Buy Tires on Sale in Kansas: But Not Until You've Read This Guide!
Unitedtires
Driving and buying tires in Kansas
Kansas may have the reputation of being flat and dull but the reality is far from that! While there are areas of plains the state also has beautiful hills, forests, and rivers for you to explore. And what better way to do that than by car or truck! To help you drive safely around the Sunflower State - named for its beautiful native flowers - we’ve put together the ultimate Kansas motoring guide. We look at some interesting automotive details of the state, main highways, local laws, and the best tires for your trips.
At United Tires we have one of the most extensive selections of used and new tires online, all for sale at the most affordable prices. We price match daily to make sure our customers get the best deals and throw in free delivery with FedEx to save you even more. With our stock of 60,000+ of the best tires, you will find exactly what you’re looking for.
The most popular cars and tires in Kansas
The most popular car model
Ford F-150*
*Source: Fox4KC
The most popular color of the car
White*
*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
$130.23
*Source: utires.com sales department
Kansas tire shops and key auto facilities
GM Fairfax Assembly
GM Fairfax Assembly
3201 Fairfax Trafficway, Kansas City, KS 66115
3201 Fairfax Trafficway, Kansas City, KS 66115
39.1482225
-94.6046213
Sharp Manufacturing - Trailer manufacturer
Sharp Manufacturing - Trailer manufacturer
1201 Industrial Way, Blue Rapids, KS 66411
1201 Industrial Way, Blue Rapids, KS 66411
39.6746688
-96.6560619
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway
400 Speedway Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66111
400 Speedway Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66111
39.1084776
-94.8381716
81 Speedway
81 Speedway
7700 N Broadway, Park City, KS 67219
7700 N Broadway, Park City, KS 67219
37.8231861
-97.3381646
Kansas City Automotive Museum
Kansas City Automotive Museum
15095 W 116th St, Olathe, KS 66062
15095 W 116th St, Olathe, KS 66062
38.9180022
-94.7626915
Midwest Dream Car Collection
Midwest Dream Car Collection
3007 Anderson Ave, Manhattan, KS 66503
3007 Anderson Ave, Manhattan, KS 66503
39.1880965
-96.6157379
Graham County Auto and Arts Museum
Graham County Auto and Arts Museum
322 W Main St, Hill City, KS 67642
322 W Main St, Hill City, KS 67642
39.3648428
-99.8478391
Great Plains Transportation Museum
Great Plains Transportation Museum
700 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202
700 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202
37.6862174
-97.331885
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Rex's Antique Car Museum
Rex's Antique Car Museum
704 E Mentor Rd, Mentor, KS 67416
704 E Mentor Rd, Mentor, KS 67416
38.7390071
-97.603932
The Garage Automotive Museum
The Garage Automotive Museum
134 S 4th St, Salina, KS 67401
134 S 4th St, Salina, KS 67401
38.8390987
-97.609417
Costco Tire Center
Costco Tire Center
9700 E Kellogg Ave, Wichita, KS 67207
9700 E Kellogg Ave, Wichita, KS 67207
37.6805912
-97.2278057
Walmart Auto Care Centers
Walmart Auto Care Centers
101 Bluemont Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502
101 Bluemont Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502
39.1886002
-96.5581763
Ford County Historical Society
Ford County Historical Society
310 Gunsmoke St, Dodge City, KS 67801
310 Gunsmoke St, Dodge City, KS 67801
37.753837
-100.0220298
Did you know that…
You’ll find the center of the USA in Kansas
Most people would never guess that the geographic center of the contiguous United States is located just outside a small town in Kansas. But it's true! The point is located just northwest of the town of Lebanon in Smith County, and there's even a small monument to mark the spot. The accuracy of the measurements may be somewhat off as they were made in 1918 by balancing a cardboard cutout of the USA on a point! But if you happen to be driving by the location it makes a fun road trip selfie spot.
Key cities of Kansas
In Kansas, there are 9 cities with a population of over 50,000:
Kansas really is a state of two halves - the west of the state is flat, rural, and sparsely populated and the east has more forests and hills and is where the bulk of the population lives. This makes driving in each part of the state quite different.
Car making
The Sunflower State may not be famous for its car-making prowess but it is home to one GM assembly plant where both the Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu are assembled. The plant has been in operation since 1987 and employs nearly 4,000 people.
On our website, you’ll find a section for Chevrolet Malibu tires as well as just the right size tires for your Cadillac XT4. In fact, you can search for tires by car registration year and manufacturer to get the full selection of the best tires for your ride!
Electric car batteries
Panasonic soon plans to open a factory to make lithium batteries for electric vehicles near Kansas City. The plan is for it to be one of the largest electric battery factories in the world, which will help fuel the electric car revolution. You can read more about this project on the TechCrunch official website.
Choosing the right tires for driving in Kansas
Where to buy new tires in Kansas?
When looking to buy new tires in Kansas you’ll fare better in the east of the state than the west, where you’ll find a selection of big names like Costco and Walmart. There are also a lot of smaller stores dotted around with limited selections of tires. You’ll find one of the best selections of new tires online on our website, where you’ll save time and money by getting the best prices including free FedEx shipping. Whether you need agricultural tires, car tires, or truck tires you’ll find everything you want on our site.
Costco Tire Centers
9700 E Kellogg Ave, Wichita, 67207
12221 Blue Valley Pkwy, Overland Park, 66213
Walmart Auto Care Centers
2900 S 9th St, Salina, KS 67401, United States
1905 E 17th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501, United States
101 Bluemont Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502, United States
Where to buy used tires in Kansas?
The popularity of used tires is growing as people realize they are a safe and economical choice when purchased from a reputable supplier. You’ll discover some local stores selling used tires in the Sunflower State but when you are looking for something specific or need the best possible price and quality, visit our online used tires shop.
Every tire on our site is quality-checked for safety and durability thoroughly before being added to our stock catalog - we only accept the best tires! They will all have at least 60-99% of their tread life so you don’t have to worry about them wearing out either. We even stock once-driven tires, which, like the name says, have only been used once so are in nearly new condition. We also offer:
To learn more about our tires or to help you decide what tires to buy talk to our team today at 1-888-566-6214 (toll-free) or find other ways to contact us online.
Kansas may be one of the top ten sunniest states in the country. But that doesn't mean that the weather is always perfect. In fact, depending on where you are in the state and what time of year it is, the weather here can be quite diverse.
Regional climate divide
In the western part of the state, the climate is drier, with hot, dry summers and cold winters. The eastern part of Kansas is more moderate, with four distinct seasons. The state is also located in “Tornado Alley”, so severe weather is a possibility with tornados and dust storms in the warmer months and the possibility of blizzards in winter.
Winter
As most of the population lives in the east, winter tires are not so necessary here, although they can be useful on occasion. Generally speaking, if you live in the east of the state and don’t stray from well-kept city roads and highways you can use all-season tires with an M+S rating, for mud and snow, throughout the year. But if you live in the north or further west ice or snow tires are a wise investment to cope with the sometimes harsh conditions, especially on smaller rural roads that are not regularly plowed.
Summer
The summers can get swelteringly hot so some people like to use performance summer tires for the hottest months, to give superior grip and traction on the hot pavement. These tires are designed for smooth handling at speeds and work best in warm and hot temperatures. If you use these tires you’ll need to switch them out for Kansas winters as they become rigid and likely to skid at temperatures below 45 °F.
Though seasons in Kansas are super distinct, like most Americans, Kansas's people still prefer to drive on all-season tires, the most sought-after category on our site.
Best-selling tire brands in Kansas
*Source: utires.com sales department, 2022
The most popular tire sizes in Kansas
*Source: utires.com sales department, 2022
Shop tires by season
DRIVERS’ KANSAS GUIDE: PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Driving in the Sunflower State can be a lot of fun, especially if you leave the main, straight highways and venture onto the road less traveled. We’ve gathered all the information you need for driving here, from state laws to main highways, and traffic news to seasonal tire changes.
Live traffic report
With all the extreme weather conditions in the Sunflower State it’s always a good idea to check the traffic reports before going for a drive:
With its varying climate throughout the state, some drivers in Kansas will need to carry out a seasonal tire changeover and others will not.
West and north
In the west and north of the state, summers can be very hot and winters can be very cold with up to 35 inches of snow a year. In these parts of the state, or for people who regularly drive to these areas, a seasonal tire change is strongly recommended.
From November to March winter tires of a high standard, should be installed on your vehicle to help deal with any snowstorms or icy roads. For the remainder of the year, you have the option of all-season or summer tires, depending on the type of vehicle you drive and your personal driving style. All-season tires are more durable and long-lasting and will cope with any early or late frosts and light snow. Summer tires work best on performance cars and drivers who enjoy a sporty driving style.
East and south
For residents of the more populous eastern and southern parts of the state, who stick to the well-kept highways and city streets and roads, using mud and snow-rated all-season tires for 12 months of the year can be fine. You’ll know these tires by the M+S marking on the tire and they can cope with mild winter weather including light snow, as well as muddier roads.
However, if drivers in these areas prefer to use summer tires for their high-performance vehicles, they should switch them out in the fall, as these tires are not a good idea once the temperature drops below 45 °F. The rubber they are made from is designed for hotter temperatures and so becomes hard in the cold, making them prone to skidding in colder weather.
Driving Laws
Here are a few key laws for driving in the Sunflower State:
Young drivers:, Kansas is one of the states that allows drivers to get a learner's permit at 14 and their full license at 17.
Older drivers: Once you are 65 or older you have to renew your license every 4 years and after age 70 you also have to take a vision and written test on renewal.
Maximum speed limits: The highest speed limit you’ll find in the state is 75 mph but on most roads and highways limits will be lower than this.
Cellphones: Hands-free use of cellphones is allowed while driving for all drivers with a full license.
Speed limits in adverse weather: The state is prone to lots of extreme weather, and if conditions, like dust, smoke, or fog, reduce visibility to less than 100 feet the speed limit is lowered to 30 mph.
Many of the local driving tips and unspoken rules of the road have to do with the extreme weather that the Sunflower State experiences, from tornados to dust storms:
Watch out for crosswinds on long, straight roads, especially if you are in a larger vehicle or towing a trailer.
Avoid dust storms and don’t forget to turn on your headlights if you have to drive through one so other people can see you. But ideally, pull off the road and park while the storm passes.
The I-70 is dull - locals will agree that this long, straight route does not show the best of our beautiful state. So unless you’re in a hurry, try and take an alternate route.
Watch your speed and don’t always go with the flow. Speeding is a big problem here, with almost 7,000 tickets being issued in the first half of the year to drivers going more than 20 mph above the speed limit.
Parking rules
Parking laws vary from state to state, but also city to city. Here are some general Kansas regulations, but check for local restrictions that may be stricter:
Blocking entrances: No parking where it will block an entrance.
Railroad crossings: Parking is not permitted within 50 feet of a railway crossing.
Safety zones: No parking within a safety zone or 30 feet from a safety zone.
Kansas Turnpike offers free parking spaces at most of their toll plazas where you can park for up to 24 hours.
The Sunflower State is one of the top ten sunniest states in the country, so tinting your vehicle windows can really help to keep you cool on the road. But it’s also important to stick to any regulations around tinting to keep you and other motorists safe:
Windshield tint must be non-reflective and can only be applied above the AS-1 line.
All other windows can be completely tinted with a film that allows at least 35% of light to get in.
Reflective tints are not allowed on any vehicle windows in Kansas.
Colored tints are allowed as long as they are not yellow, red, or amber.
Like many other parts of the country, the Sunflower State has limited helmet laws. If you are under 18 you must wear a DOT-approved helmet while riding or being a passenger on a motorcycle. However, all motorcycle riders must wear shatter-proof eye protection while driving - this can be a helmet visor, goggles, glasses, or a face shield.
Despite its location in the center of the country the Sunflower State only has 2 major interstates running through it, as well as a few spur highways. It does have a large network of US routes though.
Interstate highways
Here are the main interstates in Kansas:
I-35 is one of the major north-south interstate highways in the United States. It runs all the way from the Mexican border in southern Texas up to Minnesota. In the Sunflower State, I-35 runs through the central part of the state. Major cities along I-35 include Wichita and Kansas City.
I-70 is a major east-west interstate highway in the United States. It runs from Utah all the way to Maryland. In the Sunflower State, I-70 runs through the middle of the state passing through Kansas City. Other cities along the I-70 include Colby, Hays, and Salina.
I-135 is a north-south auxiliary interstate that runs from Wichita to Salina. This highway provides a direct route between these two cities and acts as a connector for the I-35 and the I-70.
I-235 is a short auxiliary interstate that skirts around the west of Wichita connecting to the I-35.
I-335 is a short north-south interstate highway that runs from Emporia to Topeka as part of the Kansas Turnpike.
I-435 is a beltway highway that runs around Kansas City passing through both Kansas and Missouri.
I-635 is a short connecting highway to the west of Kansas City, joining the I-35 to the I-29.
I-470 is a short east-west interstate highway that loops around the south of the city of Topeka, forming a beltway by joining the I-70 at each end.
I-670 is a short east-west connector in Kansas City crossing between the two states this city is built across.
Toll roads
The Sunflower State is home to a single toll road - the Kansas Turnpike. The Kansas Turnpike is a 236-mile road that diagonally through the state. It runs from the Oklahoma border to Kansas City and passes through the major metropolitan areas of Wichita and Topeka en route. It’s made up of parts of the I-35, I-335, I-470, and I-70, but as it was built in 1956, before the Interstate system, so is not fully to Interstate standards.
Tolls are based on distance and the size of your vehicle and can be paid by cash or K-Tag. You can read more about the route and tolls on the Kansas Turnpike Authority's official website.
Shop by tire type
Best tires for Kansas
Kansas is a very agricultural state with huge tracts of land dedicated to growing crops like corn, grain, soybeans, and sorghum. This means that a lot of the population like to drive vehicles other than standard cars, especially if they live outside the city.
SUVs and pickup trucks are the state’s most popular types of vehicles, so tires specially designed for the hard work these vehicles are used for, are great choices. Both SUV and truck tires are built to carry heavier loads and are generally suited for some light off-road driving, with deeper treads and stiffer sidewalls. This makes them slightly less comfortable on the road, but far more practical off the road.
For drivers who spend more time off the road than on it, they can opt for all-terrain tires or rugged terrain tires which are ideal for driving on a wide range of surfaces, many of which are not paved!
Another popular choice for the most rural residents of the Sunflower State is tractor tires, specifically agricultural tires. These are designed with diagonal treads to allow them to drive on uneven, sloped surfaces, through mud and rocks, while pulling heavy equipment.
Buy tires in Kansas and save up to 50%!
When it comes to saving money, but not cutting corners, buying tires online from our wide range, is a great way to get a good deal! We stock thousands of new and used tires, with all our used tires undergoing a comprehensive quality check before being added to our inventory. We offer you the opportunity to get premium quality, name-brand tires at savings of up to 50%.
With our extensive stock of tires, we’ve made it easy for you to find the ones you need. You can search for tires in a range of different ways including searching for tires by rim size, brand, vehicle type, and even weather conditions. If there is still too much choice for you, call our expert team today and they’ll help you select the ideal tire for your vehicle, budget, and driving style: 1-888-566-6214 (toll-free)
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 Kansas!
When you want the biggest selection of tires, at the lowest prices in Kansas, visit United Tires. Our website is full of the best tires available at the lowest possible prices. Prices are checked and compared on a daily basis to ensure you always get the cheapest tires with us. And there are no hidden costs, with free shipping included in the price, using FedEx straight to your door. Our used tires are fully quality checked and assured so you know you’re getting a safe and durable product. We also offer a worry-free 1-year return policy for your peace of mind.
What tires are best for Kansas?
Truck and SUV tires are popular choices for the Sunflower State. But with SUVs and trucks being the favorite vehicles in Kansas, it's important to know what tires are best for them. With so many options on the market, it can be tough to decide which tires are right for your vehicle. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing tires for your SUV or truck. First, consider the climate in Kansas. The state experiences hot summers and cold winters, so you'll need tires that can perform well in extreme temperatures. Second, think about the terrain. Kansas is home to both city streets, rural roads, and agricultural areas, so you'll need tires that can provide a smooth ride on any type of surface. With these factors in mind, you're sure to find the perfect tires for your SUV or truck.
Do I need winter tires in Kansas?
Winter tires are a good idea for many drivers in the Sunflower State. While not known for its snowy winters, the truth is that the state does see its fair share of winter weather. If you live in the north or east of the state, or if you regularly travel on secondary roads or highways, then it is a good idea to invest in a set of winter tires. These tires are designed to grip icy roads better than regular tires, and they can help you to avoid accidents when driving in winter conditions. They also tend to have deeper treads, which helps to improve traction on snow-covered roads. So, if you are planning on spending any time on the roads this winter, make sure that your vehicle is equipped with the right tires.