Which car emergency kit do I need?
Three kits, from a small reserve to a trunk full of roadside tools.
FirstMile. A compact one-person kit with starter food and water, first aid, hand-powered light, warmth, a whistle, and an orange HELP flag. A small reserve for an unexpected wait, easy to keep in every car you own.
RoadReady. Three levels, all on the same product page. Choose the level there rather than hunting for separate listings.
- Basic. An everyday backup for one person. First aid, an emergency blanket, a poncho, hand warmers, a flashlight, a whistle, a multitool and work gloves, without roadside tools or food and water.
- Deluxe. Adds emergency food and packaged water, plus jumper cables, a reflective warning triangle and a tire gauge.
- Premium. Built for two people and a longer wait, with more shelter and warmth, a tow rope and a safety vest.
PitStop. The roadside kit in a backpack. Jumper cables, a tow rope, a shovel, a tire gauge, a warning triangle, a safety vest and a deluxe first aid kit, plus starter food and water, warmth and lighting. A starter supply for the wait, not a 72-hour kit.
Start with where you drive and how far from home you usually are.
What should a car emergency kit include?
An hour-long wait for a tow with two kids in the back seat asking how much longer. That's the real scenario, far more often than anything dramatic.
If your kit includes emergency food and water, check the manufacturer's storage guidance and expiration dates regularly. Vehicle interiors swing through much greater temperature extremes than your home, so car kits deserve a little extra attention.
What to add for winter driving
A winter car emergency kit needs a few things the standard version doesn't.
- A phone power bank, charged.
- Any medication you'd need for a few hours.
- A blanket, especially November through March.
- Ice scraper and snow brush if you get winter.
- A small amount of emergency cash for situations when electronic payment isn't available.
- Printed copies of insurance and registration.
How often should you check a car emergency kit?
Check it twice a year, the same weekends you change your smoke detector batteries. Look at expiration dates, test the light, and confirm nothing has migrated into the house.
