Kit Library · Transportation
Eight categories. One trunk bag. Jump starter, tire repair, visibility, light, water, charger, first aid, and shelter from the weather. Built around what actually goes wrong on the road.
Build the kit01 · The problem
Most vehicle emergencies are not dramatic. They are flat tires on highway shoulders, dead batteries in empty parking lots, and cars that overheat ten miles outside of cell service. NHTSA data consistently shows that tire failure and dead batteries account for the majority of non-crash roadside incidents. Neither requires a tow truck if the driver has a $30 inflator and a jump starter that holds a charge.
What makes these situations worse than they need to be is usually not the breakdown itself. It is the 45 minutes of standing on a dark shoulder without a working flashlight, the phone at 4 percent with nothing in the console to charge it, and the realization that the emergency blanket that was supposed to be in the back seat was borrowed for a camping trip two years ago.
A vehicle emergency kit is a maintenance commitment as much as a purchase. The jump starter needs to hold a charge. The water needs to be rotated. The phone charger needs to be tested. This kit page tells you what to buy. The companion checklist tells you how to keep it current.
02 · What to buy
Everything fits in a single medium duffel or hard-sided case in the trunk. The categories below are ordered by how often each one matters on the road.
Visibility and safety
A set of three collapsible reflective triangles placed 50, 100, and 200 feet behind the vehicle gives approaching drivers the distance they need to slow and move over. The NHTSA recommends carrying them in any vehicle operated on highways. An LED road flare (battery-powered, not pyrotechnic) adds active light for night situations and is legal in every state. Avoid pyrotechnic flares for routine kits: they are single-use, degrade in heat, and present a fire hazard near spilled fuel. The Orion Safety 3-Triangle Kit ($20) is the standard recommendation. Pair with a Blazer LED Beacon Road Flare ($15 each, 2-pack).
Price range: $30–$50 for both · Recheck annually for reflector degradation
Jump starter
A lithium jump starter starts a car without a second vehicle, which matters when you break down somewhere with no other traffic. The GB40 is rated for up to 20 jump starts on a single charge, works down to minus 40 degrees, includes reverse polarity protection, and has a built-in USB port for charging a phone. It fits in a glove box. For larger trucks and diesel engines, step up to the NOCO GB70 (rated for 8-liter engines). Keep the unit charged: plug it in quarterly when you do the seasonal check. Jumper cables are a reasonable backup but require a willing stranger.
Price range: $100–$120 (GB40) · Charge quarterly
Tire repair
A 12V tire inflator (plugs into the 12V outlet or clamps to the battery) handles slow leaks by reinflating the tire long enough to reach a shop. A tire plug kit handles simple punctures from nails and screws, which account for the majority of flat tires. The Viair 85P ($35) is reliable and compact. For plug repairs, the Safety Seal Pro Tire Repair Kit ($20) includes everything needed and requires no special skill. Confirm your vehicle has a functional spare and that the lug wrench and jack are accessible; these items are separate from the kit bag but worth verifying at the same time.
Price range: $50–$70 for both · Check inflator connection annually
Light
A headlamp leaves both hands free, which matters when you are changing a tire, checking under the hood, or waving down assistance. A handheld flashlight is useful but secondary. The Black Diamond Spot 400 runs on AAA batteries (not rechargeable-only), which means it works when you cannot charge anything. Store two sets of spare AAA batteries in the same pouch as the headlamp. LED headlamps hold up well in heat; stored batteries degrade faster. Replace batteries in the kit annually even if the lamp tests fine. A Mylar emergency blanket doubles as a reflector if held behind the headlamp.
Price range: $30–$45 including spare batteries · Replace batteries annually
Water and food
One sealed commercial gallon of water stored in the trunk covers a multi-hour roadside wait and basic first aid (wound cleaning, hydration). Ready.gov recommends at least one gallon per person per day; for a vehicle kit one gallon is the minimum. Use a purpose-made emergency water carton (Datrex 125ml pouches or similar) rather than a large plastic jug, which can degrade and leak in heat. For food, add three to five individually wrapped snacks with a calorie density of 200-plus per pack: nut butter packets, compressed bars, or jerky. Rotate both every six months, using the daylight saving time changes as the reminder.
Price range: $15–$25 for both · Rotate every 6 months
Communication and power
A dedicated 12V USB car charger and a short cable that stays in the kit bag means you can charge a phone even when your usual charger is not in the car. Choose a dual-port model with USB-A and USB-C to cover both cable types. Anker and Belkin both make reliable options for under $20. Add one folded paper road map or state atlas for the region you drive most often: GPS navigation fails when the phone is dead or signal is out. A paper map requires no battery. AAA distributes free state maps to members; otherwise REI and truck stops carry them. Small amounts of cash (two $20 bills) complete the communication category.
Price range: $20–$35 for both · Test charger connection monthly
First aid
A vehicle kit needs bandages, antiseptic wipes, sterile gauze, medical tape, nitrile gloves, and a pair of trauma scissors at minimum. The Adventure Medical Kits Ultra Light 0.5 covers the basics in a waterproof pouch sized for a glove box. Store any personal prescription medications separately (not in a shared kit item) with a note about contents. The Red Cross recommends keeping first aid kits in all vehicles; the American College of Emergency Physicians endorses compact kits with gloves as a standard part of any emergency kit. Check expiration dates on antiseptic wipes and adhesive bandages annually; both lose adhesion and sterility over time.
Price range: $20–$35 · Check expiration dates annually
Weather protection
A Mylar emergency blanket reflects up to 90 percent of body heat, weighs less than two ounces, and folds to the size of a deck of cards. It handles cold exposure during a breakdown, doubles as a rain shield, and can serve as a signal device. The SOL Emergency Blanket ($5) is the standard option; keep two in the kit for under $10. A compact rain poncho (one-size, disposable or reusable) keeps you dry when you have to stand outside in weather. Outdoor Research and Frogg Toggs both make packable models under $15. These two items together weigh less than a paperback book and require no maintenance.
Price range: $10–$20 for both · Replace Mylar blanket if it develops tears
Affiliate disclosure: New World Survival earns a small commission on qualifying Amazon purchases at no cost to you. We only recommend gear we would put in our own kit.
03 · What not to buy
A pyrotechnic flare burns at over 1,400 degrees, is single-use, degrades in heat and moisture, and has been linked to roadside fires when placed near fuel spills. LED road flares provide the same visibility, are reusable, work in rain, and cost less over time. Keep pyrotechnic flares off the list.
Pre-assembled roadside kits from big-box stores often include low-quality jumper cables (too short, too thin), a tire gauge instead of an inflator, a reflective vest with degraded reflectivity, and a first aid kit with four bandages. The individual components in this kit are more reliable bought separately for the same total cost.
A tow strap requires a second vehicle and a driver who knows how to use it safely. For the average driver, it is an item that takes up space and may be used incorrectly under stress. A jump starter and an inflator handle the scenarios a tow strap is meant to solve, without requiring a second person.
A flashlight that requires USB charging is only useful when the car is running. If the battery is dead and the car is not running, the flashlight is also not running. Stick with a headlamp that takes replaceable batteries. AAA and AA cells are available at every gas station in the country.
Freeze-dried meals require boiling water to prepare. Nothing in the vehicle kit produces boiling water. Shelf-stable bars, nut butter packets, and jerky do not require any preparation. Keep the food category simple.
04 · Budget version
Every item below is available for under $25 individually. The kit handles dead batteries, slow leaks, dark shoulders, and cold waits. It does not cover blowouts or major mechanical failures, but it covers 90 percent of what actually happens.
| Item | Budget pick | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Orion 3-Triangle Kit | $20 |
| Jump starter | NOCO Boost Plus GB20 (500A) | $70 |
| Tire inflator | Viair 85P 12V Portable Compressor | $35 |
| Tire plugs | Slime 1034-A Tire Plug Kit | $12 |
| Light | GearLight H150 Headlamp (AAA) + 2 spare sets | $20 |
| Water | Datrex Emergency Water Pouches (20-pack) | $12 |
| Phone charger | Anker USB-A/USB-C 12V charger + 3ft cable | $18 |
| First aid | Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose First Aid Kit | $15 |
| Weather protection | SOL Emergency Mylar Blanket (2-pack) + disposable poncho | $12 |
| Total | $214 |
The jump starter is the single most expensive item and the one that earns its cost most often. If the $70 GB20 is not in the budget right now, a set of booster cables ($25) covers the same function with the limitation of needing a second vehicle. Build toward the jump starter when you can.
05 · Better version
The GB40 covers gas engines up to 6 liters. The GB70 covers up to 8-liter gas engines and diesel engines common in trucks, SUVs, and vans. If you drive a diesel, start here.
A digital gauge reads to the correct PSI automatically and shuts off, which prevents overinflation. The difference matters most in cold weather when tire pressure drops and you are trying to inflate by feel in the dark.
400 lumens on the spot setting. IPX8 waterproof rated (submerged to 1.1 meters). Lock mode prevents accidental activation in the kit bag, which is the main reason budget headlamps arrive with a dead battery.
Adds wound closure strips, a SAM splint, and hemostatic gauze to the basic bandage-and-antiseptic kit. Meaningfully better for roadside injuries involving impact or falls. Still fits in the kit bag.
A Mylar blanket reflects heat but provides no insulation on its own if you are wet. A wool or fleece blanket insulates even when damp. For cold climates or winter driving, carry both: Mylar for emergencies, wool for extended waits.
06 · Maintenance
A vehicle emergency kit that is not maintained is gear that fails at the roadside. The intervals below keep every item functional with minimal effort.
| Item | Interval | What to check | Replace when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jump starter | Quarterly | Charge level indicator; recharge if below 50% | No longer holds charge after recharge |
| Reflective triangles | Annually | Reflective coating intact, hinges fold flat, storage case present | Reflective coating dull or damaged |
| LED road flare | Annually | Test flash modes; check battery level | Batteries depleted; lens cracked |
| Tire inflator | Annually | Power cord intact; hose connection seals; pressure gauge reads correctly | Motor runs but will not pressurize |
| Tire plug kit | Annually | Plugs still pliable and not dry; tools present | Plugs brittle or kit used |
| Headlamp | Monthly | Power on, full brightness; lock mode engaged for storage | Noticeable dimming on full power |
| Spare batteries | Annually | Check expiration date printed on cell | Past expiration or corroded |
| Water | Every 6 months | Seals intact, no swelling; rotate with daylight saving time changes | Every 6 months regardless |
| Snacks | Every 6 months | Expiration dates current; no swelling or discoloration | Per package expiration |
| Phone charger | Monthly | Plug into 12V outlet and confirm charge; cable intact | Fails to charge or cable frays |
| First aid kit | Annually | Check expiration on antiseptic wipes, bandages, and pain relievers | Per item expiration |
| Mylar blanket | Annually | Unfold partially and inspect for tears; refold | Tears longer than 2 inches |
| Rain poncho | Annually | Inspect for tears; confirm still in kit | Seams separating or material brittle |
| Entire kit | March + November | Empty the bag, check every item, swap seasonal items | At each seasonal check |
Heat and vehicle storage note. Summer interior temperatures can exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Lithium batteries (jump starter, phone charger) degrade faster under sustained heat but tolerate occasional high temperatures. Medications should never be stored in a vehicle kit due to heat sensitivity. Water sealed in commercial pouches is safe but may taste flat; replace on schedule. Avoid storing aerosol cans in the kit bag.
07 · Save it
The companion checklist tracks every item in this kit with the intervals above. Save it to My Readiness, print it for the glove box, or check it against what is already in the trunk.