Washington Charges for Studded Tires, But Oregon Doesn't

Studded tires damage roads, but Oregon lawmakers have been reluctant to impose fees like Washington has.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:07am

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An extreme close-up of the pebbled, textured surface of a car tire, with the metal studs protruding dramatically and reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the damaging effects of studded tires on road infrastructure.The destructive impact of studded tires on roads is a persistent issue in the Pacific Northwest, with Washington taking action while Oregon remains reluctant to impose fees.Olympia Today

Washington state charges a $5 fee per studded tire to help pay for road repairs, as studies show the metal studs can reduce asphalt life by 6-8 years. However, Oregon has not followed suit, despite estimates that studded tire damage costs the state millions annually. Oregon lawmakers have proposed fees on studded tires in the past, but the bills have not made it out of committee, with some arguing the revenue wouldn't be meaningful enough to the state's road maintenance fund.

Why it matters

Studded tires are a major source of damage to roads in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in snowy, mountainous areas. While Washington has implemented a fee to disincentivize their use and help pay for repairs, Oregon has been reluctant to do the same, leaving the state's roads vulnerable to continued deterioration from studded tire usage.

The details

Studies have shown that studded tires, which have small metal spikes to improve traction in snow and ice, can reduce asphalt life by 6-8 years. In Washington, this damage is estimated to cost the state $20-$29 million per year. To help offset these costs, Washington charges drivers a $5 fee per studded tire. This has led to a significant drop in studded tire sales, from nearly 171,000 in 2018-2019 to about 107,000 in 2024-2025. In contrast, Oregon does not charge any fees for studded tires, despite estimates that the damage they cause costs the state around $4 million per year. Oregon lawmakers have proposed fees on studded tires in the past, but the bills have not made it out of committee, with some arguing the revenue wouldn't be meaningful enough to the state's road maintenance fund.

  • In 2014, studded tire damage cost Oregon about $8.5 million.
  • By 2022, the estimated cost of studded tire damage in Oregon was around $4 million.

The players

Patrick Brennan

An analyst with Oregon's nonpartisan Legislative Policy and Research Office.

Rep. Susan McLain

A Forest Grove Democrat who chairs the Oregon House Transportation Committee.

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What they’re saying

“It didn't feel like it was a very large or ongoing possibility for that to be meaningful.”

— Rep. Susan McLain, Chair, Oregon House Transportation Committee

The takeaway

While Washington has taken steps to disincentivize the use of studded tires and help pay for the damage they cause, Oregon has been reluctant to follow suit, leaving the state's roads vulnerable to continued deterioration. The lack of action on this issue highlights the challenges lawmakers face in balancing the needs of rural, snow-prone communities with the broader infrastructure costs associated with studded tire usage.