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Texas
85
Idaho
80
Utah
80
Wyoming
80
Arizona
75
Colorado
75
Kansas
75
Louisiana
75
Maine
75
Montana
75
Nebraska
75
Nevada
75
New Mexico
75
North Dakota
75
Oklahoma
75
South Dakota
75
Alabama
70
Arkansas
70
California
70
Florida
70
Georgia
70
Illinois
70
Indiana
70
Iowa
70
Kentucky
70
Michigan
70
Minnesota
70
Mississippi
70
Missouri
70
New Hampshire
70
North Carolina
70
Ohio
70
Oregon
70
Pennsylvania
70
South Carolina
70
Tennessee
70
Virginia
70
Washington
70
West Virginia
70
Wisconsin
70
Alaska
65
Connecticut
65
Delaware
65
Maryland
65
Massachusetts
65
New Jersey
65
New York
65
Rhode Island
65
Vermont
65
Hawaii
60

Speed Limit Map by State 2024

Speed Limit Map by State 2024

Speed Limit Laws

In 1974, Nixon and his administration imposed a maximum speed limit of 55 mph. The District of Columbia is the only place where the 55 mph limit is still used, mainly because it is the home of the federal legislature and a major urban center.

The 55 mph limit was imposed to reduce fuel usage, which at the time had many issues, especially due to the Cold War. In 1988, the administration approved raising the NMSL to 65 mph due to the stability of fuel prices. This was short-lived, as, in 1995, Congress finally decided to allow states to create their own guidance and enforcement regarding their speed limit, as they would know the best way to proceed in that landscape.

Most states make distinctions between speed limits in different areas. Rural freeways usually have the highest maximum speed within a state. Many states have a lower maximum for freeways that run through urban areas. Residential areas generally have the lowest maximum speed limit within a given state.

Speed Limits on Rural Freeways

In terms of rural freeways, the state with the highest maximum speed limit is Texas at 85 mph. Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming also have high maximum speed limits of 80 mph for rural freeways.

Thirteen states have a speed limit of 75 mph, and another twenty-four have rural freeway limits of 70 mph.

The lowest maximum speed limit is in Hawaii, where drivers can only reach 60 mph on rural freeways. Ten additional states limit speeds to 65 mph.

Speed Limits on Urban Freeways

Most states have a lower maximum speed when driving on urban freeways because of increased traffic. New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Delaware, and Maryland all have the same maximum speed for freeways, regardless of their location.

The highest maximum speed for urban freeways is 75 mph. This is valid in Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Five more states (Utah, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, and Tennessee) have a maximum speed limit of 70 mph. Most states have a 60-65 mph speed limit on urban freeways.

Again, Hawaii has the lowest maximum speed limit at 50 mph. The District of Columbia and ten states in the mid-Atlantic and New England have speed limits of 55 mph.

Speed Limits in Residential Zones

Because of the number of homes and people, residential zones usually have their own speed limits. These are generally lower than other speed limits within the state to increase safety for residents.

Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, and West Virginia have residential speed limits of 55 mph. The lowest maximum speed limit in a residential zone is 25 mph, enforced in fifteen states and the District of Columbia.

Regional Speed Limit Trends

Looking at this data, some general trends become clear. States with lower populations generally have higher maximum speed limits. Additionally, most states with high-speed limits are located in the south and southwest of the country.

Most northeastern states have very similar speed limit laws. Their speed limits are generally some of the lowest in the country. This probably results from the poor weather conditions like snow and ice that make driving less safe in this area of the country.

Speed Limit Map by State 2024

* All speeds are in miles per hour.

Download Table Data

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State
Rural Freeways
Urban Freeways
Other Roadways
Residential
Texas85757555
Idaho80657030
Utah80706535
Wyoming80657030
Arizona75656525
Colorado75656535
Kansas75656530
Louisiana75605545
Maine75555525
Montana75656525
Nebraska75606525
Nevada75657030
New Mexico75756555
North Dakota75757055
Oklahoma75656525
South Dakota75756545
Alabama70605525
Arkansas70656030
California70656530
Florida70656030
Georgia70655545
Illinois70655530
Indiana70655530
Iowa70655525
Kentucky70705545
Michigan70705525
Minnesota70656030
Mississippi70705525
Missouri70656540
New Hampshire70555530
North Carolina70655535
Ohio70655535
Oregon70607025
Pennsylvania70655535
South Carolina70605530
Tennessee70705530
Virginia70655535
Washington70606550
West Virginia70655555
Wisconsin70655535
Alaska65555525
Connecticut65555540
Delaware65655035
Maryland65655525
Massachusetts65555530
New Jersey65555535
New York65555545
Rhode Island65555025
Vermont65555025
Hawaii60504525
District of Columbia5525
showing: 51 rows

Speed Limit Map by State 2024