Speed limits in the United States by jurisdiction

In Alabama, it is illegal to drive at a speed that is not "reasonable and prudent" for the current conditions and hazards. Drivers must also not drive so slowly that they impede the flow of traffic. If the speed limit is not otherwise posted, it is: • in urban areas • on unpaved roads • on rural paved county roads • on other two-lane roads • on four-lane roads • on Interstate Highways Trucks carrying hazardous materials are not to exceed . Although not a statutory default limit, the speed limit is usually in residential areas. ==Alaska==

In Alaska, many of the major highways carry a speed limit, including: • A majority of the Parks Highway between Fairbanks and Willow (excepting slower zones through Nenana, Denali Park, Cantwell, and Healy) • Most of the Richardson Highway between Valdez and North Pole • On the Glenn Highway, the freeway between Wasilla and Anchorage, and most of the west of Glennallen • The Seward Highway in Anchorage between 36th Avenue and Rabbit Creek Road, and other non-freeway parts of the Seward Highway south of Bird Point • Most of the Alaska Highway between the Canadian border and Delta Junction The Minnesota Drive Expressway features a speed limit, as does the Richardson Highway between Fairbanks and North Pole. Since the mid-1990s, Alaska's major highways have gradually been upgraded from to or . However, several continue to carry the default speed limit, including: • The Sterling Highway • The Tok Cut-Off • The Haines Highway • Portions of the Parks Highway and Seward Highway designated "safety zones" • Portions of the Elliott Highway and Steese Highway close to Fairbanks Engineering studies are needed to define which road segments to post a speed limit higher than . in Alaska The Dalton Highway and parts of the Elliot Highway are . Default speed limits in Alaska are: • in alleys • in a business district • in a residential district • on other roads The speed limit when towing a mobile home is . ==American Samoa==

on Tutuila The maximum speed limit in American Samoa is , with in residential areas. The speed limit is the lowest maximum speed limit of any state or permanently inhabited territory. Most areas have a speed limit of . ==Arizona==

The default speed limit outside of "business or residential" districts in Arizona is ; within those districts, the default speed limit is . Specific locations in Maricopa County cities, such as Peoria, Laveen, and Tolleson, often have posted speed limits that may be lower. The default school zone speed limit is , while some may be . Exceeding these limits only in the best of driving conditions is considered prima facie evidence of speeding. Altered speed limits are not prima facie. The maximum speed limit on Interstate Highways is . This limit may be applied outside of "urbanized areas". However, Interstate 10 near the California border is reduced to . Some portions of Interstate 15 have the same regulations due to sharp curves. There is an exception to urban highway in Casa Grande, with a speed limit of , while other urban highways are capped at . Within "business or residential" districts, exceeding the speed limit by more than is a criminal offense. Within "urbanized areas", speed limit citations are given for "waste of a finite resource". This exception only applies within a threshold. As long as the speed does not exceed , the infraction is not recorded as a traffic violation for the purposes of a point system. Non-passenger vehicles in excess of , or "vehicles drawing a pole trailer" weighing more than may not exceed unless signs are posted that allow such a speed. Yet this does not differ from the default speed limit, and has the practical effect of requiring extra consideration for posting a standard speed limit sign in excess of . A non-numeric minimum speed limit is incorporated with the basic speed rule in Arizona, which also prohibits speeds higher than would be "reasonable and prudent". ==Arkansas==

Urban districts are posted at by default. Outside of the municipal limits, two-lane state and federal highways have a speed limit of unless otherwise posted, and 2 lane county roads have a speed limit of unless otherwise posted. In June 2015, the Arkansas Highway Commission authorized the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) to raise the speed limit on undivided 4 and 5 lane roads from , and divided 4 lane roads from ; these changes affect of Arkansas highways. Furthermore, AHTD has established freeway default speed limits. Along rural freeways, the limit is while suburban freeways are posted at . School zone speed limits apply only when children are present, or when a lighted beacon is on if one is provided, and such speed limits are set at unless otherwise posted. It is fairly common however that schools serving only higher grade levels will not have a school speed limit in rural areas or where such school sits more than off of the highway or street. On March 16, 2017, the Arkansas House introduced a bill that would allow the state highway commission to increase speed limits up to in rural interstate freeways, upon completion of a "traffic and engineering investigation" and sets rural non-divided highway speed limits to . This bill became law on April 7, 2017, however no highways were immediately given a 75 mph limit. On April 8, 2019, Act 784 was approved which raises the speed limit to / for trucks weighing more than on all rural freeways effective July 1, 2020. The new law eliminates the requirement that the Highway Commission conduct a traffic study before raising the limit; instead, a study will be required to justify lowering the speed limit. As of August 5, 2020, new signs are up indicating the speed limit increase from 70 to 75 mph (70 mph for trucks) on I-40 west of Little Rock to the Oklahoma border. ==California==

Basic speed law California's "Basic Speed Law", part of the California Vehicle Code, defines the maximum speed at which a car may travel as a "reasonable and prudent" speed, given road conditions. The reasonable speed may be lower than the posted speed limit in conditions such as gravel—thus limiting the Assured Clear Distance Ahead (ACDA). Basic speed laws are statutized reinforcements of the centuries-old common law negligence doctrine as specifically applied to vehicular speed. California Vehicle Code section 22350 is typical; it states that "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable ... and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property". Speed limits in California are mandated by statute to be set: (1) at or below the 85th percentile operating speed; as determined by a traffic and engineering survey—this is the speed that no more than 15% of traffic exceeds; or (2) the prima facie limits mandated when certain criteria are met as described in the vehicle code. These criteria include school zone, alleyway, and residential area. If the 85th percentile operating speed as measured by a Traffic and Engineering Survey exceeds the design speed, compulsory legal protection is given to that speed—even if it is unsafe with regard to certain technical aspects such as sight distance. This speed creep may continue until the 85th percentile operating speed is comparable to speed psychologically perceived as uncomfortably hazardous. The theory behind California's 85th percentile statute is that, as a policy, most of the electorate should be seen as lawful, and limits must be practical to enforce. However, there are some circumstances where motorists do not tend to process all the risks involved, and as a mass choose a poor 85th percentile speed. This rule in substance is a process for voting the speed limit by driving; and in contrast to delegating the speed limit to an engineering expert. The numerical limit set by Caltrans engineers for speed limit signs, generally found on all non-controlled-access routes, is considered a presumptive maximum "reasonable and prudent" speed. Many speed limit signs are labeled "maximum speed", usually when the limit is or higher. When the National Maximum Speed Law was enacted, California was forced to create a new legal signage category, "Maximum Speed", to indicate to drivers that the Basic Speed Law did not apply for speeds over the federally mandated speed cap; rather, it would be a violation to exceed the fixed maximum speed indicated on the sign, regardless of whether the driver's speed could be considered "reasonable and prudent". A driver can receive a traffic citation for violating the Basic Speed Law even if their speed is below the "maximum speed limit" if road, weather, or traffic conditions make that speed unsafe. However, because the Basic Speed Law establishes prima facie limits, not absolute ones, they can also defend against a citation for speeding "by competent evidence that the speed in excess of said limits did not constitute a violation of the basic speed law at the time, place and under the conditions then existing", per section 22351(b) of the California Vehicle Code. Thus, a driver who operates over the speed limit, but less than the usual maximum speed ( for two-lane undivided highways, isn't necessarily violating California's speed laws where the driver's speed was otherwise safe under the circumstances. Speed limits Rural freeways, such as parts of I-5, I-8, I-10, I-15, I-40, I-205, I-215, I-505, I-580, US 101 (until 2023), CA 14, CA 58, and CA 99 have speed limits. The highest speed limit on I-80 is because it passes almost exclusively through urban and mountainous areas. However, the speed limit on the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge and in San Francisco is only . In downtown Los Angeles, the maximum speed limit is . This includes the entire length of the Pasadena Freeway between Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles, and portions of the Hollywood, Santa Ana, Santa Monica, and Harbor Freeways. The default limit on two-lane roads is . Some two-lane roads can be for some locations in California. However, Caltrans or a local agency can post a speed of up to after an engineering study. There is a speed limit for trucks with at least 3 axles and all vehicles while towing. In California, the maximum speed in school zones is , but may only be in effect when children are present within that school zone. ==Colorado==

The maximum speed limit in Colorado is on rural Interstate highways and the toll road portion of SH 470 (E-470), although Interstate 70 in the Rocky Mountains has a limit because of steep grades and curves and a limit at the east and west ends of the Eisenhower Tunnel. The maximum speed limit on other rural highways is . There are also basic prima facie speed limits in Colorado. • on narrow, winding mountain roads • in any business district • in any residential district • on open mountain highways Night speed limits On certain stretches of rural highways, notably US 160 between Durango and Pagosa Springs and US 550 between Durango and Silverton, nighttime speed limits are in effect during peak migratory periods for area wildlife. Speeding fines are doubled when nighttime speed limits are in effect. ==Connecticut==

Speed limits in Connecticut are normally on rural freeways; up to on rural divided and up to on rural undivided highways. In urban areas speed limits vary from on residential streets and central business districts, on arterial roadways, and from on urban freeways. Limited-access divided highways have a minimum speed of , but this is not always posted, and is rarely enforced. Connecticut was among the last states to raise its maximum speed limit from originally established by the National Maximum Speed Law in 1974. The statewide maximum speed limit was increased from to on October 1, 1998, making Connecticut the last state in the continental United States to raise its speed limit above . Speed limits for all roads within Connecticut—including local streets—are established by the State Traffic Commission, an agency composed of members of the Department of Motor Vehicles (CTDMV), the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), and the Department of Transportation (CONNDOT). The State Traffic Commission typically sets speed limits following engineering studies performed by CONNDOT. Data used in setting speed limits includes traffic volume vs. roadway capacity, design speed, road geometry, the spacing of intersections and/or interchanges, the number of driveways and curb cuts, and accident rates. Municipalities are normally required to seek approval from the State Traffic Commission for changes to the posted speed limits on locally owned streets after appropriate engineering studies are performed. Speeding fines are doubled in school zones when children are present, and construction areas when workers are present. Prior to the enactment of the National Speed Limit Law in 1974, Connecticut permitted a maximum speed limit of on rural freeways. On March 26, 2018, contractors started installing new speed limit signs on I-84 between the Waterbury/Cheshire line and the interchange with CT Route 9, increasing the speed limit to . This action follows a DOT study showing the 85th percentile speed of free flowing traffic on this segment averaged . ==Delaware==

In Delaware, four roads carry a speed limit: Interstate 95 from the Maryland line to the southern junction with I-495, Interstate 495, US 301, and Delaware Route 1 between the Puncheon Run Connector in Dover and US 13 in Tybouts Corner. Delaware Route 1 between Trap Shooters Road and the Puncheon Run Connector in Dover and between US 13 and the I-95 and Delaware Route 7 interchange, along with the Puncheon Run Connector, have a speed limit of . The remainder of I-95 between the southern junction with I-495 and the Pennsylvania line is while the freeway portion of Delaware Route 141 and Interstate 295 are . Prior to the National Maximum Speed Law that went into effect nationwide, I-95 used to have a speed limit except around Wilmington. In May 2015, the state of Delaware increased the speed limit on Interstate 95 from between the Maryland state line and the I-495 interchange. In January 2017, the speed limit on Delaware Route 1 between Trap Shooters Road and the Puncheon Run Connector in Dover was increased from while the speed limit on the Puncheon Run Connector was increased from . All rural two-lane state-owned roads have speed limits, while all urban speed limits, regardless of location, are held at for two-lane roads and up to for four-lane roads. Four lane highways such as US 13, US 113, portions of US 40 near Bear and Glasgow, and the at-grade portions of DE 1 are normally . School zones have speed limits. Interstate 495, which forms a bypass around Wilmington, features variable speed limit signs for environmental purposes. These signs typically display a speed limit, but this limit changes to on days when air quality is a concern. The limit is also lowered during construction, weather conditions, and when accidents occur. All neighborhoods and subdivisions in Delaware have a maximum speed limit of as set by state law. Frequent advertising campaigns on in-state radio stations remind residents of this (as of January 2013). ==District of Columbia==

The District of Columbia has a maximum speed limit of , although speed limits as low as can be posted, such as on the Eisenhower Freeway. There are no rural roads in the District of Columbia. ==Florida==

Florida has a maximum speed limit of , found on freeways, including rural Interstate Highways, some urban freeways including I-4 in Lakeland, I-75 in Tampa and Miami (where I-75 ends), I-95 near Daytona Beach and from Military Trail to Florida State Route 706 in Palm Beach County, portions of the Orlando area toll roads such as SR 417 and SR 429, Florida's Turnpike through Port St Lucie and Orlando, I-10 close to Tallahassee, and most other rural limited access toll roads such as the Suncoast Parkway and the Beachline Expressway and rural portions of Florida's Turnpike. It can also be found on a portion of US 301 known as the Starke Bypass. is typical on rural 4-lane highways (such as US 19 north of St. Petersburg, among other US Highways) as well as most other urban freeways and tollways. If a divided highway is considered urban, even if it appears rural, the maximum speed limit will not be higher than , such as on US-301 south of Baldwin. Rural two-lane roads typically have a speed limit of (the default limit for such roads) or depending on the roadway's design. This is often done on rural state roads (such as SR 471) and US Highways (such as US 98 along most of the state's panhandle). Statutory speed limits in Florida are as follows: • within municipal districts • for all other roadways FDOT is authorized to change these limits following an engineering study, subject to the following maximum limits: • on limited access highways (regardless of the lane count) • on strictly rural divided highways with 2 or more lanes in each direction (outside of an urban area) • on all other roadways While these maximum limits are not applicable for roadways on the Turnpike System, no such limit currently exists above . Cities and counties have the ability to set individual speed limits of up to on their own roadways, in addition to changing the default residential speed limit down to . Florida typically does not post night speed limits, but there are a few exceptions. For the most part, these nighttime reduced speeds are located in wildlife preserves for such endangered species as the Florida panther and the key deer. Most of the Tamiami Trail through the Big Cypress National Preserve has a night speed limit. On some stretches of road where the speed limit is reduced at night, the daytime speed limit sign is non-reflective, such that at night, only the night limit is visible. Florida's minimum speed limit on Interstate Highways is in 70 mph zones. In 55 mph, and 65 mph urban interstate zones, the minimum is . At one time, these minimum speeds required signage, but these limits have since been codified in state law; signs indicating these minimum speeds still exist but now serve only as reminders. School zones in Florida usually have limits. Most have flashing yellow lights activated during the times they are in effect, as well as accompanying signs that post the times these reduced speed limits are effective. All are strictly enforced and carry an increased penalty for violations. ==Georgia==

Rural Interstate Highways are posted at . Until 2014, sections of Interstates passing through a municipality or metropolitan area with a population over fifty thousand were capped at . However, a new law has permitted urban interstates to now be posted as high as 70 mph, and some have already reflected this change, such as I-95 through Brunswick, I-85 in Gwinnett County, I-75 in Macon, Valdosta, and Tifton, and I-185 in Columbus. Urban freeways, such as I-285 and SR 400 in the Atlanta area, are signed at ; these were recently increased from (with variable speed limits in the northern portions). I-95 through suburban Savannah between exits 102 and 99, I-16, from the interchange with I-75 in central Macon eastbound past Exit 2, and east of exit 157, with the interchange for I-95, is also at 65 mph. Portions of I-20 in Atlanta are posted at . Most non-interstate freeways such as the Athens perimeter highway, are posted at 65 mph. Four lane arterials and expressways can be posted as high as . However, Dillon's Rule enables counties outside municipalities to keep four-lane GRIP corridors at . However, in recent years, US 1 between Augusta and Wrens raised the speed limit to 65 mph. Other rural four-lane highways with a 65 mph include portions of SR 540 west of Sandersville, US 441 between Milledgeville and north of Dublin, US 25 between Augusta and Statesboro, SR 88 between Sandersville, and Wrens, SR 16 between Griffin and I-75, much of US 341 between Brunswick and I-75, and much of US 82 in South Georgia. Two lane state roads by default are posted at . County maintained roads will rarely have speed limits above in middle & south Georgia, in north Georgia. Both in the Atlanta area, Ronald Reagan Parkway is posted at as a county maintained freeway and Sugarloaf Parkway is posted at along its new eastern freeway portion. Inside the municipality, speed limits are generally posted at while it is in the downtown area. All roadways maintained by GDOT that are subject to speed limit reductions are given advanced notice with signage that says "SPEED ZONE AHEAD". Furthermore, GDOT has a policy of doing increments but never higher than 10 mph. Georgia is one of few states with anti-speed trap laws passed in the late 1990s. Speed violations less than over the speed limit will have no points assessed. Fines are not assessed for motorists going less than over the speed limit. In 2009, Georgia introduced the "Super Speeder" law, which adds an additional speeding fine (above base fine and court costs) of $200 for motorists convicted of traveling or more over the posted speed limit. ==Guam==

The maximum speed limit in Guam is , with in rural areas and in residential areas. On most major roads, is the maximum speed limit. ==Hawaii==

Hawaii was the last state to raise its maximum speed limit after the National Maximum Speed Law was repealed in 1995, and still has the lowest maximum speed limit of any state. In 2002, following public outcry after a controversial experiment with speed enforcement using traffic enforcement cameras, the state Department of Transportation raised the speed limit to on Interstate H-1 between Kapolei and Waipahu, and Interstate H-3 between the Tetsuo Harano Tunnels and the junction with H-1. All other freeways, including Interstate H-2, have a maximum speed limit of , with the limit dropping to in central Honolulu. Other highways generally have speed limits of and in many cases much less. On July 6, 2016, Governor David Ige signed a bill to allow the speed limit on Saddle Road to increase from (the limit was increased in the week of February 5, 2017). Hawaii has a minimum speed along much of Interstate H-1 of only below the speed limit. The minimum speed is usually when the speed limit is , and when the speed limit is . ==Idaho==

The speed limit on a freeway in Idaho is generally in rural areas and in urban areas. Trucks are limited to . Generally single-lane rural roads have limits, and multi-lane rural roads have limits. Roads with traffic lights are posted at or below. The school zone speed limit in Idaho is . Idaho senator Bart Davis brought SB 1284a to the House of Representatives for discussion in early 2014. The bill passed the Senate on February 25 and was signed into law by Governor Butch Otter on March 18, 2014, which was set to raise the speed limit on rural interstates to on July 1, 2014, the same date Wyoming raised its speed limit. Days before the law was to go into effect, however, it was put on hold in order to allow a more thorough review of the effects of a raised speed limit. A vote on July 14, 2014, approved the increase on limited sections of interstates in the southern portions of Idaho. Studies began for other areas later of that summer. The bill also would raise truck and two-lane highway speed limits to . As of July 24, 2014, the new signs are up on rural Idaho Interstates. On March 22, 2017, the speed limit on a four-lane, divided stretch of US 20 between Idaho Falls and Ashton was raised from to . Prior to the national reduction in January 1974 to , Idaho's speed limit was for interstates and on other highways. ==Illinois==

Interstate Highways in Illinois are usually posted with both minimum and maximum speed limits, except in some urban areas, particularly Chicago. The standard speed limit is 70 mph for rural freeways, a 45 mph minimum speed limit, 65 mph for other 4 lane divided highways, and 55 mph for all other highways. Urban freeway/interstate speed limits can range from as low as 45 mph in downtown Chicago, where all the major interstates merge, to as high as 70 mph in the outer portions of the Chicago and East St. Louis metro areas, and in some smaller cities. All the expressways leading directly out of downtown Chicago, which are The Dan Ryan Expressway, The Stevenson Expressway, The Eisenhower Expressway, and The Kennedy Expressway, have a 55 mph speed limit. Other expressways that branch off of the main ones leaving downtown, such as The Edens Expressway and The Bishop Ford Expressway, also carry a 55 mph limit. The Chicago Skyway does carry a 55 mph limit, but the tolled portion is signed at 45 mph. Lake Shore Drive carries a 40 mph speed limit from its northern terminus to E 31st Street, and from there to the end of the expressway, the speed limit is 45 mph. Some interstates in small cities (e.g. I-55/74 through Bloomington-Normal, I-39/90 through the Rockford area, I-57 through Champaign-Urbana) do not have reduced speed limits, and stretches of I-90 and I-355 in the Chicago suburbs are also signed at 70 mph. Most freeways and interstates in Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties, and some interstates and freeways in Will County maintain a 55-60 mph speed limit. Due to the high population density, the only freeways in Cook County that exceed a speed limit of 60 mph are I-57 at the southern edge of the county, part of I-80 between Central Ave and Harlem Ave, I-90 west of Mt. Prospect Rd., and the southern segment of I-355, which passes through Cook County briefly before crossing into Will County to both the north and south. As of January 2010, a reduced speed limit posted in a construction zone must be obeyed 24 hours a day, regardless of whether workers are present. As of March 27, 2018, the speed limit on I-90 from Randall Rd. in Elgin to Mt. Prospect Rd. in Des Plaines has been increased to 70 mph, and from Mt. Prospect Rd. to the beginning of the Kennedy Expressway, it has been increased to 60 mph. I-290 is posted at 60 mph for a few miles near Schaumburg, from IL-72 down to shortly before the I-355 exit. ==Indiana==

In Indiana speed limits on Interstate Highways are usually for cars and for trucks with a gross vehicular weight (GVW) of or greater. In urban areas, it is generally , except stretches of Interstate 70 in Indianapolis where it is . In suburban areas, it is for cars and for trucks. On Interstate 469 in Fort Wayne (Indiana's 2nd largest city) the speed limit is still set at 70 mph. In the Louisville metro, In Clark & Floyd County, I-65 & I-265 remain at 65 mph for all vehicles despite it being suburban. The Indiana Toll Road also carries a minimum speed limit of as part of its internal toll road regulations. Most non-Interstate Highways are , but some rural four-lane divided highways are set at . These limits often decrease to approaching urban areas, and within cities a speed limit of is not uncommon, though larger arterial roads within cities may reach as high as . On February 6, 2012, the Indiana Toll Road was raised from the Illinois state line to mile marker 20 to after a major highway reconstruction project. Effective July 1, 2025, the speed limit on I-465 was to increase to 65 mph. ==Iowa==

In Iowa, the majority of highways have a speed limit. Rural Interstate Highways carry a limit and a minimum. Urban Interstate limits generally range from , but may be lower in areas. Four-lane roads may have a limit. If the road is built to freeway standards, such as US 20 between I-35 and Dubuque, it may have a minimum speed limit, but otherwise four-lane roads carry no minimum limit so slow-moving farm vehicles may use the roadway. ==Kansas==

After the National Maximum Speed Limit was repealed, Kansas raised its general interstate speed limit to ; a study found "no statistically significant increases in crash, fatal crash and fatality rates were noted during the after period on either rural or urban interstate highway networks. On the other hand, statistically significant increases in crash, fatal crash and fatality rates were observed on the 2-lane rural highway network.". In 2011, Governor Sam Brownback signed legislation raising Kansas' top speed limit to on rural Interstates and limited access portions of U.S. Routes, effective July 1, 2011. The Kansas Department of Transportation announced on June 21, 2011, that 807 miles of roadway, comprising the rural areas of I-70, I-35, I-135, the Kansas Turnpike and the freeway-improved sections of US-69 and US-81, will be raised to 75 mph. Other four-lane, non-limited access divided highways have a speed limit of 70 mph, with 65 mph on two-lane undivided roads, and 55 mph on township roads. Prior to the National Maximum Speed Limit, the speed limit on the Kansas Turnpike used to be , but was reduced to 75 mph on August 17, 1970. The minimum speed limit on Kansas Interstates is 40 mph. ==Kentucky==

Kentucky generally has a 70 mph speed limit on rural freeways as of 2007. The speed limit is reduced to 55 on multi-lane highways in some urban areas (I-71/75 south of Cincinnati, I-64, I-65, I-71 and I-264 in Louisville, and KY 4 in Lexington. There are two 50 mph areas in Louisville. One approaching the Sherman Minton Bridge crossing the Ohio River into Indiana on I-64, and one approaching the Kennedy Bridge on I-65 towards Indiana. The Transportation Cabinet is now authorized to raise any multilane, divided rural highway up to 65 MPH based on speed and design studies. Anyone may request an increase by contacting their local Transportation Cabinet office and specifying the roadway to be raised. Two-lane, undivided highways are limited to 55 mph. Points are not assessed for speeds less than 10 mph over the speed limit only on limited access highways, or for tickets received by Kentucky licensed drivers out of state. ==Louisiana==