Best Tires for New Jersey

What are the best tires for New Jersey?

The best tires for New Jersey depend on your vehicle, where you drive, and how you drive. For most drivers, quality all-season tires provide dependable wet traction, long tread life, and confident performance for commuting and occasional winter conditions. Drivers who frequently encounter snow or icy roads may benefit from all-weather or dedicated winter tires.

THE BEST TIRES FOR NEW JERSEY DRIVERS

Best Overall Tire: Michelin CrossClimate2
Best Value Tire: Phantom HRX
Best Large SUV Tire: Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2
Best Truck Tire: Bridgestone Dueler Maverick A/T
Best EV Tire: Michelin CrossClimate2
Best Winter Tire: Any from the Bridgestone Blizzak tire family

NEW JERSEY DRIVING CONDITIONS AT A GLANCE

NEW JERSEY DRIVING CONDITIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS BY REGION

All-weather tires offer the enhanced performance in cooler temps, rain, and light snow that North New Jersey requires for much of the year. For trucks and SUVs that work in rough road (or off-road) conditions, we recommend all-terrain tire with a severe weather designation.

In Central and Southern New Jersey, a good quality all-season tire (for all vehicle types) with a long expected tread life (for commuting) is typically the best choice.

In all New Jersey regions, a dedicated winter tire is highly recommended – even when snow isn’t expected or typical. This is because the main function of a winter tire is to perform in temperatures below 45F when other tire types (even all-season and all-weather) stiffen up and lose performance.

NEW JERSEY STATE WINTER TIRE REGULATIONS

New Jersey does not legally require drivers to use winter tires, however they do regulate other aspects of winter driving, including:

1. Tires must have a minimum tread depth of 2/32’’

2. Studded tires may be used between November 15 and April 1

3. Drivers may use snow chains when conditions are slippery due to snow, ice, and rain, but not on improved highways

4. Drivers must completely remove all ice and snow from their vehicle, including their roof, trunk, hood, and windows, before driving on the road

FIND THE BEST TIRE FOR YOUR VEHICLE

We’ve selected the best options for New Jersey by vehicle type.

I drive a sedan, crossover, or small to mid SUV

Recommended: Michelin CrossClimate2

Why it works for New Jersey:

• Impressive wet and wintry conditions

• Extremely good treadlife

• One of safest options available

  • Puncture resistant

• 60,000-mile warranty

Best Budget Option: Phantom HRX

Why it works for New Jersey:

• Great performance and price

• Easily available in almost all sedan sizes

• Confident traction in dry, wet, slush, or light snow conditions

• 50,000-mile warranty

I drive an SUV (Mid or Full-size)

Recommended: Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2

Why it works for New Jersey:

• Dependable wet and light winter control

• Great for larger SUVs

• Long-lasting tread and comfort

• Smooth, even treadwear

• 50-70,000-mile warranty

Alternative recommendation: Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3

Why it works for New Jersey:

• Designed for North American market

• Wet, dry, and light snow control

• Confident braking and wear

• Comfy, quiet ride

• Long mileage warranty (70,000-miles)

How does it compare to the Michelin LTX M/S2?

• Lower price point

• More performance-oriented handling

• Higher speed rating

• Softer ride

I drive a truck

Recommended: Bridgestone Dueler Maverick A/T

Why it works for New Jersey:

• Lower price compared to competitors

• Great performance in wet conditions

• Severe weather rated

• Dependable all-terrain traction

• Huge range of SUV and pickup truck sizes

• Comfort-designed tread

• Long wearing durability

• ENLITEN tech for capable efficiency

• 60,000-mile warranty

Alternative recommendation: BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO 3

Why it works for New Jersey:

• Built for full size SUVs, half-ton pickups, and off-road ready builds

• Legendary KO-series toughness

• Confident all-weather traction

• Long-haul durability

• 50,000-mile warranty

How does it compare with the Bridgestone Dueler Maverick A/T?

• Higher price point

• More off-road focused tread

• Similar winter performance

• Severe weather rated

• Slightly smaller warranty

Budget Truck Tire Recommendation: Pathfinder AT

Why it works for New Jersey:

• Responsive handling

• Precise steering control

• Dry, wet, and light winter condition traction

• Smooth, comfortable ride

• All-season with all-terrain performance

• Made by Hankook

• 50-55,000-mile warranty

How does it compare to the Bridgestone Dueler Maverick A/T and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO4?

• Lowest price point

• Similar warranty

• Good option for daily driving for trucks

• Milder all-terrain tread and performance

• Good tread life for an all-terrain tire

I drive an EV

Recommended: Michelin CrossClimate2

Why it works for New Jersey:

• Excellent all-weather capability

• Puncture resistance

• Strong, long-lived tread (even for electric vehicles)

  • This tire trends toward 45-50k miles, more than average for EV tires

• Wide available range of sizes for:

  • Tesla Model Y

  • Hyundai Ioniq 5

  • Ford Mustang Mach-E

  • Volkswagen ID.4

• Extra load capacity for heavier EVs

• Comfortable and confident ride

• 60,000-mile warranty

WHY TIRE CHOICE MATTERS IN NEW JERSEY

Choosing the right tire has everything to do with your driving experience in New Jersey. Things like:

1. Safety

   • Climate
     New Jersey's climate brings significant rain, heat, freezing temperatures, snow, and occasional blizzards. Large swings in temps can cause large variances in tire air pressure.

   • Road conditions
     Rough, ungraded roads gather puddles and debris from constant construction projects. Potholes are common (often due to weakened pavement from freeze-thaw cycles or heavy construction) and a source for damaged tires and wheels.

2. Fuel efficiency & Commuting

   • New Jersey is the most densely populated state and most are commuters. Rush hour, congestion, and stop-and-go traffic are all serious considerations for drive performance and fuel efficiency for both gas and electric vehicles alike.

3. Performance & Investment

   • Driving need
     All of New Jersey’s counties are considered urban, but rural and rough terrain are still within easy reach. Drivers need the appropriate tires for their driving needs, whether touring tires for highway commutes or tough all-terrains for work sites.

   • Tire longevity
     All drivers want their tires to last as long and stay as safe as possible. Better quality tires will generally last longer and offer higher real-world performance and safety features compared to lower options, making them worth the investment.
     
     UNDERSTANDING MILES PER DOLLAR

NEW JERSEY’S ROAD SALT PROBLEM

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) applies rock salt, salt brine, and liquid calcium chloride to thousands of lane miles across the snow to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. Although this improves road safety, it can create challenging conditions for your tires and wheels.

How Road Salt Affects Tires

Road salt and brine can damage your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) because it acts as a corrosive substance, especially around metal valve stems and sensor seals. This frequently leads to leaks or total sensor failure.

Question: How can I protect my tires from road salt?

Answer:

• Choose rubber stems

• Frequently wash your vehicle undercarriage. This will flush out accumulated salt and chemicals.

• Keep an eye on your TPMS light

How Road Salt Affects Wheels

The road salt mixture used in wintertime can damage your wheels, too. The corrosive brine will break down your wheel’s protective coatings, causing both steel and aluminum wheels to rust, pit, or discolor over time. This damage can cause significant reduction in safety and performance.

Question: How can I protect my wheels from road salt?

Answer:

• Use a dedicated set of winter wheels

• Frequently wash your vehicle undercarriage. This will flush out accumulated salt and chemicals.

• Apply a protective sealant

• Wash and thoroughly dry your wheels frequently, every 7-10 days

• Wash your wheels with the appropriate non-corrosive products.

Local tip

Our Burlington store team says that rough pavement, heavy traffic, and post-winter potholes are some of the biggest tire challenges they see each year. A FREE spring tire inspection can help catch damage before it affects your ride quality or tire life.

FREE TIRE INSPECTION

LOCAL STORE INSIGHTS

We asked our tire experts in New Jersey for some tips and we weren’t disappointed. Gene Bailey, manager of the Burlington America’s Tire store, wants customers to know:

1. Your drivetrain (AWD, 4WD for example) accelerates your vehicle; it doesn’t stop it.
   “All-wheel drive does not create traction – it maximizes it. Four times zero is still zero! If you lose traction, you have no points of contact and no control. That’s why choosing the best tire you can afford is so important.”

2. Winter tires are still the best option for the winter season, even without snow or ice.
   Winter tires are not just designed for ice and snow. They’re made so they work well in temperatures below 45F when other tires stiffen and lose effectiveness. Even though New Jersey doesn’t usually get significant snowfall (except when those nor’easters hit), it does remain below freezing in the winter season.
   
   “If maintaining a separate set of winter tires is not something you can do, I recommend a good all-weather tire that gives you better performance across a large span of temperature. The MichelinCrossClimate2 is my go-to: it’s quiet, safe, puncture resistant, and lasts a long time. I trust my wife and children to those tires.”

3. America’s Tire offers a positive tire shopping experience that prioritizes safety first.

BEST TIRES BY DRIVING NEED

TIRE COMPARISON TABLES BY VEHICLE TYPE

For Passenger Vehicles (Sedans, crossovers, and small SUVs)

For SUVs (Mid to Large)

For Trucks

NOT SURE WHICH TIRE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you’re still not sure what tires are best for you, we can help. Start with Treadwell, our smart tire shopping tool. It’s the same tool we use in store to find the best tire for you, your vehicle, and your drive.

Just tell Treadwell:

1. What you drive

2. Where you drive

3. How you drive

It will recommend the best tires for your needs and that fit your vehicle. Each recommended tire comes complete with a performance summary about things you want to know, including: stopping distance, dollars-per-mile cost, warranty information, and efficiency.

You can always contact us for in-person help. Just drop by or give us a ring!

READY TO ROLL?

If you have any questions or are unsure what tires work best for you, drop in or give us a ring. We’ll get you taken care of. Buy and book online and save time in-store!

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