Ten Tips for Healthier Road Trips

Ten Tips for Healthier Road Trips

Driving across the country is not for the faint of heart, but I am always excited to do it. The wrong food, lack of sleep, sore body, feeling cranky, headache, GI upset, and add on the outrageous price of gas/diesel/electricity (pick your poison). Who would not be excited?

Our road trips are always an adventure, and the reward: getting to hug my family and friends.

As I prepare for our next cross-country adventure, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share some of the tips and tricks we use to try not to suffer from the above afflictions.

Our drive is 2300 miles, and Google Maps says it will take 33 hours without bathroom breaks, hotel stays, restaurants, terrible traffic, road construction, or weather. We know that it can be done because this past spring, we beat the 33 hours time frame, and here are some of the things we did.

Tip 1: Bring bottled water and plan to use rest stops if you do not need fuel.

We always bring the big Costco pack of water. Holding your bladder is uncomfortable and annoying when you just want to get where you are going. Dehydration adds to fatigue, hunger, painful joints, and muscles and can cause GI slowing and constipation. You know your bladder, and if the next stop is 300 miles from now, you may only be able to drink one bottle, but you might tolerate two, and if so, you will feel much better if you stay hydrated. Avoiding gas stations when not needed will save you time and the temptation of buying the unhealthy foods you did not bring. Bonus: rest areas are often busy with other travelers, and the bathrooms are cleaner.

Tip 2: Pack healthy snacks and mini meals

Protein shakes travel great. If one person is hungry and another is not, a protein shake can make this not a big deal. Other things that we take may include;

• Protein; protein bars, protein water, hard-boiled eggs, high-protein muffins, cheese sticks, beef jerky, nut butter
• Vegetables; cut-up bell peppers, sugar snap peas, carrots, celery
• Fruit; grapes (they travel so well)
• Mini Meals; egg salad, tuna with mayo, you can scoop with pop corners, turkey and cheese rollups
• Snacks; trail mix, pumpkin seeds, roasted chickpeas, bagged popcorn, Stretch Island Fruit leather, Harvest Snap Peas, banana chips, sunflower seeds, and sugar-free gum.

Tip 3: Keep a smaller ice chest within reach

Place all your water bottles in the fridge to cool them off before placing them in your ice chest. Freeze some of your bottles to help your ice last longer. Make sure to keep everything within reach that may be needed and refill the smaller cooler at each stop as required. Keep everything else in the larger cooler.

Tip 4: Bring paper towels and plastic silverware

Eating in the car can get messy. Tupperware is better in keeping the foods from getting mashed, and eating out of the container is easier. Pack all the dry foods in a firm-sided shopping bag, again make sure you keep what you need close, and place extras in the back out of the way.

Tip 5: Avoid unhealthy fast food choices

You will save money and time and feel better when you reach your destination.
Major truck stops now have a good selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, fruit parfaits, hard-boiled eggs, single cheese sticks, etc. Planning prevents that “grab what you see” panic that sets in when you are already hungry and not sure when you will stop again to eat. Even if you eat between meals but your choices are healthy, you will be much better off. Bonus; not eating a high-fat meal with lots of carbohydrates that immediately makes you wish you could take a nap.

Tip 6: Bring your favorite pillow and blanket

Having your pillow and a large warm blanket makes it easier to nap in the car. The driver often needs to keep the interior cooler to prevent sleepiness, which can make it difficult for the passenger to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Bonus; you will have your favorite pillow when you arrive at your destination.

Tip 7: Download music, audiobooks, and podcasts before you leave

It gets boring fast if you are driving and another person is sleeping, and all you have to listen to is radio static. I have even found that satellite radio does not work in mountain passes. Downloads take longer if you are using cellular data, which eats up your battery faster. Make sure you have all your chargers, sunnies, and anything the driver will need in reach in case the passenger is lucky enough to get some shut-eye. If you have not slept in 24 hours, the last thing you want to wake for is a bottle of water, or the sunflower seeds are out of reach.

Tip 8: Hand sanitizer, face wipes, toothbrush, and toothpaste

Is it a road trip if you do not have to brush your teeth over a trash can while getting fuel? I would be lying if I said I have never done this. Toothbrushing can make you stop snacking, make you feel more awake, or, as we call it, “more human.” Hand sanitizer is necessary because gross bathrooms are sometimes just better, less touched. I love a good face wipe to keep my face less greasy and prevent breakouts.

Tip 9: Avoid major cities for gas stops

If you likely need gas in a big city (Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville), stop earlier than planned if needed. You just never know if you will get stuck in traffic, gas prices are often higher with lots of people filling up simultaneously. Your bladder will be empty and your gas tank full, making this part of the drive less stressful. It is also good to be fresher for the more confusing interchanges and increased traffic.

Tip 10: If you must stop, try for halfway but be flexible

Google Maps makes it easier to stop. Give yourself enough time to rest, eat and shower. We have paid a lot of money for a few hours of sleep that was not restorative. Never drive when you are overtired. Switch drivers at each stop. A short nap or arriving later than planned is better than an accident.

I also want to acknowledge that painful backs and stiff joints are real issues. We drink a bunch of water which makes for frequent short stops. I make sure to stretch and not sit back in the car until we are ready to get back on the road. Another tip that may help is to change your position in the car often. Lean the seat back, place a pillow under your bottom, behind your back, under your knees, etc. moving the pillow around prevents the pressured areas. Heated seats are a bonus, too, don't forget to use them if they are available.

We have perfected this road-tripping over many years of long drives for fishing tournaments and moving away from our family and friends. It has been easier without kids, that is for sure, but keeping up as many healthy habits as we can while driving makes a world of difference when we arrive at our destination.

I would love to hear what your favorite healthy snacks are and any other tricks you have to make it a fast, safe trip!