![Car Go Bag: Must-Haves to Rule Any Road [PDF Checklist]](http://www.jackery.com/cdn/shop/articles/car_go_bag.jpg?v=1722593423)
Imagine starting your well-planned road trip and suddenly breaking down. This is when a car go bag becomes an important item to carry for emergencies. Your go-bag list is a great addition for roadside emergencies, and you can build it by packing important items, like documents, first aid kits, and emergency supplies that include food and water, among others.
You might be carrying certain electronic appliances including your phone and laptop on your journey. To avoid running out of charge, you may consider packing a portable power station like the Jackery Portable Power Stations. It can last for long hours and due to its lightweight and ergonomic design, it becomes easier to carry around and even store in your car go bag.
Key Takeaways
To ensure your car go bag is packed with all essentials for your road trip or emergencies, this article will help you cover the following guidelines:
- A car go bag is used to pack essential items for emergencies or short trips.
- It is important to carry a go bag for your car to avoid emergencies, tackle harsh weather conditions, car breakdowns, or flat tires, and navigate isolated destinations.
- You should carry essential items like a car fire extinguisher, food and water, a safety kit, important documents, child and pet supplies, currency, and a Jackery Portable Power Station to charge your devices.
- You should organize and maintain your car go bag for different seasons, including summer and winter, ensuring all essentials are packed.
What Is a Car Go Bag?
Your car go bag is your emergency storage for several essential items. It can store small and big items like chargers, important documents, and even a weatherproof tent. You may pack one for unexpected hassles or extreme weather, like rain or hail. If you get a flat tire or run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, a go bag for your car can minimize your troubles.
Why Do You Need A Car Go Bag?
You would want to reach your destination without any hassles on your road trip with family or friends. You should always carry a car go bag for short or long journeys. Some of the other important reasons that would help you understand the benefits of an emergency bag are:
Sudden Emergencies
You would not want to get stranded in the middle of the road. It can be an uncomfortable experience, especially if you’re traveling with children or pets. Having a car go bag list with essentials like food, water, a camping tent, and first-aid supplies can make the wait worthwhile.
Car Breakdown Or a Flat Tire
A road trip can be fun but can also get scary in no time. When your car might break down, witness a flat tire, or even encounter an accident, a car go bag can rescue you. You can carry specific tools like a tire repair kit, lug wrench, and reflective flares, among others, to ensure you can fix any issue on your road trip. Further, while you tend to your emergency with a temporary fix, you can call a professional for help.
Extreme Weather Conditions
Most road trips in the US happen during the holiday season when rain or snowy weather is common. During these times, you can expect uncertainties like waterlogging and snow that can prevent you from driving ahead. Hence, carrying a car go bag with essential food and water supply, some warm clothes, and emergency appliances can help you stay comfortable.
Traveling To Isolated Destinations
On your road trip, you may be traveling to a remote location. These places might have network issues or fail to provide the right navigation for your journey ahead. Packing a go bag for your car with items like a HAM radio, a compass, and a GPS device can help you communicate and navigate safely.
Car Go Bag Must-Haves
While packing your emergency bag, you may consider adding some essentials to make your road trip successful. These are ideal for emergencies and should be ticked off your car go-bag list without fail.
Car Emergency Supplies
Carrying certain important supplies in your emergency bag to handle roadside emergencies is essential. You may carry a car fire extinguisher for small car fires. Use it safely in the below-mentioned ways:
- Aim at the base of the flames, holding the extinguisher about eight inches away.
- Pull the pin on the extinguisher and squeeze the handle.
- Sweep the extinguisher from side to side.
You may also consider carrying the following list of important supplies in your go bag for the car:
Tire Repair Kit
A tire repair kit is ideal for fixing small holes and punctures in your tire. In most tire repair kits, you can find important items like a rubber plug essential for closing punctures, glue for sealing the plug, and a rasp and reamer required to clean holes.
Car Jack & Lug Wrench
You can change your car tire during emergencies with the help of a car jack and lug wrench. It is crucial to carry this while stepping out, especially during road trips, to avoid getting stranded in the middle of the road.
Reflective Triangles
You can warn other drivers of your car’s emergency through reflective triangles. They are made of red plastic and provide omnidirectional reflection to increase your car’s visibility and alert passersby of an emergency.
Jumper Cables
If your car’s battery runs out in the middle of your journey, jumpstart it using jumper cables. These cables can temporarily crank up your car with external electricity while you wait for professional help.
Duct Tapes
Duct tapes are multifunctional and great for emergencies. You should pack one in your car go bag to fix minor tire punctures efficiently. Duct tape can temporarily relieve your road trip until you receive the help you require.
Emergency Flares
If you encounter an accident or a car breaks down, you can use emergency flares to alert the traffic around you. These flares have an extremely bright light that is hard to miss and helps create a safety zone around your vehicle till you get professional help.
Food & Water
You should stay hydrated and nourished during roadside emergencies. Consider packing non-perishable food items like energy bars, nuts, and seeds on your journey. You can also pack bottles of water and water purification tablets in your bag when you might not find potable water nearby.
First Aid & Hygiene Kit
It is imperative to carry a first-aid kit on short and long journeys. These kits are readily available and contain mandatory items like band-aids, wipes, pain relievers, and gauze that can treat minor injuries. Additionally, it is advisable to carry hygiene essentials like wet wipes, tissues, and hand sanitizers to stay clean and protected.
Emergency Shelter
You must stay prepared for an emergency where you might need to seek shelter in the open. If your car breaks down or you encounter an accident, it is advisable to carry an emergency shelter like a weatherproof tent to stay warm and dry. It is useful during extreme weather conditions like hail, snow, and rain. You may also consider wearing a warm blanket, clothes, and socks to stay comfortable.
Important Documents
Always carry important documents like your ID proof, passport, driver’s license, and their copies. Additionally, you should always keep a digital copy of these documents in cloud storage for safety purposes. If your car is stopped for a regular check on your journey, you can readily show your documents without scouring helplessly to find them.
Communication & Navigation
If traveling to remote locations, you must maintain consistent communication with your close ones. These areas are also prone to low network signals, which can hamper navigation. Ensure you carry a fully charged phone and other devices like your laptop and smartwatch. You may also consider carrying a physical map and a compass.
Additional Items
Depending on the duration of your trip or in case of roadside emergencies, you may need to charge your devices. You can pack a solar-powered generator like the Jackery Solar Generator to charge electronic items like cell phones, laptops, and even smartwatches. Their ergonomic design makes them ideal for packing in your bag without making them too heavy.
You can also consider the below-mentioned items to include in your car go bag list:
- Sunglasses
- Tube of sunscreen
- Medications
- Baby Supplies
- Pet Supplies
- Cash
- Credit Cards
- Local Maps
- Compass
- Whistle
Winter Car Go Bag
As per Statista, most Americans travel during the holiday season, like Memorial Day and Christmas. If you encounter an emergency or plan a road trip during these months, you may consider carrying a car go bag with important items. Prepare your bag as an emergency kit with minimum but specific supplies as follows:
- Warm Blanket
- Extra Tank of Gas
- Snow Scraper
- Warm Clothes
- A Mini Heater
- Road Flares
- Reflective Triangles
- Swiss Army Knife
- Socks
- Mittens
- First-Aid Kit
- Windshield Cleaner
- Hand Warmers
- Tire Chains
- Solar Battery
The winter weather can get harsh, so it is imperative not to leave your car stranded. This might lead to snow accumulating on the hood and around the tires of your car. Moreover, ensure that you inform a close friend or family member about your road trip in the winter months. Since you might lose your network on the way, your close contact can easily find you with the required support.
Jackery Portable Power Stations Explained
Jackery is one of the leading solar power brands in the world. It offers solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels that are compact and portable and can be safely packed in your car go bag. You can pack Jackery Portable Power Stations in your car go bag to charge your cell phones, laptops, and other electronics on your road trips or in emergencies.
These portable power stations and solar panels do not emit toxic fumes or noise, keeping your devices charged for long hours. They also feature an ergonomic design and are easy to carry from one place to another.
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station
This small but mighty portable power station packs a punch and fits small spaces like your go bag for a car. It can charge at least 3 devices at once. You can use it for your road trips or in cases of emergencies as it relies solely on solar power. The device runs quietly and is emission-free. It is lightweight and durable, making it safe for wild environments and city life.
Appliance Running Time:
- Mobile (10W): 8.4H
- Apple Watch (1.2W): 70.2H
- Apple AirPods Pro (1.5W): 56.2H
- iPad Pro 2022 (29W): 2.9H
- Laptop (68W): 1.2H
Customer Review:
“Love Jackery products and this Explorer 100 Plus is the bomb! Exceeds expectations and is the perfect size to travel. Don't hesitate. It’s well worth the money” - Les Marshal.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is designed for outdoor adventures and emergencies. It offers more power to charge your devices for longer. It's lightweight and backpack-friendly, making it perfect for carrying in your car go bag on camping trips, road trips, or situations where you might not have access to an outlet.
Appliance Running Time:
- Mobile (10W): 24.4H
- Apple Watch (1.2W): 204H
- Apple AirPods Pro (1.5W): 163.2H
- iPad Pro 2022 (29W): 8.4H
- Laptop (68W): 3.6H
Customer Review:
“I bought the Jackery 300 after Hurricane Beryl left us without power for several hours. I found out that we need a power source to keep our routers, phones, and laptops charged so we can stay informed about the development of any future emergency and take necessary action.” — Jose L Perez-Sanchez.
How to Organize Your Car Go Bag
You should pack your go bag for the car in such a way that it aids you on a trip and even in emergencies. Organize your bag in the below-mentioned ways to ensure your bag is not too heavy and has all essential items stored:
Opt For Functionality
You should prioritize the functionality of the items you pack in your bag over their quantity. Compile your items into a checklist to ensure you can handle any breakdown or accident on the way. Try carrying a multi-tool device like a Swiss army knife that can be used to secure the bolts of your car and cut seat belts if needed.
Add More Space In Your Bag
Organize your bag so that all items do not fall in the center. Make room for each item and structure them from big to small. The larger items can be placed inside your bag first, followed by smaller items. If your car go bag has compartments, you can use them to make it more spacious. You can also consider strapping heavy items to your car instead of adding them to your bag.
Pack Essential Items Only
You should pack essential items according to your needs. For instance, if you have seasonal allergies, pack medicines, an Epipen, and some wipes to make your journey comfortable. Carry pet and child supplies if you’re traveling with pets or kids.
How to Maintain Your Car Go Bag
You may think that packing your bag for a trip once can make your experience successful. However, it is important to maintain the go bag for your car at regular intervals. You can follow the below-mentioned tips to make your bag functional for the long run:
Update The Items In Your Bag
Check your car go bag regularly to ensure it is in perfect condition and does not contain stale items like expired food. You may also check items for damage and wear. Replace perishable items like medicines and water before every trip.
Test Electronics & Batteries
You may be carrying portable chargers and flashlights in your car go bag. Make sure they work, and their replacement batteries are in perfect condition. You can also consider keeping extra batteries handy for unexpected situations.
Make Your Bag Season-Friendly
Your emergency bag should have items required for the whole year, whether summer or winter. Supplies like food and water, documents, first-aid kits, hygiene items, and cash can be used for any trip. You may consider carrying sunscreen or a hat during the scorching summer heat. Carry a warm blanket, mittens, and even socks in winter to stay cozy.
Car Go Bag FAQs
How big of a portable power station do I need for an emergency?
To charge your appliances during an emergency, you need to consider the size of the solar generator and how much power your appliances would consume and accordingly invest in a solar-powered portable station.
For instance, let’s say you are carrying the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station in your car go bag to charge your cell phone, drawing 10W. You can calculate the running time of the portable power station using the following formula:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliances = 288Wh × 0.85 ÷ 10W = 24.4H.
Note: You need to multiply the battery capacity by 0.85 since there will be some power loss.
Should I keep my go bag in my car?
Yes, a go bag is meant to be kept in your car since it can be utilized for road trips or sudden emergencies. Since they are portable, you can pack all essential items, including electronic devices, documents, and food and water supplies, to stay comfortable on your journey.
Is it worth having a go bag?
A car go bag is ideal for carrying numerous items, including small objects like hand sanitizers, chargers, documents, cash, and credit cards. It also accommodates larger items like a weatherproof tent, electronics, portable power stations, and blankets.
How much money should be in a go bag?
It is advisable to carry cash and credit cards in a go bag for emergencies. You should carry a small amount in cash; the rest can be stored virtually and accessed via your credit cards.
How many days should a go bag last?
Depending on the duration of your trip or emergency, a go bag can last you for almost a week to 10 days. Additionally, it is advisable to regularly organize and maintain the items in your go bag to avoid using expired perishable items like medicines, food, and water.
Final Thoughts
Carrying a well-packed car go bag is crucial during a road trip or in emergencies. Ensure you pack the right items by understanding what a go bag is and why it is important for emergencies. Pack a go bag for summers and winters and organize and maintain it regularly.
You should also carry portable power stations like Jackery to keep most of your devices charged on the go. This will make your trip successful, and a go bag for your car can also help you survive any kind of emergency.
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