It’s the holiday season, which means that many people will be spending hours in cars, making the commute to go see relatives. These cars are typically crammed with luggage, other family members, and the occasional dog. There’s only so much that can be done to improve a stuffy drive. The best way? Gas station snacks.

Senior and gas station snack connoisseur Sammy Pierotti says that “choosing a snack is very high stakes. Choosing the right snack could make or break your car ride. There needs to be the perfect ratio of salty to sweet and a reasonable beveridge to wash it all down.” She’s right. One has to be strategic about their gas station snacks and where they buy them. The wrong choice could mean hours spent eating regret-filled items that churn the stomach and make a person question all life choices. The right choice could make even a ten hour drive enjoyable.

How does one decide what is right from what is wrong? The trick is to never buy an actual food item that appears to possibly hold sustenance. That’s the trap. No gas station pizza or hot dogs. They cannot be trusted. Start with something salty, maybe pretzels or Pringle’s. Grab an apple if it’s available, it’s going to come in handy.

Next move onto the sweets. It does not matter if someone is trying to be healthy. This is a serious matter and requires lenience. Grab gummies. The decade old Hershey’s bar might look appetizing in this moment of weakness, but chocolate during a car ride is a trap. If it’s hot outside, the chocolate will melt, even with the air conditioning going. If it’s cold outside, the heater in the car will melt the chocolate into soup. Gummy bears, even in a slightly melted condition can do no wrong.

It’s important to grab gum. That’s just a rule of life.

The beveridges are crucial. Never get gas station coffee. No one is ever satisfied with gas station coffee. Go for a Sprite to spike the blood sugar, but balance it out with a water to cleanse the pallet.

With these snacks and endless patience, the car ride might even be enjoyable. Good luck and happy snacking.