Speed limits in the United States

Overview of the speed limits on roads in the United States

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Map of highest posted speed limits in US states or counties Map of highest posted speed limits in the U.S. territories

In the United States, speed limits are set by each state or territory. States have also allowed counties and municipalities to enact typically lower limits. Highway speed limits can range from an urban low of 25 mph (40 km/h) to a rural high of 85 mph (137 km/h). Speed limits are typically posted in increments of five miles per hour (8 km/h). Some states have lower limits for trucks, some also have night and/or minimum speed limits.

The highest speed limits are generally 70 mph (113 km/h) on the West Coast and the inland eastern states, 75–80 mph (121–129 km/h) in inland western states, along with Arkansas, Louisiana, Maine, and Michigan; and 65–70 mph (105–113 km/h) on the Eastern Seaboard. Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York,[1] Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Vermont have a maximum limit of 65 mph (105 km/h), and Hawaii has a maximum limit of 60 mph (97 km/h). The District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a maximum speed limit of 55 mph (89 km/h). Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have speed limits of 45 mph (72 km/h). American Samoa has a maximum speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h).[2] Two territories in the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands have their own speed limits: 40 mph (64 km/h) in Wake Island, and 15 mph (24 km/h) in Midway Atoll.[3][4] Unusual for any state east of the Mississippi River, much of Interstate 95 (I-95) in Maine north of Bangor allows up to 75 mph (121 km/h), and the same is true for up to 600 mi (966 km) of freeways in Michigan. Portions of the Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming road networks have 80 mph (129 km/h) posted limits. The highest posted speed limit in the country is 85 mph (137 km/h) and can be found only on Texas State Highway 130, a toll road that bypasses the Austin metropolitan area for long-distance traffic.

A standard sign indicating a speed limit of 80 mph (129 km/h), a night-time speed limit of 65 mph (105 km/h), and a truck speed limit of 55 mph (89 km/h)

During World War II, the U.S. Office of Defense Transportation established a national 35 mph "Victory Speed Limit" (also known as "War Speed") to conserve gasoline and rubber for the American war effort,[5] from May 1942 to August 1945, when the war ended. For 13 years (January 1974[6]–April 1987[7][8]), federal law withheld Federal highway trust funds to states that had speed limits above 55 mph (89 km/h).[7] From April 1987 to December 8, 1995, an amended federal law allowed speed limits up to 65 mph (105 km/h) on rural Interstate and rural roads built to Interstate highway standards.

Speed limit sign at a school zone with a warning light

Overview

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Speed limits

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This table contains the most usual posted daytime speed limits, in miles per hour, on typical roads in each category. The values shown are not necessarily the fastest or slowest. They usually indicate, but not always, statutory speed limits. Some states and territories have lower truck speed limits applicable to heavy trucks. If present, they are usually only on freeways or other high-speed roadways. Washington allows for speeds up to 75 mph (121 km/h), but the highest posted signs are 70 mph (113 km/h). Mississippi allows speeds up to 80 mph (129 km/h) on toll roads, but no such roads exist.

Legend:

Freeway: Interstate Highway or other state or U.S. Route built to Interstate standards.

Divided rural: State or U.S. route, generally with four or more lanes, not built to Interstate standards, but with a median or other divider separating directions of travel.

Undivided rural: County, State, or U.S. route, generally with two to four lanes, with no separator between directions of travel.

Residential Street/residential: Residential streets, business districts, or School zones.

• 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
• 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
• 15 miles per hour (24 km/h)
• 20 miles per hour (32 km/h)
• 25 miles per hour (40 km/h)

• 30 miles per hour (48 km/h)
• 35 miles per hour (56 km/h).
• 40 miles per hour (64 km/h)
• 45 miles per hour (72 km/h)
• 50 miles per hour (80 km/h)
• 55 miles per hour (89 km/h)

• 60 miles per hour (97 km/h)
• 65 miles per hour (105 km/h)
• 70 miles per hour (110 km/h)
• 75 miles per hour (121 km/h)
• 80 miles per hour (129 km/h)
• 85 miles per hour (137 km/h)

legend:

Freeway: Interstate Highway or other state- or federally numbered road built to Interstate standards.

Divided: State- or federally numbered road, generally with four or more lanes, not built to Interstate standards, but with a median or other divider separating directions of travel.

Undivided rural: County, State, or U.S. route, generally with two to four lanes, with no separator between directions of travel.

Residential Street/residential: Residential streets, business districts, or School zones.

• 5 miles per hour (8 km/h)
• 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
• 15 miles per hour (24 km/h)
• 20 miles per hour (32 km/h)
• 25 miles per hour (40 km/h)

• 30 miles per hour (48 km/h)
• 35 miles per hour (56 km/h)
• 40 miles per hour (64 km/h)
• 45 miles per hour (72 km/h)
• 50 miles per hour (80 km/h)
• 55 miles per hour (89 km/h)

• 60 miles per hour (97 km/h)
• 65 miles per hour (105 km/h)
• 70 miles per hour (113 km/h)
• 75 miles per hour (121 km/h)
• 80 miles per hour (129 km/h)
• 85 miles per hour (137 km/h)

Examples of penalties

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State Typical fine
and whether
absolute or prima facie* Recklessness threshold or enhanced penalty Ticket dismissal options Point system Arizona (Not available or information needed.)

Prima facie (Absolute above 85 mph (137 km/h)) Over 35 mph (56 km/h) in a school zone, over 20 mph (32 km/h) above the posted speed limit, or over 85 mph (137 km/h) regardless of the posted speed limit.[63] Defensive driving school (requires court approval for criminal speeding tickets). Point system leading to fines, potential license suspension, increased insurance rates, and potential jail time (if criminal). California $35 for up to 15 mph (24 km/h) over, $70 for up to 125 mph (201 km/h) $100 for over 25 mph over. All traffic fines doubled in construction zones.

Prima facie (Absolute above 55 mph (89 km/h) on a 2-lane road or above 65 mph (105 km/h) on a divided highway) Over 100 mph (160 km/h) results in a mandatory court appearance and possible 30-day license suspension[64] Traffic school once every 18 months, except for offenses resulting in a mandatory court appearance. Point system with license suspensions.[65] Colorado A minimum amount of $15.00 up to a maximum amount of $100.00 plus additional court surcharges and costs. In cases where the violation occurred in a maintenance, repair, or construction zone, the fine amount will be doubled by the court. A Class 2 Traffic Misdemeanor Offense and a conviction may result in a scheduled fine of $150.00 to $300.00 plus court costs and surcharges, a possible jail sentence of 10 to 90 days. Depends on violations. Point system between 0 to 12. A conviction for any 12-point Speeding Ticket will automatically result in a MANDATORY suspension of the driver’s license for up to 1 year, regardless of the person’s driving history. North Carolina $10–$50 plus court costs.[66] Speeding fines in work zones and school zones are $250 plus court costs.

Absolute 15 mph (24 km/h) over limit at a travelled speed of greater than 55 mph (89 km/h) or over 80 mph (129 km/h) Prayer for judgment continued (PJC) available depending on the court and subject to their discretion, but not available for charges of exceeding a speed limit by more than 25 mph (40 km/h). Point system may lead to license suspension. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 mph (24 km/h) with a speed of greater than 55 mph (89 km/h) or travelling faster than 80 mph (129 km/h) results in a minimum 30-day license suspension.[67] Pennsylvania $35[68] plus court and other costs. All fines doubled in active work zones.

Absolute Over 30 mph (48 km/h) over limit None Point system leads to mandatory driver education and possible license suspension. Texas $1–$200[69] plus court fees. Doubled in active school zones when children are present or construction zones when workers are present.[70] Various additional "fees" assessed by the state essentially increase the fine by around $100 on all tickets.

Prima facie[71] None[72] Defensive driving[73] (once per year) or deferred disposition[74] (restrictions vary, but generally at least 4 per year), but only valid if:

• Texas resident,
• Speed under 25 mph (40 km/h) above limit and under 95 mph (153 km/h), and
• Not in construction zone where workers are present or active school zone.
• Not a Commercial Driver License (CDL) holder.

Point system is annual surcharge only. No provision for license suspension if surcharges are paid.[75] Rhode Island

(Not available or information needed)

Prima facie

One dismissal every 3 years for speed 14 mph (23 km/h) or less over limit.[76] Virginia

• Up to $250[77]
• School zone: up to $250 additional[78]
• Work zone: up to $500[79]
• $200 civil penalty in certain towns[80]

Absolute[81]

20 mph (32 km/h) over limit or over 85 mph (137 km/h)[82] Point system[83] leading to fines, suspension, and mandatory driver education.[84] Estimated Miles of Highway and Estimated Daily Vehicle-Miles Traveled by Traffic Volume Group Based on arterial and (major) collector sample data from the 2000 Highway Performance Monitoring System[85]

History

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One of the first speed limits in what would become the United States (at the time, still a British colony) was set in Boston in 1701 by the board of selectmen (similar to a city council):

Ordered, That no person whatsoever Shall at any time hereafter ride or drive a gallop or other extream pace within any of the Streets, lanes, or alleys in this Town on penalty of forfeiting three Shillings for every such offence, and it may be lawfull for any of the Inhabitants of this Town to make Stop of such horse or Rider untill the name of the offender be known in order to prosecution[86]

Federal speed controls

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In 1973, Congress enacted a national speed limit of 55 mph (89 km/h). Some states, such as Washington, enacted lower speed limits.

In response to the 1973 oil crisis, Congress enacted the National Maximum Speed Law that created the universal 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) speed limit. States had to agree to the limit if they desired to receive federal funding for highway repair. The federal government enforced the national maximum speed limit by withholding federal funding for projects whose speed limits exceeded 55 miles per hour (89 km/h). Federal highway funding is normally allocated according to 23 U.S. Code § 106,[87] the National Maximum Speed Law (also known as H.R.11372 - An Act to conserve energy on the Nation's highways) modified the allocation process. As stated, in part:

...the Secretary of Transportation shall not approve any project under section 106 of title 23 of the United States Code in any State which has...a maximum speed limit on any public highway within its jurisdiction in excess of 55 miles per hour...[88]

In 1984, a comprehensive study by