Multiple locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Texas

What began in Texas in the early '80s as a reliable road stop for fuel and the "world’s cleanest restrooms" has transformed into a highly regarded destination for hearty snacks and hot and cold beverages among road trippers in the South. Along with made-to-order barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs and loaded tacos, Bucc-ee’s has rows of packaged snacks like trail mix, dried fruit, gummy candies, beef jerky and fudge. Its famed beaver nuggets (airy corn puffs that are less sinister than they sound) are a perfect snack for long car rides. With its doe-eyed beaver mascot and witty sayings splashed across billboards along the interstate for miles on end, the anticipation of getting to Bucc-ee’s is half the fun.

Scott, Louisiana

The journey to and from Texas and Louisiana is a popular one in the South, and one that should definitely include a stop at The Best Stop Supermarket, located right off of Interstate-10 in the small town of Scott, Louisiana. This family-owned market is known for its wide variety of specialty meats, including beef tongue, stuffed quail and marinated rabbit. It also allows visitors to score snacks on the go, like deep-fried fresh boudin balls and the famous cracklins that are chunky, cube-sized pieces of golden pork skin that are coated in the market’s proprietary seasoning.

Multiple locations in Florida and Texas

Florida-based creamery Twistee Treat is a festive destination to cool down with homemade soft-serve ice cream between long stretches of the road. The brand’s 25-foot-tall ice cream cone-shaped structures are hard to miss and offer Insta-worthy moments galore. Guests order through a window and can choose from nostalgic sweet frozen treats like swirled soft serve in dipped cones, velvety milkshakes and malts, hot fudge sundaes and twirls (ice cream blended with nuts, chocolate and candy).

Multiple locations in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

Texans will argue with stone-cold certainty that Whataburger reigns supreme when it comes to hamburgers. The fast-food chain, which dates back to the 1950s when its first location opened in Corpus Christi, has become synonymous with Texas, but is a must-try destination on a Southern road trip. Always cooked to order, Whataburger’s beef patties are served on a toasted 5-inch bun and can be topped with bacon, cheese, jalapenos and more. You can hit the drive thru or dine in, but be prepared to spend time perusing the menu. Here, the taquitos, patty melt and honey barbecue chicken strip sandwich on thick slices of Texas toast are every bit as good as a Whataburger.