Buy Tires on Sale in Virginia: But Not Until You've Read This Guide!
Unitedtires
Driving and buying tires in Virginia
Virginia, also known as the Commonwealth of Virginia or Old Dominion, is one of the oldest states in the Union and has a long and wonderful history. With all its historical sites, beautiful rolling hills, quaint small towns, and lovely coastline, it’s a dream for fans of a good road trip. Here at United Tires, we want to make your road trips as safe and fun as possible so we’ve put together this guide that includes information on the best scenic routes, traffic regulations, and the tires you need to keep you safe on the roads of Old Dominion.
With our vast selection of new and used tires (60,000 and growing), we will be sure to have exactly the tires you need, whatever vehicle you drive. And with our price match policy and quality-assured used tires, you’ll be getting the best value and quality online. We even include free shipping, using FedEx, with every order, saving you even more.
The most popular cars and tires in Virginia
The most popular car model
Toyota RAV4*
*Source: WFXR Fox
The most popular color of the car
Black
*Source: iSeeCars
The most popular tire model
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
*Source: utires.com sales department
The average budget to buy 2 used tires
$132.51
*Source: utires.com sales department
Virginia tire shops and key auto facilities
Wood Brothers Racing Museum
Wood Brothers Racing Museum
21 Performance Drive, Stuart, VA 24171
21 Performance Drive, Stuart, VA 24171
36.6475207
-80.2732605
Richmond Raceway
Richmond Raceway
600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222
600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222
37.5863618
-77.4246477
walmart
Walmart Auto Care Center
5001 Nine Mile Rd, Richmond, VA 23223
5001 Nine Mile Rd, Richmond, VA 23223
37.5444827
-77.3665733
Keystone Antique Truck & Tractor Museum
Keystone Antique Truck & Tractor Museum
880 W Roslyn Rd, Colonial Heights, VA 23834
880 W Roslyn Rd, Colonial Heights, VA 23834
37.2485994
-77.3965335
Yokohama Tire Corporation
Yokohama Tire Corporation
1500 Indiana St, Salem, VA 24153
1500 Indiana St, Salem, VA 24153
37.2777957
-80.0436317
Volkswagen Group of America Corporate Headquarters
Volkswagen Group of America Corporate Headquarters
2200 Woodland Pointe Ave, Herndon, VA 20171
2200 Woodland Pointe Ave, Herndon, VA 20171
38.9532382
-77.3967956
TMI Autotech Inc
TMI Autotech Inc
1201 Industrial Park Rd, South Boston, VA 24592
1201 Industrial Park Rd, South Boston, VA 24592
36.6666048
-78.9397637
Virginia Museum of Transportation
Virginia Museum of Transportation
303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
37.2729816
-79.9490018
Car and Carriage Caravan Museum
Car and Carriage Caravan Museum
970 US-211, Luray, VA 22835
970 US-211, Luray, VA 22835
38.6604942
-78.4891707
costco
Costco Tire Center
Warehouse, Mt Vernon, 7940 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306
Warehouse, Mt Vernon, 7940 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306
38.741853
-77.0897526
Did you know that…
Virginia is home to one of the largest bridge-tunnel complexes in the world
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connects Delmarva and Hampton Roads across the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. From shore to shore the bridges and tunnels are over 17 miles long. Prior to its opening in 1964, a ferry plied the route, but with the opening of the bridge-tunnel complex over 95 miles were cut from the journey between Hampton Roads and Delmarva. To date over 140 million vehicles have used the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, paying the toll of between $14 and $18.
Key cities of Virginia
Virginia has two major population centers, one around the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area and the other near the state line with Washington D.C. The ten biggest cities in the Commonwealth are:
The Commonwealth is an ideal location for fans of road trips, with its relatively compact size, a great network of state roads and Interstates, and bags of history. You can spend days driving about, visiting new historic sites, or taking in the glorious rolling hills and beautiful scenery.
One thing to be aware of is the fact that, particularly in the west of the state, you’ll encounter some highways that travel across quite hilly landscapes, making the drive far from flat and straight. But as long as you stick to the posted speed limits and drive carefully, this can make for some fun driving.
NASCAR in Virginia
If you’re a fan of NASCAR or car racing in general, you’ll be excited to know that the state is home to Richmond Raceway, "America's premier short track". Located just outside the city of Richmond, the Raceway has been a NASCAR staple since it first opened its doors in 1946. Today, it remains one of the most popular tracks on the circuit, with an impressive seating capacity of just over 50,000. The Raceway also hosts a number of other events throughout the year, including NASCAR Xfinity, NASCAR Cup, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, as well as live concerts, fairs, and festivals. So whether you're a die-hard NASCAR fan or simply looking for a fun day out, Richmond Raceway is definitely worth a visit!
Car manufacturing history
While Virginia is not known for its car manufacturing heritage it was actually home to a few of the country's early car makers. Back in 1896, Wood & Meagher created a motor carriage prototype, and in 1901 a steam-powered vehicle was made by George Dawson. A 12-horsepower touring car was created by R.W. Coffee & Sons in 1902, and then in 1905, James Allen Kline started the first Commonwealth car-making company, Kline Kars. The Kline Motor Car Corporation was successful for several years, producing around 2,500 vehicles, but it eventually went out of business in 1923.
In 1925, Ford Motor Company established an assembly plant in Norfolk. The Norfolk Assembly was responsible for assembling cars and trucks for the eastern United States. In addition to cars and trucks, the assembly also produced military vehicles during World War II. The Norfolk Assembly closed in 2007, with the last vehicle to roll off the assembly line being a Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Automotive manufacturing today
Today none of the major car manufacturers has a manufacturing presence in the state but Volkswagen Group of America has its Corporate Headquarters in Herndon, which is responsible for the company’s brands including VW, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Bugatti.
However, if you want a custom sportscar or supercar you’ll find that at TMI Auto Tech, in South Boston. Here they make specialty components for motorsports vehicles as well as complete custom and handmade cars.
Salem, VA is also home to a large manufacturing facility for a major Japanese tire company, Yokohama. The factory specializes in making high-quality car tires and tires for light trucks for the North American market.
If you’re looking to buy Yokohama tires make in Old Dominion you’ll find a huge selection on our website, where you can search by tire brand or vehicle type to find exactly the tires you’re searching for, at the lowest prices.
Choosing the right tires for driving in Virginia
Where to buy new tires in Virginia?
With lots of good-sized towns and cities, especially in the east of the state, you’ll find plenty of options for buying new tires in Virginia, including the usual stores like Walmart Auto Care Centers and Costco Tire Centers. In these brick-and-mortar stores, you’ll find a reasonable selection of the most common tires at affordable prices. But when you want a larger selection of new tires at the best possible prices, look online at United Tires. With daily price checks, we make sure you’re getting the best value for money, and we even give you free delivery, using FedEx, right to your home or business.
Costco Tire Centers
1200 S Fern St, Arlington, 22202
251 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, 22602
4725 West Ox Rd, Fairfax, 22030
7373 Boston Blvd, Springfield, 22153
3171 District Ave, Charlottesville, 22901
12121 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, 23602
Walmart Auto Care Centers
5885 Kingstowne Blvd, Alexandria, 22315
125 Clarion Rd, Altavista, 24517
4001 College Ave, Bluefield, 24605
171 Burgess Rd, Harrisonburg, 22801
801 James Madison Hwy, Culpeper, 22701
731 E Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, 23188
Where to buy used tires in Virginia?
If you’re hunting for the best value when buying tires, you’ll probably know that they can be found in specialty shops or online. For example, our website features high-quality used tires for very competitive prices. When buying used tires from a reputable outlet like United Tires, you can be sure that they are fully safety-checked before being shipped to the customers. On our site you’ll also find:
Old Dominion is a state with a diverse climate, thanks to its varied geography. The state has coastal areas, mountains, and rolling hills, all of which contribute to its unique weather patterns. In general, the weather here is milder than in other parts of the country. The state experiences all four seasons, but the winters are generally short and mild, while the summers are warm but not excessively hot. However, you will occasionally experience extreme weather conditions here. Hurricanes and storms can bring high winds and heavy rains to the coast, while winter storms can dump several feet of snow in the mountains.
What this means for drivers in Old Dominion is the choice of tires depends very much on your location. For the majority of residents of the state, this means that all-season tires, especially those with markings for M&S (mud and snow), will work well throughout the year. These tires are designed to provide traction and grip in a variety of conditions, from dry pavement to heavy rain and even light snow. They also tend to be more durable than other types of tires, meaning they will last longer and provide better value for money in the long term.
If you happen to live in the Appalachians or often drive to the north, heading out of state, in the winter, you might want to consider winter tires for the colder parts of the year. These areas can see heavy snowfall and a good set of snow tires will help keep you moving even in bad weather.
Though seasons in Virginia are super distinct, like most Americans, Virginiaans still prefer to drive on all-season tires, the most sought-after category on our site.
Best-selling tire brands in Virginia*
*Source: utires.com sales department, 2022
The most popular tire sizes in Virginia*
*Source: utires.com sales department, 2022
Shop tires by season
DRIVERS’ VIRGINIA GUIDE: PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Whether you’re commuting around the Commonwealth or heading out on a road trip, this guide from United Tires will keep you safe on the roads. We cover parking and driving rules, traffic updates, and the tires you need to keep you safe on the highways.
Live traffic report
Traffic around the state is generally not too bad unless there’s unexpected snow, or a big storm passing through. But it’s always wise to check the traffic reports before heading out in your car:
If you live in the most populous areas of the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the central area and the north and east, you are unlikely to need to do a seasonal tire changeover as these areas rarely get enough snow to cause any problems for drivers. Using a set of M&S marked all-season tires will work year-round, coping with the heavy rain storms and even the occasional light snow.
Appalachian region
For the smaller set of the population who lives in the more mountainous Appalachian region, and for those who regularly have to drive north out of state in winter, a seasonal tire changeover is a good idea. We suggest switching your all-season tires for some winter tires between December and March when the mountains can see some heavy snowfall.
Driving Laws
While it’s important to follow the rules of the road wherever you go, it's especially important in Virginia, where they are particularly tightly enforced. So here are 5 things to watch out for:
Highway speed limits:, The highest speed limit on highways is 70 mph but watch out for lower posted limits which you’ll find in many urban areas and in more mountainous and curvy sections of highway.
No posted speed limits: If you can’t see any posted speed limits you should stick to these defaults to be safe: residential and business districts - 25 mph; Secondary routes - 55 mph for cars, 45 mph for trucks; unpaved roads - 35 mph.
Cellphones: No handheld use of cell phones is allowed while operating a moving vehicle. You need to stop and park before you can use your cell phone properly.
Smoking: No smoking in vehicles if anyone under 15 years of age is in the vehicle.
Reckless driving: There are 14 different types of reckless driving offenses in the state including, driving over 85 mph, which counts as reckless driving.
Unspoken Road Rules
Virginia is known for having some of the most dangerous roads in the country, according to a survey by the car insurance company, Quote Wizard. This means that it always pays to be alert when driving around Old Dominion.
The state experiences a lot of heavy rain and even hurricanes, all of which make the roads even more dangerous. Locals have some advice for driving in heavy rain:
Watch out for big puddles as they can be hiding potholes that can damage your tires and cause alignment problems.
Be cautious of hydroplaning if there’s a lot of sitting water on the road - always go slowly and try to avoid sudden braking or turning.
Turn on your low beam headlights to make yourself more visible - but not high beams as they can reflect off the rain making visibility worse.
Most importantly, if it’s raining heavily, drive more slowly than usual as this will help avoid most problems.
Parking rules
While parking laws in the Commonwealth are all managed at a local level, there are 5 regulations that are set at the state level:
Bicycle lanes: No parking is allowed in bicycle lanes.
Crosswalks: No parking on crosswalks.
Double parking: Double parking is not allowed.
Handicapped access ramps: No parking where it can block handicapped access ramps.
Fire hydrants: No parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
Window tint laws
Tinting car windows is essential for driving comfort, it gives privacy and keeps a car cool. But you should know the rules around tinting in your state. Here are the Commonwealth’s window tint rules and you can read the full regulations on the Virginia State official legislature website:
Windshield: You can apply any darkness of tint above the AS-1 line.
Front side windows: Any tint must have a visible light transmission (VLT) of at least 50%.
Rear window and rear side windows: Any tint must have a VLT of at least 35%.
Other restrictions: No red, yellow, or amber tints are allowed and reflective tints must not have a reflective value of over 20%.
There are many options for colors and styles of tints as well as new innovations in vehicle window tinting - find out more.
Helmet laws
Virginia is one of the few states to enact comprehensive helmet laws for its residents. All passengers and drivers must wear a helmet at all times while riding a motorcycle. Not only that but the helmets must also have been approved by one of these three safety bodies:
If you want to go anywhere in Virginia it’s likely you’ll get on an Interstate at some point, as there is a great highway network throughout the state. As most other roads are managed at a state level Old Dominion has the third largest state highway system in the country. Here are details of some of the key roads crossing the Commonwealth.
Interstates
There are 6 primary Interstate highways in Old Dominion and a further 9 auxiliary or spur Interstates. Here are details of the major highways:
I-64 runs east-west through the middle of the state, crossing over from West Virginia near the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, and continuing on to its terminus in the Chesapeake area. This highway provides access to Charlottesville, Richmond, and Newport News. West of the state this highway runs through Kentucky, before ending in Missouri.
I-66 runs east-west across northern Virginia, from Washington D.C. to the west side of the state. This highway provides access to Frederick, Warren, Fauquier, Prince William, Fairfax, and Arlington counties.
I-77 runs north-south through southwest Virginia, from West Virginia to North Carolina and onwards. This highway provides access to the New River Valley and the Appalachian Mountains.
I-81 runs north-south through western Virginia, from Tennessee to West Virginia, and then on north to New York. This highway runs parallel to the Appalachian Mountains, for much of its route and alongside the I-77 and I-64 for brief stretches.
I-85 runs north-south through south central Virginia with its terminus in Petersburg. This highway heads south into North Carolina before ending in Alabama.
I-95 runs north-south through eastern Virginia, from Washington D.C. to North Carolina, and then on to Florida to the south and Maine to the north. This highway provides access to Alexandria and Richmond.
US Routes
Virginia is home to 28 primary US route highways which provide access to all parts of the state and onwards.
Toll roads
There are several short toll roads and bridges around the state, and you can use the EZ-Pass for toll payments.
North Virginia: There are 6 toll routes in the Arlington/Alexandria area, near the state border with Washington D.C.
Richmond: There are 5 toll roads in the Richmond city area.
Hampton Roads: Around Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Newport News you’ll find 7 toll roads, bridges, and tunnels.
The Commonwealth is a wonderful place to drive, with many historic sights, quirky roadside stops, and stunning coastline and scenery. The official tourism website, Virginia is for Lovers, has compiled some of the best road trips and scenic drives you can take around this gorgeous state.
For another selection of great road trips, you can also check out the Lonely Planet official website, where they’ve collected 6 great drives ranging from half-day to full weekend outings.
Fun facts
Virginia motorists love vanity license plates with about 16% of vehicles sporting one of these plates. This equates to around 10% of all vanity plates in the whole country!
Traffic laws in the Commonwealth are known for being super strict - so much so that the state has more traffic lawyers per citizen, than anywhere else in the country.
Buying insurance for your car in Virginia is more affordable than you might expect with premiums the 5th lowest in the country.
Richmond, Virginia was home to the first electric streetcar in the U.S. back in 1888, which continued to operate until 1949.
Shop by tire type
Best tires for Virginia
Drivers in Old Dominion are fond of their pickup trucks and their SUVs so choosing tires specially designed for these vehicles will give you the best driving experience possible. At United Tires we stock a full range of both new and used SUV tires which are designed to carry the heavier loads that you might put in an SUV, as well as handle a wide range of terrains, including giving you a comfortable ride on paved roads.
Our selection of pickup truck tires will give you great handling on a wide range of terrains, and cope well with carrying heavy loads. However, with the enhanced off-road abilities of these tires, you have to compromise slightly on their comfort on the pavement. They will, however, deal with bad weather and potholes extremely well, making them a great choice for driving around more rural areas.
Buy tires in Virginia and save up to 50%!
On our website you’ll find one of the largest selections of tires online, all at the lowest prices. We check prices daily to make sure you always save on your new and used tires, with savings of up to 50%. And there are no cutting corners on the quality of our used tires either!
We are proud of the thorough and comprehensive safety checks that each used tire in our online warehouse has to pass before we sell it to you. Every tire undergoes a complete visual check for any defects, and then a water and air pressure test is carried out. The tread depth is measured to ensure at least 4/32” depth remains, giving you a safe and long-lasting ride. Before we send any tires out of the warehouse to you we do a final check to ensure you’re getting the best quality for your money.
If you have any questions about our tires, or if you find a tire at a lower price elsewhere you can contact our team to get a price match and discuss your tire requirements.
Other tire websites
Set of 4 used tires
Tread Depth
0/32
11/32
Average Price
$546.65
Based on pricing for set of 4 new 245/55/18 on other tire websites
Other tire websites
Based on pricing for set of 4 new 245/55/18 on other tire websites
Set of 4 used tires
Tread Depth
0/32
9/32
11/32
Average Price
$246.65
Based on pricing for set of 4 used 245/55/18 on utires.com
Savings $215.65
Based on pricing for set of 4 used 245/55/18 on utires.com
You can always find great deals like that in our used tire shop — both offline and online. Outfit your ride with a spare, with run flat tires, with tires for pretty much every kind of vehicle and occasion! Shop for tires now and get the best deals in Virginia!
Visit United Tires when shopping for discount tires near me in the Commonwealth. In our online tire outlet, you’ll find 60,000+ new and used tires, all at the lowest prices. You’ll find tires for cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, tractors, long-distance trucks, and much much more. With the option to search by car model, season, terrain, and rim size you’ll discover all the best tires for your vehicle, all with free FedEx delivery and a price match promise.
What tires are best for Virginia?
All-season tires are the most practical choice for Virginia drivers. They provide good traction in a variety of conditions, including wet weather and light snow. They also tend to have a longer lifespan than winter tires or summer tires, so you won't have to replace them as often. If you do a lot of driving in rural areas, you may want to consider a set of all-terrain tires. They provide excellent traction on dirt and gravel roads, and can also handle some mud and sand. However, all-terrain tires typically don't provide quite as comfortable a ride on pavement as other tires, so they may not be the best choice if you do most of your driving on highways or city streets.
Do I need winter tires in Virginia?
For most people winter tires are not necessary for driving in Old Dominion, however, the full answer depends on where you live in the state. If you live in the Appalachian Mountains or regularly drive north, then winter tires are a good investment. The extra traction can help you stay safe on icy roads. But if you live in central Virginia or the Tidewater region, winter tires are not typically necessary. The milder climate means that roads are less likely to freeze over, making winter tires unnecessary.