TL;DR: Every car should have a roadside emergency kit stocked with essential supplies to handle breakdowns, accidents, or weather disasters. Key items include a first aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight (with extra batteries), road flares or reflective triangles, a warm blanket, water, and non-perishable snacks. Being prepared with these basics can keep you safe and even save your life if you’re stranded – especially in harsh Chicago winter conditions or on a busy highway at night. (For more personalized road safety tips or to review your auto insurance coverage, call Insure on the Spot at 773-202-5060.)
Car emergencies can happen to anyone, and often at the worst times. Yet many drivers hit the road unprepared. Whether you get a flat tire on a quiet rural Illinois road or your engine dies in bumper-to-bumper Chicago traffic, having the right tools and supplies on hand makes a huge difference.
What Are the Must-Have Items in a Roadside Emergency Kit?
Every roadside emergency kit should cover a few core categories: medical first aid, safety/visibility, tools for common car problems, and basic sustenance. Here are the must-have items your kit should include, and why each is important:
First Aid Supplies for Injuries
A first aid kit is the first thing to pack. In a crash or even a minor mishap, you or a passenger might get cuts, scrapes, or bruises. Being able to clean and bandage wounds on the spot is crucial. A good car first aid kit contains bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, medical tape, pain relievers, and gloves, among other items. Treating minor injuries immediately can prevent infections and stabilize someone until professional help arrives. If you travel with family, include any personal medications (like an EpiPen or baby aspirin) that might be needed in an emergency. Don’t forget to add a seatbelt cutter as well – this small tool is often included in car first aid kits and can help free you or others if seatbelts are jammed after an accident.
Visibility and Safety Tools
Staying visible and alerting other drivers is critical if your car is disabled on the roadside. Pack road flares or reflective warning triangles to place behind your vehicle; these signal to oncoming traffic that there’s a hazard ahead, helping prevent secondary accidents. A bright flashlight is another must – if your car breaks down at night, you’ll need it to inspect your vehicle and flag down help. Choose a rugged flashlight (preferably waterproof) and keep extra batteries in your kit. Many pre-assembled kits also include a reflective safety vest, which is smart if you need to walk for help or work around traffic in the dark. Essentially, anything that helps you be seen and stay safe on the road should be in your kit.
Tools to Fix or Tow Your Car
Roadside emergencies often involve mechanical problems, so include basic car repair tools. Jumper cables are absolutely essential – a dead battery is one of the most common breakdowns, and a quick jump-start can get you moving again. (If you have space, a portable jump starter pack is even better since it doesn’t require a second car to give you a boost.) Also carry a tire repair kit or at least a can of tire inflator/sealant. This can temporarily fix a small puncture to help you drive to a service station. A compact air compressor or tire inflator that plugs into your car’s power outlet is a great addition for re-inflating a low or flat tire on the go.
Items to Keep You Warm, Hydrated, and Powered
If you’re stranded for a while, you’ll want some comfort and sustenance. Always have a blanket or emergency sleeping bag and some extra warm clothing (like gloves and a hat) in your kit. Chicago-area drivers know how quickly winter temperatures can become dangerous if your heater isn’t working. A blanket can literally be a lifesaver if you’re stuck in a snowstorm overnight. Pack a few bottles of water (at least enough for each person in the car to have some) and non-perishable snacks like energy bars or nuts. Staying hydrated and keeping your blood sugar up will help you stay alert and comfortable while waiting for help.
What Additional Items Should You Carry for Winter or Long Trips?
Depending on the season and your personal driving habits, you’ll want to customize your emergency kit. Winter in Illinois presents unique challenges, while long road trips or traveling with kids/pets might require extra supplies. Here are some smart add-ons to consider:
Must-Have Winter Gear
If you’re driving in snow, ice, or freezing temperatures, pack dedicated winter survival items. An ice scraper and snow brush are must-haves to clear your windshield and lights. A small foldable shovel helps you dig your tires out of snow or mud. Carry a bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter for traction – sprinkling it under drive wheels can help if you’re stuck on ice. Chemical hand warmers or foot warmers are great to have in case you must sit without heat for a long time.
Summer and Heat Essentials
In hotter months or desert travel, water is even more critical – carry extra beyond just a couple bottles. A wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and extra coolant for your car (or a bottle of windshield washer fluid) can be useful if you overheat. Also, a portable emergency radio is good year-round but especially during storm season – it can provide weather updates if your phone dies or lacks signal. In flood-prone areas, having a rain poncho and waterproof containers (or ziplock bags) to protect documents and electronics is wise.
A Kit Tailored for Families and Pets
Tailor your kit to who usually rides with you. If you have children, pack some child-specific items like pediatric doses of medications in the first aid kit, an extra diaper or two if you have a baby, and small toys or a deck of cards to keep kids calm and occupied in a long wait. For pets, include a collapsible water bowl, a small amount of pet food, and an old leash. It’s also smart to keep a towel or wipes for pet (or kid) messes, and garbage bags which have countless uses.
Personal Essentials
Think about any personal needs that would become important if you were stuck for several hours. Glasses or contact lens solution, a backup of essential medications (for example, an inhaler or insulin and snacks if someone is diabetic), feminine hygiene products, or even toilet paper and hand sanitizer can all make an uncomfortable situation more bearable. A printed map or road atlas is a good addition too – GPS may not work if your phone dies or if you’re out of service, so having a paper map can help you navigate or describe your location to others.
Is It Better to Buy a Pre-Made Roadside Kit or Build My Own?
You have two ways to get a quality emergency kit: purchase a pre-made kit or assemble it yourself. Each approach has pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your comfort level and specific needs.
Pre-Made Kits
Many companies and organizations sell ready-to-go car emergency kits. These kits are convenient – they come packed with a selection of items in a handy bag, so you can just buy one and toss it in your trunk. Pre-made kits are a great starting point, especially if you’re not sure what to include. For example, the American Red Cross offers a “Car Survival Kit with Winter Supplies” that contains 28 pieces including first aid basics, an emergency blanket, hand warmers, food, water, and more. There are also kits branded by AAA, or popular ones like the Lifeline AAA Road Kit, which typically feature booster cables, a flashlight, and a mini tool set. High-end kits might even add extras like a fire extinguisher or air compressor.
However, pre-made kits aren’t one-size-fits-all. A given kit might lack something you personally need or include items of varying quality. You might buy a kit and then still need to add a few things (for instance, many kits include a basic first aid kit, but you might want to add extra bandages or specific medicines).
DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Kits
Building your own emergency kit from scratch can be the best way to ensure you have exactly what you need. It might take a bit more effort, but it allows you to select higher-quality items and customize for your climate and vehicle. To start, you can use a checklist (like the one in this article) and gather items individually. For example, you could assemble a sturdy first aid kit by hand and include higher-end trauma scissors or a surplus of the specific bandages you prefer. You can choose a heavy-duty set of jumper cables (look for at least 10-12 feet length and thick gauge wire) and a reliable flashlight of your choice. DIY also lets you pick a bag or storage box that fits your trunk space perfectly or even distribute items in compartments of your car (some drivers keep tools under a seat and medical supplies in the glove box, etc.).
The downside of DIY is mainly the time and potentially higher cost. Buying items separately can add up, whereas a pre-made kit often has an economy of scale. A good approach some drivers use is hybrid: buy a solid pre-made kit, then supplement it. For instance, you could purchase a kit that covers the basics and then add an extra blanket, a better flashlight, and any missing pieces like a tow strap or a spare phone charger. Whether you buy or DIY, what matters most is that you have the necessary items accessible before an emergency happens.
What Are the Best Emergency Roadside Kits in 2025?
If you’d rather buy a ready-made solution, it helps to know which kits are rated highly by experts and drivers this year. In 2025, a few emergency kits rose to the top in reviews for their comprehensive contents and quality. Here are some of the top-rated roadside emergency kits worth considering:
Swiss Safe 2-in-1 Roadside Car Emergency Kit
This kit has been praised for offering an “incredible selection of items” in a compact package. It actually comes as two kits in one: a tools and emergency gear pack, plus a robust 120-piece first aid kit. Notable contents include 12-foot jumper cables (longer than many standard cables), a thermal blanket, multi-tool, work gloves, and poncho. The first aid kit is more extensive than most competitors, which is a big plus. The only things you might need to add are a flashlight and perhaps a small fire extinguisher, as those were not included by default.
U.S. Safety All-in-One Car Emergency Kit
This all-in-one backpack-style kit stands out for including a few items that many kits miss: a fire extinguisher, a tire inflator (air compressor), and a decent flashlight. It also has the usual jumper cables and first aid essentials. Because it’s packed in a backpack, there’s a bit of extra room to slip in personal items or additional gear. It is on the heavier side (since it’s chock-full of gear), but it’s a very complete kit for someone who wants maximum preparedness.
AAA Roadside Safety Kits
The AAA-branded kits are popular and come in different sizes. For example, the AAA 42-piece Emergency Road Kit includes a Reflective triangle, 8-gauge booster cables, a flashlight, first aid, and basic tools; while the larger AAA Excursion Road Kit adds on a 12-volt air compressor, folding shovel, and more. These kits carry the trusted AAA name and are designed for typical motorists. They might not include food or water, so you would supplement those, but the car-specific tools are reliable.
Red Cross “Be Red Cross Ready” Kit
The American Red Cross sells a “Be Red Cross Ready First Aid Kit” (73-piece) which is mainly a medical kit. Pair that with their car kit or your own car tools, and you have an excellent setup. The quality of first aid supplies is high and approved by their Scientific Advisory Council, which adds peace of mind.
Custom Kits by Overland and Off-Road Brands
If you do a lot of off-road driving or long overland trips, you might look at kits from overlanding gear companies. These often include heavy-duty recovery gear like tow shackles, extensive tool sets, and survival equipment (water purification, etc.). They can be pricey and probably overkill for city drivers, but worth mentioning if your travels take you far from civilization.
Can a Roadside Emergency Kit Actually Save Your Life? (Real Stories)
It might sound dramatic, but yes – there are plenty of real-world instances where having an emergency kit made a life-saving difference. Even in less dire cases, a kit can certainly save you from injury, prolonged exposure, or just hours of misery while waiting for help. Let’s look at a few scenarios to illustrate why these kits matter:
Stranded in a Winter Storm
Chicagoans are no strangers to sudden blizzards and white-out conditions. Imagine you’re driving on I-90 at night and a severe snowstorm hits, making the road impassable. You end up stuck in a line of stopped vehicles for hours, or worse, slide into a snowbank off the shoulder. Now it’s 10°F outside, your engine is off, and help might not reach you until morning. This scenario happens every winter to unlucky travelers. If you have a winter-equipped emergency kit, you can wrap yourself in a thermal blanket, put on extra socks and gloves, and maybe even use a candle in a deep can for a bit of warmth (a trick some winter kits include). You have water and snacks to maintain your energy.
Breakdown on a Remote Highway
Maybe you’re on a road trip downstate or through a rural part of the Midwest. It’s late evening and your car suddenly breaks down miles from the nearest town. No street lights, sparse traffic – a scary situation for anyone. With an emergency kit, you can immediately set up reflective triangles or flares to alert other drivers so you don’t get hit. You use your flashlight to inspect under the hood.
Let’s say you discover a loose battery cable or a blown fuse – if you packed a basic tool kit and spare fuses, you might fix the issue right there and get back on the road. If not, you at least can stay safe off the road’s edge, use your portable battery pack to keep your phone charged and call for a tow, and maybe even use that paperback novel or deck of cards in your kit to pass the time.
Avoiding a Fire or Further Damage
Car emergencies can sometimes escalate – a minor engine overheating can lead to a fire, or a small accident could turn into a larger pileup if warnings aren’t in place. One real example: A motorist in Indiana had an engine fire after a collision. Fortunately, he had a small ABC fire extinguisher in his trunk and was able to put out the flames before they spread from the engine compartment. That likely saved not only his car but also prevented a larger roadside fire that could have caused more injuries.
Another example: A family’s SUV had a tire blowout on a fast-moving interstate. They managed to get to the shoulder, but without flares or reflectors, it was a close call as other cars approached at high speed. The driver remembered a flare kit in the emergency bag, set it up behind the SUV, and ensured approaching drivers changed lanes away from them. That simple action, using a $5 flare from the kit, may have prevented a high-speed rear-end collision.
Final Tips for Staying Prepared on the Road
As you assemble your roadside emergency kit and get ready for the unexpected, keep these final tips in mind:
Keep Your Kit Accessible
Store your emergency kit in an easy-to-reach location in your vehicle. The trunk is a common spot, but make sure nothing heavy is on top of it, in case you need to grab it in a hurry. If some items would be useful at a moment’s notice (for example, a seatbelt cutter or glass-break tool), consider keeping those in the glove box or center console. You don’t want to be digging around during an emergency. For larger vehicles like SUVs, a cargo organizer can help secure the kit so it doesn’t roll around.
Maintain Your Kit Regularly
An emergency kit isn’t “pack it and forget it.” Check your kit at least every six months and after any time you use it. Replace expired items promptly. Water and food can go bad or taste awful if expired – swap them out periodically (a good habit is to change them every spring and fall when you adjust clocks for daylight savings, for example).
Make sure batteries in your flashlight or radio are fresh; better yet, use long-lasting lithium batteries or keep them outside the flashlight until needed to avoid corrosion. Rotate medications out before they expire. This routine check ensures that when you do need the kit, everything will work as expected.
Don’t Neglect Vehicle Maintenance
While a roadside kit is vital, the first line of defense is preventing breakdowns in the first place. Regular car maintenance – oil changes, tire rotations, brake checks – will greatly reduce your chances of an emergency. Before long trips or at the start of winter, have a mechanic inspect key systems (battery, coolant, tires, wipers). Also, stay on top of safety recalls for your vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a free VIN lookup tool where you can see if your car has any outstanding recalls. Fixing those promptly can avert problems that even the best emergency kit can’t solve.
Know How to Use Your Gear
Having a trunk full of gear won’t help much if you’re not familiar with it. Take some time to learn and practice basic emergency skills. For example, practice using your jack and wrench to change a tire in your driveway so you’re not doing it for the first time on a dark road shoulder.
Learn how to connect jumper cables properly (pro tip: attach the negative cable to a metal part of the engine block on the dead car, not the battery’s negative post, to avoid sparks). If your kit has a fire extinguisher, know the PASS technique (Pull pin, Aim at base, Squeeze, Sweep). It’s also wise to review your car’s owner manual for emergency starting or towing instructions. The more comfortable you are with your tools, the calmer and more effective you’ll be in an emergency.
Stay Calm and Safe if an Emergency Happens
Finally, remember that tools and supplies are only part of the equation. Your mindset matters too. In any roadside emergency, safety is priority one. Move your vehicle out of traffic if possible, or pull as far onto the shoulder as you can. Turn on hazard lights. If you’re in a dangerous spot (like a highway) and can’t safely exit the vehicle, stay seat-belted inside until help arrives or traffic clears – many experts advise this, because your car is a shelter and has airbags.
Use your cell phone to call for help early (whether that’s a tow truck, 911 for serious situations, or a roadside assistance number). Then use your emergency kit supplies to address the situation: treat any injuries with first aid, set out reflectors, fix what you can, and be patient until help arrives. You prepared for this – now you just have to stay calm and get through it. Once the dust settles, don’t forget to inform your insurance if there’s any damage or incident.
(Pro tip: Along with your emergency kit, make sure you have appropriate auto insurance coverage for roadside incidents. Having collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage can protect you financially after accidents, and many policies (or add-ons) include roadside assistance reimbursement. If you’re unsure about your coverage or need to upgrade your plan – for example, adding towing coverage or filing for SR-22 insurance if you’ve had a license suspension – the Chicago auto insurance specialists at Insure on the Spot are ready to help.
We’ve insured over a million Chicagoland drivers with affordable rates and 24/7 roadside assistance. Call 773-202-5060 today to discuss your auto insurance needs and ensure you’re fully protected on the road.)
Roadside Emergency Kit FAQs
Q: What items should be in a basic roadside emergency kit?
A: A basic car emergency kit should include at least the following: a first aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, road flares or reflective warning triangles, a blanket, water, and some non-perishable snacks. These cover medical needs, car battery boosts, visibility for safety, and personal sustenance. You’ll also want a tire inflator or sealant for flats, basic tools (like a multi-tool or wrench and screwdriver), and duct tape for quick fixes. With these essentials, you can handle most common roadside issues or stay safe until help comes.
Q: Why is a roadside emergency kit important if I have a cellphone and AAA?
A: Even if you have a cellphone and AAA or another roadside assistance service, a kit is crucial because help might not be immediate. Your phone could lose signal or battery, or severe weather might delay tow trucks. An emergency kit fills that gap – it keeps you safe and self-sufficient in the critical minutes or hours before assistance arrives. For example, if your car dies on a cold night, having blankets and jumper cables means you can stay warm and possibly restart your car without waiting an hour for a truck. Think of the kit as your first line of defense, with AAA as backup.
Q: How do I make a car emergency kit for winter driving?
A: Start with the standard kit items (first aid, jumper cables, etc.), then add winter-specific supplies. Key additions for winter include an ice scraper and snow brush, a small shovel, cat litter or sand for traction, and extra warm clothing (gloves, hat) plus a heavy blanket or sleeping bag. Hand warmers and a candle in a metal can (with matches) can provide extra warmth in a pinch. It’s also wise to carry more water and high-energy food in winter, since you might be stranded longer in a blizzard. These items will help you stay warm, visible, and nourished if you get stuck in freezing conditions.
Q: Is it better to buy a pre-made emergency kit or assemble my own?
A: It depends on your preference. Pre-made kits are convenient and often a good value – they come with a range of items in a neat package, which is great if you’re unsure what to include. Top-rated kits in 2025, for example, come with quality jumper cables, tools, and first aid supplies. However, assembling your own kit lets you customize and ensure higher quality on each item. Many drivers buy a pre-made kit and then add a few extra items (like a better flashlight, spare battery pack, or specialty tools) to round it out. Either approach works as long as the final kit has all the essentials you need.
Q: How often should I check or replace items in my emergency kit?
A: You should inspect your emergency kit about twice a year (every six months). Replace anything that’s used up or expired. Water bottles and food bars usually need refreshing periodically (check expiration dates – many recommend swapping them out every 6-12 months if not specially packaged for long term). Batteries can slowly drain or corrode, so put in fresh batteries or charge up your power bank. Take a look at your first aid contents too – ointments and certain medications can expire. Regular check-ups ensure your kit is always ready to go when you need it.
Q: Where should I keep the emergency kit in my car?
A: Store the kit in an easily accessible place, typically your trunk or cargo area. If you have a sedan, the trunk is fine – just make sure you can reach it if the car is off on the side of a road. In an SUV or hatchback, secure it in the back so it doesn’t become a projectile in a sudden stop. Some drivers like to keep a few critical items (like a window breaker/seatbelt cutter, or a small first aid pouch) in the glove box for immediate reach, and the rest of the kit in the trunk. The key is you know where it is and can get to it quickly when an emergency happens.
Q: Do I really need all these things? Can’t I just carry a phone and credit card?
A: A phone and credit card are helpful, but they can’t replace physical emergency supplies. A phone can call for help, but it can’t keep you warm, tend a wound, or jump-start your car. And a credit card can’t magically bring a tow truck faster during a city-wide blizzard or power outage. Think of it this way: an emergency kit is cheap insurance for your well-being. Hopefully you won’t need to use it often, but the one time you do, you’ll be grateful to have more than just a phone. It’s about being self-reliant when you have to be. Plus, many items in a kit (like jumper cables or a first aid kit) can help you assist others in need – you might be the Good Samaritan who has the tool to help a fellow driver.