The 35 Best To-Go Gas Station Snacks You Can Buy
It may not be the healthiest option, but we can think of plenty of reasons why one might end up indulging in a gas station snack. Maybe you're perusing the snack aisle at a gas station for a delicious, filling snack. Or maybe you're on a road trip or, it's well after midnight and nothing else is open. Or just maybe you're suffering from a severe gas station snack craving. Whatever the reason, we don't blame you. The best of us end up rifling through the chip bags at the 7/11 at some point or another.
So, without further adieu—and with absolutely no judgment!—let's dive into some of the best gas station snacks of all time. From Honey Buns to every flavor of Doritos, here are our 35 favorites, ranked from best to worst.
35 Best Gas Station Snacks
1. Flamin' Hot Cheetos
iStock
No offense to regular Cheetos, but Flamin' Hot Cheetos just simply pack a punch that the OGs do not. Whether it's 2 AM or you've been driving for the past few hours (or both), a spicy kick from everybody's favorite cheese puff is 100% what you need.
Cheetos Flamin' Hot Crunchy 2.0 oz (Pack of 5)
2. Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies
Remember these from your elementary school-packed lunch? They may be your past; but they can be your present, too. We rate them a 10/10 delicious!
Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies, 1 Box, 6 Individually Wrapped Brownies
3. Jerky
Whether it's Slim Jim or Jack Links, jerky is classic gas station fare. High in protein and available in a few different meat options—beef, pork, turkey, or bison depending on where you're shopping—jerky is always a good idea for the weary travel or night owl who's in need of a pick-me-up.
Jack Link's Beef Jerky, Teriyaki, ½ Pounder Bag - Flavorful Meat Snack, 11g of Protein and 80 Calories, Made with Premium Beef - 96 Percent Fat Free, No Added MSG** or Nitrates/Nitrites
Related: Non Perishable Snacks
4. Cool Ranch Doritos
There. We said it. Cool Ranch Doritos come before Nacho Cheese Doritos. Don't @ us.
Doritos Cool Ranch, Reduced Fat, 1oz Bags, Pack of 10
5. Nacho Cheese Doritos
iStock
Of course, we can still appreciate the cheesy goodness of Nacho Cheese Doritos. Along with Cool Ranch, Nacho Cheese Doritos will always make our late-night gas station shopping list.
Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips, 1oz Bags (40 Pack)
6. Takis Fuego
Some like it hot and these are the people that spring for the Takis. Want something a little smaller?
Takis Mini Fuego Rolled Spicy Tortilla Chips, Hot Chili Pepper Lime Flavored, Multipack 25 Individual Snack Packs, 1.23 Ounces Each, Net Weight of 30.75 Ounces
7. Honey buns
Honeybuns just hit differently when they're purchased at the gas station with crumpled-up dollars and exact change.
Little Debbie Honey Buns, 10.6 oz
8. Hot Dogs
Is it the healthiest choice you can make? No. Is it a great one? Um... you decide!
Oscar Mayer Franks HOT Dogs Classic Weiners 16 OZ Pack of 3
9. Totino's Pizza Rolls
Totino's Pizza Rolls are always a good idea. They're bite-sized and taste like pizza. What's not to love?!
10. Häagen Dazs ice cream
iStock
Gas station ice cream in the summertime? Nothing's better than that.
11. Cheez-Its
From original to Grooves, Cheez-Its are a lifesaver of a gas-station snack that staves off hunger and satisfies the tummy (and the brain!).
Cheez-It The Original Baked Snack Crackers - 7oz - 2 boxes
12. S'mores Pop-Tarts
Because we all know that Pop-Tarts' S'mores flavor reigns supreme.
Kellogg's Pop-Tarts Frosted S'mores Toaster Pastries - Fun Breakfast for Kids (12 Count)
Related: Protein Bars for Weight Loss
13. Taquitos
You'll find these in the roller grill (probably) near the register. They're usually stuffed with cheese and chicken or jalapeño—need we say more?
14. Grandma's Cookies
As far as cookies-in-plastic packaging goes, Grandma's Cookies are the only ones on the shelf. (At least in our eyes.)
Grandma's Cookies Variety Pack of 30
15. Sour worms
iStock
Not feeling in the mood for a savory snack? It's sour you want then! You can never go wrong with sour worms—no matter which brand you buy. The resulting sugar high isn't too bad either.
Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers, Sour Gummy Worms, 28.8 Ounce Resealable Bag, Mother's Day Gift
16. Ho Hos
Ah, the Ho Ho. The Holy Grail of Gas Station Snacks—besides the Twinkie, of course. This brings us to...
Hostess HoHos, Original Chocolate, 3 Ounce (Pack of 6)
17. Twinkies
The original "golden sponge cake with a creamy filling" is every bit as filling and mouthwatering as you remember them from your youth. And luckily, despite that whole weird rebrand thing in 2012 in which Wonder Bread threatened to take them off the shelves, Twinkies are totally still in production.
Hostess Twinkies | 13.58 Ounce Box | 10 Count | Pack of 2 (20 Total Twinkies)
18. Hot Fries
Andy Capp's Hot Fries also had a terrifying retirement scare—just their BBQ flavor though—back in the 2010s but have since reappeared at your favorite local gas station. And they're still just as spicy as you remember them.
Andy Capp's Hot Fries, 0.85 oz, 72 Pack
Related: After School Snacks
19. Glazed Donuts
iStock
Sure, it's no Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme but gas station pastries are a little slice of Heaven.
Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts - 12 Donuts
20. Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn
No other popcorn matters (IMHO).
Smartfood White Cheddar Flavored Popcorn, 0.625 Ounce (Pack of 40)
21. Funyuns
Who could forget about Funyuns?! Another classic middle school-aged snack, so many of us used to haul around the cafeteria looking for a quarter on the floor—just enough to scrape together change for a yellow-and-green bag of this onion-flavored delicacy.
Funyuns Onion Flavored Rings, .75 Ounce (Pack of 40)
22. Pickle-in-a-Bag
Ah, the pickle in a bag. It's an iconic gas station snack option and though you have to be in a really specific mood in order to choose this snack, it certainly doesn't disappoint.
Van Holten's Pickles - Jumbo Dill Pickle-In-A-Pouch - 12 Pack
23. Salt and vinegar chips
OK, we know this one's pretty controversial but TBH, salt and vinegar chips totally slap. Not enough to be ranked in the top 10 of course, but there are plenty of gas station wayfarers who understand the poetic justice of a good salt-and-vinegar.
Kettle Brand Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Potato Chips, 7.5 Oz
24. Combos
Another very distinct flavor is the Combo. Combos Stuffed Snacks are cylindrical crackers, pretzels, or tortillas—depending on the kind you buy—stuffed with flavors like cheddar cheese, pepperoni pizza, and buffalo blue cheese. Of course, some do-gooder genius figured out that the standard Combo filling can be achieved at home with pepperoni, Romano cheese, oregano, and canned diced tomato.
Combos Classic Variety Pack of 4 – Cheddar Cheese Cracker and Pretzel, Pepperoni Cracker and Pizzeria Pretzel (6.3 Ounce Each)
25. Rice Krispie Treats
iStock
Bonus points if you reach for the Oversized Rice Krispies Treat. All the sweet goodness of the original—plus a second serving.
Rice Krispies Treats Marshmallow Snack Bars, Kids Snacks, School Lunch, Original (54 Bars)
26. Milk-Chocolate Peanuts
It's America's favorite nut... dipped in chocolate. With the protein from the peanut and the tastiness of the milk chocolate, this candy-slash-snack is a total win.
The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg Milk Chocolate Virginia Peanuts - 11.5 oz
27. Snickers
Another one for all the peanut lovers out there, the Snickers is a classic late-night snack. It may be a candy bar but it has all the capacity to fill you up as a couple of Taquitos.
SNICKERS Variety Pack Fun Size Original, Peanut Butter & Almond Milk Chocolate Candy Bars Bulk Pack Assortment, 32.68 oz Bag, 45 Piece
28. Skittles
Need something sweet and chewy? Skittles are the way to go if this is what you're craving!
SKITTLES & STARBURST Candy Full Size Variety Mix 62.79-Ounce 30-Count Box
29. M&M's
More of a chocolate person? No one has ever regretted buying a bag of M&M's from the gas station... ever.
M&M's Milk Chocolate Candies 3Lb 14oz Jar Limited
30. Honey-roasted peanuts
iStock
The perfect emergency road trip snack does not exi—oh wait, yes it does.
PLANTERS Honey Roasted Peanuts | Premium Quality Peanuts | Sweet and Salty Snack | Sweet Peanut Snack | Nutritious Snacks & Nuts | Wholesome Snacking | Kosher, 34.5 oz. Resealable Jars (Pack of 2)
31. Snyders of Hanover Honey Mustard and Onion Pieces
Dripping with savory deliciousness, Snyders of Hanover Honey Mustard and Onion Pieces are mini pretzel chunks that taste better when on the open road.
Snyder's of Hanover Pretzel Pieces, Honey Mustard and Onion, 8 oz (Pack of 6)
32. Bugles
Bugles come in a few different flavors—Original, Nacho Cheese, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Caramel—but no matter which flavor you get, they're always reliably salty.
Bugles Crispy Corn Snacks Multipack, Original Flavor, Snack Bags, 10 ct
33. Fruit wrapped in plastic
Not our favorite, TBH, but the quintessential fruit-wrapped-in-plastic-by-the-register receives honorable mention in the form of slot #33. It's likely the healthiest option on here but when faced with the choice of a bag of Doritos or an apple in cling wrap, we choose the chips every time.
34. Muffins
If you're in need of a quick and greasy carb (it's a saying; we don't mean it literally), grab a brandless muffin from the gas station "bakery" section—if you can call it that. When faced with the need for an emergency pick-me-up, a gas-station muffin is just about as good as any other pastry.
Otis Spunkmeyer® Muffin Variety - 15/4 oz.
35. Trail mix
Does anyone really like trail mix? Like, thoroughly enjoys it? If they do, we've never met that person, but it's still a good, "healthy" gas station snack option because it's high in protein. It'll hold you over, keep you full, and we admit, it's not delicious, but it is digestible.
Kar’s Nuts Sweet ‘N Salty Deluxe Trail Mix, 1.5 oz Individual Snack Packs – Bulk Pack of 18, Gluten-Free Snacks
