On any long road trip, you can pretty much guarantee that a grey nomad’s mind will inevitably keep returning to one particular topic … what to eat at the next stop!
While plenty of travellers are happy to tuck in to a premade sandwich, or even stop long enough to boil a tin of soup, for others, sitting down to a professionally-prepared meal is the perfect way to break up a big day on the road.
But not all drives are created equal! In a recent study, Rollin’ Car Insurance sought to identify which popular road trip routes offered the best options for foodies, and which ones fell short.
It said each route was analysed and ranked based on the number, quality, and rating of its culinary offerings …. from bakery runs to fine-dining detours.
After a hard morning’s driving, which dish would choose to get your motor purring again? PIC: Jezza
Taking the crown for being the top road trip for foodies was the Legendary Pacific Coast, stretching from Sydney to Brisbane. Rollin’ said that the route, with minor detours, had an ‘astounding’ 658 food stops with an average Google rating of 4.2.
It also boasted more than 116,000 posts for the top food spots on Instagram, ‘highlighting its photogenic dishes that attract both locals and travellers alike’. South Australia’s Epicurean Way and Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef Drive ranked second and third.
At the other end of the scale, a trip across the Nullarbor was the lowest-ranking road trip for food lovers.
Rollin’ says that, despite being a 1,200-kilometre journey, the route only offers 15 food stops or 0.1 for every 10 kilometres … including just one restaurant and six cafes. Not far ahead was the Red Centre Way, which offered only 48 food stops … or about 0.4 every 10 kilometres.
“Evidently, with the focus on natural landmarks and outstanding scenery, culinary options are limited,” said Rollin’. Similarly, Explorers Way apparently offers just 121 food stops across its 3,000-kilometre-plus route.
Brendan Griffiths, Executive Manager at Rollin’, said the study’s results carried some valuable lessons. “Before you hit the road, important to plan ahead for your trip, including where you’ll take rest breaks,” he said.
“Food stops can be some of the best parts of the journey, so take the time to map out where you’ll eat along the way – or come prepared with supplies if you’re travelling a more regional route.”
Do you look ahead at where you might eat as you plan your day’s driving … or do you always make sure you’re self-sufficient on the food front? Comment below.
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Always have the home (van) cooked meals when travelling. Very rarely eat at fast food outlets. Occasionally the local bakery.
Home cooked frozen meals are always stored in the freezer as a back up for those days when not inclined to cook evening meals.
I concentrate on the road while I’m driving & then think about what we’re having for dinner when we get to our destination.
It’s safer that way.
If there’s a pub within walking distance of our camp we’ll head there for dinner otherwise we’ll cook.
Great…well who doesn’t concentrate on the road while driving…
unless yr starving..