Roadside Emergency Kit: What to Include

Few drivers anticipate a roadside emergency—it's easy to assume, "that happens to others, but won't happen to me." Unfortunately, this kind of wishful thinking often leaves a driver unprepared, leading to wasted time, uncomfortable waits, and costly tow bills.​

Instead of living in fear, every driver should recognize the possibility of an emergency as good practice. The most effective way to be ready is to pack a comprehensive roadside emergency kit. Whether you’re assembling a kit for your daily driver or dedicated wheeler, it should contain everything you need to perform a minor repair, jumpstart a depleted battery, or assist a stranded motorist. But what exactly belongs in it?​

In this guide, we'll cover the essentials of building a roadside emergency kit, including how to assemble one, what crucial items to pack, and our recommendations for reliable RealTruck products.

Emergency roadside kits aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. This addition offers not just one singular benefit, but numerous, for yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road. Some of the most frequently cited justifications for emergency roadside kits include:​

• Inclement Weather Preparedness: While weather reports are generally accurate, there’s no telling when road conditions will shift or by how much. Whether you wind up stuck in the snow, caught in a monsoon, or overheated on a scorching summer day, an emergency roadside kit can help you combat extreme temperatures and challenging weather.

• Safety During Breakdowns: Arguably, the most treacherous part of a breakdown is awaiting a tow on the side of the road. Regardless of whether you’re pulled over in a safe location or resting around the bend of a blind corner, a collision with an inattentive driver can make the situation a lot worse. An emergency roadside kit packed with safety solutions, like road flares or reflective triangles, can boost other drivers’ visibility and awareness of your vehicle, making for a much safer experience.

• Communication and Visibility: Especially in remote areas, calling for help can be a challenge. Whether your phone is dead, service is little to none, or darkness casts a shadow on your position, packing the right essentials can increase your chances of communication and enhance visibility. Items like flashlights, whistles, and a simple phone charger can make a massive difference.

• Minor Repairs and Maintenance: There are very few things that a simple toolkit, duct tape, and zip ties can’t fix. While breakdowns can be serious, they’re often the result of minor mechanical failures, like a loose hose clamp, damaged electrical connector, or punctured tire. Packing some general supplies can let you repair your own vehicle in minutes without a tow or a call for assistance, getting you back on the road for free.

• Medical Emergencies: Whether the result of a car accident or natural causes, medical emergencies can be devastating if not adequately prepared for. At a minimum, having a basic first-aid kit can help you treat minor cuts, abrasions, burns, and more.

• Unexpected Delays: Traffic, nasty weather, and accidents can tack hours onto your commute—don’t get caught without a backup plan. Packing snacks and water can help to make an unexpected delay far more manageable—especially with little ones in the car.

While every driver’s needs are different, every well-stocked emergency roadside kit should include the same basic contents. A proper roadside emergency kit is equipped to handle just about every scenario—from jumpstarting dead batteries to treating injuries from auto accidents and enduring winter nights in the cold.

First, and arguably most crucial, is a well-stocked and up-to-date first aid kit, including bandages, unexpired antibiotic ointments, wound cleaners, and more. Regardless of the extent of injury, a first aid kit always provides some peace of mind and reduces the risk of serious or permanent injury.​

When shopping for a first aid kit, you’ll have various options. First, you have pre-assembled kits, which vary in inclusions and price. At RealTruck, we offer a wide selection of pro-grade My Medic kits, including:​

• My Medic Wound Closure Kit

• My Medic MyFAK Large First Aid Kit

• My Medic TFAK First Aid Kit

• My Medic Medic Pro First Aid Kit

• My Medic Recon First Aid Kit

• My Medic Recon Pro First Aid Kit

• My Medic MyFAK Large Pro First Aid Kit

• My Medic Medic Standard First Aid Kit

These kits vary in price from approximately $150 to over $1,000. If you don’t need pro-grade gear, consider purchasing the RealTruck XVenture Gear First Aid Roll and creating a personalized first-aid kit that better fits your needs (and budget).

A dead battery is a common problem, and there’s nothing worse than forgetting your jumper cables at home. Instead of relying on another driver to breathe life back into your rig, consider keeping a powerful jump pack on hand. Products like the aFe Portable Battery Jump Starter & Power Block and Wagan iOnBoost Torque Jump Starter offer easy, solo jump starts—no flagging down another driver required.

While battery jump packs are the optimal solution to a dead battery, jumper cables are still a welcome addition to an emergency roadside kit. Cables are lightweight, compact, and can definitely come in handy in a pinch—whether you’re assisting another driver or vice versa.

Visibility is crucial during a roadside emergency. In the event of a breakdown or flat tire, having a powerful flashlight can be the difference between fixing your issue and getting back on the road or calling a tow truck.​

Always pack a powerful LED flashlight for maximum visibility and minimal battery drain. Options like the Diode Dynamics LED Flashlight or the Recon LED Flashlight offer reliable illumination from two of the most trusted names in aftermarket automotive lighting.

No one should find themselves stuck on the side of the road due to a small tire puncture. Patching a tire is one of the simplest repairs, so long as you pack the proper gear. At a minimum, a tire repair kit and 12V inflator are crucial, as one allows you to patch the leaky tire, while the other enables you to refill it without finding a gas station or driving on a flat.​

Tire patch kits aren’t all created equal. Quality matters, as cheap patches may leave minor leaks or fail within a few miles. RealTruck’s Rampage Recovery Tire Repair Kit includes everything you’ll need—minus a jack and lug wrench—to prep and plug the puncture for an air-tight seal.​

For tire inflators, we recommend a portable 12V compressor, like the Air Lift Portable Digital Air Compressor. Features like a maximum pressure of 120 PSI and variable power options—including battery clamps and a 7-pin trailer connector adapter—make refilling your tires quick and easy.

Especially for those who enjoy working on their own vehicles, an up-to-date fire extinguisher is a solid addition to any truck, Jeep®, or SUV. The thought of helplessly watching a beloved vehicle, especially something you’ve spent hours building, burn to the ground, is something no enthusiast can bear, and packing a fire extinguisher is one of the best ways to avoid your prized possession becoming a crispy, total loss.​

For automotive applications, a 2.5 lb. extinguisher is typically recommended for its small size and solid performance. Polished and chrome options offer excellent visibility and race-ready aesthetics. ​

Once you’ve settled on an extinguisher, mount it within reach of the driver with a sturdy Rugged Ridge mount, offered in standard and elite configurations.  

Water is a must-have in any emergency roadside kit—whether you need it for drinking while waiting for a tow on a hot day or for refilling the cooling system after blowing a radiator hose. 

Be mindful of water types. Distilled water is ideal for automotive applications due to it being free of minerals, making it safe for cooling systems. While safe to drink, people often complain of its flat, stale taste. If you don’t mind carrying additional water, having a couple bottles of clean drinking water is also recommended. 

While you’re at it, snacks and emergency non-perishable food are also a good idea, keeping you nourished while stuck in the snow, awaiting a tow, or caught in traffic after a long workday.

You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish with basic tools. A streamlined tool kit, including various tools, zip ties, duct tape, and gloves, can make roadside repairs a breeze—plus, you’ll avoid the steep tow bill. Every roadside emergency toolkit should, at a minimum, contain:

• Ratchet and sockets (standard and metric)

• Open-end wrenches

• Nylon cable ties (zip ties)

• Duct tape

• Electrical tape

• Pliers (needle nose, standard, side cutters)

• Screw drivers (Philips, flat-head, torx)

• Allen keys

• Gloves

Find more information about tool kit essentials in our Tools You Need to Get Started guide series:​

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

Once the sun goes down, visibility is crucial—and not in a flashlight sense. Visibility of your vehicle and its position on the side of the road are vital for the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other drivers—especially on a busy road.​

Turning on your hazards should be the first step, but additional measures to increase visibility are recommended in high-traffic areas. Additionally, should electrical issues arise, your hazards may not function properly. Per AAA and the California Highway Patrol, road flares and reflective triangles are solid additions to every roadside emergency kit, allowing you to warn oncoming drivers of your inoperable vehicle, as well as law enforcement or transportation workers, regardless of whether your vehicle has power.

Even if you spend most of your time on the road, tow/recovery straps are a worthwhile addition to your emergency roadside kit. Whether you find yourself stuck in a ditch or come across another driver struggling to regain traction after sliding off the road, these accessories can help free stuck vehicles without requiring a tow truck or emergency assistance.​

It’s important to note the distinction between these two types of straps. Conventional ropes or tow straps don’t have any give, making them ideal for towing an inoperable vehicle. Alternatively, recovery straps feature built-in elasticity that harnesses the tow vehicle’s kinetic energy, providing an additional “tug” after the initial pull to help free stuck vehicles. Learn more about this distinction in our comprehensive guide on recovery straps vs. tow straps.

Electrical issues, especially in rural locations, can make contacting assistance a challenge. It’s the worst time for your cellphone to run out of battery, but not the most uncommon. Don’t find yourself stuck in a remote area without any juice—instead, carry a portable power bank to recharge depleted phone batteries in an emergency.

Getting stuck or breaking down in a snowstorm is dangerous, particularly in remote areas where cell service is nonexistent. In these conditions, having the right gear to maintain body heat and clear a path is essential for survival.​

Extra warmth is your first line of defense—always pack a survival blanket or even an old comforter to prevent hypothermia while awaiting assistance. Additionally, hand warmers and a full set of dry winter clothing—specifically gloves, warm socks, and scarves—can be a life-saver (literally.)​

For vehicle recovery and snow maintenance, your kit should include a reliable ice scraper and a compact snow shovel to dig out around your tires. To regain grip on icy surfaces, traction aids such as traction boards, salt, or sand are ideal additions.​

Kits like the Rugged Ridge Traction Recovery Kit include a collapsible shovel and traction boards, significantly aiding recovery efforts in deep snow. 

Similarly, drivers may find themselves in treacherous conditions during the Summer. Scorching temperatures can quickly elevate car interiors to well over 130ºF in an hour, and without an operable air conditioning system or emergency water supplies, dehydration can set in rapidly.​

During hot weather, consider packing emergency water rations and a sun shade—like the Husky Liners Custom Fit—to reduce interior temperatures while awaiting assistance.

Download the checklist below for a printable version you can use when building your emergency kit:

Q: How Often Should I Update My Roadside Emergency Kit?

A: We recommend performing a full audit of your kit at least twice per year—for example, when you switch out your summer and winter survival items. The most critical check is for expired contents, especially in your first aid kit and your emergency food and distilled water.​

Q: Should I Buy a Pre-Made Emergency Kit or Build My Own?

A: A pre-made kit is an excellent, convenient option for getting all the essentials, such as a first-aid kit, jumper cables, and a few basic tools, in one package. However, building your own kit offers superior quality and customization.