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What is the least commonly posted speed limit in the US? This excludes anything below 20 MPH or above 80 MPH, and temporary work zones.

My guess would be 60, I don't know if it's just me but the only times I've ever seen that anywhere in the Northeast was approaching a couple of population centers along I-95/Maine Turnpike. Maybe it's more common elsewhere?

60 in Wisconsin,  more limits at 55, 65 and 70.

Virginia has a fair number of 60-mph zones, but on the whole they are less common than most of the other numbers. I'd guess 60 is probably correct in terms of "normal" speed limits.

The least common one I've seen was 27 mph on James Street in Durham, North Carolina, in the mid-1990s when I was attending Duke. The speed limit signs were standard signs in all ways other than the bizarre 27-mph limit. I don't recall what the reason for posting it was, but I know it's no longer there–it's been changed to 25. But, of course, 27 mph is nonstandard and weird, hence my use of the phrase "'normal' speed limits" in the previous paragraph.

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 15, 2021, 06:24:41 PM
Virginia has a fair number of 60-mph zones, but on the whole they are less common than most of the other numbers. I'd guess 60 is probably correct in terms of "normal" speed limits.

The least common one I've seen was 27 mph on James Street in Durham, North Carolina, in the mid-1990s when I was attending Duke. The speed limit signs were standard signs in all ways other than the bizarre 27-mph limit. I don't recall what the reason for posting it was, but I know it's no longer there–it's been changed to 25. But, of course, 27 mph is nonstandard and weird, hence my use of the phrase "'normal' speed limits" in the previous paragraph.

And not to mention an obvious violation of the MUTCD's 5-MPH-increment rule.

Quote from: interstatefan990 on February 15, 2021, 06:06:06 PM
What is the least commonly posted speed limit in the US? This excludes anything below 20 MPH or above 80 MPH, and temporary work zones.

Which excludes the most uncommon (regrettably) speed limit in the U.S. -- 85mph on part of TX 130.

Absolutely no way to quantify this, but of normal speed limits, these seem to be the more lightly used ones:

60 mph
30 mph
40 mph

25, 35, 45, 50 & 55 tend to be used quite regularly, and 65 and above used when allowed.

I think in Michigan 60 would be it.

Quote from: oscar on February 15, 2021, 06:52:37 PM

Quote from: interstatefan990 on February 15, 2021, 06:06:06 PM
What is the least commonly posted speed limit in the US? This excludes anything below 20 MPH or above 80 MPH, and temporary work zones.

Which excludes the most uncommon (regrettably) speed limit in the U.S. -- 85mph on part of TX 130.

That's exactly what I had in mind when I excluded limits over 80. I knew that would be the first thing a lot of people would think of, being that it's the record-holder. But it is still an outlier.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2021, 07:29:19 PM
Absolutely no way to quantify this, but of normal speed limits, these seem to be the more lightly used ones:

60 mph
30 mph
40 mph

25, 35, 45, 50 & 55 tend to be used quite regularly, and 65 and above used when allowed.

My inner New Yorker screamed when I saw 30 MPH on that list. NY is obsessed with posting 30.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2021, 07:29:19 PM
Absolutely no way to quantify this, but of normal speed limits, these seem to be the more lightly used ones:

60 mph
30 mph
40 mph

25, 35, 45, 50 & 55 tend to be used quite regularly, and 65 and above used when allowed.

Regarding 40 mph, I remember hearing something once from a traffic safety worker, I think from VDOT, that there have been studies showing that more people suffer from depth perception issues at 40 mph than at 35 or 45 and that there was some desire to reduce the number of 40-mph zones because of that. But I don't recall him saying whether the studies were able to determine the reason for that. It sounded strange and bizarre to me. Off the top of my head I can immediately think of one 40-mph zone not far from here (Rolling Road in Fairfax County between Braddock and Old Keene Mill Roads), but 45 is more common.

Quote from: interstatefan990 on February 15, 2021, 06:06:06 PM
What is the least commonly posted speed limit in the US? This excludes anything below 20 MPH or above 80 MPH, and temporary work zones.

My guess would be 60, I don’t know if it’s just me but the only times I’ve ever seen that anywhere in the Northeast was approaching a couple of population centers along I-95/Maine Turnpike. Maybe it’s more common elsewhere?

I-25 has a 60 mph zone on the south side of downtown, but off the top of my head, that's the only one in Colorado.  There are no 70 mph zones that I'm aware of.  I also can't picture a 50 mph, but I'm less confident in my take there.

Chris

Indiana likes 60 - since it is the non-freeway (rural) Divided Highway default limit

I feel like 50 is used fairly sparingly - but maybe I just miss the 50 MPH Zones

60 is used a lot in Oklahoma as well, as the default urban freeway speed limit. 40 is used a lot here for 4-lane urban arterials.

50 is one that you don't see a lot around here–I can only think of one 50 MPH zone, and that's SH-9 (divided expressway with traffic lights).

The only 60 mph highway in Arizona that I know of is SR 238, and it was only introduced as recently as 2018 (raised from 55 mph).

There are no 70 mph highways in Arizona that I know of (Arizona law doesn't allow speed limits higher than 65 mph on non-Interstates, and I don't know of any segments of Interstates in Arizona posted at 70 mph).

Based on the original post's restrictions, it's probably 75 and 20.

Comparatively few places regularly post anything lower than 25, and not than many states can post 75mph signs.

There are a decent number of places that use 60, though it is on the rare side in Illinois and Iowa:

Missouri:
* Urban freeways around St. Louis and Springfield, plus I-70 through Columbia.
* Multiple rural two lane roads
* Certain expressways (US 65 around Branson, MO 30, US 61 north of I-70)

Illinois
* I-294 from the north end at I-94 to north of O'Hare, plus another spot between I-55 and I-57
* I-290 from around IL 72 to around IL 390
* I-90 east of Elmhurst Road to somewhere around I-294
* I-74 through Champaign - Urbana

Iowa
* Parts of I-380 through Cedar Rapids?
* Parts of I-235
* I recall a 60 mph section on eastbound I-80 approaching the western I-35/I-235 interchange

Nebraska
* I-129?
* Part of I-180
* Part of I-480
* Used to be a lot more before the last round of increases that bumped many two lane roads in the eastern half up to 65.

---

As to 75, it's fairly common after the first row of states west of the Mississippi.

I don't know of any 60 mph zones in Georgia off the top of my head. Other than the 70 mph interstate maximum, it's relatively rare to see an x0 speed limit in the greater Atlanta area.

Utah's least common is probably a tie between 60 and 75 now. 75 is only found on a few segments of rural interstate that are either too mountainous or too exurban to get a bump to 80. Likewise, 60 is mostly limited to a handful of urban expressways or rural 2-lane roads that didn't quite make the cut for 65. Interestingly, unlike Atlanta, both x0 and x5 limits are pretty common in the Salt Lake metro with maybe a slight preference for x0.

I guess going off of the 20-80 rule Minnesota's would be a tie between 75 and 80 with exactly zero examples of both  :D. Otherwise, 20 and 25 are pretty uncommon outside of Minneapolis and Saint Paul because 30 is the state-designated unsigned speed limit on urban streets and roads are rarely signed below that (again, exempting Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and a few other communities). On the other end of the spectrum, 30, 40, and 60 seem to be the most common.

Quote from: interstatefan990 on February 15, 2021, 07:57:19 PM

Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2021, 07:29:19 PM
Absolutely no way to quantify this, but of normal speed limits, these seem to be the more lightly used ones:

60 mph
30 mph
40 mph

25, 35, 45, 50 & 55 tend to be used quite regularly, and 65 and above used when allowed.

My inner New Yorker screamed when I saw 30 MPH on that list. NY is obsessed with posting 30.

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 15, 2021, 08:27:13 PM

Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 15, 2021, 07:29:19 PM
Absolutely no way to quantify this, but of normal speed limits, these seem to be the more lightly used ones:

60 mph
30 mph
40 mph

25, 35, 45, 50 & 55 tend to be used quite regularly, and 65 and above used when allowed.

Regarding 40 mph, I remember hearing something once from a traffic safety worker, I think from VDOT, that there have been studies showing that more people suffer from depth perception issues at 40 mph than at 35 or 45 and that there was some desire to reduce the number of 40-mph zones because of that. But I don't recall him saying whether the studies were able to determine the reason for that. It sounded strange and bizarre to me. Off the top of my head I can immediately think of one 40-mph zone not far from here (Rolling Road in Fairfax County between Braddock and Old Keene Mill Roads), but 45 is more common.

For both of these, my experience mostly originates here in Jersey, along with what I have seen in Pennsylvania and Delaware. The limits I mentioned are certainly posted...just less frequently than others. Growing up, when I left my development, the first street we encountered had a 40 mph limit. But overall these limits, at least from what I'm used to, are the ones I generally see the least.

As far as 60 goes, I've seen it twice in NJ: The first time was on a single NJ Turnpike older flip--style changeable speed limit sign.  The Turnpike wouldn't have intentionally used that limit, so it was probably a malfunction which those signs were prone to. The only other time was on the AC Expressway, where a median project had a 60 MPH posted work zone limit.

Pennsylvania:

20 - almost unheard of
25 - residential, very common
30 - sometimes residential, relatively uncommon
35 - default urban, very common
40 - rareish? Kind of like 30
45 - any highway with any amount of development, pretty much - very common
50 - quite rare
55 - Default and I hate it but common
60 - literally illegal
65 - About half of rural interstates, quite common
70 - The other half of rural interstates, also quite common
75 - can we have these, please?
80 - Dreamland

And if they wanted fewer people driving 40 because of depth perception issues... that's an excellent reason to abolish the 30mph speed limit.  :bigass:

Quote from: Ketchup99 on February 15, 2021, 11:02:03 PM
Pennsylvania:

60 - literally illegal

Dumb question time: Why is a speed limit of 60 MPH illegal in the Keystone State?

Indiana-

Interstates: 50 mph (Indianapolis in downtown) 60 mph speed limits (Evansville and right before the bridges in Louisville)
Divided highways: I don't know... :P
Two-lane highways: 50 mph speed limits (it's only used in busy stretches with a lot of driveways)

Quote from: ilpt4u on February 15, 2021, 11:18:51 PM

Quote from: Ketchup99 on February 15, 2021, 11:02:03 PM
Pennsylvania:

60 - literally illegal

Dumb question time: Why is a speed limit of 60 MPH illegal in the Keystone State?

I've got a dumb answer. The highest allowable speed limit was - and still is, in most cases - 55mph until 1995. The legislature then passed a law permitting a 65mph limit on freeways, and then in 2013, they allowed a 70mph limit. But to this day, it is legal to post any speed up to 55, or it is legal to post 65, or it is legal to post 70. And many roads which would benefit from a 60mph limit (some desolate two-laners that should be 70 but the legislature would never, most rural divided highways that should also be 70 but the legislature would never, some urban highways...) are stuck at 55.

I believe many Northeastern states (NJ comes to mind) are in a similar predicament.

In CT, RI, NH, VT, NY, and NJ, 60 MPH zones do not exist.  MA only has one to my knowledge (MA 3), and Maine only has a couple. It took almost 20 years for CT to add to its initial list of 65 MPH zones that were established in 1998 (two stretches of I-84 between Cheshire and Farmington were finally raised to 65 in 2018).  A few stretches could be raised to 60 MPH such as CT 8 between the CT 25 split and Naugatuck, CT 25 north of the split, SR 695, much of the Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways, and the CT 15 expressway (once the I-91 interchange project is completed).

60 seems like the obvious choice if you're looking primarily at the Northeast, but many Midwestern states use 60 for their urban freeways.
I'd say 50 is a better choice: Most places have some 50 zones, but there's nowhere where they're particularly prevalent.

It might be a good idea to first decide which ones can be eliminated: 30, 55, 65, probably 75. And personally, I'd say both 35 and 40 are out, as those are both very common in suburban areas. Any others?

For North Carolina, 60 mph is likely the answer.

Over the past decade or so, 60 mph has become more commonplace to replace 55 mph on rural divided highways and on urban freeway segments and is only growing.

Virginia:

20 - very uncommon (a select few neighborhoods and cities)
25 - exceedingly common (nearly every city and neighborhood street)
30 - somewhat rare (most commonly used on suburban roads that are somewhat minor but too good condition to be a 25)
35 - common (many urban and highly developed suburban arterials)
40 - somewhat rare (I've mainly seen it on highly developed yet well-maintained suburban roads or sparsely developed yet windy suburban arterials)
45 - very common (most suburban arterials that aren't highly developed and many curvier rural roads)
50 - somewhat common (major highways with too much development to be 55), definitely the most common x0 in the state
55 - exceedingly common (default speed limit, many major highways)
60 - somewhat rare (a few rural divided highways, a few urban freeways)
65 - somewhat rare (similar to Utah's 75, freeways that sit between 55-60 and 70
70 - common (most rural freeways)

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 12:52:22 AM
It might be a good idea to first decide which ones can be eliminated: 30, 55, 65, probably 75. And personally, I'd say both 35 and 40 are out, as those are both very common in suburban areas. Any others?

You can probably rule out 45 too. It's used fairly frequently in Oklahoma for "arterial without a lot of development" (example (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2037729,-97.4065176,3a,72.2y,279.72h,87.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snxwbToXlB0tHr7giKzfyrA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)).  And I know of at least one rural county that has 45 as its default for county roads–hundreds of miles of paved roads at 45 mph.

You can probably rule out 70 too. That's a max speed limit in a lot of states that are too scared to post anything higher (and many of the current 75 states had 70 before they had 75). I think 70 is the default two-lane speed limit in Texas.

Quote from: Big John on February 15, 2021, 06:12:26 PM
60 in Wisconsin,  more limits at 55, 65 and 70.

In an upset, I would also put 30 on this list for Wisconsin since 25 is generally used in places most other towns/cities in the US would post 30.

Quote
I believe many Northeastern states (NJ comes to mind) are in a similar predicament.

I think it varies. For example, New York's law reads like this: "Speed limits should be 55 miles per hour, but the DOT may establish a limit of up to 65 miles per hour."  Whereas with other states, like NJ that you mentioned, I guess it would be per se illegal to post 60.

Quote from: jayhawkco on February 15, 2021, 08:40:51 PM
I also can't picture a 50 mph, but I'm less confident in my take there.

Quote from: ilpt4u on February 15, 2021, 08:43:46 PM
I feel like 50 is used fairly sparingly - but maybe I just miss the 50 MPH Zones

Quote from: Scott5114 on February 15, 2021, 08:54:39 PM
50 is one that you don't see a lot around here–I can only think of one 50 MPH zone, and that's SH-9 (divided expressway with traffic lights).

I feel like the theme I'm getting here is that in a lot of places throughout the United States, 50 MPH is used frequently as a "fall-back"  speed limit where it would normally be posted at 55 or higher but a lower limit is necessitated due to roadway design, traffic levels, intersections, approaching developed areas, or other reasons. However, this is definitely not universal as a handful of states have statutory 50 mph limits for various types of highways, NJ, VT, MA, OH, DE, MD, WA included. It would be the default limit in those states on those specific roads, provided the DOT hasn't lowered or raised it, which is rare.

If what Caps81943 said about Virginia's 50 zones being somewhat common isn't representative of the rest of the states, then I don't know, maybe 50 MPH is in the running for the least common speed limit in the USA. The question is whether it would come down to competing with 60 MPH or with 20 MPH for that title.

Washington State (WA) is easy: 65. It is only used over Snoqualmie Pass, and along some select two-lane highways.

Additional thoughts:

20 is exceedingly uncommon apart from two scenarios: non-arterials in Seattle, and school zones. Unfortunately, both include a ton of mileage, so likely not the least common.

40 isn't exactly common, but it's decently rare. 35 and 45 seem more common.

55 may have been popular, but it's not anymore. 99.99% of freeways were increased to 60 or 70. 55 is primarily used on two lane highways now, but even then, 50, 60, and 65 are also used on two lane highways, and I might argue that 50 and 60 are at least as common as 55, if not more.

California...

20 is extremely uncommon

25 is the standard "low speed street" number, whether in urban areas, or in the suburbs

30 is another "low speed street" number

35 to 45 is the range for most standard divided arterials and other similar roads

50 to 65 are the common divided highway/expressway/freeway speeds, with 55 being the standard for a fast two-lane road, and for some older freeways (i.e. US 101/Bayshore Freeway in San Francisco, which then goes up to 65 immediately at the city limit going southbound).

70 is reserved for rural freeways out here, i.e. I-5 in the San Joaquin Valley on the West Side Freeway alignment, and US 101 in southern Monterey County.

60 probably thus is the most uncommon as 50-55 or 65 are the usual freeway numbers.

Relevant thread: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=11967

Quote from: Ketchup99 on February 15, 2021, 11:02:03 PM
Pennsylvania:

20 - almost unheard of
25 - residential, very common
30 - sometimes residential, relatively uncommon
35 - default urban, very common
40 - rareish? Kind of like 30
45 - any highway with any amount of development, pretty much - very common
50 - quite rare
55 - Default and I hate it but common
60 - literally illegal
65 - About half of rural interstates, quite common
70 - The other half of rural interstates, also quite common
75 - can we have these, please?
80 - Dreamland

And if they wanted fewer people driving 40 because of depth perception issues... that's an excellent reason to abolish the 30mph speed limit.  :bigass:

Southeastern PA has quite a few 40 MPHs. There are more 35s and 45s then 40s, but not a lot more.  30 and 50 are definitely rare.

Quote from: 1 on February 16, 2021, 06:47:55 AM
Relevant thread: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=11967

It's not the same.

Quote from: jayhawkco on February 15, 2021, 08:40:51 PM
I-25 has a 60 mph zone on the south side of downtown, but off the top of my head, that's the only one in Colorado.  There are no 70 mph zones that I'm aware of.  I also can't picture a 50 mph, but I'm less confident in my take there.

Here are a few I've personally driven:

CO-47 around Pueblo is 60 mph (https://goo.gl/maps/GPd5qkd3ZREwLxBb7). 
US-50 west of La Junta is 60 mph (https://goo.gl/maps/xikttxYM7kQbLvW6A).
US-550 south of Montrose is 60 mph (https://goo.gl/maps/ofdjjHpMPQJuPXR77)
It also resumes 60 mph (https://goo.gl/maps/dKyFGAy3cKoifbcd8) south of Ridgway.

50 mph is, I think, more common in Colorado.

For example, US-50 leaving Lamar to the northwest is 50 mph (https://goo.gl/maps/jZjyC3M4ndBewn5p9).
Also, US-550 closer to Ouray is 50 mph (https://goo.gl/maps/ymkVZKbU2sGDNYcK8).
And CO-145 northwest of Placerville is 50 mph (https://goo.gl/maps/oL8AyxDFPHwJAt7F9).

In fact, I saw so many 50 mph speed limit signs on that trip that I'd consider it to be one of the most common speed limits in Colorado.  Either 35 or 50 seemed to be the standard for anything in the mountainous half of the state.  Heck, here's a spot on US-50 along the Gunnison River (https://goo.gl/maps/x2sV6GQYtccANqca8) that I was just guessing might be 50 mph, and sure enough it is!

As for 70 mph, I can't recall having personally seen any such zones in Colorado, but I wasn't on the lookout for them.  However, I do see that CDOT recently (2019) lowered the limit to 70 mph on a seven-mile stretch of I-70 in Grand Junction:  old (https://goo.gl/maps/8jkxnvbrnV8E6BsEA) vs new (https://goo.gl/maps/yMueGDpVNJYnfzQNA).

Quote from: jayhawkco on February 15, 2021, 08:40:51 PM

Quote from: interstatefan990 on February 15, 2021, 06:06:06 PM
What is the least commonly posted speed limit in the US? This excludes anything below 20 MPH or above 80 MPH, and temporary work zones.

My guess would be 60, I don’t know if it’s just me but the only times I’ve ever seen that anywhere in the Northeast was approaching a couple of population centers along I-95/Maine Turnpike. Maybe it’s more common elsewhere?

I-25 has a 60 mph zone on the south side of downtown, but off the top of my head, that's the only one in Colorado.  There are no 70 mph zones that I'm aware of.  I also can't picture a 50 mph, but I'm less confident in my take there.

Chris

I can think of several 50 mph speed zones in Colorado off the top of my head. CO 128/120th Avenue through much of Broomfield (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9149963,-105.1369282,3a,75y,64.54h,90.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTEX9NZUOF9ls2MQUsTc17A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) and Westminster (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9140587,-105.0223355,3a,75y,113.75h,88.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0b4vYGoSSrvhh0cRr9_o0Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) (except between Wadsworth and Main Street) is 50. Also, I-70 through both the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6770517,-105.9401911,3a,75y,62.35h,90.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sriELZSpccv6Mdxf4NspFjQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) and Glenwood Canyon (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5863814,-107.1969879,3a,75y,253.49h,87.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sobqOAj8sQBPWyq_f13RWyw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) is 50.

As for 60 mph zones, much of CO 7 (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9864608,-104.957108,3a,75y,118.38h,73.08t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9qkzbO3o98z0FxuowNArJg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) between I-25 and Brighton is 60 mph. Same for part of US 36 entering Boulder from the southeast (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9883314,-105.2379261,3a,75y,291.67h,86.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syJGZTcehH4qw6TcS7PLwZA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) and north of Boulder (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0687271,-105.2832207,3a,75y,0.82h,86.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNDP46h4AlCn_nIXzS5NB4w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192). Another spot is CO 67 (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0684503,-105.092197,3a,75y,5.98h,91.03t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sq97u6vnlwrP6dhtSqbz-mg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) between Woodland Park and Deckers.

As for 70, that is the least-used one in Colorado. Other than the new I-70 signage kphoger listed above, I know of no interstates signed with it. A few years back they raised E-470 and then most of the Northwest Parkway from 70 to 75. The only remnant I'm aware of is on the Northwest Parkway where they left the last mile (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9572244,-105.1077992,3a,75y,258h,86.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYViLLnZ8ZBxVeuvIz0q-rg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) between US 287 and 96th Street as 70.

There is a 50 MPH zone in the town I live in...and a 20 MPH zone in the town I work in. Both are small towns in Southern Illinois

I still say 50 is pretty uncommon, 20 also

If this was my dream-world, almost every 25 zone would become 20 or 30 overnight (or more, in some cases) - little residential roads shouldn't be more than 20mph, and collector or arterial routes ought to mostly be 30. Plus, every town's got that one (or more) deer-in-the-headlights 25mph zone that should be 35 or 40.

So in that world, 25 is the least common. But in our world, it's very likely 20mph.

Quote from: ilpt4u on February 16, 2021, 11:41:08 AM
There is a 50 MPH zone in the town I live in...and a 20 MPH zone in the town I work in. Both are small towns in Southern Illinois

I still say 50 is pretty uncommon, 20 also

Speaking of southern Illinois (and ignoring the parameters of the OP), can you think of any towns other than Eldorado that have 15 mph (https://goo.gl/maps/Cy9cFBVepJxHgmKF6)?  That one always drove me nuts.

Quote from: US 89 on February 15, 2021, 10:52:40 PM
I don't know of any 60 mph zones in Georgia off the top of my head. Other than the 70 mph interstate maximum, it's relatively rare to see an x0 speed limit in the greater Atlanta area.

I-20 through Atlanta is posted at 60 mph.
US-41 between Griffin and Barnesville is also posted at 60 mph.

Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 15, 2021, 11:25:50 PM
Indiana-

Interstates: 50 mph (Indianapolis in downtown) 60 mph speed limits (Evansville and right before the bridges in Louisville)
Divided highways: I don't know... :P
Two-lane highways: 50 mph speed limits (it's only used in busy stretches with a lot of driveways)

There are no freeways posted at 60 in Indiana. The Louisville approach goes 70->65->55. The Evansville approach doesn't get above 55.

I don't recall ever seeing 50 posted on a 4-lane non-freeway, but can't say for sure it doesn't exist somewhere.

50 is not uncommon on 2 lane roads but still has to be the least common speed limit in Indiana. There are plenty of 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, and 20 in cities and towns.

50 is relatively uncommon in Virginia. It seems to be more common in North Carolina (most of US 158 on the Outer Banks is posted at 50).

Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on February 16, 2021, 12:14:44 PM
50 is relatively uncommon in Virginia. It seems to be more common in North Carolina (most of US 158 on the Outer Banks is posted at 50).

It might be just that area, I don't remember seeing 50 very much around here. I also hardly if ever see 40.

How about 10 mph like Eldorado Springs, CO (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.932914,-105.2741906,3a,75y,240.49h,78.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIPWo18P5NFBSn1ouMrSMaA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)?

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 12:52:22 AM
I'd say 50 is a better choice: Most places have some 50 zones, but there's nowhere where they're particularly prevalent.

Go drive in New England.  50 is everywhere over there.  Vermont in particular uses it as the default and won't sign 55 on anything that isn't limited access (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4331081,-72.089362,3a,56.3y,98.84h,76.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sn7Aoadm3qR4AXkSOce0DjA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).

I suppose I can break down Utah:

20 - mostly limited to a handful of high density downtown streets, plus school zones
25 - default residential, also in some downtown areas
30 - common on residential collectors and downtown roads
35 - very common on highways through sizable rural towns, as well as some denser urban arterials
40 - pretty much the default urban arterial, also common on highways through small towns and on 2-lane mountain roads
45 - relatively rare, found mainly on slightly less developed/dense urban arterials
50 - common on high grade arterials that maybe don't meet expressway status
55 - default rural limit, along with many urban expressways and certain exurban/mountainous parts of rural 2-lane highways that would otherwise be higher
60 - relatively rare and not really a defined class - these are pretty much either "would be 55 but too good for that" or "would be 65 but too bad for that"
65 - very common: off-interstate statewide maximum, including rural flat 2-laners and most non-interstate freeways, as well as mountainous or substandard interstate segments
70 - default on urban interstates
75 - uncommon and limited to rural interstates that were too mountainous/exurban to be bumped to 80
80 - statewide maximum, the norm on rural interstates

Quote from: interstatefan990 on February 16, 2021, 01:36:56 AM

Quote
I believe many Northeastern states (NJ comes to mind) are in a similar predicament.

I think it varies. For example, New York's law reads like this: "Speed limits should be 55 miles per hour, but the DOT may establish a limit of up to 65 miles per hour."  Whereas with other states, like NJ that you mentioned, I guess it would be per se illegal to post 60.

NJ created a no-mans land in respect to a 60 mph regular limit. But first, some quick history:

During the NMSL, the only speed limits on the books were statutory limits if signs weren't posted:  25, 35 & 50 mph.  Other roadways could be higher or lower based on "engineering & traffic investigation".  But here's the thing...55 was never a stated limit in the statute, even during the NMSL.  NJ was forced to reduce their fastest limit to 55 during the NMSL, but it was never made into law.  When the state wanted to consider raising the limit to 65, they should have been able to do so based on the existing law, which only would have needed an engineering and traffic investigation.  Instead, it became a long, drawn out affair with an amended statute to allow 65 mph.  It also would double fines (which, being NJ, was really about a 185% increase, not a 200% increase) for those speeding at 10 mph over the 65 limit, but also doubled fines for those speeding 20 mph or greater for other limits. 

(In a technical sense, the 65 mph law is just the "Sixty-Five MPH Speed Limit Implementation Act".  Nowhere does it say it's an absolute top limit.)

This puts a regular 60 mph speed limit in a strange position:  Someone going 75 mph in a 65 zone may pay a double fine.  Someone going 75 mph in a 55 zone may pay a double fine.  But someone going 75 mph in a 60 zone wouldn't be subjected to the double fine.

This doesn't apply to work zones, as all speeding fines are doubled. Thus, this allows 60 mph to be used as a work zone without any of the fine issues referenced above.  (Note: Doubled fine don't quadruple in a work zone for speeding)

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 12:53:06 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 12:52:22 AM
I'd say 50 is a better choice: Most places have some 50 zones, but there's nowhere where they're particularly prevalent.

Go drive in New England.  50 is everywhere over there.  Vermont in particular uses it as the default and won't sign 55 on anything that isn't limited access (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4331081,-72.089362,3a,56.3y,98.84h,76.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sn7Aoadm3qR4AXkSOce0DjA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).

Whoops... Yes, I did forget about Vermont and their 50 mph default. That might be the only state where 50 is that common though, as almost everywhere else uses 55 or higher as their rural default.

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 01:53:51 PM

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 12:53:06 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 12:52:22 AM
I'd say 50 is a better choice: Most places have some 50 zones, but there's nowhere where they're particularly prevalent.

Go drive in New England.  50 is everywhere over there.  Vermont in particular uses it as the default and won't sign 55 on anything that isn't limited access (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4331081,-72.089362,3a,56.3y,98.84h,76.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sn7Aoadm3qR4AXkSOce0DjA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).

Whoops... Yes, I did forget about Vermont and their 50 mph default. That might be the only state where 50 is that common though, as almost everywhere else uses 55 or higher as their rural default.

It's really common in MA, NH, and ME too.

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 02:17:03 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 01:53:51 PM

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 12:53:06 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 12:52:22 AM
I'd say 50 is a better choice: Most places have some 50 zones, but there's nowhere where they're particularly prevalent.

Go drive in New England.  50 is everywhere over there.  Vermont in particular uses it as the default and won't sign 55 on anything that isn't limited access (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4331081,-72.089362,3a,56.3y,98.84h,76.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sn7Aoadm3qR4AXkSOce0DjA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).

Whoops... Yes, I did forget about Vermont and their 50 mph default. That might be the only state where 50 is that common though, as almost everywhere else uses 55 or higher as their rural default.

It's really common in MA, NH, and ME too.

I seem to recall seeing a fair amount of 50-mph limits in New York City over the years (the West Shore, Staten Island, and Gowanus Expressways and the Belt Parkway have all been posted at 50 for as long as I can remember, for example). Of course that's not necessarily relevant to the state as a whole.

Quote from: cabiness42 on February 16, 2021, 12:06:41 PM

Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 15, 2021, 11:25:50 PM
Indiana-

Interstates: 50 mph (Indianapolis in downtown) 60 mph speed limits (Evansville and right before the bridges in Louisville)
Divided highways: I don't know... :P
Two-lane highways: 50 mph speed limits (it's only used in busy stretches with a lot of driveways)

There are no freeways posted at 60 in Indiana. The Louisville approach goes 70->65->55. The Evansville approach doesn't get above 55.

I don't recall ever seeing 50 posted on a 4-lane non-freeway, but can't say for sure it doesn't exist somewhere.

50 is not uncommon on 2 lane roads but still has to be the least common speed limit in Indiana. There are plenty of 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, and 20 in cities and towns.

The Louisville approach is now 70->65->60 thanks to Indiana's part of the reconstruction of the Ohio River Bridges Project, and it's now a modern stretch of road heading to/from Louisville. Also, all of I-265 in Indiana is now signed at 65 thanks to a speed limit study done by INDOT around the Louisville metro area.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.271764,-85.74721,3a,75y,154.34h,88.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDkBt6DfuL6hKejwLO2MMeg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Evansville actually does have a section that is signed at 60 that starts at MP 10 heading south on I-69.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.0228261,-87.4712901,3a,75y,165.93h,86.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suvqeTyAp5yZciGNatoJlXg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 01:53:51 PM

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 12:53:06 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 12:52:22 AM
I'd say 50 is a better choice: Most places have some 50 zones, but there's nowhere where they're particularly prevalent.

Go drive in New England.  50 is everywhere over there.  Vermont in particular uses it as the default and won't sign 55 on anything that isn't limited access (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4331081,-72.089362,3a,56.3y,98.84h,76.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sn7Aoadm3qR4AXkSOce0DjA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).

Whoops... Yes, I did forget about Vermont and their 50 mph default. That might be the only state where 50 is that common though, as almost everywhere else uses 55 or higher as their rural default.

New Jersey, too.

Quote from: Ketchup99 on February 16, 2021, 03:06:23 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 01:53:51 PM

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 12:53:06 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 12:52:22 AM
I'd say 50 is a better choice: Most places have some 50 zones, but there's nowhere where they're particularly prevalent.

Go drive in New England.  50 is everywhere over there.  Vermont in particular uses it as the default and won't sign 55 on anything that isn't limited access (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4331081,-72.089362,3a,56.3y,98.84h,76.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sn7Aoadm3qR4AXkSOce0DjA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).

Whoops... Yes, I did forget about Vermont and their 50 mph default. That might be the only state where 50 is that common though, as almost everywhere else uses 55 or higher as their rural default.

New Jersey, too.

Maryland and Delaware also default to 50 for rural 2-lanes.

FWIW, 50 mph is the basic speed limit in Nebraska for all unpaved roads.

Quote from: Nebraska Revised Statutes, Chapter 60
60-6,186.  Speed; maximum limits; signs.

(1) Except when a special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with section 60-6,185, the limits set forth in this section and sections 60-6,187, 60-6,188, 60-6,305, and 60-6,313 shall be the maximum lawful speeds unless reduced pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, and no person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed in excess of such maximum limits:

(c) Fifty miles per hour upon any highway that is gravel or not dustless surfaced;

Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 15, 2021, 11:25:50 PM
The Louisville approach is now 70->65->60 thanks to Indiana's part of the reconstruction of the Ohio River Bridges Project, and it's now a modern stretch of road heading to/from Louisville. Also, all of I-265 in Indiana is now signed at 65 thanks to a speed limit study done by INDOT around the Louisville metro area.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.271764,-85.74721,3a,75y,154.34h,88.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDkBt6DfuL6hKejwLO2MMeg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Evansville actually does have a section that is signed at 60 that starts at MP 10 heading south on I-69.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.0228261,-87.4712901,3a,75y,165.93h,86.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suvqeTyAp5yZciGNatoJlXg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I-65 does go 70->65->55. There is a 60 sign posted just before the state line because that's the speed limit in Kentucky but it does go down to 55 before that.

I never knew about the 60 section on I-69.

I'll do Idaho:

20: Very common, used as the default residential speed limit in many cities (eg. Boise and Nampa), and some downtown streets. Also school zones.
25: Incredibly common, it's the default residential speed limit in many cities (eg. Meridian and Eagle), and used on many downtowns in both large and small cities.
30: Less common than 25 or 35, but at least in Boise they're quite common on 2 lane collector type roads. Honestly not sure how common they are outside of Boise, I don't think I've seen a 30 on a state maintained road for example.
35: Incredibly common, pretty much the default speed for suburban arterial type roads.
40: Common on newer suburban arterials with less driveways and businesses. Less common than 35 or 45.
45: Quite common, both in suburban type roads, and sometimes on rural mountainous highways.
50: Used in similar situations to 45, probably about as common. 50 also seems to be standard for county-maintained 2 lane roads/highways that warrant higher speeds. A notable state highway example is US-12 west of the MT border is a very long 50 MPH stretch, but also suburban examples like part of Eagle Rd in Meridian and State St/ID-44 in Boise.
55: Very common, a default for numerous 2 lane highways.
60: Somewhat uncommon. In Southern Idaho, it's very uncommon, I can think of I-184, a small part of ID-55 near Horseshoe Bend, part of US-93 near Twin Falls, and Addison Ave (a county road!) near Twin Falls. Though there are probably more I don't know about. It's a lot more common in Northern Idaho, with it being used quite a bit on roads like US-95.
65: Very common. The default on many of the more rural and straight/flat 2 lane highways (eg. most of US-20, large parts of US-95, and many more). Also the urban freeway speed limit.
70: Used to be very uncommon with probably only I-90 using it, but now it is used on non-interstate freeways like US-20 east of Idaho Falls and US-95 North of CDA. Also some very rural 2 lane highways were raised to 70 like US-20 between Idaho Falls and Arco, and some other highways in that area like I believe both ID-22 and ID-33.
75: This is easily the winner. As far as I know, only I-90 uses 75 MPH, and I'm not exactly sure how long the 75 is posted, but not super long as that highway fluctuates between 55 and 75.
80: Very common, used on all rural segments of I-84, I-86, and I-15.

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 16, 2021, 02:26:52 PM

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 02:17:03 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 01:53:51 PM

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 12:53:06 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 12:52:22 AM
I'd say 50 is a better choice: Most places have some 50 zones, but there's nowhere where they're particularly prevalent.

Go drive in New England.  50 is everywhere over there.  Vermont in particular uses it as the default and won't sign 55 on anything that isn't limited access (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4331081,-72.089362,3a,56.3y,98.84h,76.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sn7Aoadm3qR4AXkSOce0DjA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192).

Whoops... Yes, I did forget about Vermont and their 50 mph default. That might be the only state where 50 is that common though, as almost everywhere else uses 55 or higher as their rural default.

It's really common in MA, NH, and ME too.

I seem to recall seeing a fair amount of 50-mph limits in New York City over the years (the West Shore, Staten Island, and Gowanus Expressways and the Belt Parkway have all been posted at 50 for as long as I can remember, for example). Of course that's not necessarily relevant to the state as a whole.

Yeah, NYC set 50 as the maximum speed limit in the city, so that's what all the freeways that don't have a lower limit are set at.

60 is surprisingly uncommon in Ohio (at least for Cincinnati and Columbus). Only freeway I know of in the Cincinnati area that uses 60 is Reagan Hwy west of I-75. Urban freeways are either signed at 55 or 65.

Meanwhile in my old home of St Louis, 60 seems to be the default speed limit of freeways in the Missouri side of the metro, with a drop to 55 on I-70 when nearing downtown. 65 is rare here, as the interstates go directly from 60 to 70 when leaving the suburbs.

In China, 90 (km/h) and 110 are rare numbers for speed limits, because of their tendency to use multiples of 20 for speed limit on freeways, so 80, 100 and 120 are the most common. Though both 90 and 110 are used in some places. It seems like 80+ are only used on freeways and expressways, so major urban arterials/boulevards have to use a speed limit of 70 or below, and every number in increments of 10 from 70 and under are used frequently.

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 08:55:42 PM

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 16, 2021, 02:26:52 PM

Quote from: vdeane on February 16, 2021, 02:17:03 PM

Quote from: webny99 on February 16, 2021, 01:53:51 PM
Whoops... Yes, I did forget about Vermont and their 50 mph default. That might be the only state where 50 is that common though, as almost everywhere else uses 55 or higher as their rural default.

It's really common in MA, NH, and ME too.

I seem to recall seeing a fair amount of 50-mph limits in New York City over the years (the West Shore, Staten Island, and Gowanus Expressways and the Belt Parkway have all been posted at 50 for as long as I can remember, for example). Of course that's not necessarily relevant to the state as a whole.

Yeah, NYC set 50 as the maximum speed limit in the city, so that's what all the freeways that don't have a lower limit are set at.

Yeah, perhaps 50 is more common than I gave it credit for, but with regard to NYC, that isn't reflective of the state as a whole. Is there even a dozen examples of 50 zones north of the Catskills? I think there's a couple in the Finger Lakes, but am having a brain freeze as to where they are at the moment. In most cases, if 55 is to high it's 45 instead.

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 16, 2021, 09:25:51 PM
Meanwhile in my old home of St Louis, 60 seems to be the default speed limit of freeways in the Missouri side of the metro, with a drop to 55 on I-70 when nearing downtown. 65 is rare here, as the interstates go directly from 60 to 70 when leaving the suburbs.

* I-44 has an annoyingly long 65 mph segment west of MO 141 to the Franklin County line, partly due to a number of fatal wrecks near Six Flags.  Used to go from 60 to 70 west of MO 141.
* I-55 has a 65 mph segment from south of Butler Hill Road (https://goo.gl/maps/cBqRfY6thSqLyZ5F9) to around Richardson Road (where the limit goes up to 70).  Used to go from 70 to 60 around Richardson Road.
* US 40 has a 65 mph segment west of Route K in St. Charles County (https://goo.gl/maps/3WsAohmJ5LLamx4c9)
* I think I-70 spends some time at 65 in St. Charles County before going to 70 west of Wentzville Parkway
* MO 21 in Jefferson County is posted at 65.
* US 67 goes to 65 a little bit west of I-55 in Jefferson County

I'd be willing to bet that there is not a single 60 MPH speed limit sign in WI. 50 and 40 are also somewhat uncommon.

Here's what I've seen so far around Maine, NH and Massachusetts (warning, this is a bit long):



   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

SL MPH (km/h)	Maine	New Hampshire	Massachusetts
10 (16)	ME Tpke toll plaza speed limit. Extremely uncommon  outside of the ME Tpke.	Extremely uncommon	Extremely uncommon
15 (24)	Default and maximum school speed limit, extremely uncommon  outside of school zones.	Extremely uncommon	Extremely uncommon
20 (32)	Extremely uncommon	Common speed limit for school zones in an existing 25 (40) or 30 (48) zone. Extremely uncommon elsewhere, though I have seen it on a few Portsmouth residential streets.	Common speed limit for school zones in a "thickly settled" area. Some (residential) streets and a few side roads post this as well.
25 (40)	Common residential/urban speed limit	Standard residential/urban speed limit. Toll plaza speed limit for E-ZPass lanes.	Common residential/urban speed limit
30 (48)	Residential/urban speed limit. Portland posts most streets at 30 (48)	Residential/urban speed limit. Seen it used in a few school zones (commonly when limit was 40 (64).	Common residential/urban speed limit. Seen it used in a few school zones.
35 (56)	Common on suburban arterial type roads as well as a few back roads as well.	Common on suburban arterial type roads as well as a few back roads as well.	Common on suburban arterial type roads as well as a few back roads as well.
40 (64)	Common on suburban arterial type roads as well as a few rural highways as well.	Very common on suburban arterial type roads, especially thru Nashua	Common on suburban arterial type roads as well as a few rural highways as well. Inclement weather, such as snow, will lower the speed limit to this.
45 (72)	Common on suburban arterial type roads as well as a few rural highways as well. Inclement weather, such as snow, will lower the speed limit to this.	Common on suburban arterial type roads as well as a few rural highways as well. Inclement weather, such as snow, will lower the speed limit to this.	Haven't seen it much on suburban arterial type roads as well as a few rural highways as well. This is the speed limit on I-90 and 93 thru Downtown Boston.
50 (80)	Very ubiquitous on rural (2-lane) highways, this is the limit on I-295 thru Downtown Portland.	Very ubiquitous on rural (2-lane) highways, this is the limit on I-293 thru Downtown Manchester.	Very ubiquitous on both rural and urban highways, as well as a few limited-access arterials
55 (88)	A few, but common (2-lane) rural highways here have this limit posted. This is also the limit on I-295 from MM0-4.46.	NHDOT tends to only post this limit on "higher quality" highways. This is also the default urban speed limit on most freeways.	Have only seen this limit on freeways (and portions of MA-2) so far.
60 (96)	Only on these stretches: I-95 from MM43.51 to 51.62 and 180.89 to 185.73 I-395 from MM0.0 to 2.05 US 1 on the limited access segment between Brunswick and Bath All of the Scarborough Connector (unsigned SR 701) and the Falmouth Spur	Extremely uncommon (seen it used in a work zone once), no highways in the area has this limit posted	Only have seen it from MA 3 from the Braintree Split to somewhere around the Sagamore Bridge
65 (104)	Former common non-urban freeway speed limit, now only: I-95: South of MM2.2, 108.09 - 111.42, 125.72 - 131.87, and   for a short stretch east of MM 300.05 (NB) I-295 from MM9.45 to 31.04 I-395 east of MM 2.05	Common non-urban freeway speed limit	Common non-urban freeway speed limit
70 (112)	Only on these stretches: I-95 from MM2.2 - 43.51, 51.62 - 108.09, 111.42 - 125.72, 131.87 - 180.89, and 185.73 - 191.37 I-295 north of MM31.04 to northern terminus	Only on I-93 from MM 45.3 to the Vermont border, excluding the Franconia Notch Parkway	No highways in the area has this limit
75 (120)	Only on I-95 from MM191.37 to 300.05 (NB) and 302.93 (SB)	No highways in the area has this limit	No highways in the area has this limit

I've seen more 45s than 50s in Massachusetts.

In Puerto Rico, 50 is common on expressways.  55 is common on non-tolled freeways and PR-22 in the San Juan metro area.  The only 60 that I know of is on part of PR-53 in the east side of the island.  65 as far as I know is only on the tolled Autopistas.

I'll break down Texas:

20: Very uncommon from what I've seen.
25: Common residential limit.
30: Fairly common, but not used as much as 25 and 35.
35: Common on many different types of urban roads.
40: Hardly used from my experience.
45: Ubiquitous on many different types of roads.
50: Used more than 40 but less than 30, so relatively uncommon.
55: Used a bit more than 50. Extremely rarely found on freeways, but many state and US highways use this speed limit for some amount of time.
60: The default urban freeway speed limit. Not really used much of anywhere else.
65: Very common to see this limit posted on suburban freeways and ruralish highways.
70: Uncommon, less than 50 but more than 40.
75: Very common rural speed limit on freeways, highways, and even two-lane roads.
80: Only on extremely rural freeways.
85: Only on TX-130.

Edit: Updated 55 to reflect kphoger's counterexample

Quote from: 1 on February 17, 2021, 06:03:44 AM
I've seen more 45s than 50s in Massachusetts.

What kind of roads have you seen more 45 (72)'s? The only 45's in Mass I've seen so far are on the freeway...

Quote from: fwydriver405 on February 17, 2021, 11:09:04 PM

Quote from: 1 on February 17, 2021, 06:03:44 AM
I've seen more 45s than 50s in Massachusetts.

What kind of roads have you seen more 45 (72)'s? The only 45's in Mass I've seen so far are on the freeway...

MA 114 in North Andover/Middleton, MA 110 in Dracut and Methuen/Haverhill (these are two separate segments), and I believe a short segment of 28 just north of 125. 50 is pretty much nonexistent here except for 125 between 93 and 114, which is an expressway.

Quote from: 1 on February 18, 2021, 07:23:06 AM

Quote from: fwydriver405 on February 17, 2021, 11:09:04 PM

Quote from: 1 on February 17, 2021, 06:03:44 AM
I've seen more 45s than 50s in Massachusetts.

What kind of roads have you seen more 45 (72)'s? The only 45's in Mass I've seen so far are on the freeway...

MA 114 in North Andover/Middleton, MA 110 in Dracut and Methuen/Haverhill (these are two separate segments), and I believe a short segment of 28 just north of 125. 50 is pretty much nonexistent here except for 125 between 93 and 114, which is an expressway.

50 is all over rural roads in western and central MA, though.

Quote from: CoreySamson on February 17, 2021, 09:04:42 PM
Texas:

55: Not found on freeways

Wow, I this hadn't occurred to me before now.

Quote from: kphoger on February 18, 2021, 10:14:08 AM

Quote from: CoreySamson on February 17, 2021, 09:04:42 PM
Texas:

55: Not found on freeways

Wow, I this hadn't occurred to me before now.

I thought it was all over Houston. When did this change?

Quote from: jakeroot on February 18, 2021, 02:07:08 PM

Quote from: kphoger on February 18, 2021, 10:14:08 AM

Quote from: CoreySamson on February 17, 2021, 09:04:42 PM
Texas:

55: Not found on freeways

Wow, I this hadn't occurred to me before now.

I thought it was all over Houston. When did this change?

Houston is mostly 60-65 mph IIRC.

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 18, 2021, 10:16:09 PM

Quote from: jakeroot on February 18, 2021, 02:07:08 PM

Quote from: kphoger on February 18, 2021, 10:14:08 AM

Quote from: CoreySamson on February 17, 2021, 09:04:42 PM
Texas:

55: Not found on freeways

Wow, I this hadn't occurred to me before now.

I thought it was all over Houston. When did this change?

Houston is mostly 60-65 mph IIRC.

From Googling: looks like 55 was removed from Houston freeways nearly 20 years ago. Where have I been....

Quote from: kphoger on February 18, 2021, 10:14:08 AM

Quote from: CoreySamson on February 17, 2021, 09:04:42 PM
Texas:

55: Not found on freeways

Wow, I this hadn't occurred to me before now.

Finally found a counterexample.

I-27 NB, approaching downtown Amarillo (https://goo.gl/maps/PZJ5eDLDZKCgrZ7L9)

Quote from: cabiness42 on February 16, 2021, 12:06:41 PM
There are no freeways posted at 60 in Indiana.

The US-41 / US-50 freeway around Vincennes, IN is posted at 60 mph.

Nevada tends to use speed limits ending in "5" rather than ending in "0". My guess is 40 is the least common speed limit posted.

20: Not very common, but sometimes used as a residential speed limit in smaller towns
25: Default residential street speed limit and minor collector speed limit
30: Used for some minor collectors and minor arterials, and a few downtown
35: Most common major collector and arterial speed limit; Common "downgrade" speed of a rural highway through small rural towns
40: Rare. (I can think of one example in North Las Vegas and possibly one in Reno.)
45: Common major arterial speed limit (especially common for 3-lane arterials in the Las Vegas area)
50: Not super common, but used on some urban arterials (most of McCarran Blvd in Reno) and some rural roads
55: Common on rural roads & highways
60: Not very common, but used on some rural highways
65: Default urban freeway speed; default for some rural highways
70: Default rural two-lane US highway speed; used on some rural divided highways; I-15 south of Las Vegas
75: Common rural Interstate speed (portions of I-80 in central/Eastern Nevada and I-15 north of Las Vegas)
80: Used on some rural Interstates (portions of I-80 in central/Eastern Nevada and I-15 north of Las Vegas)

(My use of the term "default" here is not representative of any legal/statutory speed limit, but rather what seems to be the commonly-posted speeds by the various transportation agencies.)


EDIT: After looking at a 2019 NDOT speed limit map, updated my post to strikethrough inaccuracies and underline new additions

Quote from: roadfro on February 20, 2021, 04:42:48 PM
80: Used on some rural Interstates (portions of I-80 in central/Eastern Nevada and I-15 north of Las Vegas)

I thought only I-80 received the 80 mph speed limit.

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 20, 2021, 08:14:22 PM

Quote from: roadfro on February 20, 2021, 04:42:48 PM
80: Used on some rural Interstates (portions of I-80 in central/Eastern Nevada and I-15 north of Las Vegas)

I thought only I-80 received the 80 mph speed limit.

I seem to recall reading an article that NDOT was going to put some 80 zones on I-15 north of Las Vegas as well as expand the 80 zones along I-80. Perhaps they were just studying it and haven't done it yet...? I haven't seen it in person to confirm.

I'll edit my previous post...after looking at an NDOT 2019 speed limit map, there are a lot more two-lane rural state highways posted at 70 than just the U.S. Routes.

Quote from: roadfro on February 20, 2021, 08:41:23 PM
I'll edit my previous post...after looking at an NDOT 2019 speed limit map, there are a lot more two-lane rural state highways posted at 70 than just the U.S. Routes.

There’s places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That’s new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn’t 70 be a bit fast, since there’s no median and turn radius aren’t as restrictive as interstates?

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 20, 2021, 08:51:49 PM

Quote from: roadfro on February 20, 2021, 08:41:23 PM
I'll edit my previous post...after looking at an NDOT 2019 speed limit map, there are a lot more two-lane rural state highways posted at 70 than just the U.S. Routes.

There's places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That's new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn't 70 be a bit fast, since there's no median and turn radius aren't as restrictive as interstates?

These areas tend to be very rural and have good sightlines.

Quote from: jayhawkco on February 15, 2021, 08:40:51 PM

Quote from: interstatefan990 on February 15, 2021, 06:06:06 PM
What is the least commonly posted speed limit in the US? This excludes anything below 20 MPH or above 80 MPH, and temporary work zones.

My guess would be 60, I don't know if it's just me but the only times I've ever seen that anywhere in the Northeast was approaching a couple of population centers along I-95/Maine Turnpike. Maybe it's more common elsewhere?

I-25 has a 60 mph zone on the south side of downtown, but off the top of my head, that's the only one in Colorado.  There are no 70 mph zones that I'm aware of.  I also can't picture a 50 mph, but I'm less confident in my take there.

Chris

I found another 60 mph.  Coming from the west into Walsenburg on US160.

Chris

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 20, 2021, 08:51:49 PM
There's places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That's new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn't 70 be a bit fast, since there's no median and turn radius aren't as restrictive as interstates?

Uh.  Yeah.  Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada........ plenty of states.

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 20, 2021, 08:51:49 PM

Quote from: roadfro on February 20, 2021, 08:41:23 PM
I'll edit my previous post...after looking at an NDOT 2019 speed limit map, there are a lot more two-lane rural state highways posted at 70 than just the U.S. Routes.

There's places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That's new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn't 70 be a bit fast, since there's no median and turn radius aren't as restrictive as interstates?

Plenty of states post above 55 mph. Texas has many at 75 mph.

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 20, 2021, 08:51:49 PM
There's places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That's new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn't 70 be a bit fast, since there's no median and turn radius aren't as restrictive as interstates?

As you'll recall, I got assaulted with opposition for having this same exact viewpoint in the Unpopular US Route Opinions thread.  :spin:

Quote from: interstatefan990 on January 31, 2021, 04:42:59 AM
My unpopular opinion: Some US Routes are dangerous. Example: US 50 in Nevada. An undivided two lane highway with a speed limit of up to 70 miles per hour, faster than all freeways in some states. One accidental bump of the steering wheel or boredom-induced drowsiness (especially on desolate, rural stretches) on your part or oncoming traffic's part, and it's game over for the both of you. A lot of other US routes are similar. I would much better prefer to take a divided, controlled access freeway.

Quote from: Ketchup99 on February 15, 2021, 11:36:45 PM

Quote from: ilpt4u on February 15, 2021, 11:18:51 PM

Quote from: Ketchup99 on February 15, 2021, 11:02:03 PM
Pennsylvania:

60 - literally illegal

Dumb question time: Why is a speed limit of 60 MPH illegal in the Keystone State?

I've got a dumb answer. The highest allowable speed limit was - and still is, in most cases - 55mph until 1995. The legislature then passed a law permitting a 65mph limit on freeways, and then in 2013, they allowed a 70mph limit. But to this day, it is legal to post any speed up to 55, or it is legal to post 65, or it is legal to post 70. And many roads which would benefit from a 60mph limit (some desolate two-laners that should be 70 but the legislature would never, most rural divided highways that should also be 70 but the legislature would never, some urban highways...) are stuck at 55.

I believe many Northeastern states (NJ comes to mind) are in a similar predicament.

"Dang it, I really wanted to post a 69 MPH limit on the new section of PA 579" :banghead:

Quote from: kphoger on February 20, 2021, 10:41:52 PM

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 20, 2021, 08:51:49 PM
There's places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That's new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn't 70 be a bit fast, since there's no median and turn radius aren't as restrictive as interstates?

Uh.  Yeah.  Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada........ plenty of states.

I've seen 65 in Utah.

Quote from: TheGrassGuy on February 21, 2021, 07:14:36 AM

Quote from: kphoger on February 20, 2021, 10:41:52 PM

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 20, 2021, 08:51:49 PM
There's places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That's new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn't 70 be a bit fast, since there's no median and turn radius aren't as restrictive as interstates?

Uh.  Yeah.  Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada........ plenty of states.

I've seen 65 in Utah.

Plenty of 65 in Colorado.

Chris

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States

A whole lot of states have a maximum above 55 mph on undivided 2-lane roads, including most if not all western states. From my experience driving them, it is not at all too fast.

Quote from: US 89 on February 21, 2021, 10:13:51 AM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States

This link has an informative table of normal speed limits by state and road type, for anyone that's interested.

Also, this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States#/media/File:US_Speed_Limits.svg) is a great map - but why is Texas broken down by county?

Quote from: TheGrassGuy on February 21, 2021, 07:14:36 AM

Quote from: kphoger on February 20, 2021, 10:41:52 PM

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 20, 2021, 08:51:49 PM
There's places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That's new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn't 70 be a bit fast, since there's no median and turn radius aren't as restrictive as interstates?

Uh.  Yeah.  Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada........ plenty of states.

I've seen 65 in Utah.

East of the Mississippi, Florida has some two-lane roads posted at 60. I seem to recall at least one two-lane road in Alabama posted at 65 mph somewhere between Montgomery and Lake Martin back in 1997, which would be the only time I've seen anything higher than 60 on a two-lane road east of the Mississippi, but my memory may be mistaken.

Quote from: webny99 on February 21, 2021, 11:02:15 AM
Also, this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States#/media/File:US_Speed_Limits.svg) is a great map - but why is Texas broken down by county?

Probably to show that there's one, and only one freeway, in the state with an 85 mph limit

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 21, 2021, 11:18:37 AM

Quote from: webny99 on February 21, 2021, 11:02:15 AM
Also, this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States#/media/File:US_Speed_Limits.svg) is a great map - but why is Texas broken down by county?

Probably to show that there's one, and only one freeway, in the state with an 85 mph limit

Well, yes. But I would've thought they could color just those two counties dark blue and the rest of the state dark green for 80 mph.

Quote from: webny99 on February 21, 2021, 11:02:15 AM

Quote from: US 89 on February 21, 2021, 10:13:51 AM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States

This link has an informative table of normal speed limits by state and road type, for anyone that's interested.

Also, this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States#/media/File:US_Speed_Limits.svg) is a great map - but why is Texas broken down by county?

QuoteThis table contains the most usual posted daytime speed limits...They usually indicate, but not always, statutory speed limits.

That table got a little 'wide ranging' from what it used to be.  It's not really showing statutory speed limits anymore (which are usually 1 value) and not even "the most usual" speed limits.  Using Maryland for an example, is it really usual to find 40 mph urban freeway limits, or are we talking a very limited stretch of highway or 2 that has it posted for an unusual circumstance? 

The Texas map - I mentioned that in the past and got flack for questioning it, even though there are other states where a top posted speed limit could be county-specific as well.

The problem with both of Wikipedia's US speed limits articles is that people can't seem to treat them as overview articles that give the general sense of how things are in a given state and instead want to load them up with too much minute precision to be useful. Sometimes the singular exception can be significant, as in the case of the 85-mph speed limit in Texas. But people go overboard. Look at the North Carolina section of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States_by_jurisdiction. Trying to rein in that sort of excessive trivia is always an uphill battle on Wikipedia, though.

^

For Texas, highlighting the area of 85 mph may be reasonable, but all of 65 - 70 mph zones near Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Laredo, and various other areas are unnecessary. It could be argued even the 80 mph zones are unnecessary, when you look at states that only post their higher limits on specific segments, not the whole system. For example, Hawaii only posts 60 mph on two segments of I-H1 and I-H3, Alaska only posts 65 mph on the very few miles of freeway that exist in that state concentrated near urban areas, New Hampshire only posts 70 mph on I-93, Louisiana only posts 75 mph on I-49, Nevada only posts 80 mph on I-80, Oklahoma only posts 80 mph on small segments of Turnpike, etc. The whole state of Texas should have a blanket of 80 mph with the 85 mph zone outside Austin being the one exception.

5-20 MPH: Uncommon. Sometimes seen in parks, local roads, and private property. In the northern counties there are even 5 MPH suggested curves, was pretty surprised to learn of their existence. There are probably 10-20 MPH curve limits as well.
25-30 MPH: The most common speed limits on local roads. May also be seen in dangerous areas. 25 MPH is the default for school zones, sometimes lower.
35-40 MPH: Seen on arterials everywhere.
45 MPH: Seen on faster arterials. Not very common in urban areas.
50 MPH: Default speed limit for work zones. I might've seen some outside work zones, though.
55 MPH: Divided highways, and some freeways.
65 MPH: Most freeways outside of major cities.

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 21, 2021, 01:52:15 PM
^

For Texas, highlighting the area of 85 mph may be reasonable, but all of 65 - 70 mph zones near Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Laredo, and various other areas are unnecessary. It could be argued even the 80 mph zones are unnecessary, when you look at states that only post their higher limits on specific segments, not the whole system. For example, Hawaii only posts 60 mph on two segments of I-H1 and I-H3, Alaska only posts 65 mph on the very few miles of freeway that exist in that state concentrated near urban areas, New Hampshire only posts 70 mph on I-93, Louisiana only posts 75 mph on I-49, Nevada only posts 80 mph on I-80, Oklahoma only posts 80 mph on small segments of Turnpike, etc. The whole state of Texas should have a blanket of 80 mph with the 85 mph zone outside Austin being the one exception.

I can understand why Texas's 80-mph zones were notable at one point–when they first started posting it a few years back, they were the only state with an 80-mph limit. Fair enough. But once something gets added, it seldom gets subtracted. Similar to how people insist (wrongly, as it violates Wikipedia standards) on throwing in words like "currently" or "now" or similar and then they never go back and fix it when it's no longer valid.

I'd consider editing some of it except for the time it would take and, especially in the case of states west of the Mississippi, I don't feel like I've spent enough time in many states to have a sense for what's really a notable exception in a given state versus more standard stuff. As to Texas, for example, if I'm not mistaken, aren't the 80-mph zones mostly on I-10 and I-20 in western Texas, with 75 mph the norm in most other locations? (And, of course, the words "mostly" and "the norm" are what prompt the overzealous types to say, "Yes, but on 500 feet of this road it's different"....)

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 21, 2021, 02:45:00 PM
As to Texas, for example, if I'm not mistaken, aren't the 80-mph zones mostly on I-10 and I-20 in western Texas, with 75 mph the norm in most other locations?

That's correct, outside of SH-130 and SH-45 in Austin, the only 80 mph segments in Texas include I-10 between San Antonio and El Paso and I-20 west of Odessa.

All other rural interstate highways, along with rural roads in general, are usually posted at 75 mph.

There are some reasonable candidates for additional segments that could handle 80 mph, such as most of I-37, but that's a different topic.

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 16, 2021, 12:03:50 PM

Quote from: US 89 on February 15, 2021, 10:52:40 PM
I don't know of any 60 mph zones in Georgia off the top of my head. Other than the 70 mph interstate maximum, it's relatively rare to see an x0 speed limit in the greater Atlanta area.

I-20 through Atlanta is posted at 60 mph.

Heh, could have sworn it was 55...until I drove it today, saw it was 60, and thought of this thread!

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 21, 2021, 05:31:00 PM

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 21, 2021, 02:45:00 PM
As to Texas, for example, if I'm not mistaken, aren't the 80-mph zones mostly on I-10 and I-20 in western Texas, with 75 mph the norm in most other locations?

That's correct, outside of SH-130 and SH-45 in Austin, the only 80 mph segments in Texas include I-10 between San Antonio and El Paso and I-20 west of Odessa.

All other rural interstate highways, along with rural roads in general, are usually posted at 75 mph.

There are some reasonable candidates for additional segments that could handle 80 mph, such as most of I-37, but that's a different topic.

How much 80 MPH highway does Texas have compared to the other states that post 80? I'm not exactly sure where it lands on the list.

Regarding Texas, it's worth noting that the law allowing for 80 on I-10 and I-20 specifically allows for it in certain counties only.  The other law allowing up to 85 on roads "designed to accommodate travel at that established speed or a higher speed" was specifically written for the TX 130.  There also used to be environmental limits in the DFW area.  That's why it's broken out by county.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States_by_jurisdiction#80_and_85_mph_limits

Regarding the map, are they ever going to put Washington back to 70 as the state DOT declined to post any 75 zones?

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 21, 2021, 01:29:14 PM
The problem with both of Wikipedia's US speed limits articles is that people can't seem to treat them as overview articles that give the general sense of how things are in a given state and instead want to load them up with too much minute precision to be useful. Sometimes the singular exception can be significant, as in the case of the 85-mph speed limit in Texas. But people go overboard. Look at the North Carolina section of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States_by_jurisdiction. Trying to rein in that sort of excessive trivia is always an uphill battle on Wikipedia, though.

Yep, or just aren't accurate.  For New Jersey, the first line is: "New Jersey's only statutory speed limits are 50 mph rural, 25 mph urban. Since the state is largely suburbanized, it ranges between 25 and 50 mph depending the jurisdiction of the road and whether the municipality is township, village, town, borough or city status.".  The type of municipality has no bearing on what the speed limit can be.  Also, there's a 35 mph statutory limit that's not referenced here.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 22, 2021, 09:18:59 AM

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 21, 2021, 01:29:14 PM
The problem with both of Wikipedia's US speed limits articles is that people can't seem to treat them as overview articles that give the general sense of how things are in a given state and instead want to load them up with too much minute precision to be useful. Sometimes the singular exception can be significant, as in the case of the 85-mph speed limit in Texas. But people go overboard. Look at the North Carolina section of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States_by_jurisdiction. Trying to rein in that sort of excessive trivia is always an uphill battle on Wikipedia, though.

Yep, or just aren't accurate.  For New Jersey, the first line is: "New Jersey's only statutory speed limits are 50 mph rural, 25 mph urban. Since the state is largely suburbanized, it ranges between 25 and 50 mph depending the jurisdiction of the road and whether the municipality is township, village, town, borough or city status.".  The type of municipality has no bearing on what the speed limit can be.  Also, there's a 35 mph statutory limit that's not referenced here.

You should update it then!

Quote from: kphoger on February 20, 2021, 10:41:52 PM

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 20, 2021, 08:51:49 PM
There’s places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That’s new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn’t 70 be a bit fast, since there’s no median and turn radius aren’t as restrictive as interstates?

Uh.  Yeah.  Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada........ plenty of states.

Even Oregon of all states (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0047904,-117.7174297,3a,75y,17.49h,78.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFH7AY6LCTt__WN3K9mIR2g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) (though only on US-95).

And yeah, 70 is very reasonable on these highways. They are usually low traffic, high visibility, fairly straight and flat. I'm often pushing close to 80 on some of these and feel perfectly safe doing so.

Quote from: doorknob60 on February 22, 2021, 02:07:32 PM

Even Oregon of all states (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0047904,-117.7174297,3a,75y,17.49h,78.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFH7AY6LCTt__WN3K9mIR2g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) (though only on US-95).

And yeah, 70 is very reasonable on these highways. They are usually low traffic, high visibility, fairly straight and flat. I'm often pushing close to 80 on some of these and feel perfectly safe doing so.

That's surprising to me, but really quite appropriate.  The bad part about OR is that so many miles of interstate aren't posted that high.

Quote from: webny99 on February 21, 2021, 11:02:15 AM

Quote from: US 89 on February 21, 2021, 10:13:51 AM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States

This link has an informative table of normal speed limits by state and road type, for anyone that's interested.

Also, this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States#/media/File:US_Speed_Limits.svg) is a great map - but why is Texas broken down by county?

The answer is that only specific counties are allowed by law to have higher speed limits in Texas.  It really is a county-by-county thing in Texas.  Is there any other state that breaks down the maximum speed limit by county legislatively like that?

Quote from: vdeane on February 21, 2021, 08:59:18 PM
Regarding Texas, it's worth noting that the law allowing for 80 on I-10 and I-20 specifically allows for it in certain counties only.  The other law allowing up to 85 on roads "designed to accommodate travel at that established speed or a higher speed" was specifically written for the TX 130.  There also used to be environmental limits in the DFW area.  That's why it's broken out by county.

Exactly.

---

Quote from: TheGrassGuy on February 21, 2021, 07:14:36 AM

Quote from: kphoger on February 20, 2021, 10:41:52 PM

Quote from: SkyPesos on February 20, 2021, 08:51:49 PM
There's places that post 2 lane rural highways at 70 mph? That's new to me, only seen them at up to 55. Wouldn't 70 be a bit fast, since there's no median and turn radius aren't as restrictive as interstates?

Uh.  Yeah.  Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada........ plenty of states.

I've seen 65 in Utah.

Well yeah, so have I.  But I was replying with states I could think of with 70 mph on two-lane highways.

Quote from: deathtopumpkins on February 22, 2021, 11:11:38 AM

Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 22, 2021, 09:18:59 AM

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 21, 2021, 01:29:14 PM
The problem with both of Wikipedia's US speed limits articles is that people can't seem to treat them as overview articles that give the general sense of how things are in a given state and instead want to load them up with too much minute precision to be useful. Sometimes the singular exception can be significant, as in the case of the 85-mph speed limit in Texas. But people go overboard. Look at the North Carolina section of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States_by_jurisdiction. Trying to rein in that sort of excessive trivia is always an uphill battle on Wikipedia, though.

Yep, or just aren't accurate.  For New Jersey, the first line is: "New Jersey's only statutory speed limits are 50 mph rural, 25 mph urban. Since the state is largely suburbanized, it ranges between 25 and 50 mph depending the jurisdiction of the road and whether the municipality is township, village, town, borough or city status.".  The type of municipality has no bearing on what the speed limit can be.  Also, there's a 35 mph statutory limit that's not referenced here.

You should update it then!

Not worth the time.  Whoever made the original quote would just go back and replace it. 

Here is Arizona:


20 - Rare, found in some narrow streets in small towns.
25 - Very Common, found in most residential areas.
30 - Common, found in some larger neighborhoods and major roads in downtown areas.
35 - Common, found in some major roads in downtown areas.
40 - Somewhat Common, found on some city arterials.
45 - Very Common, found on most city arterials.
50 - Somewhat Common, found on some rural arterials.
55 - Very Common, found on many rural two-lane roads, and substandard urban freeways.
60 - Very Rare, only known example is SR 238.
65 - Very common, found on most urban freeways, mountainous rural freeways, and rural expressways and parkways, and some rural two-lane roads.
70 - No known examples.
75 - Very common, found on most rural Interstates.

Quote from: vdeane on February 21, 2021, 08:59:18 PM
Regarding the map, are they ever going to put Washington back to 70 as the state DOT declined to post any 75 zones?

The map's description is "[m]aximum state speed limits in the United States as of January 2017"; technically the maximum state speed limit in Washington, per RCW 46.61.410, is 75. It's just not posted. As far as I know, WA is the only state where the legal-maximum limit is not posted. So, point being, it's an unusual case but I think it would be incorrect to show it as 70 when the state does allow 75.

I would take "maximum state speed limits" to be the maximum POSTED.  And if we're going by what the law says, the Texas law doesn't say anything about counties when it says specifically engineered roads can be 85, so they shouldn't be split if that was the intent.

Washington isn't unique - Alaska can post up to 75 on freeways (http://www.dot.state.ak.us/edocs_code/edocs_document_relay_nativefile_bydocname.cfm?inline=1&ddocname=DOT-JNU_123035).  It's not 75 on the map, though.

^

Mississippi state law permits up to 80 mph on toll roads, however that limit is not posted on any roadway in the state, nor does a toll road exist in the state.

Using that logic, should Mississippi be marked for 80 mph despite the highest actual limit posted is 70 mph?

As I originally said in my post, my understanding was that the map reflected limits that could be posted, not necessarily limits that were posted. But if there are too many examples of actual posted limits being below some statutorily-permitted speed, then clearly the map should reflect actual posted limits.

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 24, 2021, 01:25:18 AM
Mississippi state law permits up to 80 mph on toll roads, however that limit is not posted on any roadway in the state, nor does a toll road exist in the state.

That strikes me as incredibly bizarre.

Didn't West Virginia allow their DOT to post 75-mph limits a few years back, but similar to Washington State, the DOT hasn't done so?

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 24, 2021, 07:34:46 AM
Didn't West Virginia allow their DOT to post 75-mph limits a few years back, but similar to Washington State, the DOT hasn't done so?

Yes, and such is mentioned in the Wikipedia article in question, but the map still shows it as 70. So there's another example.

Looks to me like Washington is the only state where that map reflects the maximum allowable rather than the maximum posted.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 22, 2021, 04:05:33 PM

Quote from: deathtopumpkins on February 22, 2021, 11:11:38 AM

Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 22, 2021, 09:18:59 AM

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 21, 2021, 01:29:14 PM
The problem with both of Wikipedia's US speed limits articles is that people can't seem to treat them as overview articles that give the general sense of how things are in a given state and instead want to load them up with too much minute precision to be useful. Sometimes the singular exception can be significant, as in the case of the 85-mph speed limit in Texas. But people go overboard. Look at the North Carolina section of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States_by_jurisdiction. Trying to rein in that sort of excessive trivia is always an uphill battle on Wikipedia, though.

Yep, or just aren't accurate.  For New Jersey, the first line is: "New Jersey's only statutory speed limits are 50 mph rural, 25 mph urban. Since the state is largely suburbanized, it ranges between 25 and 50 mph depending the jurisdiction of the road and whether the municipality is township, village, town, borough or city status.".  The type of municipality has no bearing on what the speed limit can be.  Also, there's a 35 mph statutory limit that's not referenced here.

You should update it then!

Not worth the time.  Whoever made the original quote would just go back and replace it.

Give the source as the law itself, and it shouldn't be challenged.

Quote from: deathtopumpkins on February 24, 2021, 09:27:35 AM

Quote from: 1995hoo on February 24, 2021, 07:34:46 AM
Didn't West Virginia allow their DOT to post 75-mph limits a few years back, but similar to Washington State, the DOT hasn't done so?

Yes, and such is mentioned in the Wikipedia article in question, but the map still shows it as 70. So there's another example.

Looks to me like Washington is the only state where that map reflects the maximum allowable rather than the maximum posted.

I have no clue how (nor really any ability) to edit a Wikipedia image (although I have uploaded photos once or twice), so I can't be of any help in updating that map. I wonder if this is something that should be raised on the talk page over there. The "Speed limits in the United States by jurisdiction" article has a discussion of the article getting too long (I've commented there and noted similar points to the ones I made here about excessive minutia), but the map itself has not been an object of discussion.

Quote from: jakeroot on February 24, 2021, 03:44:36 AM

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 24, 2021, 01:25:18 AM
Mississippi state law permits up to 80 mph on toll roads, however that limit is not posted on any roadway in the state, nor does a toll road exist in the state.

That strikes me as incredibly bizarre.

Since NMSL repeal, toll roads in Oklahoma have always been posted +5 above non-toll freeways. Right now, that means 80 for turnpikes and 75 for other freeways; before the most recent change it was 75 for turnpikes and 70 for freeways.

Could be that Mississippi intends on a similar structure if they ever build a toll road, they just haven't yet.

Quote from: Scott5114 on February 25, 2021, 06:51:23 PM
Since NMSL repeal, toll roads in Oklahoma have always been posted +5 above non-toll freeways. Right now, that means 80 for turnpikes and 75 for other freeways; before the most recent change it was 75 for turnpikes and 70 for freeways.

Well granted, most turnpike mileage is still posted at 75 mph. Only limited mileage on the best designed roads have been increased to 80 mph.

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 25, 2021, 07:38:15 PM

Quote from: Scott5114 on February 25, 2021, 06:51:23 PM
Since NMSL repeal, toll roads in Oklahoma have always been posted +5 above non-toll freeways. Right now, that means 80 for turnpikes and 75 for other freeways; before the most recent change it was 75 for turnpikes and 70 for freeways.

Well granted, most turnpike mileage is still posted at 75 mph. Only limited mileage on the best designed roads have been increased to 80 mph.

In Puerto Rico only toll roads are posted higher than 55 mph, although in theory any freeway can legally be posted up to 65 mph by statute.

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 25, 2021, 07:38:15 PM

Quote from: Scott5114 on February 25, 2021, 06:51:23 PM
Since NMSL repeal, toll roads in Oklahoma have always been posted +5 above non-toll freeways. Right now, that means 80 for turnpikes and 75 for other freeways; before the most recent change it was 75 for turnpikes and 70 for freeways.

Well granted, most turnpike mileage is still posted at 75 mph. Only limited mileage on the best designed roads have been increased to 80 mph.

So no 80 on the Cimarron?

Quote from: kphoger on February 26, 2021, 12:24:35 PM

Quote from: sprjus4 on February 25, 2021, 07:38:15 PM

Quote from: Scott5114 on February 25, 2021, 06:51:23 PM
Since NMSL repeal, toll roads in Oklahoma have always been posted +5 above non-toll freeways. Right now, that means 80 for turnpikes and 75 for other freeways; before the most recent change it was 75 for turnpikes and 70 for freeways.

Well granted, most turnpike mileage is still posted at 75 mph. Only limited mileage on the best designed roads have been increased to 80 mph.

So no 80 on the Cimarron?

I don't believe so, no.

Since everyone is doing these, figured I'd do New York:

20 MPH: Not too common, mostly used in school zones

25 MPH: Fairly common, now the default for NYC and also used in some school zones and lower-speed town roads

30 MPH: Very common, used on basically any non-freeway highway within a population center that has frequent driveways and intersections, and on most residential roads as well

35 MPH: Less common, used where 30 would be too slow but anything higher is too fast

40 MPH: Also less common, used mostly on arterials connecting residents to a town center or business area, and/or where 45 is too fast

45 MPH: Fairly common, used on roads approaching or passing through a town that has less frequent driveways and intersections, small parts of some expressways, and some windy rural routes

50 MPH: Uncommon, mostly used where 55 is just a tad too fast, includes but is not limited to expressways in and around NYC and on some stretches of parkway and state routes

55 MPH: Very common, this is the statewide maximum for undivided two lane roads. Used on many rural state routes, parkways, and interstates

60 MPH: Not used

65 MPH: Very common, used on rural and intercity Interstates.

70 MPH: Not used, even though it would make perfect sense in some places

75 MPH: Not used. Introduced as a bill in the 2013-2014 legislative session and was dropped like a hot potato

80 MPH: The stuff of my dreams

CT:
5, 10, 15: Private roads and some DOT maintenance roads and other state-owned facilities
20: Very rare, maybe used in state parks or narrow town roads
25: Ubiquitous
30: Ubiquitous
35: Ubiquitous
40: Ubiquitous
45: Reserved for through routes
50: Reserved for through routes, used extensively on urban sections of freeway
55: Maximum statutory speed limit for all at-grade roadways, currently not used on any. Used extensively on semi-urban stretches of freeway
60: Not used
65: Maximum statutory speed limit for all limited-access highways. Used where 50-55 does not apply.

Ontario:

30 km/h: Some residential areas
40 km/h: Default residential and downtown street limit
50 km/h: Default speed limit if unposted; usually for narrow, busy arterial roads
60 km/h: Normal busy arterial roads
70 km/h: Less busy artieral roads
80 km/h: Default rural speed limit
90 km/h: Freeway limit in twisty/narrow areas, also used on some rural throughfares
100 km/h: Default freeway speed limit
110 km/h: Currently exists on two stretches of freeway as a part of a pilot project - probably the rarest limit in the province

Quote from: andrepoiy on March 09, 2021, 08:59:14 PM
110 km/h: Currently exists on two stretches of freeway as a part of a pilot project - probably the rarest limit in the province

Aren't there three?  Part of ON 417, part of ON 402, and part of the QEW?

Quote from: vdeane on March 09, 2021, 09:29:35 PM

Quote from: andrepoiy on March 09, 2021, 08:59:14 PM
110 km/h: Currently exists on two stretches of freeway as a part of a pilot project - probably the rarest limit in the province

Aren't there three?  Part of ON 417, part of ON 402, and part of the QEW?

Perhaps there's 3, I don't really follow news outside of the GTA area.

In Massachusetts, it's obviously 60.

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 08, 2021, 01:38:22 AM
In Massachusetts, it's obviously 60.

It's also 60 in PA.  A few PennDOT districts will use it for construction zone speed limits where the speed limit is normally 70.  However, PA still refuses to use it as a conventional speed limit.

Quote from: MASTERNC on May 11, 2021, 03:36:17 PM

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 08, 2021, 01:38:22 AM
In Massachusetts, it's obviously 60.

It's also 60 in PA.  A few PennDOT districts will use it for construction zone speed limits where the speed limit is normally 70.  However, PA still refuses to use it as a conventional speed limit.

PA should bump urban areas up to 60. They bumped many rural areas to 70, it would make sense for there to be an interval of 10.

^

Well, in reality, first bump many of the exurban / suburban 55 mph zones to 65 mph. Then the more urban segments to 60 mph. Then anything left at 55 mph would be the most urban highways that truly cannot safely handle an increase.

Interesting. Here in WA, we increased all of our 55 freeway limits to 60 across the board in the late 90s (apart from very select segments), and just stopped there. Rural limits also went up by 5 (65 to 70), and again, stopped there.