As my other half, LOG, lives miles and miles away (around 106 to be precise!) I tend to road-trip a fair bit. So it got me thinking about a ‘survival guide’ for the road-tripping girl – whether it’s to see your long distance lover, family and friends, gigs or just for days out. A girl needs to be prepared for everything.

First things first – make sure your car is reliable and can cope with a bit of distance. It always helps to have it given the once over by someone who knows what they’re looking at, to check tyre pressures, oil levels and that kind of thing. Generally in my experience these people are men. Dad’s, brother’s or boyfriend’s are perfectly acceptable to use. Luckily, my brother is a Ford technician, so he generally looks after Freddie (my Focus) for me. I can manage to fill the washer bottles, and refuel, but that’s about my limit, I’m afraid.

I know that it sounds totally sexist and I’m letting the side down, but I really can’t help it! I know how you change a car wheel – however I’m not physically strong enough to actually do it. I can’t undo the nuts holding the wheel on. I’ve tried. It actually made my brother laugh so much that he cried, while he was watching me attempt it.

(Me and Freddie)

Having some form of breakdown cover is also essential. Flux’s Rescue policy covers you in the UK and Europe and can be added to run alongside your insurance policy with us for £45. The last thing you want is to be stranded at the side of the road miles away from home – or miles away from anywhere for that matter. If you’re sharing the driving with a friend, make sure that you get them added to your insurance as a Temporary Additional Driver – just incase you have a bump and end up having your insurance company refusing to pay out, as your friend wasn’t insured to drive. One quick way to fall out with your friend and get lumped with a large repair bill to pay.

Once the car is taken car of, comes the more interesting stuff. Music. If you’re not a fan of the radio like me (the dj’s talk way too much for my liking) making sure a good selection of your favourite CD’s are in the car is very important. The motorway can seem even longer if you’ve only got the one cd to listen to over and over. Or if you can connect your ipod, even better!

Sunglasses are obviously essential, the last thing you want to be doing is squinting in the sun all the way to your destination – believe me, it’s just not fun. Not only did it give me a headache, but also it made my face hurt! Drinks and snacks are always a good idea – you never know when traffic (and hunger) will strike. Perfume and make-up is never a bad idea – it’s always nice to freshen up before arriving – especially if you’re seeing your man who you haven’t seen in a week or so!

Having a Sat-Nav (although not like Brian, my sat nav. He’s dangerous - don’t follow him anywhere) is also very handy if you’re going somewhere new, or incase of diversions. A map is always a useful thing to have somewhere in the car too. Driving around aimlessly with no idea where you are can’t be fun and could end-up like something out of a horror film…. Especially if you happen to come across a spooky Little Chef on the A1….seriously creepy looking place…..

Happy and safe road-tripping girls!!