What to Keep in Your Car (So You’re Not Screwed in an Emergency or Stuck in Traffic)

Your car is more than just transportation—it’s your mobile hangout, late-night drive-thru booth, and sometimes your panic room on wheels. So what should you actually keep in it?

Here’s the gear you’ll wish you had before your battery dies, your phone does, or your burrito leaks.

Emergency Must-Haves (A.K.A. “I’m So Glad I Have This” Stuff)

  • Jumper cables (or a portable battery jumper): For when your battery dies and you're parked in the middle of nowhere or a Target parking lot
  • Tire pressure gauge and tire repair kit or inflator: Keeps flats from becoming disasters
  • Flashlight (with extra batteries): For roadside checks, emergencies, or just that moment your keys disappear into the abyss between seats
  • First-aid kit: For cuts, headaches, or surprise blisters
  • Emergency blanket: Cheap. Compact. Saves your butt (literally) in cold weather
  • Gloves and rain poncho: Because jumping a battery in a storm without them is character-building, but not fun
  • Duct tape and multitool: Fixes more than you'd think
  • Phone charger (car adapter and cord): Dead phone = bad day

Everyday Essentials (The “Why Wouldn’t You?” List)

  • Reusable shopping bags: Help the planet and avoid paying for plastic
  • Tissues, wipes, or paper towels: Spills, sneezes, snot, or sunscreen in your eyes
  • Napkins or fast food stash: You know the one
  • Hand sanitizer: Always
  • Mints or gum: For interviews, dates, or garlic fries
  • Pen and small notebook: For jotting down info when your phone dies (or you’re feeling poetic)
  • Spare mask: Because you know you'll forget one eventually

Bonus Comfort Items (Optional but Amazing)

  • Small towel or old hoodie: Seat cover for post-gym or beach, makeshift blanket or pillow
  • Reusable water bottle: Hydrate or die-drate
  • Snacks that won’t melt or rot: Granola bars, trail mix, crackers—aka “I forgot lunch” heroes
  • Sunglasses (cheap backup pair): So you don’t fry your eyeballs on a sunny day
  • Phone mount: So you’re not GPS-ing off your lap or your cupholder

Grab our free Car Essentials Checklist on our FREE Resources page

And for more practical, sanity-saving advice, grab a copy of Unsolicited Advice for the High School Graduate: A Practical Guide for Becoming Independent

 

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