SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Whether you’re day tripping with family, taking a week-long vacation with pals, or doing a cross-country solo drive, summer road trips of all kinds can be long and exhausting. The good news? There are plenty of ways to improve the experience.

Great Snacks

Road trip snacks are non-negotiable! They make car rides of any length brighter and keep drivers and passengers happy and fueled for the miles ahead.

It’s best to have a mix of snack options that are easy to eat in the car or at roadside stops. Carrot sticks, pretzels and nuts make great savory choices. For an easy, on-the-go, fruity and juicy snack, try Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms. Now juicier, Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms are made in six delicious fruity flavors making them a great road trip snack. Crafted with care, they are made with real fruit juice, as well as colors and flavors from real sources.

Before hitting the road, find Black Forest at a nearby retailer by visiting blackforestusa.com.

Refreshing Breaks

Making great time shouldn’t come at the expense of you or your traveling companions’ comfort. Beyond typical bathroom breaks and pit stops, consider visiting points of interest along the route. Ideally, these detours shouldn’t add too much additional mileage to your odometer or time on the road, but instead, be designed to break up the trip in manageable chunks. From a natural landmark to a beautiful view, the experiences will emotionally and physically rejuvenate your party for the next leg of the journey.

Games and Music

Entertainment can help the miles pass more quickly. If you’re driving alone, prep a great playlist or download some audiobooks or podcasts in advance of the trip so you aren’t distracted by flipping through your device while driving. Try giving each hour of the journey a different theme – such as songs of a specific genre or from a particular decade, or by letting passengers take turns being the DJ. You can also pass the time playing classic road trip games like “I Spy” and “Twenty Questions.” Keep passengers in the backseat occupied, particularly little ones, by supplying them with portable versions of their favorite board games.

Sustainable Tweaks

It’s easy to reduce your impact on the environment on road trips, and doing so will make you and your travel companions feel better and more energized about your journey!

Try turning off the AC and feeling the fresh breeze from open windows to reduce your fuel use. When it comes to hydration, bring your own reusable water bottles and refill them at rest station water fountains. You can also select snacks wisely. Black Forest Gummy Bears and Gummy Worms, for example, are now available in store drop-off recycle-ready packaging. Help protect the planet by participating in the Store Drop Off program, conveniently located at retail stores along your route.

With delicious snacks, and fun games and detours, a road trip doesn’t just have to be a means to an end, it can also be a relaxing and fun part of your vacation.

*****

Photo Credit: (c) vorDa / iStock via Getty Images Plus