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What should I keep in my car in winter in case I get stranded?

Updated 6 sources4 min read

Short answer

Keep a snow brush and ice scraper, a small shovel, sand or cat litter for traction, jumper cables or a charged jump pack, a flashlight with spare batteries, reflective triangles or flares, a first-aid kit, blankets plus a hat, gloves and boots, water and nonperishable snacks, any medicine you need, and a phone charger or power bank. That's the core list NHTSA, the National Weather Service and AAA all recommend; if you do get stranded, stay with the car and run the engine only about 10 minutes an hour with the tailpipe clear.

Safety first. If you're stuck in snow, keep the exhaust pipe clear before and while the engine runs and crack a window on the side away from the wind. A blocked tailpipe can fill the car with carbon monoxide, which you can't see or smell. Call 911 if anyone gets a headache, dizziness, nausea or confusion.

On this page

Step by step

  1. 1

    Get a tote or bin that lives in the trunk

    The National Weather Service suggests a large plastic tote or box so everything stays together. Check it each fall and swap out anything that expires, like food, water and batteries.

  2. 2

    Pack the get-unstuck gear

    A snow brush with ice scraper, a small or folding shovel, and a bag of sand or cat litter for traction (NHTSA, AAA). Add tire chains or traction boards if you drive in heavy snow; Consumer Reports notes all-wheel drive doesn't stop you from getting stuck.

  3. 3

    Pack the get-going gear

    Jumper cables, or a portable jump starter you keep charged. A tow strap with a weight rating that fits your vehicle (Consumer Reports).

  4. 4

    Pack the be-seen gear

    A flashlight with spare batteries, reflective triangles or flares, and something bright to tie to the antenna or a window (NHTSA, National Weather Service). A reflective vest helps if you have to be outside the car after dark.

  5. 5

    Pack the stay-warm gear

    Blankets or a sleeping bag, plus a hat, mittens or gloves, a warm coat and boots (National Weather Service). Dress for the walk, not just the drive.

  6. 6

    Pack food, water, medicine and power

    Bottled water, nonperishable snacks like granola or protein bars, a first-aid kit, any medicine you take, and a phone charger or power bank (NHTSA, Consumer Reports). Consumer Reports says bottled water typically lasts about six months, so rotate it.

  7. 7

    Keep the tank from running low

    Ready.gov says to keep the gas tank full in winter, which also helps keep the fuel line from freezing. If you're stranded, fuel is your heat.

The checklist

These are the items that show up on the lists from NHTSA, the National Weather Service, AAA and Consumer Reports. The “who says so” column is so you can see it’s not just us.

Item Why it’s there Recommended by
Snow brush and ice scraper Clear every window, light and the roof before you drive NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Consumer Reports
Small or folding shovel Dig out the tires and keep the tailpipe clear NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Consumer Reports
Sand or cat litter Traction under the drive wheels when you’re stuck NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Ready.gov
Jumper cables or a charged jump pack Cold is when weak batteries quit NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Consumer Reports, Ready.gov
Flashlight and spare batteries Seeing and being seen at night NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Consumer Reports
Reflective triangles or flares Warn traffic if you’re stopped on the shoulder NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Consumer Reports, Ready.gov
First-aid kit Minor injuries; add your own medical needs NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Consumer Reports
Blankets or sleeping bag Heat that doesn’t burn fuel NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Ready.gov
Hat, gloves, coat, boots In case you have to dig or walk NWS, Consumer Reports
Water and nonperishable snacks Hours-long waits happen in storms NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Consumer Reports
Medicine you take NHTSA lists “any necessary medicine” NHTSA
Phone charger or power bank Your phone is how help finds you NHTSA, NWS, AAA, Consumer Reports, Ready.gov

Worth adding if you drive in heavy snow or far from town: tire chains or traction boards, a tow strap, an automotive-rated fire extinguisher, a window-punch and seat-belt-cutter tool, and a reflective vest (Consumer Reports). A paper map is on Ready.gov’s list for when there’s no signal.

Small things that make the kit actually work

  • Keep the jump pack charged. Consumer Reports notes a portable jump starter only helps if it’s charged, and recommends a power pack rated for a wide temperature range. An easy habit: recharge it whenever you check the rest of the kit.
  • Rotate food, water and batteries. Bottled water typically lasts about six months (Consumer Reports). Do it every fall when you swap to winter wipers or tires.
  • Mind your medications in the cold. Consumer Reports points out that temperature can affect some medications; check the label before leaving them in a freezing car.
  • Carry lock de-icer on you, not in the car. It can’t help if the door is frozen shut. See how to open a frozen car door or lock.
  • Keep the tank from running low. Ready.gov says to keep it full in winter. If you’re stranded, that gas is your heat.

If you get stranded

  1. Stay with the car. AAA says to stay inside “at all costs”: blowing snow can hide a person fast, and a car is easier for rescuers to find. The National Weather Service says to leave only if shelter is very close.
  2. Make yourself visible. Hazard lights on. Tie something bright to the antenna or a window. At night, keep the dome light on so crews can see you (NHTSA, NWS). Put out triangles or flares once visibility improves (AAA).
  3. Check the tailpipe, then run the engine in short bursts. About 10 minutes every hour for heat (National Weather Service). Clear the exhaust before each run and crack a window on the downwind side. Carbon monoxide has no smell; see the carbon monoxide notes in how to warm up a car in winter.
  4. Stay warm without overdoing it. Layer coats, blankets and floor mats around you (AAA). Move around to keep up body heat but don’t overexert yourself digging (NHTSA, NWS). If you’re stuck but safe to try, see how to get your car unstuck from snow. Eat and drink regularly and skip caffeine and alcohol (NWS).
  5. Take turns sleeping if there’s more than one of you, so someone is always watching for rescue crews (NWS).

Before you leave

The kit is the backup plan. The first plan is not getting stuck:

Common follow-up questions

Should I buy a premade winter car kit or build my own?

Either works. Consumer Reports says premade kits run about $60 to $100 or more and usually include a folding shovel, gloves and an emergency blanket. Building your own may cost about the same, but you can pick heavier-duty items, like a real shovel and wool blankets instead of foil sheets.

What do I do if I get stuck in snow?

Stay with the car; it's easier for rescuers to find than a person, and blowing snow hides things fast (AAA, NHTSA). Turn on the hazard lights, tie something bright to the antenna or a window, and call for help. Don't overexert yourself digging out, and don't walk away unless a building is very close and visible.

How long can I run the engine for heat if I'm stranded?

The National Weather Service says about 10 minutes every hour. Before each run, check that the tailpipe is clear of snow, and crack a window on the side away from the wind. NHTSA says to run the car only long enough to stay warm, and never for long periods with the windows up.

How do I stay warm in the car without running it?

Layer coats, blankets and even the floor mats over and around you (AAA). The National Weather Service says to move around to keep up body heat without overexerting, eat and drink regularly, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. With more than one person, take turns sleeping so someone is always watching for rescue crews.

Should I leave the dome light on?

At night, yes, briefly. NHTSA and the National Weather Service both say to keep the interior light on so crews can spot you. It uses very little power, but turn it off during the day so you don't drain the battery.

Is cat litter or sand better for traction?

Both are on NHTSA's and AAA's lists. Pour it in front of the drive wheels (and behind them if you're backing out), then accelerate gently. AAA also lists road salt.

Do I need a fire extinguisher in my car?

It's a good addition. Consumer Reports says to get one rated for automotive use and to use it only on small fires; if the car itself is burning, get everyone away and wait for help.

What else should I do before a winter trip?

Tell someone your route and when you expect to arrive (NHTSA), check the forecast, and have the battery tested if it's more than about three years old. Good tires matter more than anything in the trunk; see whether you need winter tires.

Sources

  1. 1.NHTSA: Winter Weather Driving Tips
  2. 2.National Weather Service: Car Winter Survival Kit Checklist
  3. 3.National Weather Service Topeka: Winter Weather Safety (stranded in a vehicle)
  4. 4.AAA Club Alliance: Before a Blizzard Hits: What Every Driver Should Know (Sep 17, 2026)
  5. 5.Consumer Reports: What to Keep in a Winter Car Emergency Kit (updated Feb 2, 2026)
  6. 6.Ready.gov: Car Safety (updated Apr 15, 2024)

General information only, not a diagnosis. Your owner’s manual comes first. How we write these

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