5 unconventional road trip snacks

As a Midwestern girl, road trips are something that have been ingrained in my life since childhood. Whether it's the 27 hour trip to Florida from my hometown in Wisconsin or the eight hour trip to Chicago, snacks are the most make-or-break addition to the experience. After driving back to campus after spring break, I realized I've mastered my snack setup and learned the most efficient ways to eat the least efficient foods. Here are some of my favorite avant-garde road trip snacks.

Chips with a hint of lime and chunky salsa

Starting off strong with my absolute favorite road trip snack: Tostitos Hint of Lime chips and salsa. Now, I am not picky about what salsa I'm using. However, I prefer my salsa to be super chunkily diced, including the massive tomatoes, peppers, and lots of corn and beans.

The runnier the salsa, the more difficult it is to eat while driving, so naturally I lean away from it. But I will also eat super finely sliced and diced homemade salsa if the opportunity presents itself. This snack usually evokes the strongest reaction out of others when I suggest it, but honestly, super spicy chips and salsa in the car with nothing but a water bottle and the open road creates an unforgettable experience -- for better or for worse.

Trader Joe's buffalo style chicken dip and pretzels

You've already probably sensed a theme. For some reason I love a dip and a crunchy add-on at the most inconvenient times, such as on a freeway or two lane highway. This buff-chick dip is something that has been recently added to my road trip snack list, but it is worth it every time. I love pretzels, but sometimes they can be too bread-y, so adding a cold, cream cheese based dip helps to lighten the dish. Pro tip: buy the mini coolers from Trader Joe's as well to keep several dips and a drink cold for you. I also highly recommend the chunky guacamole or any cheese dip to either go with the left over hint of lime chips or the pretzels.

Pomegranates and raspberries

As arguably the least controversial food on this list, I almost didn't mention these fruits, but I must speak my truth. When I would drive back home to Wisconsin from Iowa or vice versa, I would buy one of the large containers of raspberries and cut up five pomegranates and eat them out of a glass bowl that I had stolen from my parents kitchen. As stated before, I like to keep my meals light, so these fruits are more than ideal. They also provide the perfect break from all of the savory dips I often have packed. Similarly, in my messy car eating fashion, I either eat them with my bare hands or with my car spoon -- that is, the spoon that stays in my car in case of emergencies.

Kwik Trip glazer donuts

This may sound like a typical car snack to you guys, but I must admit that I absolutely hate stopping on car rides. If I'm by myself, I never stop when the trip is less than five hours, so stopping for a bite at Kwik Trip means something. Kwik Trip's glazer donuts are the best donuts, from their airy and flaky dough to the slightly crispy glaze topping. These donuts are one of the only sweets I deem necessary for a car ride.

An oreo blizzard from Dairy Queen

In addition to the largest-sized blizzard, you must also get the chicken strips and fries for dipping purposes. Within my trip from Wisconsin to Iowa, there is a Dairy Queen Grill and Chill at about the halfway mark, and this has been highly regarded as one of the only stops I'll allow on my lonesome, but I'm not getting out of the car, so does it really count as a stop? Nevertheless, if I'm getting a blizzard it's because I know some open road is coming where I'll really get the chance to appreciate the full sweetness of the ice cream without spilling all over myself.