So you’re prepping for a long bus trip with your friends, family, or colleagues. That’s great! But you’re not sure what snacks to pack for the hours upon hours you’ll be spending on the highway. That’s… not so great.
When your stomach starts growling on a charter bus, the last thing you (or your fellow passengers) want is to be stuck with nothing but the highway rest stop’s questionable offerings. So before your group’s bus rolls out of the parking lot, make sure you’re stocked with plenty of snacks to keep everyone satisfied between destinations.
Price4Limo is dedicated to helping your group travel comfortably wherever your journey takes you. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to some of the best road trip snacks to bring on your next bus trip. Whether you need a little fuel for a corporate outing from Dallas to Austin or a full array of goodies to keep your school group entertained on the way to Disney World, these treats will have your taste buds covered!
1. Granola or Protein Bars
These compact and convenient bars offer an array of flavors to keep even the pickiest eaters satisfied. Chocolate chip? Peanut butter? Cookies and cream? There’s a flavor for everyone in your group, and they're easy to store in your carry-on or purse for easy access.
2. Raw Vegetables
Veggies are a healthy alternative to chips and candy—and contrary to popular belief, they are surprisingly easy to pack for a bus ride. Grab your favorites like baby carrots, celery sticks, and cherry tomatoes and portion them into reusable containers or small plastic bags for easy snacking. If you prefer your veggies with a little dip, you can also pack individual serving containers of hummus, ranch dressing, or peanut butter—just be sure to keep the dip in a cooler with ice packs to keep it chilled throughout your trip.
3. Dried Fruit
Raisins, cranberries, and apricots are mess-free snacks perfect for little ones who may not be too careful when snacking on the road. You can portion dried fruit into snack bags or reusable containers—or if you’re feeling adventurous, pack a big bag of trail mix to share with your fellow travelers!
4. Bottled Beverages
Whether you’re planning an academic trip, a religious retreat, or a sports team’s away game, staying hydrated is vital for everyone’s comfort and focus. Make sure you have plenty of water or juice to pass around the bus! For a truly refreshing road trip drink, consider bringing a cooler with ice packs filled with your group’s favorite bottled beverages, such as Gatorade, iced tea, or sparkling water.
5. Pre-Made Sandwiches
Skip the soggy, lukewarm sandwiches from the convenience store and make your own instead! Sandwiches are surprisingly easy to pack for bus rides and allow for more variety in your travel snacking experience. You can portion peanut butter and jelly onto crackers or small slices of bread for a classic sandwich, or opt for more ambitious options like ham and cheese on multigrain bread or grilled chicken with pesto on a toasted baguette.
Just make sure your sandwich is wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap to avoid a mess, and keep in mind that perishable ingredients like deli meat and mayonnaise will need to be stored in a cooler.
6. Dry Cereal
If you are worried about making a mess with sticky or crumbly foods, consider packing a bag of dry cereal instead. Dry cereal is a great way to satisfy that mid-morning craving for a bowl of cereal or can just be snacked on as is. There’s a flavor and texture for everyone too!
Choose between Chex mix, Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, granola, or anything else that strikes your fancy. You can portion dry cereal into smaller containers for personal snacking, or let your group pick from a variety of cereal stored in a reusable gallon-sized bag.
7. Crackers
Crackers are another good option for mess-free snacking, and you have plenty to choose from at the grocery store. Goldfish? Ritz? Saltines? You can even find gluten-free, low-sodium, and whole grain varieties for a healthier road-trip treat.
8. Chips
Who doesn’t love chips? If you’re not too worried about your snacking choices being healthy, bring a bag of your group’s favorite chips for an easy and fun road trip treat. Classic potato chips? Barbecue chips? Sour cream and onion? You can even bring a selection of flavors from each person’s preferred chip brands for ultimate snacking variety.
9. Popcorn
Popcorn is a popular pick among movie-goers for a reason—it’s a tasty, light, and relatively healthy snack for all types of occasions. And even if you’re not planning a movie marathon with your charter bus rental’s TV screens, popcorn is a great option for a satisfying snack during your road trip!
Whether you prefer movie-style buttered popcorn, savory cheddar, sweet kettle corn, or even caramel, popcorn can satisfy any craving. Just keep in mind that popcorn bags can quickly turn into a crumpled mess when handled by multiple people. Consider portioning popcorn into individual bags or reusable containers for a cleaner snacking experience.
10. Pretzels
If your group of bus travelers is looking for a savory and crunchy snack to stave off hunger, consider bringing a bag of pretzels along for the ride. They're small and compact, which makes them a great choice for travel. You can portion them into individual bags for convenience or bring a big bag to share.
Book a Charter Bus Rental for Your Trip
Renting a charter bus for your next group trip is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to travel. Whether you’re traveling to Disney World from Atlanta with your graduating seniors or taking your coworkers to a big event in Chicago, we can get you to your destination.
Enjoy your favorite road trip snacks with WiFi and TVs to keep you entertained, and let a Price 4 Limo bus rental take care of the transportation. Give us a call at 1-866-265-5479 to get a quote or learn more about renting a bus!