Locations in Nebraska: 6
First Nebraska location opening date: Omaha NEO01 | February 25, 2013
Common vehicles: full size sedans like Toyota Camry, crossover SUVs like Chevy Equinox and Subaru Forester/Outback, mini-vans like the Honda Odyssey, tons of pickup trucks including Ford F-150, Dodge RAM 1500s
Major regions/cities: Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney, Fremont, Hastings, Norfolk, North Platte, Columbus
Road conditions: Generally fair roads with some potholes, ice and snow in winter and rain in wet months; severe thunderstorms and threat of tornadoes; easy going traffic and congestion in cities
The Cornhusker State offers wide open vistas, a small population and huge variation in weather. Some of Nebraska experiences hot, wet summers and cold, snowy winters while the Panhandle’s semi-arid climate is much drier and remote. And you can’t forget it’s smack in the middle of Tornado Alley!
From the gently rolling hills of Omaha and Lincoln to the beginning of the West in the Great Plains, Nebraskans don’t have the urban complaints of more populated states, but it can still be quite a decision when choosing tires.
We’ve asked our experts in the field for their tire recommendations for the best car and tires for driving in Nebraska. Check them out!
BEST CAR TIRES FOR NEBRASKA
Nebraska natives tend to live in the eastern end of the state, which experiences plenty of rain and storms.
Car tires in Nebraska also need to be able to withstand long miles (did we mention how wide open the state is?), a variety of road conditions and the occasional pothole or dirt/gravel road.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise the most common tires on the road are all-season tires. All-season, rubber, which offers a strong mixture of traction in dry, wet and inclement weather.
Jahmee Lahooti, Discount Tire store manager in Omaha, suggests the Yokohama YK-GTX. This Discount Tire exclusive tire offers a dynamic and updated all-season tread with sporty performance attributes. With a robust 70k-mile warranty and a moderate price point, it’s affordable and long-lasting. It also features a sophisticated siping system that can handle inclement weather conditions and a wide tread profile for stable maneuverability. All in all, it’s an understandable favorite.
If you’re looking for a tire with a performance pedigree, Jahmee points to the Continental Contact family of tires. No matter what you need your vehicle for, the Continental Contact family has something for you.
If you’d like a tire with premium performance, check out the Continental ContiProContact. It perfectly balances luxury comfort and performance. Happy customers point out its excellent stability, improved fuel economy (great for getting the most out of your gas tank) and specialized all-season design for whatever the weather throws at you. Our customers also love the 40 to 60,000-mile warranty!
Miguel Cabral at our Papillion, NE Discount Tire store recommends a different tire for his customers, the Nokian Encompass AW01. This all-weather tire offers boosted year-round traction and reliability.
It features amped up wet and cold weather features like innovative Snow Claw and 3D Centipede Siping to overcome rain, light ice and snow. With the three-peak mountain snowflake designation, it can handle severe weather, and its Aramid Strong sidewalls offer cut and puncture resistance on par with most LT/SUV tires. Add in its 60k-mile warranty, and you can see why it’s the pinnacle of car tires for Nebraska!
BEST TRUCK TIRES FOR NEBRASKA
With its large agriculture sector incorporating beef, pork, wheat, corn and other crops, plus a bustling freight industry (rail and truck), Nebraska’s got some rough roads to contend with. The typical vehicle of choice is of course, pick-up trucks.
Nebraskans need all-terrain tires to handle the demands of both work and home for their trucks.
Jahme in Omaha recommends equipping your truck with the Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain AT. Perfect for your pickup or SUV, the UltraTerrain AT lays down some serious traction for off-road performance without sacrificing your on-road comfort. This quiet tire includes a severe weather designation, puncture resistance, durable tread that resists chunking and self-cleans for grip in mud, sand and dirt. It’s an excellent all-around option that is definitely a customer favorite.
Another nation-wide favorite? The BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2. This well-rounded all-terrain tire offers performance for nearly any situation. Rated for severe weather with robust siping and other wet and wintry condition tread elements, it’s a great option for any truck that goes off-road.
If you’re on a budget, Miquel over in Papillion points to the Pathfinder AT. This Discount Tire exclusive all-terrain tire comes with a rare 50 to 55,000-mile warranty and offers amazing traction and performance in both off-road and on-road conditions. With a long lasting tread, three-peak mountain snowflake severe weather designation, comfortable on-road ride and amazing price point, you can see why it’s a top pick !
If you like the Pathfinder’s price tag but you don’t take your SUV, van or truck off-road, then consider the Pathfinder HT. This highway-terrain tire offers the all-season performance of a higher end tire without the heavy hit on your wallet. It features a 45 to 60,000-mile warranty, significant zig-zag siping and durable construction, perfect for towing toys, trailers and everything else with ease. Customers like the responsive handling while cruising neighborhood streets or zipping along to the office.
Nebraskans looking for a more premium tire for their truck can’t go wrong with the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. This extremely popular option gives drivers a comfortable, predictable and dynamic ride. Its MaxTouch Construction reduces noise, vibration and harshness while remaining fuel efficient. The Evertread rubber compound also resists wear and tear, giving you a long lived tire!
DO I NEED SNOW TIRES IN NEBRASKA?
Yes, you should equip your vehicle with winter tires in Nebraska. Like the rest of the midwest, Nebraska sees a true winter every year with cold temperatures, snow and icy conditions.
We recommend changing over to winter tires when the temperature consistently stays below 45F.
We don’t recommend relying on your all-season tires, because they don’t perform as well as winter tires do in the cold. They also don’t brake as well in winter.
We also have some bad news for our off-road drivers out there: all-terrain and mud tires underperform compared to winter tires.
What winter tires does Discount Tire recommend for Nebraska? All of our store managers heartily agree that, no matter what vehicle you drive or how you drive it, you can’t go wrong with the Bridgestone Blizzak family of winter tires.
For your sedan, crossover or minivan, check out the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90. Enjoy serious control when the weather turns chaotic thanks to this tire’s multi-cell technology that utilizes bite particles to yield amazing traction in ice and snow. With its large contact area and innovative winter tread compound, you’ll finally find peace of mind on your winter commute.
For your SUV or truck, we recommend the Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2. This winter tire has the chops to handle your truck or SUVs unique driving demands. With its multi-cell rubber compound and hydrophilic coating, it actively works to remove water and snow from the tread to give you constant grip. Even when the temp drops and things are slick, the increased block edges in the tire’s tread offer enhanced control like you’ve never encountered before!
ARE STUDDED TIRES AND TIRE CHAINS LEGAL IN NEBRASKA?
At this point, you’re probably wondering whether studded tires and tire chains are legal in Nebraska.
Yes, studded tires are legal in Nebraska between November 1st to April 1st. Tire chains are also legal in Nebraska as long as they are of reasonable proportions to your vehicle.
When you know you’re going to be going into extreme weather, studded tires or tire chains may be appropriate.
We like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10SUV for a studded winter tire option. Super strong and with innovative stud patterns to maximize traction in the worst winter conditions, some sizes even come with run-flat tech!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with too many good options, try Treadwell. It’s our smart tire buying guide that’s designed to help you find the right tire based on your unique driving needs.
Have your wheels seen better days? Turn to us at Discount Tire. Many of our stores offer wheel services and repairs! Plus, we have the largest supply of the best priced aftermarket wheels. If you want a new look, we can make it happen!
And because Nebraska has some pretty extreme weather conditions, you may be in need of a new set of windshield wiper blades. You’re in luck, because we stock a full supply of high-quality, low-priced wiper blades!
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 their products online and book an appointment ahead of time wait less time in-store!
For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.