10 Best Car Tires for Gravel Roads of 2022 – Reviews By An Expert!

If you are someone like me, who often drives on gravel roads, you know that a regular tire is just not enough to get the job done.

These tires tend to have a soft tread, making the gravel road quite rough on the tires. So, what you need is a tire specially made for these types of roads.

I have changed between my fair share of tires, so I know all about the best car tires for gravel roads.

Top 5 Car Tires for Gravel Roads: Editor’s Pick

In this article, I will be telling you about ten such products to help you find the right fit for yourself. I have also included a buying guide and answered some questions you may have, so be sure to check those out as well.

The 10 Best Car Tires for Gravel Roads Review:

If you want to make sure your tires do not suffer when driving on gravel roads, you need something to handle the rough terrain. Keep on reading to know more.

1. Firestone All Season Tire 225/65R17 102T

The first product on the list is the Firestone All Season touring tire that is incredibly affordable and made for different vehicles. It is a great tire to have with you in all seasons.

First of all, this thing has a unique tread design that performs exceptionally well over both dry and wet road surfaces, thanks to its deep tread grooves.

Not just that, it is also a great tire to have around winter since it provides good traction in snow. It works perfectly well with a variety of vehicles such as minivans, sedans, and coupes.

This thing has a limited treadwear warranty of 65000 miles. The manufacturers of this product put special care into trying to make it a quiet tire that will give you a nice and comfortable ride. Compared to many other tires, this one has low rolling resistance, which means it has been designed to be fuel-efficient.

It has a 6.5-inch rim width with a 225 millimeters section width and a load capacity of 1874 pounds. You should note here that even though this is an all-season tire, it is not the best for driving through deep snow.

Pros

• Offers great performance
• Made to be fuel-efficient
• Quite affordable
• Great traction on both dry and wet surfaces

Cons

• Not the best performance on deep snow

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2. Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 Winter/Snow Passenger Tire

This is one of the best tires for dirt road and the perfect tire for your car or minivan during the winter. You can rely on the WS80 even in the worst driving conditions.

This thing offers excellent traction on ice or deep snow. It features a hydrophilic coating for the elements that give you better-stopping power, even on slippery surfaces.

In order for the tire to be flexible even in the cold, the manufacturers of these products included an advanced multicellular compound made of Nano Pro-Tech.

The tires have a 195-millimeter section width, along with a 6-inch rim width. It has a load capacity of 1356 pounds and a 91.0 load index rating to handle a decent amount of load safely.

This tire also features a new cavity shape that helps spread the contact pressure evenly throughout the entire area for the best performance in all weather conditions.

This has been designed to have a firm grip and give you great control in winter conditions. It offers comfort and driving security, which makes it a very reliable tire. The area where the tire could show some improvement is with the tread life. However, other than that, this really is one of the best car tires for gravel roads.

Pros

• Ideal for driving over snow and ice
• Offers excellent traction
• Provides great stopping power
• It gives you great control and grip in winter conditions

Cons

• Tread life could use some improvement

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3. Bridgestone Driveguard Run-Flat All-Season Tire

Next, we have another Bridgestone product on this list. The Bridgestone Driveguard is quite a popular choice amongst many when it comes to the best all terrain tire for gravel. If you are looking for something that will give you a smooth and comfortable ride, this can be just the thing you need!

I know what you are thinking; run-flat tires are not the first thing that comes to mind when we think of a comfortable ride.

However, thanks to its new RF tire technology, Bridgestone has done a great job changing all that with this model. This tire is perfect for sedans, crossovers, and compact cars.

If you are someone who finds it troublesome to change a flat, you will surely appreciate this tire. This unit is able to go up to 50 miles after a puncture.

Based on CR’s test, this all-season tire has 55000 miles of tread life. With its 87.0 load index rating, this offering has about 2647.8 pounds of load capacity.

The manufacturers of this product have used quite a few other technologies with this one. It features Cooling Fins that work to reduce heat build-up by ensuring airflow around the tire. This thing uses an optimized contact patch to distribute the weight evenly throughout the surface, providing better durability. Overall, this is a top-notch tire that will make a great addition to your vehicle.

Pros

• Asymmetrical tread pattern helps with water handling
• Very quiet
• Optimized Contact Patch ensures even distribution of weight
• Great quality

Cons

• Not suitable for aggressive driving

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4. Bridgestone Driveguard Run-Flat Passenger Tire

If you want to check out some other run-flat tires, Bridgestone has another high-quality product for you. This Driveguard run-flat passenger tire is one of the best rock and road tires on the market right now. It is an excellent product for the reasonable price that it offers.

With its 97.0 load index rating, this thing has a load capacity of 1609 pounds. It features a new RF technology like the other Bridgestone run-flat tire mentioned earlier, which will make your ride super comfortable.

The silica and special rubber polymers it features help it perform better in wet driving conditions.

It also has a 60000-mile limited mileage warranty, and the manufacturers of this product have promised this thing can go up to 50 miles after a puncture. This thing barely makes any noise, so that you will have very quiet and comfortable rides.

The tire features many new technologies, including the NanoPro-Tech Sidewall technology, a rubber compound that has been strengthened and molded into the sidewalls.

So, it is able to carry the entire weight of the vehicle easily, and the cooling fin design helps create a smooth airflow around the tire to decrease friction and heat build-up. These tires are pretty lightweight, which does a great job giving a better overall performance.

Pros

• Excellent quality tire
• It does not make any noise
• Great traction and stopping power
• Cooling Fin design helps reduce heat build-up

Cons

• Not the best for rough driving

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5. Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 Winter Passenger Car Tire 205/65R15 94 T

Up next is another Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 passenger tire, that comes in different sizes and with some great features. If you are looking for high-quality puncture resistant car tires, this can be just the thing you need.

First of all, although the tire offers great performance for all-weather conditions, it is especially known for its top-notch performance in both light and deep snow.

It features a hydrophilic coating around the elements which provides the user with excellent stopping power. The advanced multicellular compound paired with the NanoPro Tech keeps the tires flexible even in the cold.

Bridgestone constructed an innovative and new cavity shape that does an excellent job of spreading the pressure evenly over the whole footprint area.

That gives the tire enhanced wear and dry, wet, and snow performance. It has a load capacity of 1477 pounds, a 94.0 index rating, and 205-millimeter section width. You will find this to be a great fit for vehicles such as compact cars or sedans.

What makes this one of the best tires for dirt roads is its tread pattern. The 3D zigzag sipes give the product biting edges, allowing for a much better grip and more confident braking, even on snow. These tires will provide you with a great driving experience and, with good care, will last quite a long time.

Pros

• Excellent winter performance
• Great grip and braking
• Innovative design
• Good traction on both dry and wet surfaces

Cons

• Could use some improvement for tread life

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6. Bridgestone Driveguard Run-Flat Passenger Tire 225/45RF17 91 W

Bridgestone is a very well-liked company when it comes to auto and truck parts. Their products are known for their great performance and reliability, and this particular tire is no different.

This is an all-season touring tire that is packed with some of the finest features. It has a section width of 225 millimeters, a rim width of 7.5 inches, and about 1356 pound load capacity.

Like a lot of other Bridgestone tires, this one too features the NanoPro Tech. What that does is allows the tire to support the vehicle’s entire weight.

Not just that, the tire also comes with Cooling Fins which ensures airflow around the whole tire. This results in a lower amount of heat build-up and friction, ensuring low-pressure mobility.

You can drive safely and with a lot more confidence, thanks to the easy and comfortable handling.

The tire shows some of the best performance I have seen when it comes to wet road conditions. There are silica and special rubber polymers that allow Driveguard to perform well even in the rain with great handling. This thing also has quite a long tread life.

Pros

• Reliable and offers great performance
• Quite a long tread life
• Excellent handling on both dry and wet conditions
• Quiet and comfortable

Cons

• Not the best performance on ice

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7. Bridgestone Driveguard Run-Flat Passenger Tire 205/55RF16 91 V

The Bridgestone Driveguard RFT 205/55RF16 91V BSW tire offers top-notch performance. It is one of the best run-flat and puncture resistant car tires.

This thing comes with extended mobility and quite a long tread life. It is said to be able to go up to 50 miles even after a puncture.

This is an all-season touring tire that has been built to handle abuse when driving over gravel roads and rocks, making it one of the best tires for dirt roads.

The tire can support the vehicle’s total weight, even at zero pressure, all thanks to the NanoPro Tech rubber inside. It also features Cooling Fins that allow air to flow around the tire, resulting in a decrease in heat build-up and friction.

This durable tire works very well on both wet and dry roads with excellent handling and braking.

The 60000-mile mileage warranty is another great thing about this tire. There is just one area where this tire could show some improvement: its performance on ice or deep snow. Other than that, this is an excellent replacement to consider for your vehicle.

Pros

• Excellent quality
• Long tread life
• It makes little to no noise
• Excellent handling and braking on wet and dry surfaces

Cons

• Performance on ice could use improvement

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8. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Highway Tire for SUV

For many people, having a quiet ride is very important when out on a drive. If you consider yourself to be one of these people, this Bridgestone tire can be just the thing you need.

First things first, this thing has a treadwear warranty of 80000 miles, and it is ideal for all seasons. With its improved fuel-efficient design, you will not have to be concerned about fuel consumption.

As mentioned earlier, this tire has also been specially constructed to give you a very comfortable and quiet ride.

Thanks to the optimized casing and footprint design that helps the user get a noise-free and comfortable ride. Not just that, these are cut and chip resistant tires with an ever-black sidewall that prevents fading.

The tires go very well with luxury vehicles, thanks to the unique tread pattern. The tread compound made up of about 5 percent recycled rubber ensures a significant reduction in CO2 emission.

You will be glad to know that this thing ensures safe handling, even under heavy rain conditions.

The product manufacturers have made sure to include an optimized casing which, along with the footprint design, results in a very quiet ride on the highway. One thing you should keep in mind is that its limited traction on ice.

Pros

• Better fuel efficiency
• Noise-free ride
• Great for all seasons
• Features a unique tread pattern

Cons

• Limited ice traction

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9. Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus All-Season Touring Tire

The Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus is an all-season tire that promises solid performance. It is one of the best gravel tires for pavement and perfectly suitable for vehicles like sedans, coupes, and minivans.

This is a very environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient tire with a 70000-mile tread warranty. Thanks to its innovative symmetric tread pattern and independent center blocks, the tire shows excellent traction and handling.

This unique tread pattern also makes the ride very quiet and comfortable. It has very low rolling resistance and a small carbon footprint which makes it suitable for various vehicles.

This thing has a section width of 215 millimeters with 7-inch rim width and a load capacity of about 1477 pounds. The NanoPro Tech offers improved fuel economy for all types of road conditions.

Four circumferential Grooves work to channel water out on the wet pavement and reduce hydroplaning.

If you search for the longest lasting tire for gravel roads, you will surely appreciate this product. It comes with two steel belts wrapped with nylon and a polyester casing, all of which make the tire stronger and highly durable.

Overall, this is a great tire that promises top-notch performance at quite a reasonable price.

Pros

• Good tread life
• Great traction on both dry and wet surfaces
• Highly durable
• Fuel efficient

Cons

• Could use some improvement for winter performance

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10. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus Highway Terrain SUV Tire 255/60R17 106 H

The last product on the list is another one from Dueler H/L Alenza Plus Series. When talking about the best car tires for gravel roads, there is no way you cannot talk about this particular product.

The tires have a 106.0 load index rating and a 255-millimeter section width with a 7.5-inch rim width. It comes with a limited treadwear warranty of 80000 miles.

The symmetric tread pattern helps make the ride a lot quieter and more comfortable. Not just that, the center blocks and notched shoulder blocks also add to the stability and responsiveness for easier handling.

The circumferential grooves do a great job channeling out water and so, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Reinforced twin steel belts with spirally wrapped nylon inside the tire provide support for the tread surface.

Additionally, the sidewalls are kept stable thanks to the polyester cords, all of which make the riding experience even better.

This is an all-season tire that promises great traction on all surfaces, with the best performances on both dry and wet surfaces. It has much better fuel efficiency compared to some of its competitors.

Although its performance on ice could use a bit of improvement, overall, this is an excellent product, perfect for a variety of vehicles and one of the best tires for rural mail carriers.

Pros

• Excellent quality
• Circumferential grooves reduce the risk of hydroplaning
• Easy handling
• Quiet and comfortable

Cons

• Ice traction can use some improvement

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Buying Guide: What to Consider When Choose Car Tires for Gravel Roads

That was all about my list of the best car tires for gravel roads. However, before you make a final decision, there are some things you need to think about regarding the different tires. Below I have made a list of some things that you should consider when buying such tires.

a) Traction

When looking for a suitable tire to drive on gravel roads, make sure you pay attention to its traction ability. Look out for tires that have a deep tread; those are usually the ones that provide the best traction. Tires with biting edges will also provide you with excellent traction.

You will find them to be even more useful in deep snow. Tires that come with sipes and grooves also determine the amount of traction you get. How much traction your tire can provide decides how well it handles gravel roads.

b) Durability

If you are thinking about investing in a good tire, you surely want it to be worth it and last a long time. That is why you should check out out the treadwear grade of the tire of your choice. Tires with a higher treadwear grade will take a longer time to wear off.

Go for tires that are tough and have puncture resistance. Tires that are reinforced with silica compounds, like some of the tires mentioned on this list, also provide a lot more stability and better handling.

Regular tires, especially those with soft treads, cannot handle the roughness of gravel roads regularly. That is why you should make sure to get something strong enough to withstand the abuse.

c) Grip

If you regularly travel on gravel roads, you are probably aware of how they can affect your tires. It would be best if you made sure the tire of your choice has a good grip on the road surface in all conditions.

Without a good grip on the road, driving can be quite dangerous. There are basically two factors that determine the grip of the tire, tread depth and stiffness.

d) Handling

Handling depends on the amount of grip the tire has. Tires that have sipes and broad circumferential grooves do a great job channeling out water, allowing better handing in the rain. It also enhances the overall performance of the tires.

e) Puncture Resistance

Gravel roads tend to be quite rough and aggressive; they take a toll on regular tires quickly. So, if you regularly travel these roads, you need tires that are tough, durable, and resistant to punctures.

Make sure the sidewalls of the tire are strong to go over harsh and rocky roads. Rigid sidewalls add protection to the tires and make sure they do not get flat easily.

f) Price

Lastly, like with any other product, the price of the tires is another thing you should carefully consider. If you are on a budget, there are a few good and affordable options. Some of which have been mentioned on the list, from which you can choose.

Frequently Asked Questions:

i) Are gravel roads bad for tires?

Gravel roads tend to be very rocky and sharp, which can significantly cause damage to any standard tires. That is why if you want to drive through such surfaces regularly, you need rock and road tires that have been specially made for these conditions.

ii) How fast should you drive on a gravel road?

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Gravel roads can be challenging; that is why many areas have a speed limit of 55mph for gravel roads.

iii) What is a load index rating on a tire?

The load index rating indicates how much weight the car can carry depending on the size and pressure of the tire. The higher the load number, the higher the amount of weight that the tire can safely handle.

iv) Which tread pattern is suitable for wet conditions?

Asymmetric tread patterns provide great stability, grip, and handling. It makes it a lot easier to drive in wet road conditions.

v) How wide should my tire be?

When it comes to rough terrain like gravel roads, you will want to maximize the traction and comfort. To do that, you need wide tires. However, tires that are too wide run the risk of aquaplaning.

Final Words

So, did any of these tires catch your eye? Keep in mind that the best car tires for gravel roads are made to provide you with a good grip and acceleration so that you can drive over these types of terrain without significant damage.

So, when making a purchase, make sure the tire of your choice is up for this challenge.

I hope you found this article for car tires for gravel roads review helpful. Deciding which one to pick can feel daunting, but you don’t have to worry. Just follow the buying guide, and you should be good to go!