What is the highest speed limit for a 2-lane road in the US? My guess would be it's somewhere in desert territory.
I remember seeing a photo of a speed limit 75 sign on a two lane road somewhere in Western Texas. I believe that's as high as it gets.
65 on SR 240 along the Hanford Reservation in Eastern Washington.
I've seen 65 in Alaska, but I think that's the statewide limit anyway.
There are a bunch of 75s in Texas. They're all over the state as a result of legislation in 2011. That's gotta be the highest. The 80 mph laws apply only to freeways.
Texas holds the distinction of being the only US State to contain 2-lane roads that are have speed limits greater than 70. They generally do not "discriminate" based on blue and red shields, lane count or population density for 75 mph speed limits so any road will have one. There are exceptions (around Houston or Dallas for example) where they are lower even on freeways. Houston's got a "ring of 65" around it.
80 and 85 on the other hand - 80 on I-10, I-20 in western TX only, 85 only on that lonely "wierd" (j/k) Austin toll road, SR 130.
55mph in California for rural 2 lane highways.
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 02, 2015, 08:16:58 PM
Texas holds the distinction of being the only US State to contain 2-lane roads that are have speed limits greater than 70. They generally do not "discriminate" based on blue and red shields, lane count or population density for 75 mph speed limits so any road will have one. There are exceptions (around Houston or Dallas for example) where they are lower even on freeways. Houston's got a "ring of 65" around it.
80 and 85 on the other hand - 80 on I-10, I-20 in western TX only, 85 only on that lonely "wierd" (j/k) Austin toll road, SR 130.
FYI, there are now 70mph limits on urban freeways in the Dallas area as a result of the repeal of the environmental speed limits and updated speed studies. US 75 now has a 70mph speed limit from Woodall Rodgers Freeway (the northern leg of the downtown Dallas loop) to the Plano city limits (drops to 60 there due to construction). It will eventually be 70 from downtown all the way north to the Collin/Grayson county line where it goes up to 75. Yes, this is crazy, and no, it isn't possible to actually drive that fast along most of the route during most daylight hours because of traffic. The way Texas's speed limit law is worded, only free-flow traffic counts, so roads like this that spend 70% of the hours in a week congested can still have higher limits, even when it doesn't make a lot of sense. Other freeways that only see congestion during typical rush hours (e.g. I-30 east of downtown) only have 65mph limits for some reason.
Quote from: bing101 on July 02, 2015, 09:41:09 PM
55mph in California for rural 2 lane highways.
Actually, many of California's 2-lane rural highways have 65mph speed limits, including this stretch of US-395 (https://goo.gl/maps/u2kRk). Oddly enough, there's even quite a few city streets in Irvine that have speed limits of at least 60mph.
I haven't seen more than 65 on Colorado's two-laners. Same with Utah.
Washington, Idaho and California's maximum is 65. Nevada and Montana are 70. Then there's Oregon...55.
Quote from: CNGL-Leudimin on July 02, 2015, 05:23:40 PM
I remember seeing a photo of a speed limit 75 sign on a two lane road somewhere in Western Texas. I believe that's as high as it gets.
Quote from: wxfree on July 02, 2015, 08:04:27 PM
There are a bunch of 75s in Texas. They're all over the state as a result of legislation in 2011. That's gotta be the highest. The 80 mph laws apply only to freeways.
Here's one I found on Google...Terrell County, 2005:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oscarmail.net%2Fhoustonfreeways%2Fimages%2F2005-01_road_trip%2Fsan_antonio_van_horn%2FDSC00018_us90_75mph_sign_2005-01-10_780.jpg&hash=6b5800c45c82fc2b0a233a7b5d4dc6ea4138faf1)
Image courtesy of Houston Freeways (http://www.houstonfreeways.com/modern/2005-01_road_trip_us90.aspx)
55mph is the highest on a 2-lane in PA. I know that PA-68 has a few of these segments in Butler County.
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
Very few if any 2-lane roads exist in states along or east of the Mississippi River that have higher than 55 mph limits - The only one (I'm aware of) in this group are Missouri (65), Minnesota (60 on select roads), Florida and Ohio.
Roads in New England are often not more than 50 mph.
Eastern Oregon's on the docket for getting 70 mph on 2-lanes (on Governor's desk) but my suspicion is that if passed, ODOT will not comply.
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 06, 2015, 06:24:04 AM
Very few if any 2-lane roads exist in states along or east of the Mississippi River that have higher than 55 mph limits.
This.
I know 55 is the max in SC. The highest non-interstate speed is 60 in SC, and that's for four-lane roads that have a median.
Personally I'd be too uncomfortable to drive on a two-lane road much faster than 55 because a head-on collision with a sleepy or texting driver would not turn out so well.
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on July 06, 2015, 06:26:29 AM
I know 55 is the max in SC. The highest non-interstate speed is 60 in SC, and that's for four-lane roads that have a median.
60 mph is also allowed on 4-lane roads with a center turn lane. Also, US 123 between Clemson and Easley has a 65 mph speed limit, as does some of SC 22 and SC 31.
Mike
Quote from: Zzonkmiles on July 06, 2015, 06:26:29 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 06, 2015, 06:24:04 AM
Very few if any 2-lane roads exist in states along or east of the Mississippi River that have higher than 55 mph limits.
This.
I know 55 is the max in SC. The highest non-interstate speed is 60 in SC, and that's for four-lane roads that have a median.
Personally I'd be too uncomfortable to drive on a two-lane road much faster than 55 because a head-on collision with a sleepy or texting driver would not turn out so well.
Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and many out west states have 65 mph or ever greater on two lane roads.
Not much traffic out there, and even here in Florida we have 60 mph two lane rural roads and no problems with that either.
Kentucky's max is 55 for all non-freeway routes. It kinda sucks compared to Texas's speed limits. Of course Kentucky is very hilly and the AA highway (The best I can think of for a 2 lane road that could get a high limit) has alot of hills and mostly At-grade intersections (Except for an interchange with US 27 and an overpass near it)
Quote from: SSOWorldThey generally do not "discriminate" based on blue and red shields, lane count or population density for 75 mph speed limits so any road will have one.
As I recall, Texas does have a population density discrimination at the county level as to which counties the 75 MPH zones are allowed in.
Although there are higher speed limits elsewhere, the 70 mph limits on 2-laners in Montana were the first that came to my mind.
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 02, 2015, 08:16:58 PM
Texas holds the distinction of being the only US State to contain 2-lane roads that are have speed limits greater than 70. They generally do not "discriminate" based on blue and red shields, lane count or population density for 75 mph speed limits so any road will have one. There are exceptions (around Houston or Dallas for example) where they are lower even on freeways. Houston's got a "ring of 65" around it.
80 and 85 on the other hand - 80 on I-10, I-20 in western TX only, 85 only on that lonely "wierd" (j/k) Austin toll road, SR 130.
God Bless Texas
Quote from: Rothman on July 06, 2015, 01:03:22 PM
Although there are higher speed limits elsewhere, the 70 mph limits on 2-laners in Montana were the first that came to my mind.
So funny that a state that was "reasonable & prudent" is so low now
Quote from: froggie on July 06, 2015, 09:37:40 AMAs I recall, Texas does have a population density discrimination at the county level as to which counties the 75 MPH zones are allowed in.
Not any more. There was a density ceiling when 75 was first rolled out on two-lane roads that had the effect of restricting it to the tumbleweed counties in southwestern Texas. There was also a requirement to carry out an engineering study before upzoning a two-lane road for 75. I don't know if the latter provision is still in force, but the density ceiling was later lifted, so there are now two-lane roads signed for 75 throughout the state.
Current practice (judging from an October 2014 transit of US 54 in the Panhandle) is to sign for 75 with 70 buffer zones around built-up areas.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Quote from: J N Winkler on July 06, 2015, 02:26:34 PM
Quote from: froggie on July 06, 2015, 09:37:40 AMAs I recall, Texas does have a population density discrimination at the county level as to which counties the 75 MPH zones are allowed in.
Not any more. There was a density ceiling when 75 was first rolled out on two-lane roads that had the effect of restricting it to the tumbleweed counties in southwestern Texas. There was also a requirement to carry out an engineering study before upzoning a two-lane road for 75. I don't know if the latter provision is still in force, but the density ceiling was later lifted, so there are now two-lane roads signed for 75 throughout the state.
Current practice (judging from an October 2014 transit of US 54 in the Panhandle) is to sign for 75 with 70 buffer zones around built-up areas.
The density thing is for the 80mph limits on I-10 and I-20. There were no density restrictions when the default limit was raised from 70 to 75 in 2011.
Speed studies are required for any change to the limit on any state highway in Texas, except for temporary reductions due to construction, or recently, emergency reductions due to having higher crash volumes than the average for similar roads.
Nevada's 2-lane rural highways currently have a max of 70. This includes most US highways outside of towns, as well as several state routes.
Even with the recent increase in the state's max speed limit to 80, I do not believe there are any plans to increase limits on any 2-lane roads any time soon.
Quote from: roadfro on July 06, 2015, 03:37:30 PM
Even with the recent increase in the state's max speed limit to 80, I do not believe there are any plans to increase limits on any 2-lane roads any time soon.
Yeah, but I bet they don't spend a whole lot of effort writing tickets to people going less than 20 over (in otherwise safe conditions) either...
Quote from: kkt on July 06, 2015, 04:10:57 PM
Quote from: roadfro on July 06, 2015, 03:37:30 PM
Even with the recent increase in the state's max speed limit to 80, I do not believe there are any plans to increase limits on any 2-lane roads any time soon.
Yeah, but I bet they don't spend a whole lot of effort writing tickets to people going less than 20 over (in otherwise safe conditions) either...
What? If I go 89 in a 70 in Nevada by a cop I will get a ticket 99.5% of the time. I'd say 5 over is tolerated, 10 over is possible but risky, anything more than that is insta-ticket. Your mileage may vary in Clark and Washoe Counties.
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 06, 2015, 06:24:04 AM
Eastern Oregon's on the docket for getting 70 mph on 2-lanes (on Governor's desk) but my suspicion is that if passed, ODOT will not comply.
I'm not aware of any two-lane highway in Oregon with a limit above 55 (though I don't spend a lot of time in Oregon). A 15 mph jump in one go has the same chances of being implemented as smoking in restaurants.
Quote from: jakeroot on July 06, 2015, 06:14:52 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 06, 2015, 06:24:04 AM
Eastern Oregon's on the docket for getting 70 mph on 2-lanes (on Governor's desk) but my suspicion is that if passed, ODOT will not comply.
I'm not aware of any two-lane highway in Oregon with a limit above 55 (though I don't spend a lot of time in Oregon). A 15 mph jump in one go has the same chances of being implemented as smoking in restaurants.
You're correct about the current situation, nothing over 55 (though, some very remote ones like OR-78 have rare, or non existent posting of speed limits, though it's still technically 55).
Actually, it's looking pretty likely. The 70 is only for US-95 (and I-84) though. Other highways like US-20, 97, and 395 and a few others will only be 65.
http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/regional/2015/07/03/oregon-eastern-speed-limit-increase/29673201/
http://www.bendbulletin.com/home/3308297-151/rural-oregon-drivers-can-soon-drive-faster-
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Pine Barrens sound so cool. Are they?
Quote from: texaskdog on July 06, 2015, 06:57:38 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Pine Barrens sound so cool. Are they?
https://www.google.ca/maps/@39.948583,-74.489985,3a,15y,283.34h,88.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2R1dbylEYhuz0efrIVM8GQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
That is a funny looking 70.
Quote from: doorknob60 on July 06, 2015, 06:53:33 PM
Actually, it's looking pretty likely. The 70 is only for US-95 (and I-84) though. Other highways like US-20, 97, and 395 and a few others will only be 65.
http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/regional/2015/07/03/oregon-eastern-speed-limit-increase/29673201/
http://www.bendbulletin.com/home/3308297-151/rural-oregon-drivers-can-soon-drive-faster-
Hasn't the Oregon legislature always passed higher speed limits? In the past, it's been ODOT and their puppeteer Kitzhaber that continue to shoot it down.
Perhaps Kate Brown will approach the situation differently. Which she should. Though she worked for Kitzhaber so perhaps he influenced her. She should probably allow higher speed limits after a study has been conducted. Washington should begin posting 75-mph zones starting sometime next month after Inslee approved a study. The entire length of I-82 (minus through Yakima), plus the majority of I-5 and I-90 should see higher limits. US-395 as well.
Quote from: jakeroot on July 06, 2015, 07:39:23 PM
Quote from: doorknob60 on July 06, 2015, 06:53:33 PM
Actually, it's looking pretty likely. The 70 is only for US-95 (and I-84) though. Other highways like US-20, 97, and 395 and a few others will only be 65.
http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/regional/2015/07/03/oregon-eastern-speed-limit-increase/29673201/
http://www.bendbulletin.com/home/3308297-151/rural-oregon-drivers-can-soon-drive-faster-
Hasn't the Oregon legislature always passed higher speed limits? In the past, it's been ODOT and their puppeteer Kitzhaber that continue to shoot it down.
Perhaps Kate Brown will approach the situation differently. Which she should. Though she worked for Kitzhaber so perhaps he influenced her. She should probably allow higher speed limits after a study has been conducted. Washington should begin posting 75-mph zones starting sometime next month after Inslee approved a study. The entire length of I-82 (minus through Yakima), plus the majority of I-5 and I-90 should see higher limits. US-395 as well.
HB 3402 has been absolutely gliding through both chambers (http://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2015/HB3402/). It was a 52-5 vote in the House and a 22-6 vote in the Senate. ODOT has publicly testified against it, in their traditional chicken crap fashion. I have no idea whether or not Gov. Brown will sign it--she's kind of hard to read--but I really hope she will. A lot of the people who voted for it have traditionally been against that sort of thing in the past.
Wishful thinking, but I'd love it if she'd clean house with some of the ODOT brass while she's at it.
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
That's actually the newest addition to the 2 lane, 55 club in NJ. They finally (thankfully) increased it from 50 several years ago. 72 and 539 are a few of the others.
Quote from: texaskdog on July 06, 2015, 06:57:38 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Pine Barrens sound so cool. Are they?
I guess if you like travelling thru heavily forested areas they are. More cooler if you were to see the Jersey Devil!
Quote from: iBallasticwolf2 on July 06, 2015, 07:03:08 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on July 06, 2015, 06:57:38 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Pine Barrens sound so cool. Are they?
https://www.google.ca/maps/@39.948583,-74.489985,3a,15y,283.34h,88.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2R1dbylEYhuz0efrIVM8GQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
That is a funny looking 70.
I meant NJ 70 sir. There is a pretty big 55 zone through the Pine Barrens.
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 07, 2015, 02:54:21 PM
Quote from: iBallasticwolf2 on July 06, 2015, 07:03:08 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on July 06, 2015, 06:57:38 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Pine Barrens sound so cool. Are they?
https://www.google.ca/maps/@39.948583,-74.489985,3a,15y,283.34h,88.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2R1dbylEYhuz0efrIVM8GQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
That is a funny looking 70.
I meant NJ 70 sir. There is a pretty big 55 zone through the Pine Barrens.
:ded:
Quote from: iBallasticwolf2 on July 07, 2015, 03:06:56 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 07, 2015, 02:54:21 PM
Quote from: iBallasticwolf2 on July 06, 2015, 07:03:08 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on July 06, 2015, 06:57:38 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Pine Barrens sound so cool. Are they?
https://www.google.ca/maps/@39.948583,-74.489985,3a,15y,283.34h,88.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2R1dbylEYhuz0efrIVM8GQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
That is a funny looking 70.
I meant NJ 70 sir. There is a pretty big 55 zone through the Pine Barrens.
:ded:
I hadn't even looked at that link. Though it was for some odd NJ 70 sign!
Like I mentioned, that was only 50 mph until relatively recently. Still doesn't matter when you get some guy insisting on driving below the limit; it can be a long, boring ride stuck in a line of traffic. Traffic is pretty heavy, even when it doesn't appear to be all that bad.
At least they let you pass in some areas. I go to Toms River sometimes and I always debate whether taking 70 or the ACE/GSP is faster given the time of day. Both options suck at night as far as not keeping from being bored goes.
Quote from: texaskdog on July 06, 2015, 06:57:38 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Pine Barrens sound so cool. Are they?
driving on 70 in a severe thunderstorm is surreal... i will never forget the view of lightning lancing across the sky seen through a veil of driving rain and pine branches.
on the other hand, getting stuck behind a sunday driver on 70 or 72 can be downright infuriating, especially when you're closer to Southampton (thank you, Leisuretowne).
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 07, 2015, 08:09:36 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
That's actually the newest addition to the 2 lane, 55 club in NJ. They finally (thankfully) increased it from 50 several years ago. 72 and 539 are a few of the others.
Quote from: texaskdog on July 06, 2015, 06:57:38 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Pine Barrens sound so cool. Are they?
I guess if you like travelling thru heavily forested areas they are. More cooler if you were to see the Jersey Devil!
There's a hockey rink there too? Cool!
Quote from: texaskdog on July 08, 2015, 02:30:22 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 07, 2015, 08:09:36 AM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
That's actually the newest addition to the 2 lane, 55 club in NJ. They finally (thankfully) increased it from 50 several years ago. 72 and 539 are a few of the others.
Quote from: texaskdog on July 06, 2015, 06:57:38 PM
Quote from: ekt8750 on July 06, 2015, 02:39:18 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on July 06, 2015, 06:11:25 AM
NJ has a few 2 lane roads at 55. You can probably count them with one hand, but they do exist.
70 through the Pine Barrens comes to mind.
Pine Barrens sound so cool. Are they?
I guess if you like travelling thru heavily forested areas they are. More cooler if you were to see the Jersey Devil!
There's a hockey rink there too? Cool!
I'm pretty sure the actual Jersey Devil has no interest in being associated with that dumpster fire of a hockey team lol
ODOT (Oklahoma) just announced today a speed limit increase from 65 to 70 along a 185-mile section of U.S. 412 from Boise City to Woodward. This is the first 70 speed limit to be signed along a two-lane highway in the state. http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/OKDOT-10e2885?wgt_ref=OKDOT_WIDGET_1 (http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/OKDOT-10e2885?wgt_ref=OKDOT_WIDGET_1)
Quote from: corco on July 06, 2015, 04:16:30 PM
Quote from: kkt on July 06, 2015, 04:10:57 PM
Quote from: roadfro on July 06, 2015, 03:37:30 PM
Even with the recent increase in the state's max speed limit to 80, I do not believe there are any plans to increase limits on any 2-lane roads any time soon.
Yeah, but I bet they don't spend a whole lot of effort writing tickets to people going less than 20 over (in otherwise safe conditions) either...
What? If I go 89 in a 70 in Nevada by a cop I will get a ticket 99.5% of the time. I'd say 5 over is tolerated, 10 over is possible but risky, anything more than that is insta-ticket. Your mileage may vary in Clark and Washoe Counties.
There is some leeway in the rural areas, but not a 20mph cushion unless you're just on a road that is scarcely patrolled by NHP or county sheriffs. (State law provides a maximum $25 fine for 5 over at certain speed limits, so there is some general leeway at minimal overages.)
The only ticket I have ever received in 15 years of having a driver's license was getting pulled over for speeding by an Esmeralda County sheriff. I was going 85 in a 70 zone on US 95 south several miles south of Goldfield, in daylight and otherwise safe conditions. (I probably was going a bit faster, but only got cited for 15 over–which is good because 16 or more over the speed limit constitutes an automatic double penalty in Nevada.) Since then, I've found that 5-8 over is generally a pretty safe range.
For a while in the mid 90s, Burlington Road* in Kane County, IL, was 65 between IL 47 and Burlington itself. I thought that was really odd given that virtually every other road in Illinois that wasn't the interstate away from Chicago was 55 or lower.
*Burlington Blacktop to the old-school locals. It's the only thing I ever heard it called growing up.