Breakfast on the Road? 20 Easy, Healthy Picks for the Ultimate Start

Are you planning a road trip and looking for breakfast ideas? Don’t want to rely on fast food for your next road trip? We’ve got you covered.

What to eat for breakfast should be considered when planning long trips.

Budget is also something you need to consider when going on a long road trip. Buying breakfast at a rest stop or grocery store every day will be sure to be an extra cost.

Not to mention, the food at these types of places won’t be the healthiest.

Unhealthy snacks can be tempting due to the lack of cooking possibilities. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it’s important not to load up on junk food. 

Best Road Trip Foods for Breakfast

Let’s look at the ultimate road trip food list for beginners. Cost-efficient, healthy, and delicious foods can be had on the road. Breakfast must not be squashed sandwiches or overpriced snacks from gas stations. 

The best foods for a road trip are ready-to-eat foods that stay fresh for long periods and don’t need to be kept in certain conditions, such as refrigerated.

Take into consideration the climate you will be driving in, also. 

So, let’s look at the best road trip breakfast ideas. 

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches

Who doesn’t love peanut butter?…well maybe people with nut allergies, but other than that, most adults and little kids love peanut butter.

Add a little jelly and bread, and this makes a fine breakfast. I used to have a PB & J sandwich every morning when heading to class in college. It was easy, filling, and portable—a simple breakfast to eat on the walk to class.

Loaded with healthy nutrients, peanut butter is a delicious snack you can use to make sandwiches or eat on its own. 

You can even grab the individual jelly packets like they have at restaurants that don’t require refrigeration.

Water

Take plenty of water on your road trip, particularly when driving through rural areas or deserts. Bringing your water will also save you some cash.

You won’t need to worry about buying liquids or unhealthy soda drinks. 

Consider juice boxes as well. Horizon also makes shelf-stable milk (and chocolate milk) boxes, perfect for a bowl of cereal.

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit is a great option for road trips, particularly if you are on a family road trip. The last thing you want is to give little kids sugary snacks when traveling!

Healthy snacks like fruit for breakfast are cheap, don’t take up much space, and can be combined with a range of other foods, including peanut butter.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Boiled eggs are healthy road trip snacks and a great source of protein. A few minutes are all it takes to make hard-boiled eggs, which can last up to seven days in a cooler.

Pop them in a plastic container; you don’t need cutlery to enjoy them. Peel off the shell and eat the eggs as they are.

Consider making deviled eggs, too. They don’t seem as dry and still taste great (maybe even better than just a plain hard-boiled egg).

Deli Meats

Buying deli meats is a great way to save time preparing for your long car ride.

Your local deli offers many different types of meat, including pepperoni, salami, chicken, and turkey. Deli counters offer something for everyone. 

Cereal

It’s not a great choice for eating in the car, but stopping at a rest area or having a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios in a hotel can be a great option for road trip foods for breakfast.

They even have cereals in individual serving sizes that come with a bowl.

Grab some shelf-stable milk, and you won’t even need a cooler!

Granola Bars

Granola bars can be picked up at most convenience stores for a buck or two, or you can plan ahead and buy them in bulk.

Many granola bars are packed with fiber and protein, which keeps you feeling full for longer—perfect before a long day of driving. 

You can even make your own and control the ingredients and sugar, or you can just pick up a box from the grocery store.

Granola bars are a great snack between meals and can give you a boost of energy. No cooking or preparing is required, so they make one of the best road trip foods.

Tuna Salad

I know this might be an odd choice for breakfast, but people have fish for breakfast, such as lox and bagels. It might be an odd choice, but it’s full of protein and will keep you full.

Healthy foods like tuna salad are favorites for travelers. Tuna is full of healthy fats and is perfect for a healthy breakfast.

Making your food is also cheaper and saves time when driving as you don’t have to find somewhere to buy items.

Keeping your tuna salad in a cooler or ice pack is recommended, as the tuna can spoil quickly. Refrigerated, a tuna salad should be good for 3-5 days. 

Protein Powder

Protein powder is a great way to fill your body on a long car ride with all your necessary proteins.

People with dietary restrictions may also need protein powder to supplement nutrients they can’t get from certain foods.

Add a couple of scoops of protein powder to water in a shaker bottle, and you’re all set. 

Pro Tip: pick up a battery-powered blender or a Magic Bullet Blender and a Jackery, and add greens and fruit for a smoothie on the go!

Muffins

Buying or baking muffins before a trip can add another layer of breakfast foods for a road trip. Add some fresh fruit or a hard-boiled egg for protein, and you will have a yummy and balanced meal.

Fruit And Nut Bars

Bars are very easy to indulge in on a road trip. Sold everywhere, relatively cheap, and quite delicious, it’s no wonder they are so tempting.

Some are loaded with fruit and nuts, like Kind Bars, and others are just fruit, like Nutrigrain Bars. You also have high-protein bars that were created for hikers and backpackers, like CLIF Bars.

Many low-fat and sugar-free bars are available so that you can opt for them rather than high-sugar candy bars or sweet treats. 

Bagels and Cream Cheese

If you have a cooler with you (and, in my opinion, a MUST), bagels and cream cheese are an awesome choice for breakfast and road trips.

Pair this with a fruit salad, beef jerky, or meat sticks, and you have a healthy breakfast for on-the-go.

Storing your cream cheese in a cooler or something similar will ensure it stays fresh and long-lasting for your trip. 

Beef Jerky

Beef Jerky is an easy-to-pack food loved by millions. It is long-lasting and won’t take up much space in your car. Beef jerky is low in calories and high in fiber, keeping you full throughout the day. 

Check out my friends from Adk Jerky for the best jerky around!

String Cheese

String cheese is among the best road trip food ideas due to its versatility, deliciousness, and low price.

String cheese can be eaten as a snack, mixed with a salad, or added to a sandwich. Kids tend to love it and have fun eating it because of its unique texture. 

Pretzels

Pretzels are always a good idea, whether you are socializing at a party, camping, or on a road trip with your friends or family.

Having a solid protein to dip them in like peanut butter or hummus (and paired with some fruit) would be an acceptable breakfast.

Pretzels are a perfect road snack because they can be eaten without any preparation or needing to be kept in a fridge. 

Trail Mix

Trail mix can be bought at most supermarkets or make your own at home. A mix of dried fruit and nuts and a trail mix for breakfast on your road trip will count towards your five a day.

Trail mixes are also quite cheap to make, and you can eat them throughout the day as a snack.

Overnight Oats

These make-ahead ideas are perfect for a road trip. Store them in the cooler and just grab a spoon when you’re ready to eat. They are a complete meal with fruit already included.

Yogurt

Because many yogurts come in individual serving-sized containers, yogurt is an excellent choice for road trip breakfasts.

Pair with some fruit or granola added for a little crunch, and you have an easy breakfast on the road!

Avocado And Pita Chips

Avocado is a delicious, healthy fat that will fill you up. It is portable, easy to eat, and requires no refrigeration.

Although avocado toast is trendy right now, making toast on the road is hard. Why not try pita chips or even tortilla chips?

You could purchase guacamole cups at the grocery store, keep them in a cooler, and get even healthier with cut-up veggies to dip with. Don’t forget to add a little protein to keep you full.

Salt & Pepper

Salt and pepper travel-sized shakers are available. They take up minimal space and add more flavor to your road trip breakfast.

Non-Food Items for Breakfast on Road Trips

Essential and recommended non-food items you will need for eating breakfast on the road include;

Final Thoughts On Ultimate Road Trip Foods for Breakfast

Planning the perfect road trip is almost as exciting as the actual adventure. Whether you’re headed out for a weekend getaway or a one-day drive, it’s important to remember breakfast.

And luckily, there are plenty of delicious and easy breakfast options you can bring along with you! From homemade pastries to fresh fruit and quick on-the-go snacks, many choices can be customized based on your dietary restrictions and preferences.

Plus, all of these road trip foods give you the energy you need to make it through the day. No matter where your journey takes you, invest in some good food and enjoy your road trip stress-free!