Best Tires For Arizona: Top 10 Outstanding Candidates You’ll Love 2024

Hey there, I’m Alvin Reyes, a self-proclaimed car whisperer and automotive extraordinaire. With over a decade of experience in the field of automotive engineering and car reviews, I’ve seen it all when it comes to vehicles – including tires.

If you’re a resident of Arizona, then you know firsthand how the blazing sun can be harsh on your precious wheels. But don’t fret, because I’ve got the lowdown on the top 10 best tires for Arizona of 2024. As a professional auto repair technician and former sales staff at automotive parts stores, I know the importance of selecting the perfect tire for your specific needs.

Arizona’s unforgiving roads can wreak havoc on your tires, which is why I’m here to help. I’ve tested and reviewed countless tires over the years, and I can confidently recommend the best options to handle those tough conditions.

Planning a summer road trip to a hot and sunny destination? Don’t leave home without the right set of tires. Check out my top 10 list and find the tire that suits your needs best. With my expertise, you’ll be hitting the open road worry-free and in style.

Overview Of Arizona Terrain

Hot weather is characteristic of the weather in Arizona. Even in the winter, daytime lows in the state are 70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Meanwhile, during the summer, temperatures often reach close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even there have been times when the temperature has been hot, up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in three months.

The terrain in Arizona is also quite remarkable. The state has three distinct geographical regions: desert ridges, plateaus, and transition zones. You can find more than 200 mountain ranges, rock formations, and deep valleys in Arizona.

Why Should You Choose Off-Road Tires For Arizona?

With the above geographical and climatic characteristics, to travel safely all year round in Arizona, off-road tires are the first choice of drivers.

This tire has a deep groove design, a bulky appearance, and a durable tread compound. These characteristics make the tire more durable when traveling in high temperatures in Arizona. They will also meet off-road driving needs such as driving in mud, climbing slopes, or crossing rocks.

Do You Need All-Season Tires In Arizona?

All-season tires are not too durable to travel in an area with high temperatures like Arizona. But, they have outstanding traction in various conditions, including heavy rain.

These versions also offer a smoother ride than off-road tires. Therefore, all-season tires are a good choice if you love road driving.

In-depth Reviews Of The Best Tires For Arizona 

I focused on testing all-terrain and four-season tires. After many reviews, I found the best tires for the climate and terrain in Arizona. 

Off-road tires

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3

A tire for the hot Arizona conditions requires high durability to avoid any risk of damage. And the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is one option that meets the above requirements well. 

Its durability comes from a high-quality rubber compound, a durable three-layer structure that avoids the impact of rocks and obstacles. 

Also, the T/A KM3 won over car owners living in Arizona with its treatment on various surfaces and weather conditions. It works pretty well on dry roads. 

I test-drove it on high-temperature trails, hills, and plateaus. In any case, this pattern provides reliable traction, so my moves are not interrupted. 

I also test-drive the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 on slippery wet roads. Quite surprisingly, this slurry has a good discharge capacity. I didn’t have to deal with the dangers of losing control or water damage in heavy rain. 

I appreciate the off-road performance in the Mud-Terrain TA KM3. It meets my needs to conquer harsh terrain quite well. In particular, the handling on steep and muddy roads is excellent, surpassing competitors in the same segment. 

The Mud-Terrain TA KM3 has all the features needed for an off-road tire. Thus, I don’t expect too much from its street performance. I would not choose this mud terrain tire model for long distances on the highway. 

Pros

• Durable. 
• Good waterproof. 
• Reliable traction. 
• Excellent on muddy roads. 
• Conquer trails and mountain slopes. 

Cons

• Poor performance on the street. 

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac

Off-road tires often reveal a lot of disadvantages on the street. But Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac is an exception. 

Right on the first test drive, I was surprised by the minimal noise of this tire model. Although not as quiet as travel tires, overall ride quality with the Wrangler DuraTrac is quite reliable. 

The performance of the tire on the street is also quite excellent. On dry runways, it handles reasonably stably with a pretty good grip, even when cornering. I drove with heavy cargo and towed extra trailers, but it still provided ample acceleration traction. 

These best off-road tires for Arizona continue to maintain their advantage when traveling on wet roads. Its surface contact area always maximizes, even when I cross deep puddles. Although its stopping distance needs improvement, it still performs exceptionally well in wet conditions. 

On snow-covered roads, it continues not to disappoint me. Its zig-zag pattern and large tread blocks grip well on packed and unpacked snow. Its stopping distance, acceleration, and steering were far more perfect than I expected. 

In addition to reliable street performance, it has impressive off-road performance on various surfaces. 

On a hard-packed surface, it offers pretty impressive traction. I also don’t have to worry about pushing the cart to the limit. 

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac also maintains pretty good handling on harsher surfaces such as shallow mud. Even in the deep mud, its spikes didn’t let me traverse this terrain easily. 

Pros

• Handle pretty well on dry roads
• It can run well on shallow mud. 
• Capable of handling year-round. 
• Impressive traction on hard packing surfaces. 
• The ride quality is quite good in the segment. 

Cons

• Not the most ideal choice for deep mud. 

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

If your Jeep, SUV, or pickup truck is struggling with the harsh climate of Arizona, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is the option you should consider. This tire model will meet your off-road driving needs well.

These best SUV tires for Arizona meet my daily driving needs quite well. It handles well on dry roads, anti-slip on wet roads. 

In particular, it excels on light snow. Biting edges created by the tire’s 3D locking grooves enhance grip on the snow. Its flexible compound is also quite ideal for movement in low-temperature conditions. 

The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2’s extreme off-road performance was just as outstanding as it performed on the road. 

Dirt, muddy, and steep roads cannot make the All-Terrain T/A KO2 difficult because of its excellent self-cleaning ability. Therefore, the tire always maintains traction when traveling on soft and muddy soil conditions. 

I am also quite satisfied with its durability. After a long time, tears, chips, and cuts do not appear on the tire surface. Its wear on gravel roads is not too severe. 

Yet, its durable multi-layer design adds weight, affecting rolling resistance. So, if you are looking for a fuel-efficient option, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 will not be the name worth considering. 

Pros

• Durable, wear evenly. 
• It handles pretty well on light snow
• Maintains grip on soft and muddy soils
• Meet the needs of road driving. 
• Off-road handling is quite good. 

Cons

• Not the most fuel-efficient option. 

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R With Kevlar

Similar to the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac, the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R With Kevlar is a tire geared towards outstanding performance on and off-road. 

However, compared to the version I introduced earlier, Wrangler MT/R With Kevlar has many times more excellent durability. 

The sidewalls are reinforced with Kevlar fibers. The manufacturer has confidently announced that this equipment will increase its overall durability by 35%. In fact, the manufacturer does not exaggerate its longevity. I appreciate the cut and puncture resistance of this off-road tire. 

Aside from durability, I was impressed with its maximum traction on many terrains. It has no difficulty conquering sand, gravel, trails, or slopes. 

Thanks to the self-cleaning model, which is quite adequate, I no longer have trouble moving on harsh terrains such as mud or rocks.

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R With Kevlar did not disappoint me when moving on the street. Its grip is quite good on dry, wet, and even snow-covered roads. 

I was also delighted with its steering response on this terrain. Of course, its driving feel can’t be comparable with some of the best options on the highway. However, the Wrangler MT/R With Kevlar was far superior to its classmate. 

My only complaint about this model is the noise. The growl of the tread is quite clear when traveling on the highway.

Pros

• Enduring. 
• Effective self-cleaning. 
• Grip pretty well on regular streets. 
• Maximum traction on many terrains. 
• Steering response is more responsive than in-class options. 

Cons

• Noise on the highway. 

Toyo Open Country M/T

I was excited to test the Toyo Open Country M/T. This mud terrain tire is quite famous in the off-road driving community. After a period of experience, Open Country M/T has wholly conquered me. 

Overcoming rough terrain is the outstanding advantage of the Toyo Open Country M/T because not all tires can handle this type of surface.

Its large surface area on loose surfaces like gravel and mud allows it to handle better. Traction on this surface is also relatively stable, enough for me to always confidently move and accelerate in all cases. 

Open Country M/T is also one of the few tire models capable of kicking. Unlike many current options that struggle on this terrain, the Toyo tires handle it well. Rock climbing challenges cannot make it difficult for Open Country M/T. 

In addition to testing on unpaved terrain, I also tested this tire on the street. And its performance surprised me. 

On dry roads, its grip, especially when cornering, is quite good. While it can’t compete with highway-specific options, the Country M/T meets my needs. 

I am also confident about moving in the rain with this tire model. The best all-terrain tire for Arizona efficiently disperses water from the surface and has decent longitudinal traction and braking. Its slight downside on this terrain is that its cornering handling isn’t as good as I expected. 

I also used to think that the Open Country M/T, with its aggressive spikes, would be able to handle impressively in the snow. 

In practice, however, it only works effectively on unpacked snow surfaces. It had difficulty making its way through thick snow and packed ice-packed terrain. 

Pros

• Handle well on rocks
• It runs well on the street
• Effective anti-water attack. 
• Stable traction on loose surfaces. 
• Longitudinal wet brakes are pretty good. 

Cons

• Struggling on packed snow. 

Firestone Destination M/T2

Right at first contact, I was impressed with the 23-degree tire block of Firestone Destination M/T2. And this breaking point helps the tire provide plenty of traction and grip on mud and sand. 

I also had no problems conquering rocky, gravel roads with Destination MT. Its silica compound and lug design are strong enough to protect the tire from external impact. This model is also self-cleaning well to prevent entrapment in mud, sand, and another complex terrain.

The tires passed my stopping distance and cornering grip tests on dry paved roads. Although the results are not so excellent, it is safe enough to move on paved roads. 

The Firestone Destination M/T2 also handles pretty well on unpacked snowy terrain. Its stopping distance on this surface is not too good. However, it is still reliable enough to travel in winter. 

The disadvantage of this mud terrain tire model is only revealed when traveling on slippery roads. The Destination M/T2 is waterproof, but its overall handling on wet roads is not excellent. 

In particular, when handling wet corners, the tire loses control a bit. The front wheels even tend to drift when cornering at high speeds. 

Pros

• Enduring. 
• Good grip on dry roads. 
• Excellent terrain handling. 
• Reliable for use in harsh winters. 

Cons

• Need to improve handling on wet roads. 

Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3

Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 is an off-road tire with an impressive design. I quite like its unique four-row spikes and rigid sidewalls. 

The design features are more than simply creating an eye-catching look for the tire. More importantly, it helps to support my off-road driving needs very well.

I and Thompson Baja ATZ P3 conquered many harsh terrains such as rocks, and gravel. Surprisingly, when traveling on this terrain, sidewall corrosion is minimal. Small stones or busy dust cannot penetrate the core and affect the tire. 

In addition to enduring rough terrain, it also has pretty impressive handling. 

These best tires for Arizona heat accelerate and brake quite well. Its grip on hard packing and non-packing surfaces makes me quite satisfied.

Overall, the off-road ability meets the needs of adventurous people who always want to conquer rugged terrain. 

The ability to handle the street is also the Baja ATZ P3’s advantage. In particular, the tire has excellent performance on wet roads. It is also M+S certified, demonstrating its ability to operate in the mildest winter. 

Despite many advantages, the Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 still has a lot of problems to improve. One of them is the relatively narrow vacuum zone. This disadvantage makes that despite being in the MT tire category, the Baja ATZ P3 does not excel in the mud. 

Pros

• Enduring. 
• Good self-cleaning. 
• Can work on light snow. 
• Excellent performance on wet roads. 
• Acceleration is good on rough terrain. 

Cons

• Narrow vacuum zone, reducing sludge handling capacity. 

All season tires

Michelin Premier LTX

Off-road tires are a durable choice for navigating the streets of Arizona. But, its general downside style is that the ride quality is not so impressive.

If you’re simply looking for a smooth tire with year-round handling, four-season tires like the Michelin Premier LTX are worth considering. 

The most significant advantage of this tire model is the grip on the road. Due to exclusive EverGrip technology, Michelin Premier LTX maintains traction even when worn. 

This impressive technology makes up for its excellent dry traction. EverGrip continues to exert power on wet roads while maintaining the connection between the tire and the road surface. I faced almost no loss of control and water damage with the Premier LTX during the rainy season. 

As an all-season tire, I didn’t expect much from its snow handling. However, it took me by surprise. The unique tire compound is flexible enough to work well in light to moderate snow conditions. 

The ride’s quality is also why I always love the Michelin Premier LTX. The ride is quiet and comfortable. I couldn’t detect the treads’ growl even on perfect road surfaces. 

Off-road is the only aspect where this tire model cannot meet my requirements. It can move on unpaved roads. However, the durability of the tread does not allow it to conquer all harsh terrain. 

Pros

• Excellent dry traction. 
• Good grip on slippery roads. 
• The ride is always quiet and comfortable. 
• Can handle light to medium snow. 
• Meet the year-round driving needs. 

Cons

• Not the optimal choice for off-road. 

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max

True to its name, the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max is a tire designed to improve fuel economy. The manufacturer claims it can save up to 2,600 miles over the tire’s life. After a long time, I believe that the Assurance Fuel Max will achieve the above fuel economy. 

But beyond being an ideal budget option, the Assurance Fuel Max also impresses with its year-round handling. 

Its stability on the dry road completely conquered me. Slippery wet roads are also not a challenge for this four-season tire. Also, its circumferential grooves provided enough ledge and grip for safe maneuvering in the rain. 

The Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max’s winter handling is also commendable. It is not the most reliable choice for moving in harsh winters. However, its grip and stopping distance on light snow met my expectations. 

The only problem with this tire model is the noticeable noise when traveling on the highway at high speed.

Pros

• Fuel economy. 
• Good waterproof. 
• Stable on dry roads. 
• Good grip on slippery terrain. 
• It can handle light snow.

Cons 

• Noise on the highway. 

General Grabber HTS60

I used to use Grabber HTS before, so I had high expectations for the upgraded version of General Grabber HTS60. And it did not disappoint me. 

On the dry road, this version has a pretty impressive performance. Its surface contact area is better than its predecessor. It holds a good grip and wears more evenly throughout life. 

Its steering response is also quite impressive. It responded quickly to my steering controls and maintained stability on dry roads. 

Performance on wet roads is also a commendable advantage. It provided reliable traction during the rainy season, keeping me out of some dangerous situations. 

The tire also handles pretty well on snow. The grip of the General Grabber HTS60 meets my expectations for an all-season tire that can work in the winter. 

The ride’s quality is also why I decided to stick with General tires for a long time. 

Its exclusive comfort technology and additional shock-absorbing layer maximize power on all types of roads. Even on rough surfaces, it retains top-notch comfort and quietness. 

If you spend most of your time on the highway, the General Grabber HTS60 is an option worth considering. 

However, to get these impressive experiences, you will have to pay a slightly higher-than-average fee. Price is the only downside of this highway tire. 

Pros

• Ideal on the highway. 
• Quiet and comfortable. 
• Stable on dry roads. 
• Sensitive steering response. 
• Impressive slippery road handling. 

Cons

• High cost. 

Things to consider when choosing tires for Arizona

With the suggestions above, have you chosen the worthy choice? If so many requests confuse you, here are some tips to help you quickly find the right tire. 

Vehicle type 

Vehicle type will affect tire load, speed rating, tread pattern, etc. Truck and SUV tires will generally have differences. So, determine the correct vehicle type and the suitable tire model. 

Climate

Arizona is an area with a hot climate. Your tires need to be able to handle the heat and be durable enough to ride safely on this terrain. 

Driving habits

A tire that makes you happy needs to meet your driving habits and preferences. If you value ride quality, a comfortable, quiet tire will satisfy your needs. 

Whereas if you love the feeling of driving at limited speeds, you’ll need a tire that can handle this driving style. 

Budget

The best type of tires for Arizona is not a cheap investment. Set a specific budget to avoid being confused by the range of options with different prices. 

Once you’ve figured out exactly how much to spend, you can find out what must-haves on your tires, and some features may not appear in your selection. 

FAQs

Conclusion 

I always recommend the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3, Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac, and many off-road models to every driver living in Arizona.

These models offer good off-road handling and are relatively durable. Even when moved under high-temperature conditions, they can survive for many years.

The Michelin Premier LTX is my ideal recommendation if new four-season tires are your priority. It’s not suitable for off-road travel, but it’s comfortable and smooth for everyday driving. Hopefully, you have found your own best tires for Arizona through the suggestions above. Thank you for reading!

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