Winter Car Emergency Kit: 15 Items to Keep in Your Trunk This Winter

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Getting stuck in a snowbank or stranded on a closed highway is one of the most common winter emergencies, and one of the most preventable. A winter car emergency kit keeps you warm, visible and fed until help arrives or the road opens. Most of it fits in a single plastic bin in the trunk.

Below is a complete list based on guidance from the National Weather Service, the CDC and Ready.gov, plus what to do if you actually get stranded.

Winter car emergency kit checklist

Here is the short version. Print it, then check off what’s already in your trunk.

• Phone charger and a charged power bank
• Blankets or sleeping bags, plus extra hats, mittens, coats and dry socks
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Water and high-calorie, non-perishable snacks
• First aid kit, any needed medicines and a pocket knife
• Snow shovel, windshield scraper and brush
• Sand, cat litter or road salt for traction
• Jumper cables (or a charged jump starter)
• Tow rope or chains, and tire chains if you drive in mountain areas
• Canned compressed air with sealant for tire repair
• Hazard reflectors, flares or a bright distress flag
• Paper road maps and a compass
• Waterproof matches and a small can to melt snow for water
• Tissues, toilet paper and paper towels

Those items come straight from the NWS and CDC lists for a winter car emergency kit. Now let’s look at why each group matters.

Stay warm: the most important part of a winter car emergency kit

If you’re stranded, your car’s heater can’t run nonstop. The NWS says to run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat, and the CDC warns not to rely on a car to provide enough heat. That means your clothing and blankets do most of the work.

Pack one blanket or sleeping bag per regular passenger, plus hats, mittens and a spare set of dry clothes. The NWS notes that mittens are warmer than gloves. If you’ve been digging and your clothes get wet, the NWS says to change into dry clothes as soon as you can.

Food and water for a car emergency kit in winter

The NWS recommends high-calorie, non-perishable food. Good choices are granola bars, nuts, trail mix, dried fruit and peanut butter crackers: things you can eat cold with no prep. Bring a few bottles of water, and leave a little room in each since water expands when it freezes.

The CDC also says not to eat snow, because it lowers your body temperature. If you need to make water from snow, melt it first in a can.

If you drive long rural routes or want a backup that lasts, the My Patriot Supply 1-Week Food Supply Ammo Can packs 14,860 calories into a sturdy 14″ x 7″ x 8.5″ ammo can, enough for one person for a week or two people for 72 hours. Be realistic about it, though: most of the meals need hot water to prepare, so it’s better suited as a home or cabin supply, or for a road trip where you can boil water. The maker also says to store it in a cool, dry place, so a hot trunk in summer isn’t ideal. For the car itself, ready-to-eat snacks are the better pick.

Get unstuck and back on the road

Many winter “emergencies” are just a car that can’t get traction. Keep these within reach:

• Shovel: a compact folding shovel fits most trunks.
• Traction: a sack of sand or cat litter to pour under the tires.
• Scraper and brush: the CDC warns never to pour water on your windshield to remove ice or snow.
• Jumper cables: both the CDC and NWS include them in their winter car kit lists.
• Portable jump starter: restarts a dead battery without a second car, which matters on an empty road. The Fanttik Potent T10 is rated for engines up to 7.0L gas and 5.0L diesel. We haven’t found an independent test of it yet, so keep jumper cables too.
• Tire inflator: cold air drops tire pressure, and a slow leak can strand you. The Fanttik X8 APEX won Outdoor Life’s “Best Compact Inflator” and GearJunkie’s “Best Emergency Portable Tire Inflator.”
• Tow rope: so a good Samaritan can pull you out.

The cold-weather catch with lithium jump starters and inflators: they lose power in deep cold. Fanttik rates its jump starters for 5°F to 113°F and the X8 APEX for 14°F to 113°F, and Fanttik itself says capacity can drop 20% to 40% below freezing. Keep them in the cabin rather than the trunk (the trunk is the coldest spot), bring them inside on frigid nights, never charge one while it’s frozen, and top them up every few months.

Be seen and stay in touch

Carry a phone charger and a power bank. The NWS recommends a fully charged phone, a car charger and an emergency supply kit in your vehicle. It also suggests paper road maps, because you shouldn’t depend on a phone with limited battery life.

If you travel often, camp or have an RV, a portable power station adds a lot of charging capacity. The Grid Doctor 300 Solar Generator has a 320Wh battery, USB-A, USB-C and AC outlets, and can recharge from a 12V car outlet or its included 100W solar panel. The generator weighs about 8.6 pounds. It’s more than most commuters need, but it’s useful if you’re often far from help.

For visibility, pack reflective triangles or flares, and a bright cloth or flag. A battery or hand-crank radio keeps you updated on road closures; see our hand crank emergency radio guide for options.

First aid and personal needs

The CDC’s list includes a first aid kit with any necessary medications and a pocket knife. Add a few days of any prescription you take daily, plus tissues and toilet paper. Our first aid kit guide covers what to put in it.

What to do if you get stranded

The NWS and CDC agree on the basics:

1. Stay in the vehicle. The NWS warns you can become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.
2. Clear the exhaust pipe. Snow blocking the tailpipe can push carbon monoxide into the car.
3. Run the engine about 10 minutes per hour for heat, with a window open slightly for fresh air.
4. Be visible. Turn on the dome light at night while the engine runs, tie a bright cloth (preferably red) to the antenna or door, and raise the hood once the snow stops falling.
5. Keep moving. The CDC suggests moving your arms and legs, staying awake, and huddling with others for warmth.
6. Wrap up. Cover your whole body, including your head, with extra clothing and blankets.

Prep the car before you need your winter car emergency kit

The NWS says to winterize your vehicle before the season begins: check fluids, lights, the heater and wipers. Keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Before longer trips, let someone know your route and expected arrival time, and avoid traveling alone when you can.

Your car kit is one piece of a bigger plan. For your home, see our winter storm emergency kit guide, and for a portable family kit, our 72-hour emergency kit checklist.

Frequently asked questions

What should be in a winter car emergency kit?

At minimum: blankets, warm clothing, a flashlight, phone charger, water, snacks, first aid kit, shovel, scraper, sand or cat litter, and jumper cables. Ready.gov’s short list includes jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and snacks.

Should I keep water in my car in winter?

Yes, but expect it to freeze in very cold weather. Leave some room in each bottle, and keep a small can and waterproof matches so you can melt snow or ice if needed.

How long can I run my car for heat if I’m stranded?

The NWS recommends about 10 minutes each hour, with a window cracked and the exhaust pipe clear of snow to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Should I leave my car to find help?

Usually not. The NWS and CDC say staying in your vehicle is often the safest choice, especially in poor visibility.

The bottom line

A winter car emergency kit costs little and takes an hour to put together, but it can turn a dangerous night on the shoulder into an uncomfortable one. Focus on warmth first, then traction, communication and snacks. Pack it this weekend, before the first storm.

Sources: NWS: Before a Winter Storm, NWS: During a Winter Storm, NWS: During Extreme Cold, CDC: Winter Weather Safety, CDC: During and After a Winter Storm, Ready.gov: Winter Weather. Product details are from My Patriot Supply product pages as of October 27, 2026.