Battery & Tire Recovery
A dead battery or low tire can stop the trip entirely. Decide whether you want one multi-function recovery tool or separate tools for battery and tire needs.
Heartland America Buying Guide
Road Ready Essentials: What to Keep in Your Car
A useful road-ready kit is not about filling your trunk with gadgets. It is about covering the problems that can leave you stranded or unprepared: a weak battery, a low tire, bad weather, darkness, lost navigation or a phone that needs power.
Quick Answer
What Road-Ready Gear Should You Buy First?
Start with equipment that addresses the problems most likely to stop the trip: battery trouble and tire trouble. Then add reliable lighting, a way to receive weather information, device charging and dependable navigation. Complete the kit with basic first aid, reflective warning equipment, water and seasonal supplies.
Among the products in this guide, the Pursuit 2000A Jump Start with Air covers the most functions in one tool. A dedicated Portable Digital Inflator makes more sense when tire maintenance is your main need and you do not need a jump starter.
Buy for the Problem
A Better Way to Build a Vehicle Emergency Kit
Instead of asking which product has the longest feature list, ask what problem you want the product to solve. That makes it easier to avoid duplicate gear and choose equipment you will actually know how to use.
Visibility & Weather Awareness
Nighttime trouble and changing weather make simple tasks harder. Portable lighting and weather-radio access can make an emergency kit more useful beyond the vehicle too.
Navigation & Communication
Phones are useful, but a dedicated GPS can provide navigation without relying on Wi-Fi. Keep critical charging cables in the vehicle as well.
Do Not Pack Gear You Have Never Used
Before a long trip, learn where each tool is stored, charge rechargeable equipment and review its instructions. Emergency gear is most useful when you can reach it and understand it without learning under pressure.
Featured Road Ready Gear
Choose Equipment Based on the Job It Needs to Do
No single product replaces a complete emergency kit. These recommendations work best as building blocks: choose the ones that address your vehicle, route, climate and travel habits.
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Battery + Tire Rescue
Pursuit 2000A Jump Start w/Air
Best for: drivers who want several emergency functions in one compact tool
This is the broadest roadside-recovery product in the group. It combines a 2000A peak jump starter with a built-in 150 PSI compressor, USB charging and emergency lighting.
- Rated for up to 6L gasoline and 3L diesel engines
- Preset tire inflation with automatic stop
- Digital status and pressure display
- Flashlight, SOS and strobe lighting modes
- USB power-bank capability
Choose this over a standalone inflator when you also want battery-jump capability. Confirm vehicle compatibility and keep the unit charged.
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Tire Maintenance
Portable Digital Inflator
Best for: compact tire-pressure maintenance without the extra functions of a jump starter
A dedicated inflator is a straightforward choice for routine tire-pressure corrections and travel. The digital display helps you monitor pressure while automatic shutoff stops inflation at the selected level.
- Digital LED pressure display
- Automatic shutoff
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Built-in LED flashlight
- Adapters for bicycles, sports balls and inflatables
This is the simpler choice when low tire pressure is the problem you specifically want to address.
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Weather + Light
AM/FM/NOAA Weather Lantern
Best for: weather awareness, roadside lighting and portable backup power
This multi-purpose lantern helps solve a different problem than recovery tools: seeing what you are doing and receiving weather information when conditions change.
- NOAA 7-channel weather radio plus AM/FM
- Pop-up area lantern and focused flashlight
- SOS light and alarm functions
- USB-C, solar and hand-crank recharging
- 5000mAh power-bank capability
This can serve both a vehicle emergency kit and a broader household or storm-preparedness kit.
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Winter + Traction
Spare-Me Auto Rescue Tool
Best for: drivers who travel in snow, ice or other conditions where traction and tire access can be harder
The Spare-Me combines several simple mechanical functions in one compact tool, making it especially relevant for seasonal vehicle preparation.
- Ice scraper
- Snow shovel
- Tire-lift function
- Traction pad
- Added leverage for a lug-nut torque bar
Treat it as supplemental equipment. Your vehicle's specified jack, spare-tire equipment and instructions still matter.
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Navigation
7" GPS Navigation Unit
Best for: drivers who prefer dedicated navigation instead of relying entirely on a phone
A standalone GPS can be useful on long drives because navigation does not require a Wi-Fi connection and does not tie up your phone's screen.
- Voice navigation in English and Spanish
- Preloaded U.S. maps
- Address and ZIP-code search
- Speed-change and speed-limit information
- 12V power cord and vehicle mounting hardware
Update maps before a major trip and position any mounted screen so it does not interfere with your view of the road.
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Drive Documentation
2.4" HD Ultra-Slim Dash Camera
Best for: keeping a compact video record of the road ahead
A dash camera does not solve a breakdown, but it can add useful drive documentation without taking up much windshield space.
- 720p/1080p video recording
- 140-degree wide-angle view
- 2.4-inch LCD display
- Crash sensor that protects event footage
- Motion detection, audio and night-vision support
Supports microSD cards up to 32GB; a card is not included. Review local mounting and recording rules.
Device Power
High Speed Car Charge Set - Lightning
Best for: keeping compatible Lightning-equipped phones and tablets powered while traveling
Charging equipment is easy to overlook because it is not a traditional emergency tool. Yet navigation, communication and roadside-assistance calls all become harder when a phone battery is low.
- Designed for in-vehicle device charging
- Includes a USB-C-to-Lightning connection
- Multiple charging connections
- Useful as a dedicated cable kept in the vehicle
This item is the Lightning version. Confirm the connector on your phone or tablet before ordering.
Common Buying Decision
Jump Starter With Air vs. Dedicated Tire Inflator
These products overlap when it comes to tire inflation, but they are designed for different levels of roadside preparedness.
Choose the Pursuit 2000A Jump Start w/Air If...
You want one piece of equipment that can address both a weak battery and low tire pressure, while also providing lighting and USB backup power.
Choose the Portable Digital Inflator If...
Your main goal is maintaining tire pressure and you want something compact, rechargeable and easy to use without paying for jump-start functionality.
Consider Both If...
You want redundancy or prefer to keep a dedicated inflator available while reserving the jump starter for battery emergencies.
More Than Products
What Else Belongs in a Roadside Emergency Kit?
Electronics and rescue tools are only part of the kit. A practical vehicle setup should also cover visibility, basic personal needs and information that still works when a phone does not.
Personal Safety
Include a basic first-aid kit, work gloves and high-visibility or reflective warning equipment.
Basic Supplies
Keep drinking water, shelf-stable snacks and season-appropriate clothing or blankets where practical.
Backup Information
Store important phone numbers, roadside-assistance information and basic route details somewhere that does not depend entirely on a charged phone.
Safety Comes Before the Repair
If your vehicle cannot be positioned safely away from moving traffic, do not treat a roadside repair as the first priority. Use your hazard lights, follow local safety guidance and contact roadside or emergency assistance when the location makes a repair unsafe.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Which Road Ready Essential Fits Your Needs?
These products solve different problems. Compare their main purpose, strengths and important considerations to decide which ones make sense for your vehicle and travel habits.
| Product | Best For | Key Strength | Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pursuit 2000A Jump Start w/Air Item 69712 | Drivers who want battery and tire capability in one compact kit | Combines jump starting, a 150 PSI air compressor, USB device charging and emergency lighting | Rated for vehicles up to 6L gasoline and 3L diesel. Recharge it periodically and confirm compatibility with your vehicle before relying on it. |
| Portable Digital Inflator Item 69234 | Tire-pressure checks, top-offs and compact storage | Digital pressure display, automatic shutoff, rechargeable operation and multiple adapters | It inflates tires but does not jump-start a battery. Inflate vehicle tires to the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer. |
| AM/FM/NOAA Weather Lantern Item 69131 | Weather awareness, nighttime lighting and backup power | Combines lantern and flashlight functions with NOAA weather radio, AM/FM, multiple charging methods and power-bank capability | Charge and test it before travel so the radio, lighting and backup-power functions are ready. |
| Spare-Me Auto Rescue Tool Item 69122 | Snow, ice, traction and added leverage during tire-related roadside situations | Five functions include an ice scraper, snow shovel, tire lift, traction pad and added leverage for a lug-nut torque bar | This is supplemental rescue equipment. It does not replace the jack, spare tire or other equipment required by your particular vehicle. |
| 7" GPS Navigation Unit Item 61029 | Drivers who want dedicated U.S. navigation without relying on Wi-Fi | Voice guidance, preloaded U.S. maps, address and ZIP-code search, speed information and English/Spanish support | Update maps before important trips and mount the screen where it does not obstruct safe visibility. |
| 2.4" HD Ultra-Slim Dash Camera Item 69001 | Drivers who want a compact record of the road ahead | 720p/1080p recording, 140-degree viewing angle, crash-sensor file protection and night-vision support | A microSD card is required and is not included. Check local rules for camera placement and audio recording. |
| High Speed Car Charge Set - Lightning Item 77247L | Keeping compatible Lightning-equipped devices powered during the drive | Vehicle charging with a USB-C-to-Lightning cable and multiple charging connections | Confirm your phone or tablet connector before buying. Newer devices may use USB-C instead of Lightning. |
Before You Leave
Know Before You Go: 6 Things to Check Before a Road Trip
Road readiness is about more than what is stored in the trunk. A few minutes of planning before you leave can help you avoid preventable delays, recognize changing conditions and make better decisions if something goes wrong.
Check Road Conditions
Look for construction, closures, major delays and other conditions that could affect your route. Many states provide current traveler information through their 511 systems.
Check Weather Along the Entire Route
Conditions at your destination may be very different from the weather you encounter along the way. Check the areas you will travel through, not just your starting point and destination.
Review Your Route Before You Drive
Know the major highways, exits and alternate routes before leaving. Even when you use GPS, a basic understanding of the route gives you another option if navigation or cell service becomes unavailable.
Tell Someone Your Plans
For longer trips, let someone know where you are going, the route you expect to take and approximately when you plan to arrive.
Plan Fuel, Charging & Rest Stops
Do not wait until you are nearly out of fuel, battery range or energy to look for the next stop. Longer or unfamiliar routes deserve some advance planning.
Know When Not to Attempt a Roadside Repair
Having emergency equipment does not mean every roadside problem should be handled yourself. If traffic, weather, visibility or the location of the vehicle makes a repair unsafe, prioritize getting help instead.
A Good Road Trip Plan Has a Backup
Save important addresses, keep key phone numbers somewhere besides your phone and know at least one alternate route. If you will be traveling through an unfamiliar area, check road conditions and weather again before continuing after longer stops.
Saveable Checklist
Road Ready Pre-Trip Checklist
Check these items before a long drive. Your selections are saved automatically in this browser and can also be shared.
Vehicle & Equipment
Make sure the things designed to keep the car moving are present and ready.
Driver & Passenger Supplies
Prepare for the time between a problem occurring and help arriving.
Road Ready FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Roadside Essentials
What emergency supplies should every car have?
A practical starting point includes equipment for battery trouble and tire trouble, dependable lighting, reflective warning equipment, first aid, drinking water, device charging, important contact information and seasonal supplies appropriate for the climate.
Do I need both a jump starter and a tire inflator?
Not necessarily. A jump starter addresses a weak or dead battery, while an inflator addresses low tire pressure. A combination unit such as the Pursuit 2000A Jump Start w/Air covers both jobs. A dedicated inflator is a simpler choice if tire maintenance is your primary concern.
Is a standalone GPS useful if I already have a smartphone?
It can be. A dedicated GPS keeps navigation separate from calls and other phone functions and can operate without relying on Wi-Fi. The 7-inch GPS in this guide includes preloaded U.S. maps and voice guidance.
How often should I check my roadside emergency kit?
Review it before long trips and when the seasons change. Recharge battery-powered equipment, check first-aid and food supplies, verify tire equipment and replace anything that is damaged, expired or no longer compatible with your devices.
Where should emergency gear be stored in the vehicle?
Keep equipment secured so it cannot become a loose object during sudden stops, but make frequently needed items reasonably accessible. Follow manufacturer storage instructions for rechargeable batteries and products affected by extreme heat or cold.
Is a dash cam considered emergency equipment?
A dash cam is better considered documentation gear than recovery gear. It will not restart a battery or inflate a tire, so basic roadside and personal-safety equipment should normally come first.
What should I do if a roadside repair location feels unsafe?
Prioritize personal safety over attempting a repair. If the vehicle cannot be positioned safely away from moving traffic, use appropriate warning signals, follow local guidance and contact roadside or emergency assistance rather than attempting work in an unsafe location.
Ready for the Road
Shop Auto Accessories for the Road Ahead
From roadside emergency gear and tire-care tools to navigation, charging accessories and everyday vehicle essentials, explore Heartland America's full selection of auto accessories and find the gear that fits how and where you drive.
One Last Thing...
Don't Hit the Road Without Some Snacks!
You've checked the tires, charged the gear and planned the route. Now for the fun part. A few favorite treats can make the miles between stops a little more enjoyable.
Sweet + Sour
Candy Salad - Sweet / Sour Gummies 3 Pack
A colorful pick for passengers who like a mix of sweet and sour candy along the way.
Grab the Gummies
A Classic Treat
Assorted 8oz Caramel Box Set - 3 Pack
Traditional, salted and pecan caramel varieties give everyone something different to reach for at the next rest stop.
Grab the Caramels
Something Savory
Munch King Party Mix - 23oz 2 Pack
A bigger savory option for sharing when you've had enough sweets and still have plenty of highway ahead.
Grab the Party MixRoad-trip tip: keep snacks secured and save anything messy or distracting for a rest stop. And don't forget drinking water.