5 BEST Car Emergency Kits in a Jam

In a perfect world, everyone would have a set of tools in their car with all the skills to get back up and running when disaster strikes. Although, that same world probably wouldn’t even have breakdowns because every vehicle would be in tip-top shape and all roads would be safe to travel.

Obviously, the real world looks nothing like this. Potholes destroy tires and parts break. And while you can’t predict when or why it will happen, you can be prepared. Car emergency kits ensure you have the necessary supplies to get out of a jam (or at least stay safe while you wait for help). Below are some stand-out examples on the current market.

CYECTTR Car Emergency Kit

If you don’t travel far and live in a well-populated area with a mild climate, you probably aren’t looking for much more than the basics. Similarly, if you’re working within a small budget but still want to be prepared, the CYECTTR Car Emergency Kit offers fundamental supplies to keep you safe. (Just don’t ask us to pronounce it. Sigh-setter? See-setter? See-ya-cutter?)

In this compact kit with a strange name, you’ll find jumper cables, a reflective warning triangle, rain poncho, LED flashlight, tow rope, and a few basic tools. At less than $30, don’t expect it to get you out of a true disaster. But for the average vehicular mishap? You can’t really beat the value of this simple roadside kit.

Survival Supply Roadside Rescue Kit
Car emergency kit with supplies fanned out around it

With a name like Survival Supply, you can be sure that safety is the name of the game. This roadside rescue kit may not be heavy on tools, but it sure supplies everything you need for other motorists – and that tow truck – to see you.

With an emergency whistle, Call Police banner, LED flashlight, 12-hour light sticks, and a decent first aid kit, Survival Supply ensures you won’t panic next time you find yourself stuck on the side of the road. It also includes some stand-out offerings, like the heavy-duty 12’ jumper cables and compact fire extinguisher. At less than $70, this one’s a bargain.

Lifeline AAA Excursion Road Kit

It’s no secret the American Automobile Association, also known as AAA, is the king of emergency roadside assistance. And, thankfully, that rock-solid reputation for rescuing stranded or distressed motorists extends to the organization’s line of emergency car kits as well.

We like this 75-piece Excursion Road Kit. Compact but comprehensive, it offers high-quality automotive, survival, and first-aid supplies at a fantastic value.

For right around $100, you get antiseptic towelettes, clean bandages, an adhesive tape roll, and a sting relief pad to ensure small bumps and bruises don’t lead to a bigger issue during travel. Also included are booster cables, basic hand tools, an LED flashlight, duct tape, zip ties and – pretty impressively for these types of kits – a small 12V air compressor to refill tires on-the-go. Emergency items like a warning triangle, poncho and whistle round out the offerings.

We recommend tossing in a can of tire sealant and some warm-weather accessories, otherwise you might be making use of the included AAA membership discount coupon for a lift.

Close up shot of woman's hand seeking help to change flat tire

Ready America Emergency Kit

Maybe you’re not the type to pop the hood or swap a flat. In that case, check out the Ready America 4-Person Emergency Kit.

Designed to keep you safe until help arrives, this backpack bundle swaps jumper cables and tools for a 33-piece first-aid kit, emergency blankets, 12-hour light sticks, and multiple pairs of safety goggles, disposable dust masks and gloves – not to mention enough food and water to sustain 4 people for 3 days.

While we can’t attest to the actual taste of a 2400-calorie “survival food bar” with a 5-year shelf life, we feel confident it will keep you from starving.

The price comes in right around $100, which we think is fair for what’s included. Plus, the backpack is good quality and certainly more convenient should you need to move on foot.

Mayday Deluxe Road Warrior Car Emergency Kit

If you live in an area with a harsh winter, it’s never too early to plan accordingly. Even the most basic road kits can offer some assistance in a jam. But in a full-blown winter storm? Well, you need to think bigger.

Check out the Mayday Deluxe Road Warrior Car Emergency Kit. While it sits at the top of our price range at about $150, it offers just about everything you need to stay safe (and warm) during a breakdown or accident.

In addition to standard roadside essentials like a safety vest and reflecting triangle, this kit includes a comprehensive 54-piece first aid kit, heavy-duty 12’ jumper cables, a tow rope with 6500-lb. pulling power, and a 14-piece multitool. To ensure others can see you clearly, there’s a waterproof “Emergency Help” distress banner and 12V revolving light that can be seen a mile away.

Winter-wise, Mayday offers heavy-duty work gloves, an ice scraper, solar blanket, body and hand warmers, and a chrome-plated folding snow shovel. Toss a warm hat and a couple traction aids into the convenient duffel bag – maybe one of those weird survival food bars – and this handy kit can go from deluxe to supreme.

Winter scenes showing Odyssey batteries, Weego jump starters, and CTEK battery chargers
Don’t get caught out in the cold! Odyssey batteries will still work at temperatures well below freezing, while pocket-sized chargers and jump-starters from CTEK and Weego ensure you’ll always have on-the-go power at arm’s reach.

Tailor As You See Fit

While being prepared is half the battle, even the best car emergency kits can’t cover everything. So, don’t be afraid to add to your road kit as you see fit.

Maybe that means more first aid supplies or a stash of snacks. Spare meds, extra diapers, and a change of clothes are all minor items that can be a real blessing in disguise. Even a deck of cards can feel like a saving grace when you and the family are on hour two (or twelve) of waiting for that tow truck.

But above all, if the road ahead looks dangerous or the car you’re driving isn’t in great shape, find a detour or consult a professional before you head out on that trip. Car emergency kits are important, but so is preventing the problem before it starts.

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