These Are the Gas Station Stops Drivers Swear Make Road Trips Better

There's something about road trip snacks that just hits different. Whether it's a bag of sunflower seeds or that legendary $1.50 Costco hot dog, everyone's got their go-to. Nobody's pretending it's gourmet food, but sometimes that's exactly what the moment calls for.

Readers were asked last week about their favorite gas station buys beyond whatever goes in the tank. The answers split pretty evenly between stuff you can grab at basically any station and specialty items only certain chains carry. There were also mentions of regional foods from other countries and different parts of the U.S. that sound absolutely worth seeking out. Food might be a small part of what makes road trips great, but it can definitely make the stop worthwhile.

The Classics Everyone Knows

Mountain Dew came up as a road trip essential, even from people who've mostly quit drinking it after realizing it's probably not great for you. Still gets packed for long drives though.

Beef jerky, especially the pepper flavor, is another heavy hitter. Easy to demolish a whole bag without thinking about it, and it's actually one of the healthier options at most stations.

Sunflower seeds got multiple shout-outs as the perfect thing to fight off drowsiness on those long, boring stretches of highway. Don't do it often, but when you need it, nothing else works quite the same.

Combos, specifically the pepperoni pizza flavor, have a cult following. One person mentioned their wife buys them and they're gone 40 minutes into the trip. Kids won't touch them, which just means more for the adults.

And gummy worms apparently only taste right when bought at a gas station on a road trip. Won't keep them at home, won't buy them at a regular store. Car-only snack.

Chain-Specific Favorites

Wawa dominates the Mid-Atlantic for good reason. Late-night meatball subs are a thing, especially after 10 PM when you're craving something greasy and don't care that it's not the best sub you've ever had. If you're into parking lot fights, there's a decent chance of catching one of those too.

Wawa's Amorosa rolls and soft pretzels used to be even better back in the day. The trick was dipping a roll in marinara from the meatballs, especially if they'd been sitting out for a while so the sauce had more flavor. If you could score a little free sauce, the whole thing cost like 50 cents. They delivered before 7 AM, so mornings were the move.

The house brand lemonade tea at Wawa has serious fans too. Hot turkey hoagies are another favorite there.

Royal Farms chicken boxes hit the spot when you need something quick near the office.

Sheetz was the late-night college staple. Cheap food that didn't wreck your stomach after drinking the night before, and solid breakfast options too.

7-Eleven taquitos just work sometimes, especially deep into a long drive when nothing else sounds right.

Never been to Buc-ee's? Some people actively avoid it because of the crowds and lines, even though everyone raves about it. Maybe worth checking out if you're in the area for a while and not in a hurry.

Regional Gems

Louisiana gas stations apparently put Buc-ee's to shame. Boudin and cracklins are the must-haves down in southwest Louisiana. People who grew up there make sure to stop by local stations every time they visit.

In California, finding a gas station with a Krispy Krunchy inside is the play. Their chicken tenders and potato wedges absolutely slap.

Over in the UK, places like Gloucester Services and Tebay sell incredible sausage rolls with farm-fresh food and nice surroundings. They've even got fancy supermarkets inside.

The Practical Stuff

Bags of ice might not be exciting, but they're essential for keeping the cooler stocked on road trips.

Energy drinks keep the caffeine train rolling on long drives when you need to stay alert.

And of course, there's the Costco hot dog and soda combo for $1.50. Some people fill up exclusively at Costco just so they can grab one while they're there. Sometimes groceries too, but the hot dog's the real draw.