Snacks are an absolute must for any long bus trip, but gas station options often leave something to be desired. Packing your favorite road trip snacks ahead of time will not only prevent embarrassing stomach growling but also ensure you get healthy, delicious treats that will keep you feeling good throughout the journey.
Food to Stay Away from on a Long Bus Trip
The worst food for long-distance travel:
- Food that has a smell. Pickled foods, stinky cheese, fish, and similar items are not snacks to bring on a charter bus trip. Strong smells can not only bother your fellow passengers, but they can also increase the risk of nausea, and nobody wants to be locked in a bus with someone who is bus sick.
- Food that needs to be refrigerated. Stay away from milk, mayo-based foods, and anything else that is perishable. Foods that cannot be consumed at room temperature can make you sick and may spoil.
- Food that requires utensils. Healthy road trip meals are one thing, but if they can't be eaten with your hands, don't bother! The last thing you want to deal with is to wonder where to put your dirty and sticky utensils during the rest of your journey.
- Messy foods. Sticky, juicy, and powdered treats might require napkins and will leave your seat looking worse for wear. Nobody expects someone who spent many hours on a bus to look perfectly groomed, but it is best to keep messes to a minimum.
- Food in containers that can't be thrown out. Disposable containers will leave you with more room in your bag for other bus snacks. Although we appreciate the spirit to keep waste to a minimum, reusable packaging can be messy and bulky. If you want to stay eco-friendly, bring snacks like apples.
Best Snacks to Take on a Bus Trip
The best bus road trip snacks for adults:
- Bottled water: Hydration is essential! Drinking water, or even juice, will help you avoid headaches, nausea, and lethargy. Packing several bottles for long bus trips is a good idea, especially if you have salty food like potato chips.
- Bars: One of the easiest snacks to take on a trip is granola/breakfast/protein bars. They are convenient to pack in your carry on bag, don't take up a lot of space, and can pack a powerful energy or protein punch. Prepackaged bars can help keep your energy levels steady on a long road trip. Just be sure to avoid granola bars with too much sugar — you don't want a sugar crash!
- Raw veggies: Carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, and even mini cucumbers are fantastic choices. Not only are they packed with nutrients, but they are also handheld, no-mess options that won't leave you with a stomach ache. They make for great bus foods and can be refreshing too.
- Dried fruit: Bringing dried apricots, apples, prunes, and even raisins is a perfect way to get a burst of sugar without a chocolatey mess. They are easier to eat than fresh fruit and are easy to grab.
- Trail mix: Plant-based protein will keep you full for a while, and nuts like pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, and cashews are packed full of it. They also contain healthy fats, like omega-3s, and fiber. Not to mention, a little bit of dark chocolate inside can add an extra taste of fun. Trail mix comes in different favors and among passengers' favorite snacks.
- Pre-made sandwich: make and wrap a few PB+Js or, better yet, PB+bananas on whole wheat bread to munch on during your trip. These will keep you full with a healthy wallop of fat and proteins. They can keep you full for a long time period and make for easy packing.
- Beef Jerky: One of the best snacks for a bus trip is jerky! Low in fat, high in protein, and super lightweight, beef jerky is a perfect choice to get you through a long trip. Since beef jerky does not contain nuts, it can also be safer for other passengers if they have allergies.
- Crackers: Saltines, rice cakes, and even animal crackers are go-to road trip snacks because they can help you combat nausea. They provide the same satisfying crunch as potato chips without the added salt and fat.
- Cereal: Make a bag of all of your favorite cereals for your next bus ride for a mess-free, tasty snack. It can be a regressive snack that will make the long hours spent on a charter bus trip bus go faster.
Kids’ Favorite Road Trip Snacks
Kids and adults don't always like the same foods, so we've assembled an easy reference list of kids' snacks for field trips and other long bus rides.
- Snack box: Perfect for any school transportation, you can fill a snack box with anything — crackers, veggie straws, chips, granola, and/or cookies.
- Juice box: Juice boxes are a great way to keep your child hydrated while allowing them a sweet treat.
- Applesauce pouch: Squeezable applesauce pouches are a mess-free, tasty road trip snack for kids of all ages.
- Fresh or dried fruit: Fruit, so long as it's not too runny, makes a wonderful, healthy snack for your child.
Conclusion
In all, the best food for a long journey is healthy, easy and clean to eat, and tastes good. Try fruits, veggies, trail mix, pre-made sandwiches, crackers, and other munchies. Your stomach will thank you!
Now that you know the best snacks for a long journey, it’s time to start planning your trip! Whether for a school trip, out-of-state family reunion, corporate event, or anything in between, Infinity Transportation has you covered with our trusted fleet of charter buses. Fill out a quick form for a charter bus quote or chat with us online to hear about how we can help make your next adventure a success!
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