You can drive on a flat tire only as far as the nearest safe place to pull over. Tire makers, including Pirelli and Nokian, advise against driving any further on a standard flat tire, because it can permanently damage the tire and the wheel and sharply reduces handling. The exception is run-flat tires: Bridgestone DriveGuard and Pirelli run-flat tires can be driven up to 50 miles at no more than 50 mph after losing pressure. Below you'll find how far and how fast you can go, when the rim gets damaged, how flat is too flat, and what to do right away.
Table of Contents
- How Far Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
- How Far Can You Drive on a Flat Tire Before Damaging the Rim?
- How Long Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
- How Fast Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
- How Flat Is Too Flat to Drive On?
- Standard Flat Tire vs Run-Flat Tire: Distance
- How Bad Is It to Drive on a Flat Tire?
- What To Do If You Get a Flat Tire?
How Far Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
On a standard tire, drive only the short distance it takes to get out of traffic and stop somewhere safe and flat. Pirelli's guidance is that you should not continue driving on a flat tire under any circumstances, and Nokian says to drive only as long as it takes to reach the nearest safe place to stop. Consumer Reports notes that you can roll on a flat for a short distance, but the tire can deteriorate further and the wheel can be damaged.
- Standard tires: only to the nearest safe place to stop.
- Run-flat tires: up to 50 miles at a maximum of 50 mph (Bridgestone DriveGuard, Pirelli run-flat).
Can You Drive 1, 3, or 5 Miles on a Flat Tire?
No, not on a standard tire. A mile or more is far beyond the short distance to the nearest safe stop, and driving that far risks damaging the tire and the wheel and losing control of the vehicle. Only run-flat tires are built to cover miles without air: up to 50 miles on Bridgestone DriveGuard and Pirelli run-flat tires. If the tire is only low, not flat, you may be able to inflate it with a portable compressor and drive to a repair shop, as Pirelli suggests.
How Far Can You Drive on a Flat Tire Before Damaging the Rim?
No tire maker cited here gives a distance that is safe for the rim, so stop at the first safe spot. Nokian warns that driving on a flat can damage your rims, Pirelli that it can damage the wheel and other vehicle components, and Consumer Reports that you might damage the wheel even over a short distance.
- Slow down at once and pull over at the first safe spot.
- Avoid potholes, curbs, and rough surfaces on the way, since impacts hit the wheel directly.
- Don't drive on the rim alone if the tire has come apart.
Important: damage to the wheel isn't always visible. After driving on a flat, have the tire and wheel inspected before you reuse them, even if they look fine.
How Long Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
On a standard tire, only for the moments it takes to pull over safely; on a run-flat tire, up to 50 miles. The road surface, the weight of the vehicle, and how fast you drive don't make a standard flat safe for longer: they only add to the damage. If you have a spare, see how long you can drive on a spare tire.
How Fast Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
Drive a standard flat tire as slowly as you can, only to reach a safe stop. Consumer Reports advises keeping both hands on the wheel and easing off the accelerator when a tire goes flat. Run-flat tires have set limits:
- Bridgestone DriveGuard and Pirelli run-flat tires: up to 50 mph.
- Nokian run-flat tires: up to 50 mph on dry roads and 30 mph on slippery roads.
- Compact spare (donut): not above 50 mph, according to Consumer Reports.
How Flat Is Too Flat to Drive On?
A tire is too flat to drive on when it visibly sags or sits on the rim. A tire that is low but still holds its shape is underinflated, not flat: inflate it to the pressure on your vehicle's placard before you drive further. Your TPMS warns you when pressure drops 25% or more below the recommended level, so treat that warning as a signal to check the tire right away. Learn why driving on underinflated tires is risky even before they go flat.
Standard Flat Tire vs Run-Flat Tire: Distance
A standard flat tire should be driven only to the nearest safe stop, while a run-flat tire can keep going for a limited distance because its construction supports the vehicle without air. Bridgestone DriveGuard and Pirelli run-flat tires are rated for up to 50 miles at up to 50 mph. The range also depends on the load: Nokian rates its run-flat tires for about 90 miles with only the driver on board, but about 30 miles when the vehicle is fully loaded.
Bridgestone offers DriveGuard for vehicles with a TPMS, which warns you when a tire loses pressure. Check your tire maker's limits and have the tire inspected after driving on it flat.
Right now: $20 off a set of 4 tires or $15 off 2 tires on your first order, and free shipping on tires labeled Free Shipping:
- Bridgestone DriveGuard Run Flat, rated 4.7 stars
- Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season, rated 4.8 stars
How Bad Is It to Drive on a Flat Tire?
Driving on a flat tire is bad for the tire, the wheel, and your safety. The longer and faster you drive, the more damage it does:
- Tire damage: Nokian warns it can permanently damage the tire, making it impossible to repair. Sidewall damage can't be fixed at all.
- Wheel damage: it can damage the rims, according to Nokian and Consumer Reports.
- Vehicle damage: Pirelli notes it can damage other vehicle components, and Nokian the vehicle's structure. Have the wheel alignment checked if the car pulls afterward.
- Loss of control: a flat tire significantly decreases handling, which makes driving dangerous.
What To Do If You Get a Flat Tire?
When a tire goes flat, slow down, pull over somewhere safe, and change the tire or call for help instead of driving on:
- Ease off the accelerator and keep both hands on the wheel.
- Pull over at a safe, flat spot, as far from traffic lanes as possible.
- Turn on your hazard lights. On high-speed roads, place warning triangles about 100 feet behind the vehicle.
- Check the damage: a puncture in the tread may be repairable; a sidewall tear isn't.
- Fix it on the spot: if the tire is only low, inflate it with a portable compressor; otherwise, put on the spare. See how to change a tire yourself.
- Call roadside assistance if you have no usable spare or more than one flat, and wait somewhere safe, away from the road.
If the tire can't be repaired, you can shop replacement tires by size to find compatible options quickly.
Don’t Risk It – Replace Your Tires Before It’s Too Late!
Driving on a flat tire, even for a short distance, can leave the tire beyond repair and damage the wheel. If your tire can no longer be repaired, it's time for a replacement. NeoTires dispatches orders the same day and delivers in 2–3 business days across the U.S., and tires labeled Free Shipping ship free. Explore our tire catalog, including run-flat tires, or contact us at +1 302 276 8361 for guidance. Drive safe and choose your tires wisely!
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