How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire? Distance & Speed Limits
If you’ve ever had a flat tire, you know how frustrating it is. Not only does it disrupt your trip, it also takes time and money to fix. Putting on your spare tire is a safe and effective way to get back on the road, but spare tires are designed for temporary use only. In this article, our driving instructors explain how far and how fast you can drive on a spare, how the limits differ for donut, full-size and run-flat tires, and how to drive safely until you can get a replacement.
The short answer: On a temporary “donut” spare, drive no more than about 50 miles and no faster than 50 mph. Always check the exact limits printed on the spare’s sidewall or in your owner’s manual. A matching full-size spare can usually be driven like a regular tire. Run-flat tires typically allow about 50 miles at up to 50 mph after a puncture.
Spare Tire Limits at a Glance
| Tire type | How far | How fast | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary / compact “donut” spare | About 50 miles (check the sidewall) | 50 mph max | Less tread and traction. Not for highways or bad weather if you can avoid it. Some AWD/4WD vehicles aren’t compatible with compact spares. |
| Full-size spare (matches your other tires) | No special limit | Normal speeds | Check its pressure and age. A non-matching full-size spare should be treated as temporary. |
| Run-flat tire (after a puncture) | Typically about 50 miles | Typically 50 mph | Exact limits vary by manufacturer; check your owner’s manual. |
How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
On a temporary or donut spare, plan to drive no more than about 50 miles. Some spares are rated a bit higher, so check the sidewall or your owner’s manual. If you absolutely must go farther, get to the nearest tire shop as soon as possible. A spare tire isn’t meant to replace your regular tire; its purpose is to tide you over until you can properly replace or repair it.
Can I drive on a spare tire for a few days or a week?
With a temporary spare, the limit is miles, not days. But most people pass 50 miles within a few days of normal commuting, so a week is too long. Get your regular tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible, ideally within a day or two.
Can you drive 100 or 200 miles on a donut?
It’s not recommended. Past the rated distance, a donut’s thin tread wears quickly and the risk of a blowout goes up. Driving on a smaller tire for a long time can also strain your vehicle’s differential and drivetrain. If you’re far from home, stop at the nearest tire shop rather than finishing the trip on your spare.
How Fast Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
Don’t drive faster than 50 mph on a temporary or donut spare. Donuts have far less traction and durability than a standard tire. You probably wouldn’t want to drive faster on a spare anyway; the typical spare can make your vehicle feel more like an airplane ambling down a runway than a car driving down a highway.
What about the highway? If you can, take local roads. If the highway is your only option, stay in the right lane, keep to the spare’s speed rating, and turn on your hazard lights if you’re driving well below the flow of traffic.
Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
No. You should not drive on a flat tire. Doing so can be extremely dangerous for several reasons.
A flat tire significantly affects your vehicle’s handling and control, making it difficult to maneuver and increasing the risk of losing control, especially at higher speeds. That puts you, your passengers and other drivers at risk. Driving on a flat can also cause severe damage to your wheel rim, suspension and other components, leading to costly repairs beyond the tire itself.
If you suspect a flat tire, pull over to a safe location as soon as possible. Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers and replace the flat with your spare tire. Need help? Our guide, How to Replace a Tire Safely, walks you through the process step by step.
The only exception to this rule is run-flat tires. These are specially designed tires that let you drive a short distance (typically 50 miles at a maximum of 50 mph) even after a puncture. This is meant to get you to a safe location or a nearby repair shop, not for regular use.
How to Drive Safely on a Spare Tire
Whether your spare is a donut or a full-size tire, you’ll want to be careful while driving on it. Follow these best practices:
- Check your spare’s pressure every month, even when it isn’t in use. NHTSA recommends checking all your tires (including the spare) at least once a month. Temporary spares often need a higher pressure than your regular tires; the correct number is printed on the spare’s sidewall or the placard inside your driver’s door.
- Give yourself extra space and time to brake. A spare tire can cause your anti-lock brake system (ABS) or traction control light to turn on, or keep those systems from working properly. A donut spare can also make some speedometers less accurate. Braking early and leaving extra space between you and other vehicles helps you avoid surprises.
- Be extra careful in bad weather. Spare tires don’t have advanced treads, so they can’t provide the traction your regular tires would. They’re more likely to slip or hydroplane (slide across the surface of puddles).
- Know your vehicle. Some all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles aren’t compatible with compact spares. Check your owner’s manual before you need it.
- Replace the spare when it gets old. See “How Long Does a Spare Tire Last?” below.
How Long Does a Spare Tire Last?
Tires age even if they’re never driven on, and spares age the most because they rarely get replaced. According to NHTSA, some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are 6 to 10 years old, regardless of tread. To find your spare’s age, look for the DOT code on the sidewall. The last four digits show the week and year it was made (for example, “2219” means the 22nd week of 2019).
Spare Tire FAQs
Is it safe to drive on a spare tire?
Yes, for a short distance at reduced speed. A temporary spare is designed to get you to a tire shop, not for everyday driving. Keep it under about 50 miles and 50 mph unless the sidewall says otherwise.
Can you drive on the highway with a spare tire?
It’s best to avoid highways on a temporary spare, because most are rated for a maximum of 50 mph. If you have no other route, stay in the right lane, keep your speed at or below the spare’s rating, and turn on your hazard lights if you’re well below the flow of traffic.
Can I drive on a spare tire for a week?
It’s not recommended. With a temporary spare, the limit is distance, not days, but most people go over 50 miles within a few days of normal driving. Replace or repair your regular tire as soon as possible, ideally within a day or two.
How long does a spare tire last if it’s never used?
Tires age even when they aren’t used. Some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires 6 to 10 years old, including the spare. Check the four-digit date code at the end of the DOT number on the sidewall to see when it was made.
Stay Safe and Be Prepared with Top Driver
As the Midwest’s premier driving school, Top Driver prepares students for everything they’ll encounter on the road, including what to do when something goes wrong with their vehicle. With locations throughout Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin, Top Driver is your best resource for driver education, from teen programs for new drivers to adult driving lessons and online courses.
Find a Top Driver location near you → Or call 1 (800) 374-8373
More car-care tips from our instructors: Is it safe to drive with low tire pressure? · What to do when your brakes fail · What happens if you put diesel in a gas car
Frequently asked questions
How far can you drive on a spare tire?
On a temporary or donut spare, you should drive no more than 50 miles if at all possible. If you absolutely have to go farther, do not exceed 70 miles. A spare is engineered to get you to a tire shop, not to serve as a long-term replacement. Driving longer distances on a donut accelerates wear on the spare itself and puts uneven stress on the suspension, differential, and brakes. Get the damaged tire repaired or replaced at the first reasonable opportunity.
How fast can you drive on a donut spare tire?
Do not exceed 50 mph on a temporary or donut spare. Spares have shallower tread, narrower contact patches, and weaker construction than regular tires, so traction and stability are significantly reduced. At higher speeds the spare can feel unstable and is more prone to failure. Most spares have the 50 mph limit printed directly on the sidewall. Stay in the right lane, leave extra following distance, and avoid highways with high-speed limits if you have any alternate route.
Is it safe to drive on a flat tire at all?
No. Driving on a flat tire is dangerous and can quickly destroy the wheel, suspension, and brake components in addition to making the car nearly impossible to steer at speed. The only exception is a true run-flat tire, which is engineered to allow roughly 50 miles at a maximum of 50 mph after a puncture so you can reach a repair shop. If your tire goes flat, turn on your hazards, pull over to the safest spot you can reach, and swap in the spare or call for roadside assistance.
How do I drive safely on a spare tire?
Treat the trip like an emergency, not normal driving. Keep speed below 50 mph, give yourself extra braking distance, and avoid sharp turns. Be especially cautious in rain or snow, because the shallow tread on a donut spare offers very little wet-weather traction and is more likely to hydroplane. Be aware that some vehicles' ABS, traction control, or speedometer accuracy can be affected when a donut is mounted. The goal is to get to a tire shop, not to run errands or commute.
How long do spare tires last before they need to be replaced?
Even a spare that has never touched the road has a finite life. Most spares last about eight years from the date of manufacture, after which the rubber compounds begin to degrade and crack. Check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's specific guidance, and inspect the spare for dry rot, cracks, or low pressure at least once or twice a year. A spare that has been sitting in the trunk for a decade can fail the moment you actually need it.
How often should I check the air pressure on my spare?
Check spare tire pressure at least every few months, even when the spare is not in use. Spares often require different inflation pressure than your road tires, sometimes 60 psi or higher for a compact spare, so check the sidewall or owner's manual for the correct number. An underinflated spare is essentially no spare at all. Top Driver instructors recommend including the spare in the same routine pressure check you do for the four road tires before long trips.
