In your state, are speed limits lower if a road is not an interstate? In MA non interstates are 65 but posting can be more stingy, as US 3 is proof of. What's the highest speed limit of an interstate in your state?
In Missouri, the statewide maximum is 70 mph. Most interstates are posted at 70 mph in rural parts of Missouri, but I'm not sure about other numbered roads.
On U.S. Route 50 in Missouri, the speed limit is 60 mph when it's two lanes, and 65 mph when it's a freeway. A speed limit of 60 mph is the highest limit of which I'm aware for two lane roads, but I may be wrong.
As for Missouri state highways, I think the limit is also 60 mph on two lane roadways, but the highest I've seen on non-freeways is 55 mph on Route 100 between Ellisville and Gray Summit. Supplemental highways (lettered routes) are probably capped at 55; the highest posted limit I've seen on a lettered highway is on Route NN in Jefferson County; the limit there is 55 mph.
I may be wrong on all these counts, but that's what I've seen in my state.
Louisiana has a max of 55 on 2 lane highways and a max of 65 on a 4 lane divided highway. Interstate 49 is 75 mph in rural areas, but interstates are otherwise 70.
iPhone
Missouri has a few two lane roads posted at 65:
* Parts of US 63 between Rolla and US 60
* Parts of US 54 west of Lake of the Ozarks (been many years since I've been on this stretch, may be lower now).
There are also a few expressways posted at 70:
* A good amount of US 54 between Mexico and at least Jefferson City
* A good amount of US 63 between Jefferson City and some point I cannot recall south of Macon.
* MO 7 from I-49 eastward until the start of the slow stretch around Clinton.
Last time I checked, the state laws of Missouri capped lettered routes at 60. I"m only aware of two that are posted this high:
* Route M in Jefferson County from west of I-55 to just around MO 21 (four lane expressway)
* Route A in Jefferson County (https://goo.gl/maps/DSaxdHCtBBA2)
In Illinois only interstates are posted at 70 (I'm open to someone disproving this). Four lane rural expressways and other freeways outside of Chicagoland are usually posted at 65, and any two lane road is posted at a widely disregarded 55.
Iowa seems to be the same as Illinois.
Quote from: Revive 755 on December 29, 2018, 10:36:42 PM
* Route M in Jefferson County from west of I-55 to just around MO 21 (four lane expressway)
Oh, right! I forgot about this stretch; I think this might be the only state lettered route in Missouri with grade separated exits. Correct me if my assumption is wrong. I've been meaning to drive it because it fascinates me that Missouri would designate an expressway designed to such high standards as a lettered route.
Quote from: Revive 755 on December 29, 2018, 10:36:42 PM
In Illinois only interstates are posted at 70 (I'm open to someone disproving this).
This is correct. Illinois raised their speed limit a few years back from 65 mph (a limit which was highly discredited). There's been talk of introducing legislature to raise Missouri's limit to 75 mph, which I'd be in favor of, considering that everyone drives 75 on most rural interstates in Missouri anyway. Drivers who adhere strictly to the speed limit are conflict points for the majority of the drivers who drive 75, and that causes accidents.
Texas gives no special recognition for Interstates, or highway design, for speed limits. I don't know if it's true, but Wickerpedia says "Texas is the only state that does not prescribe a different speed limit for each road type in its state or federal highway system." About two months ago I drove on a 20 foot wide road with a speed limit of 75. https://goo.gl/maps/EmehkGE3iSu (https://goo.gl/maps/EmehkGE3iSu) (That's old imagery, from March 2013. By late August the new signs were up.)
The default speed limit on any rural state highway is 70. The general maximum is 75. A special provision allows for speed limits of 80 on parts of I-10 and I-20. This is the highest Interstate speed limit. Another separate provision allows for a speed limit as high as 85. This part of the law has been used only on some of the toll roads around Austin, with limits of 80 and 85 where the maximum otherwise would be 75.
Toll authorities are subject to a maximum of 75. Only TxDOT can set a higher speed limit, so only state highways under TxDOT's control can have limits of 80 or 85.
70 MPH is the highest speed limit in California. In the case of CA 99 and US 101 they essentially match the 65-70 MPH speed zones that the Interstates carry.
In Arizona the Loop Freeways have a similar design to the Interstates. The only reason they don't hit the 75 MPH limit the Interstates do is simply because they are in the Phoenix Metro Area.
Alaska reserves its 65 mph max limit for Interstates, including I-designated non-freeway routes. This might be a carryover from when the NMSL was in place but states were allowed to bump the 55 mph max to 65 mph just for Interstates. Nothing there really cries out for a higher limit, whether above 55 mph on non-Interstates or 65 on Interstates.
Hawaii's maximum (administrative, not statutory) is 60 mph, including for some stretches of Interstate freeway. But one heavily-modernized non-freeway route, HI 200 on the Big Island, recently got some 60 mph signs.
Quote from: oscar on December 29, 2018, 11:04:14 PM
Alaska reserves its 65 mph max limit for Interstates, including I-designated non-freeway routes. This might be a carryover from when the NMSL was in place but states were allowed to bump the 55 mph max to 65 mph just for Interstates. Nothing there really cries out for a higher limit, whether above 55 mph on non-Interstates or 65 on Interstates.
Hawaii's maximum (administrative, not statutory) is 60 mph, including for some stretches of Interstate freeway. But one heavily-modernized non-freeway route, HI 200 on the Big Island, recently got some 60 mph signs.
HI 200 has gone a long way since rental agencies didn't let you drive on it.
NJ doesn't care. 65 mph is the max limit for any roadway.
Plenty of maps and tables show this info.
In Indiana the following speed limits for interstates are:
- 70 mph is reserved for interstates in rural areas with 65 mph for trucks.
- 65 mph for urban areas on interstates with 60 mph for trucks.
- 55 mph in major urban areas (i.e. Gary, Indianapolis, Clarksville and Bloomington)
However, speed limits in Indiana on non-interstates are:
- 65 mph if it is a freeway (US 31, US 20, IN 641, and US 24)
- 60 mph on other 4-lane divided highways
- 55 mph on two-lane roads and undivided highways
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on December 29, 2018, 11:25:53 PM
In Indiana the following speed limits for interstates are:
- 70 mph is reserved for interstates in rural areas with 65 mph for trucks.
- 65 mph for urban areas on interstates with 60 mph for trucks.
- 55 mph in major urban areas (i.e. Gary, Indianapolis, Clarksville and Bloomington)
However, speed limits in Indiana on non-interstates are:
- 65 mph if it is a freeway (US 31, US 20, IN 641, and US 24)
- 60 mph on other 4-lane divided highways
- 55 mph on two-lane roads and undivided highways
Why do they do that? Several Indiana non interstate freeways could be 70.
Michigan has no difference for freeway speed limits based on the "branding" of the road. M-14, US-23 and I-94 are all 70 mph. (3 freeways near each other with state, US and Interstate numbers.)
Some freeways in the northern* part of the state have a 75 mph speed limit - but again it doesn't depend on whether it's US or Interstate. E.g. I-75 and US-127. I don't believe there are any M-xx highways with 75 mph limit though, because the M-xx freeways are in the southern part of the state.
* - where "northern" starts is variable, not a fixed line of latitude
As far as I'm aware, only Interstates in Georgia can be 70. Otherwise 65 is the max for freeways. A few, but not many, rural expressways are also posted at 65; most are 55. Two-lane roads top out at 55.
Oregon is 65 max on the westside and 70 max on the eastside for Interstate highways. US 95 is just a 2-lane route but since it is so isolated and runs through a mostly empty SE Oregon, the limit there is 70.
Rick
From what I can tell, Kansas law authorizes 75 mph "on any separated multilane highway, as designated and posted by the secretary of transportation" [8-1558(2)], but I'm not aware of any non-Interstate highways with a speed limit higher than 70 mph in actuality.
Furthermore, county or township highways are capped at 55 mph [8-1558(3)]. Local authorities with jurisdiction over such county or township highways are allowed provision to increase that speed limit at their discretion, but even that is capped at 65 mph [8-1560(h)]. So I suppose there might exist somewhere a divided county highway with a 65-mph speed limit, but no higher.
MN caps non-Interstate freeway/expressways at 65. Interstates can be 70.
Quote from: kphoger on December 30, 2018, 02:53:26 PM
From what I can tell, Kansas law authorizes 75 mph "on any separated multilane highway, as designated and posted by the secretary of transportation" [8-1558(2)], but I'm not aware of any non-Interstate highways with a speed limit higher than 70 mph in actuality.
Furthermore, county or township highways are capped at 55 mph [8-1558(3)]. Local authorities with jurisdiction over such county or township highways are allowed provision to increase that speed limit at their discretion, but even that is capped at 65 mph [8-1560(h)]. So I suppose there might exist somewhere a divided county highway with a 65-mph speed limit, but no higher.
US 69?
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 03:19:08 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 30, 2018, 02:53:26 PM
From what I can tell, Kansas law authorizes 75 mph "on any separated multilane highway, as designated and posted by the secretary of transportation" [8-1558(2)], but I'm not aware of any non-Interstate highways with a speed limit higher than 70 mph in actuality.
Furthermore, county or township highways are capped at 55 mph [8-1558(3)]. Local authorities with jurisdiction over such county or township highways are allowed provision to increase that speed limit at their discretion, but even that is capped at 65 mph [8-1560(h)]. So I suppose there might exist somewhere a divided county highway with a 65-mph speed limit, but no higher.
US 69?
You are correct, sir! US-69 has sections of 75 mph.
I've never driven on those sections of US-69, and it hadn't occurred to me to check.
Quote from: kphoger on December 30, 2018, 02:53:26 PMFrom what I can tell, Kansas law authorizes 75 mph "on any separated multilane highway, as designated and posted by the secretary of transportation" [8-1558(2)], but I'm not aware of any non-Interstate highways with a speed limit higher than 70 mph in actuality.
There is: US 81 north of I-70 to the K-106 Minneapolis exit (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1256362,-97.6693692,3a,51y,194.13h,86.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sj2a6KPSZDNLMjk-XqnCk_g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) (speed limit sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1105125,-97.6596924,3a,75y,137.49h,95.03t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTQBiBClBZiGw5XS-xDGCJw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)). This is also a (possibly unique) length of non-Interstate freeway that is posted with the Interstate restrictions sign. I believe (and Richie can confirm or correct, as appropriate) that there is a length of K-10 posted for 75 without the Interstate restrictions sign.
I know of no examples of divided highways posted for 75 that have flat intersections.
Quote from: kphoger on December 30, 2018, 02:53:26 PMFurthermore, county or township highways are capped at 55 mph [8-1558(3)]. Local authorities with jurisdiction over such county or township highways are allowed provision to increase that speed limit at their discretion, but even that is capped at 65 mph [8-1560(h)]. So I suppose there might exist somewhere a divided county highway with a 65-mph speed limit, but no higher.
The two examples of county highway I know of that are posted for 65 are both undivided two-lane. One is former K-14 (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.987285,-98.178482,3a,75y,4.46h,105.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVBhRgChj0LrrluLwc_W-jw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664). The other (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.0008528,-101.1212834,3a,16.1y,193.05h,88.65t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1sA14BueZzQ6kwXr5dmSnwDg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DA14BueZzQ6kwXr5dmSnwDg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D128.7661%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100) was probably never on the state highway system.
Quote from: kphoger on December 31, 2018, 01:11:22 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 03:19:08 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 30, 2018, 02:53:26 PM
From what I can tell, Kansas law authorizes 75 mph "on any separated multilane highway, as designated and posted by the secretary of transportation" [8-1558(2)], but I'm not aware of any non-Interstate highways with a speed limit higher than 70 mph in actuality.
Furthermore, county or township highways are capped at 55 mph [8-1558(3)]. Local authorities with jurisdiction over such county or township highways are allowed provision to increase that speed limit at their discretion, but even that is capped at 65 mph [8-1560(h)]. So I suppose there might exist somewhere a divided county highway with a 65-mph speed limit, but no higher.
US 69?
You are correct, sir! US-69 has sections of 75 mph.
I've never driven on those sections of US-69, and it hadn't occurred to me to check.
Just drove it yesterday to come up to Gardner, KS where my brother-in-law lives. Most everything north of Ft. Scott is limited access and grade separated, so it has a 75MPH limit. They are working on south of Ft. Scott right now as well, but Ft. Scott would have to be bypassed and access roads put in between Ft. Scott and Arma to continue the limited access portions southward.
In Ohio 70 mph is the maximum for both interstates and non interstates.
It's mostly limited to rural freeways, however, I know of at least one place where an expressway with at grade intersections is 70 mph (US 30 near Upper Sandusky)
Quote from: jeffandnicole on December 29, 2018, 11:22:29 PM
NJ doesn't care. 65 mph is the max limit for any roadway.
Plenty of maps and tables show this info.
NJ driving manual claims that the highest speed on a non-Interstate is 55 (https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/license/drivermanual.pdf page 64). This is of course complete BS, and was never true (except when it was also true for Interstates).
The highest non-freeway speed limit in MA probably has to be the 50 (maybe it's 55) on MA 140 between US 20 and MA 9 in Shrewsbury.
Yes, entirely. Maryland's maximum Interstate speed limit is 70 MPH; the highest non-Interstate speed is 55, on certain divided highways, and on at least one two-way trafficway, which is Route 213 in southern Cecil County and portions of Kent County.
Quote from: J N Winkler on December 31, 2018, 01:40:21 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 30, 2018, 02:53:26 PMFrom what I can tell, Kansas law authorizes 75 mph "on any separated multilane highway, as designated and posted by the secretary of transportation" [8-1558(2)], but I'm not aware of any non-Interstate highways with a speed limit higher than 70 mph in actuality.
There is: US 81 north of I-70 to the K-106 Minneapolis exit (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1256362,-97.6693692,3a,51y,194.13h,86.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sj2a6KPSZDNLMjk-XqnCk_g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) (speed limit sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1105125,-97.6596924,3a,75y,137.49h,95.03t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTQBiBClBZiGw5XS-xDGCJw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)). This is also a (possibly unique) length of non-Interstate freeway that is posted with the Interstate restrictions sign.
Dang, and I just drove that highway back in 2016, too...
Quote from: Ben114 on December 31, 2018, 02:18:25 PM
The highest non-freeway speed limit in MA probably has to be the 50 (maybe it's 55) on MA 140 between US 20 and MA 9 in Shrewsbury.
It's 55. I have seen it on several two lane roads out west including MA 43.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 31, 2018, 04:12:54 PM
Quote from: Ben114 on December 31, 2018, 02:18:25 PM
The highest non-freeway speed limit in MA probably has to be the 50 (maybe it's 55) on MA 140 between US 20 and MA 9 in Shrewsbury.
It's 55. I have seen it on several two lane roads out west including MA 43.
As already discussed elsewhere...
Quote from: 1 on October 18, 2018, 11:53:58 AM
US 1 between Newburyport and Ipswich is posted at 55. It's almost perfectly straight.
Quote from: PHLBOS on October 18, 2018, 11:58:02 AM
MA 49 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1310146,-72.0489047,3a,75y,25.7h,82.49t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFyJ2F5NRJvie7jx1ihQWJA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) says "Hello." as well.
Quote from: froggie on October 18, 2018, 12:10:54 PM
As does MA 119.
Quote from: cl94 on October 19, 2018, 11:44:33 AM
If we disregard short reductions to 45-50 for curves/intersections, there are four 55 zones along US 7 in MA. Ashley Falls bypass, Sheffield-Great Barrington, Lenox bypass (4 lanes), and Lanesborough-Williamstown. US 7 may have more undivided 55 sections than any other 2-lane road in the state (3).
Quote from: cl94 on October 19, 2018, 07:26:04 PM
Quote from: upstatenyroads on October 19, 2018, 06:17:43 PM
MA 8 is also 55 MPH at it's southernmost end. I want to say maybe the first two or three miles in Massachusetts is 55.
3.5 miles.
Quote from: froggie on October 19, 2018, 08:20:44 PM
Since I'm at my in-laws tonight who live near it, most of MA 88 is 2 lanes and also 55 MPH. The southern end across the drawbridge to Horseneck Beach isn't, nor are the traffic signal intersections (along the lines of what cl94 mentioned), but everything else in between is 55.
Quote from: roadman65 on October 19, 2018, 10:46:44 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on October 19, 2018, 12:51:34 AM
Quote from: vdeane on October 18, 2018, 12:57:44 PM
I believe there's a section or two of US 7 with 55 in MA as well.
There is.
55 zones on two-lane roads in MA are uncommon, but they do exist.
Williamstown to Pittsfield is 55.
Quote from: DJDBVT on October 23, 2018, 12:15:43 PM
MA 10 between I-91 and MA 63 (Bernardston/Northfield) has been posted 55 for at least the last 30 years.
Virginia has one non-Interstate segment posted at 70 mph, the Interstate-grade bypass of Lynchburg and Madison Heights. The statute allows any freeway to be posted at 70 provided VDOT conducts a traffic study that shows 70 would be OK, but VDOT has declined to conduct such studies on non-Interstates except that one segment.
Overall, in Virginia no road segment with at-grade intersections is posted above 60 mph, and those with at-grade intersections with 60-mph speed limits have it authorized by statute (otherwise they couldn't be posted above 55). It does create the annoying situation where US-29's speed limit bounces back and forth between 60 and 65 south of Lynchburg because the small towns' bypasses are freeway-grade and thus can have higher speed limits than the other segments that have at-grade intersections.
FL 85 a mile or so south of Crestview is 65mph down to jct Toll 293 north of Niceville.
FL 123 is the Niceville bypass & is 65mph it entire length with limited at grade intersections, again Eglin AFB property.
FL 285 is an 18 mile, 65mph 2 lane hwy on Eglin AFB property. The only at grade intersection are dirt roads going to bombing ranges, other misc Eglin activies.
It seems many 2 lane FL hwys are 60mph when the hwy is very rural with limited AGI.
In Idaho, unfortunately they do discriminate by highway type. Interstates have a maximum of 80, and non-interstates have a maximum of 70. Before about 5 years ago (don't remember the exact time), this was 75 and 65, respectively. I am not sure where non state maintained roads fit in, I cannot think of one I've seen above 60 MPH (and 50 or 55 is usually what you see), so that may be a true maximum, or just the fastest that happens to exist.
Luckily, there are not many non-interstates that would warrant >70 MPH so it's not a big problem (when it was 65 though, it was a bit slow). The US-20 freeway east of Idaho Falls might be the only candidate, and maybe US-95 around Athol but that is not a very long freeway segment at this point (and Northern Idaho speed limits generally fall more in line with WA limits than southern Idaho limits, so 70 seems adequate).
A couple 2 lane highways even made the 70 MPH cut, which is nice (notably most of US-20 between Idaho Falls and Arco). Though in general, the "standard" speed limit on 2 laners is 65 MPH (with 55 or 60 common in substandard/curvy areas or places with more cross traffic).
Oregon, as of the last few years, is a bit complicated. You have what I will call the "standard" speed limits, which can apply to any road, and the "legislative override" speed limits, where a new limit was set into stone specifically for certain stretches of highway, where that limit would otherwise not be allowed.
The "standard" maximums are 65 (Trucks 60, I think is now standard, it used to be 55) on Interstates, and 55 on all other roads (the bane of driving in Oregon, especially before the "legislative overrides" happened). The "legislative override" has allowed speed limits as high as 70 (Trucks 65), on both interstates (I-84 and I-82), and a 2 lane US highway (only US-95); in addition to many other US and state highways being bumped to 65 (Trucks 60) across the Eastern half of the state.
The good news about Oregon, is that as long as you're out of city limits, the speed limit is pretty constant regardless of road conditions. For example, I-84 retains its 70 MPH Speed Limit up and down Cabbage Hill east of Pendleton, despite steep grades and sharp curves (posted as low as 45 MPH advisory). I drive fast, and I can't maintain 70 through there. Many states it would drop to 55 or so. Also on any random state highway, eg. going through the mountains or winding along the coast. Not only is the standard maximum 55 MPH, but that's also the default. So you can be going through 25 MPH advisory curves for miles, but the limit won't drop below 55. As opposed to Idaho where in extreme cases, the speed limit will drop to 45 or even 35 just due to sharp curves. The only exception I can think of is I-5 between Ashland and the CA border is 55, and there is a sharp curve (45 advisory I believe) somewhere else on I-5 in Southern Oregon where the limit drops too I believe (I think to 55? But I can't find it right now). And the variable speed zone between La Grande and Baker City, I suppose (I've seen that go as low as 45, not always justified).
Quote from: Buck87 on December 31, 2018, 01:59:00 PM
In Ohio 70 mph is the maximum for both interstates and non interstates.
It's mostly limited to rural freeways, however, I know of at least one place where an expressway with at grade intersections is 70 mph (US 30 near Upper Sandusky)
30 is 70 mph all the way from the Indiana line all the way to Mansfield, except for the overlap with US 23 near Upper Sandusky, even though there are crossroads. It used to be 65/55, then increased to 70 on the sections that were freeway (no crossroads), then to 70 even on the sections with crossroads.
Quote from: doorknob60 on January 03, 2019, 04:19:36 PM
In Idaho, unfortunately they do discriminate by highway type. Interstates have a maximum of 80, and non-interstates have a maximum of 70. Before about 5 years ago (don't remember the exact time), this was 75 and 65, respectively. I am not sure where non state maintained roads fit in, I cannot think of one I've seen above 60 MPH (and 50 or 55 is usually what you see), so that may be a true maximum, or just the fastest that happens to exist.
Luckily, there are not many non-interstates that would warrant >70 MPH so it's not a big problem (when it was 65 though, it was a bit slow). The US-20 freeway east of Idaho Falls might be the only candidate, and maybe US-95 around Athol but that is not a very long freeway segment at this point (and Northern Idaho speed limits generally fall more in line with WA limits than southern Idaho limits, so 70 seems adequate).
A couple 2 lane highways even made the 70 MPH cut, which is nice (notably most of US-20 between Idaho Falls and Arco). Though in general, the "standard" speed limit on 2 laners is 65 MPH (with 55 or 60 common in substandard/curvy areas or places with more cross traffic).
Oregon, as of the last few years, is a bit complicated. You have what I will call the "standard" speed limits, which can apply to any road, and the "legislative override" speed limits, where a new limit was set into stone specifically for certain stretches of highway, where that limit would otherwise not be allowed.
The "standard" maximums are 65 (Trucks 60, I think is now standard, it used to be 55) on Interstates, and 55 on all other roads (the bane of driving in Oregon, especially before the "legislative overrides" happened). The "legislative override" has allowed speed limits as high as 70 (Trucks 65), on both interstates (I-84 and I-82), and a 2 lane US highway (only US-95); in addition to many other US and state highways being bumped to 65 (Trucks 60) across the Eastern half of the state.
The good news about Oregon, is that as long as you're out of city limits, the speed limit is pretty constant regardless of road conditions. For example, I-84 retains its 70 MPH Speed Limit up and down Cabbage Hill east of Pendleton, despite steep grades and sharp curves (posted as low as 45 MPH advisory). I drive fast, and I can't maintain 70 through there. Many states it would drop to 55 or so. Also on any random state highway, eg. going through the mountains or winding along the coast. Not only is the standard maximum 55 MPH, but that's also the default. So you can be going through 25 MPH advisory curves for miles, but the limit won't drop below 55. As opposed to Idaho where in extreme cases, the speed limit will drop to 45 or even 35 just due to sharp curves. The only exception I can think of is I-5 between Ashland and the CA border is 55, and there is a sharp curve (45 advisory I believe) somewhere else on I-5 in Southern Oregon where the limit drops too I believe (I think to 55? But I can't find it right now). And the variable speed zone between La Grande and Baker City, I suppose (I've seen that go as low as 45, not always justified).
I would sign the US 20 freeway at 75.
Utah unfortunately discriminates by highway type as well. Like several other western states, the maximum rural interstate speed is 80, but there is a legislated statutory maximum of 65 mph for any non-interstate. It's a bit painful when you get to roads like SR-7, which is a full freeway through mostly nothing (see here (https://goo.gl/maps/2dzWQPVAsto)). That could definitely support a 70 mph limit.
There also is no allowance for rural divided highway limits to be higher than undivided. The good news here is that there are no expressway-standard divided highways without some other condition requiring a lower speed limit (exurban area, mountains, etc.) Even so, the four-lane US 6 bypass between Price and Helper could easily be 70 mph, which is what everybody drives on it anyway.
Urban interstates are allowed to be as high as 70 mph, but the same logic doesn't apply to non-interstate freeways, even if built to interstate standard (such as the eastern half of SR-201, where the limit is still 65).
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 03, 2019, 05:50:35 PMI would sign the US 20 freeway at 75.
I just drove this thing yesterday, and I'm actually OK with the current 70 mph limit on it; I feel like it's exurban enough and has enough traffic that the 70 limit is justified. That said, I won't argue if it ever gets bumped in the future!
Highest speeds in Michigan are 75 but it doesn't matter if it's an Interstate but rather if it's a freeway. There are several freeways in Michigan that aren't Interstate highways like M-10 which is the Lodge Freeway or M-39 which is the Southfield Freeway both in Detroit or M-6 on the South Beltline of Grand Rapids. A two lane US or state highway most of the time will be 55 mph, there are some that are 65 mph though, closest example to me is US-127 between Ithaca and St. Johns. If a freeway isn't 70 mph it'll probably be 55 mph.
Quote from: GaryV on December 30, 2018, 07:22:54 AM
Michigan has no difference for freeway speed limits based on the "branding" of the road. M-14, US-23 and I-94 are all 70 mph. (3 freeways near each other with state, US and Interstate numbers.)
Some freeways in the northern* part of the state have a 75 mph speed limit - but again it doesn't depend on whether it's US or Interstate. E.g. I-75 and US-127. I don't believe there are any M-xx highways with 75 mph limit though, because the M-xx freeways are in the southern part of the state.
* - where "northern" starts is variable, not a fixed line of latitude
I-69 between Lansing and Port Huron except from Swartz Creek to the Genesee/Lapeer county line is 75 mph. None of the state highways got an increase to 75 mph but four US highways did (US-10, US-31, US-127 and US-131), all are freeways though or at least freeways in the stretches that are 75 mph. Several non-freeways got an increase to 65 mph, including Michigan's newest state highway M-231.
Quote from: PurdueBill on January 03, 2019, 05:20:04 PM
Quote from: Buck87 on December 31, 2018, 01:59:00 PM
In Ohio 70 mph is the maximum for both interstates and non interstates.
It's mostly limited to rural freeways, however, I know of at least one place where an expressway with at grade intersections is 70 mph (US 30 near Upper Sandusky)
30 is 70 mph all the way from the Indiana line all the way to Mansfield, except for the overlap with US 23 near Upper Sandusky, even though there are crossroads. It used to be 65/55, then increased to 70 on the sections that were freeway (no crossroads), then to 70 even on the sections with crossroads.
Thanks, I wasn't sure exactly how far the 70 mph went on the non-freeway portions outside of the Upper-Beaverdam segment.
Are there any other non-freeways in Ohio that have 70 mph? I haven't come across any that I can remember.
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 31, 2018, 05:13:13 PM
Virginia has one non-Interstate segment posted at 70 mph, the Interstate-grade bypass of Lynchburg and Madison Heights. The statute allows any freeway to be posted at 70 provided VDOT conducts a traffic study that shows 70 would be OK, but VDOT has declined to conduct such studies on non-Interstates except that one segment.
Overall, in Virginia no road segment with at-grade intersections is posted above 60 mph, and those with at-grade intersections with 60-mph speed limits have it authorized by statute (otherwise they couldn't be posted above 55). It does create the annoying situation where US-29's speed limit bounces back and forth between 60 and 65 south of Lynchburg because the small towns' bypasses are freeway-grade and thus can have higher speed limits than the other segments that have at-grade intersections.
The only reason VDOT agreed to put 70 MPH on US-29 Madison Heights Bypass is because it was interstate standards. It appears they won't post anything higher than 65 MPH unless it meets full interstate standards with shoulders, etc.
I could arguably say that a most rural 4-lane highways posted at 60 MPH could be raised to 65 MPH, but if that's too much, then at least the ones that are built close to interstate standards, flat, and have shoulders, for example many portions of US-17 and US-58. Limited-access portions (not freeway, but no driveways) most definitely should be allowed 65 MPH. Most bypasses can also safely handle 70 MPH.
Washington is a bit backwards. At a basic level, all roads can be posted up to 75 mph. Currently, the highest limit is 70, which are used on interstates and US routes on both sides of the state (no state route freeway has been upgraded to 70 but there is no legal obstacle).
But, Interstates, except in stretches governed by variable limits, are never posted below 60 (except maybe the occasional approach to a narrow bridge or border crossing). This means that really short 1-mile interstates like 705 in Tacoma have a 60 limit, which can feel fast (depending on the car). This minimum is not inscribed into law anywhere, so it's only a de facto minimum.
State Route and US Route freeways do not have the same minimum, though if they're designated "freeway" (typically by "FREEWAY ENTRANCE" signs, or on maps), the limit is almost always 60 (or 70 if rural).
Quote from: jakeroot on January 05, 2019, 05:46:29 PM
Washington is a bit backwards. At a basic level, all roads can be posted up to 75 mph. Currently, the highest limit is 70, which is used across all three designations throughout the state.
But, Interstates, except in stretches governed by variable limits, are never posted below 60 (except maybe the occasional approach to a narrow bridge or border crossing). This means that really short 1-mile interstates like 705 in Tacoma have a 60 limit, which can feel fast (depending on the car). This minimum is not inscribed into law anywhere, so it's only a de facto minimum.
State Route and US Route freeways do not have the same minimum, though if they're designated "freeway" (typically by "FREEWAY ENTRANCE" signs, or on maps), the limit is almost always 60 (or 70 if rural).
What other non interstate freeways are 70 besides US 395?
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 05, 2019, 05:50:25 PM
What other non interstate freeways are 70 besides US 395?
I thought there was at least one, but I was wrong. Only US Routes and Interstates are posted at 70 in WA, but there is no legal obstacle to prevent a state route from being 70. It's just never happened, apparently.
But it's probably worth noting that there are very few rural state route freeways to begin with. SR-16 and SR-3 could potentially work as 70, but remain at 60 for the time being.
Pennsylvania makes no distinction between Interstates and non-Interstates. Freeways have a default of 65 mph (though they can be posted up to 70 after traffic studies and such) and both divided and undivided surface roads have a default of 55. I'm unaware of any non-freeways posted higher than this, or if it's even allowed.
We have examples of every standard speed limit level within 70 except for 60.
Quote from: Roadsguy on January 10, 2019, 01:16:26 AM
Pennsylvania makes no distinction between Interstates and non-Interstates. Freeways have a default of 65 mph (though they can be posted up to 70 after traffic studies and such) and both divided and undivided surface roads have a default of 55. I'm unaware of any non-freeways posted higher than this, or if it's even allowed.
We have examples of every standard speed limit level within 70 except for 60.
Any non interstates at 70?
^^^
Pennsylvania Route 43 has some 70-mph segments and is not an Interstate.
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 10, 2019, 08:51:44 AMPennsylvania Route 43 has some 70-mph segments and is not an Interstate.
Are those segments along the PA Turnpike-owned stretches? IIRC, aside from temporary-work zone posted speeds; the speed limits for the PA Turnpike (PTC) system highways are either 70 or 55.
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 03, 2019, 05:59:33 PM
Highest speeds in Michigan are 75 but it doesn't matter if it's an Interstate but rather if it's a freeway. There are several freeways in Michigan that aren't Interstate highways like M-10 which is the Lodge Freeway or M-39 which is the Southfield Freeway both in Detroit or M-6 on the South Beltline of Grand Rapids. A two lane US or state highway most of the time will be 55 mph, there are some that are 65 mph though, closest example to me is US-127 between Ithaca and St. Johns. If a freeway isn't 70 mph it'll probably be 55 mph.
Even those 55 mph sections are very short in length, and mostly confined to the areas near downtown Detroit. IIRC, it's I-94 from about Greenfield to 9 Mile, I-96 east of the Ford, I-75 from the Rouge to the Ford, M-10 from 8 Mile on in, I-375 (of course), the Davison, and the Southfield. That said, the 55 mph limit is widely ignored.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 29, 2018, 10:51:42 PM
70 MPH is the highest speed limit in California. In the case of CA 99 and US 101 they essentially match the 65-70 MPH speed zones that the Interstates carry.
Same with CASRs 58 and 14. I thought that I saw 70 MPH on one of the other East-West CASRs (perhaps 198 or 152), but I can't remember where or for how long and it has been a while. By way of contrast, I-80 is not currently posted for 70 MPH at all (before 1974, it was posted 70 MPH from West Sacramento roughly to the Carquinez Bridge).
Quote from: michravera on January 10, 2019, 10:09:38 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 29, 2018, 10:51:42 PM
70 MPH is the highest speed limit in California. In the case of CA 99 and US 101 they essentially match the 65-70 MPH speed zones that the Interstates carry.
Same with CASRs 58 and 14. I thought that I saw 70 MPH on one of the other East-West CASRs (perhaps 198 or 152), but I can't remember where or for how long and it has been a while. By way of contrast, I-80 is not currently posted for 70 MPH at all (before 1974, it was posted 70 MPH from West Sacramento roughly to the Carquinez Bridge).
is I-80 to mountainous to be 70 in the mountains?
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 10, 2019, 01:27:58 PM
Quote from: michravera on January 10, 2019, 10:09:38 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 29, 2018, 10:51:42 PM
70 MPH is the highest speed limit in California. In the case of CA 99 and US 101 they essentially match the 65-70 MPH speed zones that the Interstates carry.
Same with CASRs 58 and 14. I thought that I saw 70 MPH on one of the other East-West CASRs (perhaps 198 or 152), but I can't remember where or for how long and it has been a while. By way of contrast, I-80 is not currently posted for 70 MPH at all (before 1974, it was posted 70 MPH from West Sacramento roughly to the Carquinez Bridge).
is I-80 to mountainous to be 70 in the mountains?
Maybe for California. For some reason, Colorado has no issue with I-70 that way.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 10, 2019, 01:27:58 PM
Quote from: michravera on January 10, 2019, 10:09:38 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 29, 2018, 10:51:42 PM
70 MPH is the highest speed limit in California. In the case of CA 99 and US 101 they essentially match the 65-70 MPH speed zones that the Interstates carry.
Same with CASRs 58 and 14. I thought that I saw 70 MPH on one of the other East-West CASRs (perhaps 198 or 152), but I can't remember where or for how long and it has been a while. By way of contrast, I-80 is not currently posted for 70 MPH at all (before 1974, it was posted 70 MPH from West Sacramento roughly to the Carquinez Bridge).
is I-80 to mountainous to be 70 in the mountains?
I would definitely say the terrain is solid enough between Auburn and Donner Summit to be 70 MPH.
US 101 has a couple 70 zones, south of King City comes to mind.
Quote from: Brandon on January 10, 2019, 09:51:57 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 03, 2019, 05:59:33 PM
Highest speeds in Michigan are 75 but it doesn't matter if it's an Interstate but rather if it's a freeway. There are several freeways in Michigan that aren't Interstate highways like M-10 which is the Lodge Freeway or M-39 which is the Southfield Freeway both in Detroit or M-6 on the South Beltline of Grand Rapids. A two lane US or state highway most of the time will be 55 mph, there are some that are 65 mph though, closest example to me is US-127 between Ithaca and St. Johns. If a freeway isn't 70 mph it'll probably be 55 mph.
Even those 55 mph sections are very short in length, and mostly confined to the areas near downtown Detroit. IIRC, it's I-94 from about Greenfield to 9 Mile, I-96 east of the Ford, I-75 from the Rouge to the Ford, M-10 from 8 Mile on in, I-375 (of course), the Davison, and the Southfield. That said, the 55 mph limit is widely ignored.
That's about it. I'm one of the drivers that ignore the 55 mph speed limits on the Interstate's. Detroit isn't the kind of metro area you want to be doing the speed limit on the freeways when most people are going 80 or even faster.
In Arizona no non-Interstate highways are posted above 65 mph, since I think speed limits above 65 mph are only allowed on Interstates in Arizona. Considering that New Mexico posts some divided highways at 70 mph (with two at 75 mph), I don't know why Arizona won't allow higher speed limits on these roads.
Nevada law makes no distinction about the type of road in speed limit laws. The maximum statutory speed limit in the state is 80mph.
Non-interstate freeways are posted at 65mph (note that these are all in mostly urban areas).
Expressway segments are usually 45mph or 55mph.
Arterial roads in urban areas top out at 50mph, but 45mph and 35mph are the most commonly posted.
Rural two-lane highways top out at 70mph. Most rural US highways are posted at 70mph, with two-lane state highways most commonly being posted anywhere from 55mph to 70mph.
Quote from: Pink Jazz on January 10, 2019, 06:10:42 PM
In Arizona no non-Interstate highways are posted above 65 mph, since I think speed limits above 65 mph are only allowed on Interstates in Arizona. Considering that New Mexico posts some divided highways at 70 mph (with two at 75 mph), I don't know why Arizona won't allow higher speed limits on these roads.
You would seriously think that Arizona would be a state that'd have 75 mph like New Mexico and Texas.
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 11, 2019, 11:23:06 AM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on January 10, 2019, 06:10:42 PM
In Arizona no non-Interstate highways are posted above 65 mph, since I think speed limits above 65 mph are only allowed on Interstates in Arizona. Considering that New Mexico posts some divided highways at 70 mph (with two at 75 mph), I don't know why Arizona won't allow higher speed limits on these roads.
You would seriously think that Arizona would be a state that'd have 75 mph like New Mexico and Texas.
New Mexico only has 75 on one non freeway and it's a flat 4 lane expressway.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on January 11, 2019, 12:41:11 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 11, 2019, 11:23:06 AM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on January 10, 2019, 06:10:42 PM
In Arizona no non-Interstate highways are posted above 65 mph, since I think speed limits above 65 mph are only allowed on Interstates in Arizona. Considering that New Mexico posts some divided highways at 70 mph (with two at 75 mph), I don't know why Arizona won't allow higher speed limits on these roads.
You would seriously think that Arizona would be a state that'd have 75 mph like New Mexico and Texas.
New Mexico only has 75 on one non freeway and it's a flat 4 lane expressway.
Actually, US 285 between Roswell and Vaughn was recently increased to 75 mph.
Quote from: Flint1979 on January 11, 2019, 11:23:06 AM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on January 10, 2019, 06:10:42 PM
In Arizona no non-Interstate highways are posted above 65 mph, since I think speed limits above 65 mph are only allowed on Interstates in Arizona. Considering that New Mexico posts some divided highways at 70 mph (with two at 75 mph), I don't know why Arizona won't allow higher speed limits on these roads.
You would seriously think that Arizona would be a state that'd have 75 mph like New Mexico and Texas.
Oh gosh, I still remember when both Arizona and New Mexico increased their Interstate speed limits to 75 but kept their surface road speed limits at 55. Hated it!
Compared to New Mexico, Arizona has a dearth of expressway to begin with, and much of it is in mountainous areas with curves (e.g. SR 68, SR 260) or has enough adjacent development to create a fair amount of side-road traffic (e.g., SR 85). I have no appetite for expressway speeds above 65 in Arizona.
Personally, I am also happy for California to restrict 70 to the crème de la crème of its rural freeways in terms of alignment, such as the Empty Quarter section of I-40. I actually feel 70 is too fast for much of SR 99. As for I-80 Truckee-Auburn with the 5% grade and the sidehill viaducts--no. Just no.
Quote from: J N Winkler on January 11, 2019, 02:30:08 PM
I actually feel 70 is too fast for much of SR 99.
My personal observation, driving the road last fall (between Sacramento and Stockton) was that most cars were going above 70, with many going well above 80. I felt comfortable in our 2013 Toyota Sienna at around 75, but we were also loaded down. By myself in my Golf, I'd have been happy at 80 or more.
I drove SR 99 between SR 198 (Visalia) and Bakersfield at night in September 2014. This is a Central Valley segment well south of Stockton. The issue with 70 here, as I see it, is that the alignment basically follows a railroad line with occasional lateral deviations to accommodate interchange ramps. The straight parts that run perfectly parallel to the rails are fine; the problems are caused by the horizontal curves connecting to offset segments, which are so short and sharp as to be especially noticeable at night to an unfamiliar driver relying on headlamp illumination.
Quote from: J N Winkler on January 11, 2019, 04:58:03 PM
I drove SR 99 between SR 198 (Visalia) and Bakersfield at night in September 2014. This is a Central Valley segment well south of Stockton. The issue with 70 here, as I see it, is that the alignment basically follows a railroad line with occasional lateral deviations to accommodate interchange ramps. The straight parts that run perfectly parallel to the rails are fine; the problems are caused by the horizontal curves connecting to offset segments, which are so short and sharp as to be especially noticeable at night to an unfamiliar driver relying on headlamp illumination.
On a trip to California in the past year, I drove CA-99 between I-5 and Merced at night, first time for me, and I was comfortable on the highway at 75-80 MPH even on those curves. I'm not a local though, so I can't say too much. I'm just trying to point out I had no issues with it being an unfamiliar driver.
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 10, 2019, 09:18:49 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 10, 2019, 08:51:44 AMPennsylvania Route 43 has some 70-mph segments and is not an Interstate.
Are those segments along the PA Turnpike-owned stretches? IIRC, aside from temporary-work zone posted speeds; the speed limits for the PA Turnpike (PTC) system highways are either 70 or 55.
Yes, the 70mph stretches of PA 43 are owned by PTC. The speed limit drops to 65 (and then 55) on the PennDOT-owned portion between Big Six Road and US 40.
Quote from: Bitmapped on January 12, 2019, 01:04:58 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 10, 2019, 09:18:49 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 10, 2019, 08:51:44 AMPennsylvania Route 43 has some 70-mph segments and is not an Interstate.
Are those segments along the PA Turnpike-owned stretches? IIRC, aside from temporary-work zone posted speeds; the speed limits for the PA Turnpike (PTC) system highways are either 70 or 55.
Yes, the 70mph stretches of PA 43 are owned by PTC. The speed limit drops to 65 (and then 55) on the PennDOT-owned portion between Big Six Road and US 40.
Most of the length of all of the toll roads in southwest PA are 70, and only one is an Interstate. The only non-Interstate, non-PTC section posted at 70 that I'm aware of is US 15/Future I-99 north of Trout Run all the way to the NY state line. There may be more, but I'm not aware of any. It definitely doesn't matter whether the road is an Interstate, though.