The United States may be united as one nation, but each state has their own set of rules when it comes to highway safety. As an RV enthusiast, you want to be aware of the rules of the states you will be traveling in. Speed limits are one of the tricky areas and the one you are most likely to run into trouble with. Even within each state, different roads can have their own variations.
Beyond what the speed limit says, you need to make sure you are driving at a speed that is safe for your RV and which takes into account the conditions you are driving in. If you find your trailer is swaying or your motorhome feels unstable, you are likely going too fast and should slow down. (Read more about trailer towing here).
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Understanding the Rules
Ultimately, the best rule of thumb is to simply follow the posted speed limits on the road to avoid a ticket and follow the laws of the state. However, it’s important to note that some states have different rules for certain types of vehicles and trailers. Oftentimes, this comes in the form of special speed limits for large trucks, which include large RVs. Typically, any rig over 8,000 pounds or with more than two axles will have to follow the truck speed limits if the state has them. Another common rule is that such traffic must keep to the right lane of a highway when there is more than one lane.
A few states have rules specific to “mobile homes” or “trailer houses” that are being towed. These are not the same thing as your typical travel trailer or 5th wheel. Instead, these laws refer to the kinds of trailers and manufactured homes that can be towed as a trailer, but are normally anchored to the ground when occupied. We will list them here for those who tow a tiny home or other trailers not designed specifically for regular road travel.
The speed limits that follow are maximum highway speeds. Not all highways in the state will use the maximum speeds, so be sure to abide by the posted limits. These car, truck, and trailer towing speed limits were collected in October 2024 with the help of AAA and the National Motorists Association.
Alabama
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for urban interstates. Trailer towing speeds must be reasonable and proper.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Alaska
RV Speed Limit: Alaska’s default speed limit for trucks and cars is 55 mph, but may reach 65 mph on select interstates. Mobile home tow is limited to 45 mph.
Notes: Speed limits on the Alaska Canadian highway vary between 80 and 100 kilometers per hour. You can even rent an RV in Canada!
Arizona
RV Speed Limit: 75 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for urban interstates. Vehicles towing trailers may not exceed rate of speed that causes lateral sway.
Notes: Allows triple towing.
Arkansas
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for cars and trucks and 55 mph for trailer tow on urban interstates. Mobile home tow is limited to 45 mph.
Notes: Follow truck highway rules for most RVs.
California
RV Speed Limit: 55 mph for trucks and trailers on rural and urban interstates.
Notes: Class A motorhomes should follow truck speeds.
Colorado
RV Speed Limit: 75 mph on rural interstates, 65 mph on urban interstates. Trailer speed limit is same as cars.
Notes: Has special night-time speed limits on some highways in some seasons.
Connecticut
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph on rural interstates, 55 mph on urban interstates.
Notes: No unusual restrictions.
Delaware
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph for cars on rural and urban interstates; 55 mph for trucks.
Notes: No unusual restrictions.
Florida
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for urban interstates.
Notes: No unusual restrictions.
Georgia
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 55 mph for urban interstates.
Notes: Allows unusually long trailers and RVs, up to 100′.
Hawaii
RV Speed Limit: 60 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates.
Notes: They have the lowest speed limits of any state, and yes there are RVs to rent in Hawaii.
Idaho
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for trucks on rural interstates and 65 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Follow truck highway rules for most RVs.
Illinois
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 55 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Indiana
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph for trucks on rural interstates, 55 mph for trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Follow truck highway rules for most RVs. Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Iowa
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates, 55 mph for trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Kansas
RV Speed Limit: 75 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 70 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates. Mobile home towing is limited to 55 mph.
Notes: No unusual restrictions.
Kentucky
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates. Some sections of interstate may have a higher limit.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Louisiana
RV Speed Limit: 75 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 70 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates. Mobile home towing is limited to 55 mph.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited. Triple towing is allowed.
Maine
RV Speed Limit: Speed limits for cars and trucks vary between 65 mph and 75 mph on rural interstates and 50 mph to 70 mph on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Maryland
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: They have some of the most extensive regulations on size, lighting, and other trailer and tow vehicle equipment. Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Massachusetts
RV Speed Limit: Car and truck speed limits on all freeways is 65 mph.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Michigan
RV Speed Limit: Truck speed limit on rural interstates is 65 mph. On urban interstates, 60 mph unless the limit for cars is under 70 mph. In that case, the truck speed limit is 55 mph.
Notes: Follow truck highway rules for most RVs. Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Minnesota
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates. Speed limits vary on urban interstates.
Notes: No unusual restrictions.
Mississippi
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on all interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Missouri
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 60 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
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Montana
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph for trucks on rural and urban interstates.
Notes: Montana has lower speed limits for night driving on many roadways. Follow truck highway rules for most RVs.
Nebraska
RV Speed Limit:
75 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates. Mobile home towing is limited at 55 mph.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Nevada
RV Speed Limit: 80 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
New Hampshire
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates. Some areas may have a limit of 70 mph.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
New Jersey
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 55 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
New Mexico
RV Speed Limit: 75 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Night-time speed limits are generally 5-10 mph lower. Riding in a trailer is permitted.
New York
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 55 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
North Carolina
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates. Mobile home towing is limited 55.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
North Dakota
RV Speed Limit: 75 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Ohio
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates. If combine truck/trailer combo exceeds 8,000 lbs, speed limit is 55 mph.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Oklahoma
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Oregon
RV Speed Limit: 60 mph for trucks on rural interstates; 55 mph for trucks on urban interstates. Some areas may vary.
Notes: Follow truck highway rules for most RVs. Riding in a trailer is only permitted with a 5th wheel when there is an intercom in place and the glass meets certain safety standards. Otherwise riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Pennsylvania
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for trucks and cars on urban and rural interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is only permitted with a fifth wheel when an intercom is in place and the glass meets certain safety standards. Otherwise, riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Rhode Island
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 55 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
South Carolina
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates. A vehicle towing a house trailer must not drive faster than 45 mph.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
South Dakota
RV Speed Limit: 80 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Tennessee
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Texas
RV Speed Limit: Interstate speeds differ. Most rural speed limits are 75 mph, but some stretches of freeway have a limit of 80-85 mph.
Notes: One tollway has a max speed of 85, the highest in the U.S.
Utah
RV Speed Limit: 75 mph for trucks on rural interstates; 65 mph for trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Vermont
RV Speed Limit: 65 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 55 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited. No triple towing allowed.
Virginia
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
Washington
RV Speed Limit: 60 mph for trucks on rural interstates; 60 mph for cars and trucks on urbaninterstates.
Notes: Follow truck highway rules for most RVs. Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
West Virginia
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural interstates; 60 mph for cars and trucks on urban interstates. Trailer towing is limited to 55 mph unless otherwise posted.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is permitted.
Wisconsin
RV Speed Limit: 70 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates.
Notes: Passengers in a towed vehicle must be over the age of 13.
Wyoming
RV Speed Limit: 75 mph for cars and trucks on rural and urban interstates.
Notes: Riding in a trailer is prohibited.
RV Road Rules FAQ
What are some tips for driving an RV?
Get some great RV driving tips from this video:
RV Speed Limit FAQs
Here are answers to the most common questions about RVing and road limits.
Do I need a special license to drive an RV?
In most U.S. states, you don’t need a special license to drive an RV if it’s under 26,000 pounds. However, some states require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or a special endorsement if your RV exceeds this weight or if it’s a very large motorhome or fifth-wheel trailer. Check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles for specific requirements.
What is the speed limit for RVs?
RVs must follow the same speed limits as other vehicles, but it’s generally safer to drive at or below the posted limits. In some states, larger vehicles like RVs have lower speed limits on highways, particularly in windy conditions. Always check posted signs and adjust your speed based on road conditions.
Are there any specific lane restrictions for RVs?
Some states require large vehicles, including RVs, to drive in designated lanes, typically the right lane or the right two lanes on multi-lane highways. These restrictions vary by state and are often marked by signs on the road.
Can I park my RV anywhere overnight?
No, not all locations allow RV parking overnight. Some rest areas, truck stops, and certain Walmart locations allow free overnight parking. However, always check local laws and signs, as many cities and counties have restrictions on overnight parking. Dedicated campgrounds, RV parks, and some national parks are ideal places to park overnight.
Are there specific weight limits for bridges and roads that RV drivers should be aware of?
Yes, some roads and bridges have weight restrictions that may affect larger RVs. Weight limits are typically posted on signs before you reach the restricted area. Be aware of your RV’s weight, including the total weight of the vehicle, passengers, fuel, and any cargo or towed items.
Can I tow a vehicle behind my RV?
Yes, you can tow a vehicle behind your RV, but there are rules about how this is done. You’ll need a proper hitch and towing equipment, and you may need to register the towed vehicle as well. Additionally, some states have specific regulations on towing, such as maximum allowed length for the RV and towed vehicle combined.
How do I safely navigate steep grades and mountain passes?
When driving through mountainous areas, it’s important to use a lower gear to help control your speed and reduce wear on your brakes. Pay attention to signs warning of steep grades, and consider pulling over at designated areas to check your brakes and engine.
Are RVs allowed on all roads?
RVs are permitted on most public roads, but certain narrow, winding, or otherwise hazardous roads may restrict large vehicles. Additionally, some urban areas and tunnels have height or propane restrictions, so it’s important to check these before planning your route.
What are the rules for using propane in tunnels?
Some tunnels restrict vehicles carrying propane due to fire hazards. You may be required to turn off the propane before entering certain tunnels or, in some cases, avoid them altogether. Look for signs indicating propane restrictions before you reach a tunnel, and plan your route accordingly.
What are the laws about seatbelts in RVs?
In most states, the driver and front-seat passengers must wear seatbelts at all times. The laws about seatbelts for passengers in the back of the RV vary by state, but for safety, it’s recommended that all passengers be seated and belted while the vehicle is in motion.
Are there special rules for RVs when crossing state lines?
When crossing state lines, be aware that traffic laws, including those for towing and speed limits, may change. Some states also have rules regarding invasive species, particularly when bringing firewood, plants, or animals from one state to another. It’s important to research state-specific regulations before crossing borders.
Can I use my RV’s generator while driving?
Yes, most RVs are designed to allow generator use while driving, but it’s essential to ensure proper ventilation and follow manufacturer guidelines to prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside the RV.
What should I do if my RV breaks down on the road?
If your RV breaks down, move it as far off the road as possible and turn on your hazard lights. Set up warning triangles or reflective cones if you have them. Depending on your RV insurance or roadside assistance plan, you may be able to call for a tow or repair service specifically equipped to handle large vehicles.
What are the weight limits for cargo in my RV?
Your RV has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which includes the weight of the RV, passengers, fuel, water, cargo, and any towed items. Exceeding this weight can damage your vehicle and is illegal. Always check your RV’s manual for specific weight limits and ensure your load is properly distributed to avoid handling issues.
Final advice
The RV lifestyle is not about hurrying from place to place, but enjoying a grand journey and exploring your world with eyes wide open. Always put your safety above your desire to get from A to B quickly. Following the posted speed limits, or close to them, is a good idea. And if you feel a slower speed is safer, go slower and stay safe. Be sure to also check your RV or camper’s tire speed rating. If you aren’t sure what that is, check out this quick explainer video from Everything RV.
Top end navigation systems like Garmin are capable of giving you up-to-date speed limits based on your vehicle specifications wherever you go. If you choose to use one, be sure to keep it updated with the latest information from the navigation company. Otherwise, it could misinform you because speed limits do change over time. Also, like any technology, it is not a substitute for paying attention to posted signs or using your own good judgment.
