A flat tire's driven distance should not exceed a few hundred feet. Most tire makers including Pirelli and Michelin recommend against a longer distance just to park your vehicle in a safe area! And while doing that, you should only be driving slowly, which is no faster than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Factors Affecting How Far You Can Drive On A Flat Tire
The factors affecting the distance on a flat tire include the extent of the damage, the vehicle’s weight, the driving conditions, speed, the type of tire, and the road surface. Driving on a smooth road versus driving on an aggressive terrain with a flat tire can make a huge difference. Driving on aggressive surfaces with a flat tire is likely to severely impact its integrity, so stopping within some 30-50 feet would be wise.
The distance can take a little longer to about 200-400 feet on paved asphalt until you reach a safe parking spot. The exception to this rule is the run-flat tires. These allow you to drive up to 50 miles in a flat condition since their construction stays in shape even after losing pressure.
A Flat Tire on Aggressive Terrains
Driving on aggressive terrain with a flat tire must not take longer than a few feet at most. The stopping distance should not take more than until you park the vehicle safely. Too much stress including severe damage to the wheel rim, complete tire destruction, potential accidents, and loss of vehicle control are likely if driving for more than recommended.
Whenever facing a flat tire on rough terrain, the wisest thing is to change it on the spare tire, if you have one, or to call emergency assistance for help.
A Flat Tire On Smooth Road
The distance to drive on a smooth road with a flat tire should not take more than 400 feet for safety reasons. This distance should be enough to drive to a safe area away from road traffic. In exceptional cases (emergencies in high-traffic areas, adverse weather conditions, avoiding dangerous locations), the maximum distance could reach up to half a mile. In such cases, it is essential to maintain a speed below 20 mph to minimize the impact on tire integrity.
Standard Flat Tire VS Run-Flat Tire
Standard tires have a different construction than run-flat tires. Respectively, the distance you can cover in a flat condition is also different. While the distance with standard tires is pretty limited, run-flats allow you to keep driving up to 50 miles.
This is because the internal construction of run-flat tires remains in shape even in the absence of pressure. However, the speed should not exceed 50 mph for safety reasons. Technical inspection of the run-flat tire after 50 miles is recommended for a potential tire replacement.
Flat Tire vs Vehicle Weight
The distance of a heavy vehicle such as a truck or an SUV with a flat tire should be shorter than that of a passenger car. Thus, it should not exceed 100-200 feet at a speed not exceeding 5 mph. This scenario is viable for paved roads exclusively.
Driving on rough terrain with a flat tire on a large SUV is not recommended at all. The reason is that the heavy weight of the vehicle is likely to cause severe and irreversible damage both to the tire and the rim at any distance. The flat tire causes uneven weight distribution of the vehicle, which leads to severe and rapid damage.
| Vehicle Type | Max. Distance | Max. Speed | Road Type |
| Passenger Car | 400 feet | Below 20 mph | Smooth/Paved Roads |
| Truck or Large SUV | 100-200 feet | Below 5 mph | Paved Roads Only |
Recommended distances and speeds for driving on a flat tire
Similarly, the extra weight is likely to affect the vehicle's internal parts severely. Safety risks increase as heavier vehicles are much harder to control, especially with a flat tire.
The wisest thing to do whenever a large vehicle gets a flat tire is to stop immediately and call for professional assistance if replacement on a spare tire is possible.
Flat Tire vs Vehicle Speed
Driving speed is a relevant factor in determining how far you can go with a flat tire. The slower you drive on a flat tire, the more room for longer distances. Driving at a speed under 20 mph reduces stress on the tire, minimizes heat build-up, increases control over vehicle handling, and cuts the damage on the wheel rim.
Conversely, a speed higher than 20 mph accelerates severe damage to the tire, increases friction, amplifies the risk of losing control, affects other components, and reduces the degree of safety.
You could technically drive up to 800 yards at a speed of up to 10 mph with a flat tire. The distance drops to a maximum of 200 yards at a speed of 20 mph. Likewise, the risk of immediate tire degradation is very likely at a speed of 30 mph and above.
| Speed | Maximum Distance | Effect on Tire and Vehicle |
| Up to 10 mph | 800 yards | Low heat build-up, low stress on tire and rim |
| Up to 20 mph | 200 yards | High stress on the tire, high risk of damage |
| 30 mph or above | Not recommended | Rapid tire degradation, increased safety risks |
Speed vs. Maximum Distance with a Flat Tire
A critical note to consider is that these estimations do not ensure complete safety. You should only consider them for absolute emergencies if an immediate stop is not possible for whatever reason.
How Far Can You Go With A Flat Tire in Summer?
The distance to drive on a standard flat tire in summer is between 0 and 600 feet maximum. It depends on how hot is the US area where you live and how urgent is the need to cover this distance.
If necessary, you should drive no more than 600 feet with a minimum speed not exceeding 15 mph. However, even this distance can be risky in extreme temperatures due to various factors such as tire-softened rubber, heat buildup, and expanded air.
For safety purposes, tire specialists recommend avoiding driving on a flat tire in states like Florida, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Missouri. These areas record extreme temperatures, which puts driving on a flat tire at any distance at risk.
In states with mild summers like Washington, California, and Oregon, driving on a flat tire at a minimal distance with a minimal speed might be accepted in emergency scenarios. Check below the states with the hottest and mildest summers across the US to estimate the driving distance allowed on a flat:
How Long Can You Drive On A Flat Tire In Winter?
You can technically drive on a flat tire a little longer in winter than in summer covering up to half a mile. Yet, it is still a risk that should be avoided if possible. If strongly necessary, the speed should not go beyond 20 mph to avoid strenuous impact on the tire.
While the risk of heat build-up is less likely due to colder temperatures, driving on a flat tire in winter still faces several challenges. These include less vehicle control on slippery surfaces, poorer traction because of the deflated tire, and longer braking distances. Studies and tests have shown that a flat tire can increase braking distance by as much as 20-50% or more, depending on the specific circumstances.
Considering those, the safest option is to pull over away from traffic and call for roadside assistance if tire replacement is not possible for some reason.
6 Consequences of Driving Too Far on a Flat Tire
Six potential outcomes are likely when driving too far on a flat tire: irreversible tire damage, suspension issues, rim damage, loss of vehicle control, brake system damage, and low fuel economy.
Irreversible Tire Damage
The high friction and amplified heat buildup are likely to warp the tire's components. In addition, the whole tire's integrity can get destroyed with sidewalls shredding from the tire tread.
Suspension System Issues
Suspension might undergo severe damage, including strings, shocks, and struts. The stress on suspension components leads to premature replacement, while the wheel alignment can suffer critical deviations.
Wheel Rim Damage
Driving too far on a flat tire is likely to cause rim cracking, braking, or bending. Addressing this issue is often expensive as it requires complete rim replacement.
Loss of Vehicle Control
The vehicle becomes unstable because of the uneven weight distribution. Traction gets significantly poorer which can lead to unpredictable handling. Similarly, the steering response delays significantly especially during corners and at higher speeds.
Brake System Damage
The direct contact between the rim and brake rotors leads to severe damage to the latter. Similarly, the flailing tire makes the brake lines get too close to the wheel which would lead to serious impact.
Fuel Efficiency Reduction
The rolling resistance of a flat tire is significantly higher. The more you roll on it the more fuel burning.
What To Do If You Get a Flat Tire?
The safest things to do when getting a flat tire include the following:
- Seek a safe place to pull over.
- Turn on your hazard lights to remain visible to other traffic participants.
- Replace the flat tire with a spare one, if possible.
- Call for road assistance if there is no spare tire or you can't make it on your own.
- Don't consider further driving on a flat tire as an option.
