Planning a Road Trip? Pack These Supplies First!

No one wants to be stranded by the side of the road. However, emergencies do happen and we all need to be prepared to handle them. As a result, it’s imperative that we keep select emergency supplies in our cars at all times.

Even though some added weight to your car may negatively affect fuel economy, the following collection of emergency supplies will surely come in handy if you’re ever stuck in a tough spot.

The items can generally be broken down into two different categories.

The first being survival supplies. Naturally, keeping you and your passengers alive should always be the top priority.

The second category is comprised of the tools that will help you escape danger, get assistance, or hopefully get you back on the road again.

Not everyone will need everything on the list, but it surely won’t hurt to have them all.

Here’s a closer look at the crucial things you should keep in your car at all time in case of disaster:

Bottled Water

LIFEWTR – purified, pH balanced + electrolytes.

In an emergency, access to clean water is a must.

Humans can survive without food much longer than without water, so it’s really important to keep a at least a few bottles of water in your car at all times.

Emergency Food

It’s wise to keep some sort of food or sustenance in your car in case of an emergency.

Energy bars or various snacks will suffice, but those worried about emergencies where an immediate evacuation isn’t available can opt for a Meal-Read-to-Eat or MRE.

These are sealed, prepackaged meals prepared for the military and are designed to remain edible for years.

MRE Example: Mountain House Emergency Food

You can also purchase flameless ration heaters that allows you to heat up the meal without the use of fire. MREs are available at military surplus stores or online.

Flashlight With Extra Batteries

A flashlight with spare batteries is always good to have, especially if you’re stranded at night.

The GearLight S1000 LED Tactical Set is very popular.

Warm Clothes

For those in cold weather climates, keeping some extra warm clothes in your car can be a lifesaver if you’re stranded.

Window Breaker/Seatbelt Cutter

If your car ever winds up in a body of water or in any case where you need to make a speedy exit, an emergency window breaker is good to have.

As the name would suggest, the tool is designed to break open a car’s window in an emergency.

In many cases, the window breaker will also come with a blade that will quickly cut through your seatbelt.

AmazonBasics Emergency Seat belt Cutter/Window Hammer

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is handily in an emergency situation. Cleaning up a wound before it gets infected increases your chances of survival.

Hand-Crank Emergency Radio

Voyager’s Kaito 5-Way Solar/Crank Radio includes a light & cell phone charger.

When you’re stranded, a hand-crank emergency radio will provide you with weather information without the need to turn on your car and waste gasoline.

Many of these radios are powered by both a hand-crank and solar panels, and even have USB ports to help charge your phone.

Emergency Survival Kit

You can also buy an emergency survival kit.

Many of these come complete with a firestarter, mylar thermal blankets, a compass, tactical knife, and even reflective cones.

**Everything you need:** 40 Piece Auto Emergency Kit also includes jumper cables.

Road Cones/Flares/Reflective Triangle

If your survival kit doesn’t come with a reflective triangle, road cone, or road flares, buy some.

These tools alerts other motorists that you are stranded, reducing the likelihood of additional collisions.

Always keep a set of road flares in your car.

Jumper Cables or Electric Jump Starter

Always keep a set of jumper cables or even better – an ultra safe lithium jump starter in your car.

Neither is particularly expensive and can get your back on the road again.

Tire Pump and Sealant

**Compact:** Air Compressor Tire Pump With Built-In Light

In cases where you have a flat tire, have a tire sealant like the one included in this Universal Tire Repair Kit will allow you to patch small holes while an electric air pump will put enough air back into the tire to get your going again.

Easy, Simple Steps


Step One Use T-handle rasp tool and puncture the hole on your tire.	Step Two Using the T-handle insert tool, feed one plug through the hole and position it over the hole.	Step 3 Using a downward motion, rotate the handle until plug is all the way through.	Step 4 Once firmly inserted, release the level and pull up until plug is out of the hole. Proceed to trim plug if necessary and double check for any air holes.