16 Must-Have Vegan Road Trip Snacks

It can be tough to find vegan options when you’re on the road, so it’s best to be super prepared. You want to pack snacks that are easily portable and nutritious. (Bonus points for nonperishable!)

These vegan road trip snacks are easy to find in stores or easy to make at home. We recommend packing more than you think you’ll need — this is in case of random setbacks or emergencies during your trip.

Let’s look at your options and check out our top vegan protein snacks or snacks to buy at the store next.

Nonperishable

Trail Mix

Trail mix is easy to find in stores, plus you can make it at home. A mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit is a great source of healthy fats and protein! An airtight container or resealable bag will keep it fresh and easy to grab whenever you’re hungry.

Granola or Energy Bars

Bars are super convenient and come in a variety of flavors. You can even find some high calorie ones for that energy boost. Pick them up at the store or make some at home! 

Bars at the store

• Lärabar
• GoMacro Bars
• Kind Bars 
• Nature’s Bakery 

As always, check the label to ensure it’s vegan. Non-vegan bars usually contain milk, honey, or whey.

Some of the above brands have a mix of vegan and non-vegan options. There are probably more brands at your local store that are accidentally vegan!

Bar recipes

Make sure to follow the storage instructions for these!

Popcorn

Popcorn is a no-brainer! There are many flavor options, plus it’s easily customizable. We love making popcorn on the stove and adding a little salt, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast. You can add a drizzle of oil to make the seasonings stick more. 

And of course, you can always buy a few bags at the store! If you’re bringing homemade popcorn, use a resealable bag. 

Pro tip

Nut butter & Crackers/Rice Cakes

Any nut butter will do! Bring a jar (and utensils!) or pre-made packets. Spread on crackers, rice cakes, fruit, or bread. Nut butters are great because they’re packed with healthy fats and protein.

And we won’t judge you if you decide to eat the nut butter straight from the jar!

Roasted Beans

Roasted beans are crispy, full of protein, and really easy to make! Here are 3 yummy recipes to try:

• Smoky Roasted Black Beans
• Cheesy Roasted Broad Beans
• Spicy Oil-Free Roasted Chickpeas

These will last for about 5 days at room temp. Feel free to customize the spices as you wish, and you can roast them longer for crisper texture. They’re delicious as-is and honestly addicting. 

Dried fruit

An easy, sweet treat to have on the road. There are so many options to choose from! Apricot, apple, mango, cranberries, raisins, and more. They usually come in resealable bags, so all you gotta do is pack ‘em and go!

Dried fruit is great to have for a quick energy boost.

Vegan Jerky

Vegan jerky can be found in stores or online! They’re in a convenient package and a quick boost of protein.

Here are the brands that offer vegan jerky made from soy, seitan, or mushrooms:

• Primal Spirit Foods
• Louisville Vegan Jerky Co
• Upton’s Naturals
• Moku
• Pan’s Mushroom Jerky
• Stonewall’s Jerquee

Dark chocolate

It’s nice to have a treat when you’re on the road! A lot of popular brands like Lindt or Godiva have dark chocolate bars that are accidentally vegan. 

You can also enjoy chocolate from brands with a wide range of vegan options like Hu, Raaka, Dr. Bronners, Alter Ego, and Enjoy Life. 

Eat by itself or with some strawberries!

Perishable 

For when you have a cooler handy! A safe fridge temperature range is 36-40ºF (2-4ºC). The maximum amount of time perishable foods can be above this range is 2 hours. 

Fruits

Buy them pre-cut or prep them at home. Pack any of your favorite fruits and store them in an airtight container. Grab them and munch when you’re hungry!

Bananas and apple slices with nut butter are a great, quick way to get some energy. Mixed berries are yummy, too (you can pair them with a yogurt cup!) And plain fruit is great too :)

Veggies

Same as fruit, you can cut up veggies at home or buy them pre-cut! The best portable veggies would be baby carrots, chopped broccoli or cauliflower, sliced cucumber, and sliced bell pepper. 

You can dip your veggies in some vegan ranch or hummus!

Hummus

Hummus is tasty and full of fiber, healthy fats, and protein. Spread over bread, on a sandwich, or use as a dip for your veggies. There are so many varieties, so you can bring a couple flavors so you don’t get bored.

Wanna make hummus at home? Try our creamy oil-free hummus or avocado green goddess hummus.

Wraps

The possibilities are endless here! Buy a premade option at the store, or whip up something at home! They should be able to last about 3-5 days. 

Looking for ideas? Check out our 40+ easy vegan wraps. We recommend having any sauces on the side so your wrap doesn’t get soggy! And make sure you don’t overfill them (nothing worse than your filling spilling out, especially in the car!)

Sandwiches

Find a veggie sandwich in-store or at your favorite restaurant. If you wanna make your own, here are 22+ easy vegan sandwiches. Wrap them or pack them in an airtight container, and enjoy whenever you’re hungry.

Similar to the wraps, we recommend any sauces or spreads be stored separately if possible. Then ensure your bread won’t get too soggy. 

Overnight oats

Packed with fiber and protein, overnight oats are a great option for a road trip snack or breakfast. We’ve seen a couple brands sell pre-packaged overnight oats, but we like making it at home. It’s more customizable (and homemade tastes better). 

Try out our matcha overnight oats for a slight caffeine kick, or our chocolate zoats for some rich, healthy goodness. 

Store in an airtight container, and separate any toppings you want to add so they don’t get mushy. 

Energy Balls

Energy balls are great for when you want a sweet pick-me-up. Check out our 20+ vegan bliss ball recipes for more ideas! There are many ways to customize them, so experiment a bit to see what you like.

Store in an airtight container and enjoy on the go. You’d be surprised by how filling these are!

Protein Smoothies

You’ve probably seen those pre-made smoothies at the store before. They’re super convenient, portable, and give you the energy you need in the morning! Koia and Ripple carry some vegan smoothies you can buy at the store.

If you want to make your own and bring it along, make sure you have an airtight bottle to store it in. It’s best to consume homemade smoothies within 48 hours since there are no preservatives. 

You can try out our berry bean smoothie or make your own vegan protein powder at home and add it to any recipe you want. 

Simple recipes for road trips

• Tasty Vegan Snacks for Kids
• Easy Vegan Meal Prep Recipes
• Vegan Lunch Ideas For School + Work 
• Fantastic Lazy Vegan Recipes