Hitting the road this Memorial Day? Is your car road trip worthy or does it already look like it’s been on 1,000 mile journey with empty juice boxes and snack wrappers pouring out of its cracks and crevices? Here are some tips to get your car clutter under control so you’re ready to kick off any family roadtrip whether it’s one mile or 100 miles long.

1.       Taking care of business. Sweaters, coats, backpacks, gear, books, etc. should all be removed each time you come home. I keep a trash bag in the garage to make it easy to get rid of trash, too.

2.       Backseat drivers. Use behind-the-seat organizers or a storage system in the back of the vehicle or trunk to keep toys, books, and other supplies that remain in the car nice and tidy. For school-aged children you may want to stash school supplies in the car to get a head start on homework if you’re out running errands or you find yourself in between after-school activities.

3.       All boxed in. Keep your glove compartment tidy with your vehicle registration and proof of insurance easily accessible. Other items you may want to store in your glove compartment include a notepad, pen, tire gauge, and paper napkins or tissues. I also keep a small makeup bag with lipstick, Tylenol, and other essentials at my fingertips.

4.       When disaster strikes. Keep a blanket, maps, water, snacks, flares, flashlight, help sign, first-aid kit, and plastic bags in the trunk. You’d be surprised how often these items come in handy if you have a personal disaster, much less a natural disaster on the road.

5.       Let the kids come along for the ride. I love watching my children Windex off their own fingerprints, or vacuum up their own spilled snacks. It also makes them more reluctant to make a mess in the car on future dates if they know they’ll be held responsible for cleaning it up.

Question: What’s the longest road trip you’ve ever taken?