Road Trip Eating Survival Guide

When you go on a car trip with your family or friends the first part of the trip is getting there. The second part of the trip is what you will eat on the way there

First, buy a cooler and load it with juice, water, sandwiches, snack bars,and carrot to last for the beginning of your journey. But once the cooler foods starts getting boring; it's time to explore other eating options

If you go to a gas station convenience store be careful of buying expired items or outdated products. Buy only brands you know and check all the dates on food items. Buy items that you know sell well and that are restocked often.

Look on the Internet and see where a Costco or Wall-Marts or a big supermarket are located. Lots of supermarkets have sitting, good salad bars, decent parking lots and decent hot items. If you go to the Whole Foods supermarkets in NYC they even have a microwave available to heat up their prepared food. If you go to a supermarket late you could buy some bakery items for half price. Then you can eat them for breakfast.

If you get sick of eating in restaurants see where the big public parks or camp grounds are located. Then when you eat your meals you can have the atmosphere of the great outdoors instead of the highway. Some parks have barbecue pits so you may be able to make a simple barbecue.

If you stay in a hotel see if they offer a breakfast buffet. Some hotels even offer it free as an added incentive. Sometimes nearby hotels also offer non -hotel guests the option of eating at their buffets for a small fee. Also, look for breakfast early bird specials. Buffets are a great place to take muffins, yogurt and fruit to eat along the road. Some hotels even offer guests free coffee or fruit in their lobby during the morning hours. So don't sleep too late or the fresh coffee and free papers are gone. The W hotel chain always has apples available to their guests anytime of the day. Also, they offer guests free snacks during happy hour Always try to start your day with a good breakfast. Oatmeal and eggs are known to keep people full for hours. Sugary cereal and muffins won't have the same effect.

Next look for a eatery guidebook for suggestions on where you should eat on the road. I have seen several guidebooks that are devoted to this one topic. If you see a restaurant that looks good then check to see if the restaurant has an online menu available. A good place to check for online versions of restaurant menus is www.menupages.com. This way you can ask everyone in your group if there is something they like on the menu before you get there. Also, this a great way to see if the restaurant prices are in your budget range. In addition, call the restaurant to make sure their travel directions and restaurant operating hours are correct and see if they offer a kid's menu or early bird specials. Another eating option call up the locale chamber of commerce to see what eateries they recommend.

Check to see if there are any locale farmer markets in the town you are visiting. This is a great place to stock up on fresh bread, muffins, juices and fruits for a reasonable price. Some green markets even take food stamps. Ask the farmers or the customers, at the market, where they recommend eating.

Look up online or buy the locale community papers to check for eating recommendations. Some hotels, eating rest stops, some college cafeteria, and supermarkets sometimes have them for free. Check out these papers weekend guides especially for eating tips. Take a look at any ads for a state fair or church community fair or rummage sale that may offer good food options. You can also attend a locale religious service and then eat with the worshipers afterward. This way your family will eat and not have skipped service while on vacation. Also, if you are with your girlfriends see if any nightclubs offer free buffet with the price of their club entry.

If you see any college students, military men, or bus drivers ask them for their dining recommendations. They are always good bets on recommendations on good eats. Also, some college cafeteria are open to public. (Museums cafeterias are also a good option.) Grab the college newspaper to see where their student writers eat.

Think outside the box when it comes to road trip eating. Just remember eating on road does have to be just one chain restaurant after another. You may be surprised in the quality of good food you get on this road trip with your family of friends.