Moving from Seattle to Tucson

So, I'm moving from the PACNORWEST to sunny and warm Tucson next month (mid-November). Usually in the past the winter (Blizzak WS80's) go on the Si Nov 1 through March 15th. I have a 1700 mile drive, which 50% will be in weather colder than 50 degrees, and the other 50% between 50-75 degrees warmest. The drive will take 2 day (2.5 most)... yup, I only pee when the tank is empty!

My route is Seattle I-90 to Yakima, South to Oregon, then to Boise, where I turn south to Jackpot Nevada, then to Las Vegas, Phoenix, then on to Tucson. Essentially from Seattle to Jackpot = 50 degrees or cooler. From Jackpot down, it gets up to 75 in the day.

My question is, should I still switch to winters (knowing I will never need them again anyways), or should I risk snow/sleet and ice for the first half on my Goodyear Summer Tires (only 10k on them)

I believe the right answer is destroy the winters for 800 miles and just toss them after....

Thanks in advance!

-AKULA-

if you're a skier, save your tires for when you want to head up to Flag in the winter, it gets pretty deep sometimes!

Can you fit the 2nd set of tires in the car and swap partway? Honestly, I would probably put the winters on. Highway driving on them at warmer temps for 800 miles won’t be awful. In Chicago you see plenty of people leave winter tires on year round (I know... morons) and yet they still last three years. I would do what is safest and not worry about the snow tires longevity, they’ll hold up. Good luck man, enjoy the drive! Tucson, and Arizona in general, is a beautiful place to spend time.

just leave what you have on the car youll be fine. and enjoy the nice weather of tuscon.

I went from Wisconsin to Arizona in a wrx on my winter tires and back. They look great still.

Felt pretty sketchy in the warm weather though. Like rolling on balloons. I tried going fast once to get around a land train on a desolate road in NM. Got up to 105 and about $#!+ myself. So damn squirrelly...

RYSBRNR said:

Can you fit the 2nd set of tires in the car and swap partway? Honestly, I would probably put the winters on. Highway driving on them at warmer temps for 800 miles won’t be awful. In Chicago you see plenty of people leave winter tires on year round (I know... morons) and yet they still last three years. I would do what is safest and not worry about the snow tires longevity, they’ll hold up. Good luck man, enjoy the drive! Tucson, and Arizona in general, is a beautiful place to spend time.

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Not to much room left in the coupe. I will have clothes, air mattress, and some dishes along with my dog. Appreciate the response, and based on what I am reading, looks like to will be conservative and mount the winters, and go the speed limit as the temps rise above 60. As for Tucson, been vacationing for years and knew it was where I wanted to end up after my body couldn't take the cold damp winters of the NW.

Thanks again!

Thanks all for the feedback. As the threat of snow and ice is real the later I have to dip into November before moving, I will mount the winters and take it easy (speed wise) when temps rise over 60. The summers will be in Tucson already when I arrive, so I will switch back over Thanksgiving weekend and see what damage (if any) has happened. I didn't think about skiing, so many props on that one. Luckily the winters are on their own rims, so replacing to do such activities won't be so painful.

Thanks again to all!

-AKULA-

AdamSi, Welcome to Tucson! I live here and its great. If there's any resale value to your winter tires, you might consider selling them (and perhaps with rims) while your still in the NW. Pretty hard to sell winter tires here. Since our cars are FWD, they do decent in inclement weather with any tires that have tread. Enjoy the drive and the great gas mileage!

The roads in Tucson are HELL!!!!

On the plus side you get the drive Mount Lemon

if you really want an awesome drive, take a detour off I-17 and spend the time coming down Oak Creek Canyon (89A) going through Sedona, you won't regret it

Matthyahuw said:

if you really want an awesome drive, take a detour off I-17 and spend the time coming down Oak Creek Canyon (89A) going through Sedona, you won't regret it

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Are you in the AZthgen FB group we are doing a cruise on Nov 10th

I don't facebook, sorry