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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.
- All speeds are in miles per hour.
- Hawaii: The maximum speed limit is established by county ordinance or by the director of transportation.
- Idaho: The speed limit may be increased to 80 mph on specific segments of highway on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation.
- Illinois: State law allows Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair and Will Counties to set a lower maximum speed limit, empowering counties to make adjustments based on their own local needs. These counties have a maximum large truck speed limit of 60 mph outside of urban districts and 55 mph inside urban districts.
- Kentucky: The speed limit may be increased to 70 mph on specific segments of highway on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation.
- New Hampshire: IN 2013, House Bill 146 raised the speed limit from 65 to 70 mph on the portion of I-93 from mile marker 45 to the Vermont border.
- Oklahoma: A speed limit of 80 mph may be posted on portions of the turnpike if approved by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, effective November 1, 2019. The State Highway Commission may determine that a maximum limit upon any part of the state highway system is greater or less than reasonable upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation.
- South Dakota: The Transportation Commission may establish a maximum speed limit of less than 80 upon any highway or portion of highway under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, and any portion of highway under the jurisdiction of a state or federal agency.
- Texas: Sections of I-10 and I-20 in West Texas and sections of Highway 45 in Travis County have a speed limit for passenger cars and light trucks of 80 mph. Speed limits of up to 85 mph may be established if the highway is originally constructed and designed to accommodate the higher speed and it has been determined by an engineering study to be reasonable and safe. State Highway 130 (portions toll) has a posted limit of 85 mph.
- Utah: The speed limit may be increased beyond 75 mph on any freeway or limited access highway on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation. The highest posted limit in Utah is currently 80mph.
- Washington: Maximum speed limits on highways or portions of highways may be posted as high as 75 mph if based on a traffic and engineering study, effective August 2015.
- Wyoming: The speed limit may be increased to 80 mph on specific segments of highway on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation.
State | Rural Freeways Max MPH | Urban Freeways Max MPH | Other Limited Access Roads Max MPH | Other Roadways Max MPH | Residential Roads Max MPH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 80 | 65 | 70 | 70 | 25 |
| Nevada | 80 | 65 | 70 | 70 | 30 |
| South Dakota | 80 | 80 | 70 | 70 | 45 |
| Arizona | 75 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 25 |
| Arkansas | 75 | 65 | 75 | 65 | 30 |
| Colorado | 75 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 35 |
| Idaho | 75 | 75 | 70 | 70 | 30 |
| Kansas | 75 | 75 | 75 | 65 | 30 |
| Louisiana | 75 | 70 | 70 | 65 | 45 |
| Maine | 75 | 75 | 75 | 60 | 25 |
| Nebraska | 75 | 70 | 70 | 65 | 25 |
| New Mexico | 75 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 55 |
| North Dakota | 75 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 55 |
| Oklahoma | 75 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 25 |
| Texas | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 55 |
| Utah | 75 | 70 | 75 | 65 | 35 |
| Wyoming | 75 | 75 | 70 | 70 | 30 |
| Alabama | 70 | 65 | 65 | 25 | |
| California | 70 | 65 | 70 | 65 | 30 |
| Florida | 70 | 65 | 70 | 65 | 30 |
| Georgia | 70 | 70 | 65 | 65 | 45 |
| Illinois | 70 | 55 | 65 | 55 | 30 |
| Indiana | 70 | 55 | 60 | 55 | 30 |
| Iowa | 70 | 55 | 70 | 65 | 25 |
| Maryland | 70 | 70 | 70 | 55 | 25 |
| Michigan | 70 | 70 | 70 | 55 | 25 |
| Minnesota | 70 | 65 | 65 | 60 | 30 |
| Mississippi | 70 | 70 | 70 | 65 | 25 |
| Missouri | 70 | 60 | 70 | 65 | 40 |
| North Carolina | 70 | 70 | 70 | 55 | 35 |
| Ohio | 70 | 65 | 70 | 55 | 35 |
| Pennsylvania | 70 | 70 | 70 | 55 | 35 |
| South Carolina | 70 | 70 | 60 | 55 | 30 |
| Tennessee | 70 | 70 | 70 | 65 | 30 |
| Virginia | 70 | 70 | 65 | 55 | 35 |
| Washington | 70 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 50 |
| West Virginia | 70 | 55 | 65 | 55 | 55 |
| Wisconsin | 70 | 70 | 70 | 55 | 35 |
| Alaska | 65 | 55 | 65 | 55 | 25 |
| Connecticut | 65 | 55 | 65 | 55 | 40 |
| Delaware | 65 | 55 | 65 | 55 | 35 |
| Kentucky | 65 | 65 | 65 | 55 | 45 |
| Massachusetts | 65 | 65 | 65 | 55 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | 65 | 65 | 55 | 55 | 30 |
| New Jersey | 65 | 55 | 65 | 55 | 35 |
| New York | 65 | 65 | 65 | 55 | 45 |
| Oregon | 65 | 55 | 65 | 65 | 25 |
| Rhode Island | 65 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 25 |
| Vermont | 65 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 25 |
| Hawaii | 60 | 60 | 55 | 45 | 25 |
| District of Columbia | 55 | 25 | 25 |