Least Common Speed Limit

[roadfro]

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

[sprjus4]

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.

[roadfro]

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.

[SkyPesos]

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?

[TheHighwayMan3561]

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.

[JayhawkCO]

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

[kphoger]

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.

[sprjus4]

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.

[interstatefan990]

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. 

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.

[TheGrassGuy]

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"

[TheGrassGuy]

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.

[JayhawkCO]

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

[US 89]

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.

[webny99]

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 is a great map - but why is Texas broken down by county?

[1995hoo]

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.

[SkyPesos]

Also, this 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

[webny99]

Also, this 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.

[jeffandnicole]

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 is a great map - but why is Texas broken down by county?

This 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.

[1995hoo]

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.

[sprjus4]

^

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.

[TheGrassGuy]

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.

[1995hoo]

^

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"....)

[sprjus4]

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.

[US 89]

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!

[interstatefan990]

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.