Going on a road trip has always represented freedom. You get to place the world’s problems on pause and drive towards new adventures. But while hitting the open road on a whim sounds fun, you don’t want to forget about an important need: safety. From car-related emergencies to risky weather to health concerns, you’ll want to take a few essentials to keep yourself and others safe. Don’t worry, preparing for the unexpected doesn’t have to mean overwhelming your car or causing unnecessary anxiety. Most of our picks can fit into your glove compartment, purse, or messenger bag and give you much-needed peace of mind about your upcoming trip, so you can get back to worrying about what matters: the best car-friendly snacks and an expertly tailored playlist.

_{Prices are accurate as of May 29, 2025. Subject to change.}

Portable Power Station

You may not always remember to charge your phone on the road. That’s why you want a portable power station. This model by EnginStar has been my trusted choice for several years. It’s versatile, accommodating AC outlets, USB, and USB-C connectors. All of your devices will stay powered.

Another helpful feature is the built-in light. It’s surprisingly powerful, and especially ideal if you have nighttime car trouble or you’re looking for something in the dark corners of your vehicle. It’s also lightweight at only four pounds, so it won’t weigh your bag down. Plus, it provides several hours of power on a single charge. You may not use it every day of your trip, but you’ll be glad you have it when you need it.

AsterApp by LogicMark

Whether you’re venturing solo on the open road or traveling with your loved ones, emergencies can happen when you least expect them. Our phones give us easy access to help, but you may not want to — or be able to — fumble with it during a scary or stressful situation. The AsterApp solves this problem. 

With this free app, add your loved ones as contacts who’ll see your schedule on the road. You can alert them about stops during your trip, like when you take a lunch break or when you are stopping for the night. If you don’t check in after a specified period of time and after responding to a text from AsterApp itself, the app alerts authorities. You may also want to combine this with the Aster Bluetooth button. Attach it to your purse or keys, and press the button if you need help.

LifeVac Travel Kit

Snacks go hand in hand with road trips. Whether you embrace your inner five-year-old and go for junk food choices or opt for healthier alternatives, it’s one of the highlights of any adventure. However, choking is a serious risk that’s often overlooked. According to recent statistics, over 5,000 people died from choking in 2023 alone. The LifeVac Travel Kit will give you major peace of mind for this scenario. 

This handy little device is compact enough for travel, but has life-saving benefits when needed. Put the mask over your or someone else’s mouth, push down on the mask (which does not push the obstruction further down the throat), and pull back for the suctioning. It includes a mask for both children and adults, and you can even perform it on yourself. We suggest getting used to the motion of using it without attaching it to someone’s mouth, so you’re prepared just in case. Some Better Report staffers have LifeVacs at home, too, however, it’s important to note that the LifeVac is not FDA-approved. We still think it’s important to learn how to do the Heimlich maneuver, but in the case that you can’t do it, having a backup plan isn’t a bad idea.

Emergency Radio with NOAA Weather Alert

This multi-functional weather radio will become your essential adventure buddy if you are venturing off into regions with unpredictable weather patterns. Beyond receiving critical NOAA weather alerts, you can also tune into local AM/FM stations so you’re sure to get important local reports to help you navigate.

While it runs on batteries, there is a solar hand crank to keep it running during an emergency. The comprehensive design also includes a reading lamp and side flashlight, in case you want to check your surroundings or navigate to help. In the rare moment you truly do get lost, it comes with an SOS alert that uses a blinking red light and a surprisingly deafening alarm, which can potentially help people locate you if you get lost or visibility conditions become a challenge.

Car Roadside Emergency Kit

Even if you don’t have the skill set to perform car repairs, an emergency roadside kit comes in handy. This comprehensive set has just about everything you need to keep yourself safe and potentially address easy-to-fix problems.

Inside, you’ll find high-quality jumper cables, a sturdy tow rope, and a safety hammer to break the window if you can’t open the door. You’ll also find tire repair tools for fixable flats and reflective warning triangles to alert other drivers. There’s even a poncho for coverage in a rainstorm and safety gloves to prevent injury. Best of all, everything fits inside an easy-to-store bag that won’t overwhelm your trunk or backseat. Like some other items on this list, go through this kit and familiarize yourself with all the components. If you don’t know how to use jumper cables, for example, practice before heading out on the road.

KeepGoing First Aid Kit

Whether it’s a minor cut or scrape or a bee sting, this first aid kit has pretty much all you need. The compact design won’t take up precious space in your vehicle while still giving you all the essentials in a nicely organized case. All the supplies from bandages to sting relief fit inside easy-to-sort folders. Find what you need in seconds, even if you’re stressed. If you’re bringing your little ones along, they’re sure to appreciate the included stickers that can become fun body decor after treatment. 

VIAIR Portable Air Compressor

Roadside service on your car isn’t always easy or fast. This portable tire inflator can come in handy, especially in combination with the roadside assistance kit. When possible, like if your tire simply loses air, you can inflate it with this portable and convenient tire inflator. The 10-foot power cord and three-foot air hose provide enough reach to handle all four tires.

It’s easy to take with you, and it’s not overly complicated to use. Just plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter, start your engine, connect the airhose to your tire, and power on the unit. The built-in pressure gauge gives precise readings so you won’t over- or under-inflate. It also works with a range of vehicles, including motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and more.

Rechargeable Flashlights

While both the weather radio and the power station mentioned earlier come with built-in flashlights, sometimes you want a dedicated option that is brighter and easier to handle in a moment’s notice. This rechargeable option comes with five practical lighting modes. Turn on the high beam for maximum visibility, medium beam for general use, or low beam to conserve power. There’s also a strobe light to grab someone’s attention or a flashing SOS feature if you are trying to alert anyone for help.

It is fully waterproof, so no need to worry about a rainstorm getting in the way of your light source. You also don’t need to purchase extra batteries as it is USB rechargeable and a charge lasts for up to 12 hours.

Feature Image Credit: Andrej Lišakov/ Unsplash