Locations in Nevada: 22
First Nevada location opening date: March 1, 1986
Common vehicles: Domestic pick up trucks, import commuter sedans, camp trailers and 5th wheels
Major regions/cities: Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Reno, Sparks, Genoa, South Lake Tahoe, Trukee, Virginia City, Carson City
Road conditions: Minimal precipitation throughout the year but with some snow in higher elevations during winter. Extreme heat on paved surfaces in lower elevations, especially in its southern region. Lots of road construction and occasional road debris like nails that can cause flats, especially near Las Vegas
When you think of Nevada (aka the Silver State), your mind probably automatically jumps to the flashy and fun Las Vegas strip as an oasis in the midst of a desert, or perhaps to fond memories of TV spaghetti westerns in the frontier Carson City.
But Nevada is more than just one or two famous cities. Those in the know happily vacation in gorgeous Reno, Red Rock Canyon and Lake Tahoe for its outdoor recreation, skiing, hiking and world class resorts. (And of course, a spot of gambling.)
Nevada is one of the most population-centralized states in the country, with a growing population of over 3.1 million residents heavily focused in the Las Vegas/Henderson and Reno/Carson City regions.
The state saw the highest recorded population increase in the nation from 2017 to 2018. It’s also increasingly composed of out-of-state transplants, particularly from California. Population booms mean a booming construction industry, too, as roads, retailers and real estate developments need to be created and modified to accommodate the population. Traffic and road hazards are a fact of life, especially in burgeoning Las Vegas/Henderson.
When you pair these facts with the natural climate dichotomy between the northern and southern regions, it yields different needs for tires—an important factor for drivers as Nevada is a major commuter state with sporadic public transportation.
BEST CAR TIRES FOR NEVADA
Nevada is actually the driest state in the country with a mostly desert and semi-arid climate. It averages only seven inches of rainfall per year, five inches less than their generally warmer neighbor, Arizona.
The northern regions of Nevada tend to have more typical four season weather with hot summers and cold, long winters. Nevada is mountainous and does see snowfall in higher elevations like Reno and in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
With this in mind, it should be no surprise that the most popular and in demand options tend to be all-season tires.
In the Reno and Sparks areas, a particular favorite is the Michelin Crossclimate2, probably for it’s reasonable price point, high degree of performance level, long expected service life and a 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty. It’s an excellent option for passenger vehicles and crossovers.
For drivers who want more oomph and don’t mind paying for it, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is a customer favorite. It’s a touring/performance tire for passenger vehicles who really need traction and handling. This tire is engineered to stay on the road and its 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Rating gives...well, assurance that it’s weather-ready!
For a true performance tire, northern Nevadans seem to like the Continental ControlContact Sport SRS+, an all-season offering from Continental with ultra high performance capabilities, controlled handling, amazing wet traction and a 50,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty.
The southern region of Nevada experiences warmer temps for longer with chilly but generally mild winters. As a result, our Las Vegas area tire shops see a difference in tire demand than our stores up north.
For the budget minded, store manager Bryan Lindsay (with nearly 16 years management experience) from the Southern Highlands Discount Tire store recommends GT Radial tires, which offer great budget friendly prices with good quality performance and usually a 50,000 mileage guarantee. A good option would be the GT Radial Touring VP Plus.
If you’re able to spend more to get more, then a mid grade tire with excellent benefits for southern Nevada would be the Road Hugger GTP AS/02 or the GTZ A/S. These offer excellent traction and are rated for high temperatures, perfect for Las Vegas summers. They also boast higher end road mileage guarantees!
Las Vegans who can afford a little more and are looking for an upgrade in performance (but want the high temperature rating) seek out the Yokohama YK-GTX with its proprietary ELS Oil Compound to maintain pliability and performance summer after summer.
For a top tier, best quality passenger car tire in Nevada, enter the Michelin Defender 2, which gives the smoothest ride, the best all-season traction and offers a robust 80,000-mile warranty. This performance and touring tire comes in a fair number of fitments to fit a variety of vehicles.
BEST TRUCK TIRES FOR NEVADA
There is no shortage of trucks in Nevada! Domestic pickups rank as the top selling and driven vehicles in the state, and they all need good tires.
If you’re in the northern end of the state and you just need your truck strictly for highway driving or as a commuter, then the Michelin Defender LTX M/S would be perfect for you. It’s a top of the line Michelin truck tire with all-season, touring and performance capabilities.This Defender is notable for its shorter winter weather and wet stopping distances and robust 50-70,000-mile warranty. Particularly, it’s great for full size SUVs and pickups that want reduced noise, vibration and driving harshness (and are hoping to save a bit on fuel).
But as you might expect, a fair number of rigs and rides in Nevada are geared towards rough terrain and off-road trails (read: all-terrain tires required). It’s no surprise then that the Pathfinder AT is a favorite with its reasonable price point, generous mile warranty, rugged durability and traction that is paired with a comfortable on-road ride.
The BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 is another very popular all-terrain tire due to its slew of traction and rough road features, including a 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Rating, 50,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty and superior grip in mud, snow and rocks (especially when aired down).
The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac, with its severe weather rating, rugged strength and durability and quiet on-road nature, is another all-terrain truck tire that has mass appeal and frequently leaves the racks in northern Nevada.
Southern Nevadans wheel off-road too, so popular off-roading truck tires echo those of the north with the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 being a great favorite and standard.
For those who drive trucks or SUVs primarily on the highway, Bryan Lindsay from Las Vegas believes the Bridgestone Dueler LX is for you as it, “...will give the customer a very smooth ride and works great for the traveler who’s on the road 99% of the time.”
This premium highway tire gives a quiet, smooth ride with all-season traction for both wet and dry roads. It also features a durable tread compound and optimized contact patch to keep it on the road longer, extending its expected service life...perfect for those cruises up and down the Las Vegas strip or a weekend trip to Lake Mead with the fam.
Do I need snow tires in Nevada?
Northern Nevada does see its share of snow and ice despite the state’s notoriety as an oasis in the desert. Roads are usually kept clear in the winter, but snow chains or at least studded tires are recommended if you’re travelling in the mountains, particularly Donner Pass. Nevada’s Department of Transportation website cautions drivers of sudden, dramatic changes in weather and driving conditions. You can see their winter driving tips for Nevada here.
The highest rated tire that northern Nevadans favor is definitely anything from Nokian’s Hakkapeliitta line of snow tires. Many of them are studdable and run-flat, and are rigorously tested in the most extreme weather conditions on the planet.
For something less expensive that still offers winter performance, drivers in northern Nevada often turn to the Michelin X-Ice Snow for its impressive stopping distance and traction, severe weather and M+S rating, plus a long expected service life.
According to Tony Cruz (13 year store manager veteran) from our Spanish Springs location in Sparks, the most requested snow tires are Bridgestone’s Blizzak line. This is likely due to the wide range of available sizing and applications this excellent line offers, making it attractive for a wide range of drivers and vehicles. They typically feature the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating and excellent wet, snow and ice traction.
The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac is an all-terrain truck tire with the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, indicating it’s rated for severe weather and could be a good option for you and your truck on winter roads in the regions of Northern Nevada.
At the end of the day, if you’re a northern Nevada resident, it’s best to consistently ensure your safety this winter with a set of designated winter tires.
We understand if you’re a bit overwhelmed with this list of our picks for tires in Nevada. After all, when everything sounds good, how do you choose? Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide, can find the ideal tire for you using your driving style, vehicle, budget and even region of Nevada to make the right recommendation for you.
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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