The Best Drive-Thru Coffee Drinks That Aren't From Coffee Chains

If you're mid-errand and need a caffeine fix, you might think your only options for quality coffee are a local coffee joint or a nearby chain like Starbucks or 7Brew. But these days, you can actually get a coffee-house-level drink at many surprising locations. Several fast-food locations now offer tempting coffee treats that can rival the expensive drinks at your favorite coffee joint. 

But not all drive-thru coffee orders are created equal. Although nearly every fast-food place has coffee drinks on the menu, only a few locations offer beverages worthy of being in your car's cup holder. After much trial and error and many inferior cups of fast-food coffee, I've discovered the absolute best drive-thrus to visit if you want a luxury coffee experience on the road. 

My picks were based on quality, variety, and convenience. The fast-food chains had to have a drive-thru and had to offer coffee drinks that went beyond a standard cup of Joe. While there is a time and a place for a steaming cup of black coffee, I wanted to see that the restaurant had put effort into creating coffeehouse-style drinks and offered enough flavoring and creamer options to withstand the demands of even the pickiest coffee drinker. 

There are over 13,700 McDonald's locations in the United States, so you're never far from the Golden Arches. And with options like frappés, cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos, McDonald's is an easy, affordable drive-thru stop when you need a coffee fix ASAP. McDonald's often adds seasonal coffee drinks to its menu (like the divisive Caramel Apple Pie Iced Coffee), but the Mocha Latte has my vote for the best McDonald's coffee drink. 

First released in 2009, McDonald's Mocha Latte is made with espresso beans, whole milk, and chocolate syrup. It also comes with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle, but I prefer it without, since the drink is already smooth and sweet enough to stand on its own. It's creamy, chocolaty, and without a hint of acidic bitterness, making it perfect for those times when a black coffee just sounds too harsh for your stomach.

A small Mocha Latte costs around $3.59 at McDonald's, a mite cheaper than a tall Caffe Mocha at Starbucks, which is $5.75. Savings aside, I prefer McDonald's Mocha Latte to Starbucks Caffe Mocha and other similar offerings. I am not alone: Many people on Reddit agree that the McDonald's Mocha Latte is superior in taste and quality, with one Redditor saying, "Coffee snobs feel free to make fun of me but this is the only coffee I enjoy drinking." 

As a hardcore fan of Chick-fil-A's Chicken Tortilla Soup (Why does it have to be seasonal? Are tortillas not in season during the spring and summer?!), I've spent more time and money at Chick-fil-A than I'd care to admit. However, I went there for years without ever once trying the coffee. 

Big mistake. Because Chick-fil-A's coffee is actually more than decent. According to their website, Chick-fil-A uses arabica beans that are grown at high altitudes (high-elevation coffee beans are generally considered higher quality). 

However, since I always get Chick-fil-A's Frosted Coffee, I suppose I am hardly one to opine on the origin and quality of coffee beans. Because, yes, I am drinking coffee mixed with ice cream, which would probably make most coffee connoisseurs scowl, but if you just try it one time, I promise you'll be a convert like me. It's the perfect consistency, with just the right amount of icy crunch, and it's not too sweet. It's the perfect mid-day pick-me-up for those times when you want a little treat, but you also want a little energy kick to make it through the rest of the day.

The cold brew coffee at Wendy's is a little-noticed menu item that deserves more attention. Wendy's offers a variety of cold brew options that can liven up your day, but my favorite is the Caramel Cold Brew with Cream. It is around $3.19 for a small size, making it a fairly priced item, especially when you consider that a single-serving can of prepackaged Starbucks Cold Brew is nearly $3 at Target. 

Made with cream, caramel syrup, and cold brew coffee, Wendy's offers a surprisingly good contender for drive-thru coffee. It's pleasantly strong and is lightly sweetened, with just a hint of caramel flavor that doesn't taste artificial. It's a solid choice for mornings when you didn't bring coffee from home, and you badly need caffeine before you start your day. 

A large Caramel Cold Brew with Cream is a drive-thru solution for the days when you desperately need more than positive thoughts to get through the day. Pair it with a Breakfast Baconator (made with sausage, cheese, bacon, and Swiss cheese sauce) or French Toast Sticks, and you'll soon cure those "it's too early" vibes. 

Starbucks might seem to have decadent drinks on lock with their Frappuccinos, but Dairy Queen's coffee coolers easily outshine the competition. Made with cold brew and DQ's soft-serve ice cream, the chain's coffee coolers are ideal for when you've more than earned a sweet treat. And I'd argue that their newest flavor, the Toasted Marshmallow Mocha Coffee Cooler, is their best creation yet. 

With notes of graham crackers, marshmallow, and chocolate in every sip, this coffee cooler goes down like a grown-up s'more. Yes, it's over-the-top and includes cocoa fudge and whipped topping, but who says adults can't enjoy ice cream in their coffee? 

And for a limited time, you can get a small Toasted Marshmallow Mocha Coffee Cooler for just $3. To maximize your savings, download the DQ app (as well as the McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and Wendy's apps). You'll rack up rewards points quickly, get access to app-only coupons, and easily order ahead and customize your favorite coffee drinks.