Level up your road trip

PEDDLE TO THE MEDDLE... It's great getting away but the car trip can be less than ideal. There are small things you can do for a more enjoyable ride however. Photo: Supplied
PEDDLE TO THE MEDDLE... It's great getting away but the car trip can be less than ideal. There are small things you can do for a more enjoyable ride however. Photo: Supplied
PEDDLE TO THE MEDDLE... It's great getting away but the car trip can be less than ideal. There are small things you can do for a more enjoyable ride however. Photo: Supplied
PEDDLE TO THE MEDDLE… It’s great getting away but the car trip can be less than ideal. There are small things you can do for a more enjoyable ride however. Photo: Supplied

By Deanne Jeffers

LONG car trips can be torture or they can be terrific. With some forethought, mess, sickness and boredom can be helped. Here are some tips:

Make a car cleaning caddy that includes wipes for spills while you’re on the road. You may also want to make a DIY car sickness kit for when an upset tummy strikes. Keep this close by with wipes, water and a drink containing electrolytes, hand sanitizer, a light snack and motion sickness medication, zip-lock bags and trash bags for the mess

Invest in a personal fridge to keep food and drinks cold during long drives. These can often be used as a secondary power source as well, so you can charge your phone out and about as well

Did you know that the arrow next to the fuel icon on a car’s dashboard points to the side that your tank is on? This is handy to know if you are renting a car and need to fill up

Download music, audiobooks and podcasts to your device in advance in case phone service is patchy. I like to bring back up mix CDs for a bit of fun and ‘just in case’

Use Tupperwear or upcycled packaging for storage. For example, a cheap glasses case purchased from a secondhand or discount store is perfect for storing cords like phone chargers that can go stray in the car. Pinterest has heaps of clever storage ideas to be inspired by

A plastic cereal container with a lid and plastic bag makes an excellent bin for the car.

If you have a tip to share for a better road trip, camping adventure or holiday, we would love to hear from you. Email your advice, along with your name and town to editorial@sheppartonadviser.com.au with the subject, community tip.