Tires for long, hot highway miles with rough roads at the end
- When most miles are hot pavement, a highway terrain tire such as NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 (UTQG 700 on P-metric sizes) fits better than an off-road tread.
- For rough roads, NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN AT Pro RA8 uses an open outside shoulder designed for heat reduction as well as mud clearing.
- Check the UTQG temperature grade on the sidewall: it rates a tire's resistance to heat build-up, from A (best) to C.
- Correct pressure and load matter most in heat. Check pressure cold and keep within the vehicle's load limits.
Long stretches of hot highway are hard on tires. Heat builds with speed, load and under-inflation, and the tire still has to handle a rough road at the end of the trip. This guide starts with that heat question, then matches NEXEN TIRE and competing tires to how much of the route is rough.
Heat, pressure and the UTQG temperature grade
Every passenger tire carries a Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) code. The last letter is the temperature grade, A, B or C, which reflects the tire's resistance to heat build-up under controlled testing; NHTSA's tire-safety brochure explains the grades. UTQG applies to passenger-type sizes, not LT sizes.
Grades do not replace basic care. The USTMA Tire Care and Safety Guide notes that temperature changes alter tire pressure and call for adjustment. Check pressure cold before a long hot drive, and never let air out of a hot tire to match the placard.
| Route | Tire type | NEXEN TIRE option | UTQG on P-metric sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mostly hot highway, maintained rough roads | Highway terrain | ROADIAN HTX2 | 700 A A/B |
| Crossover or midsize SUV, mostly highway | CUV/SUV touring | ROADIAN GTX | 540/600/680 A A |
| Hot highway plus regular rough or gravel roads | All-terrain | ROADIAN AT Pro RA8 | 560 A B |
| Hot highway plus regular trail use | All-terrain | ROADIAN ATX | 560/600 A B |
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2: for routes that are mostly hot highway
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 is a highway terrain tire built as a high-mileage SUV and light-truck tire with all-weather driving performance. Its P-metric sizes carry UTQG 700 with A traction and an A or B temperature grade depending on size. It comes in 54 sizes from 16 to 22 inches, P-metric and LT, with R, S, T and H speed ratings, and carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) mark except on OE sizes. For a truck or SUV whose rough roads are short and maintained, it keeps the tread built for the highway.
For a crossover or midsize SUV on the same route, NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN GTX is a CUV/SUV touring tire with UTQG 540, 600 or 680 A A by size and H, V and W speed ratings.
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN AT Pro RA8: for regular rough roads in the heat
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN AT Pro RA8 is an all-terrain tire for light trucks, SUVs and light commercial vehicles. Its open outside shoulder is designed for heat reduction as well as mud clearing, and a sipe-in-groove design is meant to keep stones out of the tread on rough roads.
When rough or gravel roads are a regular part of the trip, an A/T like this protects better than a highway tread. If the rough roads become trails, NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN ATX adds sidewall lugs and a sidewall designed for puncture resistance.
Competing tires for pavement-heavy routes
- Continental TerrainContact A/T: Continental describes TerrainContact A/T as balancing on-road manners with off-road traction for dirt, gravel and grass.
- Toyo Open Country A/T III: Toyo describes the Open Country A/T III as combining off-road traction with responsive, predictable on-road handling, with a tread and compound developed for wet performance and treadwear life.
Both are the makers' own descriptions, not a hot-weather endurance ranking.
Why an M/T rarely fits this route
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN MTX is a mud-terrain tire, Q speed rated in every size, with three-ply construction on most sizes. Its open tread is built for demanding off-road terrain. On a route that is mostly long, hot highway, a highway terrain or A/T tire is the better match; keep the M/T for vehicles whose trips regularly include demanding off-road terrain.
Check load and fit before a hot trip
Match the size, load index and speed rating on the vehicle placard. USTMA's service guidance says to maintain proper inflation and stay within the vehicle's load capacity and axle ratings. Heavy loads and under-inflation both add heat.
FAQ
What NEXEN TIRE tire is best for long, hot highway drives?
For trucks and SUVs, NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 is a highway terrain tire with UTQG 700 on P-metric sizes. For crossovers and midsize SUVs, ROADIAN GTX carries UTQG A A grades on its P-metric sizes. Keep either at the placard pressure, checked cold.
What does the UTQG temperature grade mean?
It is the last letter of the UTQG code, A, B or C, and reflects a tire's resistance to heat build-up under controlled testing. A is the highest grade.
Which NEXEN TIRE A/T suits hot roads with rough sections?
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN AT Pro RA8 has an open outside shoulder designed for heat reduction and a sipe-in-groove design meant to keep stones out of the tread.