Summer is right around the corner, and that means one thing: road trips. While my heart belongs to the crisp, cool days of autumn (me + bees = no, no, no), there is always one thing I look forward to when summer arrives, and that’s hitting the road with my family. If you ask me, the road trip itself is often even more fun than the destination. An excuse to eat yummy snacks? Endless music? A good book? Count me in.
Whenever my family and I hit the road for our annual trip to visit our cousins, we always make one very important stop on the way out: Trader Joe’s. In my not-so-humble opinion, Trader Joe’s is the best place to stock up on road trip essentials. From quick grab-and-go meals to drool-worthy snacks and beverages that’ll keep you energized for the whole drive, Trader Joe’s has it all. Below, I’ve rounded up the best Trader Joe’s road trip snacks to pick up before you hit the road.
1. Ranch Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
Every road trip snack stash needs some sort of salty chip to munch on. However, I’m even more of a sucker for anything ranch-flavored. If I have to choose between sea salt or ranch-flavored anything, give me the ranch! These tortilla chips are perfect for the road because of their slender, rolled shape, which makes them easier to grab while driving and share with your fellow travelers.
2. Uncured Salami Snacker
I’ve been on the protein bandwagon for years now, and I can honestly say that it’s changed my life. I feel so much more energized and fulfilled when I eat plenty of protein—and with the extra caffeine I drink on the road, high-protein snacks are a must. I love that these snack packs make it so easy to get in a whole 21 grams of protein. The single portion size is super convenient for snacking on the go, and they’re perfect for kids, too. Just grab a box of crackers to go with it, and you’re good.
3. Strawberry Vanilla Prebiotic Soda
There’s something about a cold, fizzy drink in the summertime that just says, “ahhhh.” And while I’m not much of a soda drinker (or pop, as the Midwesterner in me calls it), I love a good prebiotic soda. With added gut-friendly fiber and just 4 grams of sugar, this option comes without the typical guilt I would feel if I were drinking regular soda. I love that the flavor is a little outside-the-box, pairing the sweet creaminess of vanilla with the bright zing of strawberry. Perfection.
4. Sesame Miso Salad with Salmon
Raise your hand if you look forward to finding a place to eat lunch on a road trip! (Crickets.) Yeah, me neither. Love the road, hate the lack of food options. I’m a lazy girl when it comes to prepping meals for the road, plus I don’t want to have to deal with washing food storage containers once I arrive at my destination. So instead of stopping for greasy fast food, I grab one of Trader Joe’s pre-made meals before heading out of town. Between their selection of wraps, salads, and bowls, I can find exactly what I need for a well-balanced meal. This Sesame Miso Salad with Salmon is one of my faves because it’s packed with crisp veggies, protein, and flavor. It also doesn’t contain cheese, which can be hard to find in pre-made salads and wraps.
5. La Colombe Vanilla Latte
When that afternoon slump hits, with several more hours until your destination, you might find yourself a bit desperate for an afternoon pick-me-up. But when you’re on the road, a good cup of coffee can be hard to find. Specialty coffee shops just don’t exist in the middle of nowhere! Rather than resort to day-old gas station coffee, stash some of these canned lattes in your car. You will be so thankful you did.
6. Chickpea, Kale, and Crispy Red Rice Salad
Looking for another pre-made meal option? This high-fiber chickpea one doesn’t disappoint. I love the crunch that the crispy red rice offers. My tip? Grab a bottle of TJ’s salad dressing to throw in the cooler if you like a bit more dressing on your salad. Sometimes the pre-portioned options just aren’t enough! A salad just isn’t a salad if the dressing isn’t dripping off the fork, am I right?
7. Cookies and Crème Pretzel Slims
OK, now for the fun stuff—because what’s a road trip without treats? These Cookies and Crème Pretzel Slims have me in a chokehold. The sweet, the salty, the crunch! Oh my gosh, to die for. Be sure to grab multiple bags so you don’t have to share. These won’t last long!
8. Natural Turkey Jerky
Trader Joe’s has some of the best jerky, hands down. It’s chewy, packed with flavor, and a great snack when I need some extra protein. The teriyaki flavor in particular absolutely slaps when combined with plantain crisps (not included in this roundup, but you can find them in the chip aisle). Just trust me—you won’t regret including this jerky in your stash.
9. Crispy Oatmeal Cookies with Sea Salt
These oatmeal cookies are a new-to-me Trader Joe’s item, and when I saw them on the shelf, I knew they were an instant purchase. Who doesn’t love a good crispy cookie? I love that the ingredient list is super simple and doesn’t contain anything that might melt, making them an optimal road trip snack.
10. Vegetable Root Chips
Looking for something simple and healthy with just a pinch of salt? These chips are for you. They have minimal ingredients and taste just like the more expensive brand-name vegetable chips you can find at other grocery stores. Simple, tasty, crunchy, and healthy? You can’t ask for a better road trip snack.
11. Dark Chocolate Covered Pistachios
Nuts are so good for you, but I’m not a big fan of eating them plain. I need a little something-something on them to make them more palatable. These Dark Chocolate Covered Pistachios make it easy to get some healthy fats from the nuts and magnesium from the dark chocolate—perfect if you’re traveling on your period. This is another multi-bag purchase because the entire car will be reaching out their hands for more.
12. Cinnamon Sugar Pink Lady Apple Chips
I love apples, but they’re not nearly as appetizing after they’ve been sitting in a warm car. These Pink Lady Apple Chips are a much more road trip-friendly way to get your fruit intake in. The texture is a delightful cross between crunchy and chewy, and I love that these apple chips are dusted with cinnamon sugar, which makes them even more delicious.
13. Hand Sanitizer Spray
Let’s be real—road trips are fun, but rest stop bathrooms? Not so much. When you’re dealing with less-than-optimal cleanliness conditions, being extra diligent about germs is definitely a good idea. I always have a few of these Trader Joe’s hand sanitizer sprays in my purse, and I make sure my kids carry some in their bags, too. The low price point makes it accessible to keep several on hand, and they smell just as good as some of the more expensive sanitizer sprays out there. I also love that a spray can be used for more than just hands. If an item of mine accidentally hits the floor, I often use this spray to give it a quick cleaning before I can access my antibacterial wipes in the car. Lifesaver.
14. Propolis Shots
Speaking of germs, travel is a sure-fire way to come down with a dreaded cold. We often forget that viral infections still make their rounds in the summertime, so we tend to let our guard down when it comes to prevention and immunity strengthening. These Trader Joe’s propolis shots make it so easy to handle the immune-strengthening part of your wellness routine. They don’t have to be kept cold, making them perfect for summer travel. Toss one in your purse to drink on the road for a little wellness boost.
Caroline Sumlin, Contributing Writer
Caroline Sumlin is a writer, author, and content creator specializing in topics ranging from self-worth, lifestyle, wellness, motherhood, education, society, and culture. Caroline received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Howard University in Washington, DC. Driven by her passion for freedom and justice, Caroline crafts articles that urge readers to reflect more deeply and critically about themselves, their lives, and the world around them.
Images featured in graphics credited to: Trader Joe’s (1, 2, 3)
