How to Pack an on-the-Road Picnic

Road trips, long flights, long drives, camping trips; sometimes it is difficult to know what snacks and meals to bring on these excursions. What will be the difference between a perfect on-the-road picnic, and what can ruin one? Skip the fast food chains and long restaurant stops and pack your own food to save money, time and upset stomachs. A main component in packing an on-the-road picnic is the way the food and drinks are stored, and the type of food chose. Bring foods that taste good at room temperature and skip items that don't travel well, like green salads.

Things You'll Need

• Insulated Tote
• Dish towels
• Printed resealable plastic baggies
• Selected food and snacks
• Beverages
• Portable cooler that plugs into car lighter

Instructions

1. 

   Purchase an insulated tote with a sturdy handle to keep your meals and snacks cool, or to keep certain sandwiches and other foods warm. Various sizes can be purchased. Use dish towels to wrap up fruit or around a thermos, and these can also be used as napkins.

2. 

   Pack foods in the bag that can stay intact in a car ride, aren't too messy or saucy, and that have easy-to-clean packaging. A good choice for road trips or car rides are wraps wrapped in plastic baggies, fresh fruit, fried or grilled meats, biscotti, crackers and cheese, or vegetable sticks. Wrap these in the dish towels and plastic bags so you can eat the food with a crumb catcher if needed. Pack sandwiches in butcher or parchment paper, as plastic wrap will make them soggy, and when making sandwiches, use either wraps, ciabatta or baguettes, not soft bread or rolls.

3. 

   Stock a portable cooler that can be plugged into a car lighter for beverages. Pack beverages that will be refreshing and hydrating, such as Italian sodas, bottled still and sparkling water, lemonades, or water flavored with fresh fruit from the insulator bag.

4. Put sauce or dressings in spill-proof containers if you must bring them. Pack items you will eat last at the bottom of the tote, and remember that the tighter the items are packed, the cooler they will stay.

5. Ban bugs from a rest stop if you decide to eat at a picnic table, by using citronella candles as bug spray can be an unappealing addition around food. Always dispose of your wrappers when eating at rest stops.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make sure you refrigerate uncooked meats and dairy products.