Best Off-Road Tires for Highway Driving and Comfort

Tough Tread, Smooth Cruise

Historically, it’s believed that off-road tires aren’t supposed to be used regularly on the roads and highways. Their big, clunky treads rumble across the highway and can make it feel like your very bones are shaking. But times have changed, and so have off-road tires. Their technology is greatly improved, able to blend those trademark aggressive looks with a level of highway composure that previously felt unattainable. The end result is a new breed of rubber that churns through any kind of uneven terrain but hums across paved roads almost like a touring tire.

When you spend your weekdays commuting and weekends are your time to find new trails to conquer, then you need tires like these. That combination of toughness and comfort for different situations is unbeatable, able to survive anywhere, without forcing you to choose between grit and grace. We’ve decided to shine a light on some of the best off-road tires that excel at highway performance, showing you it’s possible to roll through muck and rocks and not hating your daily drive at the same time.

The Middle Lane Between Wild and Mild

Gone are the days where off-road tires that featured highway manners are viewed as some sort of mythical unicorn. Engineers have long since figured out how to keep those tread lugs chunky enough to tackle various trail conditions while reducing the howl they make on pavement, combined with rugged and durable sidewalls that feature compounds that don’t wear down from a few thousand freeway miles. So let’s break down these once-mythical cryptids and really cover what makes them worth your while.

Nitto Ridge Grappler

It features an appearance that looks like it could subdue a boulder, but rest assured, the Nitto Ridge Grappler has a well-known reputation for being one of the best off-road tires that cruises on highways. Nitto hit the nail right on the head with this one: its hybrid tread has chunky outer lugs that’re perfect for crawling through dirt, while paired with inner blocks that keep your steering sharp and cabin noise lower than you’d expect. What does this mean? You get that mud-slinging power of an M/T without the road noise that feels like you’re sitting next to a helicopter waiting to launch.

The best aspect of the Ridge Grappler is how adaptable it really is. You can go from bombing a gravel trail to weaving through highway traffic and this tire is right there with you, totally unfazed. Its reinforced sidewalls give you greater confidence in towing or hauling applications, yet your ride is smooth enough that long-distance road trips are more than bearable. You’ve got hardcore off-road looks and highway manners combined into one incredible tire.

Toyo Open Country A/T III

There are some tires that tend to excel in one specific area. They do their one job and do it well. The Toyo Open Country A/T III is definitely not one of those tires. We like to think of it as the Swiss Army Knife of tires. Capable of taking on highways, dirt roads, downpours, or even spontaneous camping trips in remote areas, this tire can do it all, and succeed at each one. It has sharp edges to bite into loose surfaces, grooves that push water away, and clever details all along the tread that give it style and functionality. But it’s featured here because its layout is able to keep driving on highways surprisingly quiet and comfortable compared to most other off-road options.

The Open Country A/T III is able to easily balance everyday driving with off-roading adventures. It wasn’t built to be the loudest or flashiest tire on the market, but its true beauty is subtlety with which it handles everything you can throw at it. It’s more than capable of overcoming rutted roads and transporting you to your 9-5 every day, it just doesn’t need to brag about it. It’s a dependable option that can be counted on season after season, one mile at a time. It’s the perfect do-it-all partner for any kind of driving you could want to experience.

General Grabber A/TX

The Grabber A/TX is like the ketchup of tires, it goes well on almost everything. It’s a tough, capable tire that gives the best chance of real bang-for-buck returns on this list. That burly sidewall and massive tread blocks are pure off-road aggressive styling, but there’s more to these tires than just looking tough. They grip debris and loose sediments easily, but are well-suited to long highway drives, able to keep your ride steady and well-mannered for a tire this mean.

Like the other tires on this list, the Grabber excels at making a seamless transition from off-road warrior to faithful highway companion. It’s able to rack up highway miles without that obnoxious drone that other off-road tires make or give you sketchy handling. And like we mentioned before, it’s at a great price point to be an effective option that doesn’t drain your budget. If you’re aiming for maximum performance and style with a price that makes you smile, then the Grabber A/TX just made your decision a whole lot easier.

Falken Wildpeak A/T3W

This tire won’t mind rolling through rain, snow, or asphalt, it just puts its boots on and goes to work. Falken designed this tire to have jagged, deep grooves capable of providing incredible grip on virtually any surface, and a compound that brushes off temperature swings and uneven terrain, which is how it earned the 3-peak mountain snowflake badge. If you’re concerned about how your current tires react to black ice or mud, the Wildpeak is the kind that shrugs it off and asks you what your next challenge will be.

This tire is also just at home on the highways as it is backroads. It’s tread design creates a steady hum that’s easily tuned out as opposed to the obnoxious drone that most off-road tires feature, and it stays perfectly planted even when the weather turns for the worst. This might not be the flashiest of tire options, but it’s one we know you’ll want when roads and trails start throwing curveballs your way. Daily commutes, long-haul road trips, and harsh terrains won’t stand a chance against this reliable workhorse.

Find All Off-Road Tires for Your Build at TrailBuilt Off-Road!

These might be 4 of our favorite options for off-road tires that excel on highways for your off-roader, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones. There are plenty of tires to choose from that give you that incredible blend of off-road dominance and on-road comfort, and the only place to find them is TrailBuilt Off-Road! We have the largest selection of off-road upgrades for your rig, from wheels and tires to suspension and lighting. We offer free shipping and quick delivery for all purchases, and we also have some great financing options that help keep your purchase easier and more affordable than you ever thought possible. And as long as in you’re the market for new tires, when you bundle them with any of our in-stock wheels, you’ll get free mounting and balancing included as a bonus, so your new setup will arrive ready to be added on to your build. Good luck out there, and when you finish your build, be sure to add some pics to our gallery!