Car Emergency Kit Checklist: What to Keep in Your Vehicle
Updated: 1 day ago
A car emergency kit is one of the cheapest, easiest preps you can make, and it's the one you're most likely to actually use. Dead batteries, flat tires, a closed highway, a long wait on the shoulder in the cold: none of these are rare, and none of them require a disaster to happen. This car emergency kit checklist covers what to keep in your vehicle all year, what to add before winter, and what to do if you get stuck. It's built from guidance by NHTSA, the CDC, Ready.gov and the National Weather Service, so you can trust the basics.
The goal isn't a trunk full of gear. It's a small, organized kit you check twice a year and forget about until the day it saves your evening.
Why Every Car Needs an Emergency Kit
Most roadside problems are boring, and that's the point. A good kit turns a stressful situation into an inconvenient one. NHTSA reports that in 2023 there were an estimated 101,390 police-reported crashes during snow or sleet conditions, and the National Weather Service says more than 5,000 roadway deaths each year are due to weather conditions. You can't control the weather, but you can control whether you have water, warmth, light and a way to call for help when you're stopped.
A car kit also does double duty. If you ever need to leave home quickly, your vehicle is already carrying part of your supplies. That's why we suggest pairing it with a go-bag (see our guide on how to choose a bug out bag backpack).
For what goes inside that go-bag, see our Bug Out Bag Checklist: What to Pack for 72 Hours.
The Core Car Emergency Kit Checklist
These are the items that belong in your vehicle every month of the year. Most of them come straight from the Ready.gov, CDC and NHTSA lists.
Vehicle and Roadside Basics
Jumper cables or a charged jump starter (cold weather drains batteries, and NHTSA notes engines need more battery power to start in the cold)
Flares, reflective triangles or other warning devices so other drivers see you
A spare tire in good shape, plus the jack and lug wrench that came with your car
Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair (listed by the CDC)
Tow rope or tow strap
Ice scraper and a small snow brush
Road maps of your area, because phone signal and GPS don't always cooperate
Light, Power and Communication
A flashlight with extra batteries, or a rechargeable light you keep topped off
A car phone charger, plus a portable battery pack
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio for road and weather updates
A bright cloth or help sign you can tie to the antenna or door
For light, pick something dependable and keep spare batteries with it, or choose a rechargeable light and top it off every time you check your kit. A headlamp is handy too, since it keeps both hands free for changing a tire.
Not sure which light to buy? See Best Flashlight for Emergencies: How to Choose One.
Water and Food
Drinking water, enough for everyone who usually rides with you
Shelf-stable, no-cook food like ration bars or energy bars
Any medications you or your passengers need daily
Regular bottled water can split or get messy when it freezes and thaws in a car over and over. Emergency water pouches are an easy alternative. The Datrex Emergency Water, 64 Pack gives you 64 ready-to-drink 4-ounce pouches that need no treatment, and the listing specifically calls out vehicle kits. Split a box between your car and your home kit.
For food, the Datrex 2400 Calorie Emergency Food Ration packs 12 individually portioned, coconut-flavored bars totaling 2,400 calories in one vacuum-sealed block. It's compact enough to tuck under a seat, and it's a lot less hassle than a full case of meals when all you need is something for a long wait.
First Aid
A first aid kit with bandages, tape, antiseptic wipes and ointment
Gloves, a pocket knife or trauma shears
A short list of medical info and emergency contacts for each regular passenger
NHTSA's winter list specifically mentions a first aid kit that includes a tourniquet. A sealed, hard case is a good choice for a car because it handles heat, cold and moisture better than a soft pouch. The Rothco General Purpose First Aid Kit Waterproof Case has more than 60 supplies inside a high-impact, gasket-sealed case that keeps out water and dirt. It's made in the USA.
To check what belongs in it, use our First Aid Kit Checklist.
Comfort and Warmth
Blankets or emergency survival blankets
A spare set of warm layers: hat, gloves or mittens, socks and a jacket
Rain gear, like a poncho
Hand sanitizer, tissues and a roll of paper towels
Space blankets take up almost no room, so there's no reason not to carry a few. The Rothco 2-Person Polarshield Survival Blanket is made for vehicle kits and bug-out bags and is sized for two people, which is handy when you're sharing a cold car with a passenger or a child.
Winter Car Emergency Kit: What to Add Before the First Storm
If you live anywhere that sees snow or ice, add these items every fall. They come from the CDC's car kit list and NHTSA's winter driving tips.
A small snow shovel and a broom
Sand, cat litter or road salt for traction if you get stuck
Tire chains, if your area allows or requires them
Extra hats, coats, mittens and blankets for every passenger
Waterproof matches and a metal can to melt snow for drinking water
A bright flag or emergency distress flag
A quick note on what to wear: a spare set of the right clothes beats a pile of blankets. Our cold-weather layering guide explains the base, insulation and shell system, and the same idea works great for a stranded winter commute.
Get the Car Itself Ready
A kit helps when something goes wrong, but a maintained car keeps things from going wrong in the first place. The CDC suggests doing this every fall:
Check the antifreeze level, or have the radiator system serviced.
Switch to a winter washer fluid mix.
Check tire tread and pressure. NHTSA notes that tire pressure drops as temperatures fall, and that you should use the pressure on the driver's door label, not the number on the tire itself.
Keep the gas tank near full to help prevent ice in the tank and fuel lines.
Check the heater, defroster, brakes, lights, emergency flashers, exhaust, oil and battery.
If you drive an electric or hybrid vehicle, NHTSA notes that cold weather can reduce driving range. Keep the battery charged, and plug the car in overnight during freezing weather when you can.
What to Do If You Get Stuck in Your Car
Having the gear is half the job. Knowing what to do with it is the other half. Here's what the National Weather Service and NHTSA recommend if you're stranded in winter weather.
Stay with your car. It's shelter, and it's easier for rescuers to find than a person on foot. The NWS warns that you can quickly become disoriented in wind-driven snow.
Call for help and share your location. Then save your phone battery.
Run the engine sparingly. The NWS suggests about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
Prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Clear snow from the exhaust pipe, and crack a window slightly while the engine is running.
Make yourself visible. Turn on the dome light at night while the engine runs, tie a bright cloth to the antenna or door, and raise the hood once the snow stops to signal you need help.
Stay warm and don't overdo it. Put on your spare layers, wrap up in blankets, and move your arms and legs from time to time. Avoid heavy shoveling or pushing the car if you're not in good health.
Eat and drink. Food gives your body energy to make heat, and cold air is dry.
Call 911 right away if anyone in the car has signs of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion or sleepiness), signs of hypothermia (intense shivering, slurred speech, confusion or drowsiness), or any injury that needs care. This post is general information, not medical advice.
Floods and Summer Heat
A car kit isn't only for winter. Ready.gov warns that six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control or stall, and a foot of water will float many cars, so never drive through a flooded road (our flash flood preparedness post covers this in more detail). In hot months, plan on more water per person, add sun protection, and never leave kids or pets in a parked car.
How to Pack and Maintain Your Car Kit
Use a sturdy bag or bin. Keep everything in one place so it doesn't roll around the trunk. A small backpack also lets you carry the essentials if you ever do need to walk.
Keep some items in the cabin. A flashlight, phone charger, first aid kit and a blanket should be reachable from the driver's seat in case the trunk is blocked or jammed.
Check it twice a year. Daylight saving time changes in spring and fall are easy reminders. Our daylight saving time kit checklist walks through it.
Rotate food, water and medications. Heat in a parked car is hard on supplies, so follow the dates on each package and replace anything that's expired or damaged.
Charge what needs charging. Rechargeable lights and battery packs slowly lose charge, so top them off at each check.
Simple Printable Car Kit Checklist
Copy this list into your notes app or print it and keep it in your glove box.
Jumper cables or jump starter
Flares or reflective triangles
Spare tire, jack and lug wrench
Tire sealant and a tow strap
Ice scraper, brush and small shovel
Sand or cat litter
Flashlight and extra batteries
Phone charger and battery pack
Radio with batteries
Water and ration bars
First aid kit and daily medications
Emergency blankets and spare warm layers
Poncho or rain gear
Paper maps
Bright cloth or help sign
FAQ
What should be in a basic car emergency kit?
At minimum: jumper cables, warning triangles or flares, a flashlight, a phone charger, water, snacks, a first aid kit, a blanket and an ice scraper. That covers the most common roadside problems. Add winter items like a shovel, traction sand and extra warm clothes before cold weather arrives.
How much water should I keep in my car?
Keep at least enough for everyone who regularly rides with you to drink during a long wait. Emergency water pouches are easier to store in a car than regular bottles because they're compact and portioned. Add more in hot weather.
For how many days to plan for at home, see how many days of emergency supplies governments recommend.
Can I leave food and water in a hot or freezing car?
Yes, but pick products made for it, like emergency ration bars and water pouches, and check the dates twice a year. Heat speeds up how quickly supplies break down, so replace anything that looks damaged.
Should I stay in my car if I'm stranded in snow?
In most cases, yes. The National Weather Service says to stay in the vehicle, run the engine about 10 minutes each hour for heat, keep the exhaust clear of snow, and make the car visible to rescuers.
How often should I check my car emergency kit?
Twice a year is a good rhythm, such as when the clocks change in spring and fall. Replace expired items, recharge batteries and lights, and add or remove seasonal gear.
The Bottom Line
A car emergency kit is a small, one-time project that pays off on ordinary bad days, not just big disasters. Start with the core list, add winter items before the first storm, and keep it all in one bag you check twice a year. If you'd like to fill the gaps quickly, the water pouches, ration bars, first aid kit and survival blankets above are an easy place to start. Prepper Shop ships to the continental US.
Sources: NHTSA Winter Driving Tips, CDC: Preparing for a Winter Storm, Ready.gov: Car Safety, National Weather Service: Caught in a Winter Storm.
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