PrepScore

The car kit: be ready if the road stops moving

Your car is where you spend the most hours away from home, and where a breakdown or storm can strand you. A small kit that lives in the trunk covers the most likely emergency most people will actually face.

Reviewed November 2026 against guidance from CDC, Ready.gov. Prices are typical ranges; check the live price before you buy.

New to prepping? Start with the simple 3-day kit.

Quick picks

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How much you need

Fuel
Half tank minimumFill up at half, not empty. Gas stations can't pump during outages.
Warmth
1 layer per personA wool blanket or sleeping bag for each seat, plus hats and gloves in winter.
Water and snacks
1 dayWater freezes in winter. Keep it in the cabin or use a bottle with room to expand.
Check-up
Twice a yearSwap seasonal gear, test the jump starter and check tire pressure.

When it matters

How important each item is in each kind of emergency.

All items, all emergencies
Car kit importance by scenario
ItemOutageGrid downEvacuateShelterBad waterEarthquake
Car emergency kit
Phone power banks
Packed go-bag
Critical Important Useful
  • Car emergency kit: A breakdown or winter storm can strand you for hours. Warmth, a charged phone and jump-start gear turn a crisis into an inconvenience.
  • Phone power banks: Your phone is your map, flashlight, radio and alert system. A charged bank keeps it alive for days.
  • Packed go-bag: With 15 minutes of notice there is no time to pack. A bag by the door decides what you leave with.

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Start here

Cheap, high-impact basics everyone should own.

Jumper cables or a portable jump starter

What it is
Cables need a second car. A lithium jump starter works alone and often charges your phone.
Why
A dead battery is the most common roadside problem, and it's worse in the cold.
Watch out
Recharge a jump starter every few months. Cold drains it quickly.
$20 to $120Best for: Every vehicleCheck price on AmazonLinks to NOCO Boost GB40 jump starterAffiliate link

Warm blanket or sleeping bag, hat and gloves

What it is
Wool or synthetic insulation for each person who rides with you.
Why
If you're stranded, you can't run the engine constantly. Insulation keeps you safe between short warm-ups.
Watch out
Cotton gets cold when damp. Avoid it. Thin foil blankets are a backup, not a replacement.
$20 to $60Best for: Anyone who drives in cold climatesCheck price on AmazonLinks to Arcturus wool blanket (add a hat and gloves)Affiliate link

Phone car charger and charged power bank

What it is
A cable for your car outlet, and a power bank that works when the engine is off.
Why
Your phone is how you call for help and share your location.
Watch out
Keep the bank charged and bring the right cable for your phone.
$15 to $40Best for: Every driverCheck price on AmazonLinks to Anker 40W car charger (power banks are in the power guide)Affiliate link

Step up

Where most prepared households land.

Reflective triangles or LED road flares

What it is
Warning devices that make your car visible to other drivers.
Why
A disabled car on a dark road or in a storm is a serious collision risk.
Watch out
Place them well behind the car, only if it's safe to leave the vehicle.
$15 to $40Best for: Highway and rural driversCheck price on AmazonLinks to Tobfit 6-pack LED flares (batteries not included)Affiliate link

Ice scraper, small shovel and cat litter or sand

What it is
A scraper for glass, a compact shovel to dig out, and a bag of litter or sand for traction.
Why
Ready.gov lists these as winter basics. Traction under the drive wheels often gets you unstuck.
Watch out
A bag of litter also adds weight over the rear wheels in a rear-drive car.
$20 to $50Best for: Snow and ice regionsCheck price on AmazonLinks to Yukon Charlie's collapsible shovel (scraper and litter separate)Affiliate link

12V tire inflator and plug kit

What it is
A compressor that runs off your car's outlet, plus a plug kit for small punctures.
Why
A slow leak is far easier to deal with than waiting hours for a tow.
Watch out
A temporary plug is for getting to a tire shop, not for the long term.
$30 to $70Best for: Anyone without a trusted spareCheck price on AmazonLinks to AstroAI tire inflator (plug kit sold separately)Affiliate link

Go deep

For long outages, big households and rural homes.

Tow strap, work gloves and a first aid kit

What it is
A recovery strap, sturdy gloves and a basic first aid kit.
Why
Helps in getting out of a ditch or helping someone else.
Watch out
Use only proper recovery points and learn the technique first.
$40 to $90Best for: Rural drivers and long tripsCheck price on AmazonLinks to Rhino USA tow strap (gloves and first aid kit separate)Affiliate link

Car kit checklist

Tick items as you pack. Your progress stays in this browser.

How to choose

  • Keep the kit in the cabin or trunk, not at home. The one that's in the car is the one you have.
  • Match the kit to your climate and trip length. A city commuter and a rural driver need different amounts.
  • Tell someone your route and expected arrival on long winter trips.
  • Keep the gas tank at least half full. It helps in an evacuation, a power outage or a storm.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Running the engine nonstop when stranded. Run it about 10 minutes an hour for heat, and keep the tailpipe clear of snow to avoid carbon monoxide.
  • Leaving the car in a blizzard to look for help. Most people are safer staying with the vehicle unless help is clearly in sight.
  • Driving into floodwater. A foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away, per Ready.gov.
  • Letting the tank run low in winter, so you can't idle for heat and the fuel line may freeze.

Questions

What should I do if I get stranded in a snowstorm?

Stay in the car, call for help and share your location. Run the engine briefly for heat and keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, since blocked exhaust can push carbon monoxide into the cabin. Crack a window slightly and keep moving your limbs to stay warm.

Do I need a full kit if I only drive in the city?

Not a big one. Jumper cables or a jump starter, a charger, a blanket, water and a flashlight cover most city problems. Add traction and warmth if you see snow.

Should I keep my kit in the trunk all year?

Yes, but check it twice a year. Heat can damage batteries, bottled water and medicines, so don't leave those in a hot car for months.

Sources

We check this guide against these sources when we review it. Read how we research and review.

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