Most drivers practice common safety habits like wearing a seatbelt and keeping hands on the wheel, but many forget one potentially life-saving step: having an emergency roadside kit. Whether you're driving your own car or a rental, being prepared for the unexpected could make all the difference.
Why You Need a Kit
You don't know who drove your rental before you or where they've been. All complex machinery is prone to failure, and the last thing you need is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere on vacation or a business trip. A portable emergency kit that fits in a small duffel bag can be kept by the door and grabbed whenever you're headed to pick up a rental.
Essential Kit Items
- Non-perishable food (granola bars, energy bars) and plastic water bottles
- First aid kit with seatbelt cutter, bandages, gauze, antiseptic, and medications
- Blankets (one thin, one thick), extra shoes and clothing
- Wind-up flashlight, whistle, candle in a deep can with matches
- Road maps and a copy of your emergency plan and personal documents
Trunk Essentials
- Jumper cables or a portable jump-starting machine
- Warning lights, reflective triangles, or road flares
- A small shovel, scraper, and snow brush for winter driving
- Windshield washer fluid and antifreeze
- A temporary tire repair kit and a five-gallon gas can
Roadside emergency kits can be light and portable. A small investment in preparation can save you from a very long night — or worse.
Review our rental car safety tips and compare rental options for your next trip.