Roadside Emergencies: What You Need To Have On Hand

For many years, forward-thinking drivers have been able to avail themselves of many professional roadside emergency kits. There are multiple reviews of commercially available products^1-3 which can help you make informed choices and even order online. However, if you’re more of a do-it-yourself sort or person, let’s consider what the “must haves” are for such a kit.

1. Jumper Cables + Portable Jump Starter: we’ve mentioned before that jumper cables are definitely a necessity, especially for long-distance travel, but what if there are no other cars around you when your battery goes cold? In those cases, a portable jump starter⁴ can be a life-saver. Check out our reference for this device and consider rolling with one “waiting in the wings”. 
2. First Aid Kit: for the sake of brevity, we’ll save listing the must-have components in another article specially devoted to first aid kits, but having a good and complete first aid kit when travelling is always a good idea and a practice we recommend.
3. Flash Light + Batteries: flashlights are obvious essential tools to have if something goes wrong at night….and having extra batteries on-hand to make sure you can use it without worrying about power is always a recommended practice.
4. Utility Knife + Basic Tools: having a Swiss Army knife, a multitool, or utility blade of some kind always comes in handy during emergency situations as does carrying a few common tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.. This doesn’t mean that you need to carry around your whole tool collection with you, but a few key pieces can come in handy in a tight spot.
5. Duct Tape: if you’ve ever had to double as “MacGyver” to secure something, you’ll know that a good roll of duct tape can be a life saver!  
6. Reflective Warning Triangles or Flares: if you have a breakdown, it’s always courteous and a good safety practice to be able to warn other drivers. This may also serve as a cue for roaming police, tow trucks, or roadside assistance personnel that may be around. 
7. Fire Extinguisher: in the event of a car fire, this could well save your life!
8. Tow Ropes or Chains: especially if you plan to go off-road, these are great things to have if you find yourself stuck.
9. Snow Brush + Ice Scraper: accumulations of snow or ice in Winter can impede safe driving. Have these on-hand to prevent issues!
10. Windshield Washer Fluid: if you’ve ever driven in desert conditions, you’ll know that you burn through windshield washer fluid FAST. Don’t let you desert driving be compromised by going dry.
11. Water and Food: being trapped by a breakdown can rapidly turn deadly if you’re not prepared! Always carry ample water (gallons) and non-perishable food items.
12. Blanket or Sleeping Bag: likewise, being trapped in freezing conditions can turn deadly quickly if you’re not prepared!

For more advice on what you should bring along on your roadtrips, feel free to use the following weblinks:

1. Best Car Emergency Kit Essentials for 2025
2. Best Car Emergency Road Kits 
3. Best Roadside Emergency Kits
4. Best Portable Jump Starters for 2025, Tested
5. Car Emergency Kit List: 25 Essential Items for Road Safety – Safety Kits Plus