Building a Basic Vehicle Emergency Kit
Assemble a compact vehicle kit around weather, roadside visibility, communication, water, and the people who use the vehicle.
- Reading time:
- 7 minutes
- Last reviewed:
Build for your actual travel
A daily urban commute, isolated rural road, winter mountain route, and hurricane evacuation corridor create different needs. Start with likely delays and local hazards rather than copying an oversized generic list.
- 1Add safe drinking water and shelf-stable food suited to vehicle temperatures.
- 2Include a flashlight, visibility items, phone charging, and a paper map.
- 3Add a first-aid kit, weather-appropriate clothing, blanket, and personal necessities.
- 4Confirm the spare tire, jack, tools, and roadside assistance information.
- 5Secure the kit so it does not become a projectile during sudden braking.
Maintain the vehicle and kit
A kit does not replace routine vehicle maintenance, safe driving decisions, weather awareness, or professional roadside help. Review water, food, batteries, clothing sizes, and seasonal equipment regularly.
Put this guidance to work
Related mission
Build a Basic Vehicle Emergency Kit
Use the article to choose a compact kit suited to the vehicle and route.
View Preparedness Missions →Related toolkit resource
Use the Go-Bag Builder as a Starting List
Adapt generic categories for a portable vehicle kit; no data leaves the browser.
Use the Go-Bag Builder as a Starting List →Authoritative references
Review current source and local guidance because recommendations can change.
- Car SafetyReady.gov
- Build an Emergency KitReady.gov