Category: Quick Guide / Transportation

⚡ Building a Vehicle Emergency Kit

Keep these supplies in your vehicle so you are better prepared for a breakdown, accident, severe weather delay, or other roadside problem.

You do not need to buy everything at once. Start with the essential items and add seasonal or personal supplies afterward.

Start With These Essentials

Place these items in a sturdy bag or storage container:

Phone charging cable
Vehicle phone charger
Charged portable battery pack
Flashlight
Spare flashlight batteries
Reflective safety vest
Reflective warning triangles
First-aid kit
Drinking water
Nonperishable snacks
Blanket
Work gloves
Tire-pressure gauge
Pen and paper
Roadside-assistance information
Emergency contact list
Current insurance information

Secure the container in the trunk or cargo area so it does not slide or become dangerous during sudden braking.

Add Basic Vehicle Supplies

Check what your vehicle already includes before buying anything.

Consider adding:

Jumper cables
Portable jump starter
Basic tool kit
Paper towels
Extra windshield-washer fluid
Spare tire or tire-inflation kit
Jack
Lug wrench
Wheel-lock key, if your vehicle uses one
Owner’s manual
Small amount of emergency cash

Make sure every item is compatible with your vehicle.

Do not attempt a roadside repair unless you understand the equipment and can work safely away from traffic.

Helpful Resources: Browse Roadside Emergency Kits for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Add Winter Supplies

Before cold or snowy weather, add:

Ice scraper
Snow brush
Small snow shovel
Warm hat
Insulated gloves
Extra socks
Additional blankets
Traction material such as sand
Hand warmers
Winter-rated windshield-washer fluid
Waterproof boots or shoe coverings

Carry essential medication with you during the trip. Do not store temperature-sensitive medication permanently in the vehicle.

Add Hot-Weather Supplies

During hot weather, add:

Additional drinking water
Sunscreen
Hat
Cooling towel
Lightweight change of clothing
Small umbrella or sunshade

Check water, food, batteries, and other supplies for heat damage.

Never leave a person or pet inside a parked vehicle because emergency supplies are available.

Plan for Personal Needs

Add anything regularly needed by you or your passengers.

This may include:

Essential medication carried at travel time
Backup glasses
Hearing-aid batteries
Mobility-device supplies
Communication board
Sensory or comfort items
Personal-care supplies
Infant supplies
Child-friendly snacks
Pet leash, water bowl, and waste bags
Service-animal supplies

Check the storage instructions for medication, batteries, and medical equipment. Extreme vehicle temperatures can damage them.

Keep These Items Within Reach

Some supplies should be accessible without opening the trunk:

Phone charger
Flashlight
Reflective vest
Emergency contact card
Necessary medical supplies
Roadside-assistance information

Do not keep heavy tools or unsecured equipment in the passenger area.

Include an Emergency Contact Card

Write down:

Your name
One or two trusted contacts
Roadside-assistance number
Auto-insurance number
Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate
Important medical or accessibility information
Repair shop or dealership number

Do not include passwords, PINs, Social Security numbers, or bank-account information.

Include an Accident Checklist

Keep a short reminder showing what to collect after an accident:

Location, date, and time
Other driver’s name and contact information
Driver’s-license information
Insurance information
Vehicle description and license plate
Witness contact information
Police report number
Photographs of the vehicles and scene
Towing-company information

Never enter traffic to take photographs or collect information.

Check Your Tire Equipment

Find out whether your vehicle has:

Full-size spare tire
Temporary spare tire
Tire-sealant kit
Portable inflator
Jack
Lug wrench
Wheel-lock key

Check the spare-tire pressure and tire-sealant expiration date.

Do not change a tire on a narrow shoulder, in an active traffic lane, on unstable ground, or beside fast-moving traffic. Call roadside assistance instead.

Check Your Kit Every Six Months

Set a calendar reminder for spring and fall.

During each inspection:

Charge the battery pack.
Charge the portable jump starter.
Test the flashlight.
Replace damaged batteries.
Check food and water.
Replace expired first-aid supplies.
Confirm insurance documents are current.
Update emergency contacts.
Check the spare tire.
Replace seasonal supplies.
Remove anything damaged by heat, cold, or moisture.
Restock anything you used.

Inspect the kit again before a long road trip.

Avoid Storing These Items

Do not leave the following in your emergency kit:

Vehicle title
Social Security card
Large amounts of cash
Password lists
Temperature-sensitive medication
Loose sharp tools
Unsecured heavy equipment
Leaking batteries
Expired food
Damaged aerosol containers
Flammable products not designed for vehicle storage

Quick Kit Checklist

Before considering your kit ready, confirm that you have:

A way to charge your phone
A working flashlight
Reflective warning equipment
A first-aid kit
Water and nonperishable food
A blanket and weather supplies
Work gloves
Roadside-assistance information
Insurance information
Emergency contacts
Basic vehicle equipment
Supplies for personal, medical, accessibility, child, or pet needs