Meal planning for a road trip can feel daunting, but with a bit of preparation, you can save money, eat well, and enjoy a variety of meals on the go. Here’s how we approached cooking and eating during our road trips, from quick breakfasts to hearty dinners.

Breakfast

We tailored our breakfasts to match the pace of our mornings:

• On-the-Go: When time was tight, we kept it simple with peanut butter and bread, paired with a banana or other fresh fruit. Occasionally, we’d grab a breakfast sandwich from McDonald’s or Dunkin’ if we were in town.
• Quick but Homemade: Oatmeal was a go-to when we had a bit more time. We pre-portioned bags of oats mixed with dried fruits, nits, and spices, making it easy to just add it to the Jetboil and heat it up. Fresh fruit was a bonus if we had it.
• Leisurely Mornings: Slower mornings meant we could cook eggs, toast, and enjoy some fruit

Lunch

Lunches were usually simple and portable, perfect for eating in the car or a day of exploring:

• Sandwich Variety: Sandwiches were our staple, but to avoid monotony, we switched up the ingredients regularly. Rotating between different meats, cheeses, spreads, and breads helped keep things fresh.
• Charcuterie on the Go: When sandwiches got boring, we’d assemble makeshift charcuterie boards with meats, cheeses, nuts, fruit, and crackers or chips.
• Store-Bought Salads: When I got really tired of sandwiches, I would switch it up by grabbing a pre-made salad from the grocery store.

Dinner

Dinner was when we got a little more creative and leaned into hearty, comforting meals:

• Cold Weather Favorite: Grilled cheese and tomato soup became a cozy staple on chillier nights
• Classic Camp Foods: Hot dogs with baked beans and green beans were an easy option
• Simple Comforts: Mac and cheese with hot dogs made for a quick, nostalgic meal
• Taco Night: Beef tacos were another favorite, and leftover salsa or guacamole made for a good snacks the next few days

Snacks

Snacks were essential for long drives and hiking days:

• Trail Mix
• Beef Jerky
• Fruit
• Pretzels
• Chips

Dehydrated Meals

Dehydrated meals are a lifesaver for busier days, especially for multi-day adventures without access to a kitchen. While store-bought options can be pricey, making your own is a fantastic alternative. My boyfriend bought a dehydrator and prepped multiple days worth of the following meals:

• Dehydrated Turkey Chili
• Dehydrated Chipotle Basil Penne Pasta (We’d buy sausage on the road to add in)

This saved money, reduced prep time, and gave us the satisfaction of a homemade meal after a long day.

Canned Foods

Canned fruits and vegetables were a staple in our pantry. We relied on:

• Canned green beans for a quick side
• Canned pears or other fruits for a sweet finish to our meals

Eating Out

We aimed to eat out as little as possible, but we made exceptions for unique culinary experiences in cities known for their food scenes. We would also eat out on days that required really long days of driving, so for dinner we would grab something easy like Chipotle or Panera. A huge hack for us was Costco! If we were near a larger town with a Costco and needed a quick meal, Costco was our lifesaver. A membership at Costco let us grab extremely cheap, hot meals like pizza, hot dogs, or chicken bakes. We’d pair this stop with a gas fill-up and hit the road feeling fueled.

Tips for Success

1. Prep in Advance: Pre-portion ingredients like oatmeal, spices, and snacks to save time on the road
2. Keep It Simple: Focus on meals that use a few versatile ingredients, like bread, canned goods, or tortillas
3. Balance Variety and Simplicity: Rotate staples to keep meals exciting without overcomplicating your shopping or cooking
4. Always Have Dry Food: Keep non-perishables like mac and cheese, pasta, or canned goods on hand. That way, if you can’t make it to the store, you’ll always have something to eat
5. Resupply Ice Often: Ice is essential for keeping all the food in your cooled from spoiling. You’ll have to stop every few days to buy more, which can be annoying, but many camp stores in national parks sell ice
6. Prevent Cooler Floods: We learned the hard way to double-bag food stored in the cooler to keep water from getting into it. To reduce waste, we reused the outer plastic bags.