Ben Mendelowitz
Written by: Sophie Bryant
Last Updated:

As summer rolls in and the days grow longer, millions of North Americans are gearing up for one of the season’s most cherished traditions: the road trip! With its wide-open highways, scenic landscapes and countless roadside attractions, it’s no surprise that the road trip remains a favourite way to travel across both Canada and the US. 2r5k4m

And why shouldn’t it be? With such diverse destinations to see, including national parks and coastal towns as well as tucked-away mountain resorts, many travelers can enjoy unforgettable getaways without ever needing to take to the skies.

So, with road trip season in full swing, we set out to answer an all-important question: which gas station snacks are keeping road trippers fueled along the way? From salty to sweet, crunchy to chewy, gas stations across North America are stocked with on-the-go favourites that make the miles fly by.

To find out which snacks reign supreme, we analyzed data from Google Keyword Planner (average monthly search volumes over the past 12 months) and Brandwatch (total social media mentions over the same period). These two sources were then normalized and weighted equally to create our final rankings.

With all that being said, whether you’re crossing provinces or cruising down the interstate, these are the snacks Canadians and Americans can’t resist picking up before hitting the open road!

From chocolate bars to savory flavors, here are the gas station snacks Canadians are searching for the most as they gear up for summer road trips:

1. KitKats 2241y

Taking the top spot, Kit Kats are Canada’s undisputed road trip favourite, and it’s easy to see why. That iconic “Have a break” slogan has practically become a travel mantra. Easy to share (or not), it’s got the perfect combo of chocolate and crispness, with a wrapper that opens faster than your GPS can say “recalculating.”

Whether you’re driving through the Rockies or stuck in Toronto traffic, a KitKat makes any detour feel that little bit more delicious. With 18,100 searches for gas station snacks and 3,920 social mentions, KitKats scored a total of 69.5 out of 100.

2. Oh Henry! 6t4522

A Canadian classic with serious snack cred, Oh Henry! is basically a meal in bar form. Packed with peanuts, caramel, fudge and even more peanuts, it’s ideal for drivers who want to feel like they’re fuelling up for something epic, even if it’s just a quick dash to the cottage. With its hefty and chewy texture, this is the choice for snackers who mean business.

With 5,400 searches for gas station snacks and 10,000 social mentions, Oh Henry! scored 64.7 out of 100.

3. Smarties 3tp62

Not to be confused with the chalky American version, Canadian Smarties are colorful, candy-coated chocolates that stir up serious childhood nostalgia. They’re a tidy treat that won’t melt all over your car seats, and they’ve got just the right mix of sweet, crunchy and playful. Bonus points if you sort them by color before eating.

With 12,100 searches for gas station snacks and 4,620 social mentions, Smarties scored 56.4 out of 100.

4. Pringles 716p4p

With their unmistakable pop-top can and satisfyingly stackable shape, Pringles are practically made for eating on the road. No greasy bags, no crumbs in the seat crevices, just crisp and uniform goodness in every bite. Plus, their come-back-for-more flavor makes them seriously moreish, which is probably why they never survive past the first rest stop.

With 12,100 searches for gas station snacks and 4,200 social mentions, Pringles scored 54.3 out of 100.

5. Beef jerky 4z2n2s

The ultimate road trip power snack, beef jerky is high in protein, easy to stash and packed with smoky, salty satisfaction. It’s the perfect snack for hikers, campers and anyone who wants to feel outdoorsy, even if your idea of “roughing it” is a motel without Wi-Fi. Offering flavors ranging from original to teriyaki, it’s a delicious nod to Canada’s rugged side.

With 9,900 searches for gas station snacks and 5,120 social mentions, beef jerky scored 52.8 out of 100.

Honourable Mentions 6n1h2s

A road trip classic, M&M’s are colorful, crunchy and #6 in our rankings, with a score of 44.7 out of 100. At #7 we have Ketchup Chips (43.2), a uniquely Canadian obsession that’s a national treasure and even a rite of age for visiting snackers.

Coffee Crisp comes in at #8 (40.1) thanks to its wonderful layers of coffee-flavored wafer and chocolate. Then we have All Dressed Chips, which are salty, sweet, tangy and totally snackable, earning them the #9 slot (27.7).

And last but surely not least, Aero (26.7 out of 100) brings a little bit of bubbly lightness to long hauls, making it the #10 most popular gas station snack in Canada.

Canadian Cities That Love Gas Station Snacks the Most 1by3o

When it comes to road trip readiness, some Canadian cities are clearly stocking up more than others. Based on Google search data per 100,000 residents, these snack-loving hotspots are showing serious enthusiasm for grabbing a treat (or ten) on the go:

1. Toronto – 18,470 searches per 100,000 residents 2m5a

Canada’s largest city takes the crown as the capital of gas station snacking. With cottage country to the north, Niagara Falls to the south and the whole of Highway 401 stretching out ahead, Torontonians are no strangers to long drives and clearly know the value of a well-stocked snack bag!

2. Calgary – 7,730 searches per 100,000 residents 153i46

Set against the backdrop of the Rockies and surrounded by iconic road trip routes like the Icefields Parkway, residents of Calgary, Alberta are likely prepping for mountain adventures, national park escapes and prairie drives with jerky and Pringles in tow.

3. Winnipeg – 3,640 searches per 100,000 residents 261a5a

Winnipeg may be centrally located in Manitoba, but it’s a long drive to just about anywhere, making road trip provisions a must. With easy access to lakes, campgrounds and cottage country, Winnipeggers know that snacks are as essential as sunscreen and bug spray.

4. London – 2,410 searches per 100,000 residents l6c1q

Not to be confused with its UK capital cousin, London sits halfway between Toronto and Detroit and is a gateway city for road trippers heading to the USA, Southwestern Ontario, or Grand Bend for some beach time. A pit stop for snacks is practically a tradition!

5. Surrey – 2,390 searches per 100,000 residents 396i4e

Located just outside Vancouver in British Columbia, Surrey residents are perfectly positioned for road trips into the interior, the Sunshine Coast, or even down into Washington State. Whether you’re heading to the mountains or the border, snacks are a road trip essential.

While our study has mainly focused on Canada’s road trip snack habits, we couldn’t resist peeking at what travelers across the border are reaching for. Based on US search data, their top gas station snack picks pack plenty of flavor and a whole lot of crunch!

Doritos claim the top spot, proving once again that mouthfeel wins many a snacker’s heart (and glove box). Cheetos follow in second place, offering the kind of cheesy, finger-staining goodness that somehow tastes even better on the road. Then, in third, Oreos bring a sweet, twistable treat to the list, as they’re ideal for mid-drive sugar fixes.

Snickers secures fourth with its “you’re not you when you’re hungry” energy, and finally, Skittles round out the top five with a rainbow of bite-sized fun!

And when it comes to snack-loving states, Colorado ranks #1, likely fueled by outdoor adventurers and road-trippers heading to the Rockies. Delaware, Georgia, Connecticut and Idaho also show high snack search volume per 100,000 residents, proving that, from coast to coast, Americans are just as serious about their road trip snacks as Canadians.

Grab a Snack and Play your Favourite Casino Games 4b1220

So, those were Canada and America’s favourite road trip snacks! But just because they’re ideal for a long car journey, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them while you’re stuck at home dreaming of your next road trip. In fact, why not check out our best betting apps for a bit of fun while you wait for your next adventure to arrive?

Methodology 5jr3u

This study ranks the most popular gas station snacks in Canada and the US. To determine the rankings, popular gas station snacks were analyzed using two data sources. First, Google Keyword Planner was used to identify the average monthly search volume for each snack over a 12-month period. Then, the same snacks were analyzed using the social listening tool Brandwatch, which measured the total number of social media mentions over the same timeframe.

Both datasets were normalized on a scale from 0 to 1 and weighted equally (50% each) to generate a combined popularity score.

This study also ranks Canadian cities and the US states most “obsessed” with gas station snacks, based on Google Keyword Planner data. For this part of the analysis, search volume was adjusted per capita to for differences in population size, ensuring a more accurate comparison between regions.

All data is accurate as of May 19, 2025, based on the sources used.