You have your car all prepared and ready for your summer road trip. You created a playlist with hours of your favorite songs. You’re almost ready to hit the road, except you’re in desperate need of some road trip snacks. But the question arises: what’s the best road trip snack?
According to a fresh survey by Kellanova, Cheez‑It and Pringles emerged as America’s most-loved snacks for road warriors across all generations. The findings, based on responses from 2,000 U.S. adults, show that while the two snack giants are universally popular, what each age group reaches for adds some fun flavor to family trips (and solo drives).
A Different Snack for Every Age Group
If you’re riding shotgun with Gen Z on your weekend getaway, expect the snack bag to be packed with surprises. This adventurous crew leans toward sour, spicy, and daring flavors, which are perfect for group outings where sharing is part of the fun.
Traveling with the family? Millennials prefer tangy, kid-friendly snacks that appeal to almost everyone in the car. In fact, four in 10 say their kids snack every mile, so the snack game is serious business for traveling families.
Older generations keep it familiar. Gen X and Boomers opt for simple favorites, such as cheesy crackers, chips, sweet treats, and nuts. Whether they’re journeying solo or with a road trip buddy, these travelers seem to want snack choices that taste like home.
Regional Twist: Where You Live Influences What You Snack
It’s not just age, but it also matters where you live, too:
- Southerners tend to make snack decisions on the fly, preferring salty and sweet picks grown on impulse.
- Northeasterners are drawn to creamy-flavored snacks and are twice as likely to choose them compared to Midwesterners.
- Westerners, including Mountain West and Pacific Coast residents, are more laid-back and are “open to anything” but still often include salty, sweet, and chocolatey treats..
Everyone’s Snacking
The survey also reveals that 90% of road-trippers munch on more than one snack during their journeys. That tells us two things: snacks aren’t just fuel but they’re part of the fun, and people value variety more than ever.
For brands like Cheez‑It and Pringles — and for drivers planning summer routes — it’s a signal: bring a few of your favorites and switch them up along the way for smiles all around. Before you load up your car, think about who you’re traveling with and pack bold flavors for friends, tangy for families, and classic for solo trips. If you’re from the South, grab those impulse bags. Heading East? Bring creamy snacks. Overall, you can’t go wrong with variety, as almost everyone wants at least two snack options… maybe more.
Snack Smart, Road Trip Happy
Whether you’re cruising through national parks or hopping between beach towns, snacks set the tone of your trip. Starting with fan favorites like Cheez‑It and Pringles? Smart move. Adding dips, nuts, or sweet treats? Even smarter. This summer, pack your cooler and let your snack choices fuel both your journey and your joy.
