Atlanta follows Georgia's 30 mph default limit for urban and residential districts, the statewide standard for streets without a posted sign. Under its 2020 Vision Zero ordinance the city has lowered many corridors to 25 mph, while freeways run 55 to 65 mph.
Atlanta speed limits at a glance
| Road type | Limit |
|---|---|
| City streets (default) | 30 mph (48 kph) |
| Residential / school zones | 25 mph (40 kph) |
| Major roads / arterials | 40 mph (64 kph) |
| Highways through the city | 55-65 |
About speed limits in Atlanta
Georgia sets a 30 mph default for urban and residential districts, and that figure applies across most unposted Atlanta streets. In April 2020 the City Council passed a Vision Zero ordinance authorizing a 25 mph default on many city-owned streets, so a growing share of neighborhood and downtown corridors are now signed at 25 mph rather than 30. Drivers should watch for posted signs, because the applicable limit varies block to block as the city continues rolling out reductions.
Atlanta's traffic enforcement is shaped by Georgia's statewide Super Speeder law. Anyone convicted of driving 75 mph or faster on a two-lane road, or 85 mph or faster on any road, is billed an extra 200 dollar state fee by the Department of Driver Services on top of the local court fine. The fee is a distinctive Georgia quirk that makes serious speeding on Atlanta's highways markedly more expensive than a standard ticket.
Neighborhood streets are commonly signed at 25 mph, and school zones drop to 25 mph or lower when children are present. Atlanta Public Schools and the city run a school-zone speed-camera program, with roughly two dozen schools authorized by the city and Georgia DOT. Cameras issue civil penalties only during school hours for speeds more than 10 mph over the limit, and as of July 2026 municipalities must file annual revenue reports on these cameras.
Metro freeways such as I-75, I-85, I-20 and the I-285 perimeter are generally posted 55 to 65 mph through the urban core, with some stretches lower in construction zones. Georgia's Super Speeder threshold of 85 mph means highway drivers can trigger the extra state fee well before reaching the fastest limits posted elsewhere in the state.
Enforcement
Atlanta relies mainly on Atlanta Police and Georgia State Patrol officers for street and highway speeding. Automated cameras are limited to school zones, where they run during school hours; there are no general-purpose speed cameras on ordinary streets or freeways.
Tolerance
There is no official grace margin, but Georgia's own law bars speeding convictions for less than 11 mph over on many roads, so officers typically act on larger overages. School-zone cameras only cite drivers more than 10 mph over the limit.
Speeding fines in Atlanta
School-zone camera penalties are civil fines of 75 dollars for a first violation and 125 dollars for later ones, plus a processing fee, with no license points. Officer-issued speeding tickets vary by county and speed, and a Super Speeder conviction adds a separate 200 dollar state fee on top of the court fine.
Frequently asked questions
What is the speed limit in Atlanta?
The default is 30 mph on city streets under Georgia law, though many Atlanta corridors are now signed at 25 mph under the city's Vision Zero ordinance. Neighborhoods are often 25 mph and freeways run 55 to 65 mph.
What is Georgia's Super Speeder fee?
It is an extra 200 dollar state fee billed by the Department of Driver Services after a conviction for driving 75 mph or more on a two-lane road, or 85 mph or more on any road. It is charged on top of the normal court fine.
How do speed cameras work in Atlanta?
Atlanta uses school-zone speed cameras at about two dozen schools. They issue civil penalties only on school days during posted hours, and only for drivers going more than 10 mph over the limit, with no points on your license.
Are there higher limits on Atlanta highways?
Yes. Metro interstates like I-75, I-85, I-20 and I-285 are generally posted 55 to 65 mph through the city. Exceeding 85 mph on these highways triggers Georgia's Super Speeder fee.
More Georgia speed limits
- Georgia speed limit — statewide interstate, highway, and city limits.
Related tools
- Convert MPH to KPH — convert any speed reading between units.
- Car speed test — verify your speedometer accuracy.
- Live GPS speedometer — see your actual speed in the browser.
- Stopping distance calculator — how far you need to brake from each speed.
- US speed limits overview — federal background and national patterns.