It’s always a good idea to keep a spare tire on hand in your vehicle. Spare tires, often called donut spare tires, are smaller than normal tires so they can fit in your trunk. They are designed to be effective only for a short amount of time, basically giving you the chance to change into a real tire.

You don’t want to drive on a spare tire for very long—it can negatively impact the speed and handling of your vehicle. The other option is to buy a full-size tire and keep it in your vehicle, but that will only work if you have enough space. Replacing a tire with a similar tire, not a spare, means that your car will be safe to drive, and you can avoid having to perform another tire change or visit an auto shop.

Don’t worry if this sounds intimidating!

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has crafted this guide to spare tires. Here, you can learn how long and how far you can drive on a spare tire, the cost of most spare tires, and more.

What are spare tires?

Spare tires might look funny on your car, but they are designed to help you if your tire goes flat or blows out while you’re driving. They are meant to be a temporary solution, so you don’t have to wait for a

tow truck

The advantages of spare tires are that they are smaller than normal tires, so they take up less trunk space when you’re not using them. They are also lighter and easier to pick up or carry.

The disadvantages of spare tires are that they are not great for driving—they can compromise speed and handling. You want to be especially cautious if you’re driving on a spare on the highway. They also lack durability and can not take the regular wear and tear of a regular tire. You need to replace one immediately.

All-terrain tires or all-season tires vs. spare tires.

Your vehicle works with a specific wheel size. If you buy a full-size spare tire, it should be the exact same type of tire that is already on your vehicle. There’s really no comparison to make between the two if you go this route.

A donut spare tire is an inferior tire to most

all-terrain or all-season tires

. In fact, driving too long or too far on a spare tire can damage other parts of your vehicle, like the

suspension

or transmission.

How many miles will spare tires last?

How many miles a spare tire will last depends on the quality of the spare.

Compact or Space Saver spare tires will only make it 50-70 miles before experiencing issues. Don’t exceed 50 miles an hour while driving on a spare tire.

Full-sized spare tires can go as many miles and last as long as regular tires. They should be good for 7-10 years.

Key Takeaway A spare tire can last about 50-70 miles. Full-sized spare tires can last as long as regular tires, typically 7-10 years.

Will spare tires decrease fuel efficiency?

A 50 lbs spare tire, wheel, jack, and tools can weigh down your vehicle and reduce its fuel economy by about 1%.

It’s not a huge amount, but it is something to consider when deciding on what spare to keep in your trunk, especially if you’re on a tight gas budget.

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Are spare tires worth it?

There’s no question that you should never drive without a spare in your vehicle’s trunk. They are worth the cost, so make sure that if you use your spare, you immediately replace it with another.

It’s also a great idea to teach yourself how to change a spare tire. You should know how to use a jack and the steps you need to take to ensure the spare is safely installed.

Even if you only get a flat every few years, you’ll be glad you invested in a spare tire.

How much should you pay for spare tires?

Temporary spare tires range in price from as low as $50 to over $300. You can shop around to find the lowest price.

If you are going with a full-sized tire, you should buy it at the same time as you buy the rest of the tires for your vehicle. Essentially, you will buy a set of five tires, not four. The price of these tires varies greatly, so it really depends on your vehicle.

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What type of tires does your car need?

While every car needs a spare tire, you can’t forget your everyday tires, which can be quite an investment.

Here’s a breakdown of the main tire types, which vehicles and conditions they’re best equipped for, how much they should cost, and how long they’ll last.

Type of vehicle	Driving conditions	Best type of tire	Average cost	Average lifespan
Passenger vehicles (car, SUV, or minivan)	Climates above 45° F	All-season tires	$80 to $150	60,000 miles
Passenger vehicles	Extensive commuting in moderate weather	Highway tires	$100 to $300	60,000 miles
Passenger vehicles (especially sports cars)	Racing and warm-weather driving	Summer tires	$150 to $300	30,000 miles
SUVs and trucks	Mix of highway and off-road driving	All-terrain tires	$150 to $300	40,000 miles
SUVs and trucks	Off-roading	Mud tires	$125 to $300	20,000 miles
Any	Cold weather, snow, and ice	Snow tires	$80 to $200	30,000 miles or 4 winter seasons

MORE: Winter tires vs. all-season tires: Which is better?

How to find affordable car insurance

You should drive with confidence because you know you have the right tires, but also because you’re covered by a great insurance policy courtesy of the No. 1 rated

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As a licensed broker, Jerry matches you with the lowest insurance rates available based on your driving needs. We partner with more than 50 top providers, like Progressive, to find you an affordable rate for your car insurance.

Once you download the Jerry app, you get to partner with end-to-end expert support that will guide you through the entire insurance shopping process. Best of all, the average annual savings add up to $887 a year.

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