The Best Places To Buy Tires

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When you’re looking for the best place to buy tires, there’s certainly no shortage of options. But between warehouse clubs, online tire merchants and independent tire retailers, the prices and quality of service can vary quite a bit. 

In this article, I’ll cover where to find affordable tires, highlight which retailers do it best and cheapest, and I’ll take a close look at the top six places to buy tires.

I’ve researched the prices and process of buying new tires at a variety of popular tire retailers to see where you’ll get the best deal and the best customer experience. 

This article was updated in December 2023 and I review it every six months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.


Where To Buy Tires

If you’re looking for a quick answer on where you should shop for your next set of tires, I recommend checking out Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s Tire Center first. Even if you factor in these warehouse clubs’ annual membership fees, you’ll still get the best value.

For a great selection online, check out Tire Rack or Discount Tire Direct. Finally, for a balance of low prices and a huge selection in-store and online, Walmart Tire Center is another convenient option.

While the base cost of your tires is important, don’t forget to factor in installation and additional services as well.

“Buying tires has never been so cost competitive, so it’s very important to comparison shop,” money expert Clark Howard says. “Service after the sale is really important, especially if you live in a city with lots of potholes.” 

Based on our research, Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Tire Center offer some of the best overall tire-buying experiences including low prices, free services after the sale and convenience. 

I’ve found these six tire retailers to be the best places to shop.

StoreInstallation Price Per TireKey Features & ServicesSelection
Costco$0- Installation charge is included in the quoted price
- Best road hazard warranty (5 years)
- Free lifetime maintenance
BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Michelin and Firestone
Walmart$18- Best selection of cheap tires
- Cheapest installation price that isn't included in the cost of the tire
- Road hazard warranty available for $10 per tire
Pirelli, Bridgestone, Hankook, Goodyear and 30 other brands
Sam's Club$20- Second-best road hazard warranty (4 years)
- Flat repairs on members’ tires even if purchased elsewhere
BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Goodyear and 10 other brands
BJ's Tire Center$20- Free lifetime maintenance
- 3-year road hazard warranty
- Installation is automatically added during checkout
Michelin, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Goodyear and six other brands
Tire Rack$26.25*- Online-only with fast and free shipping to you or an installer
- Get a discount if you pick up your tires from a distribution center
BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Michelin and 27 other brands
Discount Tire Direct$26.25*- Biggest selection of brands
- Online-only tire store
- Fast and free shipping to you or an installer
Bridgestone, Continental, Michelin and 44 other brands

* Discount Tire Direct and Tire Rack do not offer installation. Instead, prices are based on the average cost of installation on four tires at recommended dealers.

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Below, you’ll find additional information on each tire retailer and head-to-head comparisons of tire prices, selection of brands, cost of installation, free services and warranty information.


Choosing the Best Tire Store

To find the best places to buy tires, I considered various popular online and in-store tire retailers and then weighed several factors in my own research. These factors included tire price, cost of installation, selection, free services and warranty information.

Between Fall 2021 and Fall 2022, Consumer Reports (subscription required) surveyed 5,240 of its subscribers to ask about cost, selection, sales service and free perks when it came to purchasing tires. The magazine collected data on 20 tire stores. 

I compared those 20 tire stores to the retailers where our team at ClarkDeals.com has found the best deals. Then I narrowed the selection down to 10 retailers that were all highly ranked by Consumer Reports. Here’s the list of 10: Costco, Sam’s Club, Discount Tire Direct, BJ’s Tire Center, Town Fair Tire Centers, Firestone Complete, Big O Tires, Tire Rack, Goodyear and Walmart

From there, I researched the prices and process of buying tires at each store. In my experience, you can find some of the best prices and overall buying experiences at Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Tire Center, Tire Rack, Discount Tire Direct and Walmart.

To determine which place is ultimately the best choice for purchasing your next set of tires, I took a closer look at the following factors: 

Additionally, I entered information about my own car on each retailer’s website to see where I’d end up getting the best deal.


Cost of Tires

While there are many factors to consider when you’re deciding where to buy tires, cost is certainly a big one. Of course, prices vary and change all the time. You should shop for the best price on tires that fit your vehicle specifically. Then, once you’ve found the best price, make your final decision based on the factors I’ve outlined below.

To get an idea of how to accurately price compare across top tire retailers, I looked at the current prices of two specific popular tires at each store. Then, I checked out the range of prices and availability for tires for two popular vehicles.

In the table below, you’ll see prices for a Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack 215/55R17 tire that fits my 2017 Toyota Camry and for a Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 20″ tire that fits the popular Ford-F150. Prices are accurate as of December 2023.

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Cost of Bridgestone Turanza 215/55R17 TiresCost of Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 20” TiresPrice Range for Tires That Fit a 2017 Toyota CamryPrice Range for 20” Tires That Fit a 2020 Ford F150
Costco$209.99$286.99$156.99 to $259.99 (22 options)$228.99 to $310.99 (14 options)
BJ’s Tire Center$212.99$312.99$134.99 to $254.99 (32 options)$229.99 to $330.99 (19 options)
Tire Rack$209.99$286.99$93.90 to $245.13 (103 options)$175.45 to $379.91 (107 options)
Sam’s Club$209.99$286.77$98.77 to $262.77 (47 options)$181.88 to $450.77 (41 options)
Discount Tire Direct$210$286.99$69 to $398 (141 options)$123 to $489 (137 options)
Walmart$209.99$292.28$61.23 to $282.81 (335 options)$113.03 to $344.50 (366 options)

In addition to the prices above, it’s worth noting that when I searched for the Bridgestone Turanza tires, there were promotions available at BJ’s Tire Center ($70 savings plus free installation), Sam’s Club ($100 instant savings) and Costco ($60 instant savings.)

In the past, I’ve also seen mail-in rebates and additional discounts at Tire Rack when you use a Tire Rack credit card. Additionally, I’ve seen $110-$150 on a set of four tires with installation on the same tires at Costco and BJ’s Tire Center. With sales and rebates available throughout the year, you’ll likely be able to grab a great deal.

After adding the purchase of all four tires, adding the cost of installation (which we’ll look at next) and subtracting the discounts available in December 2023, here’s what my subtotals would be at each tire store for a set of Bridgestone Turanza tires to fit my 2017 Toyota Camry: 

  • Costco: $791.92
  • BJ’s Tire Center: $797.96
  • Sam’s Club: $803.96
  • Walmart: $911.96
  • Discount Tire Direct: $936.96
  • Tire Rack: $987.42

As you can see, promotions and rebates can make a huge difference in the total cost of your purchase. This is why it’s important to comparison shop. Of course, prices vary greatly and change often.

For these reasons, I recommend that you follow these steps to find the cheapest tires for your vehicle:

  1. Know the year, make, model and trim of your vehicle.
  2. Confirm your vehicle’s tire size.
    This information is listed on your Vehicle Information Placard. The placard is permanently attached to the vehicle door edge, door post, glove-box door, or inside of the trunk lid.
  3. Visit the website of each tire retailer you’re considering and enter your vehicle’s information.
  4. Choose the tires you’d like to have installed.
  5. Calculate the total cost of four tires at each retailer and subtract any rebates or promotions.

Once you know where you can get the best prices on tires for your vehicles, it’s time to consider the following additional factors.


Cost of Installation

In addition to purchasing your tires, you’ll likely also need professional installation. That usually means you’ll be looking at an additional charge, so take that into account before you make your purchase. 

As of December 2023, here’s how much you can expect to pay for tire installation: 

StoreCost Per TireTotal Cost
CostcoIncluded$0
Walmart$18$72
BJ’s Tire Center$20$80
Sam’s Club$20$80
Discount Tire Direct$26.25*$105*
Tire Rack$26.25*$105*
* Discount Tire Direct and Tire Rack do not offer installation. Instead, prices are based on the average cost of installation on four tires at recommended dealers.

If you plan on having your tires installed at Walmart, know that installation will cost an additional $11 per tire if you bring in tires that you purchased elsewhere. And if you want the road hazard protection warranty, it will add $10 per tire to the cost of installation.

At Costco, the cost of installation is included in the quoted price of the tires. This may be one reason that the initial prices seem higher than competitors on some tires, but after factoring in installation, Costco could be one of your cheapest options. 

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Since Discount Tire and Tire Rack are online tire stores, you’ll need to choose a place to get your tires installed. The price in the table above is the average cost of installation at the companies’ partnering installers, but you can take the tires anywhere. 

At BJ’s Tire Center, the cost of installation is automatically added when you check out. Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, you can expect this payment to be required upfront with the purchase of new tires. 

Based on this information, Costco offers the best deal on installation followed by Walmart.


Selection of Tire Brands 

Whether you’re loyal to a certain brand or you know exactly which tire you’re looking for, selection may be another important factor to consider when shopping for tires. 

Generally speaking, you’ll find the biggest selection of tire brands at Discount Tire Direct which carries 47 tire brands. Walmart offers the next-biggest selection with 34 brands followed by Tire Rack which offers 30. Sam’s Club carries 13 different tire brands, while BJ’s Tire Center carries 10 and Costco carries only four. 

Below, you’ll find a full list of tire brands (listed alphabetically) carried by each retailer: 

  • Walmart: Accelera, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Coker, Continental, Cooper, Crosswind, Dexter, Douglas, Dunlop, Falken, Firestone, General, Goodyear, GT Radial, Hankook, Hercules, Ironman, Kumho, Lexani, Mastercraft, Maxxis, Michelin, M/T, Nexen, Nitto, Pirelli, Solar, Sumitomo, Toyo Tires, Vercelli, Vogue Tyres, Waterfall, Yokohama
  • Discount Tire Direct: Arisun, Arizonian, Atlas Tires, Atturo Tires, BFGoodrich, Barum, Braven, Bridgestone, Carlisle, Coker Tire, Continental, Cooper Tires, Corsa, Dunlop, E-Z-Go, Falken Tires, Firestone, GBC, GMZ, GT Radial, General Tire, Giti, Gladiator, Goodyear, Hankook, Hartland, Interco, Ironman, Kanati, Kumho Tire, Laufenn, M/T, Maxxis Tires, Michelin, Milestar, Mohave, Nankang, Nexen Tire, Nitto, Nokian Tyres, Ohtsu Tires, Pathfinder, Phantom, Pirelli, Pit Bull, Pro Comp, Radar Tires, Rage, Road Hugger, Rocky Mountain, Sentury Tire, Sumitomo Tires, Taskmaster, Tensor Tire, Toyo Tires, Trailfinder, Uniroyal, Vision Wheel, Vogue Tyres, West Lake Tires, Yokohama
  • Tire Rack: Avon Tyres, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper Tires, Dunlop Tires, Falken Tires, Firestone, Fuzion, General Tire, Goodyear, Hankook, Hoosier, Kumho Tire, Laufenn, Maxxis, Michelin, M/T, Nanking, Nexen Tire, Nitto, Nokian Tyres, Pirelli, Power King, Riken, Sumitomo Tires, Toyo Tires, Vogue Tyres, Vredestein Tires, Yokohama
  • BJ’s Tire Center: BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Cooper Tires, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly Tires, Michelin, Nexen, Sumitomo, Uniroyal
  • Sam’s Club: BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper Tires, Falken, Firestone, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho Tire, Michelin, Nexen, Pirelli, Toyo Tires
  • Costco: BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin

Services and Aftercare

Perhaps one of the most important factors to consider before buying new tires is the maintenance and aftercare that you’ll be paying for. 

Based on my research, Costco offers some of the best free services, lifetime maintenance and road hazard warranty available. With a tire purchase at Costco, you’ll also get free lifetime inflation pressure checks, tire balancing, tire rotations and flat repairs. Plus, the road hazard warranty covers tire repairs and replacements for up to five years. 

Sam’s Club also offers great tire services and aftercare. No-charge services include balance and rotations, air pressure and tread depth checks, 50-mile re-torques and other services for your vehicle such as wiper blade installation, battery installation and battery checks. The warranty lasts up to four years after tire purchase and covers repairs and replacements.

At BJ’s Tire Center, tire purchases come with free lifetime tire rotation, wheel rebalancing, flat repairs and inflation checks. The full road hazard warranty lasts up to three years and covers repairs as well as replacements. 

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Walmart includes lifetime balance and rotation every 7,500 miles and 50-mile lug re-torques with the installation. For $10 more per tire ($25 per tire total), you can also get the road hazard protection warranty that covers flat repairs and eligible replacements. 

Coming in last for services and aftercare, Discount Tire and Tire Rack each offer a 30-day return policy on unused tires that you aren’t satisfied with. Beyond the return policy, tires are covered by the standard manufacturer’s warranty which includes workmanship and material defects. Warranty lengths vary by manufacturer.


A Closer Look at the Best Places To Buy Tires

Based on my research including the selection of tires and cost of installation as well as included services, here are more details on the top six places to consider making your purchase.

Costco Tires

Costco Tires
Screenshot from Costco

While Costco isn’t the cheapest option for every tire, it is one of the highest rated. Plus, several times a year, the warehouse club will discount select brands of tires by $40 to $80, and installation is included in the price of the tire.

Costco’s selection may not be the largest, but there’s a big emphasis on staple brands like Michelin, Bridgestone and B.F.Goodrich. Plus, with every installation, you’ll receive free inflation pressure checks, tire balancing, tire rotations, flat repairs and a five-year road hazard warranty.

Here are a few of the biggest advantages and disadvantages to be aware of when it comes to buying tires from Costco.

Pros:

  • Costco fills your tires with nitrogen instead of compressed air
  • Installation is included in the price of the tire
  • Scheduling an appointment online is easy
  • You’ll get a five-year road hazard warranty and free lifetime maintenance services

Cons:

  • You may not find the cheapest per-tire prices
  • You have to be a member to purchase tires from Costco
  • Selection may be limited
  • Some services, like oil changes and tire alignment, aren’t available

For more information, check out these five things you should know before getting new tires at Costco.


BJ’s Tire Center

BJ's Tire Center
Screenshot from BJ’s Tire Center

BJ’s Tire Center is another great option for buying cheap tires. You’ll find mail-in rebates and discounts available throughout the year, and installation costs $20 per tire.

Customers agree that they offer an average selection, but they earned above-average marks for sales service, installation quality and time, checkout ease, other services and free perks.

What makes BJ’s one of the best options are all the free perks you get with tire installation. You’ll receive tire rotation, wheel rebalancing, flat repairs, inflation checks and a full road hazard warranty all at no charge.

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BJ’s also offers a three-point tire promise, including an incredible value with a $20 installation, top-brand quality and premium service.

Based on my research, here are the biggest pros and cons for buying tires at BJ’s Tire Center.

Pros:

  • Great selection, installation times, sales service and installation quality
  • Installation includes maintenance for the life of the tire including rotation, rebalancing and more

Cons:

  • You have to be a member to buy tires from BJ’s Tire Center
  • Only tires purchased from BJ’s Tire Center can be installed there

If you’re a BJ’s Wholesale Club member, be sure to check out these five things to know before buying BJ’s tires.


Sam’s Club Tires

Sam's Club Tires
Screenshot from Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club also offers very competitive prices on popular tire brands including Michelin, BFGoodrich, Goodyear and Pirelli. Installation averages around $20 per tire depending on your vehicle and location.

Members can order tires online and get them installed at a nearby Sam’s Club, or you can buy the tires in-store. Customers who participated in the Consumer Reports survey said that the installation quality was very good and rated the free perks as excellent.

Tire installation at Sam’s Club includes 24-hour emergency roadside assistance, road hazard protection, rotation, balancing and flat repair for the lifetime of the tires.

You’ll also find promotions, discounts and rebates available year-round on select tire brands. For these reasons, it’s definitely worth paying the difference compared to cheaper tires at Walmart.

Here are a few of the biggest pros and cons when it comes to buying tires from Sam’s Club.

Pros:

  • Free perks include wiper blade installation, battery installation/check and more
  • Great prices compared to other tire retailers

Cons:

  • You have to be member to buy tires or use the tire center services
  • Some services, like oil changes and tire alignment, aren’t available

For more information about buying tires at Sam’s Club, check out these five things to know.


Walmart Tires

Walmart Tires
Screenshot from Walmart

If you’re strictly looking for a good price, Walmart may be worth considering early in your search for tires. While I didn’t find the cheapest tires for Bridgestone Turanza tires or Michelin Defender tires, Walmart’s tire center does offer a huge selection of tires with some of the lowest available starting prices. Plus, Walmart offers one of the cheapest installation prices starting at $18 per tire.

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You can choose from a huge selection of brands including Firestone, Michelin, Cooper, Goodyear, and BFGoodrich. Plus, you can shop online or in-store.

According to a recent study by Consumer Reports, Walmart’s installation quality, installation time, checkout ease, shipping and other services earned average ratings, though customers agree that the sales service and waiting area could use improvement, and there’s substantial lack of free perks. While survey respondents also reported an underwhelming selection of tires, I’ve found a large selection online which can be shipped to the store. While Walmart can be a decent place to purchase cheap tires, it definitely isn’t the best option available.

Still, Walmart offers its Lifetime Balance and Rotation Plan for $15 per tire. For that price, Walmart will rotate and rebalance your tires at no charge for the life of the tires.

Compared to the other retailers on this list, here are a few of the biggest benefits and drawbacks to keep in mind if you’re thinking about buying tires from Walmart.

Pros:

  • Low prices on tires
  • Cheap installation even if you buy the tires elsewhere
  • Shop online or in-store

Cons:

  • You won’t get as many free perks as you will at a warehouse
  • Installation times may vary
  • Some services, like tire alignment, may not be available

To learn more about Walmart Tires, including what you can expect while making your first purchase, check out these five things to know.


Tire Rack

Screenshot from Tire Rack

If you’re comfortable shopping for tires online, you could find what you’re looking for at Tire Rack. This online tire retailer offers a large selection of tire brands and models. When I checked out the selection that fit my Toyota Camry in December, there were 106 tires to choose from. 

Additionally, you can find a pretty good deal compared to traditional brick-and-mortar tire stores. On average, Tire Rack’s prices are on par with Sam’s Club and Discount Tire Direct. You can also check out the tire sales and deals page for current promotions and rebates. 

When you order tires from Tire Rack, you can have them shipped to your door or straight to a recommended local installer. You’ll also have the option to pick up the tires yourself from the nearest distribution center for additional savings. 

Here are the biggest pros and cons that I found with Tire Rack.

Pros:

  • Shipping is fast and free
  • You’ll find good prices on a huge selection of tires
  • Tires can be shipped to your door or directly to a professional installer

Cons:

  • You will have to schedule and pay for installation separately
  • Online-only store
  • No services: just tire sales

Discount Tire Direct

Discount Tire Direct
Screenshot from Discount Tire Direct

Discount Tire Direct is another great tire retailer that offers affordable tires online. You’ll find mail-in rebates and discounts available on popular tires throughout the year and installation varies based on your area and preferred installer. In my area, it was $26.25/tire on average. Additionally, you’ll nearly always find deals and rebates available at Discount Tire Direct, which is a great way to get the best price.

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Customers agree that everything from the selection to the sales service is above average. Discount Tire Direct carries 47 tire brands including Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear and Michelin.

As with any online tire retailer, the installation price and services can vary depending on where you choose to get the tires installed, and you won’t be getting many free perks with an online retailer.

Compared to the other tire stores on this list, here are a few of the biggest pros and cons that I found with Discount Tire.

Pros:

  • Shipping is fast and free
  • You’ll find great prices on a big selection of tires
  • Tires can be shipped to your door or directly to a professional installer

Cons:

  • You will have to schedule and pay for installation separately
  • Online-only store
  • No services: just tire sales

If you’re thinking about buying tires online, here are five things to know before shopping at Discount Tire.


Final Thoughts

If cheap tires and installation are your priorities, Walmart may be the best place to shop. However, prices vary greatly and change frequently. Plus, every vehicle requires specific tire sizes and types. For these reasons, it’s important to comparison shop yourself to determine where you’ll find the best price.

In addition to price, you should also consider free services, lifetime maintenance and general aftercare. In these categories, Costco, BJ’s Tire Center and Sam’s Club come out on top. Depending on what kind of conditions you drive in, these may be the most important factors to consider before buying new tires.

Each of these retailers allows you to purchase online and have the tires shipped and installed at your nearest location, and that’s a great way to get the best price.

Of course, it’s important to keep up with regular tire maintenance. Know when your tires will need to be changed and plan ahead. You’ll likely find more deals just before the seasons change around April and October. Either way, you’ll have more time to compare prices if you know the purchase is coming up!

Where do you go for the best price on tires for your vehicle? Share your thoughts in our Clark.com Community!

Article Updates
  • December 7, 2023: Updated current pricing and availability across all tires and retailers
  • December 7, 2023: Updated Consumer Reports survey to Fall 2021-Fall 2022 from 2019 data. 
  • December 7, 2023: Updated installation costs
  • December 7, 2023: Updated current discounts and direct price comparison
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