How Many Miles Is a 500 Treadwear Rating?

A 500 treadwear rating does not translate to a fixed number of miles; it’s a comparative durability score under a standardized test. In everyday use, many tires with a 500 rating commonly last around 40,000–60,000 miles, though real outcomes can range from roughly 30,000 to 70,000+ miles depending on driving style, vehicle, maintenance, and tire type. Manufacturers’ mileage warranties for 500-rated tires often fall near 45,000–60,000 miles, but they vary.

What a 500 Treadwear Rating Actually Means

The 500 figure comes from the U.S. Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) system overseen by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Treadwear ratings are relative: a tire graded 100 serves as the baseline “control” tire; a tire graded 500 is expected to wear about five times more slowly than that control under the same controlled test conditions. Importantly, UTQG does not promise a specific mileage. It’s a lab-to-road proxy designed to help you compare tires within and across brands, not a mileage guarantee.

Because the UTQG test occurs on a standardized course with set procedures, its results don’t capture your unique mix of stop‑and‑go traffic, alignment condition, road surfaces, temperatures, vehicle weight, driving aggression, or rotation habits. That’s why two identical 500-rated tires can yield very different real-world mileages for different drivers.

How 500 Typically Translates in the Real World

In practice, 500-rated all-season touring or performance all-season tires often carry mileage warranties in the mid-range—commonly 45,000–60,000 miles—while actual lifespan can skew lower or higher. Ultra-high-performance summer tires that happen to be around 500 may wear faster and sometimes have no mileage warranty at all. As a rule of thumb, view 500 as “moderate-to-good” wear potential rather than a promise.

Typical Warranty Ranges by UTQG Band

The following list gives a market-based snapshot of the mileage warranty ranges you’ll often see advertised for different UTQG treadwear bands. These are common patterns as of 2024–2025, not guarantees for any specific model.

• 200–300: Often 15,000–30,000 miles (performance-focused tires; many summer tires have limited or no mileage warranties)
• 400–500: Often 40,000–60,000 miles (many all-season performance and some touring models)
• 600–800: Often 60,000–85,000 miles (touring/all-season longevity-focused tires)
• 800+: Sometimes 80,000–100,000 miles (specialized long-life touring tires; availability varies)

Use these bands for context when shopping, but always check the specific tire’s limited treadwear warranty and conditions (such as required rotations and speed rating adjustments) to understand what’s actually covered.

Why Miles Vary So Much

Even for the same 500-rated tire, real-life mileage hinges on multiple variables. The following are the most influential factors that tend to move tread life up or down.

• Driving style: Smooth acceleration and braking dramatically extend life; aggressive driving shortens it.
• Maintenance: Regular rotations (typically every 5,000–7,500 miles), proper inflation, and timely alignment are critical.
• Vehicle and load: Heavier vehicles, frequent towing, and high loads increase wear.
• Roads and climate: Rough surfaces, extreme heat or cold, and frequent potholes accelerate wear.
• Tire category and compound: Ultra-high-performance compounds trade longevity for grip; touring compounds favor longer life.
• Speed rating and usage: Higher speed ratings often correlate with softer compounds; long highway commutes can wear differently than city stop-and-go.

These variables explain why one driver may see 70,000 miles from a 500-rated tire while another sees closer to 35,000 miles from the same model.

Practical Takeaways

If you’re considering a tire with a 500 treadwear rating, these steps can help you set realistic expectations and get the most miles out of your purchase.

• Check the specific tire’s limited mileage warranty and terms (rotation intervals, speed-rating adjustments, front/rear stagger exclusions).
• Match tire type to your use: choose touring all-season for longevity; performance tires for grip (with shorter life).
• Maintain correct pressure, rotate on schedule, and fix alignment issues promptly.
• Drive smoothly and avoid chronic overloading to reduce heat and abrasion that speed up wear.
• Monitor tread depth regularly; uneven wear is a warning to correct setup or habits.

Following these practices won’t change the UTQG number, but they can meaningfully extend the real-world miles you see from a 500-rated tire.

Bottom Line

A 500 treadwear rating is a comparative durability indicator—not a mileage promise. In real-world terms, most drivers can expect something in the 40,000–60,000-mile corridor, with a broader practical range of about 30,000–70,000+ miles depending on tire type and usage. Consult the tire’s specific warranty and maintain your vehicle to get the best results.

Summary

A 500 treadwear rating means the tire should wear about five times more slowly than a UTQG “100” control tire under standardized testing, but it does not equal a fixed mileage. Typical real-world outcomes cluster around 40,000–60,000 miles, with significant variation due to driving style, maintenance, vehicle, road conditions, and compound. Always check the individual tire’s mileage warranty and follow proper care to maximize tread life.

Is a 500 treadwear rating good?

Yes, a 500 treadwear rating is considered good and falls into the “high” or “long-lasting” category, offering a good balance between durability and performance for everyday driving. A higher treadwear number, like 500, indicates a longer expected life compared to a lower-rated tire, though the exact number of miles depends on driving conditions and habits. 
What a 500 Treadwear Rating Means

• Longevity: It signifies that the tire is designed to last longer than tires with lower ratings, offering better value. 
• For Everyday Use: A 500 rating is excellent for daily commuting and touring vehicles, providing sufficient durability for mixed conditions. 
• Balanced Performance: It strikes a balance between good wear and adequate grip, safety, and comfort. 

Factors Influencing Actual Mileage
While the treadwear rating is a helpful guide, the actual miles you get from a tire with a 500 treadwear rating can vary due to: 

• Driving Habits: Aggressive driving, such as hard braking, acceleration, and cornering, will wear tires faster. 
• Road and Weather Conditions: Driving on rough roads or in extreme weather will impact tire life. 
• Vehicle and Maintenance: The type of vehicle, proper maintenance, and tire care also play a significant role in a tire’s longevity. 

How to Determine the Right Treadwear Rating for You

• For Performance: If you need maximum grip for sports cars or spirited driving, you might opt for a lower treadwear rating, understanding it will wear faster. 
• For Durability: For daily commuting, a 500 treadwear rating is a strong choice, prioritizing extended life and cost savings. 

How many miles is a 700 treadwear tire good for?

A general rule of thumb sometimes used is that an average driver with an average vehicle can typically estimate the tread life of a tire by multiplying the UTQG treadwear rating by 100. For example, a tire with a treadwear rating of 700 may last approximately 70,000 miles.

How many miles is 400 treadwear?

While not even the best UTQG-rating tires can be completely trusted, the tire tread wear ratings guide is actually quite straightforward. To estimate a tread life based on treadwear ratings, you will need to multiply the number by 1000. Therefore, based on simple math, a 400-rated tire should last for 40,000 miles.

How many miles is a 520 treadwear rating?

While not a foolproof method, it is common in the tire world to add 2 zeros to the end of this number for approximate tread life. In the above example, the treadwear rating is 520, so a tire tech may estimate the tread life of that tire at around 52,000 miles.