A State-by-State Guide to Speed Limits
Speed limits were instituted in 1901 to increase road safety and reduce traffic collisions. Now they are a welcomed part of everyday life, keeping the flow of traffic reasonable.
Despite speed limits being implemented nationally, the state decides the speed limits. The general rule of thumbs is that highways have higher speed limits and there are often lower limits for trucks or driving at night.
It’s important to be familiar with your state laws to avoid a traffic ticket or a license suspension. Additionally, becoming a better driver will ensure not only your safety but the safety of others behind the wheel.
This guide will explore the speed limit differences in each state. Let’s dive in.
State by State Laws
On average about 3,700 people lose their lives daily on the roads. The fact of the matter is, there is an abundance of reckless driving and poor decisions made by people who don’t take safety seriously. The first step to becoming a better driver is to observe your local laws.
DRIVESAFE ONLINE DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSES
Receive an Insurance Discount. Money-Back Guarantee!
Only $24.95
1-HOUR
6-HOUR
Alabama
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph and for urban interstates, it’s 60mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph. If there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Alaska
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph and for urban interstates, it’s 55mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph. If there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Arizona
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph and for urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph. If there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Arkansas
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph and 70mph for trucks. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph and 55mph for trucks. For other limited-access roads, 75mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
California
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph and 55mph for trucks. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph and 55mph for trucks. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph for cars and 55mph for trucks.
Colorado
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Connecticut
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph. For urban interstates, it’s 55mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Delaware
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph. For urban interstates, it’s 55mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Florida
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Georgia
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Hawaii
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 60mph. For urban interstates, it’s 60mph. For other limited-access roads, 55mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 45mph.
Idaho
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph and 70mph for trucks. For urban interstates, it’s 55mph and 65mph for trucks. For other limited-access roads, 60mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 70mph.
Illinois
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 55mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Indiana
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph and 65mph for trucks. For urban interstates, it’s 55mph. For other limited-access roads, 60mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Iowa
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 55mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Kansas
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph. For urban interstates, it’s 75mph. For other limited-access roads, 75mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Kentucky
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Louisiana
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Maine
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph. For urban interstates, it’s 75mph. For other limited-access roads, 75mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 60mph.
Maryland
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Massachusetts
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Michigan
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Minnesota
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 60mph.
Mississippi
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Missouri
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 60mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Montana
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 80mph and 70mph for trucks. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph in the daytime and 65mph at night.
If there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 70mph in the day and 65mph at night.
Nebraska
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Nevada
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 80mph. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 70mph.
New Hampshire
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph but 70mph on specified segments of road. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 55mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
New Jersey
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph. For urban interstates, it’s 55mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
New Mexico
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph. For urban interstates, it’s 75mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
New York
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
North Carolina
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
North Dakota
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph. For urban interstates, it’s 75mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Ohio
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Oklahoma
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph but 80mph on specified segments of road. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 70mph.
Oregon
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph but 70mph on specified segments of road. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Pennsylvania
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Rhode Island
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph. For urban interstates, it’s 65mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
South Carolina
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
South Dakota
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 80mph. For urban interstates, it’s 80mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 70mph.
Tennessee
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Texas
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph but 80 or 85 on specified roads. For urban interstates, it’s 75mph. For other limited-access roads, 75mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 75mph.
Utah
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph but 80 on specified roads. For urban interstates, it’s 65ph. For other limited-access roads, 75mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 65mph.
Vermont
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 65mph. For urban interstates, it’s 55mph. For other limited-access roads, 50mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 50mph.
Virginia
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Washington
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph but 75 on specified roads. For urban interstates, it’s 60mph. For other limited-access roads, 60mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 60mph.
West Virginia
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 55mph. For other limited-access roads, 65mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Wisconsin
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 70mph. For urban interstates, it’s 70mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 55mph.
Wyoming
For rural interstates, the speed limit is 75mph. For urban interstates, it’s 75mph. For other limited-access roads, 70mph, and if there’s no signage, assume the maximum speed limit is 70mph.
Being a Better Driver
Aggressive driving is driving that purposely combines reckless behavior that puts the driver and others at risk. This is what everyone should aim to avoid, it helps minimize fatalities and accidents on the road.
One way to ensure that you are preparing to be the best driver you can be is by taking a defensive driving course. This is the practice of using driving strategies that help avoid collisions and minimize risk. As a defensive driver, you’ll be able to predict hazards and stay one step ahead of the safety game!
Speed Limits
It is crucial to know your local laws and regulations when it comes to knowing the maximum speed limits. This will already put you ahead as a better driver who cares about themselves and their fellow commuters.
You can stay informed on the latest laws and regulations as well as safe driving techniques by taking our online driving course. We also have a course completion certificate that may help you dismiss a speeding ticket as well as save money on car insurance.
If you’re interested and would like to learn more, be sure to check out our blog.