Americans will eat meals in their car three times a week – despite the risk of stained seats and greasy steering wheels.
A poll of 2,000 adults found Georgians eat the highest percentage of drive-through dinners, gridlock-lunches, and bumper-to-bumper breakfasts.
New Yorkers came in second place for the most popular ‘drive and bite’ states, followed by Florida, North Carolina, and California.
Hectic schedules (38%) are pushing more mealtimes behind the wheel than around the table, while 35% admit convenience often trumps connection when hunger hits during busy days.
Fast food (41%) is what’s most likely to be eaten while on the move, as well as hamburgers (25%), sandwiches (24%), and pizza (15%).
“Eating behind the wheel has become a familiar part of modern life, whether it’s a quick breakfast on the school run or a moment of pause between meetings,” said a spokesperson for St Pierre Bakery, which commissioned the study.
“But our research shows something deeper – that even in busy routines, people are still seeking out small moments to enjoy their food, often finding that time alone in the car is the only opportunity they get.
“It might seem like a sign of how busy life has become, but for many, it’s actually one of the few chances they get to enjoy a meal uninterrupted.”
The study also found 34% enjoy eating in their car, with 26% feeling just as good about dining behind the wheel as they do about eating at a table.
Half (49%) of Americans generally eat in their car alone, with lunch being the most popular time of day to do this (45%).
More than a third (34%) opt for quicker and more convenient food options to eat, with 13% only considering it a ‘proper meal’ when they don’t have time to stop and eat elsewhere.
It also emerged that while 33% have previously had to pull over while driving to have another bite, 36%
But despite 34% opting for less messy food, 37% have still managed to drop stuff between seats, and 18% have been left with seat stains and greasy steering wheels.
As 33% don’t usually plan their weekly meals, 21% prioritize convenience over the ability to sit down to eat a proper meal.
However, if given the choice, 53% would prefer to eat their meals at a table compared to in a car – but despite this, 20% only manage to eat this way up to three times a week.
As a result of eating in their car, 62% of those polled via OnePoll.com will spend up to $30 per month on top of their usual food shop.
When comparing this between ages, Millennials spend the most ($24) during an average of four weeks, but Gen Z spends more time on average than any other generation (four times per week).
Gen Z’s favorite types of foods to have when they are in the car include pizza (20%) and hamburgers (17%) – but 42% typically choose fast foods.
Besides eating in the car, which 76% think is acceptable to do, 27% will also eat on the go while running errands, and 19% will munch away when shopping.
But only 10% will consume food while taking public transport, and just seven percent when in a taxi, which makes the car an exception.
“Where we eat may be changing, but the desire to enjoy food properly hasn’t gone anywhere,” a St Pierre spokesperson added.
“From breakfast on the go to a quiet lunch in the car, people are carving out moments in busy days to pause and reconnect with their food – even if it looks a little different to the traditional dining table.
“Eating ‘avec respect’ is exactly that – celebrating great food by giving it the time and attention it deserves, wherever life happens to take you.”
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