We know what you’re thinking: road trips are all about the views. Wide open skies, the rolling prairie, the rugged badlands, and the little towns that pop up when you least expect them. And while that’s true, let’s be honest—what’s a Montana road trip without snacks?

Luckily, Southeast Montana has you covered. Around here, snacks aren’t just something to hold you over until dinner. They’re part of the adventure. So before you gas up and hit Highway 12, I-94, or one of those “shortcuts” your GPS swears is faster, make sure your snack stash is stocked with these Montana-made road trip essentials—and yes, you’ll find them right here in our small towns.

1. Jerky & Meat Sticks: Fuel for the Long Haul

Montana does beef, bison, and elk like no one else. You’ll find jerky and snack sticks in every flavor, from peppered to teriyaki to “so spicy you’ll need to roll down the window.”

Billings: Ranch House Meats will have you wishing you had an extra cooler to stock up on all your favorites.

Miles City: Cowboy country = jerky at butchers, gift shops, and gas stations.

Glendive: Stock up at local shops for Montana jerky brands.

2. Honey & Honey Sticks: Sweet Energy on the Go

Montana bees are busy, and that means plenty of sweetness for your trip. Honey sticks are perfect for kids in the backseat or a mid-drive sugar boost.

Forsyth: Visit Fleeing Man Honey LLC for raw Montana honey and even mated queen bees (you probably don’t need a queen bee for your glove box, but the honey is fantastic).

Billings: Pick up Drange Apiary honey, a local favorite!

Miles City & Glendive: Find honey sticks at co-ops and markets.

Terry: Prairie Unique stocks honey and Montana-made goodies.

3. Sweets: Because Road Trips Deserve Dessert

Hours in the car? You’ve earned a treat.

Billings: Blind Cat Chocolate crafts bean-to-bar artisan chocolate with organic ingredients—snack like a chocolatier on the go.

Laurel: Georgette’s Galettes LLC makes Belgian-style buttery vanilla galettes with a crispy crunch—no syrup needed, just munch and drive.

Statewide: Bequet Caramels are individually wrapped and glove-box friendly.

Terry: Prairie Unique is loaded with huckleberry candies and Montana-made chocolate.

4. Trail Mix & Healthy-ish Options

Balance out the caramels with something hearty. Trail mixes with Montana dried cherries or chokecherries hit the spot, and roasted chickpeas or lentils give you energy with a crunch.

Billings: Health food stores and co-ops make locally blended trail mixes.

Terry: Prairie Unique sells specialty snack mixes.

5. Drinks to Keep You Rolling

Whether it’s coffee, soda, or something fizzy, Southeast Montana has options.

Billings: Grab a cup from Rock Creek Coffee or Mazevo Coffee.

Miles City: Local shops sometimes carry bottled kombucha and cold brew.

Terry: Prairie Unique often has regional craft sodas like huckleberry pop.

Glendive: Small-town gas stations stock Montana root beer and ginger ale.

Hit the Road, Snack in Hand

Here’s the thing about road trips through Southeast Montana: you don’t just pass through, you snack through. From honey in Forsyth to chocolates in Billings, galettes in Laurel, and chips in Glendive, each stop adds flavor to your journey.

So pack light, drive hungry, and remember—when you snack local, you’re not just filling your cooler, you’re fueling our small towns. And trust us, the views taste even better that way.