A Greenie's Guide to the Open Road

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Ditch the drive-thrus and convenience stores for on-the-go grub by stocking up on snacks, making use of hotel kitchenettes and sharing community meals. Photo: Flickr/vintage_queen

Your road trip crew is bound to get a little hungry along the way, which usually means plenty of trips to the drive-thru. All health matters aside, eating out significantly increases the footprint of your meals, and it leaves you with a car full of trash to dispose of. So, plan ahead, and ditch the drive-thru lines for good.

Stop at grocery stores along the way and stock up on low-waste snacks for the road, like fresh fruit and bulk sizes of non-perishables like nuts, dried fruits and pretzels. Many grocery stores even allow you to use your own bag for bulk-bin foods. So, use your reusable bags and containers to cut back on plastic waste.

When you’re staying in a hotel for the night, ask the concierge about rooms with kitchens or kitchenettes. Shelling out a few extra bucks for your stay can save you tons of cash on eating out later. When you do have the luxury of a kitchen, make the most of it and prepare a few extra meals ahead of time. Pack them in reusable storage containers, and keep them in a cooler in the cabin of your car. Never keep perishable food in the trunk for an extended period of time. All that extra heat is just asking for trouble.

And when you’re in a new town, make the most of community meals served at churches and rec centers. They’re a great way to get a free or low-cost meal without the waste, and you may even meet some new friends.