All-Terrain vs. Highway Terrain Tires

Light trucks, CUVs and SUVs have been steadily increasing in popularity in the United States for decades, and many drivers love them for their versatility for work, travel, and recreation. With these larger vehicles being used for so many different purposes, tire manufacturers have had to design and construct tires that will hold up to the demands of various types of driving and terrain. Two popular types of Light Truck and CUV/SUV tires with very different but beneficial features are Highway-Terrain and All-Terrain tires.

What are All-Terrain and Highway-Terrain Tires Good For?

Both All-Terrain (A/T) and Highway-Terrain (H/T) tires offer distinct benefits for Light Truck and CUV/SUV drivers. Like Mud-Terrain tires, All-Terrain tires have features that help them perform with good traction, grip, and resilience off-road, such as large tread blocks and deep tread grooves, pliable rubber, and reinforcement to prevent punctures or damage. However, A/T tires also share some features with All-Season tires, which give them better handling, longer tread life, and a smoother, quieter ride than a Mud-Terrain tire. All-Terrain tires are great for people who drive on paved roads on the weekdays, but who want the versatility to take their vehicles off-road on the weekends, without having to change their tires every time.

In contrast, Highway-Terrain tires are designed to be very efficient, safe, and comfortable for longer commutes on paved roads, such as highways. The tread of H/T tires is much smoother, with more shallow grooves than A/T tires, causing less friction with the road which makes for a smoother, quieter ride, lengthens the tire’s life and increases the vehicle’s fuel economy. Highway-Terrain tires are well equipped for highway driving both in rain and in hot, dry weather, as they are designed to maintain good traction on wet or dry paved surfaces, and to provide stability while driving, which is important for handling, especially in trucks that may carry heavy loads over long distances. Although they have many benefits, H/T tires are not equipped for off-road terrain.

Are All-Terrain Tires and Highway-Terrain Tires Good in the Snow?

To find out if an A/T or an H/T tire can be used for driving on mud, snow or ice, always check the rating molded onto the tire’s sidewall. A Mud + Snow Rated tire will have the M+S symbol, showing that it maintains its traction on packed mud or snow, but is not suited for severe snow conditions such as soupy snow, wet mud, or ice. A tire with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF)/ Severe Snow Rating, a symbol of a three-peaked mountain with a snowflake inside, indicates that the tire has met the industry standard for good traction in severe snow conditions such as wet mud, snow or ice. However, in certain areas, it’s good to check regional laws and advisories, as some areas require studded snow tires or chains. Between the two tires, an A/T tire is a better choice for driving in snow because its tread is specially designed for traction and grip on wet and unstable surfaces, like soupy mud or slush, and it has softer rubber, which gives better traction on slippery surfaces like ice.

Choosing the Best All-Terrain Tire

Groundspeed’s Voyager A/T All-Terrain tire combines the best features of an All-Season tire and a Mud-Terrain tire, with versatility, reliability, and long wear on-road and off-road, in rain, mud, sand and snow. This tire has 10 ply construction and is designed to give exceptional off-road traction, and is made with specialty materials that are optimal for Light Trucks and SUV/CUVs. Bringing both on-and off-road versatility, the tread of the Voyager A/T was designed with a Zig-Zag tread pattern, and a Pattern Block Design that adds to driving performance and control on both paved and off-road driving surfaces. The Pattern Block Design also works together with the Fine and Dense sipes to reduce road noise and expels water quickly for better traction on wet surfaces. For extra driving confidence, the Voyager AT was designed with a Stabilized Shoulder, which adds stability to high-speed turns, Optimized Tread Blocks which are slanted to increase driving stability, and a Tread Groove pattern with corners that stabilize and increase ride comfort on all terrain types. The Voyager A/T is also one of the select A/T tires that has the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake/Severe Snow Rating, meaning it can be confidently driven year-round. It’s not only road-ready, it’s OHV and Trail Ready with GroundSpeed’s GroundUP 50K Mileage Warranty, and Road Hazard Coverage. Learn more about the Voyager A/T tire in this video.

Choosing the Best Highway-Terrain Tire

For long drives with quiet comfort, fuel-economy, and on-road traction and stability, Groundspeed’s Voyager H/T is a Highway-Terrain tire that offers a premium experience. Purpose-built for a quiet and comfortable ride, the Voyager H/T is packed with features that enhance driving comfort, stability, and traction in rain and snow. Four wide circumferential tread grooves evacuate water and improve driving performance on wet surfaces, also reducing hydroplaning at higher speeds. The optimal middle tread pattern works together with the circumferential grooves to improve driving stability at highway speeds, while the continuous center rib also adds stability and improves braking performance. A noise-reducing shoulder and a variable tread pattern optimize noise-reduction, providing a quiet, comfortable, premium ride experience. In snow, the Voyager H/T comes equipped with 3D Snow Sipes, which maximize snow traction and braking performance, and add to the tire’s stabilizing features. This tire is also M+S Rated, showing that it maintains good traction in light mud and snow conditions. This outstanding Highway-Terrain tire is also backed by Groundspeed’s GroundUP 50K Mileage Warranty and Road Hazard Coverage. Learn more about the Voyager H/T in this video.

How to Choose the Best Type of Tire for Your Light Truck, CUV or SUV

Choosing the best type of tire for your vehicle comes down to your lifestyle and needs. If your driving consists mainly of commutes on paved roads like highways or freeways, then an H/T tire may be the most economical and comfortable choice. However, if you drive on paved roads during the week, but regularly take your vehicle off-road onto more rugged terrain, then an All-Terrain tire may be a better choice.

Read more about related tire topics in one of our previous blogs:
X/T Tires vs All-Terrain Tires