How to Build a DIY Car Emergency Kit (Checklist Included!)
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Imagine being stranded on the side of the road with your kids in tow. You never expect a roadside emergency—until it happens. A flat tire, dead battery, or unexpected detour can turn a smooth road trip into a stressful situation
But with a well-prepared DIY car emergency kit, you’ll have everything you need to handle minor mishaps without panic.
Every year when the kids break for summer, I am planning epic road trips. However, with road trips, you should also plan for an emergency.
Instead of spending money on a pre-made emergency roadside kit (that’s often missing key items), why not build your own? This guide will walk you through the essential supplies to keep in your car, from first aid basics to tools that can get you back on the road quickly.
Plus, I’ve included a free checklist to make packing easy! Download it now to follow along.
Car Emergency Kit Essentials
Cars are really smart these days. They can tell you when your air pressure is low, needs an oil change, even warn you when another vehicle is in your blind spot.
Yet it doesn’t prevent accidents and emergencies from happening. What you keep in your car emergency kit could prevent your road trip from a minor emergency to a majorly ruined vacation.
Some essential items include:
- Flashlight & Extra Batteries
- Duct Tape
- Multi Tool
- Tire Pressure Guage
- Ice Scraper
- Whistle
Tools and Equipment
Basic Tool Kit
you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a small but basic tool kit to keep in your car. Amazon Basics has wrenches, ratchet sets, screwdrivers, even good quality scissors in this kit. You just never know what quick repairs you may need to make while traveling and this handy case could help.
Jumper Cables or Battery Pack
Every emergency kit should include jumper cables.
Last year on our road trip my car battery kept dying. Fortunately I was at my parents and we could use a battery charger each night until I could get it fixed. It was under warranty and I did not want to pay for a new one.
Thankfully, on the way home, when I needed to charge the battery I had my JumpSmart Portable car jump starter. This thing not only can jump start your car battery, it’s also a power bank with a flash light and charging port. I.
The great thing about the JumpSmart Portable Car Jump Starter is that it serves other purposes in your car emergency kit, such as a flashlight and backup cell phone charger.
Portable Air Compressor
Have you ever gotten that notification that your air is low? If you’re on a road trip traveling the interstate, this may not be too much of a problem making it to a gas station for air.
However, longer stretches of highways with no exits in site could make an portable air compressor the difference between making it to your destination and a blown out tire.
This portable air compressor on Amazon is highly rated and cordless. I love the fact that it’s cordless to help you move around the car as needed.
Plus, it has a 12V adaptor in case the cordless battery runs out. Plug it into one of the outlets in your car to charge as needed.
if you’re looking for a slightly less expensive yet still highly rated model, check out the 12V Air Compressor here.
Spare Tire and Jack
Your car should have a spare tire and a jack, but while you’re checking what to keep in your emergency kit, it’s a good time to check that everything is there, and inflated.
Flares & Triangles
It used to be that you had flares that you lit and the flame alerted other travelers of your emergency. Triangles did the same thing.
However, the trinagles are flimsy and flares go bad.
Insert LED road flares. These orange disk lights flash in over seven different settings, are magnetic to stick to your car and battery powered. Plus they are water proof and crush proof, meaning you can drive over them with no damage.
The Marcala LED 6-pack even comes with a whistle, a safety hammer and seatbelt cutter, and a carrying case.
Seatbelt Cutter & Window Hammer
A seatbelt cutter and window breaker hammer is a small but crucial tool in any car emergency kit.
In the event of an accident where seatbelts become jammed, the razor-sharp cutter allows you to quickly free yourself or passengers.
The hammer side is designed to shatter car windows in case doors are stuck or submerged in water. Keeping this tool within easy reach—like in your glove compartment or attached to your center console—can be lifesaving in high-stress situations.
Fire Extinguisher
Having a small, automotive-rated extinguisher on hand allows you to act fast before a fire spreads.
Look for a Class B or Class C extinguisher, which is designed for flammable liquids and electrical fires. Keeping one within easy reach—like under the front seat or in the trunk—can help you stay prepared for unexpected emergencies.
Emergency First Aid Kit
In addition to keeping your car protected in case of emergency, you also need to keep your passengers protected. Get a quality first aid kit that has everything you can think of and then some.
I was gifted the Surviveware Large First Aid Kit recently and I am blown away by the contents and organization of the kit. In fact, if you visit their store page on Amazon, it says, “We are Organized Preparedness.”
I have the Survieware Large First Aid Kit. Inside this tri-fold kit, everything is neatly labeled. What I like about that, is as you review your kit, you will know exactly what to replace.
Additionally, it’s water-resistant. I enjoy kayaking and I can see taking this along as a safety precaution.
In addition to kayaking and road-tripping, I can see using this kit for longer hikes, camping, mountain biking, and more.
Plus, included is a 50-piece mini kit. I kept the entire kit in my car while driving through Badlands National Park, but took the mini-kit with us on shorter hikes.
To give you an idea, here is what is inside the first aid kit.
- 600D Polyester Bag(1)
- 7.5″ Shears(1)
- 18″ Splint(1)
- Adhesive Bandages:
- Butterfly – Large(5)
- Butterfly – Medium(5)
- Large(5)
- Standard(30)
- Square(5)
- Mini(5)
- H-Shape(5)
- Cold Pack(1)
- Combine Dressing(1)
- Conforming Bandages(6)
- Gauze Swabs(5)
- Ear Buds(20)
- Emergency Blanket(1)
- Eye Pads(4)
- First Aid Handbook(1)
- Hydro Gel(5)
- Tape, Non-Adhesive Dressings(10)
- Laminate Baggies(6)
- Refuse Bag(1)
- Pressure Bandage(1)
- Safety Pins(10)
- Splinter Probes(10)
- Strip Closures(9)
- Triangular Bandage(2)
- Tweezers(1)
- Whistle(1)
- Wound Dressings(2)
It’s slightly larger than a standard first aid kit, yet I am so impressed by the organized and labeled pockets that I will not recommend anything else. Surviveware First Aid Kit is the way to go.
Comfort Items
An emergency doesn’t just affect the car, it affects the passengers too. Keep these items in your DIY kit to keep you comfortable until help arrives.
- Bottled Water
- Non Perishable Snacks
- Emergency Blanket or Sleeping Bag
- Car Cell Phone Charger
- Phsyical Maps – In case of lost cell phone signal
Storing Your DIY Car Emergency Kit
Once you’ve gathered all the items you want in your emergency kit, you need a place to store it.
Pro-Tip: I recommend a dry box that’s traditionally used to store ammo. They have a great locking system on the handles, though I wouldn’t recommend using an additional padlock.
Additinally, a dry box is water and dust resistant. When you keep somethign like this in your car for a long time, it’s good to have the weather resistance.
Keep a few items out of the dry box, like the seat belt cutter and tire pressure guage. Those you can have in your glove box for frequent or emergency use.
Store in the trunk, or under a seat for ease of access.
Get the Free Car Emergency Kit Checklist PDF
FAQ
Why should I build my own car emergency kit instead of buying one?
Pre-made kits are convenient, but they often lack essential items or include low-quality supplies. By building your own kit, you can customize it to fit your specific needs, such as climate conditions, travel distances, and family size. Plus, it can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Where should I store my car emergency kit?
Keep your emergency kit in an easily accessible location, like the trunk, under a seat, or in a storage compartment. Items like a seatbelt cutter, flashlight, and first aid kit should be within reach of the driver’s seat for quick access in an emergency.
How often should I update my car emergency kit?
Check your kit at least twice a year to replace expired food, water, and first aid supplies. Also, inspect tools and batteries to ensure they are still functional. If you live in an area with extreme seasonal changes, consider updating your kit for winter and summer conditions.
Is a fire extinguisher necessary for a car emergency kit?
Yes! A small, automotive-rated fire extinguisher can help prevent a minor fire from escalating. Store it within reach and ensure it’s rated for Class B (flammable liquids) and Class C (electrical fires).
Driving it Home
The motto in my house is to have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it.
While I hope you never need your emergency it, it’s better to be over prepaired.
Fortunately, having a dead battery and a flat tire is the worst we’ve ever encountered on the road.
Need help prepping your car, too? Head over to our vehicle maintenance checklist.
Visit our resources page for more safety tips.
