Cool a pie completely, then carry it in a pie box or a level carrier on the floor of the car, not on a slanted seat. Custard pies should not sit out more than two hours, and they should not travel in a hot car for long. See the Thanksgiving guide, Thanksgiving desserts, how to pack food to take to Thanksgiving, and what to bring to a Thanksgiving potluck.
Cool it, then pack it so nothing touches the top
A warm pie will steam inside a closed box and can slide if the filling is still soft. Cool fruit pies until they are just barely warm or fully cool; cool pumpkin, sweet potato, and pecan pies completely, then keep custard pies chilled until you leave. A dedicated pie carrier is ideal. If you do not have one, use a bakery-style pie box, or invert a second pie pan or a loose foil tent over the pie so nothing rests on the filling. Do not wrap tight plastic against a decorated or very full top. Set the box on a non-slip towel so it cannot skate across the counter while you gather the rest of the dishes.
Ride with the pie on the floor
The floor behind the front seats is flatter than a seat cushion and lower than a lap, which makes it the safest place in most cars. Brace the box with a bag, a folded jacket, or more towels so a turn cannot tip it. Avoid the trunk if you can; it is harder to watch, and it can get very hot or very cold. For a longer drive, put a chilled pumpkin or pecan pie in a cooler with a rack or towel so ice packs do not sit on the crust. The USDA two-hour rule still applies to perishable pies at room temperature, and you should cut that window to one hour in very hot weather. Related: mini pies travel well in the muffin tin, and how to tell when pumpkin pie is done so you are not packing an underbaked filling.
If you are flying, a whole pie is usually more trouble than it is worth in a carry-on; bake at your destination, or bring a sturdy bar or mini pies instead. For a long highway drive, start with a cold pie and an ice pack that cannot tip onto the crust. Tell the person in the passenger seat that the box is not a table for phones or coffee. When you arrive, get the pie inside before you unload lighter bags, and find a level spot in the refrigerator for custard pies. A little filling that has shifted can often be smoothed with a spatula once the pie has sat still for a few minutes, as long as the crust is not broken.
Frequently asked questions
Should I transport a pie while it is still warm?
No. Cool it first so the filling can set and so steam does not sog the crust inside a closed box.
Where should a pie sit in the car?
On the floor, in a box or carrier, braced so it cannot slide. A seat is usually too sloped.
Can a pumpkin pie sit out on a buffet after the drive?
Perishable pies should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour if it is very hot. Refrigerate leftovers.
Helpful kitchen tools
- MALACASA Ceramic Pie Pan Set of 2, 9-Inch — A second pie pan can be inverted as a loose cover if you do not have a pie box.
- Everyday White Porcelain Oval Serving Platter, 16-Inch — A platter can hold the boxed pie on the counter while you gather towels and keys.
- OXO Good Grips Bent Icing Spatula — Useful for smoothing a filling that shifted slightly after the drive.
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