Hawaii's maximum speed limit is 60 mph, the lowest state maximum in the United States, posted on Oahu's H-1 and H-3 interstate freeways and on Saddle Road on the Big Island.
Hawaii speed limits at a glance
| Road type | Limit |
|---|---|
| Cities, towns, business districts | 25 mph (40 kph) |
| Residential / school zones | 25 mph (40 kph) |
| Rural highways | 45-55 |
| Interstates / freeways | 60 mph (97 kph) |
About speed limits in Hawaii
Hawaii has the lowest maximum speed limit of any US state: 60 mph, posted on sections of Oahu's H-1 and H-3 interstate freeways and on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) on the Big Island. Most of the H-1 through urban Honolulu is signed at 50-55 mph, the H-2 runs at 55-60 mph, and rural highways on the neighbor islands typically carry 45-55 mph limits. Hawaii was the last state to raise its limits after the federal 55 mph cap was repealed in 1995, and it never went above 60. Short island distances and dense traffic mean the low ceiling costs drivers little time in practice.
Hawaii's excessive speeding law is among the strictest in the country: driving 30 mph or more over the limit, or 80 mph or more anywhere regardless of the posted limit, is a separate criminal offense rather than a simple infraction. Penalties include fines that can reach four figures, a 30-day license suspension and possible jail time, and the 80 mph trigger means a speed that would be legal in Texas is a criminal charge on the H-3.
Urban and residential streets default to 25 mph across the islands, with school zones at 20 mph or lower. Honolulu has emphasized pedestrian safety around Waikiki and downtown, and many neighborhood streets are posted at 25 mph with active enforcement near crosswalks.
Hawaii activated automated speed enforcement in 2025. Camera systems at ten downtown Honolulu intersections that had issued red-light citations since 2022 began sending speed warnings in March 2025 — over 500,000 in eight months — and started issuing actual speed citations on November 1, 2025, targeting vehicles more than 11 mph over the limit. The state reports a 69% drop in major crashes at the camera intersections and plans further expansion.
Enforcement
Honolulu police run frequent radar and laser patrols on the H-1 corridor, and since November 2025 camera systems at ten downtown Honolulu intersections issue speed citations automatically. Neighbor island enforcement is patrol-based, concentrated on rural highways with crash histories.
Tolerance
The new Honolulu safety cameras cite at more than 11 mph over the posted limit, which mirrors the informal margin many officers apply. Anything at or above 80 mph gets zero tolerance because it triggers the criminal excessive-speeding statute.
Speeding fines in Hawaii
Ordinary speeding fines start around $100-$200 and climb with speed, roughly doubling in school and construction zones. Excessive speeding — 30 mph over or 80 mph anywhere — is a criminal offense with fines that can approach $1,000, a mandatory license suspension and possible jail for repeat offenders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum speed limit in Hawaii?
60 mph, the lowest state maximum in the US. It is posted on parts of Oahu's H-1 and H-3 freeways and on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway on the Big Island; most other highways are signed between 45 and 55 mph.
What counts as excessive speeding in Hawaii?
Driving 30 mph or more over the posted limit, or 80 mph or more anywhere in the state. It is a criminal offense rather than a traffic infraction, carrying heavy fines, a 30-day license suspension and possible jail time.
What is the residential speed limit in Hawaii?
Residential and urban streets default to 25 mph throughout the islands, and school zones drop to 20 mph or lower. Honolulu enforces these limits actively around pedestrian-heavy districts.
Does Hawaii use speed cameras?
Yes. Camera systems at ten downtown Honolulu intersections began issuing speed citations on November 1, 2025, after an eight-month warning period, targeting drivers more than 11 mph over the limit. The state plans to expand the program.
Speed limits in nearby states
- California speed limit — interstate, rural highway, and city limits.
- Washington speed limit — interstate, rural highway, and city limits.
- Alaska speed limit — interstate, rural 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.