Road Trip Sandwich Ideas

Oh, the ever-popular, portable sandwich! What would a summer picnic or an outdoor adventure be without one? As you head out on the highway, consider packing your own lunch using some of these road trip sandwich ideas. They will make traveling easier and save your budget, so you can put your energy and money  into making memories and enjoying the world around you! 

What Makes a Sandwich a Sandwich?

Typically, a sandwich is made with two pieces of bread with some type of filling in between. It is intended to be eaten without utensils, which means it’s perfect for a road trip! Deli meat (ham, turkey or roast beef), cheese and lettuce with mayo and mustard on white bread is a pretty standard sandwich, and possibly what first comes to mind. But there are so many other delicious options. These are not your Grandma’s Wonder Bread Sandwiches!

If you are following a low-carb eating plan, use the low-carb wraps and buns rather than full bread. You can also use lettuce leaves to wrap the fillings all together. 

Switch up the Bread

White bread is fine for your road trip sandwiches. But how about wheat, rye or pumpernickel? Sourdough, artisan, French? Slice it thick, slice it thin, toast it up. And why stick with bread? Bagels, pita pockets, tortillas, low-carb wraps, English muffins, Kaiser rolls, dinner rolls–all can be used for sandwiches! Choosing breads made with whole grains, nuts and seeds will also increase the nutritional value. 

Flip the Filling

Deli meat and cheese are classics for a good reason. Have you considered egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad? Or what about a hearty vegetarian sandwich with roasted or grilled vegetables or different beans? Nut butters and jelly, banana or other fruits are another fun option. Flip your fillings for each meal and you’ll never get bored of these road trip sandwiches!

Concerning Condiments

Just like deli meat and cheese, mayo and mustard are tried and true condiments. If you don’t like them or are feeling adventurous, try switching out your condiments as well. Pesto, sriracha, barbecue sauce, or Ranch dressing are all great options.. Add lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, pickles, olives or red onions. Dried or fresh fruits can add an unexpected punch. Crushed red pepper, seasoning salt, a sprinkle of rosemary, or other spices can also bring out unique flavors.

Put it all Together

The options for your summer sandwiches are limitless. Keep it simple or make it fancy. If you want to make it fancy, cut the bread with shaped cookie cutters or into different geometric shapes. Try these combos to get you started! Pro tip: If you have picky kids, make them a little menu where they can choose their road trip sandwich each day. They are more likely to try something new if it is their own idea. 

• Almond butter, banana, granola, honey in a whole wheat pita pocket
• Deli turkey, swiss cheese, apple slices with mayo and dijon mustard on whole wheat bread.
• Everything bagel with sliced hard boiled egg, cream cheese, spinach and pickled red onion. 
• Ham and cheese sliders on dinner rolls
• Black bean and sweet potato burritos
• Pepperoni and mozzarella calzones
• Tuna salad on pumpernickel with lettuce, tomatoes and onion.
• Roasted mediterranean veggie wrap
• Chicken bacon ranch on a Kaiser roll
• Muffaletta/picnic loaf
• Sliced cucumbers on a croissant with sprouts and onion
• Sliced grapes or strawberries with peanut butter on a bagel

What to Pack With Road Trip Sandwiches

You will never go wrong with fresh veggies and fruit as accompaniments for your sandwich. Having a dip such as yogurt, ranch dressing, hummus or guacamole might make it more palatable for your picky eaters. Fruit salad, coleslaw, applesauce, or a bit of trail mix will make healthy sides for your sandwiches as well.

Can I Make Sandwiches Ahead of My Road Trip?

We all know the bad taste of soggy bread leaves in your mouth, but it is possible to prepare your sandwiches ahead of your excursion. Get all your ingredients ready and choose heartier bread for the best results. 

Layer the dryer ingredients next to the bread and put the wetter items such as fresh vegetables or condiments in the center. For example you might have bread, salami, turkey, lettuce, pickles, mayo, cheese, turkey, and bread. 

If you go ahead and assemble the sandwich, then make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh and put together. 

Alternatively, you can prep the ingredients by slicing, cutting, separating, etc. Then put each item in an individual small snack bag or a bento box. When you are on the road, you can put the sandwich together on the go or stop and make a picnic of it at a rest area. Kids love assembling their own items – just make sure to include a plate or a tray in the car to avoid messes on your floor or pickles in the seat cracks.

The Cooler is Your Friend

Once you have assembled your sandwiches and prepped the ingredients, you’ll want to keep them cool. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and pack carefully into your picnic basket or cooler.Put the ice or ice packs on the bottom of the cooler to prevent your sandwiches from getting smooshed. 

 Did you know you can use your cooler for warm sandwiches too? Any warm sandwich can be wrapped in foil and placed in a cooler…which will then serve as a warmer – just leave out the ice! Of course, it goes without saying that warm and cold things need to be kept separate. Depending on your road trip menu you may need two small coolers rather than one large. Insulated bags also work well for this purpose.

Get creative with your road trip sandwiches this summer! Your tummy will thank you and so will your travel partners! Whether you are making memories with family, girlfriends or by yourself, having portable food options will help everything go smoother. You’ll also save money and awaken taste buds you never knew you had with new flavor combos!

More Sandwich Recipe Inspiration

Crock Pot Root Beer Chicken by Centsless Meals

These CrockPot Root Beer Chicken Sandwiches are super easy to make and super tasty!! It’s quite an easy recipe to make, I bet you have all the ingredients in your pantry already!!! This would be a great dish to bring to that SuperBowl party!  Be sure to pin this recipe so you don’t lose it!

Chicken Parm Sliders by The Cozy Cook

These Chicken Parmesan Sliders are made with fresh chicken and delicious homemade breading. They’re topped with marinara sauce, crunchy mozzarella sticks, and are baked in the oven for a fun game day appetizer to feed a crowd!

Avocado Lamb and  Jam Sandwich by Greedy Gourmet

With this leftover lamb sandwich recipe, you’ll feel like you’re having a cosy Sunday meal any day of the week you want.

Hot Pastrami Sandwich by Smarty Pants Kitchen

There's no magic to making the best hot pastrami sandwich, just technique in preparing the sauerkraut.

French Dips with Picante Provolone by Not Entirely Average

These easy French Dip Sandwiches with Picante Provolone are perfect for weeknight dinners or a game day gathering. Fresh buttery rolls are over-stuffed with meltingly tender sliced roast beef, topped with richly caramelized sautéed onions and garlic, and bitey slices of provolone cheese. The quick and uniquely CREAMY au jus is the perfect gravy for dunking.

Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders by Little Dairy on the Prairie

Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwich, sometimes called hot ham and cheese sliders, are a whole new level of gooey, cheesy goodness in a super easy to make oven baked sandwich recipe!

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches by Healthy Life Trainer

This Philly cheesesteak sandwich is loaded with tender bites of steak, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and mozzarella cheese. It is a good choice if you want to make something different for lunch or dinner. Also, it is suitable for taking on picnics.

Turkey Waffle BLTS by We Are Not Martha

Stop eating boring sandwiches! You can make lunchtime more exciting with these Turkey BLT Waffle Sandwiches… They’re perfect for kids’ school lunches, but adults will love them, too!

Shrimp Po Boys by Call Me PMC

Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwich Recipe is easy, tasty, and a lighter version of the New Orleans popular sandwich recipe. It’s full of bold flavor and spice!

Puerto Rican Tripleta Sandwich by In the Kitch

Piled high with meat, cheese, and fresh vegetables, the tripleta sandwich is a Puerto Rican standard that puts a new twist on the classic Cuban sandwich. The tripleta combines cold lunch meat with cooked pork and chicken to make a hot, filling sandwich that’s practically spilling over with ingredients.

Fish Stick Sandwiches by Recipes for Men

This recipe for a fish stick sandwich is really a great way to eat fish sticks, as a snack or a main meal, and will leave you very satisfied. It can be made in less than 15 minutes and you can vary the fillings and sauces to suit your preference.

Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich by House of Nash Eats

Grab your knife and fork for this supremely satisfying, over-the-top Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich! It is served open-faced with thick slices of roasted turkey, crispy bacon, and fresh tomatoes on top of a thick piece of toasted bread, all smothered in a rich, cheesy mornay sauce.

Broiled Tomato Sandwiches by Spend with Pennies

A broiled tomato sandwich has all of the tasty goodness of ripe, juicy, tomatoes topped with broiled melty cheese! This is the perfect snack or meal any time of day and makes a great side for soup and more.

Brooklyn Avenue Pastrami Sandwich by Boulder Locavore

Calling all Mad Men fans and sandwich lovers, you won’t want to miss this Brooklyn Avenue Sandwich! Pastrami on rye bread with coleslaw on the sandwich and Russian Dressing. Lunchtime really doesn’t get much better than this.

Grilled Smothered Reuben by Pint Sized Treasures

Melty cheese smothering a grilled Reuben is one of the best ways to break for lunch midday!