Emily H. is a 27-year-old woman from Tucson, Arizona.
In April 2021, Emily and her boyfriend Alexander were driving through Death Valley National Park (one of the hottest and most remote places in the country).
Their Subaru hit a rock and shredded two tires.
Just like that, they were stranded.
Instead of staying with the vehicle, they decided to hike out the next morning to find help.
It was a fatal decision.
Alexander ended up falling to his death trying to cross a steep canyon.
Emily also fell and shattered her ankle.
For six days she was trapped in a desert canyon next to the body of the man she loved.
One reason Emily survived was because they had told their families and park rangers where they were going and left a note on the car.
Rescuers eventually found her.
Emily survived but said the experience destroyed her world.
Among other things, having adequate water provisions in the vehicle could have changed everything.
If they had enough water stored in the car, they could have stayed with the vehicle and waited for rescue instead of hiking into deadly terrain.
Most of us spend hours in our cars every week.
But very few of us keep an adequate water supply on hand for emergencies.
Here’s what you need to know about the smartest ways to store water in your vehicle.
Brushed metal bottles:
Brushed metal containers are one of the top options for car water storage.
Insulated brushed metal bottles keep water cool during summer heat and are more durable than glass.
They are lightweight and will not leach chemicals into your water like some plastics can.
During extreme cold, fill them just three-quarters of the way so they don’t burst if the water freezes.
Aluminum canned water:
Aluminum canned water is ideal because it contains no harmful plastic chemicals and temperature changes will not affect the taste.
Some brands have a shelf span of up to 50 years so you can store it in your vehicle for a very long time.
The small size means you can stash cans in multiple places throughout your car.
The drawback is that it’s on the higher end, around a dollar fifty or more per can.
Five-gallon water containers:
If you have room in your trunk, a five-gallon food-grade plastic container is a smart choice.
They’re made without any plastic additives and have a handle for easy carrying.
The rectangular shape keeps them from rolling around and the built-in spigot lets you pour water without making a mess.
These are especially good for road trips and longer drives through remote areas.
Drawbacks to storing water in your car:
Heat and chemicals:
In hot weather, some plastic bottles can leach harmful chemicals into the water.
Always use containers made without plastic chemicals and keep them out of direct sunlight.
Store water in the back of your car inside a cooler for added insulation and light protection.
Freezing:
In cold climates, water bottles can freeze and burst.
Fill containers just three-quarters full to allow room for the water to expand.
Plastic bottles and brushed metal are your safest options for freezing temperatures.
Space:
Storing enough water takes up trunk space that you might need for other things.
Start with at least a few gallons and build up from there.
Even a single gallon of water in your car is better than none whatsoever.
If you’re thinking about building a vehicle water supply, here are your priorities.
Priority 1: Keep at least one gallon of water per person in your vehicle. Choose brushed metal or non‑plastic containers.
Priority 2: Store your water inside a cooler in the trunk for insulation and light protection. Cover it with a light-colored blanket in summer to reflect heat.
Priority 3: Keep water purification tablets in your glove box and a water purifier in your vehicle kit. If your stored water runs out, you can purify water from a natural source.
