All-Terrain vs Mud-Terrain 315/70R17: How to Choose?

Choose all-terrain tires for daily driving and mixed conditions; pick mud-terrain only when hard off-road traction is your priority.

A set of four 315/70R17s will typically run $1,000 to over $2,000, so the choice between all-terrain and mud-terrain 315/70R17 tires deserves more than a look at the tread pattern. The answer comes down to one honest question: how much of your driving is pavement, and how much is mud, rock, or deep snow?

All-terrain tires are built for the daily grind — quiet highways, wet roads, gravel, and light snow. Mud-terrains trade that comfort for one job: traction when the road ends. Both families share a 34.4-inch diameter in this size, so the real differences are tread design, load range, and what you’re willing to hear on the commute.

All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain: Which Do You Need?

Choose A/T if the vehicle mostly sees pavement with occasional dirt and trail use. Choose M/T if mud, ruts, and aired-down rock crawling are regular weekends and you accept the on-road costs.

• A/T tires deliver quieter road manners, longer tread life, and better wet-road and snow behavior, with enough grip for light off-roading.
• M/T tires use aggressive tread blocks and open voids that self-clean in mud and bite into loose terrain, plus stouter sidewalls for rocks.

The tread-depth numbers show the trade plainly: 315/70R17 mud-terrains run 16/32 to 20/32 of an inch deep, while all-terrains sit at 15/32 to 16/32. That deep tread is why M/Ts dig so hard — and why they hum on asphalt. Speed ratings differ too: most A/Ts here are S-rated at 112 mph, while Q-rated mud-terrains cap at 99 mph.

315/70R17 Specs: A/T vs M/T at a Glance

Diameter stays nearly identical across both families at 34.4 to 34.6 inches; tread depth, load range, and weight are where they separate.

Tire size alone never confirms fitment — the load index, speed rating, and approved rim width must all match your vehicle, and heavier tires affect gearing, fuel economy, and speedometer accuracy. Verify everything against a vehicle-specific fitment guide before you order. If you’re close to buying, our tested roundup of the best 315/70R17 tires compares leading models side by side.

The ten-second verdict: buy all-terrains when this is a daily driver with occasional trail days. Buy mud-terrains only when mud, rocks, and aired-down terrain are the actual point of the vehicle. With a load range that matches and a confirmed fit, either choice works — the wrong one is matched to the wrong week.