Road trips are so much better than plane rides. There are no bag checking, pat-downs, and tiny bags of peanuts for snacks. The tiny portions served on planes could potentially leave you starving. However, with road trips, you have complete control over what kind of food to bring, and how much of it. While the traditional gas station hot dog at 4 AM is a staple for road trips, we have some healthier alternatives for mid-drive snacking.

1. Ants on a Log (Celery with Peanut Butter and Raisins)

A school lunch classic, ants on a log packaged in a re-sealable bag are perfect for hungry passengers who are enjoying the joy ride in the car.
All you need is:

• 4 tablespoons of peanut butter
• ½ tablespoon of raisins
• 2 sticks of celery chopped into bite-sized pieces

2. Homemade Trail Mix

Nuts are a great source of protein that can be brought along on car rides to give you and your passengers a quick source of energy that is healthy and delicious. Most of the trail mix and mixed nuts you'll find in the store promise things like "less than 50% peanuts." By less than 50% they mean that the mixed nuts are 49.99% peanuts. Skip this nonsense and just make your own, using the proportions you think are best.
Our recipe is as follows:

• 1 cup of peanuts
• 1 cup of almonds
• 1 cup of raisins
• 1 bag

3. Candy

Yes, we did say healthy alternatives, but everyone needs a little sugar now and then. Candy and desserts can be a great way to bribe noisy children into behaving. Keep the candy close by and only take it out in emergencies, or as a last resort. Instead of letting ripped open candy wrappers spill their contents everywhere, keep your sweets locked up tight in a QuickQlick™ bag.
All you will need is:

• 3 cups of your favorite candy

Before You Start Driving

Don't waste your money buying overpriced gas station or rest stop food. Making your own road trip snack packs are easy to do, and the only way to know exactly what your passengers are eating. With a few simple packages and recipes, you can be fully prepared for the journey ahead of you. And remember, it's the trip, not the destination where all the fun lies.