Top 10 Best All Terrain Tires for Highway: What are the Options?

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SUVs and trucks are becoming more popular daily, mostly due to their all-rounded capabilities. And that would probably continue in the future – car manufacturers announced some excellent electric SUVs and trucks that will continue to carry the torch.

The success of these classes of vehicles also warrants different types of tires. In the past, it was easy – people that had SUVs mostly drove them off-road and thus installed such tires. Nonetheless, off-road tires in the past weren’t particularly good on the highway. Actually, they were pretty bad, especially in the corners or when braking.

That’s where all-terrain tires came in. Designed to offer elevated off-road traction but also to be stable on the highway, these tires offer the best of both worlds. Well, only technically. See, while all-terrain tires do work well for off-roading, they are far from real off-road tires. Similarly, a set of highway tires will still work better on the street.

Fortunately, we’ve seen some really excellent all-terrain tires in the last decade. Today, these models last longer than before, perform admirably off-road, and work very well on the street. There are differences, though. Some tiremakers focus on delivering better off-road traction, while others aim at providing excellent on-road stability.

And if you want the truth, there is no single tire that works amazingly well in both situations. There will always be compromises. If one model is excellent for off-roading, it would definitely suffer on the road and vice-versa.

In this article, I will list the best all-terrain tires for highway driving. I’ll mostly focus on drivability on paved roads, which includes traction and grip on dry and wet surfaces. Also, comfort levels are high on the list. Tread noise is one of the first things that drivers notice, and let’s be honest, all-terrain tires aren’t exactly quiet.

However, off-road traction will also play a part. That’s because if an owner purchases all-terrain tires, it means that they will be used in the wilderness. Therefore, having at least some traction would be usable.

With that out of the water, let’s dig in and find out some good all-terrain tires for the highway. First, we’ll talk about how you can differentiate between various types of all-terrain tires. Then, I’ll give you my top 10 list.

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What’s the Difference Between Various All-Terrain Tires?

Unlike touring or highway tires, the all-terrain category consists of some very different products. Each manufacturer aims at different things when they design them. For instance, BFGoodrich is popular in the off-road community, and for that reason, it produces more aggressive all-terrain tires. Meanwhile, Michelin and Continental customers expect a sophisticated ride and stability on the road, so the manufacturers give them that.

But how do you distinguish between these tires? Well, the tread pattern is actually the main factor at play here. Tires with deeper grooves and more aggressively-designed treads usually have better traction for off-roading, especially in mud or over large rocks. Moreover, these tires will also have tread blocks on the sidewalls for even better traction in deep mud. Ultimately, off-road tires usually come with three-ply construction, which makes them tougher and more durable on uneven terrains. Meanwhile, all-terrain tires with two-ply construction are lighter, which makes them better suited for on-road driving.

Top 10 Best All-Terrain Tires for Highway Driving

1. Continental TerrainContact A/T

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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If you want an all-terrain tire that will work perfectly on the highway, there is no better option than the TerrainContact A/T. But, that’s expected since the German tiremaker largely focused on making this tire work well in those conditions. For that reason, off-road traction suffered a bit, especially in mud or for rock crawling. Also, the construction isn’t the toughest around, so be careful when driving over sharp rocks. 

However, if you only go off-road rarely, the TerrainContact A/T will serve you pretty well. On the road, it’s among the most responsive all-terrain tires. Moreover, the steering feels linear, just like you would expect on highway tires. Additionally, there is ample traction and grip on offer, while the highway stability is outstanding.

One area where the Continental is particularly impressive is the performance in wet conditions. The hydroplaning resistance is excellent, and there is a ton of traction on offer. Moreover, the tire feels confident in the corners, even at the limit. Ultimately, the stopping distances are also the shortest in the category.

Okay, but what about comfort? Well, TerrainContact A/T covers that with aplomb as well. The ride quality isn’t soft, but that doesn’t matter since the tire still irons-out small and large bumps. It almost feels like a highway tire in that way. Moreover, the tread growl is very quiet, even on some rough roads. It’s a great highway companion the TerrainContact A/T, no doubt about it.

So, it’s good on the highway, but what about off-roading? Well, it’s great for hardpacked surfaces, but it doesn’t perform well in mud or over large rocks. It also doesn’t have the toughest construction, although truth to be told, the treadlife is outstanding. Continental provides a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is outstanding.

Pros

  • Outstanding stability and grip on the street
  • Exceptional traction in rainy conditions
  • Strong braking in the rain
  • Feels very responsive, especially for an all-terrain tire
  • Very long treadlife and a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
  • Smooth ride quality, even on very harsh surfaces
  • Supremely quiet on the road, even at higher speeds
  • Reliable performance on snow

Cons

  • Doesn’t work well in mud
  • Far from the toughest for driving over rocky surfaces

2. Michelin LTX A/T 2

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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The Michelin LTX A/T2 is closely matched to the Continental TerrainContact A/T in almost every way. Actually, you’d be hard-pressed to find a difference between both. The LTX A/T2 is an outstanding tire for driving on the road and a good one for off-roading. Since we’re focusing on highway driving mostly here, then this is a highly-recommended product. 

On dry roads, the LTX A/T2 drivers with authority that few all-terrain tires can match. The steering is responsive and fluid, and there is enough cornering grip for fast-ish driving. Furthermore, the braking distances are short, and traction for acceleration is outstanding.

The Michelin all-terrain product continues to impress on wet roads. There is ample traction at normal speeds, and the stopping distances are among the shortest in its class. Moreover, it feels planted through the corners, giving the driver a lot of confidence to push forward. The hydroplaning resistance is excellent, too.

Michelin also managed to design a tire that works amazingly on snow. There is ample traction here as well, and the tire feels planted in the corners. Now, sure, a set of winter tires will perform much better, but in its category, the LTX A/T2 is among the best.

Continuing with the impressive stuff the Michelin tire can do, comfort is excellent as well. The ride quality is smooth over most surfaces, and the tread growl is not overly intrusive. That said, while it does perform well on hardpacked surfaces, the LTX A/T2 isn’t the best choice for serious off-road driving. So, off-road enthusiasts look elsewhere.

Ultimately, Michelin also provides a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, excellent for the category. Knowing the French company, I also expect a very long treadlife.

Pros

  • Very good handling on dry surfaces
  • Responsive steering
  • Outstanding traction and grip on wet surfaces
  • Excellent performance on snow
  • Very long treadlife and treadwear warranty
  • Exceptional performance on dirt and gravel
  • Very quiet and comfortable on the road

Cons

  • Not the best option for deep mud
  • Not the best option for rock-crawling

3. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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Bridgestone directly faces its stiff competition from Michelin and Continental with, surprise surprise, a similar product. The Japanese tiremaker clearly focused on producing a tire that will work better on the road and out of it. But that’s what its customers expect – nobody associates Bridgestone with off-road. Therefore, in most things, the Dueler A/T Revo 3 performs just like the LTX A/T and TerrainContact A/T. 

As expected, then, Bridgestone’s all-terrain tire performs very well on dry roads. It is fairly responsive and easy to toss in the corners. There also ample traction and grip on offer, and the highway stability is excellent. Additionally, the Dueler A/T Revo 3 performs very well in wet conditions. It’s actually close to its premium rivals in this area, both in cornering and stopping distances.

One area where the Bridgestone tire is very impressive is comfort. The ride quality is among the best I’ve tried in an all-terrain tire – the Dueler A/T Revo 3 irons-out both smaller and larger imperfections. There is also not a lot of noise coming from the tires, even at very high speeds. If comfort is what you’re after, this product is one of the best around.

Longevity shouldn’t be an issue as well – the Dueler A/T Revo 3 comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty on P-metric and a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty on LT-metric.

With that said, this is not the best tire for off-roading. It performs very well on hardpacked surfaces, such as dirt and gravel, but it simply lacks traction for rock-crawling or mud.

Pros

  • Outstanding responsiveness on the road
  • Excellent grip and traction on dry surfaces
  • Very good performance in rainy conditions
  • Supremely quiet and comfortable for an all-terrain tire
  • Very durable tread compound and long treadwear warranty
  • Safe traction and braking on snow

Cons

  • Deep mud traction isn’t stellar
  • Rock crawling isn’t an option here

4. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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The Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 is among the newest additions to the all-terrain category and a positive surprise in many ways. It’s actually a tire that works best on the road, although you can get some off-road traction. 

But let’s start with street and highway driving since that’s the focus of this article. The Geolandar G015 is very responsive, especially for an all-terrain tire. There is also ample traction for acceleration and braking. In the corners, you’ll find good grip and stability, even at higher speeds.

The Geolandar G015 continues to impress in rainy conditions, where it performs almost on the level of the premium competition. In the corners, it feels very balanced and predictable, unlike some other budget-friendly all-terrain tires. Also, the stopping distances are short for the category.

Snow traction is also good, although not among the best in the category. In other words, you’d be getting good cornering in light snow, and the stopping distances won’t be too long. However, don’t expect miracles – the Geolandar G015 won’t perform nearly as good as a winter tire.

Fortunately, the Geolandar G015 gets back with excellent comfort. The ride quality is smooth on most roads, although not over soft, which I liked. The tread growl is also well-suppressed, almost on the level of the premium competition up there.

But what about off-road traction? Well, hardpacked surfaces are where this tire is happy. It puts out a good showing there, with very good traction and stability. However, rock crawling and mud aren’t its forte. What is Geolandar G015’s forte is longevity – the company provides a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty on P-metric and a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty on LT-metric, excellent for the price.

Pros

  • Among the quietest all-terrain tires on the highway
  • Very smooth ride quality, even on rough roads
  • Responsive and linear steering
  • Excellent traction and grip on dry surfaces
  • Feels very balanced and predictable in rainy conditions
  • Short braking distances and good grip on wet tarmac
  • Long treadlife and treadwear warranty

Cons

  • Mud-terrain traction is below average

5. Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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Pirelli’s all-terrain tire puts a good showing in most situations, but it still does its best on the road. Like most Pirelli tires, it is very responsive, almost like a highway tire. There is also a lot of usable grip and traction – your SUV and truck will feel very planted in the corners.

Additionally, the Scorpion All Terrain Plus performs outstandingly well in wet conditions. There is ample traction on offer, and the tire feels stable through the corners. The hydroplaning resistance is also impressive. I was also impressed by the snow traction, which is better than what you’d find in most all-terrain tires.

The ride quality is also good, but the Scorpion can be noisy, especially over rough surfaces. However, this is only an issue when you compare it to the best tires in this category.

Off-road, the Pirelli performs fine on hardpacked surfaces, but it suffers in deep mud or over large rocks. Also, the treadlife is very good, but the 50,000-mile treadwear warranty is slightly shorter than the best rivals.

Pros

  • Excellent handling and responsiveness on dry roads
  • Very good highway stability
  • Excellent hydroplaning resistance
  • Very good wet traction and braking
  • Outstanding performance on hardpacked surfaces
  • Very good snow traction, handling, and braking

Cons

  • Not the best option for deep mud
  • The sidewall isn’t as tough as some real off-road tires
  • Noisy over rough surfaces

6. Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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Goodyear’s Wrangler all-terrain tire is known for outstanding off-road traction. This tire delivers on hardpacked surfaces, mud terrain, and rocks. It’s also extremely tough – it resists sharp rocks easily. Additionally, it comes with an outstanding 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, another big plus.

Although it’s mainly an off-road tire, the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar performs well on the highway. Stability is very good, and you can enter corners without worrying about losing grip. Wet traction is also good for such a tire. Meanwhile, traction on unpacked snow is perhaps the best in the all-terrain category. 

However, although the ride quality is smooth on most surfaces, you can clearly hear the tread growl from the tire.

Pros

  • Outstanding traction on every slippery surface
  • Good performance on the road
  • Excellent over unpacked snow
  • Best-in-class 60,000-mile treadwear warranty

Cons

  • Noisy on the highway

7. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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The BFGoodrich T/A KO2 is a direct competitor to the Goodyear Wrangler and matches it in many ways. The tire is extremely durable, which helps when driving over sharp rocks, but also if you need to deflate the tire. Besides, the overall off-road traction is outstanding. 

On the road, the KO2 is very safe, which is not something you can say for most off-road-focused tires. There is ample grip through the corners and excellent longitudinal traction. You also shouldn’t be worried when it rains – there is enough traction.

In terms of longevity, the KO2 comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is good enough for the category. However, some premium competitors started offering higher warranties.

That said, the KO2 can be noisy on the highway, and the ride quality is only average.

Pros

  • Outstanding off-road traction
  • A very tough and durable compound
  • Usable in deep mud and over large rocks
  • Very good street performance
  • Excellent traction and braking on snow

Cons

  • Noisy on the highway

8. Falken Wildpeak AT3W

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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The Wildpeak AT3W is an outstanding all-terrain tire for off-road enthusiasts. Thanks to the aggressive tread pattern with deep grooves, there is ample traction on every type of terrain. Moreover, the casing is tough and durable, and Falken offers an excellent 55,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Despite the aggressive tread pattern, I was actually impressed with how the Wildpeak AT3W drives on the road. It’s stable through the corners, and it has good grip and traction. It’s good in wet conditions as well, and among the best in the snow. It’s also reasonably priced, which makes it a good option for budget-minded buyers. 

However, there is a noticeable tread growl, although the ride quality is pretty good.

Pros

  • One of the best all-terrain tires for off-roading
  • Very safe on the road, both over dry and wet surfaces
  • Outstanding performance in snowy conditions
  • Excellent 55,000-mile treadwear warranty
  • Fair price

Cons

  • Tire roar at high speed

9. Kumho Road Venture AT51

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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The Road Venture AT51 isn’t the most impressive all-terrain tire for highway driving, not going to lie here. However, it still performs well considering its price, and I’m sure it’s safe for daily driving. Moreover, Kumho provides a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty, amazing for the price. 

Additionally, you will get excellent traction on hardpacked surfaces and even some rocky surfaces. Mud traction is average, but most all-terrain tires suffer there. Perhaps more importantly, the Road Venture AT51 works outstandingly well on snow, where it provides the driver with excellent traction and braking.

Pros

  • Very good value for money
  • Long treadlife and excellent treadwear warranty for the price
  • Very good off-road performance
  • Excellent traction and braking on snow
  • Safe handling on dry and wet roads

Cons

  • Busy ride
  • Deep mud traction is only adequate

10. Sumitomo Encounter AT

Best All Terrain Tires For Highway

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The Sumitomo Encounter AT is a very interesting all-terrain tire for those that don’t have very deep pockets. Although cheaper than most of its competitors, this tire impresses with its on-road abilities, and it can also do some work on light terrain.

On the road, the Encounter AT offers dry and wet traction on the level of some more expensive tires. It also provides balanced handling and is very easy to correct when you reach the limit. Light snow traction is very good as well, though traction on unpacked snow – the type you encounter when off-roading – is behind the competition.

Also, while the Encounter AT is not uncomfortable or noisy, it’s still less refined than its premium rivals. Still, considering the outstanding 60,000-mile treadwear warranty and the money you pay, this is only a small nitpick. Overall, for the money, the Encounter AT is a steal.

Pros

  • Very good traction on hardpacked surfaces
  • Excellent traction on dry tarmac
  • Balanced handling and solid grip on wet roads
  • Solid traction on light snow
  • Exceptional 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
  • Budget-friendly pricing

Cons

  • Its premium rivals are quieter and more comfortable
  • Average traction on unpacked snow
  • It doesn’t work well in mud or over large rocks

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Is it okay to deflate all-terrain tires?

Absolutely! However, you need to follow the manufacturers’ instructions on the lowest psi (bar) allowed. If you go below that, you’re risking damaging your tire, like, for example, puncturing the tread.

  • How often should I rotate all-terrain tires?

Well, it’s the same as with regular tires. I recommend rotating them at every oil changing interval since you’ll save money that way. A 6,000-8,000 miles interval should work just fine.

That said, you’d need to check the suspension of your truck or SUV more regularly, especially if you go off-road regularly. Otherwise, your tire may encounter irregular wear.

Conclusion

You shouldn’t expect outstanding road performance from any all-terrain tire. If you want that, highway tires will always be a better choice. That’s normal – all-terrain tires need to also work for off-roading.

With that said, I hope that the list above helped you find suitable tires for your truck or SUV. I always strive toward safety and excellent performance, which is why the list mostly consists of high-quality premium tires.

Thus, even if you don’t find a suitable product on the list, I suggest going for tires from reputable and well-known manufacturers. That way, you’ll ensure long-lasting performance, safety, and driving enjoyment.

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11 thoughts on “Top 10 Best All Terrain Tires for Highway: What are the Options?”

  1. hello,
    I’m looking for a load range D or E tire for a newer F-150. I do ~75% highway driving and ~25% off road (usually gravel, dirt, sand, and some rock, minimal mud). I’m replacing a set of KO2s that were extremely disappointing in regards to their traction on wet pavement. Maybe it’s the high-torque engine in the F150 that didn’t mesh well with the K02s? I wonder because I’ve owned K02s on my older, more sluggish truck and they seemed to do fine. My highest priority with a new set of tires is better wet traction on pavement but I don’t want to lose the good performance of the K02s in snow and off road. Suggestions?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi Z,

      The KO2’s are good in wet conditions, but there are better tires for rainy conditions. For instance, the Continental TerrainContact A/T is excellent on wet pavement, almost on the level of a highway tire. You’ll lose some off-road traction, though. Other great options for rainy weather include the Michelin LTX A/T2 and Bridgestone A/T Revo 3.

      We hope that this answered your question. If not, please do not hesitate to write us again!

      Reply
      • The BFG A/T is an Awsome tire for extreme off-roading . But is outright dangerious in the rain. It hydroplanes bad in normal highway driving.

        Reply
    • Thank you for submitting questions to us,
      What type of AT tire has the Ford factory installed for you?
      Looking forward to hearing from you soon
      Best regards!

      Reply
  2. I just installed BFG KO2s on my Grand Cherokee and my mpg dropped by about 5 mpg. What AT tire will get better gas mileage in both city and highway driving?

    Reply
  3. How would the Toyo Open Country AT3’s match up for on-road/highway performance to this list? Since they are left out of the list, do they fall far behind this group?

    Reply
    • I got a set of toyo at3 when I bought my trailblazer in 2020. I’m pushing 20,000 miles. So far no problems. They’re E load but stay aired @ 42-45psi. My trailblazer is daily driven city/highway mix, off road most weekends. They’ve done everything I’ve needed to do.

      Reply
  4. Just an FYI for all those questions about tires good in wet conditions, I ran the ko2 for years always had problems on wet roads, switched to general grabber at2 and loved them, unfortunately they don’t make them in my tires size on my truck now. So for 4 yrs I’ve ran the fallen wildpeaks at3ws, it’s one of the best tires I’ve ever ran. Got around 69k out of the first set and the price is awesome for the great tire.

    Reply
  5. Thank you for providing this information. I have a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro with Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3 tire on it, and the performance is fantastic. It provides better control on snow.

    Reply

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