Winter Emergency Kit for Your Car

Ontario highways close during major winter storms. It happens multiple times every winter on the 400-series highways, Highway 11 through Northern Ontario, and Highway 17 along the Trans-Canada. When it happens, you may be sitting in your car for hours before the road opens or a tow truck reaches you. A winter emergency kit is not paranoia — it is basic preparation.

The Essentials

• Warm blanket or sleeping bag ($15 to $30). If your engine dies or you run low on fuel, you need insulation. A wool blanket or a compact emergency sleeping bag rated to -15°C takes minimal trunk space.
• Flashlight with extra batteries ($10 to $20). LED headlamps are better because they free your hands. In winter, it gets dark by 5 PM and breakdowns happen on unlit stretches.
• Phone charger ($15 to $25). A portable battery pack with at least 10,000 mAh capacity. Cold drains phone batteries fast. Keep the charger inside the cabin, not in the cold trunk.
• Non-perishable snacks ($10). Granola bars, nuts, dried fruit. Replace them every fall so they stay fresh. If you are stranded for hours, having food matters.
• Water ($3). One litre minimum. In winter, keep it inside the car so it does not freeze. Replace it periodically.
• Small folding shovel ($15 to $30). For digging out if you slide into a ditch or snowbank. The collapsible military-style shovels from Canadian Tire work fine.
• Ice scraper and snow brush ($15 to $25). Get a full-length brush with an ice scraper end, not the tiny ones. A telescoping model reaches across larger vehicles.
• Jumper cables or portable jump starter ($30 for cables, $80 to $120 for a portable starter). A lithium-ion portable jump starter is the better investment — it works without a second vehicle and can also charge your phone.
• Traction aids ($20 to $40). Kitty litter, sand, or purpose-built traction mats. Sprinkle under the drive wheels if stuck on ice. Traction mats (like Trac-Grabber) work better than kitty litter.
• First aid kit ($15 to $25). A basic automotive first aid kit from any pharmacy or auto parts store.
• Windshield washer fluid ($5 to $8). A spare jug of -40°C rated fluid. You burn through washer fluid fast in winter highway driving.

Total Cost: $150 to $300

Everything on this list fits in a small duffel bag or plastic bin in your trunk. The total cost is less than one month of car insurance and it could save your life or at least save you from a miserable few hours.

Bonus Items for Long Highway Drives

If you regularly drive Highway 11, Highway 17, Highway 400 north of Parry Sound, or any Northern Ontario route:

• Roadside flares or LED warning lights ($15 to $25) for visibility if stopped on the shoulder
• Small candle and tin — a tea light in a tin can produce enough heat to keep a car interior above freezing for hours if the engine is off
• Extra warm clothing — a winter jacket, hat, and gloves even if you left the house in just a sweater
• Tire chains or cables ($50 to $100) if you drive remote Northern Ontario roads regularly

When to Use It

Do not wait until you are stuck to think about this kit. Check it every October when you do your fall maintenance. Replace expired snacks, check the flashlight batteries, make sure the phone charger holds a charge, and confirm the washer fluid has not been used. Keep the kit in the trunk all winter — remove it in May when you do your spring vehicle checklist.

For more on winter driving preparation, see our guides on common winter mistakes and cold weather effects on your engine.