The 5 Best Car Emergency Kits for Safe Road Travel

ProsIncludes all the essentials to get unstuck in most traction situationsBasic tool kit is an added bonus for non-vehicle issuesThe shovel and tire repair kit are nice touchesConsWe’d prefer a hard-sided caseTow rope could be more robustThere are a lot of similarly branded kits online, but this hefty 8.5-pound kit comes in a rugged zippered case, and the items are impressively durable with a wide variety of use cases. Haiphaik’s Emergency Roadside Kit is well-equipped with a nearly 12-foot-long set of jumper cables, a tow rope, a flashlight, gloves, assorted auto fuses, a durable little folding shovel, and a toolkit. I’d probably supplement with a more robust assortment of tools if I planned on using them frequently, but for most people, the included toolkit will be fine. Plus it comes in its own hard-sided case.I appreciate the wide range of gear here, and can’t think of many instances where I’d need more items than it provides. It has zip ties and a tubeless tire patch kit, and the jumper cables have coated clamps for extra assurance. It’s worth noting the Haiphaik kit doesn’t come with any extreme weather gear, which I recommend buying separately if you live somewhere that gets bombarded with heavy rain or snow. The tow rope is also on the flimsier side, so I keep a heavy-duty option in the bed of my truck for whenever I need to tow something bigger than a moped.Key SpecsBest ForAny kind of driver in a range of moderate-to-unpredictable conditionsHighlightsJumper cables, shovel, basic tools, tow ropePieces124Weight8.5 lbs.Dimensions12 x 8 x 4 in.ProsContains more than 200 bandagesIncludes skin protecting gels and creamsCompact size fits in weird placesConsInterior can be hard to organize and has a tendency to spillThis is also our top pick for our first aid kit buyer’s guide, which made it an easy choice to keep in my truck for both its compact size and huge assortment of first-aid supplies. This kit has over 200 bandages in a wide range of shapes and sizes for the smallest paper cut to larger scrapes and injuries. The variety of over-the-counter medication is also impressive, including aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, though I recommend restocking after use, as it does come with just six tablets of each.The case is organized with easy-to-sort dividers, but it doesn’t have internal pocket closures, so smaller items have the potential to spill when you open the case. I keep this under the front passenger seat of my car and my partner keeps one in his glove compartment, pulling it out to stash in his pack during backcountry ski tours. I also appreciate that the durable nylon case is flexible to fit in funky-shaped spaces, but still abrasion-resistant and can handle getting banged around in the car.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowPros4250A of peak power starts gas and diesel engines up to 10 liters160 PSI compressor tops off a tire in about a minute, then shuts off on its ownConsCharges only over USB-C, and no wall adapter is includedThis is the combination tool I never take out of my truck. It pairs a jump starter and an air compressor in one unit, with a big, bright readout that shows battery level and real-time tire PSI, plus instructions printed on the back for setting pressure and running the jump starter.Coming off a five-day hike in Capitol Reef, I climbed back up to a trailhead 30 miles from the nearest paved road and found the front passenger tire nearly flat. Rather than wrestle the spare in 90-degree heat, she set the target PSI and let the X7 run for about five minutes. It shuts off automatically once it hits the pressure you set, and simple adapters let it handle bike tires, sports gear, and air mattresses, too.The jump starter is the other reason to keep it in the vehicle. It starts 12V gas or diesel engines up to 10 liters using 4250A of peak current and an 88.8Wh battery, with protection against short circuits, overcharging, reverse polarity, and extreme temperatures. After years of starting trucks in the dead of winter and plenty of other people’s cars, we’ve seen no drop in battery life or starting power. The one catch: it charges only over USB-C and doesn’t ship with a wall adapter, so plan to supply your own. Even so, it holds its charge for months at a time between uses.Key SpecsBest ForSerious starting power and a fast tire fix in one unitHighlights4250A jump starter, 160 PSI auto-off compressor, 400-lumen light, USB-C chargingMax Engine10L gas / 10L dieselWeight3 lbs.Size9.06 x 5.12 x 1.97 in.ProsAAA-approvedAir compressor is versatile for inflating other itemsHard-sided case is durable and fits nicely under seats or in the trunkConsNot all kits come with air compressor, be sure to check the descriptionThis car emergency kit is my top pick for long-distance travel, whether I’m on remote roads or crossing the country on the freeway… both situations where I regularly find myself. I am also a lifelong member of AAA, and appreciate the fact that it worked with Lifeline to approve these items in the kit.I’ve found the items in here to be more durable and reliable compared to unvetted kits, and it has everything I need for minor breakdowns. There are a few different options here, but I recommend choosing the 68-piece kit, which includes an air compressor with an analog readout. It also has a pen-style tire gauge so I can see what I’m working with before I start inflating the tires.The compact first-aid kit includes bandages, disinfectant, gloves, and a selection of over-the-counter medication. Along with the jumper cables, air compressor, and reflective signage is a small collection of screwdrivers and other hand tools for making minor repairs, helping clinch this kit as the best comprehensive option for extended travel.I do wish that the first-aid kit felt slightly more robust and came in something other than a Ziplock bag, but you can always supplement with a zippered pouch and a few other items. The hard-sided case also has a little extra room inside for additional items, which I appreciate.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsCompact kit fits in most glove compartmentsSpark plug socket tailored for vehicle useEight sizes of hex keysConsNot the most comprehensive toolkit for non-vehicle useWhen the time comes for a major repair requiring a dozen tools and the wherewithal to use them, I am not the person to call. But for minor repairs, a few tightening duties, or when your bumper falls off and needs to be ziptied, I will be there with this handy 56-piece set. This zippered toolkit fits under my front seat and includes everything from pliers to a drive ratchet handle and six sockets.The hex keys have been handy for tightening my bike seat when I arrived at my cycling destination, and each tool is heat treated and has a chrome plate finish to avoid corroding after sitting for long periods of time. I was impressed to see that despite the reasonable price, these tools all meet (or exceed) ANSI standards, and Apollo tests them against industry standards for hardness, torque, and usability.Key SpecsBest ForRemote or out-of-service tripsHighlightsPliers, sparkplug socket, cable ties, hex keyPieces56Weight3 poundsDimensions7 x 2.6 x 10 in.Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.