Let's All Go To California!

If you're mainly stopping at gas stations and the like, some good travel snacks that I've always been able to find no matter where we stop include - jerky, granola/trail mix (just watch the serving sizes, trail mix can add up fast!), string cheese, baby carrots, apples, bananas, nuts, and protein bars (just check the calorie count - some of the ones intended for, say, body builders, can have 400 calories in them!).

If you're planning on packing your own food, all of the above, plus you could also make sandwiches - I like peanut butter and honey on multigrain bread, but cold cuts would probably work as well. Just be careful not to use mayo/cheese/etc. on your sandwiches if you don't have a cooler to keep them in - that stuff can turn FAST without proper temperature control.

Lastly, if you're stopping at fast food places, stick to salads with dressing on the side (and of course, use common sense - the taco salad dressed with four kinds of cheese is definitely NOT your friend!), or plain grilled chicken sandwiches with lettuce & tomato (usually 300-400 calories, especially if you skip the mayo and skip the cheese). Most fast food places now carry healthier sides - packs of apple slices, yogurt, etc. - they're packaged "for kids," but so what, right?

Pack snacks for the trip