Truck Driver Emergency Kit Checklist: Stay Safe in Bad Weather

Key Takeaways:

• Every truck driver should keep an emergency kit in their cab for bad weather and breakdowns.
• Kit items should support safety, warmth, communication, and basic truck maintenance.
• Good preparation helps drivers stay safe, comfortable, and in control in emergency scenarios.

As any truck driver knows, the road doesn’t always play fair — and neither does Mother Nature. From blizzards in the Upper Midwest to hurricanes in the South to sudden storms across the Great Plains, unpredictable conditions can quickly turn a routine haul into a roadside emergency. If you find yourself in a bad situation, a well-stocked emergency kit in your cab can a literal lifeline.

At Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), we’ve spent decades supporting drivers through every condition and circumstance the road can throw at them. Our team understands what it takes to drivers moving safely across the country, no matter the forecast.

In this article, we’ll walk through a comprehensive emergency kit checklist built specifically for truckers, so you can stay safe, stay supplied, and stay in control when the weather takes a turn. Use it as a shopping list to stock up your truck during your next stretch of home time!

Emergency & Safety Supplies

When road conditions turn dangerous, your safety gear becomes your lifeline. Whether you're facing low visibility, heavy snow, or a roadside breakdown, having the right emergency supplies on hand can make all the difference.

Here are some key tools every driver should carry to stay visible, safe, and confident in the face of the unexpected:

• High-visibility vest or reflective gear
• Road flares or reflective triangles
• Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight
• Extra batteries (AA, AAA, etc.)
• Portable power bank (preferably solar-capable)
• Multi-tool or utility knife
• Jumper cables
• Tow strap or recovery chain
• Tire chains
• Folding or compact snow shovel
• Traction mats or kitty litter for traction on ice or snow
• DOT-approved fire extinguisher
• First aid kit, including any personal medications

You likely already have most, if not all, of these items already in your truck, but it never hurts to double-check that: 1) You have what you think you have, and 2) It's all in good working order.

Cold Weather Gear

If your rig stops moving in sub-zero temperatures, you’ll be relying on your gear — not your engine — for warmth. Layering up with the right clothing and cold-weather accessories can help you stay comfortable, alert, and safe while you wait for help or weather to clear.

These essentials are all about protecting you from frostbite, hypothermia, and general misery when the temperature drops:

• Insulated gloves
• Thermal socks
• Winter boots
• Ice cleats or traction spikes for boots
• Thermal base layers
• Waterproof outer shell or rain poncho
• Battery- or solar-powered heated vest, jacket or coat
• Heavy winter coat
• Hat, balaclava, or thermal face mask
• Face shield or ski goggles
• Wool blanket or thermal (Mylar) emergency blankets or bivvy sack
• Sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temps
• Insulated thermos, such as CamelBak, YETI, or Stanley
• Hand and foot warmers
• Chapstick/lip balm and skin salve

Hot Weather Essentials

Extreme heat can be just as dangerous as ice and snow, especially if you’re stranded without shade or a working A/C. Drivers need to have a reserve of items that can lower their risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and sunburn, especially when hauling in summer and/or in the South and Southwest.

From hydration to sun protection, this section covers smart additions to your emergency kit that will keep you cool, safe, and alert when temperatures rise:

• Cooling towels or bandanas
• Cooling seat cushion or cover
• Instant cold packs
• Dehydration indicators or electrolyte strips, if prone to cramping or heavy sweating in hot, dry climates
• Battery-powered fan or 12V cab fan
• A spray bottle or misting fan
• Portable neck fan or personal clip-on fan
• Wide-brimmed hat or sunshade
• Polarized sunglasses
• Sunscreen (Sweat-resistant, SPF 30+)
• Bug spray
• Insulated reusable water bottle, such as Hydroflask, Klean Kanteen, or CamelBak
• UV window shades or reflective windshield cover
• Foldable sun shelter or cab-side tarp
• A/C backup power source, if applicable/permitted

We cover food and water necessities in the section below, but it's important to note that you should always have extra jugs of water on hand in hot weather or when traveling through areas that can rapidly become hot. This should be in addition to the basic stash of water we recommend always having in your cab.

Food & Water

When you're stuck waiting out a storm, nutrient-rich food and clean water is a necessity. Stocking high-calorie, non-perishable options will keep your energy up and your mind sharp until it's safe to get moving again.

This section focuses on sustenance that can be found in most convenience stores or truck stops, requires minimal (if any) prep or cooking, and will stay shelf-stable even when stored in a truck cab:

• Case of bottled water or large refillable jug(s)
• Non-perishable, high-calorie food items, such as:
  • Protein bars
  • Trail mix
  • Jerky
  • Canned soup/stew
  • Peanut butter
  • Crackers
• Electrolyte drink packets, such as Gatorade powder
  • Stock up on extras for summer/hauling through regions known for higher temps
• Disposable utensils & paper towels
• Moist towelettes
• Manual can opener

Power & Communication

Ask any modern teenager and they'll tell you: being without a phone can feel like a life-or-death situation. But for truckers, a dead phone battery really can turn a bad situation into a critical one. That’s why backup power sources and alternate communication tools are crucial when you’re stranded, especially in remote areas and during extreme weather conditions.

This gear will help keep you connected — to your dispatcher, emergency services, and the latest weather updates — when it matters most:

• Fully charged backup phone
• CB radio or satellite communicator, if outside cell range
• 12V power inverter for small electronics
• Extra charging cables (USB, 12V, etc.)
• Notebook with emergency contacts and route info

Personal Hygiene & Comfort

You might be surprised at how much your comfort and hygiene can impact how well you think, rest, and recover. Small comforts can have a big impact on your resilience and help keep you healthy and sharp enough to navigate less-than-optimal circumstances.

From wipes and sanitation items to clean clothes and blankets, these supplies help you feel better when the going gets tough:

• Toilet paper
• Baby wipes or moist towelettes
• Feminine hygiene products, if applicable
• Hand sanitizer
• Toothbrush, toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Personal medications
• Any vitamins or supplements taken daily
• Extra pair of eyeglasses and/or extra contacts and solution
• Trash bags
• Change(s) of clothes
• Extra pillows and blankets
• Towels for truck stop showers
• Light-blocking sleep mask
• Noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs for sleep
  
  

Truck-Specific Tools & Fluids

Your truck can be your shelter in a storm — but only if it’s properly equipped. Keeping key maintenance fluids, tools, and recovery aids on board can help you address minor mechanical issues and prevent major ones.

This section covers the vehicle-specific essentials that help keep your rig road-ready, even when the road isn’t ready for you:

• Extra windshield washer fluid (winter blend)
• Diesel anti-gel additive
• Engine oil and coolant
• Air hose, if equipped with onboard compressor
• Basic tool kit
• Extra fuel (in approved container) if legally allowed
• Spare keys, to prevent accidental lockouts

Miscellaneous

Some items don’t fit neatly into a category, but they’re still smart to have in reach. Think of this section as your “you’ll be glad you packed it” list, full of low-cost, high-reward odds and ends you wouldn't normally think about — until they're exactly what you need.

From paper maps to entertainment to quick fixes, these odds and ends can help you pass the time or get out of a jam:

• Paper maps, in case of GPS failure
• Notebook and pen/pencil
• Entertainment device(s) and chargers
  
  • Consider loading up on your favorite movies, shows, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. prior to your next run. Be sure to download media to your device so you can access it regardless of cell service or WiFi availability.
• Books, puzzle books (such as sudoku or crosswords), or other offline entertainment
• Zip ties and duct tape for quick fixes
• Travel-size sewing kit
• Extra cash (small bills)
• Copies of important documents (CDL, medical card, insurance, registration, and emergency contact list) in a waterproof pouch
  
  

Be Ready for Anything: Stay Safe, Stay Supplied on the Road

Emergencies don’t wait for good weather or good timing. Keeping a fully stocked emergency kit in your cab isn’t just about checking a box on a safety list; it’s about protecting yourself when conditions turn rough and help is hours (or hundreds of miles) away. From winter gear to food, fluids, and communication tools, a well-prepared truck is a safer, more resilient truck.

This checklist is designed to help you stay ready for whatever the road throws your way — especially when you’re hauling through the threat (or reality) of extreme weather or long, isolated stretches. And while preparation starts with safety, it doesn’t stop there. We hope you'll use this list to ensure you're safe, comfortable, and ready for anything.

After weathering the unpredictable out on the road, you deserve a stop that makes the grind a little easier. Check out our video where we're Blind Ranking Truck Stops. It’s a fun watch that breaks down some of the best (and worst) stops out there, so you can spend your non-driving time somewhere you'll actually enjoy.