#35: How I Stayed Gluten-Free During a 17-Hour Drive (And What Went Wrong)
Have you ever wondered if you can really take a long road trip and stay safely gluten-free the whole way?
Well, I just did exactly that, driving from Ohio to Dallas, and I’m here to share all the lessons, surprises, and little wins along the way. From finding safe snacks at truck stops to navigating restaurant surprise, I’ve got plenty of stories and tips to help you plan your own gluten-free adventure.
And stay tuned for the end, where I’ll share the one thing I learned that made all the difference on the road.
Let's Recap: Gluten-Free on the Road
Navigating the open road with dietary restrictions can feel daunting, but as I recently discovered during a 17-hour journey from Ohio to Dallas, it's entirely possible to maintain a gluten-free lifestyle while traveling. This cross-country adventure with my husband offered valuable lessons in planning, flexibility, and self-advocacy that I'm excited to share with fellow gluten-free travelers.
Preparation is Key
Preparation is undoubtedly the cornerstone of successful gluten-free travel. Before hitting the road, I packed substantial snacks that would keep me satisfied between destinations. My go-to choice was Simple Mills grain-free snack bars, which provide excellent protein content thanks to their almond flour base. These filling snacks became lifesavers when restaurant options were limited or plans changed unexpectedly.
One crucial mistake we made was forgetting our cooler, which would have allowed us to bring refrigerated items. Despite this oversight, we discovered that Love's Truck Stops offered surprisingly good gluten-free options, including string cheese, meat sticks, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit cups – perfect for quick, safe refueling during long stretches of driving.
Technology as a Travel Companion
Technology proved invaluable throughout our journey, with the Find Me Gluten-Free app serving as our constant companion. This powerful tool helped us scout restaurants at each stop, providing crucial information about dedicated gluten-free establishments and cross-contamination protocols.
We did run into one disappointment in Nashville when a highly-rated gluten-free restaurant turned out to be permanently closed, which highlighted the importance of having backup plans and portable snacks. However, the app also led us to some extraordinary finds: a basement barbecue restaurant in Memphis with nearly everything gluten-free and soy-free, and a British pub near Grapevine, Texas, that offered completely celiac-safe fried foods. Getting to enjoy gluten-free onion rings, chicken strips, and fries from a dedicated fryer felt like a rare treasure.
The Importance of Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy emerged as perhaps the most important lesson from our trip. While I've become adept at communicating about my celiac disease and soy sensitivity, a recent tomato intolerance caught me by surprise during a fancy dinner in Memphis. Despite ordering a seemingly simple steak and mashed potatoes, the dish arrived with an unexpected tomato reduction sauce. Rather than speaking up, I ate it – a decision that caused digestive issues the following day.
This experience reinforced the critical importance of clearly communicating ALL dietary restrictions, never making assumptions about ingredients, and being willing to return dishes that don’t meet your needs. When I applied this lesson at subsequent restaurants, I discovered that even seemingly "safe" foods like asparagus would have contained tomato elements had I not specifically mentioned my restriction.
A Journey Worth Taking
The journey home brought additional delightful discoveries, including an olive oil company with gluten-free baked goods that provided both travel snacks and special olive oil for future cooking adventures.
This road trip confirmed that with proper planning, technology assistance, and confident self-advocacy, gluten-free travelers can enjoy safe, satisfying culinary experiences far from home.
