Looking to buy a set of all-terrain tires, but you are worried that they won't be stable on the highway or are too loud for you and the passengers? Worry not, as here I cherrypicked only the best all terrain tires for highway driving, focusing on excellent traction on tarmac, good stability when loaded and unloaded, and a comfortable ride.
However, choosing all-terrain tires today is all the more difficult, as some manufacturers went with mild models, while others with a more aggressive tread pattern.
For highway use, mild all-terrain tires will work much better simply because they look similar to highway tires, albeit with a slightly more aggressive tread pattern with a higher void area.
However, if you want a really capable off-road tire, you should go with some more aggressive all-terrain tires. Naturally, the tread pattern with larger rocks and the higher void area will inevitably make the tire less capable on the tarmac, but some people will be ready to accept that.
With that said, I only included aggressive all-terrain tires that work well on the highway relative to their respective category, so you shouldn't have any issues. Still, if you are really into quiet and stable highway driving, a set of mild all-terrain tires will always work better.
Quick reminder: I recommend choosing a set of tires that will suit you. In other words, the first product on the list is not necessarily the best for everyone. It's just that it fits the "best all-terrain tire for highway" catchphrase most closely while lagging behind its competition in some other areas. So, read through the reviews and pros/cons, and then make your final decision!
Contents
- In-depth Reviews of the Best All Terrain Tires for Highway Available in 2024
- I - Best Mild All-Terrain Tires for Highway
- 1. Continental TerrainContact A/T
- 2. Michelin LTX A/T2
- 3. General Grabber APT
- 4. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3
- 5. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
- II - Best Aggressive All-Terrain Tires for Highway
- 6. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
- 7. Vredestein Pinza AT
- 8. Kumho Road Venture AT51
- 9. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
- 10. Firestone Destination X/T
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
In-depth Reviews of the Best All Terrain Tires for Highway Available in 2024
I - Best Mild All-Terrain Tires for Highway
1. Continental TerrainContact A/T
The TerrainContact A/T is not a perfect all-terrain tire, as its mild tread pattern isn't suited for demanding off-road trails. It's also only average on snow and ice, with most of its competitors performing much better in wintry conditions.
However, it's definitely the best all-terrain tire for highway driving, and it's not even close. For starters, there is almost no tread noise entering the cabin at 60-70 mph, and the ride is super smooth on the highway. Even if you encounter rough and broken tarmac, the TerrainContact A/T will remain composed and refined.
Furthermore, the high-speed stability this tire provides is second to none, even with a trailer attached. The lateral grip is also excellent, and acceleration/braking is among the best in the category. I was also shocked with how responsive, and linear the steering feels – it's almost like driving on highway all-season tires.
But the best thing about the TerrainContact A/T is how it handles rain. Traction on wet tarmac is best-in-class, particularly when it comes to braking, and the handling feels surefooted, even at the limit.
Finally, Continental offers a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is some of the best in the category at the moment. This, you shouldn't have issues with accelerated wear, even after years of highway driving!
Pros
Cons
2. Michelin LTX A/T2
The LTX A/T2 is another mild all-terrain tire with almost no disadvantages, apart from the average snow traction, similar to the TerrainContact A/T.
It's also not the best option for challenging off-road terrains, though it will work fine on hardpacked surfaces, particularly thanks to the tough casing.
Everywhere else, the LTX A/T2 shines. Notably, it's one of the best all-terrain tires for towing on the highway, as it provides exceptional stability, high lateral grip, and short stopping distances. It's also very good in rainy conditions, with outstanding braking and balanced handling, even at the limit.
Furthermore, this is one of the most comfortable tires in its category, providing a smooth and quiet ride on most surfaces. Lastly, the 60,000-mile treadwear warranty ensures long-lasting performance.
Pros
Cons
3. General Grabber APT
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The Grabber APT is similar to its more expensive counterparts in the sense that it also has issues with light-snow traction and difficult off-road trails. Still, it's quite usable on hardpacked surfaces, and the snow traction is only bad when compared to the best tires in the category.
Crucially, the Grabber APT is excellent for highway driving because it provides a quiet and smooth ride, even when you hit some broken tarmac. The grip and traction in dry conditions are also excellent, almost on the level of the premium competition, and the highway stability is second to none.
And although the Grabber APT isn't on the level of the TerrainContact A/T in the rain, it's still very competitive. Notably, it steers, accelerates, and stops with authority, with very good overall traction. It also comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is excellent for the price.
Pros
Cons
4. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3
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The Dueler A/T Revo 3 solves the snow traction issues of the previous tires – it's actually one of the best all-terrain models on packed snow. Hence, if you encounter harsh winters in your area, go for this tire.
There is a slight issue with the Dueler A/T Revo 3 that might put you off – the noise on the highway. It's not bad – certainly better than any aggressive all-terrain tire, but there is no question that the previous three tires will be quieter. You won't have issues with the ride, though, as this is one of the smoothest all-terrain tires around.
The Revo 3 also shines in every other category. Notably, it's one of the best all-terrain tires in dry conditions, with balanced handling and excellent grip, and the same is true on wet tarmac.
Bridgestone also offers a 60,000-mile warranty on P-metric and a 50,000-mile warranty on LT-metric tires, both good for the category.
Pros
Cons
5. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
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The Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a very popular mild all-terrain tire in North America because it does most things right while costing less than the competition.
This tire will provide you with excellent traction on dry and wet surfaces, with very short stopping distances. I was also impressed with the light-snow traction, which is among the best in the class.
Now, if you enter a corner too hard in the rain, you'll notice significant understeer, but that's easy to cope with. Also, the steering isn't very responsive, but that's not unexpected for an all-terrain tire.
Crucially, the ride is mostly good, apart from some secondary motion over broken tarmac, and the AT3 4S is one of the quietest all-terrain tires around.
Pros
Cons
II - Best Aggressive All-Terrain Tires for Highway
6. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
The Geolandar A/T G015 is a popular OEM option among carmakers, and for a good reason. It provides excellent traction on hardpacked surfaces and turf, and it has the casing to take a beating.
Meanwhile, the dry/wet traction is excellent, accompanied by balanced handling at the limit and very short stopping distances. It's also very usable on snow-covered roads, where it steers and brakes with authority.
As far as comfort goes, the ride is bumpy over repetitive impacts, but it's mostly fine. Crucially, this is one of the quietest aggressive all-terrain tires around, which is crucial for highway driving.
Pros
Cons
7. Vredestein Pinza AT
Looking for a well-balanced all-terrain tire that does most things right? Then have a look at the recently-announced Pinza AT. Vredestein's all-terrain tire produces some really stunning performances on the road, with surefooted handling on dry and wet streets and excellent overall traction.
The steering is also very precise, which is all the more impressive when you see how good the Pinza AT glides over bumps. Noise is also not an issue on the highway, giving you one of the most serene driving experiences of any aggressive all-terrain tire.
Now, the Pinza AT isn't perfect – it doesn't work well on packed snow, and it's not the best option for challenging off-road trails. Still, I guess you could turn a blind eye to those issues considering the 70,000-mile treadwear warranty on P-metric and 50,000-mile on LT-metric sizes.
Pros
Cons
8. Kumho Road Venture AT51
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Kumho's all-terrain offering is an excellent option for those that want the best possible off-road traction but don't want to sacrifice highway driving too much. Notably, despite its aggressive appearance, the AT51 is very quiet on the highway and also comfortable over bumps.
The dry traction is there, too, and the handling is very balanced. Still, the AT51 isn't the best option for rainy conditions, as it lags behind the competition in overall traction. It's not bad, though – it's just that the competition has made significant advancements in recent years.
The one big asterisk here is that Kumho doesn't offer a treadwear warranty on LT-metric sizes, which is a shame.
Pros
Cons
9. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
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The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W is one of the best all-terrain tires for off-road driving, as it also provides traction in mud and over larger rocks. It's also outstanding on packed and unpacked snow, almost on the level of a true winter tire.
Probably because of its off-road credentials, the A/T3W feels a bit cumbersome to drive on the road, but that's only because the steering is not very responsive. In every other sense, it rocks, providing you with balanced handling and outstanding traction on dry and wet roads.
Highway stability is also not an issue, and the cabin of your truck will also remain quiet and refined, even when you drive over rough patches.
Pros
Cons
10. Firestone Destination X/T
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The Destination X/T performs almost like a true off-road tire in the sense that it feels a bit unresponsive on the road but also works tremendously well on the trail, regardless of the surface.
On the street, you'll lose some traction in dry conditions, but you'll be surprised at how much traction is on offer on wet tarmac. Overall, I think most people won't have an issue with how this tire performs on the highway, particularly because it's very quiet and comfortable.
Sadly, Firestone only offers this excellent tire in LT-metric and flotation sizes, hence limiting it to full-size and heavy-duty trucks.
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What's the difference between all-terrain and highway tires?
Both all-terrain and highway tires are designed to fit modern SUVs and trucks and offer high load ratings for hauling heavy cargo or towing large trailers. However, while highway tires are designed with on-street driving in mind, all-terrain tires also inject some off-road traction into the mix.
Now, this doesn't mean you can't use highway tires on some trails, like dirt and gravel. You'll be actually surprised with the traction, and most highway tires are tough enough to cope with the added abuse, particularly with punctures and cuts.
Nonetheless, if you need something for more challenging off-road trails, you should upgrade to all-terrain tires. These tires will provide you with more traction in shallow mud and over larger rocks and are generally more resistant to cuts, chips, and punctures.
Still, there is no question you'll lose some performance on tarmac. All-terrain tires come with more aggressive tread patterns that have larger and deeper grooves, which gives additional off-road traction but also makes them less stable on the street.
As a result, your truck/SUV will be more cumbersome to steer, there will be less lateral grip in the corners, and also less traction for acceleration and braking. Most modern all-terrain tires alleviate these issues quite a bit, but still, a set of highway tires will be much better for street driving.
- What is the correct load rating for an all-terrain tire?
It really depends on what you use your truck/SUV for, but also the type of vehicle you own. For instance, if you own a compact crossover/SUV, like the Subaru Forester, all you need is a set of P-metric tires with a load rating that matches the manufacturer's recommendation.
However, if you own a mid-size truck or SUV, like the Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner, you should look for P-metric tires with XL load ratings. Just make sure that the combined load rating of all four tires exceeds the maximum weight of your truck/SUV (when loaded), and you should be fine.
Meanwhile, owners of full-size SUVs and trucks can choose between P-metric tires with XL load ratings and LT-metric tires. The latter models come with much stiffer casings, which lets them carry much more weight and work at lower pressures.
Hence, LT-metric tires are great for towing large trailers and carrying very heavy cargo on hardpacked surfaces, such as dirt and gravel. If you only haul heavy cargo on tarmac, though, P-metric XL tires should do just fine.
Finally, owners of heavy-duty trucks, like the Ford F-250 and Chevy Silverado HD, should only look at LT-metric tires since only those have enough load capacity to carry the trucks and trailer's weight.
Quick note – if you plan on driving on challenging terrains, like large rocks, I recommend going for LT-metric tires since their stiff casing can put up with much more abuse. An even better option is flotation sizes, which can work at very low pressures, making them an outstanding option for tricky off-road trails, like, for example, rock-crawling.
- Do you need an all-terrain tire for your truck or SUV?
Most people don't need all-terrain tires since most highway tires provide enough traction on hardpacked surfaces, like dirt and gravel, with no inclines. So, if you only use your truck on tarmac and gravel and you live in a relatively flat area, there is perhaps no reason to go for all-terrain tires.
However, if you often drive on more challenging terrains, like dirt and gravel with inclines, turf, mud, or rocks, then you should go for all-terrain tires. Thanks to the more aggressive tread pattern with a higher void area, these tires will provide you with much better traction and can also take much more abuse.
Conclusion
Finding all-terrain tires that work well on the highway can be tricky, especially with all those options available on the market. It also doesn't help that tire manufacturers market each tire as 100%-capable on the street, which is absolutely not true.
With that said, I hope that this article helped you find a set of the best all terrain tires for highway that will suit your needs. Just make sure that you choose tires that suit your driving scenario, and I'm sure you will be satisfied with the purchase.
And if you made a decision, it will help us if you purchase your new set of all-terrain tires from us – it will help us further build our website at no additional cost – you are still getting the same price!
I’m Ivo Gievski, the content writer for Tireer. We built our website with over 15 years of experience and extensive research in the automotive and technology sectors. My dedication to delivering high-quality content is unwavering, and I strive to continuously hone my skills to stay ahead of industry trends and provide readers with informative, engaging, and valuable insights.