Like so many things in the law, the definition of "direct control" varies with context.
If you are alone in your car, the areas of direct control arguably include everything that is within your wingspan, including areas such as your seat, underneath your seat, between the two front seats, and possibly even under the front passenger seat.
You could also properly claim that the center console and glove box are within your wingspan, and thus within your direct control. As Lynne has said, this is needlessly risky because of the danger of theft, or inadvertent exposure in connection with a traffic stop.
Having said all of this, I would never advise transporting a firearm in a car via any method other than carrying on your own body. Your choice of on body carry system is up to you -- waist-level carry, inside or outside your waistband, fanny pack, tee shirt holster, Thunderwear, etc.
When you start transporting guns other than via on the body carry, problems may arise. One big issue is the situation that results when you accidently leave your gun in the car. Since it is unsecured, and also probably loaded, you have unwittingly committed a crime.
As we all know, in Massachusetts, the only way for a properly licensed person to leave a handgun in the car is to unload it, and store it locked in the trunk, in a locked case, or inside some other secure container.
There are also issues of whether your unsecured gun might cause problems for you during a traffic stop, or if it came loose in an accident, or otherwise became exposed at an embarrasing time.
Too many of my clients have found themselves in criminal trouble because they chose to transport a handgun inside the passenger compartment of their car or truck, did not unload and lock it in a case or the trunk or other container, and then accidentally or intentionally left it in their vehicle.
The choice is yours when it comes to methods of transporting your handgun, but please make sure you choose carefully!
--Darius Arbabi
www.massgunlaw.com