Road tripping has become increasingly popular over the past year. It’s more important than ever to equip your car with a fully stocked and personalized car survival kit.  

Ahhhh, 2020, at last, you are just a memory. We isolated ourselves at the beach and in the mountains, and we have made some day trips since flight travel has all but ceased. The road trips taught me how to prepare for just about anything, often the hard way.  

So, here you go, all of the items you need in a DIY car survival kit, printable checklist included.

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Car Survival Kit

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Necessities for Your Car Survival Kit.

  • Travel documents, including your Driver’s License, car registration, and copy of car insurance.
  • Pen and paper.
  • Extra cell phone chargers.
  • Pack a road map in case your GPS is spotty.
Car survival kit. Man reading a road map in the car

Roadside Emergency Items for Your Car Survival Kit.

These essential items can be the difference between a quick pit stop and becoming stranded for hours waiting for help to arrive.  

Car survival kit. Safety triangle for roadside emergencies.

This list is comprehensive and full of items for almost any type of roadside emergency. If you want to save time putting it all together yourself, here are a few Amazon options.  Emergency roadside kits make fantastic gifts, too.

Car Survival First Aid Kit.

Items to include in your first aid kit for the car.

  • Sterile gauze pads
  • Multiple sized Band-Aids
  • Alcohol Wipes
  • Sanitizing wipes
  • Emergency scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Elastic bandage
  • Safety pins
  • Medical Gloves

Medications.  

**The list does not include any emergency type medication (except for the epinephrine). In the event of an emergency, seek medical attention immediately.**

  • Stomach medications ~ Imodium, Pepcid (or any of the “purple pills for heartburn”), Pepto-Bismol, TUMS
  • Motion Sickness ~ Ginger candy, scopolamine patches, ondansetron, and sea bands help with motion sickness. Don’t forget motion sickness bags. 
  • Aches, Pains, and Fevers ~ Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for minor aches and pains, including headaches. These are also fever reducers. Include both adult and kids doses.
  • Allergies ~ Liquid Benadryl and two EpiPens.
  • Ointments ~ Benadryl and Cortisone Ointments.
  • Cold/cough ~ Pack a decongestant, and some cough drops, just in case.
car survival kit Medical assistance concept: red case with first aid kit with car wheels isolated on white background

On-The-Go Healthy-ish Snacks.

Savory Snacks.

  • Beef jerky 
  • Goldfish 
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Cheese sticks
  • Crackers and cheese
  • Hummus packs by Sabra (perfect dip for carrots, red peppers, Pita chips, or spread on crackers).
  • Rice cakes
  • Olives

Sweet Snacks

  • Protein bars 
  • Raisins
  • Greek yogurt and berries
  • Squeezable Gogurt
  • Peanut butter ~ Dip apples, celery, or pretzels, rice cakes, or spread on crackers
  • Fig Newtons
  • Yogurt smoothies
  • Chocolate milk
  • Protein drinks (watch the sugar content)
car survival kit Pretzels on glass bowls on wooden table top views

Crunchy Snacks

  • Pretzels
  • Goldfish
  • Crackers
  • Wheat thins
  • Plantain chips
  • Animal crackers
  • Graham crackers
  • Veggie Straws
  • Pringles

Fruity Snacks

  • Grapes
  • Dried fruits
  • Slices apples
  • Apple Sauce
  • Bananas
  • Strawberries
  • Apple or Banana chips
  • Berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries)

Veggie Snacks

  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Red pepper slices
  • Edamame
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Cucumber slices

Don’t forget a soft-sided cooler, Zip lock bags, and trash bags.

For a more comprehensive list of ideas for road trip snacks for kids, read this post with over 100 ideas, plus tips for packing and transporting your road trip snacks. AND a few homemade snacks and healthy on-the-go lunch ideas.

Pet Necessities for Your Car Survival Kit.

2020 was the best year ever for Razor. He was at home during on-line school snuggled in a blanket with my 6th grader, and he traveled with us on all of our road trips. He was the best travel companion.  

I learned how to be adequately prepared to keep him healthy, happy, and safe. 

Car survival kit Dog on vacation

Read more about how to pack for a pupcation; the post includes tips when planning a road trip with your pet and a thorough checklist, of course.

  • Dog Car Seat  
  • Crate, if applicable.
  • Food for the week. Always pack extra (you want to keep your pup on the same diet as at home to avoid unnecessary tummy upset).
  • Water. Pack more than you think you need so you can keep your pup well hydrated.
  • Lots of treats.
  • Food and water bowls
  • Poop bags
  • Pee pads, these are washable.
  • Favorite snuggly blanket
  • Dog toys from home
  • ID tag with an updated phone number and consider a microchip for your pup.
  • Extra collar and leash (if it’s misplaced, you will be happy you packed an extra)
  • Doggie first aid kit that includes gauze, Coban (self-stick wrap that doesn’t use adhesive), cotton balls, tweezers (especially if you plan to hike in the woods where the ticks hide). Also include antiseptic wipes, an instant ice pack, saline rinse, and a penlight.
  • Pumpkin for tummy issues.
  • Sunscreen
  • Pack routine pet medications
  • Pet safe insect repellent
  • Essential First Aid for Dog Owners (book)
  • Vaccine and other Medical Records
  • Brush
  • Shampoo
  • Toothbrush
  • Nail Clippers
  • Pet grooming wipes
Car Safety Kit. Woman Fastening Dog In Car With Safe Belt In Seat Booster

Wellness and Creature Comforts for Your Car Survival Kit.

  • A pillow and cozy blankets
  • Essential Oils for the road ~ Peppermint, Ginger, Lavender
  • Personal Diffuser ~ I know this sounds a bit Zen, but trust me on this one. These little hand-held personal diffusers can turn a tumultuous, twisting, turning mountain ride into a peaceful adventure. While many will be dizzy and puking, you’ll be having fun and enjoying the ride. And if you need to relax and you have a driver, fill it with lavender and eucalyptus and create your little spa world in the car.
  • Paper Towels
  • Roll of toilet paper (you never know).
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Lip balm
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat or cap
  • Shades
  • Camera
  • Headphones or AirPods
  • Your playlist, Podcasts, or book on Audible
  • Tech (Phones, laptop, chargers, Kindle)
  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Hoodie

Tips to Protect Yourself and Others.

Lastly, here are a few tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states protect yourself and others by doing the following during your trip:

  • Wash your hands after you have been in a public place, after touching surfaces frequently touched by others, blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, and touching your face or eating.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Keep six feet of physical distance from others.
  • Wear a face-covering in public.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Pick up food at drive-throughs, curbside restaurant service, or grocery stores.

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    car survival kit. Traveling Party of Four Signature.