Tire season guide
Best all-terrain tires for trucks and SUVs — compare prices
All-terrain tires suit trucks and SUVs that see gravel roads, light trails, or muddy job sites alongside daily highway commuting. Compare A/T prices from US online retailers for F-150, Silverado, Tacoma, Wrangler, and 4Runner fitments.
What all-terrain tires actually deliver
All-terrain tires are built for drivers who need more than a highway tire but less than a mud-terrain tire. The tread pattern uses bigger voids and more aggressive block edges than an all-season, which helps on gravel, packed dirt, light mud, and snow-covered pavement without punishing you with excessive road noise on the commute home.
Set realistic expectations. A/T tires handle boat ramps, construction site access roads, forest service roads, and light trails well. They are not designed for deep clay, rock crawling, or serious off-camber terrain. If that is your use case, look at dedicated mud-terrain tires and a suspension lift — an A/T tire will not get you out of a situation that requires real off-road capability.
The models worth comparing in 2025–2026
The BFGoodrich KO2 is the benchmark that most truck owners measure everything else against. It carries the 3PMSF winter rating, has aggressive sidewall serrations for aired-down off-road use, and holds up well on highway. It has earned its reputation over 15-plus years in the market.
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W consistently earns strong reviews as the value competitor. Winter-rated, good in mud for an A/T, and priced noticeably below the KO2 — it is the practical choice for most truck drivers who go off-road occasionally rather than regularly.
The Toyo Open Country AT3 prioritizes road manners. It is noticeably quieter and more comfortable than the KO2 or Wildpeak — the right trade-off if your truck is primarily a daily driver that sees unpaved roads a few times a year. The AT3 also carries the 3PMSF winter rating.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is worth comparing for drivers who want 3PMSF winter capability at a mid-tier price point. Cooper warranty support is solid and the tread life is competitive in real-world use.
LT vs P-metric: the load question trucks often get wrong
LT (Light Truck) tires use stiffer multi-ply construction to handle payload and towing loads safely. If you regularly carry heavy cargo in the bed or tow a trailer, LT-rated tires are not optional — using P-metric tires beyond their rated load risks sidewall failure under sustained stress.
Check the door jamb sticker before you buy. It specifies the load index, speed rating, and whether your OEM fitment is P-metric or LT. Matching or exceeding those specs protects both your safety and your tire warranty.
P-metric all-terrain tires exist and are appropriate for lighter SUVs — 4Runner, Tacoma, Bronco Sport, Wrangler — that are not regularly used for serious towing. They ride more comfortably than LT tires and cost less. Buy them if load ratings are not a concern. The simple rule: if you tow 5,000 lbs or more regularly, use LT-rated A/T tires in the correct load range. If you haul lightly and recreate off-road, P-metric is fine — just match or exceed the load index on your door jamb sticker.
Noise, ride quality, and fuel economy trade-offs
Open tread blocks that bite in dirt also channel air at highway speeds. Road noise is the most common complaint from drivers moving from highway all-season to all-terrain tires. Road-biased A/T designs — Toyo Open Country AT3, Michelin LTX AT2 — are measurably quieter than aggressive-void patterns like the BFGoodrich KO2 or Falken Wildpeak.
Fuel economy typically drops 1–3% versus a highway all-season. On a full-size truck doing 20,000 miles per year at $3.50 per gallon, that adds up to real money over the life of a set. Factor it in when comparing prices — a cheaper A/T that costs more in fuel over 60,000 miles may not be the better deal.
Popular truck and SUV fitments
Ford F-150 owners most commonly run 265/70R17, 275/55R20, or 275/65R18 depending on the wheel package. The most popular A/T upgrade on a stock F-150 is 275/55R20 on factory 20-inch wheels — it fills the wheel well better than OEM all-season tires without requiring a lift.
Toyota Tacoma owners commonly run 265/70R16 or 265/65R17. The 4Runner stock size of 265/70R17 fits a wide range of A/T options at competitive prices. Jeep Wrangler drivers often step to 255/75R17 or 265/70R17 for a better combination of off-road clearance and on-road manners. Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra owners share many of the same popular sizes as F-150.
Regional advice
- Mountain West (CO, WY, MT, ID, UT) — A/T tires with 3PMSF rating handle mountain commutes and ski-season roads well. Carry chains for chain-controlled roads — even the best A/T tire does not exempt you from I-70 or Teton Pass chain-law requirements during heavy storms.
- Southeast and Gulf Coast (TX, LA, FL, GA) — Off-road needs here center on muddy trails, sandy terrain, and boat ramps. Focus on mud-shedding ability rather than winter performance. Road noise tolerance is also generally higher in truck-culture markets here, so aggressive A/T patterns are a fine choice.
- Pacific Northwest (WA, OR) — Wet logging roads and muddy forest service roads are the primary off-pavement challenge. A quality A/T with strong siping handles this well. The 3PMSF rating helps for mountain snow access in the Cascades. Wet pavement traction from a sipe-rich A/T is usually adequate for commuting.
- Great Plains and rural Midwest — Gravel county roads and farm access lanes are the main off-pavement use case. Almost any quality A/T handles this without drama. Focus on tread life and value — trucks in agricultural regions often log serious annual mileage.
Compare all-terrain tires by size
Open any size to filter results to all-terrain tires from US retailers.
Buying tips
- Verify load range if you tow Your door jamb sticker lists the required load index and load range. LT-rated tires in the correct load range are non-negotiable if you tow a boat, camper, or work trailer regularly.
- 3PMSF for year-round mountain use If you drive mountain passes or see regular winter weather, choose an A/T with the three-peak mountain snowflake rating. BFGoodrich KO2, Falken Wildpeak AT3W, Toyo Open Country AT3, and Cooper AT3 4S all qualify.
- Compare at least two brands in your size Pricing between A/T models varies significantly — the same popular size can differ by $50–$80 per tire between brands. Check TireCompare before defaulting to whichever name you recognize.
FAQ
Are all-terrain tires good in snow?
A/T tires with the 3PMSF rating handle packed snow and light ice better than highway all-season tires. BFGoodrich KO2, Falken Wildpeak AT3W, and Toyo AT3 all qualify. For sustained snow-belt commuting on ice, dedicated winter tires are still meaningfully safer.
How long do all-terrain tires last?
Most quality A/T tires carry 50,000–60,000 mile treadwear warranties. Heavy towing, aggressive off-road use, and infrequent rotation shorten real-world life. Rotate every 5,000–7,500 miles and check tire pressure monthly — under-inflation wears A/T tires fast.
Should I get LT or P-metric all-terrain tires?
If you tow a trailer or carry heavy payloads regularly, LT-rated tires are the right choice — do not compromise load ratings to save money. For casual off-road and light hauling on a midsize SUV or lighter truck, P-metric A/T tires ride better and cost less.
How much louder are all-terrain tires on the highway?
Aggressive A/T tires run noticeably louder than highway all-season tires — most drivers notice it clearly at highway speed. Road-biased A/T designs like the Toyo Open Country AT3 minimize the difference. The noise is real, but most truck owners adapt within a few weeks.
Can I put all-terrain tires on a crossover?
P-metric A/T tires exist for RAV4, CR-V, Equinox, and similar crossovers. They improve grip on gravel and light off-pavement, but a crossover's ground clearance and drivetrain limit real off-road capability regardless of what is on the wheels.
BFGoodrich KO2 vs Falken Wildpeak AT3W — which is better?
The KO2 has a longer proven track record, better sidewall protection for aired-down off-road use, and slightly better ice performance. The Wildpeak AT3W costs noticeably less, earns equally strong reviews for most daily off-road driving, and is the more practical pick for buyers who are not using their truck for serious off-road work.