and Goji Berry Rugelach

Classic sweet rugelach get a Chinese twist with a filling of chestnuts, goji berries, and Chinese five-spice powder. Get the recipe for Chestnut and Goji Berry Rugelach »

Persian Herbed Frittatas with Fenugreek (Kookoo Sabzi)

This variant of the classic Iranian frittata-like egg dish has become a popular street food in London. Feel free to add walnuts, barberries, or raisins to make it your own. Get the recipe for Persian Herbed Frittatas with Fenugreek (Kookoo Sabzi) »

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies test the limit of exactly how much chocolate you can possibly pack into one cookie. Made with cocoa powder and more than one type of chocolate chip, this cookie's soft dough benefits from at least 4 hours of refrigeration, allowing the disks to stay thick and chewy when cooked. Plus, the dough will keep frozen for several months, so stash a few in the freezer to throw in the oven whenever you're hit with a craving for chocolate. Test Kitchen Director Farideh Sadeghin developed this recipe based off New York City's famous Levain Bakery. Get the recipe for Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies »

Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies

For these portable fruit pies, Georgia-based chef-restaurateur Hugh Acheson uses rice wine vinegar to make the flavors pop. Get the recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies »

Homemade Granola

Lightly sweet, perfectly crunchy, and with a mild vanilla flavor, this addictive granola is perfect served over yogurt or as an on-the-go snack. Get the recipe for Homemade Granola »

Pork Roll Breakfast Sandwich

These hangover helpers made with pork roll, the processed meat pride of New Jersey, are a road trip food to wake up with seat-side. Get the recipe for Pork Roll Breakfast Sandwich »

Fried Mozzarella Sandwiches

These crisp mini-sandwiches are deep-fried and filled with molten cheese. Get the recipe for Fried Mozzarella Sandwiches »

Olive Oil Crackers

Adapted from Anya Fernald's Home Cooked , this recipe for delicate, whole wheat-flecked crackers makes enough to feed a party, or last all week in your pantry. "The key to [their] crispiness is to roll out the dough extremely thin," the author writes. If the dough springs back at all while rolling, let it rest at room temperature for 5 minutes, then try again. Get the recipe for Olive Oil Crackers »

Indian Fried Banana Cakes (Mangalore Buns)

In the tropical Udupi-Mangalore region on India's southwestern coast, you'll find a sweet and fragrant puri made with mashed ripe bananas and cumin. The combination works better than you might expect, and these sweet, earthy doughnuts, called Mangalore buns or banana puri, are served hot, for breakfast with tea, or for a with spicy coconut chutney as a snack. Get the recipe for Indian Fried Banana Cakes (Mangalore Buns) »

Pimento Cheese Hush Puppies

At Lillie's Q , hushpuppies—little cornbread fritters you could eat like popcorn—get a dose of zesty pimento cheese for extra richness. Get the recipe for Pimento Cheese Hush Puppies »

The Ultimate Fried Chicken Sandwich

Raegan Steinberg, co-owner of Arthur's Nosh Bar in Montreal's hip Saint-Henri neighborhood, calls her partner chef Alex Cohen an "everything and the kitchen sink kind of cook." Called the McArthur Sandwich, this high-piled schnitzel-filled creation adapted from the restaurant is the perfect example of his genius. Pounded and breaded chicken is topped with sweet honey, salty dill pickles, and vinegar-y iceberg slaw, then served upon crispy challah toast. The secret to the crunchy yet hearty schnitzel breading: instant mashed potato flakes mixed into the breadcrumbs. Get the recipe for The Ultimate Fried Chicken Sandwich »

Abruzzo-Style Grape Focaccia

When this fluffy, oil-slathered dough bakes, the red and green grapes dotting it burst, releasing their sweet juices into the bread. Get the recipe for Abruzzo-Style Grape Focaccia »

Barbecue Trail Mix

This trail mix uses three kinds of nuts (cashews, pecans, Marcona almonds), two kinds of dried fruit (apricots, figs), cacao nibs, and a flurry of spices (cinnamon, cumin, and more). Barbecue sauce and bacon glazed with maple syrup add an irresistible savory-sweet tang to the snack. Get the recipe for Barbecue Trail Mix »

Molly O’Neill’s LongHouse Granola

The LongHouse scholars ate this granola for breakfast every morning of their month-long stay at Molly O’Neill’s house in Rensselaerville, New York. Get the recipe for Molly O'Neill's LongHouse Granola »

Pimento Cheese Sandwich with Homemade Pickles

Adding sriracha to the chunky pimento cheese recipe in this sandwich ups the spice factor and helps to offset the creaminess of the cheddar. Get the recipe for Pimento Cheese Sandwich with Homemade Pickles »

Roast Chicken Pan Bagnat with Olive Tapenade and Goat Cheese

This hearty twist on the classic Provençal pressed sandwich pan bagnat combines black olive tapenade, goat cheese, roasted chicken, and thinly sliced vegetables. Make it at least two to three hours before you plan to serve it to really let the flavors marry. This sandwich packed in the cooler is perfect as road trip food. Get the recipe for Roast Chicken Pan Bagnat with Olive Tapenade and Goat Cheese »

Corn Tamales with Tomatillo Salsa

The key to moist, flavorful tamales is not being shy about adding fat. Lard is traditional in Mexico, but you can use softened butter for vegetarian versions. Tamales are best eaten doused in salsa or hot sauce. This salsa verde has a fresh, tangy sourness (and kick of heat if you like) that helps cut through the richness of the masa. Get the recipe for Corn Tamales with Tomatillo Salsa »

Italian Pecorino, Parsley, and Anchovy Sandwiches

his crusty sandwich only calls for a handful of ingredients—pecorino, parsley, and anchovy—but has big flavors. Get the recipe for Pecorino, Parsley, and Anchovy Sandwiches »

Smoked Gouda and Apple Butter Sandwich

This combination is autumn on a slice of bread: sourdough spread with rich apple butter, topped with slices of mild smoked gouda and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Get the recipe for Smoked Gouda and Apple Butter Sandwich »

Keep Reading

Vanilla-Rose Ice Cream Sandwiches with Cardamom Toast

Sweet Fried Milk Buns with Ice Cream, Peanuts, and Cilantro

Ginger Matcha Ice Cream Sandwiches

Bastani Sonnati Ice Cream Sandwiches

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

No-Churn Coconut-Taro Ice Cream

Sri Lankan Fish Curry with Eggplant and Okra

Keralan Fish Curry

Grilled Corn with Pepperoncini Butter

Continue to Next Story

Want more SAVEUR?

Get our favorite recipes, stories, and more delivered to your inbox.

Road Trip Food: What to eat, What to Pack, and How to Save Money

Everything you want to know about eating on a road trip.

Everybody knows that road trip food has no calories, and you can eat all the snacks and frosty treats you want.

Okay, maybe that’s not really true, and you should plan on eating some fresh fruit and other healthy road trip snacks.

But what is true is that food is an important part of the road tripping experience, and traveling for food is an increasing driver (pun intended) of itinerary planning.

According to Destination Analysts , more than twenty percent of American travelers self-describe as being “passionate” about food and cuisine.

The only issue, especially if you’re taking a road trip on a budget , is that food can get pricey. Want to know how to spend a lot on your road trip? Eat every day.

That’ll rack up faster than you can say “Feed me, Seymour!”

Since you do actually have to eat, here are some ways you can keep your expenses lean while filling your belly, even if you’re taking a long road trip. This includes a mix of BYO and finding ways to save on local cuisine.

Before you go, download your free road trip packing lists, including one for your road trip food.

FREE Road Trip Packing Lists

First we’ll explore many ways you can save on food during your road trip, and then I’ve provided several suggestions for snacks, foods to pack, and easy meals that you can make while you’re on the road.

Best Road Trip Foods

There may be affiliate links in this post, which means we may get a small commission. It’s at no extra cost to you and helps keep TLT free. Everybody wins!

How to save money on road trip food

After a few epic road trips, I’ve learned how to save money on food without going hungry.

It’s possible to eat well without sacrificing because you’re watching your budget.

Don’t buy bottled water.

DON’T DO IT. I know it’s convenient, but a) those bottles take up a LOT of space, b) they’re expensive, and c) they’re horrible for the environment.

Keep a gallon (or more) container of water in the car. Start the trip with a frozen gallon of water in the cooler and you’ve got an efficient, space-saving way to keep your food chilled while simultaneously storing extra water.

Refillable Water Bottles

Bring refillable water bottles. You’ll save a ton of money and the environment. I particularly like double-walled stainless steel insulated bottles. These keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot.

Do not eat fast food.

Seriously. Or at least really really try to avoid it. Two combo meals at McDonald’s can be around $17 – $18.

Do that every day, one meal a day, and after a week you’ve spent over $100 on food that doesn’t sit well with your stomach, your waistline, or your wallet.

It adds up quickly.

To put that into perspective, a National Parks Access Pass is $80 for the year. You could get into every National Park for an entire year for less than it would cost you to eat a Big Mac every day for a week.

If you’ve ever bought chips at a gas station, you know how pricey they are. Plus, even though road trip snacks have no calories, it’s still not a good idea to live on Fritos and Pringles (don’t tell my husband I said that).

Pack your own snacks and you can stave off any hangry episodes as well as save some money.

One of my favorite snacks to stock up on before a trip? Beef sticks and beef jerky. (Technically, those are two snacks.)

I’m a fan of Old Trapper ( available at Walmart ). They sent me a variety to take on one of my road trips.

I like that their beef jerky isn’t rubbery, like you get sometimes, and has real beef flavor. Same with their beef sticks. And if you like spicy food, get the jalapeno!

For our epic road trips, I make a bucket of trail mix and throw in a couple of individual serving containers so we can eat while on the road. We also have containers of grapes, string cheese, apples, and other healthy snacks.

Use a good cooler

A good cooler can mean the difference between shopping for groceries every other day while you’re on the road and the ability to stock up before you leave.

Our Coleman Xtreme has served us well. We camped on our honeymoon in 90-degree heat, and on day three the frozen chicken broth I’d packed was still frozen.

On another trip, our brats took four days to thaw. It was neat eating sausages from Wisconsin while camping in Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

Since you won’t have to search for stores as often, you can spend more time exploring. Plus, especially if you’re visiting popular tourist destinations, groceries can be more expensive on the road.

Use a second, smaller cooler for drinks

The more frequently you open a cooler, the faster the ice will melt. By putting your daily drinks and food items in a smaller cooler with ice packs, you’ll keep the rest of your food colder, longer.

It’s a good idea to stop at least every couple of hours on a road trip, if not more frequently. Make one of those stops your lunch break.

We packed wraps, nut butters, lunch meat, fruit, vegetables, hummus, salsa, and salad.

TLTip: Tortillas, pitas, and wraps pack better than a loaf of bread because they’re already flat.

Picnic at a Rest Stop

Rest Areas aren’t just for using the restroom. They’re meant for resting, too. Many of them have picnic tables and some even have grills, although you’ll have to bring your own charcoal.

Shop at a local farmers market

Buy some of your produce and meals at a local farmers market and not only will you be getting the freshest products possible, you’ll also be supporting the local economy.

Cook some of your meals

If you’re camping, you’ll presumably be cooking many of your meals. However, you don’t need to camp to cook on the road. You can stay in hotels with kitchenettes. You can also cook at rest areas and parks. To do so, you’ll need some basic equipment:

• Propane stove – we have the basic Coleman two-burner
• Cutting board and sheathed knife (great for DIY cheese and charcuterie)
• Reusable utensils (fork, knife, spoon)
• Reusable plates and bowls
• Iron skillet or versatile pot/pan
• Spices and seasonings – pick a few of your favorites and put them in small containers
• Collapsible bowl, sponge, towel, and dishwashing detergent

Skip coffee shops

I’m a coffee drinker. I need my coffee every morning. What I don’t need is to spend $5 every morning on a cup of my daily fix.

If you’re not staying in a hotel with a coffee maker, or if you don’t like their coffee or are camping, bring your own coffee, a French Press, and a kettle to easily boil hot water.  I’ve got a French Press from REI that is just right.

If you’re a tea drinker who prefers loose leaf, like my tea-snob husband, get a collapsible tea strainer or individual bags that you can fill yourself. TLTip: those bags work for coffee, too.

Pack a growler

If you like beer, bring a growler. Visiting local breweries is one of my favorite ways to learn about a place. Not only do I get to try new beers, but I also get to meet the locals.

You can bring a glass growler, or my personal favorite is the uKeg from GrowlerWerks. It’s pressurized, so you can fill it in Deadwood, South Dakota, and have a delicious, still carbonated beer at Devils Tower, Wyoming .

Get grocery discount cards.

Check into the grocery store chains where you’ll be and see if they have discount cards. It’s often worth the five minutes (or less) it takes to sign up. Some of them will have gas stations, too.

Eat out at lunch.

If there’s a restaurant you want to check out that’s open for lunch, it’s usually cheaper than it would be at dinner.

Eat where the locals eat.

Locals know the best places, and they also know which are overpriced and which are reasonable. Ask them where they go out to eat.

Instead of eating at a chain restaurant, find a local spot. Not only will you get an experience unique to that destination, but you’ll also be supporting the local economy.

Find Happy Hours.

Happy Hours aren’t just for cocktails. Many have discounted appetizers and small plates. Check local publications to see if there are listings, or if there’s a restaurant or bar you know you want to visit, check its website or call ahead.

Plan meals so you won’t have leftovers.

When you do eat out, servings can be HUGE. Leftovers can be a challenge to store and reheat, so consider sharing meals if you’re traveling with others or stick with the appetizer or salad menu.

Plan meals so you will have leftovers.

If I’m cooking my meals, I try to make extra for dinner and plan the next day’s lunch around it. I pack foods that work well together. For example, if I make chili over the campfire, there will be either chili dogs or a salad with chili for lunch the next day.

If I’m eating out, a great way to be frugal is to consider what would reheat well the next day for breakfast or lunch.

Stay in hotels with free breakfast.

Staying at hotels and motels that provide free breakfast cuts out the expenses of the most important meal of the day. When you’re on a long journey, that savings will add up.

Just be sure that you’re not paying an extra cost for that hotel than you would if you stayed at another one and either got breakfast at a restaurant or made your own.

Stay in hotels with kitchens.

If you’re staying in one spot for a few days, getting a hotel with a kitchenette is convenient and can save money on eating out.

Most of the time these suites will consist of a refrigerator and freezer, a microwave, and a stovetop. They’ll also have pots, pans, and all the utensils.

Use Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com sells certificates at a discounted rate. For example, you can get a $10 certificate for just $4.

There are restrictions, of course. There’s almost always a minimum purchase required and they’re usually for dine-in only. They’re often restricted on the weekends, too, so make sure you read the fine print.

Ultimate road trip food list

Need some fresh ideas for your road trip snacks and easy road trip meals? Start with these.

Best road trip snacks for the car

Go beyond potato chips and Twizzlers with these ideas. Snacks are more than just something to keep you occupied while driving; they also keep your blood sugar at an even level.

• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Oranges peeled in advance; you don’t want to peel an orange in the car
• Nuts and seeds
• Trail mix make a big batch with nuts and dried fruit of your choice
• Pita bread cut into wedges
• Hummus use a small container that fits in the cup holder
• Guacamole – same
• String cheese
• Fruit leather
• Roasted chickpeas
• Protein bars
• Protein balls
• Peanut butter-filled pretzels
• Coconut chips
• Vegetable chips
• Multi-grain crackers

Best food to pack for easy meals on the road.

Pack these ingredients and pre-made dishes for lots of variety in your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, even if you’re taking a long trip. Lots of these items can be kept at room temperature.

• Instant oatmeal
• Milk cow or plant-based
• Breakfast cookies
• Breakfast bars
• Granola Bars
• Raw eggs store in plastic shell or crack into a jar
• Wraps flatbreads or tortilla wraps don’t get squished
• Pita bread – same
• Hard boiled eggs
• Small containers of mayonnaise and mustard (or whatever condiments you choose)
• Nut butters
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Dark chocolate chips
• Dried fruit
• Sliced cheese
• Salsa great with chips or as a salad dressing
• Bagged salads
• Applesauce cups
• Romaine lettuce washed and stacked with damp paper towels (less bulky than iceberg)
• Tuna canned or in pouches
• Canned salmon
• Canned chicken
• Pasta or potato salads
• Cherry tomatoes
• Grape tomatoes
• Bell peppers
• Canned beans
• Canned soup
• Coconut oil*

*The last two will help you get some healthy fats into your diet while you’re on the road.

Easy road trip meal ideas

If you pack the right ingredients, you can make your own food on the road. You’ll want to make some of these easy meals in advance.

I like to make ahead meals I know will freeze well and will heat them on my propane stove, or in my hotel microwave/kitchenette. There are some tasty road trip breakfast ideas plus lots of healthy options for lunch and dinner.

• Breakfast burritos
• Breakfast sandwiches
• Egg muffin cups
• Bagels with cream cheese or nut butters
• Yogurt, fruit, and granola parfait
• Cereal with fruit
• Salads – bagged salads with canned chicken, lunchmeat, or beans are easy
• Rotisserie chicken – great for multiple meals
• Chicken salad
• Fresh vegetables with hummus
• Cheese, charcuterie, fruit, and crackers
• Roll-ups and pinwheels
• Quinoa salad with beans, diced vegetables, and dried fruit
• BLT – pack pre-cooked bacon
• Burgers – bring pre-formed patties
• Rice with vegetables and meat (or beans)
• Baked beans

I hope these road trip foods gave you ideas for what to eat on your next road trip.

Don’t forget to download your free road trip printables!

50+ Road Trip Food Ideas- Easy Meals On the Go!

This page may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

When you’re taking a road trip, bringing the right food can make a huge difference.

Not only is sustenance a necessity on a long trip, but it also breaks up the drive and gives everyone something to look forward to. Especially when you’re traveling with kids! 

There are a lot of factors to consider when picking food for a road trip. Which foods are best for eating on the road? How much should you pack? How should you store it? How can you stay organized and neat? 

Not to worry, this guide has all the information you need to create a perfect road trip meal plan!

Road trip food

Everyone has different road trip strategies and traditions.

Some families prefer to bring food for breakfast and lunch and eat out for dinner, whereas others would rather bring all the food they will need for their entire trip.

Some families prefer to focus on healthy meal and snack options, while others see road trips as a perfect excuse to let loose and enjoy some “fun” food choices.

Whatever your preferences are, we’ve got you covered. 

We’ve divided up our food ideas by meal, although there may be some overlap (a meal that’s good for lunch can also be a great option for dinner, etc).

How to store your road trip food

For any road trip longer than a couple of hours, we highly recommend bringing a cooler with ice or ice packs . This allows you to bring food that needs to be kept refrigerated and greatly increases your meal and snack options.

A few tips on coolers:

• The ice in your cooler should last for several days, depending on the kind of cooler you have and how often you take the lid off.
• If you find you need more ice, you can pick some up at a gas station or grocery store.
• Avoid opening your cooler frequently to prevent the ice from melting quickly and to keep the food cool for longer. 
• Keep ice/ice packs on top of your food, not just at the bottom of the cooler. This will keep your food cool better and longer, as cold air sinks.

**Meat and dairy products should not be left at room temperature for longer than two hours. The warmer the room (or car), the shorter the time perishable food can be left out. 

Road Trip Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is arguably one of the easiest road trip meals to plan for. There are a variety of breakfast foods that are simple to pack and convenient to eat on the go. Here are a few of our top choices.

• Banana bread
• Banana with peanut butter
• Fresh fruit
• Protein bars
• Boiled eggs
• Bagel and cream cheese
• Yogurt parfait
• Mini cereals

Road Trip Lunch Ideas

There are a lot of different options for lunch on a road trip. Some people might prefer light snacking throughout the day, whereas others might want a full lunch meal. If you prefer hearty snacks as opposed to a large meal, scroll down to the snack section for ideas of foods to supplement your lunch. 

And even if you’re packing a lunch instead of eating out, this still might be a convenient time to stop and get out of the car for a little bit. A park or rest stop is often a convenient place to stretch your legs and have a quick picnic lunch. 

Sandwich tip – wait to add ingredients that have any moisture (tomatoes, condiments, avocado, etc) until right before you eat to prevent your bread from getting soggy.

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• Sub sandwich with lunch meat and cheese
• Cream cheese and raisin bread sandwiches- this has been a favorite of our family’s for years. We would always have it for road trips growing up, but I’ve never seen anyone make it like we do, so I’m sharing the love by including the recipe here! Scroll to the bottom to learn the simple recipe. They are a huge hit with kids!
• Hawaiian roll with cheese
• Rotisserie chicken- presliced, great on a roll, bread, or just eaten plain
• Crackers with cheese and summer sausage- precut cheese and sausage into slices before you leave
• Tuna sandwich
• Egg salad sandwich
• Lunchables- kids love these and honestly, they can be fun for adults too
• Salad- prepared from fresh ingredients before you leave (wait to add dressing until you’re ready to eat) or from a salad kit

Road Trip Dinner Ideas

Dinner always seems like the hardest meal to plan for on the road. Many people are used to eating hot meals for dinner, but that’s not really an option for a road trip unless you stop to heat something up at a gas station. 

But there are some delicious meals you can prepare ahead of time for dinner, especially if you are bringing a cooler. 

• Barbeque chicken sandwich
• Chicken and cheese sandwich
• Pita sandwiches
• Chicken salad sandwiches
• Turkey rollups – from Costco or homemade
• Premixed salad kit
• Fruit salad
• Chicken Caesar salad (Costco has a great premade kit)
• Taco salad- store chopped ingredients separately, then combine and add dressing when you’re ready to eat
• Pasta salad
• Potato salad

Road Trip Snack Ideas

No road trip is complete without road trip snacks. Having something to snack on can prevent people from getting hungry and grumpy during the stretches between meals. It can also help to keep the driver awake if they start to feel drowsy while driving and keep kids entertained!

• Granola bars- Lara bars, Cliff Bars, fig bars, Kind bars
• Crackers- Goldfish, Pirates Booty, Wheat Thins, Cheez-Its, animal crackers
• Pretzels- regular or peanut butter filled
• Pringles- a nice, non-greasy chip option
• Yogurt- Gogurts are less mess and easy to eat in the car
• Fresh fruit (apples, grapes, strawberries, mandarin oranges, blueberries, bananas)
• Dried fruit (apricots, apples, bananas, mangoes, pineapple) 
• Celery and peanut butter- prepack the peanut butter in a condiment cup and dip the celery sticks
• Veggies and hummus- carrots, broccoli, celery, cherry tomatoes
• Fruit leather
• Popcorn- Simply Pop brand or make a fresh batch before you leave and snack on it throughout your trip.
• Sunflower seeds- great for snacking on if you’re starting to feel drowsy 
• Nuts- Mixed nuts, almonds, peanuts, cashews
• Cheese- Babybel cheese, string cheese, cubed cheddar, mozzarella, and/or pepperjack
• Rice cakes with peanut butter

If you’re traveling with kids, plan a “movie night” during the drive and pull out the popcorn and treats while you watch a fun show the whole family can enjoy. It’s a fun way to break up the drive!

Road Trip Desserts and Treats

Sometimes it’s nice to have some food that feels a little special when you’re on a long driving trip. Pack a couple of these dessert foods for a fun treat to pull out during your drive. 

• Rice Krispie treats
• Cookies (chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodles)- made in advance or store bought
• Brownies- make and individually wrap before your trip
• Candy- if you want something non-meltable choose a candy like Sourpatch Kids, Redvines, Starbursts
• Fruit snacks

Don’t forget to Bring…

In addition to meals and snacks, there are some other non-food essentials that you don’t want to forget on a road trip. Skim through this list to make sure you aren’t missing anything important. 

• Paper towels – a necessity for inevitable spills and messes
• Wet wipes – for wiping hands and faces after eating
• Reusable water bottles – it’s important to stay hydrated on a road trip. Bring reusable water bottles and refill as necessary when you stop for gas. 
• Sandwich bags – useful for for divvying up food, storing leftovers, etc
• Garbage bags – bring a couple of garbage bags for storing trash so you can keep you car clean and organized
• Grocery bags- useful for organizing food, trash, etc
• Hand sanitizer – prevent germs by cleaning everyone’s hands before eating. Also very useful if the place you stop to go to the bathroom doesn’t have soap…
• Plates and bowls – may be a necessity, depending on your meals
• Plastic utensils – forks, spoons, knife
• Cooler and ice/ ice packs – store food that needs refrigeration
• Collapsible car organizer – hugely helpful for storing non-refrigerated food and staying organized, especially in a van
• Condiment cups – These are amazing for dividing up condiments and dips in small portions 
• Salt/pepper packets , condiment packets – useful for adding flavor to your foods (depending on your meals). You can pack your own or buy small packets before your trip.
• Snack catcher – If you’re traveling with a toddler or young child, bring a snack catcher to use for crackers and other small foods. They are much less likely to spill their snack all over the car and create a mess. And it acts as an activity to keep them entertained trying to get their food out of the container!

Road Trip Food Tips

• Keep a hand held vacuum in your car – you can easily vacuum up any spills and inevitable food crumbs, keeping your car feeling much cleaner.
• Make food in advance and freeze it – there is so much to do to get ready for a road trip. Where possible, make food several weeks in advance and freeze it until you’re ready to leave on your trip. This works great for muffins, breads, cookies, and some sandwiches and meat dishes.
• Throw out your trash when you stop for gas. Regularly clearing out the garbage will prevent buildup of trash in your car and the stinky smell of rotting food.
• Have a pre-filled road trip bag- If you’re going on road trips frequently, have a bag ready with the nonperishable items you need for your road trip. Keep inside a list to restock the bag after a trip. It’s much easier to just grab your bag when you’re getting ready for a trip than having to repack it every time.
• Try to avoid foods that are excessively greasy, sticky, or crumbly – messy foods can be a pain on a road trip. Minimize mess, minimize stress.
• Bring a couple of water bottles and refill as necessary when you stop for gas. We try to stick to mostly water as our beverage of choice for road trips to avoid sticky spills.
• Stock up on food and meals at a wholesale store before your trip. Costco has great pre-made meal options that you can buy right before your trip. We love the Costco sandwich rolls, Caesar salad, muffins, potato salad, and fruit bowls for road trips. And of course, you can’t go wrong with their bulk snacks like trail mix, dried fruit, fruit leathers, popcorn, crackers, etc.

Benefits of packing your own food for a road trip

Although it’s a little more work and preparation than stopping for food, there are a lot of benefits to bringing your own road trip food. Here are some reasons to skip the fast food and pack your meals.

It’s more cost-effective

Eating out for every meal, even if it’s at a fast-food restaurant, can get expensive. This is especially true if you’re traveling with your whole family. 

Save money by bringing your own food! If you plan ahead, you can buy most of your road trip foods at a wholesale store, then divide it up into the portions that you want. 

It saves time

Stopping to order and pick up food takes time. Sometimes it can be nice to break up your trip with a food stop.  But if you’re trying to make good time, stopping for every meal adds extra hours to your road trip. 

If you’ve packed all or most of the food you will need, you have snacks and meals to pull out when people get hungry without having to pull over!

It’s often healthier

Eating out for every meal is often quite unhealthy. When you pack your own food, you have more options and control over what kinds of foods you are eating and how many sweets and treats you want to include. 

Easier to Accommodate Preferences and Dietary Restrictions

If you’re traveling with dietary restrictions, it can be risky leaving food to whatever you happen to find along the way. Packing your own meals ensures you have plenty of safe food to eat. 

And if you’re traveling as a family, you can easily cater to everyone’s preferences by packing food you know everyone will enjoy. That way you don’t have to spend a lot of time picking a place that everyone can agree on.

Cream Cheese and Raisin Bread Sandwich Recipe

As promised, here is our family recipe of cream cheese and raisin bread sandwiches. They are sure to be a road trip hit for people of all ages!

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese
• ¾ C powdered sugar
• 1 loaf cinnamon raisin bread

Instructions

• Soften cream cheese to room temperature. 
• Using a mixer, combine cream cheese with powdered sugar. 
• Lay out half of the raisin bread and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly between all pieces. 
• Top the cream cheese with another piece of raisin bread to complete your sandwiches. 

**You can freeze the whole premade loaf and pull it out when you want to use it, just let it come to room temperature before eating. This is perfect for road trips because you can pull it out in the morning and it’s ready to eat by lunch!

Final Thoughts

Selecting and preparing road trip food can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! With this list of food and road trip tips, you have everything you need to prepare for a great trip.

If you’re planning on flying with kids, check out these awesome toddler airplane snacks !

Other posts you might be interested in:

How to Have a Successful Road Trip with a Toddler

Road Trip Activities for Toddlers (That They Will Really Love!)

7 Essential Tips for Road Tripping with a Baby

30 of the Very Best Travel Activities for Kids!

Related Posts:

2 thoughts on “50+ Road Trip Food Ideas- Easy Meals On the Go!”

Very thorough with lots of good information. Makes me want to go have a cream cheese raisin bread sandwich right now.

Thank you!! And yes, they really are so delicious!

Comments are closed.

• svg]:fill-accent-900">

Best Coolers For Road Trips: Everything Is Better With Snacks

By Michael Febbo

Posted on Nov 3, 2023 3:03 PM EDT

8 minute read

Best Overall

Coleman Banyan 30-can Soft Cooler

Tourit 46-Can Soft Cooler

Best premium multi-day.

Yeti Tundra 35

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Part of the joy of road trips is visiting convenience stores in unfamiliar places to stock up on snacks and drinks, as local convenience food is a small window into the culture and daily lives of a community. But there are times when you don’t have time to shop, you’re driving through when the store is closed, or you’re in full road trip mode in the middle of summer and you just want to keep everything cool. That’s where car coolers come in to save the day by keeping your drinks at the proper temperature—no offense Europeans—and to keep those chocolate-coated, marshmallow-filled pecan patties from melting.

Coolers come in all sizes, styles, prices, and levels of effectiveness. Some are meant for multiple days of keeping warmth out, while others are meant for a quick day trip. You can decide if you’re better served by something that works as a makeshift armrest, or a bigger chest that has to go in the trunk. No matter what, you want something that isn’t going to leak, keep things cold, and can survive the abuse of life on the road. Here are the best around.

Summary List

Best overall: coleman banyan 30-can soft cooler, best value: tourit 46-can soft cooler, best multiday cooler: yeti tundra 35, best compact: pelican 8qt personal cooler, best iceless powered cooler: bodega cooler ac/dc car refrigerator, our methodology.

One of the parts of being an automotive journalist that people outside the business don’t realize is the amount of time we spend both at, and driving to, photo shoots. Those shoots are quite often in very remote places miles from restaurants or convenience stores; being self-sufficient is a must. I’ve tried multiple different types and brands of coolers throughout the years. “You get what you pay for,” may be a cliche, but things become cliche for a reason. The price of a cooler is justified by two things; how long it isolates what’s inside from the outside temperature and the ultimate lifespan of the cooler. There are things like compartments, handles, and accessories, but it’s the big two that determine value.

I didn’t get any of these products in for testing before assembling this guide, but I have used several of these and countless other brands in the past. There are a couple of coolers here that will seem insanely expensive for people who have never shopped for a camp cooler or something designed for long-term use. Two others are very reasonably priced and meant for day trips. Lastly, we have what is technically a refrigerator. As with all the guides we do here, this is a living document. New products are being released constantly so what you see here today, may not be what you find if you return later. These will still be good products, just maybe not the best.

Best Coolers For Road Trips: Reviews & Recommendations

For versatility, it’s hard to beat a soft-sided cooler. The Banyan from Coleman looks more like a big tote bag but is lined with a waterproof interior and packed full of insulation. The outside has multiple pockets for storing everything from utensils and napkins to sunblock. It is rated at 30 cans of storage capacity, but more than likely, you’re going to put maybe a dozen cans in it and you’ll have plenty of room for meals and snacks.

I like that this type of bag folds up small enough that I can keep it in my trunk all the time. I can use it to hold frozen or cold items at the grocery store, or I can even take something off the smoker, wrap it up, and through it into the bag to rest. It’s even a great way to transport a pork shoulder if you’re having a picnic in the park. Obviously, it works just as well with a couple of ice packs for picnics in the park, however far away that park may be.

If you aren’t planning on using a cooler all the time, and you just want something to keep your drinks and snacks cold for a day of driving, it’s hard to justify spending a lot of money. Luckily, coolers like this Tourit will deliver the performance you need. This is rated for 46 cans, which the company says is the equivalent of 32 liters or 8.5 gallons of interior space. Soft bags are better suited for ice packs, so once you get those in there, you will still have plenty of room for food and drink.

The bag has plenty of outside pockets along with a cargo net on top, which is always nice if you have a grass-covered picnic blanket or wet beach towel. This doesn’t quite have the quality of the Coleman, so the handles and strap will feel a bit shaky when you get this thing all loaded up, but if it’s just getting from the kitchen to the car, it shouldn’t be an issue. This cooler is half the price of the Coleman and an order of magnitude cheaper than some of the hard-sided competitors, so it was a no brainer for best value.

There was a time when the American dream involved a house in the suburbs with a white picket fence and a station wagon with three kids in the way back. Today, that dream has changed to renting a nice townhome with a Yeti cooler in the hatch of your Subaru – which I mean is still basically a station wagon, just taller. Of all the coolers I’ve ever used, Yetis are the only ones that ever made me, a person who’s worked in engineering and manufacturing, stop and say, “Wow, that’s a superior product.” The body is made from rotomolded plastic, which Yeti makes a point of emphasizing, but isn’t that impressive. It does provide one-piece parts with no seams which are then filled with up to three inches of insulation. It also allows for an overlapping closure that uses a gasket to seal it shut. Yeti finishes it off with metal hinge pins and RSR-style stretch-ball style hood straps.

This is an ideal cooler if your road trip is more than a day and you have limited chances to re-freeze ice packs or get fresh ice. If you’re car camping, this is rated as bearproof by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee(IGBC) *when used in conjunction with an Extra-Long Shank Masterlock Padlock. Apparently, bears can pick cheaper padlocks fairly easily. I have to imagine it is only a matter of time before they find Lock Picking Lawyer’s YouTube Channel to get through the Masterlock. Assuming a grizzly doesn’t get a hold of your cooler, this will last you years of use. I have seen these go through unimaginable abuse and suffer nothing but aesthetic damage, which by the way, earns you outdoor hipster cred when your Yeti looks used. If your budget allows, this is the one to get.

I can already see the comments coming in, “If you’re such a Yeti fanboi, why didn’t you just pick the smaller one for best compact cooler?” One good reason: the latch. Having done countless solo road trips over the years, I can tell you, that what you want is a cooler that sits upright in the passenger seat and is easy to operate with one hand. Pelican coolers are almost as good as Yetis at keeping things cool, being rugged, but the easily operated single latch makes it a clear winner.

This is another hard plastic cooler that can be used as a stool, a wheel chock, or whatever it doesn’t care. Its cooling properties are measured in days and it is super easy to clean. For a third the price of a comparable Yeti, it also comes with a removable try so you can store your sandwich above your drinks and even an ice pack that snaps to the bottom side of the lid. It even has a dry storage compartment built into the top of the lid.

Yes, it looks like a cooler, but it is a refrigerator. The Bodega Cooler can be plugged into a 12V socket in your car or run off 110V in your house. It has two sections inside which can be temperature controlled independently using a smartphone app. Not only will it keep your drinks chilled at the exact temperature you would like, it will keep your popsicles frozen too.

This is big, it holds 41 cans which translates to 36 liters of space. It’s also nearly two and a half feet long, and then 15 inches wide and tall. This is going to need to ride in the trunk or get two spots on a bench seat. It weighs 35 pounds, which isn’t bad at all for something this size, and it does have wheels and collapsible handles at both ends. This isn’t nearly as rugged as some of the other choices here, but when plugged in, it will basically keep your food cold indefinitely.

Our Verdict

Admittedly, there are some big jumps in levels of intensity. For what most people want out of a cooler used for road trips, the Coleman Banyan 30-can Soft Cooler will work great. If you are looking for something, much more serious in terms of performance and price, then you can’t beat the Yeti Tundra 35 for its long-term durability and temperature-isolating ability.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

A hard-sided cooler is almost better at keeping things cooler, and longer. However, soft-sided coolers are easier to store when not in use and also generally have a greater ratio of inside storage to outside dimensions.

Ice cubes can fill a greater amount of empty space in the cooler and with the extra contact, will cool things faster. Ice packs are sometimes filled with something other than water, so they can perform better than regular ice and they won’t leak when they melt.

There are a lot of variables here, but cheaper soft-sided coolers with a decent ice pack will usually last at least three hours. High-end hard coolers with a high ice-to-food ratio can last days. Outside temperature, how much time the cooler spends open, and a dozen other variables have a huge effect.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

The 22 Best Travel Coolers and Ice Packs [Hard and Soft Options]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

823 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

41 Published Articles 3360 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 50 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

Why buy a travel cooler, things to consider with travel coolers, soft vs. hard coolers, how to pack your cooler, the 10 best hard travel coolers, the 8 best soft travel coolers, things to consider with cooler ice packs, the 4 best cooler ice packs, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you are heading out on a road trip, a travel cooler will keep your food and drinks chilled along the way. Whether you choose a basic model that will keep your lunch cool or a cooler that’s big enough to get the party started, mobile refrigeration is the way forward for great days out and long nights spent under the stars.

Being able to keep your food cold, and therefore safe to eat, on the go is the biggest benefit to buying a travel cooler, but there are other great reasons to consider getting one, too:

• Upgrading from a traditional insulated picnic basket or lunch pack will reduce the risk of you having to deal with messy containers , melted ice packs, and other inconveniences along the way.
• Never buy ice again — simply make your own and take it with you instead. A good quality cooler will help you chill enough drinks and snacks to keep all the family well-fed and refreshed when the temperature rises.
• Save money by stocking up on snacks when you leave home. This also helps with special dietary requirements, calorie counting, or other preferences you may have as you will know exactly what is in your food at all times.
• As an additional bonus, your new travel cooler can also be used to keep medicines cool , meaning that your insulin or other temperature-controlled medication won’t be at risk on the road.

The capacity of a cooler is often measured by the number of drink cans it can hold, as well as the extra ice needed to keep them cool. The internal capacity is, in many ways, much more important than the exterior dimensions, unless you have a very specific space to fill while transporting your cooler.

Smaller personal coolers may only have the capacity to hold between 6 to 8 cans, while huge party coolers can hold 50, 60, or sometimes more, plus ice. Keep in mind that the number of cans they can hold often relates to cans packed tightly together, and if you max out on beverages, you may not have the extra space needed to carry snacks or other essentials.

Hot Tip: Remember that the volume of the storage size can relate to both the insulated and non-insulated areas of the cooler, meaning that 50 quarts of storage may not mean that the entire internal space is available to be used for cooled items.

Depending on your budget and individual requirements, there are different types of insulation that will keep your food and drinks cool on the go. The 2 main types are:

• Polystyrene — The most effective insulation that money can buy, this cheap, plastic lightweight material is very bad at transferring heat, meaning that your gear stays cooler for longer. As a general rule of thumb, the thicker the walls of polystyrene are, the better the insulation will be. This kind of insulation can keep stuff cold for days on end, making high-end hard coolers more suitable for trips away and longer stays.
• Foam — Usually found in soft-sided coolers, a foam lining can work well if you need to chill your items for just a few hours at a time. Perfect for lunch packs and days out, foam is effective for short-term chilling, but not as effective as the far superior polystyrene.

Portability

It goes without saying that hard coolers will be heavier to carry and bulkier to store than their soft-sided counterparts. Many of the larger coolers on the market will come with superstrong handles, often on both sides, making them easier to carry as a team effort.

With smaller coolers and soft-sided models, portability is easier as they come complete with shoulder straps, backpack straps, or grab handles, and their lightweight design means that they can be easily transported, even when full.

Materials and Durability

Rotomolded hard coolers are incredibly sought after by those who like to enjoy a bit of camping, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits. Made to be virtually indestructible, these types of coolers can last for many years and easily cope with the bumps and knocks of constant traveling.

Soft coolers, on the other hand, don’t need to be quite as indestructible, but should still offer tear-proof, waterproof exteriors, as well as washable and leakproof interiors that feature FDA-approved lining material.

Some of the coolers on our list come with delightfully useful additional features that you may never even know you needed. These could include clip-on tables that transform your cooler into an instant bar, handy little cup holders, lids that double up as seating areas, and even fish-measuring rulers for all you anglers out there.

Some of the bigger travel cooler brands offer extended warranties with their coolers. Expensive to buy and often manufactured using the very best materials, it is a safe bet that these types of coolers will last many years if used respectfully. As a rough guide:

• Coleman  — up to 6 years, depending on the exact model purchased
• Igloo — 1- to 5-year warranty, depending on the exact model purchased
• ORCA — 5 years from the date of purchase
• RovR — 1- to 5-year warranty, depending on the model purchased
• YETI — 3- to 5-year warranty, depending on the model purchased

With the soft alternatives, most will offer a warranty of around 12 months only.

Hot Tip: Ensure that your cooler purchase is protected from theft, damage, or accidental loss with coverage provided by the best credit cards for purchase protection . If getting the most out of your warranty is important to you, check out the best credit cards for extended warranty coverage .

Soft Coolers

A soft-sided cooler is perfect for keeping your beverages chilled and will be able to hold enough for all of the family, without weighing you down. Unlike a regular soft-sided lunch bag, many modern-day coolers are “super” coolers with the ability to keep your food and drink much cooler for far longer.

Often insulated using high-density foam, soft-sided coolers are also incredibly portable and can be carried using a shoulder strap or even worn like a backpack. With a fabric or vinyl exterior and a lined interior, they are also easy to wipe clean or wash when needed. More expensive models come with thermally-efficient zippers to keep the cool in.

Although most soft-sided coolers may have a smaller capacity than their hard-sided counterparts, they are lightweight and easy to use daily.

Bottom Line: Soft-sided coolers can collapse down and fold up, making them easy to keep at home or in the car when not in use.

Hard Coolers

By contrast, hard-sided coolers have increased capacity and the ability to keep a wide range of food and drink cool and safely contained on the go. With additional features including freezer-grade lids, easy-to-clean interiors, and drains to quickly empty melted ice, these types of coolers are designed for more hardcore adventures and really thirsty adventurers.

Hard-sided coolers also offer better ice retention and are usually made from hard, rotomolded plastic, making them incredibly resistant to bumps and knocks along the way. While the increased capacity is also useful, the downside to these types of coolers is obviously the weight and restrictions in portability.

Bottom Line: You will need to carry your hard cooler in your car or another vehicle. If you are going all out for a group activity or celebration, you may need 2 people to carry it or even consider one that has its very own wheels.

To make the most of your new cooler, you will need to know how to load it properly. Here are some top tips to maximizing the efficiency of your cooler:

Pre-Cool Your Cooler

It goes without saying that a warm or room temperature cooler will be less efficient than a cold one. If you are using a hard cooler, fill it with ice the night before you plan to pack it.

Pre-Chill Your Contents

It is much more efficient to try and keep cold or frozen contents chilled than it is to cool room temperature ones. With this in mind, refrigerate or freeze your items before you pack them .

Add More Ice

The preferred ice-to-contents ratio is 2:1 , so anticipate that you will need more ice than you originally thought you would. Sprinkling a bit of ice on the top of the cooler will not keep your items cold, so add more.

Also, not all ice is equal. The ice from your refrigerator, for example, is not as cold as ice from a commercial ice maker. Dry ice mixed with regular cubed ice is the very best combination, if you can buy it.

Avoid air gaps by filling your cooler to capacity where possible. If you run out of food and drink items, use more ice instead, or fill the space with towels or paper to prevent the melting process from speeding up.

Whether you opt for a hard party cooler or a single soft lunch pack, there are really effective, affordable, and super “cool” travel coolers out there for you to choose from.

1. Great Storage Space Options and Hardwearing

Arctic zone titan deep freeze zipperless hardbody cooler.

Dimensions: 12.75 x 11 x 16.5 inches

Weight: 3.7 pounds

Large enough to hold 30 cans with ease, this incredibly useful travel cooler also comes in 9-, 16-, and 48-can capacities to suit every situation. Made from Rhino-Tech exterior material that is tough, water- and stain-resistant, and easy to wipe clean, this particular model is also designed to be abrasion- and puncture-resistant to withstand almost any adventure.

The interior will keep your beverages cool with deep-freeze high-performance insulation that features a radiant heat barrier and a removable HardBody liner with SmartShelf. The lining is waterproof and incredibly leakproof, and the patented “flip-open” zipperless lid makes it super easy to access your food and drinks at all times.

For added convenience, this little cooler also has a zippered accessory pocket that works well for keeping your napkins and cutlery or even your cell phone. It also has padded shoulder straps that make it comfy to carry over long distances.

What We Like

• Zipperless lid for quick access

What We Don’t Like

• Gets condensation on the outside

2. Retro-chic and Perfect Cooling, With an 85-can Capacity

Coleman cooler | steel-belted cooler.

Dimensions: 26 x 17 x 17 inches

Weight: 2.25 pounds

A modern take on a classic design, the Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler is as iconic now as when it was first released back in 1954. Offering an incredible 85-can capacity, this supercool cooler is also tall enough to hold a 2-liter bottle upright, making it much more spacious than many of its competitors.

Useful modern-day features include comfort-grip steel handles and a stainless steel latch. It also has a leak-resistant channel drain, which means you don’t have to tilt the cooler to drain excess water.

Offering 4-day ice retention at temperatures up to 90 degrees , as well as low CO₂ insulation for reduced carbon emissions from foam manufacturing, this is an intelligent choice for adventurers who want to keep their beverages cool while remaining eco-friendly.

Finally, the Have-A-Seat lid can hold up to 250 pounds of weight, making this an ideal cooler for campouts, picnics, tailgate parties, and so much more.

• Has a channel drain to easily empty water
• Exterior dents easily

3. Best for “Xtreme” Adventures on Any Terrain

Coleman rolling cooler | 50 quart xtreme 5 day cooler.

Dimensions: 22.6 x 17.6 x 17.7 inches

Weight: 14.15 pounds

This high-capacity cooler can hold up to 84 cans and keep them cool for a really long time. From beaches to ball games and everything in between, the Coleman Rolling Cooler comes complete with heavy-duty wheels that can handle almost any terrain , and the tall telescoping handle makes it easy to pull, even when it is completely full.

With a wipe-clean interior and an EZ-Clean lid, this cooler is incredibly hygienic, and the insulated lid and extra wall insulation can keep ice frozen for up to 5 days in temperatures as high as 90 degrees. For impromptu parties or picnics on the go, the Have-a-Seat Lid can hold up to 250 pounds of weight, and there are even super-useful drink cup holders molded into the lid to prevent them from spilling.

• Can be easily wheeled around
• The telescopic handle could be longer

4. Best for Big Parties or Large Families

Igloo polar cooler.

Dimensions: 38.2 x 17.3 x 17.7 inches

Weight: 19.9 pounds

This monster of a travel cooler is one of the biggest and best on the market, with a whopping 188-can capacity. Perfect for use as an ice chest for parties, family gatherings, and other big occasions, the Igloo brand is known for its superior quality and incredible cooling capabilities.

Made with Ultratherm insulation, this model can keep ice frozen for up to 5 days, and the threaded drain plug enables an easy hose connection for draining. The 2 snap-fit latches keep the cooler box lid completely airtight and secure, and the lid can also be used as a seat.

While this baby is on the heavier side when it comes to carrying, it does have reinforced handles that you and a friend can use to lift, load, and carry.

• Stores a lot and stays cold for days
• Front latches are not that durable

5. Best for Anglers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Igloo bmx 25 quart cooler with cool riser technology.

Dimensions: 19.6 x 15.7 x 13.2 inches

Weight: 10.34 pounds

If you are looking for a heavy-duty cool box, they don’t come with much heavier duty than this. Offering a whopping 49 liters of cool space, and looking awesome with reinforced blow-molded construction and steel kick plates, this cooler will see you through the toughest of environments.

With extra-thick Ultratherm insulated walls and Igloo CoolRiser technology, this beauty can retain ice for up to 5 days, and the superstrong blow-molded construction makes it a popular choice for outdoor adventurers, especially anglers and fishermen.

With rubber skid pads for extra shock resistance, durable T-latches, steel-enforced swing-up rubber grip handles, and even a fish-measuring ruler molded into the lid, this is a big cooler that is just right for taking with you for a few days away at the lake, by the ocean, or even out on a boat.

• Has tie-down loops to be secured when transporting
• No drainage spout

6. Best for Compact Cooling on the Go

Yeti roadie 24 cooler.

Dimensions: 17.1 x 14.3 x 18 inches

Weight: 12 pounds

The YETI Roadie is a compact but incredibly capable member of the YETI range. It can hold up to 18 cans and keep them ice-cold on the go. With 2 inches of legendary PermaFrost insulation, the ice stays cold, even in the hottest of weather, and the extra-thick FatWall design will protect your snacks and beverages from hungry bears and anything else the outdoors throws at it.

The rotomolded construction gives the cooler its very own suit of armor . The additional features, such as the interlocking hinge system, ensure that this compact cooler is built to last you through many trips, and the quick latches are quick and easy to open, even one-handed. Parties, picnics, campouts, boat trips, hunting, fishing, and a whole lot more will be even better with a YETI.

• Available in a range of colors
• Quite expensive for a cooler

7. A Top Contender by Pelican

Pelican elite 30 quart cooler.

Dimensions: 25.3 x 19 x 18.5 inches

Weight: 21.67 pounds

Offering extreme ice retention, this 30-quart cooler can keep your food and drinks colder for longer. With 2 inches of polyurethane insulation and a 360-degree freezer-grade gasket, this cooler delivers on long journeys and raised temperatures.

With an over-molded carry handle, 3-inch locking latches, reinforced lockable clasp, stainless steel bottle opener, anti-shear hinge system, and molded-in tie-down slots, this cooler offers a lot of features for active adventurers.

The 4 self-draining cup holders keep it easy to clean, and the non-skid rubber feet mean you can take it virtually anywhere. With a 23-can capacity, you and your friends and family can stay hydrated and cool on any trip.

• Sturdy latches for secure closure
• No wheels for easy transportation

8. Best for Family Fun and Flexible Capacity

Orca bw0260orcorca cooler in white.

Dimensions: 24.49 x 19.02 x 15.51 inches

Weight: 25 pounds

This is a great family-size cooler, perfect for road trips, campouts, and all kinds of outdoor adventures. Made from rotomolded materials, it is perfect for keeping your food and drink cold with ice for up to 10 days in a row. 

With integrated insulation and a wipe-clean interior, you can keep this durable ice trunk clean and hygienic on the move. The lid gasket ensures a perfect seal to prevent the chill from sneaking out, and the extendable flex-grip handles make it easy to carry with you to your picnic spot.

There is also a cargo net attachment for added storage and an easy-flow drainage spout to help drain away defrosted ice and water after use. This particular model is also available in 20-, 40-, 58-, 75-, and 140-quart capacity units, so you’re covered for whatever size you need.

• Keeps food and drink cool for up to 10 days
• A bit on the small side

9. Best for Rolling Over Rough Terrain

Rovr wheeled camping rolling cooler.

Dimensions: 24 x 21 x 22 inches

Weight: 44 pounds

This heavy-duty rolling cool box is made from top-quality materials and offers an impressive 7- to 10-day cooling capacity. Designed to travel anywhere with you, you can pull your drinks behind you over almost any terrain on the high-performance, 9-inch, puncture-resistant tires.

The rotomolded, elevated body keeps cool with the help of the airtight gasket and thick foam insulation that comes standard with this model. The removable Deepfreeze dry bin sits at the coolest part of the chest and is perfect for keeping meats, veggies, and large bottles separated and below FDA food-safe temperatures for as many as 10 days.

With more than enough space to hold up to 60 cans and 10 pounds of ice, the impressive cooling capabilities combined with excellent design features make this award-winning cooler one of the best for extreme adventurers a long way from home.

• Puncture-resistant tires for rolling over any terrain
• Prepping board attachment is sold separately

10. So Tough It’s Even Bear-resistant

The yeti tundra 45.

Dimensions: 26 x 15.5 x 16 inches

Weight: 18 pounds

Combining the versatility, durability, and delicious design that YETI is so famous for, the Tundra 45 is a rotomolded cooler that is infused with 2 inches of YETI’s patented PermaFrost Insulation. This means that it will keep all the contents of your cooler ice-cold, even on the hottest of days.

With space for up to 26 cans, this is a manageable size cooler for taking out on the road with you. Marine-grade polyester rope handles with textured grips make it easy to carry, and the T-Rex heavy-duty rubber lid latches will keep your food protected from the elements while out on the road.

For super-exciting adventures, this cooler even has an extra-thick FatWall design that makes it certified bear-resistant ! Offering virtually indestructible cooling, the Tundra range from YETI comes in a variety of other sizes and capacities, too.

• Keeps food cool and safe from animals
• Pretty heavy when empty

1. Best for Carrying Extra Accessories With You

Coleman 16-can soft cooler with removable liner.

Dimensions: 11.8 x 11.8 x 6.7 inches

Weight: 1 pound

Perfect for taking with you to picnics, BBQs, campouts, sporting events, tailgates, and much more, this soft yet durable cooler can hold up to 16 cans for all to share. With extra storage space in the front zippered pocket, the side mesh pockets, and the separate mesh pocket in the lid, you can sneak in extra snacks, cups, and cutlery, too. There are even bungees on the lid for stowing even more extras!

The FDA-approved lining material is safe for food contact. This liner can be removed for easy cleaning between uses and provides antimicrobial protection to resist odors, mold, and mildew. Lightweight and portable, this compact cooler is perfect for a large lunch for 2 or a round of drinks to share with friends.

• Has an easy-to-clean interior lining
• No short handle to grab

2. Great Option for Beach Trips

Clevermade collapsible cooler bag: insulated leakproof 50 can  .

Dimensions: 18.2 x 12.2 x 12 inches

Weight: 2 pounds

Offering better insulation and more snack space than the average lunch pack, this snap basket cooler can hold up to 50 drink cans and ice, too. Perfect for use on the beach, at a picnic, or even on a campout or sporting event, this is a good-sized, incredibly portable soft-sided cooler that is more stylish than the average ice pack.

With a patented snap hinge on both sides of the cooler, you are guaranteed structured support when the tote is open , yet still offered compact storage when you fold it flat.

Versatile and perfect for plenty of uses, including trips to the market to keep your groceries cool on the way home, this is a good-size cooler that won’t eat into your trunk space. It looks stylish and a little bit different from the average cooler.

• Collapsible when not in use
• No shoulder strap for carrying

3. Looks Just Like a Regular Backpack

Coleman c003 soft backpack cooler.

Dimensions: 12.2 x 6.3 x 19.3 inches

Weight: 1.4 pounds

Offering a flexible plastic inner liner that has been treated with antimicrobials to prevent the forming of mold, mildew, and odors, this little backpack cooler will keep your food and drinks cool and hygienic on the go.

Spacious enough to hold up to 28 cans, this backpack has multiple pockets for you to stash your snacks and gear, as well as a bungee cord on the front that provides quick access to other items. In the main compartment, the BPA- and phthalate-free, heat-welded design makes this backpack perfect for use with ice on the go.

Easy to clean between uses, this portable cooler has comfortable padded straps and can be worn just as easily as any other backpack, even when full.

• The inner lining is not that durable
• Backpack straps are too wide for smaller people

4. Best for Commuters and Short Trips for 1

Mojecto large cooler bag.

Dimensions: 9 x 15 x 12 inches

Weight: 2 pounds

Compact, but incredibly useful, this soft-sided cooler is more spacious than a regular lunch box, with the added benefit of offering superior chilling capabilities. Head on out to the beach or join friends for a picnic with enough food and drink. Made from a twisted poly fabric with a PVC-free PEVA liner , this is a great little bag for keeping your snacks and drinks cool.

The multi-compartment design has a removable shoulder strap and a rear pass-thru pocket. There is a dry top compartment that will keep your non-perishable items safe and dry, while the insulated bottom cooler compartment will keep your food and beverages completely cool. There is also an elasticized mesh pocket, 3 front zipper pockets, and drop-bottom water bottle carriers.

• Lots of pockets for small items
• Zippers are a bit fragile

5. Best for Hiking and Backpacking

Tourit cooler 30 can backpack.

Dimensions: 13 x 7.5 x 15.8 inches

Weight: 1.1 pounds

The perfect cooler to take on your next hiking trip, this sleek-looking backpack can keep up to 30 cans cool. Compact and discreet enough to be used as a lunch pack for your daily commute, while also being sizable enough to take on days out with friends and family, this is an affordable and practical alternative to a hard-sided travel cooler.

High-quality thickened PEVA hot-pressed material will keep your snacks and drinks cool for up to 16 hours (with freeze packs), while the inner insulation thickening foam and lining will prevent leaks and spillages.

The backpacks also come with ventilated material on the back to prevent your clothes from getting wet from condensation , and the padded, adjustable straps are comfortable to carry. As well as the good-size main compartment, there are also 2 front zippered pockets, 2 bottle holders, and a mesh pocket on the strap to keep your phone safe.

• Great for picnics with compartments for plates and cutlery
• Can leak if used with ice

6. Best for Every Occasion

Yeti hopper flip portable cooler.

Dimensions: 15.3 x 10.2 x 12.6 inches

Weight: 5.1 pounds

The soft-sided personal cooler is brought to you by the experts at YETI and is built to its usual rigorous standards with the same keen design elements. With YETI’s patented Dryhide Shell, the high-density fabric is waterproof and resistant to mildew, punctures, and UV rays . On the inside, the FDA-approved food-grade material will keep your food hygienic and safe.

The closed-cell rubber foam offers excellent cold-holding capabilities, and the Hydrolok zipper is one of the toughest leakproof cooler zippers in the world.

With a wide-mouth opening for easy loading and access, this compact cooler is far superior to a regular cool bag, and the Hopper is the perfect companion for going off-road, off-grid, and a million other places in between. Lightweight, portable, and with extreme insulation, this is an impressive travel cooler.

• Large lid opening for easy access to items
• The zipper is a little rigid

7. Best for YETI Lovers Who Want to Try a Backpack

Yeti hopper backflip 24 soft-sided backpack cooler.

Dimensions: 13 × 19 × 8.5 inches

Weight: 5.3 pounds

Beautifully designed to function as both a personal cooler and a practical backpack, this cooler combines the very best elements of the very popular Hopper with convenient design traits.

Being taller and slightly wider than the square box version, the BackFlip has been carefully designed to efficiently distribute the weight of your wares on your back . It also comes with a removable chest strap and waist belt for additional comfort and a customized fit.

As with the rest of the Hopper range, this cooler offers superior cold-holding and comes complete with the patented Hydrolok leakproof zipper and the tough DryHide Shell. With more than enough space to fit a full day’s worth of food and drinks for you and your crew, this bag is part cooler, part rucksack, and every bit as awesome as the rest of the YETI Hopper range.

• Waist and chest strap for easy carrying
• Doesn’t stay as cold as other Yeti coolers

8. Best for Parties on the Go

Personal cooler with speakers.

Dimensions: 12.2 x 13.8 x 15 inches

Weight: 1.7 pounds

Combine the very best of both worlds as you enjoy an ice-cold beverage while listening to your favorite tunes, even out on the road. Offering something a little different, this quirky cooler works on all devices, including iPhones, Android phones, iPads, and other tablets, and uses Bluetooth to connect with your media. However, there is an optional 3.5-millimeter jack included, too.

With a rechargeable speaker battery that lasts around 8 hours , you can enjoy cold food and drinks while turning up the tunes to get the party started. You can play music from your own playlist or through any radio station, and the speaker sound quality is pretty darn awesome.

When it comes to cooling, the water-resistant material and top-loading design make this a very practical, portable, and great fun alternative to traditional personal coolers.

• Built-in power bank and speakers
• No grab handle

Ice packs are lightweight, convenient, easy to use, and perfect for keeping your food and snacks cool.

While all ice packs are pretty much designed to do the same thing, there are a few differences in the way in which they keep your food cold.

Water-Based Ice Packs

Some icepacks contain water mixed with propylene glycol, thickening agents, silica gel, and a non-toxic coloring. This heady mix of liquids has been specially blended to allow for faster freezing and slower melting to keep your perishables icy cold for longer.

Gel-Based Ice Packs

Filled with easy-to-freeze gel, these types of cooling packs are covered in heavy-duty, puncture-proof plastic that won’t leak, even in extreme temperatures.

Flexible and easy to mold to the shape of your lunch bag or backpack, these types of ice packs take up very little room in your freezer and can provide many hours of icy-cold freshness for your food and drinks.

The very best ice packs can be used time and time again and can be wiped clean between uses. Both hard, solid ice packs and flexible gel packs can be frozen and refrozen time and time again.

Freeze Time

Most ice packs will need between 2 to 6 hours to become fully frozen . If you pop your ice pack in the freezer overnight, it should be frozen solid for your daytime adventures. While certain types of ice packs may freeze quicker than others, your ice pack will need to be fully frozen to allow for a slower release to keep your perishables cold on the go.

The specially formulated fillings in both gel and water ice packs are both designed to stay colder for longer than regular ice would. Most packs can stay frozen for an impressive 24 to 36 hours in an insulated cooler container and work best when paired with thermally-insulated coolers.

Ice packs used in an environment that aren’t fully sealed and insulated (like a lunch pack, for example) may only stay cold for between 6 to 8 hours, and ice packs left out in the open may only be effective for as little as 3 or 4 hours at a time.

1. Long-lasting Ice Packs for Everyday Use

Cooler shock reusable ice pack.

These brilliant little ice packs can freeze to a super chilly 18 degrees, and they have been designed to keep your drinks and snacks cool for up to 48 hours at a time . Easy to use, you only need to fill the pack with water, shake, and freeze until solid, then pack them in your lunch bag, cooler, or other type of food storage container.

The compact dimensions and slim design offer incredible cooling without the need for bulky ice cubes and messy leaks. The flexible design of these super useful, little ice packs means that they can even be used to help soothe pain from injury.

• Excellent value for money
• They freeze into odd shapes

2. Hardshell Ice Pack for Use With Coolers

Yeti ice refreezable reusable cooler ice pack.

Keep your perishable items cooler for longer with this solid ice pack from the cooling giants at YETI. Made from the same puncture-resistant DryHide fabric as its famous Hopper cooler, this cooling pack is also resistant to breaks and falls along the way.

The custom shape helps to reduce freezing time, and with 1-, 2- and 4-pound sizes available , this excellent range of reusable ice packs can be used in everything from your Hopper Flip 12 to your Tundra 350.

Designed to be frozen at home before you leave, this brilliant solid ice pack has been designed to keep your food and drinks supercool for many hours at a time.

• Stays cold for up to 48 hours
• Bulkier than soft-sided gel packs

3. Slimline Coolers for Everyday Snack Packing

Tourit long lasting ice packs.

Available in a choice of 4-, 8-, or 12-packs in a selection of colors, these supercool, slimline gel packs are designed to keep your cooler bag or backpack icy cold for longer.

The powerful freezing gel has been formulated to stay colder for far longer than regular water can, and once fully frozen, they will stay that way for many hours at a time. The long thin design can be neatly fitted into lunch backs and backpacks , and these supercute ice packs are perfect for use at home, school, in the office, and on days out, too.

• Easy to fit in any type of bag or cooler
• Can be prone to leaks

4. Super-slim Little Ice Packs

Original Cool Packs

This set of 4 slim and reusable hard gel ice packs has been designed to keep your cool bag feeling colder for longer. Perfect for use in lunchboxes, breast milk containers, and regular coolers, these ice packs measure 7 x 4.7 x 0.5 inches, making them compact enough to take anywhere with you.

Despite their super-small dimensions, they are still plenty powerful enough to keep your items cool, and made from 100% non-toxic and BPA-free materials , they are safe to use with your food.

These handy little ice packs are perfect for everyday use at home, at school, on vacation, and anywhere you want to keep your food and drinks cold away from home.

• The compact dimensions
• They don’t stay cold for longer than a couple of hours

Wherever you are headed, and however much food and drinks you need to take with you, there will be a travel cooler to suit. From oversized ice chests that can double up as a portable bar, to soft-sided coolers that will keep your lunch cool during your commute, modern-day coolers offer impressive cooling capabilities across the board.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Countdown to Magic

15 Best Road Trip Coolers You’ll Love

If you’re planning an awesome road trip vacation soon, you are probably going to bring along drinks and snacks for the drive. After all, keeping a good cooler will keep your food and drinks fresh cold.  So here are my favorite picks for the best road trip coolers that will meet your family vacation needs!

Best Large Road Trip Coolers

If you’re traveling with a large group, or if your road trip will take several days, a large cooler is going to be your best bet. Here are the ones I love the most.

Coleman 316 Series Cooler

Depending on your needs, you can certainly make the argument that this is the perfect road trip cooler.  Why?  Well first, Coleman is a trusted name with a long-standing reputation for quality. 

And second, this 316 Series Cooler, in the 120-quart size, has an impressive capacity of being able to hold up to 204 cans. The design is “classic Coleman”, with handles that lift up for easy carrying and a lid that securely latches. A convenient water drain opening makes it easy to clean this cooler out after each use. This large cooler boasts being able to keep ice solid for up to six days, and online user reviews seem to indicate that claim is true. If you’re on a long-distance road trip and don’t want to constantly replenish your ice supply, this cooler is a good choice.  For convenience, there are four cup holders molded into the lid, which is sturdy enough to use as an extra seat if needed. 

• You Might Also Like : Best Camera Backpacks for Disney World

Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Cooler

This Coleman cooler is another version of the 316 Series described in the above paragraph, but this one has the added bonus of having wheels . With one large handle and one end and heavy-duty wheels on the other end, you can pull this cooler like a wagon. It’s so much easier than trying to lift a heavy cooler full of ice and snacks! If your road trip includes camping, or even just stopping at parks or rest areas for picnic meals, you will love the ease of being able to simply wheel this cooler over to an outdoor table for a relaxing break.

This cooler comes in three sizes, 62 quarts, 65 quarts, and 100 quarts. Even the smallest size of this model can hold approximately 100 cans, so it’s a good choice if you need a good-sized cooler that doesn’t take up too much space in your vehicle.  It also features the same cup holders in the lid and the capacity for being used as a seat like the other 316 Series models.

• You Might Also Like : Best Backpacks for Disneyland

Yeti Tundra 75 Cooler

The Yeti brand is considered by some to be a “gold standard” when it comes to outdoor coolers. The Tundra 75 model is one of their larger coolers, measuring 33.5 inches across and 17.5 inches tall. Yeti coolers keep ice solid for nearly a week due to the 3 inches of insulation in the cooler walls. 

If you’ll be using this cooler in the heat of Summer, this ability to keep the contents cool for a longer period of time is invaluable. Because the insulation is so thick, the inside capacity is somewhat smaller than coolers with comparable outer dimensions. The Tundra 75 is a 75-quart cooler, and it holds approximately 57 cans of beer. The impressive insulation is only one of the remarkable features of this cooler. It also is extremely durable, and is certified as “bear-resistant”. Heavy-duty rubber latches help to ensure a tight seal on the lid. Because of the unique construction of this cooler, it’s also one of the heavier models available. It weighs approximately 34 pounds empty. Once it’s filled with ice, food, and/or drinks, it becomes very heavy to move around. 

The Yeti brand coolers are expensive. This model sells for $450 on Amazon. However,

if your road trips include a lot of camping, or if you’ll be camping while on your Disney vacation , a Yeti cooler might be worth the investment.

• You Might Also Like : Best Women’s Backpacks for Disney World

Igloo Polar 120 Quart Cooler

Igloo is another trusted brand of cooler that has been around for a long time. The Polar 120 Quart model is a somewhat basic large-capacity cooler at a decent price.  It holds up to 188 cans, which means there is plenty of room for several days worth of food and drinks. 

The drain plug on this model is threaded, so you can attach an ordinary garden hose to it for easy draining. Another great feature is that there are UV light inhibitors in the lid, which make it resistant to sun damage and help keep the contents cooler on very hot days.

You Might Also Like : Best Sling Backpacks for Disney

Best Small Road Trip Coolers

If your road trip will only last a day or two, you’re not traveling with a large group, or you’re trying to conserve packing space in your vehicle, there are many smaller-sized coolers that you will love.

Igloo 11 Quart Tagalong Cooler

If your road trip is only going to take a day or two, this small cooler from Igloo brand is an excellent choice. It will retain ice for 2-3 days and holds up to 14 cans. It’s the perfect size to hold a few drinks and some light snacks. 

There is an adjustable shoulder strap that can be made long enough to carry this cross-body style. Sturdy lid locks and an interior gasket in the lid help to prevent spills or leakage. It’s a fun bonus that this small cooler is available in a variety of cheerful, bright colors!

• You Might Also Like : Best Flip Flops for Disney World

Camp-Zero 16L Tall Cooler

This cooler from Camp-Zero is one of the most efficient smaller models around! The tall design is perfect if you don’t have a larger vehicle and need to maximize packing space. You can fit approximately 20 cans in this cooler, and it’s tall enough to accommodate wine bottles upright if needed. This is made to last with a hard shell exterior and a dual latch lock system. The features a freezer-grade gasket for outstanding ice retention. It is even compatible for use with dry ice!

• You Might Also Like : Best Shorts for Disney World

Igloo Retro 25 Quart Picnic Basket Cooler

Somewhat recently, Igloo brought back new and improved versions of some of their most popular designs from the 1980s and 1990s. Many people were quite happy to see the Picnic Basket Cooler return! The first thing you’ll notice about this cooler is that it’s so cute! The color selections are perfect for Summer and definitely bring on the 1980s/1990s vibe. But the standout feature is the “picnic basket” style handles. They are hinged and come together up to the center of the cooler, which makes it easy to carry this cooler even with just one hand. This 25-quart model can hold approximately 36 cans. The contents are kept cool with Igloo’s “Thermecool” foam insulation, which is a clean, eco-friendly insulation.  

• You Might Also Like : Best Cooling Towels for Disney World

Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler

The Tundra 35 model from Yeti includes all the advanced features of larger Yeti coolers, in a more compact size. This cooler, in spite of the smaller size, can hold approximately 20 cans.

Just like the larger Yeti coolers, their extra-thick insulation and durable construction make this stand out from other cooler brands. These features also make it a heavier cooler, with an empty weight of 20 pounds. Like the larger models, this is one of the more expensive coolers with a price of $275.00. 

• You Might Also Like : Best Misting Fans for Disney World

Best Soft Side Coolers

If you want a cooler that doesn’t take up much space and is easier to carry, a soft-side model is a really a great choice.  Here are some of my favorites that I think you’ll appreciate, as well.

Tourit Cooler Bag

This cooler bag from Tourit has a spacious 48 can capacity and will keep food and drinks cold for approximately twelve hours. It has a padded handle on the top as well as a detachable shoulder strap, so it’s comfortable to carry. A really nice feature of this bag is that it is fully collapsible! When not in use, you can fold it completely flat. This makes it a nice choice if you want to bring it on your trip as an extra cooler in addition to a larger one. 

• You Might Also Like : Best Leggings for Disney

RTIC Soft Cooler Insulated Bag

This insulated bag cooler from RTIC does an amazing job of keeping the contents cold for nearly 24 hours. It has two inches of closed foam insulation that not only keeps the inside cold, but it also helps this bag float in water! 

A sturdy zippered top keeps it from leaking, and the bag is made of a tough nylon fabric. It is available in several sizes, ranging from the smallest which holds 12 cans, to the largest size which holds 40 cans. 

SeeHonor Soft Sided Cooler Bag

This bag from SeeHonor has so many great features, not the least of which are the multiple compartments! In addition to the main compartment that can hold 30 cans, there is a front pocket that can hold small objects such as napkins, cutlery, sunglasses, etc. There are also two side pockets that are big enough for water bottles, and it also has a bottle opener. Four layers of insulation will keep the contents cold for approximately twelve hours. On the top, there is a smaller zippered opening so you can just grab what you need from inside without having to unzip the entire lid. This helps keep everything inside cool; the less outside air you let into the cooler the more cold air it will retain. 

• You Might Also Like : Best Water Bottles for Disney World

Best Backpack and Tote Bag Coolers

Backpack and tote bag coolers are the perfect accessories to carry snacks and drinks with you during a Disney World vacation! You can pack drinks and food in them to enjoy while visiting any of the Disney theme parks or water parks (or wherever your road trip will take you). I also think they’re quite nice for keeping any medications cold that are temperature sensitive.  Here are my favorite backpacks and tote bags.

Oniva Disney Tote Cooler Bag

If you’re looking for a stylish way to keep snacks and drinks cold while visiting a Disney theme park or water park, you will love this insulated tote bag! It comes in a variety of styles featuring Disney characters . 

In addition to being made of durable polyester with thick PVC insulation, this bag also has a zippered outside compartment to carry your wallet, phone, sunglasses, etc. You can fit a lot in this bag; it has a generous 24-can capacity. 

• You Might Also Like : Best Hats for Disney World

Maelstrom Cooler Backpack

This cooler backpack is not only stylish (available in many fun colors), but it has so many pockets to keep your stuff organized. The Maelstrom Cooler Backpack features a roomy zippered main compartment, one top zipper pocket, one front zipper pocket, one front cutlery storage pocket, two mesh side pockets, a hidden back zipper pocket, and one shoulder strap card pocket. 

The high-density insulation and leak-proof liner inside help to keep food cold for up to 16 hours. You can fit up to 35 cans in this backpack, making it a great size to carry a full day’s worth of drinks and snacks.

• You Might Also Like : Best Crossbody Bags for Disney World

Elviros Cooler Backpack

This cooler backpack wins when it comes to organization, roominess, and cooling ability. The five-layer insulation boasts that it can keep food cool for up to 24 hours. It is slightly larger in size than many backpacks , but it features one zippered pocket in front. 

This pocket is perfect for small items such as your phone or wallet, four large front zippered pockets for plates and cutlery, and an attached bottle opener for extra convenience. The rope design at the bottom of the backpack is perfect to store a lightweight picnic blanket.

• You Might Also Like : Best Ears for Disney World

Cobalt Soft Side Cooler Tote

Cobalt is a brand known for manufacturing high-quality, durable coolers. This spacious cooler tote with a capacity to carry 24 cans is made of their highest quality standards using strong PVC tarpaulin material, a waterproof PEVA lining, and reinforced zippers and straps. 

While it doesn’t have any pockets or compartments to keep things more organized, it is easy to carry and you can fit a lot into this tote. Even though it is built for long-lasting durability, it weighs only two pounds when empty. 

How to Pick the Best Cooler

Whether your road trip will last several days or just one long day, you should keep a few things in mind when choosing the best cooler for your needs. First, consider the size of the cooler you should use. If you decide to use a large cooler, take a few minutes and measure the space in your vehicle, then compare it to the size of the cooler you want to buy. Don’t forget to allow enough space for luggage, any other camping gear you might be bringing, and toys and games to keep the kids amused. Large coolers are great, but it might make more sense to have two medium to smaller size coolers. It could be easier to organize space for two smaller-sized coolers as opposed to one larger model. You can keep food in one cooler, and drinks in the other. Your food will stay cold longer the less you open the cooler lid, and you’ll probably be opening the cooler more often to get drinks. If your road trip destination is Walt Disney World or Disneyland, you might think about having a portable soft-side cooler or backpack cooler with you. These are great for carrying snacks and water with you while you visit the Disney Parks. They’re easier to carry than a small hard-side cooler, and take up less packing space as well.

• If you enjoyed this article on the top road trip coolers, please “like” my Countdown to Magic Facebook page !

This article was written by Kimberly and edited by Michael.

Michael has been visiting Disney World since he was a kid. He's also been to Disneyland and sailed on the Disney Dream. Michael is the owner and editor of Countdown to Magic.

Similar Posts

Top 10 Disney World Rumors I Hope Come True

One of my favorite things to do is to read the rumor threads on Disney-inspired…

5 Tips to Convince Parents to Go to Disney World

Having a hard time convincing your parents to invest in a trip to Disney World?…

9 Disney World Tips and Tricks for First Timers at the Parks

As a Disney World first-timer, you’ve been dreaming of it your whole life: the ultimate…

How to Disney World Without Genie Plus

You have probably heard of Genie Plus while planning your vacation. But is it really…

Epcot vs Hollywood Studios – Best Park to Visit?

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World soon, then you’re likely trying to decide…

My Disney Experience App: The Ultimate Walkthrough Tutorial

The My Disney Experience app is hands down one of Walt Disney World’s best additions,…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• South Africa
• Turkmenistan
• South Korea
• Philippines
• Timor Leste
• Afghanistan
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Northern Ireland
• Isle Of Man
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• North Macedonia
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Czech Republic
• Antigua And Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• Puerto Rico
• Saint Barthelemy
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Martin & Sint Maarten
• Trinidad And Tobago
• Turks And Caicos
• US Virgin Islands
• Falkland Islands
• French Guiana
• El Salvador
• United States
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Cook Islands
• French Polynesia
• Accessories
• Bags & Backpacks
• Horseback Riding
• Photography
• Maintenance
• Airport Hotels
• Bed & Breakfast
• Budget Hotels
• Business Hotels
• Family Friendly Hotels
• Gay Friendly Hotels
• Luxury Hotels
• Pet Friendly Hotels
• Pool Hotels
• Romantic Hotels

13 Best Coolers For Road Trips

• Travel Gear
• 13 Best Coolers For Road…

It’s time to hit the road and start the journey of your life! Whether it’s a short trip or a long road trip, make sure you have everything you need before the wheels roll. Road trips are best to be accompanied by a steady supply of cold beverages and fresh food along the way. To do that, you’ll need the best coolers for a road trip that are made perfectly for the occasion! Find the perfect match from our extensive product reviews and let the adventure begins!

How To Choose The Best for Road Trips

The market is flooded with coolers of all types and purposes that it can be hard to find the best coolers for road trips suitable for you. Luckily, you only need a few pointers below to help you navigate among the best of the best coolers for car travel!

There are many coolers in the market and you might notice that most of them are built using a method called rotomolding to build the structure. Rotomolding allows a cooler to retain a seamless structure that can minimize air seepage resulting in cold air leaking. To make a rotomolded cooler, a type of plastic (usually LLDPE) is injected into a rotating mold. This type of cooler is known to be durable and lightweight! The best coolers for car travel are rotomolded!

Weight and Size

Road trips require a cooler to be transported into a vehicle and you’d want to be able to do it easily! Just like coolers for boats , they are best when they are flat-bottomed to optimize storage. Size also matters as it can dictate how big your cooler should be. A week-long trip will need at least a 50-quart cooler to keep your food and beverage cold the entire journey. Certainly, you won’t need that big for a quick trip to the beach. For that occasion, smaller 20-quart coolers are the best coolers for road trips suitable for you.

Are you traveling with strangers or getting into unknown territory? Then find the best coolers for car travel with extra protection such as lockable latches or some locking hasps feature is great to keep your belonging out from naughty hands. Moreover, some coolers like  hunting coolers  take security one step further with bear-proofing!

Security ultimately extends to safety when we’re talking about big, heavy boxes. Surely we want our coolers to stay put and stop sliding around every time the car makes a turn. Therefore, the best coolers for car travel are usually equipped with tie-down slots and non-skid feet. If your favorite doesn’t have them, you can always purchase additional gear like a non-slip mat or netting to provide extra safety.

What should I bring on a cooler for a road trip?

The most important thing to bring on the best coolers for car travel is ice or ice packs! Make sure to maintain a 2:1 ice-to-content ratio to optimize cooling.

How long does food stay cold in a cooler?

Your food will remain cold and safe as long the cabin is maintained at the right temperature (4 °C). To optimize your cooler’s chilling power, you can pre-chill your best car cooler for road trips and use a mix of ice and ice packs into your cooler.

Will a cooler keep food hot?

The best coolers for car travel are basically boxes with insulation, so yes! It can keep your stuff hot, too. Though you want to be careful not to put boiling water inside your cooler to prevent damage.

Nash Sub Z Cooler

Nash Sub Z Cooler might be in the industry for quite a while but it could the best small cooler for road trip for you! This blue ice chest is unbelievably lightweight for its looks and handy to be carried around. It’s perfect for a trip where you make some stops along the way because you can carry it comfortably with you!

Though small, this cooler packs quite a punch with its foam insulation. With proper preparation, this mini ice chest can hold things cold for at least 2 days (with the minimum open-close operation. But what about its strength? Don’t worry! This unit has a rotomolded body that improves both ice retention and durability!

What We Love

A perfect starter to get your hands on best car cooler for road trips!

• Lightweight
• Well-insulated
• Double-latch
• Handy handles
• It has a limited size

Check Price & Info

Coolbox Cooler with Bluetooth Speaker

Now, this is a fun box! Coolbox Cooler with Bluetooth Speaker happened when you cross a Bluetooth speaker and a good cooler! Impress your drinking buddies with a blasting sound from its speaker while handing them their child drinks! But wait, it’s not over! It also works as a  portable charger  for your device! Once fully charged, it can stay up for 4 hours.

From the outside, this product looked low-key enough to be mistaken as a toolbox that sits perfectly flat on your vehicle! This durable cooler uses a couple of plastic latches to secure the content. It has a polypropylene shell that houses PU foam insulation to keep your f&b fresh for up to 5 days. This amazing tool is the recipe for a constant fun time!

A box of fun for a beach party trip.

• Comes with a built-in Bluetooth speaker
• Also a power bank
• Plastic latches
• Built-in wheels
• The speaker has a standard quality and lowers ice retention than the rest in this list

Columbia PFG High Performance Roto Cooler

We believe we don’t see products from this brand enough for some reason. We can’t be sure why since they are well-built, durable, and completely functional. Take the Columbia PFG High Performance Roto Cooler for example. This rotomolded cooler is a gorgeous-looking cooler that feels like a premium cooler without the price! It’s so durable that it can stand a hungry bear and the ice retention rate is quite satisfactory with up to 3 days!

The latches are one of the best in the market for their ease-of-use and toughness. You’ll need it because the freezer-grade rubber gasket should need some help to maintain the cabin’s seal. And it doesn’t stop there! This cooler has a plethora of extra features like a removable bottle opener, a ruler, and even a line cutter. It’s one of the best coolers for road trips especially when you’re an angler!

A sleeper cooler that’s worthy of your fun time!

• High-performing insulation
• Freezer-grade gasket
• Strong latches
• It’s an underrated product from a less popular cooler brand

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Roto Cooler

One of the best coolers for car travel is the compact Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Roto Cooler that has been starting to earn loyal customers. This high-performing cooler may look simple with its blue-grey color but this ice chest packs quite a punch in terms of weight and ice retention. While a lot of smaller coolers have a hard time maintaining satisfactory ice retention for more than 3 days, this cooler does it like a champ.

This cooler has a unique blend of premium PU foam as insulation that provides a superior temperature barrier while keeping the weight and form factor efficient. This insulation is complemented with the 360° rubber gasket on the lid and a pair of heavy-duty rubber latches to work perfectly. It works the best when the microban liner is filled with a mix of ice and icepacks to chill its content. So if you’re looking for a great cooler in a small and light form? Look no further!

A no-frill cooler to carry your basic necessities.

• Highly durable
• Strong rubber latches
• Thick insulation
• Anti-bacterial liner
• Doesn’t have the highest ice retention rate

Landworks Rotomolded Cooler

You can’t go wrong with one of these bad boys. Landworks Rotomolded Cooler is one of the best coolers for road trips with family or groups. Going for some swim on the beach? This cooler is ready. Maybe a three-day road trip across the states? Sure! This cooler is your dependable chiller friend! No matter close or far, this durable ice chest will take you a long way.

Its durable rotomolded body houses 3-inch thick insulation walls and a freezer-grade gasket to keep your stuff cold and safe inside before the lid is tightly secured by the heavy-duty rubber latches. The cooler is also equipped with some useful features you’ll appreciate such as tie-down slots, anti-skid feet, and a bottle opener!

An affordable solid unit you can take for either short or a week-long trip.

• Rotomolded body and lid
• Strung rubber latches
• 3-inch insulation
• Non-skid feet
• Fair ice retention
• Pressure release valve
• Limited color option

Igloo Stainless Steel Cooler

Just look at this gorgeous icebox. We’re in love with its sleek stainless steel body and the overall retro design. Getting Igloo Stainless Steel Cooler perching in your truck or RV is a testament of taste and class that becomes a conversation starter among our guests. However, as one of the best coolers for road trips, the good look isn’t the only thing to boast about. This ice chest is packed with features to enhance your fun evening with friends!

This 51L cooler is made of 75% rust-resistant stainless steel on a heavy-duty base that has a Cool Riser Technology. This technology works by promoting airflow from beneath the cooler to help with ice retention (up to 4 days). This cooler has thick insulation and an easy-cleaning liner inside. With a help of ice or ice packs, you can keep your food and drinks inside for some extra chilling. Bottle drinker? No problem! Just use the attached bottom opener at the front!

Retro-look plus good ice retention? What a great match!

• Long-lasting
• Rust-resistant stainless steel
• Raised feet
• Easy to clean
• Good ice resistant
• Can’t seal well when overstuffed

DeWalt Roto Molded Cooler

The brand might be familiar to you, but did you know they also make great coolers? DeWalt Roto Molded Cooler is a tough cooler you can take anywhere under the sun. From a fun trip to the lake to an unforgiving journey across the desert, this yellow ice chest will conquer them all equally. The key to this great durability is the rotomolded body and heavy-duty latches to create a solid seal.

However, durability isn’t the only thing it’s good at. As one of the best coolers for road trips, it has a decent ice retention rate that’s proven by thousands of users around the world. With proper preparation, the thickly insulated cabin can keep drinks and food for up to 7 days! Take this cooler wherever your wheels may go: this loyal cooler won’t stop chilling!

A robustly built cooler from a renowned brand of tool trading.

• Cam-latches
• Dual-sized drain plug
• Removable nylon handles
• Non-slip feet
• Only comes in the brand’s trademark yellow

Igloo Marine Ultra Family

Igloo Marine Ultra Family may be one of the greatest coolers for fishing in the market, but it could be the best car cooler for road trips as far as we can see. It’s resilient, easy to operate, and has a great ice retention rate! The white rotomolded body shall be enough to take on any road trips imaginable! And even though it has one cam-latch, it’s all that you need to keep the lid sealed tight to the body.

The walls of this awesome cooler are insulated with their trademarked Ultratherm insulation that promotes better insulation while keeping the whole structure lightweight. It maintains the chill air in the cabin using a freezer-grade gasket on the lid to make sure the air doesn’t seep out. Transferring this cooler can be done in a breeze using the handles on the sides. Securing it is even easier, just use the tie-down slots that come with it!

An over-engineered piece of cooler to take on any kind of weather.

• Marine-grade build
• Ultratherm insulation
• UV resistant
• Simple latch
• Rust-resistant lid strap and screws
• Needs pre-treatment to unleash its cooling power

Stanley Adventure Leakproof Outdoor Cooler

Stanley Adventure Leakproof Outdoor Cooler is one of the best coolers for road trips that have been chosen by families for generations. The classic-looking construction hasn’t been altered much because it just works! Its loyal users still love to dub it as the best car cooler for road trips or as lunch boxes because as far as there’s ice/icepacks, they won’t be eating soggy sandwiches or warm beer!

The construction of this cooler is quite solid with PE outer shell and food-grade interior. It’s considerably lightweight and when you combine it with a comfy handle, you won’t mind carrying this cooler around. It also sits nicely on the back of your car with its flat bottom and adjustable tie-down. Think of this cooler whenever you’re thinking of some quiet time fishing or having a picnic in the middle of nowhere, this cooler is made for them!

A classic-looking cooler for a short but meaningful trip!

• Double-wall foam insulation
• Comfy handle
• Lifetime warranty
• The ice retention rate could be better

Klein Tools Cooler

Just look at it! Isn’t it the toughest-looking ice chest you have ever seen? With a grey combination and lightning orange lid, it’s hard to hide Klein Tools Cooler away. But why would you? You’ll love to show it off among your friends for sure! But wait, the appearance isn’t the only thing it excels at. It’s one of the strong contenders for the best car cooler for road trips award!

The stunning orange lid houses 4 self-draining cup holders on it and a sealing gasket below it. The gasket ensures the final sealing to lock the chilled air inside. The walls are equipped with thick insulation to maintain at least 30-hour ice retention on a casual day. But that’s not it! On every purchase, you’ll get a plethora of features you need when you’re out there outdoor such as a bottle opener, a perfectly –fitted separate compartment, and a wide shoulder strap!

One of the best coolers for car travel with outstanding durability!

• Extremely durable
• Easy to use latches
• Including bonus peripherals (removable containers)
• Tie-down slots
• Self-draining cup holder

Coleman Xtreme 5 Cooler

Coleman Xtreme 5 Cooler is the best car cooler for road trip if you’re looking for a great ice chest that doesn’t bore a hole in your pocket. But we promise you this cooler won’t be compromised by its price. This icebox is a solid product that has been going around for years without letting down its customers. It won’t be surprising that you’ll find this cooler in your friends’ RVs. It’s one of the best coolers for car travel anyway.

It’s arguably the best car cooler for road trips due to its flat bottom that sits nicely on your vehicle. Whatever you put inside its compartment, it will keep the temperature as low as it needs to for at least 3 days! With road trips, there are times when you stop by to admire the scenery. Load this cooler out, take out a cold beverage, and sit on its Have-a-Seat lid, so you can enjoy the sunset how it should be done.  

A cooler from a familiar brand with outstanding customer service.

• Insulated lid and wall
• Cup holders
• You can sit on the lid
• It only comes in black

RTIC Ice Chest

Only buy RTIC Ice Chest if you need one of the best coolers for long road trips! Well, you can still buy it to boast about it, though! This cooler is the heaviest rival for the long-reigning Yeti coolers. The fans of this cooler will say that this cooler is as durable and functional as its counterpart. It may convince you, too, if you have met this one of the best coolers for car travel in person. Its strong rotomolded body gives off the strength to handle anything that’s thrown at it.

As the contender for the best car cooler for road trips award, this cooler also has an incredible insulation system that can lock on chilled air flawlessly for at least 7+ days under the right preparation, thanks to the freezer-gasket that works in tandem with the 3-inch insulation inside its walls. Mount this cooler hassle-free onto your vehicle using your tie-down. Though, it won’t be necessary because its skid-free feet will do the job just as well.

A solid unit with competitive ice retention and durability.

• Durable rotomolded body
• More affordable
• Strong hinges
• Heavy-duty rubber T-latches
• Freezer-grade gasket 
• Excellent ice retention
• It doesn’t have a strong customer service nor manufactural warranty

YETI Tundra 75 Cooler

Finally, the legendary YETI Tundra 75 Cooler . It’s hard to think that a product can topple down this magnificent cooler. The name is so popular that it becomes synonymous with coolers. You’ll hear people say, “got a yeti on your truck?” If that doesn’t scream quality and consistency, we don’t know what would. Although it doesn’t belong with the best small coolers for road trip, as we get to know this product, it’s safe to believe that this is the best coolers for road trips!

This cooler can indeed be a heavy investment for some people, but we think it’s worth it since it’s going to be the only cooler you need in your entire life and even for your future generations – plus, the customer service will always get your back if you need to replace some parts. This cooler is one hell of a tough cooler that it’s virtually impossible to crack or bust it open; courtesy of T-Rex latches and rotomolded construction. If you need the best cooler for long road trips, the 8+ -day retention rate is the one you need the most!

The best coolers for car travel in our eyes!

• Extremely durable FatWall construction
• Excellent ice retention (Permafrost insulation)
• Anti-skid feet
• Locking hasps
• Leak-proof drainage system
• Tie-down system sold separately

Author:  John P

As a blogger, I have had the pleasure of exploring some of the most exclusive destinations, indulging in the finest cuisine, accommodations, and experiences that the world has to offer. From the chic streets Paris to the scenic beauty of the Amalfi Coast, readers luxury. my, tips on the most exclusive hotels restaurants, and activities, giving you a glimpse into the world of high-end travel. But luxury travel is not just about extravagance - it's also about immersing yourself in the local culture and experiencing the true essence of a destination. With a passion for art, history, and architecture, I seek out the hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path experiences that make each destination truly unique. So whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, my blog is your guide to the ultimate European luxury travel experience. Join me on my journey as we explore the best that Europe has to offer, one luxurious destination at a time.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The best foodie road trips for Southern eats

Slice off a piece of Southern soul with these foodie itineraries.

By Roadtrippers

Are you hankering for a taste of the South on your next foodie road trip? This guide will help you buckle up to some of the best Southern eats in every region of the U.S. 

Southern cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors, rich history, and legendary hospitality. From the smoky goodness of barbecue to the warm embrace of soul food, there’s something for everyone.

Let’s dig into the best foodie road trips for Southern eats all around America.

Try Our Autopilot™ App for Foodie Road Trips

Autopilot™ is a tool we created using real-life experiences from 38 million trips that real people took. You can use this tool to build a custom foodie itinerary. 

Simply answer a few questions about where you’re going, what you’re driving, and the type of food you want to eat along the way, then Autopilot™ will do the rest.

Try Autopilot™

Southern Foodie Road Trips in the Pacific Northwest

While the Pacific Northwest doesn’t automatically conjure images of Southern cuisine, there are a few hidden gems and Southern-inspired restaurants in these parts. Here are a couple of road trips that’ll take you there:

Southern Eats from Seattle to Portland

From a Southern-themed pub to some of the best Southern BBQ this side of the Mississippi, this Northwestern trip itinerary tickles the palate with comfy eats. 

Soul Food along the Oregon Coast

Route 101 runs along Oregon’s picturesque coast. This meandering road also features some really good Southern cuisine ranging from an upscale hotel restaurant to waterfront soul-food spots. 

Here’s a foodie road trip we love ‘round there:

Southern Foodie Road Trips in The West

With so many transplants from the South, the Western U.S. is stacked with great spots for comfort grub. Here are some of our favorite foodie trip itineraries in this region:

Southern Soulfood from San Diego to Santa Barbera

This West Coast foodie road trip features epic BBQ, upscale Southern food, and fun stops along the way. 

Southern Fare in the Rockies: Denver to Albuquerque 

Voodoo Taverns, Po’ Brothers, and Vittles are just a few of the scrumptious Southern spots you’ll find on this itinerary.

SLC to Vegas Soul Food

Vast stretches between Salt Lake City and Vegas are very remote, but that doesn’t mean Southern flavors don’t dot the journey. Start out with some great grub in SLC, stop in for some St. George soul, and then roll into Vegas for some of the best Southern eats in the country. 

Southern Foodie Road Trips in The Midwest

The Midwest has a surprising quantity of stellar food and it punches above it’s weight when it comes to Southern fare. Plug these road trips into your Roadtrippers app and roll out on scrumptious adventures. 

In Search of Soul: Chicago to St. Louis 

Southern Farm-to-Table restaurants and epic Memphis-style BBQ are a few of the highlights on this trip through the heart of the Midwest. Pick a nice day and roll out with the top down for a savory journey through one of America’s greatest food corridors. 

Southern Eats from Kansas City to the Twin Cities

KC is an underrated food mecca that’s an easy drive to the well kept foodie secret that is Des Moines. And don’t even get us started on the Twin Cities, a places with more hidden gems than a prince’s crown.

This route takes you all along the path with pit stops for pit BBQ, Southern chicken and waffles, and a whole lot more. 

Midwest-Ish: Oklahoma City to DFW

We know… we know… Texas isn’t technically the Midwest. Oklahoma is debatable too, but we still wanted to fit them both in and this is where they landed. It’s an enjoyable foodie trip no matter what region you place these in. 

Southern Foodie Road Trips in The Southeast

It’s a bit of an oxymoron to take a ‘Southern foodie road trip’ in the actual South because all foodie road trips here are basically that way by default. Still, we wanted to shout out a couple iconic itineraries in this region for some great grub. 

Nashville to Atlanta Road Trip

This itinerary features some of the most iconic stops in Southern cuisine. From Nashville hot chicken to upscale Atlanta eats, this trip packs a serious punch. 

Gulf Shores, AL to Tallahassee, FL

This Southern road trip meanders along the Florida Panhandle to scoop up some of the best Southern food that The Gulf has to offer.

Southern Foodie Road Trips in The Northeast

This region is close to the real deal, so you’ll track authentic food en route. Here are a few of the most iconic road trips ‘round these parts:

Southern Scramble: Washington D.C. to NYC

As one of the most densely populated corridors in the U.S., this route offers a plethora of cuisine in every genre. Check out this itinerary for some Southern flair on your drive. 

New York City to Boston and Beyond

This route takes you through two of America’s culinary capitals, where you’ll find some of the most eclectic Southern food on the planet. See all the stops here:

In Search of Southern: Pittsburg to Philadelphia

Meander along this naturally beautiful route, which also includes some spectacular Southern food. With this itinerary, try out South-style BBQ, Dixie-inspired taprooms, and upscale Southern dining. 

Tips for The Best Foodie Road Trip

• Pack Smart: Bring a cooler to keep perishable items fresh, and don’t forget a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
• Make Reservations: For highly sought-after restaurants, especially during peak dining times, make reservations in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Be Flexible: While having a plan is great, be open to spontaneous discoveries. Explore local markets, food trucks, and farmers’ markets for unique culinary experiences.
• Research Local Cuisine: Learn about the region’s culinary traditions and specialties to fully appreciate the local flavors.
• Ask the Locals: Locals often have the best recommendations for hidden gems and authentic dining experiences. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice.
• Try Something New: Step outside your comfort zone and try dishes you’ve never had before. You might discover a new favorite!
• Support Local Businesses: Because road trips are best had when you pick the local flavor.
• Take Notes: Keep a food journal or take photos to document your culinary adventures and remember your favorite dishes and restaurants.

Taking a foodie road trip is one of the best ways to explore the diverse cuisine of the United States, and Southern food is a great theme to build a trek around. Whether you’re cruising through the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, or the Southeast, each region offers its own unique take on Southern classics to fuel your drive. 

Plug one of these itineraries into your Roadtrippers app or create your own foodie road trip using Autopilot™ to find bold flavors when you hit the road. 

Meet the Author

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.

Get the most inspiring stories from the road sent directly to your inbox.

• Sign up Log in Sign out
• Log in Sign out

Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app.

If you used to sign in with Roadpass, you should now use the same username and password to log in directly with Roadtrippers above.

We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. Please try signing in with another option.

We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates.

How do you want to plan your trip?

With just a few questions, our newest Premium feature, Autopilot, will plan your next adventure.

Watch CBS News

The 5 best portable refrigerators for your car in 2024

By Jason R. Rich

Edited By Leslie Gornstein

Updated on: August 15, 2024 / 4:01 PM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

For anyone who spends a lot of time in their car, whether it's for a commute to work, road trips, camping or tailgating, there's an easy way to keep food fresh and drinks icy cold: a portable refrigerator designed to be kept in a car, and powered using your vehicle's 12-volt DC power port.

Portable refrigerators designed for in-car use come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it's easy to find one that'll easily fit within your vehicle and offers the capacity you need. Each of these portable refrigerators can be used in your car, but most can also be used indoors with a standard power adapter, too.

• Best portable refrigerator : Igloo Versatemp 28-quart electric cooler

Best budget portable refrigerator : Puneda 8-quart car fridge

• Best compact portable refrigerator : Vevor 10-quart portable mini-fridge
• Best large portable refrigerator : Bodega 80-quart electric cooler and freeze

Best battery-powered portable refrigerator : Anker EverFront Powered Cooler 30

The best portable refrigerators work just like the appliance in your kitchen, but smaller. They're very different from traditional coolers, which need to be filled with ice to keep contents cold. 

What is the best portable refrigerator for a car?

Think of the convenience of reaching into a portable refrigerator to pull out a cold drink. The best portable refrigerators for a car are designed for ease of use. After extensive research and some testing, here are the top choices from our in-house appliance experts .

Best portable refrigerator overall : Igloo Versatemp 28-quart electric cooler

The Igloo Veratemp 28 can serve two purposes -- cooling or warming -- but only handle one of these tasks at a time. Without ice, this portable fridge can maintain a temperature as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit. When it's switched to heating mode, it can reach and maintain up to 136 degrees.

This Igloo portable fridge uses a quiet, brushless motor. It includes a swing-up bail handle and two convenient side handles to make it easy to lift and carry, but it can just as easily be kept in the back of your vehicle. For power, the fridge plugs into any vehicle's 12 -olt auxiliary power outlet with the included cable. A 110-volt AC converter, which allows you to plug the fridge into a standard indoor outlet, is sold separately. 

It's 28-quart capacity is spacious enough to hold up to 39 soda cans. The exterior dimensions of this portable fridge are 18.43 by 12.78 by 17.02 inches.

The biggest perk of using the Puneda 8-quart car fridge is convenience -- well, that and a great price. It's small enough to be seat belted into the back seat of a car, which makes it easy to access. We also like the dual functionality of this device. As a fridge, it can maintain a temperature as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. But when you switch it to warming mode, it can reach and maintain a temperature up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

It's available with a brown or grey exterior that measures 14.4 by 7.7 by 11.1 inches. Thanks to its eight-quart capacity, it can hold up 10 soda cans. For power, it uses the 12-volt auxiliary power port that's built into your vehicle. A 110-volt AC adapter for indoor use is also included. 

The unit relies on a brushless motor and fan, so it operates quietly. With the fridge's lid closed, you still get access to two cup holders for added convenience. 

Best compact portable refrigerator : Vevor 10 quart portable mini-fridge

While some of the portable car refrigerators in this roundup can keep their contents either cold or hot, the Vevor 10-quart portable mini fridge can serve as a refrigerator or freezer. The unit has a built-in electric temperature control panel, so you can set the ideal temperature to meet your needs -- between -4 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. It's also controllable using a smartphone app.

The exterior of this mini fridge is both durable and corrosion-free. The unit comes with a 12-volt DC cable for connecting it to your vehicle for power, but also includes a 110-volt power cord for indoor use.

This mini fridge's exterior measures 15 by 25 by 20 inches. It can reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 15 minutes. Even if power is cut off, the mini fridge can maintain its temperature for up to 10 hours, with the help of an optional insulated protective cover . It generates less than 45 decibels of noise.

Best large-capacity portable refrigerator : Bodega 80-quart electric cooler

Having access to an 80-quart, single zone refrigerator in your vehicle gives you enough space to keep a lot of drinks and food cold during an extended road trip, camping adventure or tailgating party. This beast can handle 96 soda cans. You can monitor and adjust its temperature manually, or use a smartphone app.

The Bodega 80 has a temperature range between -4 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can use it either as a refrigerator or freezer. The exterior of the unit measures 32.1 by 18.1 by 17.7 inches. While it comes with wheels and a handle to easily transport the fridge -- from your car to a camping site, for example -- those wheels can easily be removed to keep the refrigerator stable in your car while you're driving.

Thanks to its fast cooling mode, it can reach a 32-degree Fahrenheit temperature in less than 15 minutes. The unit is powered using the supplied, 8.5-foot-long, 12-volt DC power cable that plugs into your vehicle's auxiliary power socket. A 110-volt AC power converted for indoor use is also included.

Yes, this portable car refrigerator can be plugged into the 12-volt auxiliary power port in your car, or be used with an AC converter for indoor use. What sets the Anker EverFrost car fridge apart from the others in this roundup is that it can be powered using its 299 watt-hour-capacity battery.

It comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that can keep contents cool (at 39 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to 42 hours, without needing ice or external power. If you plan to use this portable fridge while off-grid, it can also be connected to optional solar panels to recharge. When the portable fridge is connected to power, its internal temperature can be set anywhere between -4 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Anker EverFront generates less than 42 decibels of noise. To make the unit easy to transport, it has two, six-inch wheels and an easy-tow handle. The plastic and metal exterior of the unit measures 31.2 by 22 by 20.1 inches.

To discover all of the best products for your home, family and outdoor living needs, stay up-to-date on all of our home, kitchen and outdoor coverage , which includes how to find the best deals on the products you want and need.

Jason R. Rich ( www.JasonRich.com ) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. One of his most recently published books, The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) is now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

More Essentials

The best Dolby Atmos soundbars in 2024

You won't believe your ears when you incorporate these soundbars into your home theater system.

Best camping tents for 2024

The best camping tents in 2024 will help keep you comfortable while you explore the great outdoors.

How to watch the Little League World Series today

The 2024 Little League World Series is on. Find out how and when to watch, even if you don't have cable.

The 6 best waterproof camera for vacations, vlogging and more

Whether you're shooting still images or video, here are five waterproof and durable digital camera options.

Sam's Club Plus Members now get free delivery from club

Sam's Club is ending some of its fees for curbside and delivery from club in August. Here's what you need to know.

Best clearance deals on the Google Pixel 8 following the Pixel 9 announcement

A new Pixel phone is coming, and you know what that means: Discounts on the older model.

Best laptop backpacks for back to school

Your laptop is a major investment - protect it with one of our best back-to-school laptop backpacks.

Best prescription eyewear for athletes

The right prescription glasses stay in place and offer sharp vision -- no matter where you are or what sport you love.

The 7 best photo printers for creating pro-quality prints at home

Make lab-quality prints at home from you digital images using one of these carefully curated photo printers.

Highway that divided city in New York set to be demolished

Syracuse is one of more than 130 communities that shared $3 billion in federal awards this year to reconnect neighborhoods segregated by highway planners in the 1900s.

Watch Live: DNC Night 2 underway with Obama set to speak

Former President Barack Obama is speaking on the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 20 years after his first DNC address.

• updated 5M ago

Map shows where RFK Jr. is — and isn't — on the ballot in November

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been fighting to appear on the ballot as an independent candidate. See where he is — and isn't —on the ballot in November.

FAA requires inspection of Boeing 787 pilot seats

During a March flight by Chile-based Latam Airlines, the captain's seat moved forward and hit a switch that disconnected the autopilot system, and the plane rapidly dropped about 400 feet

Here's how economists rate Kamala Harris' pledge to ban price gouging

Harris is vowing to pass the first federal ban on price gouging, a pledge that comes after grocery prices have surged 25% since 2020.

United Airlines adds 20 flights for fans to attend college football games

United announced a special schedule that adds flights to the biggest college football matchups of the season.

What to know about Mike Lynch, the tycoon missing from sunken yacht

Mike Lynch, an icon of British entrepreneurship, is one of six people missing after his luxury yacht sank during a violent storm.

• updated 39M ago

BMW recalls more than 720,000 cars because electric water pump issue

Improper installation of electrical component in affected cars could expose it to water, raising risk of "thermal event," the recall states.

Harley-Davidson says it's dropping some DEI policies after backlash

Harley-Davidson said it is "saddened by the negativity on social media," but added it is dropping some DEI goals.

Gaetz projected to defeat primary challenger backed by McCarthy revenge tour

Rep. Matt Gaetz led the effort to oust Kevin McCarthy from the speakership.

• updated 9M ago

Police arrested 13 people during first day of DNC; security fence fortified

"Those police officers responded perfectly, and we've got body cam footage to prove it," Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said of the response to the breach.

HealthWatch

Mpox is "not the new COVID," World Health Organization says

The World Health Organization declared an international health emergency over the spread of mpox in Africa, but says it's not the next coronavirus.

Why Americans are traveling to Vermont and Oregon to die

Medical aid in death is legal in 10 states and the District of Columbia. But only Oregon and Vermont explicitly allow out-of-state people who are terminally ill to die with assistance there.

"Boy Meets World" actress Danielle Fishel reveals breast cancer diagnosis

The 43-year-old actress, who shared the news in the latest episode of her "Pod Meets World" podcast, said "learning from the experiences of others" motivated her to share the diagnosis.

Harris-Walz ticket sharpens contrast with Trump-Vance on health care

As Democrats convene in Chicago, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz together are raising the prominence of health care as a 2024 election issue.

Perdue recalls more than 167,000 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets and tenders

Perdue Foods is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets and tenders after some customers reported finding metal wire embedded in the products.

Officials believe tornado sunk luxury yacht off coast of Sicily

Police divers have resumed searching for six people believed trapped in the hull of a superyacht that sank off Sicily.

• updated 34M ago

Jannik Sinner will not be suspended after testing positive for steroids

Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for a banned anabolic steroid in March.

King Charles and Taylor Swift meet kids who survived mass knife attack

King Charles visits the English town of Southport, where 3 young girls were killed in a stabbing attack, a day after Taylor Swift met with some of the survivors.

Entertainment

Jennifer Lopez files for divorce from Ben Affleck after months of speculation

Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, just over a month after the couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary.

Matt Fraser on new book, afterlife messages

Psychic medium and New York Times bestselling author Matt Fraser joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss his new book, "Don't Wait Till You're Dead: Spirits' Advice from the Afterlife."

Los Lonely Boys are back with "Resurrection" and a renewed sound

Los Lonely Boys, the Texas trio known for their Grammy-winning hit "Heaven," return with their first album in over a decade, "Resurrection."

New York Times' Mini Crossword turns 10

The New York Times is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its popular Mini Crossword, a bite-sized version of the classic puzzle. For the past decade, Joel Fagliano has been the mastermind behind the Mini, crafting it daily for the Times' website and app. Fagliano joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss his journey.

Here's how to freeze your credit after Social Security number breach

Should I freeze my credit? Here's what experts say, and how to stop bad actors from accessing your file.

How to spot AI, disinformation in 2024 race

Artificial intelligence and misinformation remain a threat this election year. So how can you spot what's real and what's not? Darren Linvill, co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University, joins CBS News with tips.

How AI powered robots are helping small farms

From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.

Google: Iran cyberattack targetting U.S. politics

Iran has launched a sweeping, months-long cyberattack targeting both the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns, according to a new report by Google. Nicole Sganga has details.

Tablet use linked to angry outbursts among todders, study finds

Staring at an iPad screen too much may keep little kids from learning to control their emotions, a new study finds.

The Climate Election: The problem with power, explained

Before Ernesto was a hurricane, it was a tropical storm. But that's all it took to wipe out electricity for nearly all of the U.S. Virgin Islands and half of Puerto Rico. And it's not just an island problem. Extreme weather across the entire U.S. is taking a toll on infrastructure that is being used long past its life expectancy. As we get closer to Election Day, CBS Los Angeles' Marina Jurica tells us what to know about the intersection of climate and energy.

The rising energy demands of data centers

There are hundreds of data centers across the U.S., most of which are run by big tech firms, and their seemingly endless rows of servers are consuming huge amounts of electricity. Ben Tracy takes a look at how one of those companies, Google, is turning to renewable energy sources to power them.

Where Hurricane Ernesto is headed next

Hurricane Ernesto is gaining strength in the Caribbean after drenching Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Now the storm is moving north into the Atlantic, where it's expected to continue strengthening as it heads toward Bermuda. CBS News national correspondent Manuel Bojorquez and WCBS chief weathercaster Lonnie Quinn have more.

Watch the Park Fire grow to be one of California's largest ever

On July 24, a burning car was pushed over an embankment in Chico, California. Within three days, it became one of the 10 largest wildfires in state history. Within nine days, it was among the top four. Still burning at over 429,000 acres, firefighters continue to tackle the historic blaze. Using data from Cal Fire, CBS News put together an animation to show just how quickly and far the flames have spread.

How much will an EV really cost me? Here's what to know.

There are plenty of considerations for those interested in making the investment, according to industry experts.

Derek Chauvin transferred to Texas prison following stabbing incident

The ex-Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd has been transferred to a federal prison in Texas almost nine months after he was stabbed in a different facility.

Robert Telles' defense calls witnesses in Las Vegas murder trial

Robert Telles, accused of murder in the death of Las Vegas journalist Jeff German, is expected to take the stand in his own defense as soon as Tuesday.

Former officer convicted in George Floyd murder released from prison

One of the former Minneapolis police officers convicted in the murder of George Floyd has been released from custody, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Parents of accused gunman in deadly Texas school shooting found not liable

The parents of Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a former student accused of killing 10 people at a high school near Houston in 2018, don't bear financial responsibility for the shooting, a jury decided.

Woman who said killing her sex trafficker was legal gets 11-year sentence

Chrystul Kizer, who said she was legally allowed to a kill a man because he was sexually trafficking her, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to a reduced count of reckless homicide.

Photos of the blue supermoon show August's rare lunar phenomenon

The first of 2024's four consecutive supermoons, the blue moon will reach peak illumination on Monday and will shine brightly through Wednesday.

When and where to see August's rare supermoon blue moon

August's full moon, a rare blue moon and supermoon, is lighting up the night sky this week. Here's what time it peaks and where you should look.

Perseid meteor shower seen raining over Stonehenge in stunning photo

CBS News spoke with the astrophotographer behind the viral photo about his mission to drive people to look at the night sky before it changes "within the period of our lifetime."

NASA says Starliner landing decision possible next week

Seventy-one days after launch, NASA finally nears a decision on whether Boeing's Starliner will return to Earth with, or without, a crew.

NASA on Boeing Starlink crew in space

NASA held a press briefing Wednesday and announced a decision will be coming on how the Boeing Starlink capsule crew stuck at the International Space Station will proceed with their mission in space. CBS News' Lindsey Reiser has more.

Latest Galleries

Notable Deaths in 2024

A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.

Summer music 2024

Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.

Evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case

A look at the evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case; plus, newly revealed letters from the man police say wanted to be like fictional serial killer Dexter Morgan.

Clues and evidence in the John McCabe case

A teenager's murder in Lowell, Massachusetts, goes unsolved for more than 40 years -- were the clues there all along?

Donald Sutherland

The actor, recipient of a lifetime achievement Academy Award, was renowned for such films as "MASH," "Klute," "Don't Look Now," "Ordinary People," and "The Hunger Games."

Latest CBS News Videos

Pressley on Harris' appeal, "Squad" losses

Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts discussed how Vice President Kamala Harris is "future focused" and the recent primary losses of Reps. Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman, who are part of the progressive congressional group "The Squad."

Expectations for Obama, Doug Emhoff speeches

Sabrina Rodriguez is a national politics reporter for the Washington Post while Peter Hamby is a contributing writer for Puck News and the host of "Good Luck America" on Snapchat. The pair joined CBS News to discuss the second night of the Democratic National Convention.

Previewing Obama's DNC speech

Terry Szuplat is a former speechwriter for former President Barack Obama. He joined CBS News to discuss Obama's Tuesday night address at the Democratic National Convention.

Examining study on weight loss drugs and suicide

A new study found a link between popular weight loss drugs and suicidal thoughts, but there are questions about the scope and method of the study. Dr. Jonathan LaPook explains what to make of the findings.

Significance Obamas speaking at DNC

Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are set to headline the second night of the Democratic National Convention. CBS News' Adriana Diaz has more on the headliners and other speakers on deck for Tuesday night.

Fast & free shipping on coolers

• On Sale Now
• Accessories
• Canada (CAD $)
• United States (USD $)

Shop By Size

• 8QT Lunchbox Cooler
• 14QT Lunchbox Cooler
• 20QT Elite Cooler
• 30QT Elite Cooler
• 50QT Elite Cooler
• 70QT Elite Cooler
• See all coolers

Shop By Type

• Hard Coolers
• Soft Coolers
• Coolers with Wheels
• Made in the USA
• Lunchbox Coolers
• Refurbished Coolers
• Small Coolers
• Large Coolers
• Replacement Parts

Cooler Accessories

• Dry Rack Baskets
• Cooler Dividers
• Cable Locks
• Tie-Down Kits

Dry Storage

• Micro Cases

Top 10 Coolers For Your Next Road Trip

• by Brooke Miller
• August 16, 2024
• 12 min read

Finding the best cooler for your next road trip can be a challenge with so many options on the market. We've narrowed it down to our top 10 best road trip coolers that promise to keep your food and drinks chilled.

Keep reading to discover which cooler will make your next journey unforgettable.

Top 10 Best Coolers for Your Next Road Trip

Quick recommendation.

For a quick recommendation, check out the product list below or scroll down for more detailed reviews.

• Top Cooler for Road Trips with Durability and a Lifetime Warranty:  Pelican 14QT Personal Cooler and Dry Box
• Behind the Seat Design and Unbreakable Lifetime Guarantee:  Pelican 20QT Elite Cooler
• Versatile and Leak-Proof Cooler for Your Outdoor Adventures:  RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can
• Stay Stylish and Organized with This Picnic Basket Cooler:  Igloo Retro Picnic Basket Cooler
• Perfect for Transporting Large Provisions on Your Next Outdoor Adventure:  Yeti Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler
• Durable and Convenient Cooler for Your Next Road Trip Adventure:  Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Hardbody Cooler
• Lightweight and Spacious Cooler with Superior Insulation for Any Adventure:  RTIC Ultra-Light 22 Quart Hard Cooler
• Keep Your Drinks Cold for Days with This High-Quality Cooler:  Coleman Xtreme 5-Day Wheeled Cooler
• Ideal for Keeping Drinks Cold on Extended Outdoor Adventures:  ORCA 20 Quart Insulated Cooler
• Sling Cooler for Easy Carry:  Pelican Dayventure Sling Soft Cooler

1. Pelican 14QT Personal Cooler and Dry Box

Ideal for Adventure-Seekers Who Value Durability and Clever Storage Solutions

• Spacious interior that can hold  a 6 pack of cans and 2x 1lb Pelican Ice Packs
• Inner tray to keep food/drinks separate
• Dry storage in lid
• 3 year warranty
• Compact and portable design

The Pelican 14QT Personal Cooler and Dry Box shines as the leading choice for anyone planning a car trip. The Pelican 14QT Cooler offers unmatched durability and cooling efficiency. This cooler can hold a 6-pack of cans and two 1lb ice packs, keeping your drinks cold for up to 36 hours.

The dry box keeps items like phones and keys safe from moisture. The lid organizer stores snacks and utensils neatly.

Users like how well it works in extreme conditions. They especially appreciate its ability to keep ice for a long time, even in temperatures over 100 degrees. Its design is perfect for road trippers who need reliable food and beverage storage without constant trips to the grocery store for ice refills. Moreover, the easy carry handle makes it a breeze to carry from your car to picnic sites or campsites.

This cooler also includes convenient features like a built-in bottle opener with a magnetic cap catcher. The Pelican 14QT is our top pick because it has great features, good reviews from users, and a strong three-year warranty. It keeps things cold for a long time and is useful for road trips.

• Keeps drinks and food cool for up to 36 hours
• Doubles as a dry box in the lid for storing small valuables
• Built-in features like bottle opener with cap catcher and flexible lid organizer
• Easy to carry thanks to the convenient handle
• Compact size is easy to store in a car
• 3 year warranty for peace of mind
• Cooler may be too small for longer trips
• Lid organizer can't accommodate larger items
• May need a larger cooler if need to keep items cold for an even longer period of time

If you love adventure and need something tough and easy to carry, the Pelican 14QT Personal Cooler and Dry Box is perfect for you. Experience superior ice retention, clever storage solutions, and a rugged design ready for any excursion. Embrace lasting performance on your next road trip!

Product Info

Purchase here Price: $119.95  

2. Pelican 20QT Elite Cooler

Unrivaled Ice Retention and Unbreakable Lifetime Guarantee!

• Spacious 20.35 liter capacity
• 2 days of ice retention
• Tall and slim design
• Sturdy and durable construction
• Lightweight at only 12.52 pounds

We rank the Pelican 20QT Elite Cooler second on our list of best car cooler for  road trips for its strong build and great cooling abilities. Imagine driving to your favorite camping spot or going on a long-awaited road trip. This cooler can keep your drinks cold and your food fresh for up to two days because of its excellent ice retention. You'll appreciate not having to buy that extra bag of ice.

The Pelican 20QT Elite Cooler is equipped with features that make it easy to take on road trips. Its tall and thin design fits perfectly behind the car's front seat, saving space while still holding up to 15 cans and ice.

The cooler also features a built-in bottle opener and integrated cup holders. With its secure latches and non-skid feet, even bumpy roads won't disrupt the coolness inside. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee, a strong testament to its durability.

• Keeps ice solid for up to 2 days
• Protected by a lifetime guarantee
• Versatile design, suitable as an extra seat and for wine bottles
• Compact size fits behind car front seats
• Heavy when fully loaded
• Limited color options
• On the pricier side

The Pelican 20QT Elite Cooler is tailored for outdoor enthusiasts who crave durability, convenience, and top-notch performance from their cooler. If you're ready to upgrade your outdoor experience, it's time to invest in the last cooler you'll ever need.

Purchase here Price: $199.95  

3. RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can

(Images Credits: Amazon)

Versatile and Leak-Proof Cooler for Your Outdoor Adventures

• Lightweight and portable design for easy transportation
• Fully waterproof and can float in water
• 20-can capacity to keep beverages and food items cool
• Can keep items cold up to two days

The RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can is a standout choice for anyone planning a car trip. Its leak-proof design with a sturdy zipper ensures that your drinks and snacks stay secure, no matter how bumpy the road gets. And if you're spending a day on the water you'll appreciate this cooler's ability to float .

Its closed-cell foam insulation keeps contents cool up to a reported 2 days when follow the cooling tips provided by RTIC . A lifesaver for long drives on hot days. 

We've ranked the RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can as No. 3 on our list because it strikes an excellent balance between size and performance. The cooler's soft construction lightens your carrying load while still maintaining cold temperatures. 

• Leak-proof zipper prevents spills and leaks
• Unique ability to float in the water
• Lightweight yet durable design makes it easy to carry
• Can keep food and drinks cold for up to 2 day
• 1 year warranty
• Zipper may require extra care to prevent damage
• May be a bit bulky when fully loaded
• Some Amazon users reported issues with the zipper

The RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast who seeks a versatile, leak-proof, and durable cooler for their adventures. Whether you enjoy camping, beach outings, or picnics, this cooler is an ideal companion to keep your drinks and snacks cool for up to 24 hours. Get ready to elevate your outdoor experience with the RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can!

Purchase here Price: $104.99  

4. Igloo Retro Picnic Basket Cooler

Stay Stylish and Organized with this Picnic Basket Cooler!

• Fun retro design with a 23 liter capacity
• Theremecool foam construction
• Lightweight at 5.5 pounds for easy portability
• Molded-in side handles

The Igloo Retro Jade 25 Qt Lunch Picnic Basket Cooler brings back the vibrant fun of the ‘90s with a design that's both nostalgic and practical. Perfect for car trips, this cooler holds up to 36 cans. Its durable, impact-resistant hinges are built to withstand the bumps and turns of the road.

The molded-in side handles provide easy one-handed carrying. The Igloo Retro Cooler combines style with functionality for those heading to the beach or exploring the outdoors. The insulation is designed to keep your food cold and the warm air out, perfect for days trips to a park.

• Holds up to 36 cans, great for picnics or outdoor events
• Durable and impact-resistant with extended-life hinges
• At under $50, one of the most affordable coolers in our roundup
• Lid can be a bit difficult to close when the cooler is packed full.
• No built-in drainage plug, making it slightly inconvenient for draining melted ice.
• The size may be too large and heavy for some users.

The Igloo Retro Picnic Basket Cooler is a must-have for keeping drinks and snacks cool while adding a touch of retro charm. Upgrade your next adventure with this versatile cooler today!

Purchase here Price: $43.99  

5. YETI Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler

Perfect for transporting large provisions on your next outdoor adventure.

• YETI coolers have a reputation for their cooling efficiency
• Neverflat, wheeled design for easy transport
• Features a dry goods basket for organization
• Versatile use for outdoor activities, camping, beach days, tailgating, and picnics

The Yeti Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler is a game-changer for anyone planning a car trip that needs their food and drinks kept cold. Designed to tackle rough terrains, its BearFoot non-slip feet ensure the cooler stays put whether you’re navigating bumpy roads or enjoying a day at the beach. Thanks to its NeverFlat wheels made from solid, single-piece tire construction, it's resistant to impacts and punctures, making it perfect for wheeling into a hotel after a long drive.

One standout feature of this cooler is its Periscope Handle which retracts when not in use, allowing for easy storage in your car’s trunk. Additionally, the LipGrip handles make lifting and carrying the cooler effortless when wheeling isn't an option.

The YETI Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler integrates durability, ease of transport, and thoughtful design choices like slip-resistant feet and retractable handles into its construction.

• Prevents sliding with BearFoot non-slip feet
• Easy to carry with LipGrip handles
• Durable and puncture-resistant NeverFlat wheels
• Convenient retractable periscope handle
• Expensive initial investment
• Large size takes up more room in a fully loaded car

The Yeti Roadie 60 Cooler with its durable, easy-to-transport design is perfect for your next road trip. 

Purchase here Price: $450.00  

6. Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Hardbody Cooler

Durable and Convenient Cooler for Your Next Road Trip Adventure

• Zipperless design for easy access and convenience while in the car
• Durable TPE Ripstop material for reliable performance
• Spacious 30-liter capacity to hold plenty of items
• Lightweight at only 3.5 pounds

The Artic Zone Titan Zipperless Cooler has a unique lid that opens easily without zippers, allowing quick access to drinks or snacks while in the car. Carrying this cooler is easy with the adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap and comfortable pad. You can easily transport it from your car to picnics or campsites.

The Rhino-Tech exterior is water and stain resistant, and tough against abrasions and punctures, ensuring it withstands road trip rigors. Inside, users will find Deep Freeze insulation paired with a radiant heat barrier that effectively reflects heat rather than absorbing it, in order to maintain cold temperatures in varying environments.

Additionally, the removable SmartShelf feature cleverly separates hard items from soft ones preventing sandwiches from getting squished - perfect for organizing snacks. Whether stuck in traffic under the blazing sun or enjoying a serene view, rest assured that your drinks remain chilled in this cooler.

• Adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap for easy carrying
• Rhino-Tech water and stain resistant exterior for durability
• Ultra Safe leak proof interior lining for hassle-free cleaning
• Patented Zipperless lid for quick access to food and drinks
• Zipperless design may not provide as secure closure as a traditional zipper
• Exterior material, while durable, may show wear over time and with heavy use
• The cooler's larger capacity can make it heavy when fully loaded

The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Hardbody Cooler is perfect for the adventure-loving individual seeking a durable, easy-to-use cooler that keeps food and drinks cold on road trips. With its convenient features and reliable performance, this cooler is an essential companion for your next outdoor excursion.

Purchase here Price: $69.30 

7. RTIC Ultra-Light 22 Quart Hard Cooler

Lightweight and Spacious Cooler with Superior Insulation for Any Adventure

• Lightweight and portable for easy transportation
• Keep items chilled for up to six days
• Durable construction ensures long-lasting use
• Spacious 22 Quart capacity to hold plenty of items
• Comes with a 3-year warranty for added peace of mind

The RTIC Ultra-Light 22 Quart Hard Cooler stands out with its lightweight design. This cooler is 30% lighter than traditional rotomolded coolers. Its capacity to hold up to 30 cans or 8 wine bottles ensures you have enough chilled drinks and snacks so you can enjoy your adventure without planning a trip to the grocery store.

One of the cooler's standout features is its superior insulation capability, which can keep contents cold for up to six days. This is beneficial for long road trips for keeping snacks and sandwiches cold.

Practical elements such as silicone T-latches for secure sealing and a Single Plug Rapid V-Drain system make draining after use simple and mess-free.

This compact yet spacious cooler not only provides ease of transport but also several days of keep items chilled.

• Tight seal with silicone T-latches and hands-free draining with Single Plug Rapid V-Drain system
• Lightweight and spacious, fits up to 30 cans or 8 wine bottles
• Superior insulation locks in the cold for up to 6 days
• No wheels for easier transportation
• The shoulder strap may not be comfortable for long periods

The RTIC Ultra-Light 22 Quart Hard Cooler is perfect for the active outdoor enthusiast who values lightweight portability without sacrificing superior cooling performance. Whether you're heading to the beach, going camping, or enjoying a picnic, this cooler is designed for your on-the-go adventure. 

Purchase here Price: $139.99 

8. Coleman Xtreme 5-Day Cooler

Keep Your Drinks Cold for Days with Cooler Under $100

• The Coleman Xtreme 5-Day Cooler is a spacious 50-quart capacity cooler, perfect for tailgating and outdoor activities
• This insulated cooler can keep ice chilled for up to 5 days in temperatures as high as 90°F
• With an item weight of 12.3 pounds, it's easy to transport and move around.
• It features wheels for easy transport

The Coleman Xtreme 5-Day Cooler blends durability with exceptional ice retention capabilities. This hard cooler keeps ice intact for up to five days. Perfect for long journeys or outdoor adventures, the Coleman Xtreme ensures your drinks and perishables stay cold.

The easy-to-clean surface makes maintenance a breeze after days on the road, while the leak-resistant channel drain ensures you can empty excess water without having to tilt the entire unit awkwardly. Other features include comfort grip handles, molded cup holders, and a Have-a-Seat Lid.

• Smooth surface for easy cleaning
• Comfort-grip handles for pinch-free carrying
• Cup holders molded into the lid to prevent spilling
• Have-a-seat lid that supports up to 250 lb
• The cooler is quite heavy when fully loaded, making it difficult to transport
• It may be a bit bulky for small vehicles or tight storage spaces
• Some users find the lid latch to be somewhat flimsy and prone to breaking after extended use

Whether you're planning a road trip, camping in the great outdoors, or hosting a tailgate party, this cooler is ready to keep your drinks cold and your food fresh. Gear up for your next adventure with the Coleman Xtreme 5-Day Cooler!

Purchase here Price: $64.99 

9. ORCA 20 Quart Insulated Cooler

Ideal for Keeping Drinks Cold on Extended Trips

• 5-gallon capacity for plentiful storage
• Removable ice pack and drain plug for convenience
• Insulated design to keep contents cold for extended periods
• Compact dimensions make it ideal for one person to carry

The ORCA 20 Quart Insulated Cooler is a game-changer for anyone hitting the road. With its durable hard side design, this cooler promises to withstand rough car rides and outdoor adventures. Its 5-gallon ice chamber keeps up to 16 cans chilled.

The cooler features a removable ice pack and drain plug which add an extra layer of convenience for on-the-go users. Imagine not having to tip over your cooler just to get rid of melted ice water or easily swapping out ice packs to keep contents cold.

• Removable ice pack and drain plug for easy use
• Can accommodate 16 standard cans
• Insulated design keeps contents cold for extended periods
• Lid can be difficult to open at times
• Higher price point for a 20 quart cooler

The ORCA 20 Quart Insulated Cooler is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and beachgoers who want a durable and reliable cooler that keeps their drinks and snacks cold. Get ready to experience the convenience and reliability of the ORCA 20 Quart Insulated Cooler on your next adventure!

Purchase here Price: $234.95

10. Pelican Dayventure Sling Soft Cooler

Sling Cooler for Easy Carry

• Comfortable shoulder strap makes carrying a breeze at the end of a long travel day
• Leak-resistant zipper to keep your contents secure and vehicle dry
• Convenient size for behind the driver's seat while traveling
• Wide opening for easy access

The Pelican Dayventure Sling Soft cooler is the perfect solution for someone concerned with carrying a heavy cooler plus luggage to a hotel room at the end of a road trip day. With its padded over-the-shoulder strap, your hands will remain free to carry in luggage to reduce trips to the car. It's lightweight at 7.90 pounds.

The cooler can hold 8.98 quarts which can accommodate 12 cans plus ice or 4 wine bottles. It's made from  TPU double-coated 840D nylon, which is tear-resistant, puncture-resistant, and water-resistant. This cooler will perform best when used with a pre-chilled Pelican ice pack .

• Should strap and lightweight for easy carry
• External zippered compartment for carrying small items
• Tall and slim shape for easy storage in car
• Can be difficult to reach items in the bottom so need to plan order or loading items in the cooler
• Soft-sided coolers tend to keep ice for shorter periods of time than hard coolers

The Pelican Dayventure Sling Soft Cooler is a great choice for travelers who want an easy carry cooler. Get ready to experience the convenience and portability of the Pelican Dayventure Sling Soft Cooler on your next trip!

Purchase here Price: $179.95

For your next road trip, don't just settle for any cooler. Choose the Pelican 14QT Personal Cooler and Dry Box for its durable build and efficient insulation, all while being incredibly light at just 8.30 pounds.

Or go a bit bigger with the Pelican 20QT Elite Cooler, offering even more space without sacrificing portability or temperature control. These coolers promise to keep your snacks and drinks perfectly chilled as you hit the road, making them stellar additions to any adventure car setup.

Ready to elevate your travel experience? Grab one of these best coolers for road trips!

Related Blog Posts

Top 5 YETI Cooler Alternatives

Pelican 20QT Cooler Vs YETI Roadie 24

Top 10 Lunchbox Coolers For Every Adventure

• All Wellness
• All Skin Care
• Moisturizers
• Mineral Sunscreens
• Sunscreens for Kids
• Sunscreens for Dark Skin
• SPF Lip Balms
• Under Eye Patches
• All Hair Care
• Purple Shampoos
• Thinning Hair
• Head Shavers
• Hair Dryers
• All Oral Care
• Electric Toothbrushes
• Toothpastes
• Mouthwashes
• Water Flossers
• Meal Kit Delivery
• Gluten-Free Meal Kit Delivery
• Disposable Face Masks
• Air Purifiers
• Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
• Natural Deodorants
• Period Underwear
• All Fitness
• Exercise Bikes
• Walking Shoes
• Fitness Trackers
• Reusable Water Bottles
• Blackout Curtains
• Sound Machines
• Home & Kitchen
• All Home & Kitchen
• Kitchen Appliances & Tools
• All Kitchen Appliances & Tools
• Coffee Makers
• Kitchen Gadgets
• Small Home Appliances
• All Small Home Appliances
• Air Conditioners
• Space Heaters
• Humidifiers
• Bedding & Bath
• All Bedding & Bath
• Bath Towels
• Silk Pillowcases
• Duvet Inserts
• Office Chairs
• Standing Desks
• Desk Organizers
• Seat Cushions
• Under Desk Ellipticals
• All Outdoor
• Raised Garden Boxes
• Garden Hoses
• Beach Towels
• Solar Pool Covers
• Grilling Accessories
• Electronics
• All Electronics
• Wifi Routers
• Gaming Consoles
• Streaming Devices
• Instant Cameras
• Handheld Gaming Consoles
• 3D Printers
• All Headphones
• Noise Canceling
• Wireless Earbuds
• Smart Gadgets
• All Smart Gadgets
• Smart Watches
• Smart Bulbs
• Garage Door Openers
• All Computers
• Gaming Laptops
• Laptops for College Students
• Computer Monitors
• Ergonomic Keyboards
• Dog Carriers
• Litter Boxes
• Scratching Posts
• Cat Carriers
• All Pet Care
• Nail Clippers
• Flea & Tick
• All Luggage
• Lightweight
• Weekender Bags
• Accessories
• All Accessories
• Luggage Tags
• Travel Pillows
• Tech Gadgets
• Packing & Organization
• All Packing & Organization
• Packing Cubes
• Toiletry Bags
• Gift Guides
• All Gift Guides
• Valentine's Day
• All Valentine's Day
• For Any Loved Ones
• Mother's Day
• All Mother's Day
• Last Minute Gifts
• Best Mother's Day Gifts
• For Moms Who Have Everything
• Best from Amazon
• All Graduation
• For College Grads
• For High School Grads
• For Teachers
• Father's Day
• All Father's Day
• Best Father's Day Gifts
• For Dads Who Love Fishing
• Holiday Season & Christmas
• All Holiday Season & Christmas
• Gifts Under $25
• Practical Gifts
• Other occasions & loved ones
• All Other occasions & loved ones
• For Grandparents
• For Bridal Shower
• For New Parents
• For Any Occasion
• Deals & Sales
• All Deals & Sales
• Most Popular This Month
• Sales This Week
• New & Notable
• What to Buy This Month
• CNBC Select
• All CNBC Select
• Credit Cards
• Small Business
• Personal Finance
• Credit Monitoring
• Help for Low Credit Scores
• Sign up for the Select Newsletter
• Check out Shop TODAY
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Terms Of Service
• NBC News Sitemap

Follow Select

The 8 best ice packs for coolers, lunch boxes and more

Whether you’re on a beach trip or hosting an outdoor gathering, a quality cooler paired with some ice can help keep sandwiches, sodas and dips cold for hours. But, according to experts, you may want to use ice packs instead of ice cubes.

“Plain ice melts, and the liquid from your ice will saturate whatever you’re attempting to keep cold in your cooler,” says Charlton Becker, a chef and owner of Charlton Becker Catering in Boston. “Ice packs, on the other hand, tend to last much longer because they’re made with an outer layer of plastic that keeps the cold in and condensation out.” Ice packs are also reusable, which means you won’t have to purchase large bags of ice every time you pack a cooler, says Chris LeVecchia , a private chef with clients in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best ice packs | Best ice packs | How to properly use ice packs

To find the best ice packs for your needs, I sought out guidance from chefs and catering professionals who have experience using ice packs to keep perishables cold. The list below was compiled with their advice in mind.

Selected. Our top picks

How I picked the best ice packs

I talked to caterers and chefs, who recommend keeping these factors in mind when shopping for ice packs:

• Size: Consider the type of cooler you’re using and what you plan on putting in it. “I regularly use Yeti coolers that have straight sides, so I like to use large ice packs that will line up with the sides and top to create a cold wall,” says Tiffany Swan , a traveling retreat chef and food scientist. If you’re packing perishables, for example, you may want to consider smaller ice packs that you can place around those items. My list includes ice packs that come in multiple sizes.
• Cooling agent: Regular ice melts relatively quickly, which is why most ice packs for coolers are filled with a gel formula. Gel freezes at a lower temperature, which means it stays frozen for much longer. For this reason, I focused on ice packs that contain gel.
• Style: Consider whether you’ll need soft gel or solid block ice packs to fit your needs. For example, if you need to keep a bunch of produce cold, you may want to opt for a soft gel pack because a frozen solid brick could bruise or damage delicate items, says Becker.
• Durability: Coolers are sometimes tossed around or dragged over bumpy ground, which means the contents inside may not be secure. “Look for something heavy-duty that feels substantial so that it won’t get damaged easily or won’t leak and ruin your food,” says LaVecchia.

select How long can meal prepped food last? Experts explain

The best ice packs for coolers and lunch boxes in 2024.

Below, I rounded up top-rated ice packs to throw into a cooler or lunch bag that’ll keep your food and drinks chilled for hours.

Best overall: Yeti Ice Cooler Ice Pack

Yeti Ice Cooler Ice Pack

• Choice of size
• Fast-freezing
• A bit more expensive

LaVecchia prefers brick ice packs because they tend to be more durable. This option from NBC Select-favorite brand Yeti comes in one -, two - and four-pound sizes. The ice pack absorbs heat, which helps keep items colder for longer, and has a cutout in the center that helps it freeze faster, according to the brand. 

Ice packs per set: 1 | Dimensions: 8 x 2.6 x 1.6 inches (1-pound), 8 x 5.4 x 1.7 inches (2-pound), 10.6 x 8 x 1.7 inches | Style: Block | Rating : 4.7-star average from 5,146 reviews on Amazon

Best budget ice packs: Fit + Fresh Cool Coolers

Fit + Fresh Cool Coolers

• Can be used as cold compress
• No condensation
• Not very flexible when frozen

Soft gel packs are lighter and more flexible than hard gel blocks, which makes them easier to layer on top of softer foods like sandwiches and fruits, says Becker. These nylon-covered gel packs don’t release condensation, so they won’t add moisture to anything they touch, according to the brand. They’re about the size of a sandwich and, because they’re soft-sided, these ice packs can double as a cool compress for your forehead or an injury, according to Fit and Fresh. 

Ice packs per set: 2 | Dimensions: 7 x 5 x .25 inches | Style: Soft gel pack | Rating : 4.6-star average from 9,949 reviews on Amazon

Most versatile: Healthy Packers Ice Packs for Coolers

Healthy Packers Ice Packs for Coolers

• Less likely to pop
• Easy to store
• Nothing to note at this time

Both Swan and LaVecchia say they prefer block-shaped ice packs for coolers. “They don't lose their shape in the re-freezing process and they are less likely to puncture in the course of their use,” says Swan. “They also stack more efficiently in the freezer.” These BPA-free plastic blocks are a great size for a lunch bag, and you can use multiple in a larger cooler to keep items cold. They earned a 4.6-star average from over 25,600 reviews on Amazon.

Ice packs per set: 4 | Dimensions: 7 x 4.7 x .5 inches | Style: Block | Rating : 4.6-star average from 31,116 reviews on Amazon

Best small ice pack: Cooler Shock Reusable Ice Packs

Cooler Shock Reusable Ice Packs

• Long cooling time
• Good for chilling some things
• Three sizes
• Susceptible to leaks

Fill these ice packs with water and freeze them to create a reusable option that can keep food and drinks chilled for up to 18 hours, according to the brand. Swan says she prefers to use smaller packs like these when using a large cooler because they’re useful for chilling specific areas and items — you can place several packs around your proteins and fewer packs around delicate produce like lettuce. These ice packs come in three sizes.

Ice packs per set: 4 | Dimensions: 6.5 x 7.5 x 1 inches (small), 10 x 10 x 1 inches (medium), 10 x 14 x 1.5 inches (large) | Style: Bag | Rating : 4.6-star average from 26,626 reviews on Amazon

Best large ice pack: Kona XL Large Cooler Ice Packs

Kona XL Large Cooler Ice Packs

• Freezes quickly
• Slim design

These large, BPA-free plastic ice packs come recommended by Swan. “I like that they are slim, so I can easily pack a number of them when flying to a retreat,” she says. “They freeze quickly and slide in easily on the sides of the cooler and around whatever you’re trying to [keep] cool.” Stick these in the freezer for just 25 minutes and they’ll be fully frozen and ready to use for up to 12 hours, according to the brand.

Ice packs per set: 2, 4 or 20 | Dimensions: 13 x 10 x .5 inches | Style: Block | Rating : 4.6-star average from 4,274 reviews on Amazon

Best for kids: Bentgo Buddies Reusable Ice Packs

Bentgo Buddies Reusable Ice Packs

• Thin and lightweight
• Kid-friendly design

Intended for lunch boxes , these ice packs may delight kids because of their fun shapes and vibrant colors, but they also work great in adult lunch bags, too. They’re about the size of your hand and can be tossed in the built-in sleeve of a lunch box or directly in the main compartment to keep items cool for up to 4 hours, according to Bentgo. These ice packs come in shapes like pineapples , unicorns and sharks .

Ice packs per set: 4 | Dimensions: 5.8 x 4.3 x .5 inches | Style: Block | Rating : 4.7-star average from 1,706 reviews on Amazon

Best for extra-large coolers: Igloo Extra Large Ice Block

Igloo Extra Large Ice Block

• Easy-to-grab design
• Good for large coolers
• May be too big for lunchboxes

Designed for large and extra-large coolers, this ice block has built-in ridges to make it easier to grip and you can line the bottom of your cooler with a few of these to keep everything cool for up to 10 hours, according to the brand. Keep in mind that one of these blocks weighs five pounds, so using multiple will add significant weight to your cooler. 

Ice packs per set: 1 | Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.5 x 1.7 inches | Style: Block | Rating : 4.7-star average from 19,974 reviews on Amazon

Best leak-resistant ice pack: Arctic Zone High Performance Ice Packs

Arctic Zone High Performance Ice Packs

• Puncture and leak-resistant
• Long-lasting
• Good for large gatherings
• Nothing to note at this time.

These ice packs are soft, yet puncture-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about tears or leakage into your cooler, according to the brand. Although it may be too big for most lunch bags, these ice packs are ideal for coolers — they’re 250 grams each, and come with two in each pack. These ice packs are also available in an even larger, 600-gram option, which is a great option for larger coolers for your next picnic, tailgate or BBQ.

Ice packs per set: 2 | Dimensions: 6.75 x 7 x 2 inches | Style: Bag | Rating : 4.7-star average from 3,424 reviews on Amazon

Best coolers and lunch bags to try

To go along with your new ice pack, we also rounded up some of our favorite coolers and lunch bags below.

PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box

Rtic 20 QT Hard Cooler

Lowe's

Yeti Daytrip Lunch Bag

Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Hard Cooler

RTIC 30-Can Soft Pack Cooler

select It’s okay to skip out on stressful back-to-school shopping and just get everything on Amazon

How to properly use ice packs.

Using ice packs over regular ice has a number of benefits, primarily in regards to melting. “When an ice pack melts, it is contained within its package, but when ice melts, even if you double-bag it, it still seems to get everywhere,” says Swan. “This makes for soggy egg cartons and produce, but it also can cause an easy spread of microbes, potentially causing food borne illness.”

To make your ice pack work best for you, you’ll need to keep a few factors in mind when you shop, including the size of your ice pack and how to properly pack your cooler.

Figure out the ice pack size you need

There are a few ways to determine the best size ice pack for your needs. If you or your kids want to keep items in an insulated lunch bag cool, a single small ice pack should suffice. The same goes for smaller coolers. If your ice packs are too big, you won’t have enough room for food or drinks, says LaVecchia. But keep in mind that smaller ice packs will melt faster, so if you have items that need to stay cold for longer, a larger cooler with large ice blocks is likely a better idea.

Even if you don’t pack much in a bigger cooler, loading it up with big ice packs is smart. In general, the bigger the cooler, the less insulated it is, which means you’ll need larger ice packs to keep things cold, according to Swan. The same rule applies if you’re traveling in hot weather for extended periods of time.

Properly pack your cooler

You have your cooler and your ice packs — now what? Becker suggests lining your cooler with the packs before placing your food or drinks inside. “Keep in mind that heat travels up and cold always travels down,” he says. “So, when packing your cooler, leave an even space on top to place your ice packs. This will ensure an even distribution of cold throughout.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Though it will require a little extra time, if you want your ice packs to cool for longer, consider preparing your cooler ahead of time. This could be as simple as taking it out of the hot, humid garage and placing it in an air-conditioned room for a few hours to make sure it isn’t warm. Or, if you want to really chill it first, you can use any leftover ice you have in your freezer and place it inside your cooler for an hour. Afterward, you can dump the ice and add in your ice packs. “By doing this, heat from the cooler walls won’t be sucked up by the ice packs meant to cool your food,” says Swan. “If you don't pre-cool, your ice will melt much faster.”

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Charlton Becker is a chef and owner of Charlton Becker Catering in Boston.
• Chris LeVecchia is a private chef who has clients in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
• Tiffany Swan is a traveling retreat chef and food scientist.

Why trust NBC Select?

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, lifestyle and more. For this story, Heitman interviewed three experts to gather their guidance on what to look for when shopping for ice packs. Both Morris and Heitman compiled the market list with expert guidance in mind.

Catch up on NBC Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Bethany Heitman is a contributing editor at NBC Select.

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

• Grilling & Outdoor Equipment

I Tested 11 Coolers to See Which Ones Stayed Ice-Cold and Survived Being Pushed Off of a Truck

Coolers from Yeti and Orca kept their cool when the heat was on.

Serious Eats / Greg Baker

The Winners, at a Glance

What we learned, the criteria: what to look for in a cooler, our favorite coolers, the competition, why we’re the experts, straight to the point.

Balancing weight, portability, cold retention, spaciousness, and cost, it’s hard to do better than the Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler . A close second was the 58-quart Orca Cooler , which is larger and heavier, but less expensive.

I live on the west coast of Florida, but not on the water. From here, it’s a short trip inland to the woods or, in the opposite direction, the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the climate, cold drinks are a must-have for either destination and coolers are ubiquitous—so much so that (in a weird cultural phenomenon) local people display their brand loyalty on their cars, trucks, and boats. 

As an outdoor enthusiast, I’ve always regarded coolers as strictly utilitarian devices, unable to wrap my head around the fierce loyalty of the cooler-as-status-symbol craze. To attempt to understand the hubbub, I took 11 top-selling coolers into my home and, to some degree, punished them to see which stood up to my tests. I let them bake in the summer sun, threw them in the dirt, and dragged them down stairs. As fun as that sounds, it was also a little exhausting. After my tests, here are the best coolers you can buy.

The Best Cooler

Yeti roadie 48 rolling wheeled cooler.

Every cooler I tested put up a strong showing, but the Yeti Roadie 48 had an excellent balance of insulation and storage space, and its compact cube shape made it easy to carry and stow. The wheels and telescoping handle meant it was wonderfully maneuverable.

The Best Large Cooler

Orca 58-quart cooler.

The Orca Cooler is durable and very spacious. It’s a little hard for one person to easily carry, but that’s not a disqualifier.

The Best Wheeled Cooler

Rovr rollr 60 cooler.

The RovR RollR was one of the last coolers standing in my cold retention test. It’s built with traveling in mind and has the largest and most durable wheels of any cooler I tested.

The Best Value Cooler

Coleman 316 series 52 quart insulated portable cooler.

The Coleman is a zero-frills model (well, it does have molded cup holders on top of its lid) that offers excellent cold retention for overnight trips and a generous capacity. It’s a fraction of the price of its closest competitors.

• Capacity Test: I set out to see how much each cooler could hold, and I loaded each cooler with three ice packs and enough food and drink for a few people for an overnight camping trip. As I packed each cooler, I noted if all the items fit, if anything was crushed when I closed the lid, and if there was room for more food. 
• Mobility Test: After I loaded the coolers, I picked each one up and walked around with it for one minute—across my wooden deck, down a few steps, and over some grass. Some of these coolers weighed almost 40 pounds empty, and it was important to know how easily one could move them when fully loaded. For coolers with wheels, I pulled them across my wooden deck, bounced them down a few steps, and traversed grass, sand, and pavement to see how easily they rolled.
• Durability Test: Cooler manufacturers pride themselves on their product’s durability. But how do the claims add up? My “driveway” is part alley, part beat-up parking pad, and a mixture of broken asphalt, brick, sand, gravel, and crushed oyster shells. I loaded each cooler, placed it on my truck's tailgate, and pushed it off onto my “driveway” five times. My neighbors should be used to the odd sights of my product testing by now, but one couldn’t help themselves and yelled, “Yeah! Screw them coolers!” as they watched me repeatedly knock them down. After that brief interlude, I noted any damage from the fall and if the cooler’s lid stayed closed.
• Cold Retention Test: Every manufacturer claims that its cooler will hold ice for a long time. To verify this, I used the unique climate of West Central Florida as a test environment. I filled each cooler with 16 pounds of ice and set it in the full sun. The daily “feels like” temperatures topped 100°F, with the actual high temperature around 95°F, nighttime lows in the mid 80°F range, and humidity from 70 to 93%. I tracked the temperature every morning and early evening with an instant-read thermometer . Once a cooler’s temperature topped 40°F (the maximum food-safe temperature), I removed it from the test population. I continued the test until all the coolers exceeded 40°F.
• Drain Test: I don’t know how I acquired this task, but I am responsible for dealing with every cooler in my house once it’s empty. Some coolers are easier to drain, and some require flipping a 20-plus-pound cooler upside down while holding the lid open to remove leftover water. All the coolers I tested had drains, and I wanted to see how well they worked. I recorded how much water remained after the draining stopped and how easy or difficult it was to empty that remaining water.

Cold Retention Varied

Serious Eats / An Uong

In what’s arguably one of the worst summer environments in the US, these coolers all held ice for a respectable amount of time. Your cold needs may be greater or shorter than someone else’s, so here’s how each model rated in my tests. I checked the coolers each morning and evening. Below is when I found them above 40°F:

Insulation Cost Storage Space

Most coolers I tested were thickly insulated, often with polyurethane foam or a similar substance. That insulation provides long cooling times but often limits interior storage space. Additionally, some of the wheeled models sacrificed space to accommodate wheel wells. How much room can insulation take up? The chart shows exterior size versus interior room.

To explain how that usable storage space played out in real life, these are the items I added to each cooler to test its capacity:

• One 1L bottle of sparkling water (about the size of a bottle of wine)
• One 12-pack of seltzer
• One pound of bacon
• One pound of sliced deli meat
• One pack of sliced cheese
• One dozen eggs
• Two packs of charcuterie
• One pound of butter
• One bag of apples
• One loaf of sliced bread
• One pack of snack cheese

Most of the coolers, with a few exceptions, accommodated this amount of food and drink. The smaller Yeti Roadie coolers aren’t designed to hold this much. The Yeti Tundra 45 couldn’t fit all the ice packs, and its lid wouldn’t close with the sparkling water bottle inside.

More Insulation Meant a Heavier Cooler

I used to do a lot of work traveling for out-of-town fundraisers, food festivals, and the like. I’d have to fly with coolers packed with food for a few hundred people as checked bags. I’d frequently find one or more coolers over the 50-pound weight restriction, which was very easy to do when starting with an empty cooler that weighed 22 pounds. Unless you’re flying somewhere for, say, a camping vacation, you probably won’t find yourself in that position very often. However, you will probably have to load a cooler into and out of a car. Be aware that modern coolers, with their sturdy construction and thick insulation, are not light. Adding 20 or so pounds of food, drinks, and ice increases the weight dramatically. Here’s how much each of the coolers I tested weighed empty :

Unsurprisingly, wheeled coolers were the easiest to move over longer distances. I also preferred coolers with long, rope handles with large silicone grips, which prevented them from twisting around or biting into my palms. If you want a cooler that's super portable, you'll probably just want to opt for a soft cooler .

They Were Hardier Than Expected

Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee rates some of the coolers I tested as bear-resistant (under certain conditions). I expected those to be durable, but what about the others? Well, not one cooler escaped the abrasive amalgam of my driveway without at least some superficial damage—but that was the extent of it. I expected some to lose tops or break handles, but they didn’t. Curiously, every cooler landed upside down on its lid, where it took scuffing and a few deeper scratches. No cooler broke, though. 

Drains Could Be Effective—or Not

Every cooler I tested had a plugged drain that worked with varying degrees of success. The Orca and Yeti Tundra 45 had the most effective drains, removing water completely on their own. The most infuriating drains were ones with deep depressions around them that trapped residual liquid, even after turning the coolers over to empty them.

The best cooler is the one that suits your needs. Do you want a high-capacity cooler or one that holds ice for days? Also, consider how often you’ll use it. The coolers I tested range in price from $48 to $400, so you may not want to make a major investment if you’ll only use it once a year. My favorite coolers balanced cold retention and storage space, with weight as a tertiary consideration. 

What we liked: The Roadie 48 has a cube shape and a large storage capacity. The telescoping handle has a comfortable 6.5-inch grip and the cooler features rugged, seven-inch wheels. Its built-in handles are also comfortable, and I had no issues carrying the cooler around. It had great cold retention with a tight-latching lid that complemented the thick polyurethane insulation.

What we didn’t like: At 28 pounds, it wasn’t the heaviest cooler I tested, but starting off at that weight translates to a heavy cooler when it’s full. Its drain is more frustrating than others. Yes, it drained water, but about a half-inch remained at the bottom. I rocked the cooler back on its wheels, and most of the remaining water came out. 

• Capacity: 76 cans/54 pounds ice
• Exterior dimensions: 20.6 x 20.1 x 19.8 inches
• Interior dimensions: 14.5 x 11.4 x 15.8 inches
• Weight: 28 pounds
• Wheels: Yes
• Extra features: Telescoping handle, dry bin, tie-down points, non-skid feet

What we liked: The Orca has one of the best storage capacities of any cooler I tested. It held ice for over 60 hours and was one of two models that drained completely without the need for human intervention. It had tough latches and, though it took some superficial damage when I pushed it repeatedly to the ground, was quite durable. 

What we didn’t like: The handles, which are curved plastic grips covering woven straps, are comfortable to hold, but the cooler is heavy enough that it’d be difficult for one person to carry easily.

• Capacity: 46 cans
• Exterior dimensions: 27 x 19.4 x 19.4 inches
• Interior dimensions: 19.9 x 13.4 x 13.1 
• Weight: 36 pounds
• Extra features: Cargo net for storage, slip-resistant feet

Serious Eats / Henry Wortock

What we liked: The RovR held its temperature for over 72 hours and was one of only two coolers that completely drained on its own. Thanks to the oversized nine-inch tires and comfortable, T-shaped handle with dual four-inch grips, this cooler rolled down steps and across sand, grass, and concrete with great ease. It’s tough, too. Although it scuffed in the durability testing, this cooler is bear-resistant when taking the proper extra steps (like using bear-resistant locks).

What we didn’t like: While this cooler rolled over any surface I tested it on, the wheel arrangement hit my legs when I was carrying it, making movement clumsy. The wheel wells ate into usable storage space.

• Capacity: 60 cans plus 10 lbs of ice
• Exterior dimensions: 16.9 x 20.8 x 20 inches
• Interior dimensions: 19.6 x 10.6 x 12 inches
• Weight: 39 pounds
• Extra features: Tie-down points, dry bin, non-skid feet

What we liked: I’ve had Coleman products in my orbit since I was a toddler, including a tent I’ve owned for about 30 years that protected me from a tropical storm that passed over three times. Coleman gear isn’t flashy, but the products are simple and reliable, such as the 316 Series. It has none of the highly engineered, inches-thick insulation of many of its competitors. It won’t keep pace with them, but it did hold a food-safe temperature for over 36 hours. It didn’t take significant damage in the fall tests and is an excellent cooler for overnight trips that costs less than $50. 

What we didn’t like: This cooler has no latches, and the lid popped open during three of the five fall tests. 

• Capacity: 80 cans
• Exterior dimensions: 26 x 16.3 x 16.5 inches
• Interior dimensions: 22 x 12.7 x 12 inches
• Weight: 16.4 pounds
• Extra features: Molded cup holders
• Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler : The Tundra performed well in most of my testing but lacked capacity. I couldn’t stand a wine bottle up inside, I could only fit two of three ice packs, and I couldn’t close the lid without crushing the bread.
• Rtic 52-Quart Ultra-Light Wheeled Hard Cooler : The Rtic held ice for over 48 hours and had reasonable storage space. It wasn’t particularly comfortable to carry; the molded grips required me to hold it like I was doing bicep curls to relieve stress on my hands. 
• Canyon PRO 45 Quart Cooler The Canyon might be discontinued at this point, which is a shame because it rated very highly in testing. There were a few downsides: The cooler weighed 38 pounds empty, and after about two hours in the sun, the handle grips emitted an oily, sticky substance that coated my hands and was difficult to wash off. 
• Igloo BMX 52 Quart Hard Cooler : There was nothing wrong with this cooler; it just didn’t impress. It held ice for over 48 hours, and if I had to find fault with it, the positioning of the fold-up handles caused strain on my wrists.
• Yeti Roadie 32 Cooler : The Roadie 32 is a smaller-capacity cooler that’s fine for an overnight trip for two, but it’s not highly versatile. It held ice for over 72 hours.
• Yeti Roadie 15 Cooler : The Yeti 15 is a newer model that was even smaller than the 32 but had equal performance. It’s a great picnic cooler but not large enough for an overnight trip.

Where are Yeti coolers made? 

Yeti has manufacturing facilities worldwide, including the USA, Vietnam, the Philippines, Poland, China, Mexico, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Why are Yeti coolers so expensive?

Yeti coolers have a reputation for high prices, and most of the Yeti models I tested ran between $300 to $400. The price comes from the almost over-engineering of the one-piece molded design and thick insulation. But coolers of a similar caliber and manufacturing fall in line with Yeti’s prices, like the RovR RollR 60 Rolling Cooler (about $400).

• Greg Baker is a multi-time James Beard Award-nominated former chef from Tampa, Florida. 
• He’s reviewed knife sharpeners , charcoal starter chimneys , and more for Serious Eats.
• Greg punished 11 coolers in the Florida summer heat for this review and desperately needs hydration.

More Serious Eats Recipes