This time last year we made our trip of a lifetime, to Alaska, via BC and the Yukon. In BC (which we rapidly learned stands not for British Columbia, but Bring Cash), we paid over $5 a gal for no-name regular...

I still think that if I had to do something like run ahead of a disaster, I would take at least 4 5-gallon buckets with lids filled with sawdust and one empty one, to use as toilets. Those clip-on camping toilet seats made for standard 5-gal buckets are great.

Put a couple of inches of sawdust in the bottom of the empty bucket and clip on the toilet seat, add some sawdust after most deposits. When full, remove toilet seat, attach lid. Repeat.

This would be esp good if you have a woman and kids on board. Girls can't just step behind a tree and look for Indians, you know. On I-5 here in the Pacific Northwest, the rest areas are 40+ miles apart, if they're all open.

Sue

We actually carry a porta potty in the back of the van when we leave for trips/evacuations. The ladies just climb over the back seat and they actually have semi-privacy.

The ladies in my household are much more enthusiastic about camping when we take the porta potty along with us.

The porta potty has proven to be a great investment from about 20 years ago.

Our trick is just to line the bucket with plastic bags (there are special potty bags made just for that purpose). That way you can remove a bag, tie it (tightly), store it until convenient to dispose of, and put in a new one. Between changings, a little PineSol in the bag helps with odor control.

Another little goodie that helps women "look for Indians" is the Lady J , a female funnel if you will. My wife can use that and an empty milk jug with a minumum of exposure...

Wouldn't putting it in 'neutral' or 'park' while sitting (instead of 'drive') avoid this issue?

-john