I Discovered the Key to Road Trip Happiness: It’s Gardetto’s and Sour Punch Straws

Much like Starbucks, national pharmacies, fast-food outlets, and suburban model homes, gas stations generally exhibit a strong sense of uniformity. After visiting a few times, you instinctively know where to find everything: the cash register, the cold beverages, and the crucial restroom. For road travelers, this familiarity — built over short stops — becomes both essential and routine. It’s an undeniable aspect of life, akin to death and taxes.

However, gas stations, despite their ordinary nature, still carry a hint of possibility. (Or perhaps it’s just the scent of gasoline?) This allure stems from the concept of the road trip, invoking feelings of nostalgia, adventure, and freedom. Under the inviting glow of the Great American Road Trip™, gas stations transform from mere stops into key players in the journey. They serve not just as places to refuel but as opportunities for unexpected delights, whether through the diverse people you encounter, the quirky souvenirs alongside the Band-Aids, or the treasures found in the second most significant area of a gas station.

I’m referring to the snack aisle, naturally. That’s where the real enchantment lies, especially at the outset of a trip. The shelves are brimming with options, creating a universe of snacks despite the constraints of a “gas station mini mart.” From chips and pretzels to cookies and crackers, nuts and bars, jerky and fruit leathers, plus gum and mints to keep you fresh on the road. This space can feel familiar across different locations or become a site of discovery, depending on the regional specialties stocked by the gas station.

For me, the predictability of the selections — familiar, comforting, and reliable — while on my way to explore new places is part of the charm. Growing up in car-centric regions and accumulating hundreds of thousands of miles over two decades of family road trips, I’ve learned exactly which snacks to grab each time I step into a gas station.

And now I share this treasured knowledge, a classic combination, with you: Gardetto’s and Sour Punch Straws, always together. The Gardetto’s, a delightful mix devoid of Chex, features crunchy rye toasts, pretzels, and tiny breadsticks that deliver a salty-savory umami boost thanks to MSG. Meanwhile, the Sour Punch Straws (imagine a baby-shaped candy in tubular form) provide a chewy texture and a bright, mouth-puckering tartness softened by sweet corn syrup. Consumed separately, the onslaught of salt and sugary acidity can be overwhelming. But when enjoyed in alternating bites, they create a unique flavor balance, achieving a gustatory harmony made possible by the meticulous blend of artificial flavors and preservatives.

Complete junk, yet pure delight. Even though I’m well aware this combination will leave me feeling awful in about 20 minutes — with my teeth squeaking from the straws’ harsh mix of sugar and citric acid, and my body burdened by at least five servings of flour, oil, and those heavenly seasoned rye chips (the true treasures of the pack).

But you accept the bad with the good. That’s the essence of the gas station experience: mostly ordinary, occasionally subpar, but with the chance for unexpected gems. I was reminded of this recently during a trip to a nearby gas station to grab my beloved Gardetto’s and Sour Punch Straws. A quick glance told me where to find my snacks: one aisle had the last pack of Gardetto’s, while across the way sat my go-to blue raspberry Sour Punch Straws, the sole flavor available. I checked out at the counter, behind a plexiglass barrier reaching nearly to the ceiling. The cashier, a man around my dad’s age, face hidden by a mask, watched as I fumbled to open the plastic bag. My usual sneaky method of licking my thumb to pry apart the sealed folds felt incredibly unsanitary in these COVID times.

“Want a tip for opening it?” he asked just as I finally managed to unfold the bag.

He pulled out another bag, flat from the pack, and pointed out the seam on the right. Just slide your finger under that line, and the bag should open without any spit needed. “I learned that from TikTok,” he said, looking quite pleased with himself. “You know those hacks? At least that’s one useful thing I picked up from them.”

I couldn't help but chuckle, pleasantly surprised by this encounter—the first genuine interaction with a stranger in quite some time. We exchanged well wishes as I exited the store, snacks and newfound wisdom in hand; it felt like we both appreciated the moment, a rare occurrence in the usual routine of retail exchanges filled with automatic pleasantries. The joy of our conversation lingered with me all the way home, where I opened my bag of Gardetto’s and a pack of sour straws. They tasted just as I remembered—perhaps even better. At the gas station, you always find what you’re looking for, and then some unexpected treasures.

Naya-Cheyenne is a multimedia illustrator and designer raised in Miami and now based in Brooklyn.