When you spend enough time on the road, you start to realize just how fast “normal” can turn into “oh hell, not today.” I’ve driven through wrecks that still haunt me—some fatal, some fiery, and one where a tanker truck was flipped over spilling fuel. That’s when I learned real quick: you don’t wait for disaster to be prepared. You stay prepared. One time early in the morning on I-65 in Alabama on my way to Florida, I ended up stuck in traffic from a wreck that lasted almost 8 hours before we moved an inch. So it is days like these stuck on the highway that they can come in real handy.
So, I started packing not just an emergency car kit for the trunk, but also an in-vehicle emergency bag—because you never know when you’ll be stuck somewhere with nothing but what’s in your car. Here’s exactly how I keep mine stocked and ready.
The Trunk Kit: Built for Breakdowns and Roadside Chaos
Your trunk is where you stash the “big deal” gear—the stuff you’ll thank yourself for having when the road decides to test you.
Here’s what I keep in mine:
- Good car jack — Not the flimsy thing that came with your car. Get a solid one that can actually lift.
- Tire tool — For those inevitable “pop and hiss” moments.
- Small air pump — Handy for topping off a low tire or helping out a stranded stranger.
- Basic tool kit — A couple of wrenches, screwdrivers, and a hammer can get you out of more jams than you’d think.
- Blow-up mattress & air pump — Laugh if you want, but if you’ve ever been stuck overnight in your car, this one’s a back saver.
- Cute trunk organizer — I use a pink one because if I’m surviving a roadside crisis, I’m doing it in style.
- Quart of oil & transmission fluid – Just in case you end up running low
- A gallon of water – For vehicle overheating emergencies and for drinking emergencies
The Inside Emergency Bag: Everyday Essentials That Save the Day
Inside the car, I keep a large makeup bag (because they’re sturdy and easy to grab) filled with practical must-haves. This one’s for comfort, quick fixes, and minor emergencies that happen when you’re far from home.
Here’s what I pack:
- Pain meds like ibuprofen
- Cough drops and cold/flu pills
- Hair ties & clips (long hair, don’t care… until it’s in your face while changing a tire)
- Sugary candy — lifesaver for diabetic emergencies or when your blood sugar crashes
- Granola bars, peanuts, beef jerky or meat sticks — non-perishable, high-energy snacks
- Eye drops and an empty contact case
- Band-Aids, gauze pads, medical tape
- Benadryl & Allegra for allergy or hive flare-ups
- Wet wipes & disposable toothbrushes (nothing beats a quick clean-up after a long haul)
- Plastic silverware, salt & pepper packets
- Vitamins — keep a few extras in case a trip runs long
- Chapstick or lip treatment
- Pepto-Bismol tablets for stomach issues that strike without warning
It’s basically a comfort kit meets survival stash — everything you might need to handle whatever life (or the road) throws your way.
Why You Need One — Even If You Think You Don’t
It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about being smart. Storms roll in, wrecks happen, power goes out, GPS fails, and sometimes tow trucks take forever. Having an emergency bag isn’t dramatic — it’s responsible.
When you’re tired, sore, hungry, or stranded, that one bag turns a crisis into something manageable. And trust me, you’ll never regret being overprepared.