Must-visit road trip food stops in every state

Erin McDowellJul 16, 2024, 02:37 IST

Royals Hot Chicken in Louisville, Kentucky, is famous for its spicy chicken sandwiches.Adityanarayan S./Yelp

Road trips are a perfect opportunity to travel to new places and check out the best local spots.
We looked at popular road-trip restaurants conveniently located by main highways.

Summer's arrival means road-trip season, and these spots are among the best in the country.

Road trips are often filled with long-haul drives and convenience-store snacks. However, instead of filling up on homemade sandwiches and candy, why not stop off at a local restaurant for a delicious meal to power you through your drive ahead?

Business Insider looked at highly rated restaurants in each state that mentioned road trips or were conveniently located near major highways. We also reviewed customer reviews and popular menu items at each restaurant. All the restaurants on this list had a passing health score and were marked open as of July 15, 2024, though menu item availability is subject to change depending on when you visit.

Here are popular food stops in every state you need to try on your next road trip.

ALABAMA: Mary's Southern Cooking in Mobile

Mary's Southern Cooking.Michael B./Yelp

ALASKA: Moose's Tooth in Anchorage

Moose's Tooth.Christine N./Yelp

ARIZONA: RelicRoad Brewing in Winslow

RelicRoad Brewing.Candice W./Yelp

ARKANSAS: The Root Cafe in Little Rock

The Root Cafe.Samantha L./Yelp

CALIFORNIA: Yaks on the 5 in Dunsmuir

Yaks on the 5.Jan T./Yelp

COLORADO: Westbound & Down Brewery in Idaho Springs

Westbound & Down Brewery.Mandy L./Yelp

CONNECTICUT: The Traveler Restaurant in Union

The Traveler Restaurant.Sara C./Yelp

DELAWARE: Jessop's Tavern in New Castle

Jessop's Tavern.Paul M./Yelp

FLORIDA: Tom's Cuban On The Go! in Ocala

Tom's Cuban On The Go!Daniel M./Yelp

GEORGIA: Zunzi's in Savannah

Zunzi's.Zunzi's/Yelp

HAWAII: Chicken In A Barrel BBQ-Kapaa in Kapaa

Chicken In A Barrel BBQ-Kapaa.Safina H./Yelp

IDAHO: Scooter's Chillin'-N-Grillin' in Twin Falls

Scooter's Chillin'-N-Grillin'.Tommy J./Yelp

ILLINOIS: Blue Springs Cafe in Highland

Blue Springs Cafe.Kat S./Yelp

INDIANA: Payne's Restaurant in Gas City

Payne's Restaurant.Paynes Restaurant/Yelp

IOWA: Zombie Burger + Drink Lab in Des Moines

Zombie Burger + Drink Lab.Jonathan E./Yelp

KANSAS: Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que in Kansas City

Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que.Jay P./Yelp

KENTUCKY: Royals Hot Chicken in Louisville

Royals Hot Chicken in Louisville, Kentucky, is famous for its spicy chicken sandwiches.Adityanarayan S./Yelp

LOUISIANA: Pamela's Bayou In A Bowl in Alexandria

Pamela's Bayou In A Bowl.Tina R./Yelp

MAINE: Red's Eats in Wiscasset

Red's Eats.Katie M./Yelp

MARYLAND: Chaps Pit Beef in Baltimore

Chaps Pit Beef.Eric L./Yelp

MASSACHUSETTS: B.T.'s Smokehouse in Sturbridge

B.T.'s Smokehouse.Hardy L./Yelp

MICHIGAN: The Mason Jar Cafe in Benton Harbor

The Mason Jar Cafe.Greg B./Yelp

MINNESOTA: The Taco King in Albert Lea

The Taco King.Michael D./Yelp

MISSISSIPPI: The Pig & Pint in Jackson

The Pig & Pint.The Pig & Pint/Yelp

MISSOURI: Pappy's Smokehouse in St. Louis

Pappy's Smokehouse.John K./Yelp

MONTANA: Hummingbird Cafe in Butte

Hummingbird Cafe.Stephanie Y./Yelp

NEBRASKA: Open Range Grill in Ogallala

Open Range Grill.Brandy E./Yelp

NEVADA: Odeh's Mediterranean Restaurant in Elko

Odeh's Mediterranean Restaurant.L T./Yelp

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Four Aces Diner in West Lebanon

Four Aces Diner.Brittany B./Yelp

NEW JERSEY: Tops Diner in East Newark

Tops Diner.F. H./Yelp

NEW MEXICO: Chico's Tortas y Piñas Lokas in Santa Rosa

Chico's Tortas y Piñas Lokas.Rok J./Yelp

NEW YORK: The Cheese Traveler in Albany

The Cheese Traveler.Daniel B./Yelp

NORTH CAROLINA: The Prime Smokehouse in Rocky Mount

The Prime Smokehouse.Patty R./Yelp

NORTH DAKOTA: Fireflour Pizza + Coffee Bar in Bismarck

Fireflour Pizza + Coffee Bar.Olivia K./Yelp

OHIO: Lucky's Cafe in Cleveland

Lucky's Cafe.Lindsay T S./Yelp

OKLAHOMA: The Loaded Bowl in Oklahoma City

The Loaded Bowl.Mike W./Yelp

OREGON: Jack Sprats in Cottage Grove

Jack Sprats.Julie S./Yelp

PENNSYLVANIA: Picasso's Erie in Erie

Picasso's Erie.Diane H./Yelp

RHODE ISLAND: Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant in Newport

Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant.Chanel H./Yelp

SOUTH CAROLINA: Katie's Sandwich Shop in Gaston

Katie's Sandwich Shop.Gintoki S./Yelp

SOUTH DAKOTA: Circle E Drive-In in Murdo

Circle E Drive In.Sherri G./Yelp

TENNESSEE: Biscuit Love: Gulch in Nashville

Biscuit Love: Gulch.Anita W./Yelp

TEXAS: Tyler's Barbeque in Amarillo

Tyler's Barbeque.Cult L./Yelp

UTAH: Centro Woodfired Pizzeria in Cedar City

Centro Woodfired Pizzeria.Sheri R./Yelp

VERMONT: Prohibition Pig in Waterbury

Prohibition Pig.G N./Yelp

VIRGINIA: Angelle's Diner in Troutville

Angelle's Diner.Mr. Bill S./Yelp

WASHINGTON: Frank's Diner in Spokane

Frank's Diner.Nataliya V./Yelp

WEST VIRGINIA: Hillbilly Hot Dogs in Lesage

Hillbilly Hot Dogs.Billy B./Yelp

WISCONSIN: Baumgartner's Cheese Store & Tavern in Monroe

Baumgartner's Cheese Store & Tavern.Krishna C./Yelp

WYOMING: Anong's Thai Cuisine in Rawlins

Anong's Thai Cuisine.Ophelia M./Yelp

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