Measuring Your Machine Tire to Tire
A side-by-side can look narrow enough for a Wyoming trail and still measure wider than its posted limit once you account for tires, wheels, or accessories. Measuring your machine tire to tire gives you a useful first check before you haul it to a trailhead. This guide explains how to measure accurately, what the result can and cannot tell you, and how to check route restrictions.
Why tire-to-tire width matters in Wyoming
A trail limit is about the route, not just the machine
Some Wyoming trails have width restrictions, including routes with a 50-inch limit. That number can make a real difference when choosing between an ATV, a narrow UTV, and a wider side-by-side. A machine that fits one route may not fit another, even if both are in the same general riding area. Start with Wyoming’s 50-Inch Trail Limit and check Which Wyoming Trails Are Held to 50 Inches before planning around a particular trail.
It’s easy to assume that a machine advertised as “narrow” will be allowed wherever a narrow trail limit applies. But a manufacturer’s listed width, your measurement at home, and the width rule used for a specific route may not line up perfectly. Tire size, wheel offset, added wheel spacers, and accessories can all affect the machine’s actual dimensions.
That’s why it helps to treat your measurement as a planning check, not as permission to ride. Confirm the applicable restriction on the land manager’s travel map or route information, and pay attention to signs at the trail. If a route is marked closed to your machine or class of vehicle, don’t assume a tape measure gives you an exception.
Tire-to-tire width is not always the machine’s widest point
Measuring from the outside of one tire to the outside of the tire opposite it gives you a practical tire-to-tire figure. However, tires might not be the widest parts of the machine. Fender flares, nerf bars, mirrors, door-mounted accessories, or other add-ons may extend farther out.
For a first check, measure both the tire width and the machine’s widest overall point. Write down each result separately rather than choosing the smaller number and calling it the machine’s width. This gives you a clearer picture when comparing your vehicle with a posted restriction or manufacturer specifications.
If the route’s measurement method isn’t clear, contact the relevant land manager before riding. Don’t assume that a trail limit is measured at the same point you chose at home. The goal is to avoid showing up with a vehicle that is too wide for the route—or putting yourself in a position where a tight trail becomes difficult or unsafe.
How to measure your ATV or UTV tire to tire
Get the machine ready before measuring
Park on firm, level ground. A sloped driveway, soft gravel, or uneven lawn can make it harder to keep the tape measure straight and can affect how the tires sit. If possible, use a garage floor, paved area, or other flat surface.
Set the front wheels straight ahead and make sure the tires are at their normal riding pressure. You don’t need to make a special adjustment to the suspension; measure the machine as you intend to ride it. If you normally carry a spare tire, cargo box, or other equipment that changes the outside width, note that separately and check whether the route guidance addresses equipment or vehicle dimensions.
Have a helper hold one end of a long tape measure if you can. A second person makes it easier to keep the tape level and read it without pulling it diagonally around a tire. If you’re working alone, take your time and repeat the measurement rather than stretching the tape at an angle.
Measure across the outside edges
Use these steps for a consistent tire-to-tire measurement:
- Park the machine on level ground and point the front wheels straight ahead.
- Identify the outside edge of the left tire and the outside edge of the right tire on the same axle.
- Hold the tape horizontally across the machine, from the outermost sidewall of one tire to the outermost sidewall of the opposite tire.
- Keep the tape straight and level. Don’t follow the curve of the tire or let the tape angle toward the front or rear.
- Record the measurement, then repeat it to check your result.
- Measure the other axle as well. The front and rear widths may not be identical.
- Check for bodywork and accessories that extend beyond the tires, and record the widest overall point separately.
A helper can stand beside the machine and confirm that the tape crosses the widest part of the tires rather than cutting across them at a narrower point. If the tire sidewalls are rounded, use the outermost point on each sidewall. Avoid measuring from the center of the tread: that will produce a smaller number than the outside-to-outside width.
Repeat the measurement when the setup changes
A number written in your owner’s manual may describe the vehicle in its original configuration. If you’ve installed wider tires, different wheels, spacers, or aftermarket fender extensions, measure the machine again. Even if you haven’t changed anything, a home measurement is a useful check because it helps you spot differences between the published specification and the vehicle in your garage.
Record the date and setup alongside the number. For example: “Front tire-to-tire width, stock wheels, straight steering.” If you later change the wheels or add accessories, you’ll know which measurement is still relevant. You can also keep a separate note for the widest overall point, which may be more useful when judging whether the machine can pass through a tight physical gap.
A single measurement doesn’t settle whether a route is open to your vehicle. Check the route’s current information and its posted signs as part of trip planning. Reading a Wyoming Travel Management Map can help you understand why a route’s status and restrictions need to be checked rather than inferred from the appearance of the trail.
What to do with your measurement
Compare carefully with route information
Once you have the tire-to-tire and overall-width numbers, compare them with the restriction shown for the specific route you want to ride. Read the map legend and route notes rather than looking only at a line on the map. If the restriction or measurement method is unclear, ask the managing agency how it applies to your machine.
A mapping app such as onX Offroad can be useful for trip planning, especially when you want to keep route information together with your planned ride. Still, use the responsible land manager’s current information to confirm whether a route is open and what restrictions apply. An app can support your planning; it shouldn’t be treated as a substitute for posted signs or official route guidance.
The same care applies when a trail crosses between different types of land or management areas. A route that appears continuous on a screen can have different rules along its length. Review the relevant Wyoming Trail Maps and MVUMs and confirm the status of each segment before setting out.
| What you measure | How to measure it | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire-to-tire width | Outside sidewall to outside sidewall across the front tires | Gives you a practical tire-width check |
| Rear tire-to-tire width | Outside sidewall to outside sidewall across the rear tires | Catches differences between front and rear |
| Widest overall point | From the outermost point on one side of the machine to the outermost point on the other | Identifies bodywork or accessories wider than the tires |
| Published vehicle width | Check the manufacturer’s specifications for your model and configuration | Provides a reference, but may not reflect later modifications |
Don’t assume a tight fit means a permitted fit
A machine might physically squeeze between trees or rocks and still be prohibited from using a restricted route. Conversely, a route’s posted width limit is not a guarantee that every machine under that limit will feel comfortable on it. A narrow trail can have sharp turns, side slopes, loose ground, or obstacles that make a vehicle harder to maneuver.
Think about both compliance and practical clearance. If you’re carrying a passenger or cargo, the added weight may affect handling even though it doesn’t change the tape-measure width. A wide accessory may also catch on brush or obstacles. Before a trip, ask yourself whether the route is open to your machine and whether you can safely manage its full setup on the trail.
If your machine is too wide for a particular route, look for a suitable alternative rather than trying to make it fit. Where to Ride When Your Machine Is Too Wide and Wyoming Trails for a Wide Side-by-Side are useful starting points for finding route options that better match a larger vehicle.
Use signs and maps together
Maps are valuable, but they may not show every change a rider encounters on the ground. Closures can be seasonal, and route access can vary by location. Before leaving, check the map and any available closure notices. At the trail, follow posted signs and barriers. If the map and sign seem to conflict, don’t push ahead based on the version that is more convenient. Pause and seek clarification from the managing agency.
onX Offroad may help you organize a planned route and review mapped information before the trip. It can also be helpful to save or carry the relevant map details in a way you can access when cell service is limited. But don’t rely on a phone alone: coverage may be unreliable in remote areas, and a screen may not show a newly posted closure.
For a route-specific check, review [Wyoming Rules for Riding a Designated Route] and Wyoming Trail Closures to Check First. Those checks take only a little time compared with hauling a machine to a trailhead and then discovering it doesn’t meet the route’s restrictions.
Common measuring mistakes to avoid
Measuring from the wrong points
A common mistake is measuring between the tires’ inner edges, or from the center of one tire to the center of the other. Neither gives you the outside-to-outside tire width. For tire-to-tire measurement, start and finish at the outermost sidewall points.
Another mistake is holding the tape at an angle. A diagonal measurement can be misleading, particularly on a wide UTV. Keep the tape level and perpendicular to the direction the machine faces, then repeat the measurement. If your results differ, reset the tape and take another reading.
Forgetting modifications and accessories
A vehicle’s width can change after the original purchase. Different wheels, spacers, tires, fender extensions, or side-mounted accessories can affect the measurement. Don’t rely on a model name or a measurement you took before making changes. Recheck the vehicle after any modification that could add width.
Remember, too, that a tire-to-tire measurement is only one part of the picture. A machine may have tires within a limit while its body or an accessory extends farther out. Record the widest overall point as well, and ask the land manager which dimension is relevant if the route guidance doesn’t specify.
Treating a measurement as a substitute for route research
Even an accurate measurement cannot tell you whether a trail is currently open, whether another restriction applies, or whether a particular machine is permitted on that route. Use your measurement alongside current route information, signs, and agency guidance.
A little preparation can prevent a frustrating trailhead surprise. Measure carefully, keep a note of your machine’s setup, and confirm the route before you unload. That way, you’re choosing a ride that fits both your vehicle and the rules for the trail.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
