Essentials to Pack in Your Roadside Emergency Kit

Apr 27, 2025

Be ready for wherever the road takes you, no matter what the adventure! Today’s blog is all about staying road-trip ready in a heartbeat by having the ultimate emergency car kit set to go as you need! Our emergency preparedness kit will get you through every season no matter the weather. Staying aware and equipped for the unexpected is the only way to travel. This list will be a great jumping off point to tailor your kit to your own needs with any extras, but you’ll have all the basics covered to get you started! Of course, you can purchase any number of premade assembled kits online, such as the options from the AAA Roadside Emergency Kit Collection, but building your own is just as easy and leaves plenty of room for customization.

First Aid Kits are an absolute must have. You’ll want to choose something comprehensive that includes bandages, gauze, OTC painkillers, instant cold packs, a small pair of scissors, and sanitizing wipes. If you’re someone who enjoys offroading, we recommend also including Burn Gel, Liquid Bandage, Antibacterial Ointment, tweezers, a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, face masks, and additional OTC medications like Benadryl, Immodium, Dramamine, and any spare prescription drugs you normally take (stored in their pharmacy bottles if possible for storage.) Of course, you can always amend and add additional items as needed to personalize your kit.

Emergency Lights and “Flares” will help you in numerous situations. An LED headlamp, crank flashlight, and small portable battery flashlights can help you peek into the engine and diagnose issues, or even read a map at night when you’re lost. If you’re stranded on the side of the road, these devices can also help other motorists spot you, helping you avoid an accident until help arrives. LED flares can replace the traditional lit flare and are more durable and more visible than their predecessors. Likewise, reflective triangle signs can be a great idea as well for an easily portable option to increase visibility.

Jumper cables, as well as extra device chargers and a portable battery charger should be stowed in your emergency kit for help with emergency calls and additional navigation backup. Ensuring you have a pocket sized battery bank for power can keep your smartphones and tablets charged in case of emergency. For added convenience, you may also want to carry a portable car battery charging bank if you’re traveling remotely and need to jumpstart your car without another vehicle.

A Basic Tool Kit including screwdrivers, 2 pairs of pliers, a customizable wrench, lug wrench, duct tape, a small rechargeable drill, and a basic car jack will get you back up and running for minor vehicle repairs in a pinch. Additionally, a multi-tool and swiss army knife can be used to break windows or cut seatbelts in the event of a crash or collision, among other things like opening packages or cutting tape or wires.

A Tow Rope or Tow Chain and traction mats can come in handy for difficult situations like getting stuck in the mud or snow, and regaining traction on offroading adventures. Kitty litter and sand are also great options for additional traction assistance.

An Ice Scraper, Snow Brush, portable shovel, and De-Icer are winter weather essentials that can easily stow in your vehicle year round, so they’re ready when the weather hits.

Rain Poncho and travel umbrella can keep you dry while you’re working on your vehicle or waiting for assistance on the side of the road.

Work Gloves and Winter Gloves are excellent emergency essentials to protect your hands during emergency roadside repairs, while handling equipment for added grip, and avoiding injury or burns from bumping hot components under the hood. During winter, the gloves will provide insulation to help you dig out or clear off your vehicle.

A Tire Repair Kit, portable air compressor, and spare tire are an absolute must! You’ll be able to quickly get back on the road or make it to a service center with the tire plug kit, avoiding the need to use your spare or donut. The air compressor can work with a vehicle’s “cigarette lighter” port or a USB port to power it and inflate your tires in a jiffy even if you’re nowhere near a service center or gas station.

Blankets and a bedroll or sleeping bag will keep you warm and comfortable while you await for assistance especially if the vehicle’s heating and air conditioning isn’t working properly. Likewise, a cooling blanket or light weight blanket for summer can give you a comfortable surface to sit on while you wait outside your vehicle for help to arrive.

A small portable fire extinguisher that’s rated for automotive use is a huge help with controlling minor fires, more common in the summertime from overheating.

Pet Emergency First Aid Kit, Water Dish, Fleece Blanket, Cooling Blanket, harness and collar with identification tags, and a slip leash can be of great assistance when traveling with your furry friends, especially in the event of an emergency. Having additional identification as well as spare water bowls and food bowls can keep them occupied and hydrated while they wait with you. If your pet happens to get loose or lose their collar during an emergency, you can quickly replace it with your spare collar.

Manual lists of all emergency contact numbers and medical information is vital in case of an accident where you need assistance or are unable to communicate with emergency personnel. Make sure you include names of family members or emergency contacts as well as any medications listed, and health diagnoses so that you may be treated safely in the event of emergency.

Seasonal and regional items should be rotated as needed – In the summer, pack sunscreen, water, and a sunshade; in the winter add extra clothing like warm sweatshirts and sweatpants as well as a hat/gloves/socks; if going to remote areas, include water and shelf stable snacks as well as a manual compass and paper map of the areas you’re traveling to.