Speed limits by state
The limits that apply when no other speed is posted, as each state's driver handbook states them.
Updated October 20, 2026
Default speed limits
| State | Rural interstate (max) | Other highways | Residential district | Business district | School zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 70 mph | — | — | — | — |
| Alaska | — | 55 mph | 25 mph | 20 mph | 20 mph |
| Arizona | 75 mph | — | 25 mph | 25 mph | 15 mph |
| California | — | 65 mph | 25 mph | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| Colorado | — | — | 30 mph | 25 mph | — |
| District of Columbia | — | — | — | — | 15 mph |
| Florida | 70 mph | 55 mph | 30 mph | 30 mph | 20 mph |
| Georgia | 70 mph | 55 mph | 30 mph | — | — |
| Idaho | 75 mph | — | 35 mph | 35 mph | — |
| Illinois | 70 mph | 55 mph | 30 mph | — | 20 mph |
| Indiana | 70 mph | — | 30 mph | — | — |
| Iowa | 70 mph | — | 25 mph | 20 mph | — |
| Kansas | — | — | 30 mph | — | — |
| Maine | — | 45 mph | 25 mph | 25 mph | 15 mph |
| Michigan | 70 mph | 55 mph | 25 mph | — | — |
| Minnesota | — | 55 mph | — | — | — |
| Mississippi | 70 mph | — | — | — | 15 mph |
| Montana | 80 mph | — | 25 mph | — | — |
| Nevada | — | — | 25 mph | 25 mph | — |
| New Hampshire | — | — | — | 30 mph | — |
| New Jersey | — | — | 25 mph | — | 25 mph |
| New York | — | 55 mph | — | — | — |
| North Carolina | 70 mph | 55 mph | — | — | — |
| North Dakota | 80 mph | — | 25 mph | 25 mph | 20 mph |
| Oregon | — | 55 mph | 25 mph | 20 mph | 20 mph |
| Pennsylvania | 70 mph | — | — | — | 15 mph |
| Rhode Island | — | — | 25 mph | — | — |
| Vermont | 65 mph | — | — | — | — |
| Virginia | — | 55 mph | 25 mph | 25 mph | 25 mph |
| Washington | — | — | — | — | 20 mph |
| West Virginia | 70 mph | 55 mph | 25 mph | — | 15 mph |
| Wisconsin | — | — | 25 mph | — | 15 mph |
| Wyoming | — | — | 30 mph | 30 mph | 20 mph |
States in the table: 33. A dash means we have not confirmed that rule in the handbook yet; states with no confirmed rules are not listed.
Posted signs come first
These are default limits. A posted speed limit sign always applies, and you must drive slower when conditions require it, even below the limit.
Where these numbers come from
Each value is the answer to a question in our state practice tests, and each of those questions is backed by a verbatim quote from the state's official driver handbook. Laws change: confirm with your state's handbook (linked on each state page) before you rely on a number.
Questions
Not necessarily. Handbooks require a speed that is safe for conditions, which can be lower than the posted limit.