State by State Towing Speed and Other Limits

[MNtraveler]

Helpful information, generally hard to assemble on your own.

The info on Minnesota is surprising. I spot checked it and it is accurate (although golf carts and a few other things are also allowed in a trailer-on-trailer combo, and such a combo cannot be operated in the 7-county Twin Cities area during rush hours M-F).

State Towing Speeds and State Laws You Probably Didn’t Know

[drittal]

Now let all the "I'll get run off the road going that slow" comments begin. Lol.

The SD scale law is one I had no idea and we go down there 2-3 times a year.

[KyDan]

Just traveled from Kentucky to San Diego CA. We kept up with the big
rigs. They typically were going just a little slower than the posted speed
except in west Texas where the posted speed was 80. They were going
70+ and so did we. We were shocked when we got into California and saw
the many signs that said cars/trucks with trailers 55. We tried that for
a little while then sped up to keep up with the big rigs again.

Once we entered the traffic of nearby San Diego I had to go 65-70 just
to keep them from weaving and cutting me off.
Also that part about being restricted to the right lane is not true in many instances- especially if there are more than 3 lanes which is a LOT of places!
Some signage saying right 2 lanes which we followed even tho we saw many
trucks that didn't.

5510 miles, across 7 states, no tickets... YMMV

[BandJCarm]

So, apparently no fifth wheels in Virginia?

[aceinspp]

Good info but not many RVers pay attention to the required speed limits. Later RJD

[KyDan]

Check out this list from AAA
It disagrees with several of the speeds listed in post 1.

Trailer Speed Limits - AAA Digest of Motor Laws

For instance it says KY can tow at the posted auto speed limit.
We do that all the time.... Several other states in the AAA list say
towing at posted auto speed while the other list says 55.

Also see here- https://www.isp.state.il.us/traffic/speedlimitenf.cfm

End of 1st paragraph.
Trailer towing in Illinois is 65 as per the ISP.

[timfromma]

I tow at 60MPH or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower.

[Chuckinca]

We have gone thru Alabama many times and haven't notice a 55 towing limit nor headlight requirement.

Ditto Texas 60 daytime 55 nighttime limits. (very few rest stops in Texas so don't plan on using them for overnights)

.

[RollingDownTheHighway]

that's an interesting list. To that list most 5'vers would be illegal in SC I you're towing with a CC Long bed, I would be illegal but a foot with my 3500 CC DRW, with the 5'er we're getting.

[Windjammingnc]

And remember, some (not all) brands of ST (trailer tires) are speed rated at 65mph. The onus is on the driver to be aware of the limits of their setup and to drive safely.

[KyDan]

Here's hoping we can keep this thread to the discussion of the lists and
whether it's accurate or not.

There have been many, many threads on how fast you should go.

I'd love to just clear the air on how some "lists" show all these numbers
and sound so knowledgeable
but when you do some checking they are incorrect.
The WWW loves lists. Social media is full of lists- "best of, worst of, most of..."

I believe the AAA list is more accurate but it is not perfect.

[Windjammingnc]

Short of going to the legislative pages of each state, it is hard to know the current status of laws... But if someone is willing to step up, by all means...

[whitmw]

Getting ready to take a trip to the coast so this was really helpful. Thanks fot posting.

[KyDan]

I'm not about to try and make my own list.
I read the list in post 1 with interest in my surrounding states or states
I've traveled thru recently.

I quickly found the AAA list and saw many discrepancies. Googled Illinois and
found the ISP page on towing speeds easily. Some states laws would be difficult
to find I'm sure.

If you're really a stickler for obeying the law you have no choice but to
research every state you plan to travel in. Don't believe any list that covers
all 50 states IMO but go to each state web site and dig.
So far keeping up with the big rigs has worked for many of us.

[KFX450RXC]

Things you didn't know.

Unless they've recently changed it in NC, it is still permissible to carry passengers in your TT or 5er while traveling.

[ben31]

Most states have conflicting ordinances/laws, so if someone wants to give you a ticket, you will get a ticket for something, whether you are driving within the limits or not. It is usually a safe bet to stick with the majority of big rigs and you shouldn't have any problems.

[youroo]

Last time I used roadways in the USA they all had Speed Limit signs, even in the construction zones, which needs to be Strongly Enforced! Youroo!!

[JustB_Rad]

I'm guessing this list is a couple years old. Wisconsin is listed as Towing Speed Limit of 65, but it has to be from our 65MPH speed limit days. We now have a 70MPH Speed Limit on the Interstates and no 65MPH restriction for towing.

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I'm not about to try and make my own list.
I read the list in post 1 with interest in my surrounding states or states
I've traveled thru recently.

I quickly found the AAA list and saw many discrepancies. Googled Illinois and
found the ISP page on towing speeds easily. Some states laws would be difficult
to find I'm sure.

If you're really a stickler for obeying the law you have no choice but to
research every state you plan to travel in. Don't believe any list that covers
all 50 states IMO but go to each state web site and dig.
So far keeping up with the big rigs has worked for many of us.

Agree 100% with doing your own research! It is on "me" to know the laws & regulations of the places I visit. These lists should be used a guide and should always be held suspect as regulations change more than the lists most times!

Main reason for doing my own research....it keeps me out of trouble...most of the time!

[Coolharts]

So I am taking my 33-36' camper to MD next weekend, Here is an interesting one from AAA for Virginia:


Trailer Dimensions

Total length: 65 feet (excluding safety equipment, energy conservation devices, and steps and handholds for entry); trailer length: 28 feet 6 inches; motor home length: 45 feet (excluding bumpers); width: 8 feet 6 inches (excluding mirrors, and for trailers appurtenances); height: 13 feet 6 inches.