Home › Auto
Auto

Winter Car Emergency Kit: What to Keep in Your Vehicle

A shovel, a scraper, traction material, jumper cables, light, blankets, water and food. Here’s NHTSA’s list, plus what to do if you get stuck.

By SHOP & SPOT EditorsLast reviewed Nov 9, 2026Research-based guide · 2 sources

This guide has no shopping links. When a guide does, we may earn a commission; it doesn’t change what we recommend. Affiliate disclosure

A blue sedan parked on snowy ground.

Photo: Oziel Gómez on Unsplash

This guide is for drivers in snowy or cold places who want a kit in the trunk before the first storm, or who are building one as a gift.

A winter kit won’t prevent a breakdown, but it can turn a long wait in the cold into an uncomfortable one instead of a dangerous one. Put it together before the first snow.

The quick answer

NHTSA’s “stock your vehicle” list for winter:1

  • A snow shovel, broom and ice scraper.
  • Abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, in case you get stuck.
  • Jumper cables, a flashlight and warning devices (flares or emergency markers).
  • A first aid kit, including a tourniquet, and any personal medicines you need.
  • Blankets, bottled water and non-perishable food.
  • A cell phone and a car charger.

Ready.gov’s car kit adds a map and lists a reflective triangle as an alternative to flares.2

Build the kit

Category Items Our tip
Clearing snow and ice Shovel, brush or broom, ice scraper1 A compact folding shovel fits in most trunks. See our snow brush guide
Getting unstuck Sand or cat litter1,2 Store it in a lidded container so it stays dry
Power and light Jumper cables, flashlight, phone charger1 Check flashlight batteries every fall
Being seen Flares, emergency markers or a reflective triangle1,2 Keep them where you can reach them without unpacking the trunk
Staying warm and fed Blankets, water, non-perishable food1 Add a hat, gloves and dry socks for each regular passenger
Health First aid kit, personal medicines1 Replace medicines before they expire

If you get stranded

NHTSA’s advice:1

  • Stay with your vehicle and don’t overexert yourself.
  • Clear snow from your exhaust pipe, and run the engine only from time to time, to avoid carbon monoxide building up inside.

Our advice: tie something bright to the antenna or window so you’re easier to spot, and keep your phone charged for calls, not scrolling.

Before winter starts

NHTSA also recommends a high-quality winter washer fluid with de-icer and checking your wipers and defroster.1

Checklist

  • Shovel, brush and scraper.
  • Sand or litter for traction.
  • Jumper cables, flashlight, warning devices.
  • Blankets, water, food, first aid kit.
  • Phone charger in the car.

Sources & method

How we researched this

  • This is a research-based guide, not a hands-on product test.
  • Every measurement and safety figure is attributed to the source it comes from. Where we give our own advice, we say so.
  • We don’t rank or recommend specific products in this guide.

Sources

  1. Winter Weather Driving Tips, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.
  2. Car Safety, Ready.gov. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.

Review history

  • Published Nov 9, 2026.