What is a safe speed to drive your car?
A safe speed to drive your car when there’s no speed limit on the interstate is 55 mph. But some states have speed limits as high as 65 mph. Excessive speeding increases your chances of an accident and can drive up your car insurance rates by 30%. Shop around and compare multiple insurance companies to get the best car insurance quotes.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- The safest speed limit for drivers on the interstate is 55 mph
- A safe speed for residential roads and school zones are between 10 and 20 mph
- Rural interstate highways have speed limits of 70 mph in some areas
- One speeding ticket has a small impact on car insurance rates
Have you ever wondered what’s considered the safest speed for your car? Insurance companies and state authorities often tell drivers to drive at safe speeds. But what does that mean?
Don’t worry – we’re here to explain what it means to drive at a safe speed.
Our guide explains what safe speeds are, state speeding limits, and how car insurance responds to speeding tickets. Also, we’ll show you why driving safely provides the best car insurance discounts.
Read on to learn more about the safe speed to drive your car. Use our free quote tool above if you’re ready to compare multiple insurance companies in your area.
What is a safe speed to drive your car?
The safest speed to drive on a rural highway is 55 mph when there’s no speed limit posted on the interstate. But if you’re on residential roads, a safe speed is between 10 and 25 mph.
A designated speed limit is the safest speed to drive. However, specific situations may adjust the speed limit to lower speeds.
Let’s examine a few examples of restrictive speed limits.
- 25 mph in residential streets or school zones
- 55 mph for rural highways
- 70 mph for rural interstate highways
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), these speed limits are for most states’ statutory speed limits.
But what about other road types? Check out the table below to see more examples of speed limits on specific roads.
Federal Highway Administration Speed Limits
| Roads | Speed Limits |
|---|---|
| Statutory (rural interstate) | 55 to 70 mph |
| Statutory (residential and school district) | 20 to 25 mph |
| Statutory (rural highways) | 40 to 55 mph |
| Posted | 50 mph (but varies by state) |
| Work Zone | 30 to 40 mph |
| Variable | 35 mph |
| Advisory | 15 to 25 mph |
Reducing your speed may be unsavory to drivers who like to drive a few miles over the speed limit, but driving slower can decrease your risk of getting into an accident.
While safe speeds are debatable among various drivers, a safe speed to drive your car per the DMV is the safest way to operate a motor vehicle. But a safe speed to drive your car per the DMV in New York isn’t the same as Hawaii or Texas.
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What are the speed limits for each state?
Every state has speed limit laws for highways and interstates. Roads are identified differently, and each has various speed limits.
Let’s look at speed limits from multiple states.
Speed Limit Laws by State
| State | Rural interstates (mph) | Urban interstates (mph) | Other limited access roads (mph) | Other roads (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 70 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Alaska | 65 | 55 | 65 | 55 |
| Arizona | 75 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Arkansas | 75 70 for trucks | 65 | 75 70 for trucks | 65 |
| California | 70 55 for trucks | 65 55 for trucks | 70 55 for trucks | 65 55 for trucks |
| Colorado | 75 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Connecticut | 65 | 55 | 65 | 55 |
| Delaware | 65 | 55 | 65 | 55 |
| District of Columbia | n/a | 55 | n/a | 25 |
| Florida | 70 | 65 | 70 | 65 |
| Georgia | 70 | 70 | 65 | 65 |
| Hawaii | 60 | 60 | 55 | 45 |
| Idaho | 75 80 on specified segments of road 70 for trucks | 75 80 on specified segments of road 65 for trucks | 70 | 70 |
| Illinois | 70 | 55 | 65 | 55 |
| Indiana | 70 65 for trucks | 55 | 60 | 55 |
| Iowa | 70 | 55 | 70 | 65 |
| Kansas | 75 | 75 | 75 | 65 |
| Kentucky | 65 70 on specified segments of road | 65 | 65 | 55 |
| Louisiana | 75 | 70 | 70 | 65 |
| Maine | 75 | 75 | 75 | 60 |
| Maryland | 70 | 70 | 70 | 55 |
| Massachusetts | 65 | 65 | 65 | 55 |
| Michigan | 70 65 for trucks 75 on specified segments of road 65 for trucks on specified segments of road | 70 | 70 | 55 |
| Minnesota | 70 | 65 | 65 | 60 |
| Mississippi | 70 | 70 | 70 | 65 |
| Missouri | 70 | 60 | 70 | 65 |
| Montana | 80 70 for trucks | 65 | 70 for day driving 65 for night driving | 70 for day driving 65 for night driving |
| Nebraska | 75 | 70 | 70 | 65 |
| Nevada | 80 | 65 | 70 | 70 |
| New Hampshire | 65 70 on specified segments of road | 65 | 55 | 55 |
| New Jersey | 65 | 55 | 65 | 55 |
| New Mexico | 75 | 75 | 65 | 55 |
| New York | 65 | 65 | 65 | 55 |
| North Carolina | 70 | 70 | 70 | 55 |
| North Dakota | 75 | 75 | 70 | 65 |
| Ohio | 70 | 65 | 70 | 55 |
| Oklahoma | 75 80 on specified segments of road | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Oregon | 65 70 on specified segments of road 55 for trucks 65 for trucks on specified segments of road | 55 | 65 | 65 |
| Pennsylvania | 70 | 70 | 70 | 55 |
| Rhode Island | 65 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| South Carolina | 70 | 70 | 60 | 55 |
| South Dakota | 80 | 80 | 70 | 70 |
| Tennessee | 70 | 70 | 70 | 65 |
| Texas | 75 80 to 85 on specified segments of road | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Utah | 75 80 on specified segments of road | 65 | 75 | 65 |
| Vermont | 65 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
| Virginia | 70 | 70 | 65 | 55 |
| Washington | 70 75 on specified segments of road 60 for trucks | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| West Virginia | 70 | 55 | 65 | 55 |
| Wisconsin | 70 | 70 | 70 | 55 |
| Wyoming | 70 80 on specified segments of road | 75 80 on specified segments of road | 70 | 70 |
Washington D.C. has some of the lowest speed limits in the United States. Meanwhile, Montana, Oklahoma, and South Dakota have some of the highest speed limits in the nation.
How much are car insurance rates after a speeding ticket?
The best auto insurance companies issue higher rates if you have a speeding ticket. But the increase isn’t as expensive as it appears.
Let’s look at the average monthly rates impacted by speeding infractions from the top insurance companies in the United States.
Full Coverage Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record and Provider
| Insurance Company | Clean Record | Speeding Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $160 | $188 |
| American Family | $117 | $136 |
| Farmers | $139 | $173 |
| Geico | $80 | $106 |
| Liberty Mutual | $174 | $212 |
| Nationwide | $115 | $137 |
| Progressive | $105 | $140 |
| State Farm | $86 | $96 |
| Travelers | $99 | $134 |
| USAA | $59 | $67 |
USAA has the cheapest rates, but USAA car insurance is only available to military veterans and their immediate families. Therefore, the average driver won’t get access to USAA insurance policies.
But Geico, Nationwide, Progressive, and American Family are excellent companies you should consider. State Farm is also a good company in most states.
Why do car insurance companies care about how fast I drive?
Auto insurance companies prefer safe drivers because they’re less likely to file an insurance claim. Drivers who have a history of speeding have more expensive car insurance rates.
If you happen to have a clean driving record, you can secure more affordable auto insurance rates. Also, insurance companies provide deals for safe and defensive drivers.
You can save at least 20% off your car insurance rates when you qualify for defensive and safe driver discounts.
What are the important rules of defensive driving?
When you want to make a right turn, your car must be at a reduced speed to prevent an accident.
Also, one of the rules of defensive driving is letting other drivers pass when they need to merge.
Always yield to oncoming traffic, even when the light is green. Wait for drivers who want to race the traffic light to prevent car accidents.
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Case Studies: Safe Speeds to Drive Your Car
Case Study 1: Alex’s Rural Highway Commute
Alex lives in a rural area with a speed limit of 65 mph on the interstate. However, he chooses to drive at a safe speed of 55 mph to reduce the risk of accidents. By driving at a lower speed, Alex ensures better control of his vehicle and decreases the severity of potential collisions. This cautious approach to driving helps him maintain a clean driving record and keep his car insurance rates affordable.
Case Study 2: Emily’s Residential Road Awareness
Emily frequently drives through residential areas where the speed limit is 25 mph. She understands the importance of adhering to safe speeds in these neighborhoods to prioritize the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. By driving at the recommended speed, Emily minimizes the risk of accidents and demonstrates responsible driving behavior, which can help her qualify for car insurance discounts.
Case Study 3: Mike’s Adjusted Speed on Restricted Roads
Mike often encounters roads with lower speed limits due to specific circumstances, such as construction zones or school zones. He recognizes the importance of adapting his speed to these restricted areas to ensure the safety of road workers and schoolchildren.
By obeying the posted speed limits in these zones, Mike demonstrates his commitment to safe driving practices and avoids potential traffic violations and associated insurance rate increases.
Safe Speed to Drive Your Car: The Bottom Line
The safest speed to drive depends on the speed limit. Reducing your speed limit by a few miles per hour is safe, but driving too slowly could cause traffic issues.
Therefore, you should move to another lane or pull over to help keep traffic flowing.
Maintaining the speed limit also reduces the chances of getting into an accident or getting a speeding violation.
The safest drivers in the United States usually pay the least for car insurance, but rates vary for each driver.
Now that you know more about a safe speed to drive your car, enter your ZIP code in the free online quote tool below to compare multiple insurance companies near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a safe speed to drive your car?
A safe speed to drive your car when there’s no speed limit on the interstate is 55 mph. However, some states have speed limits as high as 65 mph. Excessive speeding increases the risk of accidents and can lead to a 30% increase in car insurance rates. It’s recommended to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to get the best rates.
What are the speed limits for each state?
Every state has speed limit laws for highways and interstates, and the speed limits can vary. Here are some examples of speed limits from different states:
- Washington D.C.: Lowest speed limits in the United States.
- Montana, Oklahoma, and South Dakota: Some of the highest speed limits in the nation.
How much do car insurance rates increase after a speeding ticket?
The best auto insurance companies typically increase rates after a speeding ticket. However, the increase may not be as expensive as it seems. Here are the average monthly rate increases for speeding infractions from top insurance companies in the United States:
- USAA (available to military veterans and their immediate families): Cheapest rates
- Geico, Nationwide, Progressive, American Family: Excellent companies to consider
- State Farm: Also a good option in most states
Why do car insurance companies care about how fast I drive?
Car insurance companies value safe drivers because they are less likely to file insurance claims. Drivers with a history of speeding tend to have higher insurance rates. Maintaining a clean driving record can help secure more affordable rates, and insurance companies often provide discounts for safe and defensive drivers. By qualifying for defensive and safe driver discounts, you can save at least 20% on your car insurance rates.
What are the important rules of defensive driving?
Defensive driving involves following certain rules to prevent accidents. Here are a few important rules of defensive driving:
- Reduce your speed when making a right turn to prevent accidents.
- Allow other drivers to merge by letting them pass.
- Always yield to oncoming traffic, even when the light is green, to avoid accidents.
By practicing defensive driving, you can minimize the risk of accidents and potentially qualify for discounts on your car insurance rates.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.