Speed limit 60?

[HighwayStar]

I have seen 60 in more places than I remember.

To some extent though in PA and some nearby states I don't see as much 60. I think this is an effect of the max limit two lane roads being set to 45 or 55, so then for a freeway or other major road an additional 10 MPH makes more sense than only adding 5, hence you get 65.

Also a factor in this might be the national speed limit, which was 55 then 65.

[jp the roadgeek]

I have not seen a 60 MPH zone in CT, RI, NH, VT, NY, or NJ.  The only one in MA is the aforementioned MA 3.  Believe there are a couple in ME (I-195, and I-395 in Bangor come to mind).

[JREwing78]

60 isn't a common speed limit in Michigan ...

I can't think of a stretch of highway in Michigan that uses 60 mph...

If I am forgetting one mention it...

It is indeed quite rare outside of construction zones. There is a 60mph zone on (2-lane) US-2 east of Rapid River, posted recently enough that it doesn't show up on Google Street View. It's in an area that has fairly dense (for the rural U.P) mix of business and residential properties adjacent, as travelers are coming into a more urban area.

What confounds me is that there was enough of a concern that MDOT felt compelled to NOT post it for 65, but did feel compelled to bump it from the 55 mph it was set at previously. Other areas along the US-2 corridor east of Rapid River will wind down to 55 mph or 50 mph as appropriate for the more residential areas. But that one 60 mph zone stuck out at me, particularly considering far more remote areas of the U.P. *still* are posted for 55 mph.

In no sane, logical world of transportation does US-141 between Crystal Falls and Covington merit a *lower* speed limit than US-45, just like travel conditions don't merit M-117 having a lower speed limit (55 mph) than M-77 (65 mph). M-26 south of Houghton runs through miles and miles of nothing, and only merits a 55 mph limit.

If some wannabe U.P. politician ran on a platform of bumping the rest of the 2-lane highways up to 65 mph, that would probably drive a lot of Yoopers to the polling place. It seems after the Rick Snyder administration, the appetite from the legislature to bump speed limits has waned. But clearly, the U.P. hasn't been awash in bloodshed from horrible wrecks as a result of the sections of highway that got the nod to 65.

If you've guessed this one's a bit personal, it is. After spending significant portions of my life criss-crossing the U.P. at 55 mph, that speed limit bump was welcome. Now finish the flippin' job already!

[Great Lakes Roads]

60 isn't a common speed limit in Michigan ...

I can't think of a stretch of highway in Michigan that uses 60 mph...

If I am forgetting one mention it...

It is indeed quite rare outside of construction zones. There is a 60mph zone on (2-lane) US-2 east of Rapid River, posted recently enough that it doesn't show up on Google Street View. It's in an area that has fairly dense (for the rural U.P) mix of business and residential properties adjacent, as travelers are coming into a more urban area.

What confounds me is that there was enough of a concern that MDOT felt compelled to NOT post it for 65, but did feel compelled to bump it from the 55 mph it was set at previously. Other areas along the US-2 corridor east of Rapid River will wind down to 55 mph or 50 mph as appropriate for the more residential areas. But that one 60 mph zone stuck out at me, particularly considering far more remote areas of the U.P. *still* are posted for 55 mph.

In no sane, logical world of transportation does US-141 between Crystal Falls and Covington merit a *lower* speed limit than US-45, just like travel conditions don't merit M-117 having a lower speed limit (55 mph) than M-77 (65 mph). M-26 south of Houghton runs through miles and miles of nothing, and only merits a 55 mph limit.

If some wannabe U.P. politician ran on a platform of bumping the rest of the 2-lane highways up to 65 mph, that would probably drive a lot of Yoopers to the polling place. It seems after the Rick Snyder administration, the appetite from the legislature to bump speed limits has waned. But clearly, the U.P. hasn't been awash in bloodshed from horrible wrecks as a result of the sections of highway that got the nod to 65.

If you've guessed this one's a bit personal, it is. After spending significant portions of my life criss-crossing the U.P. at 55 mph, that speed limit bump was welcome. Now finish the flippin' job already!

There is a 60 mph zone on I-75 on both sides of the Mackinac Bridge. Heading NB and SB before the Mackinac bridge, it goes like this: 75 mph -> 60 mph -> 45 mph...

[Scott5114]

60 is the usual urban freeway limit in Oklahoma.

[HighwayStar]

If some wannabe U.P. politician ran on a platform of bumping the rest of the 2-lane highways up to 65 mph, that would probably drive a lot of Yoopers to the polling place. It seems after the Rick Snyder administration, the appetite from the legislature to bump speed limits has waned. But clearly, the U.P. hasn't been awash in bloodshed from horrible wrecks as a result of the sections of highway that got the nod to 65.

If you've guessed this one's a bit personal, it is. After spending significant portions of my life criss-crossing the U.P. at 55 mph, that speed limit bump was welcome. Now finish the flippin' job already!

Vote for me, vote for me
I want the nomination for the Presidency
Vote for me, vote for me
If I am elected, this is how it will be.
I'll cut your tax in half
I'll make the Russians laugh
I'll feed the hungry people everywhere.
I'll bring the highways back
Get us on the right track
With no speed limits from Waikiki to old Delaware.

[Flint1979]

60 isn't a common speed limit in Michigan ...

I can't think of a stretch of highway in Michigan that uses 60 mph...

If I am forgetting one mention it...

It is indeed quite rare outside of construction zones. There is a 60mph zone on (2-lane) US-2 east of Rapid River, posted recently enough that it doesn't show up on Google Street View. It's in an area that has fairly dense (for the rural U.P) mix of business and residential properties adjacent, as travelers are coming into a more urban area.

What confounds me is that there was enough of a concern that MDOT felt compelled to NOT post it for 65, but did feel compelled to bump it from the 55 mph it was set at previously. Other areas along the US-2 corridor east of Rapid River will wind down to 55 mph or 50 mph as appropriate for the more residential areas. But that one 60 mph zone stuck out at me, particularly considering far more remote areas of the U.P. *still* are posted for 55 mph.

In no sane, logical world of transportation does US-141 between Crystal Falls and Covington merit a *lower* speed limit than US-45, just like travel conditions don't merit M-117 having a lower speed limit (55 mph) than M-77 (65 mph). M-26 south of Houghton runs through miles and miles of nothing, and only merits a 55 mph limit.

If some wannabe U.P. politician ran on a platform of bumping the rest of the 2-lane highways up to 65 mph, that would probably drive a lot of Yoopers to the polling place. It seems after the Rick Snyder administration, the appetite from the legislature to bump speed limits has waned. But clearly, the U.P. hasn't been awash in bloodshed from horrible wrecks as a result of the sections of highway that got the nod to 65.

If you've guessed this one's a bit personal, it is. After spending significant portions of my life criss-crossing the U.P. at 55 mph, that speed limit bump was welcome. Now finish the flippin' job already!

There is a 60 mph zone on I-75 on both sides of the Mackinac Bridge. Heading NB and SB before the Mackinac bridge, it goes like this: 75 mph -> 60 mph -> 45 mph...

Which isn't common for Michigan.

[skluth]

If some wannabe U.P. politician ran on a platform of bumping the rest of the 2-lane highways up to 65 mph, that would probably drive a lot of Yoopers to the polling place. It seems after the Rick Snyder administration, the appetite from the legislature to bump speed limits has waned. But clearly, the U.P. hasn't been awash in bloodshed from horrible wrecks as a result of the sections of highway that got the nod to 65.

If you've guessed this one's a bit personal, it is. After spending significant portions of my life criss-crossing the U.P. at 55 mph, that speed limit bump was welcome. Now finish the flippin' job already!

I can't imagine many UP residents not wanting a higher speed limit. Those highways are almost empty between towns, especially over the winter. (I grew up in GB and spent parts of every summer in the UP.) I think there's even fewer people now that KI Sawyer and Kinross bases closed. I don't remember the speed limit in Michigan before everything went to 55 in the 70's. But I remember thinking it took forever riding with my family to Mackinac Island on vacation all three times we went. No idea if Mackinac Island is as charming now, but it was cool back in the 60s.

[Bruce]

60 mph is the standard urban freeway speed limit in Washington and some of Oregon (excluding Portland, which has 50/55 sections due to the outdated road designs).

It's a pretty comfortable speed given how busy I-5 and other major freeways around Seattle are, though might be too fast for the downtown weaves.

[jeffandnicole]

NJ had one 60 mph zone - as a construction speed limit on the AC Expressway during a median project that required some minor shifting of lanes.

When NJ allowed 65 mph driving, it also included a provision where certain fines are doubled in 65 mph zones. For speeding, the fine is doubled if a motorist was going 10 mph or greater over the limit (75+ mph).  But as a result, if there was a 60 mph zone, a motorist going 15 mph over the limit (75+ mph) would be fined the standard amount.  It created an inequality in which the state simply doesn't use 60 mph zones. 

Back to the first example: Since a work zone limit is a double fine starting at 1 mph over the limit, it's not affected like the above so 60 mph would be fine in work zones.

[Flint1979]

If some wannabe U.P. politician ran on a platform of bumping the rest of the 2-lane highways up to 65 mph, that would probably drive a lot of Yoopers to the polling place. It seems after the Rick Snyder administration, the appetite from the legislature to bump speed limits has waned. But clearly, the U.P. hasn't been awash in bloodshed from horrible wrecks as a result of the sections of highway that got the nod to 65.

If you've guessed this one's a bit personal, it is. After spending significant portions of my life criss-crossing the U.P. at 55 mph, that speed limit bump was welcome. Now finish the flippin' job already!

I can't imagine many UP residents not wanting a higher speed limit. Those highways are almost empty between towns, especially over the winter. (I grew up in GB and spent parts of every summer in the UP.) I think there's even fewer people now that KI Sawyer and Kinross bases closed. I don't remember the speed limit in Michigan before everything went to 55 in the 70's. But I remember thinking it took forever riding with my family to Mackinac Island on vacation all three times we went. No idea if Mackinac Island is as charming now, but it was cool back in the 60s.

Mackinac Island is still pretty cool to visit. I haven't been there in awhile but I always have fun whenever I go.

[Revive 755]

Some of the Suburban Chicago Expressways have a posted 60. They first popped up on I-290 between I-90 and I-294. After that, ISTHA adopted the 60 MPH for I-88 & I-355 in DuPage County.  The shocker is that I-90 from Arlington Hts Rd heading west and I-355 south of I-55 is a posted 70 despite being truly suburban tollways.

ISTHA has a couple more 60 mph sections:
* On I-90 from around where I-490 will connect to around the River Road Toll Plaza.
* On I-294 from I-94 to a little north of I-90.
* Seems like there was another 60 mph stetch on I-294 from somewhere south of I-55 to some point prior to I-80.

As for other 60 mph segments in Illinois:

* I-74 through Champaign-Urbana
* Possibly I-255 near the Jefferson Barracks Bridge.  It used to be specifically signed for westbound.  Eastbound kind of has an implied 60 mph limit since there are no other speed limit signs between the one east of the bridge and the state line.

[froggie]

Can confirm that no 60MPH exists in Vermont.  As it is, only the Interstates and the freeway section of US 4 west of Rutland are allowed to be over 55.

[bassoon1986]

60 mph is a funny one in Louisiana. You tend to see it mostly on interstates when speed limit drops from either 70 or 75 into an urban area.

The maximum on 2 lane highways or 4 lanes non divided is 55 mph. On 4 lane divided highways you don't tend to see 60 because speed usually jumps from 55 to 65.

Alexandria/Pineville recently increased US 71/US 165 to 60 mph. It's kind of a mixed expressway from the LA 1 interchange to US 167 in the Kingsville area. It is definitely warranted but just different to see on an urban arterial.


iPhone

[tolbs17]

This looks like a nice highway to implement 60 mph on. It's currently signed 55 but with all those rumble strips, it should be 60!

https://goo.gl/maps/qkSFxEXJS2xA8rTn8

[US 89]

This looks like a nice highway to implement 60 mph on. It's currently signed 55 but with all those rumble strips, it should be 60!

https://goo.gl/maps/qkSFxEXJS2xA8rTn8

Without even clicking, I figured this was going to be in NC, probably somewhere close to Greenville. Guess what? I was right.

More specifically, it is a 2-lane undivided highway in North Carolina. Given that very few states east of the Plains allow speed limits greater than 55 on 2-lane roads, and NC law currently bans >55 limits on roads that aren't interstates or controlled-access highways... don't expect to see any changes anytime soon.

[sprjus4]

^ Realistically, a good majority of the two lane roads should be 65 mph, though yes, technically by state law it will never exceed 55 mph.

[Flint1979]

Last summer I went up to Munising and of course you drive across the Mackinac Bridge and take US-2 west to M-77 but when I was on US-2 with the speed limit at 65 I had no problems going 75 mph in multiple stretches. There is very little traffic between the towns and US-2 is a good roadway to drive faster on. I think that the rural speed limit should be 65 mph on two lane roads.

[GMoney0805]

Scrolling through here, I saw no one mentioned my home state of North Dakota. The only place I've seen a 60 mph zone in the state is on I-94 in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Only other urban interstate speed limits are in Fargo, being 55-65 mph on I-29 and I-94.


iPhone

[RoadMaster09]

In Indiana, 60 is the standard speed limit for rural 4-lane non-freeways. Freeways, however, don't use a speed limit of 60 with one exception near Evansville. They go 70->65->55.

Which is still quite low for such in my opinion. Generally, I'd go 65 mph on such routes unless there are signalized intersections (which, on the NHS routes that are 4 lane expressways, shouldn't exist) or numerous entrances, although 70+ mph may be reasonable if it's in a remote area with mostly very low volume crossroads.

[fwydriver405]

Believe there are a couple in ME (I-195, and I-395 in Bangor come to mind).

In Maine, Title 29-A, §2073, states that the MaineDOT commissioner, with State Police approval, can post a maximum limit of 60 MPH statewide, with the exception of Interstates and other freeways, where that limit is 75 MPH.

The commissioner may not set maximums that exceed 60 miles per hour or, on the interstate system or other divided controlled-access highways, 75 miles per hour.

The Maine Turnpike Authority sets the speed limit on MeTA controlled roads, not MaineDOT as noted below:

The commissioner may not set maximums for the Maine Turnpike.

Nevertheless, 60 MPH zones are present on:
- I-95 between Exit 44 in South Portland and Exit 53 in Falmouth, as well as between Exit 182 A-B and 187 in Bangor.
- I-195 (mentioned) between Exit 1 and just before ME Route 5.
- I-295 NB after the Gardiner Toll Plaza has a brief 60 MPH limit between there and when it merges with I-95. The SB ramps from I-95, however, are posted at 50 MPH until the toll plaza.
- I-395 (mentioned) has one between just after Exit 1 in Bangor and just before Exit 5 in Brewer.
- I-495 (unsigned, the Falmouth Spur) on most of its length.
- US Route 1, on the freeway segment between Brunswick and Bath.
- ME 701 (Scarborough Connector) on most of its length.
- Single lane closures (usually for short-term work zones) on the three lane stretches of the Maine Turnpike between MM2.2 and 44 are usually posted at 60 MPH.

[roadman65]

South Carolina has 60 zones on some rural non freeway divided highways.

Missouri and Florida post 60 mph on rural two lane roads.

[LilianaUwU]

100 km/h (which is 62 mph) is the default speed limit for freeways in Québec. On the other hand, 60 km/h is a rare speed limit, or at least I see way less roads limited at 60 km/h compared to 50 or 70 km/h.

[1995hoo]

100 km/h (which is 62 mph) is the default speed limit for freeways in Québec. On the other hand, 60 km/h is a rare speed limit, or at least I see way less roads limited at 60 km/h compared to 50 or 70 km/h.

You don't say...!

In Québec, 60 km/h is a fairly uncommon speed limit, as the limit will usually be 50 or 70 km/h. As for 60 mph (100 km/h), only freeways go that fast, and some urban freeways go even lower.

[LilianaUwU]

100 km/h (which is 62 mph) is the default speed limit for freeways in Québec. On the other hand, 60 km/h is a rare speed limit, or at least I see way less roads limited at 60 km/h compared to 50 or 70 km/h.

You don't say...!

In Québec, 60 km/h is a fairly uncommon speed limit, as the limit will usually be 50 or 70 km/h. As for 60 mph (100 km/h), only freeways go that fast, and some urban freeways go even lower.

God dammit. I knew I had to have said it at one point.