Locations in Florida: 37
First Florida location opening date: Kissimmee FLO01, 1989
Common vehicles: sedans, crossovers, performance, muscle and luxury vehicles, pickup trucks
Major regions/cities: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, North Port, Cape Coral, Lakeland, Deltona, Palm Bay, Pensacola
Road conditions: Well maintained roads are frequently wet due to storms, roads are often concrete infused with seashells (for traction) that can be rough on tires, hot surfaces in summer, lots of traffic and construction in booming cities like Jacksonville
The Sunshine State is the place to be if you like beaches, warm weather, roller coasters and amusement parks, cruises, NASA, world famous zoos and more. As one of the most popular retirement, vacation and industry destinations in the country, it’s no wonder there’s a lot of drivers on Florida’s roadways.
Motorways are seasonally congested with tourists taking advantage of their PTO, spring break or warm winter-time weather (“snowbirds” they’re called). And since Florida is home to huge industries in transportation, science and hospitality, there’s a commuter rush as well.
Florida is unlike most other states that experience noticeable drops in temperatures in “winter” months. Lows for most parts of Florida barely hit the 50s (F), although occasionally the panhandle will get a touch of frost. Freezing temperatures are extremely rare, while heat, frequent rain and ocean storms are a near daily occurrence.
You’ll typically see “warm weather” vehicles like convertibles, muscle cars and other performance vehicles that are penned up for most of the year in other parts of the country. High-end brands are also a common sight in town and on the highway.
With 21.5 million permanent residents alone, legions of seasonal tourists/retirees and a hot, humid tropical and subtropical climate, it’s no surprise so many Floridians search the internet for the best tires for their vehicles.
We’ve taken the legwork out of researching the best tires for Florida for you! Below you’ll find the best car and truck tires for this state’s unique weather and road conditions.
BEST CAR TIRES FOR FLORIDA
Since this state rarely experiences anything near freezing, your typical all-season tires are often supplanted by summer or performance based tires with wet weather grip.
David Deldbrugge, a 20 year Discount Tire veteran and manager at the Eagle Harbor store in Orange Park, FL says it best: “In Florida, wet traction is your number one safety concern when considering purchasing tires.”
With lots of summer and ocean storms (David says that it reliably showers at 3PM every day), keeping your tires stuck to the pavement is key. Even with the storms, Florida offers excellent weather for convertibles, muscle cars and performance vehicles. For these rides, David finds the Michelin Super Sport is a great favorite for its street and track performance pedigree.
Lots of tourists, transplants, vacationers, retirees and ordinary families means that the nationwide crossover fervor is present in Florida, too. If you need high-end performance for your family sedan, crossover, wagon or minivan, then David recommends the Bridgestone DriveGuard Plus.
Whether you have a high-priced vehicle or a well loved fixer-upper, everyone can appreciate a good value. AJ Lear, manager of the Northside Discount Tire store in Jacksonville, FL notes the Arizonian Silver Edition All-Season has a well earned popularity. All the performance, wet traction and long-lasting tread life you could ask for without the premium price!
The Falken Pro G5 A/S is another value option (and a Discount Tire exclusive), offering responsive steering, confident highway performance and reliable all-season traction.
If you’re set on a Michelin, the Defender 2 is another great favorite for its wallet-friendly price, all-season traction, performance attributes, ride comfort and extremely long projected service life.
In general, Floridians prefer the solid and trustworthy history of Michelin tires (and for good reason). They are valued for their long lasting tread, excellent wet traction and good performance with sporty suspension vehicles. However, we also offer a number of excellent budget friendly options.
Besides the Arizonian Silver mentioned above, John Hernandez, a 15 year Discount Tire veteran from the Rockledge Discount Tire store says the Yokohama YK-CTX answers beautifully for CUV drivers who want premium performance without dropping top dollar. This Discount Tire exclusive is similar to the very popular Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 except in price. John notes that he’s seen savings of up to $150 when comparing the two.
In general, Floridians tend to choose Michelin, Yokohama and Continental tires to suit their needs.
BEST TRUCK TIRES FOR FLORIDA
Depending where you are in the state will determine how many trucks you’ll see on the road. In the northern end of the state, hunting and off-roading activities are popular, so you’re sure to find pickups, both lifted and stock, sporting some all-terrain tires.
Throughout the state, of course, drivers utilize pickups and vans for construction, contract work and other jobs that require off-road or rough driving conditions. These conditions might include dirt, mud and sand.
By far the most recommended and popular all-terrain truck tire is the Nitto Ridge Grappler. It blends on-road comfort with off-road performance and groundbreaking all-terrain technology. AJ Lear explains that the Nitto brand is popular thanks to its deck of new tire options and successful performance history.
If you need something that excels in all things off-road terrain, John Hernandez at the Rockledge store points to the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2, an enthusiast favorite for its rugged disposition, all-season traction and rough terrain capabilities.
Tire buyers looking for a good value would do well to turn to the Pathfinder AT. According to Bret Van Orden, a 6 year Discount Tire veteran at the Greenacres Discount Tire store in West Palm Beach, this exclusive tire is a good option featuring high-end all-terrain and all-season benefits without the hefty price tag. You’ll also love the 55,000-mile limited treadwear warranty!
If your truck is strictly for pavement, then a solid option according to David in the Jacksonville area is the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. This tire keeps its composure, even in extreme road conditions, giving you superb all-season coverage, steering and dynamic handling. For a stylish alternative for your SUV or truck, the Bridgestone Dueler LX delivers confident traction no matter the weather with low noise and high comfort.
On a budget and need a highway tire for your truck or SUV? Brett Van Orden recommends the Pathfinder HT. This Discount Tire exclusive tire yields excellent savings, reliable traction, sturdy construction, tow capacity and treadlife.
These are a lot of great options, so if you’re overwhelmed with our picks for the best tires in Florida, don’t sweat it. Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide, can find the ideal tire for you using your driving style, vehicle, budget and even region of Florida.
If you have other questions or want to upgrade your wheels or tires, just give us a ring, drop by or make an appointment online! (Customers who buy and book an appointment online wait less time in-store!)
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