The Genius McDonald's Drive-Thru Hack We Wish We'd Known About Sooner
These days, a quick zip through the drive-thru can easily run you $30, especially if you've got a kid or two in tow. But beyond that, if you're eating on the go, there's a whole other problem to contend with—the mess.
Napkins slide between seats, fries fall into unreachable crevices, and someone always ends up with ketchup on their shirt or the door handle. So when I saw content creator Lora (@lorafied) share her McDonald's drive-thru hacks for eating on the road without turning your car into a disaster zone, I was in. As someone who practically lives in the car between errands, work and chauffeuring kids, I needed these tips!
But one really stood out to me because it's a genius way to eat some of your favorite fast food items without juggling everything on your lap. It's so easy, I can't believe more people don't know about it.
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In the video, Lora says she eats on the run at least once a week, and her kids are munching in the backseat almost daily. If you can relate (I know I can), her hack is going to be a lifesaver.
Lora's most genius fast food trick, which she credits to her daughter, balances convenience with practicality, especially when it comes to eating nuggets on the go. In her video, she takes the McDonald's nugget container and places it right on top of her drink cup, threading the straw through the slot in the nugget box lid. It fits perfectly, holding the container steady while giving her one-handed access to the nuggets inside.
No more juggling food in your lap or trying to unwrap things while steering—this method keeps your meal in place and your focus on the road.
It's such a small detail, but it solves a major drive-thru pain point. The nugget box doesn't slide around, your sauce stays nearby, and the whole setup becomes its own little fast food tray right in your cupholder.
This trick turns any car into a functional (and far less messy) dining space. As Lora proves, a little clever thinking goes a long way in making everyday chaos just a bit more manageable.
Related:
Another clever fast food hack Lora shared in the video involves swapping out some serving containers. When you're ordering, instead of getting fries and/or nuggets in the standard boxes, ask if they can be served in a large cup.
Instead of figuring out where to balance the nugget box or the fry container, all you have to do is put the cups in the cupholder, making it safer and easier to eat on the go. Plus, it saves you from having to dig through a bag or worrying about your food tipping over.
The cup contains everything in one neat space, and because it's deep, nothing spills out. Nuggets and fries stay upright, crispy and within arm's reach. With Lora's method, your car stays cleaner, your food stays more manageable and your sanity stays intact.
Whether you're grabbing a burger between meetings or passing out Happy Meals to a car full of kids, Lora's drive-thru hacks are one of those small, smart ideas that make a huge difference. They keep things clean and simple, and once you try them, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Up Next: The Genius McDonald's Drive-Thru Hack We Wish We'd Known About Sooner first appeared on Parade on Jul 13, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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