Mississippi posts a maximum of 70 mph on its interstates, 65 mph on other four-lane highways, and 55 mph on undivided two-lane roads.
Mississippi 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 | 55 mph (89 kph) |
| Interstates / freeways | 70 mph (113 kph) |
About speed limits in Mississippi
Mississippi caps every interstate — I-55, I-20, I-59, I-10 and I-22 — at 70 mph, one of the lower ceilings in the region now that neighboring Arkansas and Louisiana both post 75 mph on parts of their networks. Other four-lane highways run at 65 mph and undivided two-lane roads default to 55 mph. Lawmakers have tried repeatedly to close the gap with neighboring states: House Bill 74 in 2025 would have raised interstates to 75 mph and state highways to 70 mph, and it passed the House before stalling and dying in the Senate, so 70 mph remains the statewide maximum in 2026.
Mississippi enforces absolute speed limits under Code Section 63-3-501: any speed above the posted number is a violation, with no statutory buffer. The state is also notable for banning automated enforcement outright — a 2009 law, House Bill 1568, prohibited counties and municipalities from using cameras to enforce traffic laws and required existing equipment to be removed, making Mississippi one of the strictest no-camera states in the country.
In town, residential areas default to 25 mph and school zones drop to 15 mph during posted hours, among the lowest school-zone limits in the US. Business districts and municipal streets are typically posted between 25 and 35 mph, with cities such as Jackson, Gulfport and Hattiesburg setting their own ordinances within state law.
Because of the 2009 camera ban, every speeding ticket in Mississippi comes from an officer, not a mailbox. Renewed legislative pushes — including a fresh 75 mph bill introduced for the 2026 session — mean the interstate limit could eventually rise, but until a bill clears both chambers the posted maximum stays at 70 mph, and drivers should not assume any change has taken effect.
Enforcement
Enforcement is entirely officer-based: the Mississippi Highway Patrol works the interstates with radar and lidar, and county sheriffs cover the two-lane network. Automated speed and red-light cameras have been banned statewide since 2009.
Tolerance
Mississippi limits are absolute, so even 1 mph over is technically a violation. In practice troopers on 70 mph interstates tend to concentrate on drivers exceeding the limit by larger margins, but small-town limits along US highways are often enforced tightly.
Speeding fines in Mississippi
Typical speeding tickets fall roughly in the 150 to 300 dollar range once state assessments and court costs are added, varying by county and by how far over the limit you were. Penalties climb for school-zone and work-zone violations, and excessive speed can be charged as reckless driving.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum speed limit in Mississippi?
The maximum is 70 mph, which applies on both rural and urban sections of the interstates, including I-55, I-20, I-59, I-10 and I-22. Other four-lane highways are posted at 65 mph and two-lane roads default to 55 mph.
Is Mississippi raising its interstate speed limit to 75 mph?
Not yet. A 2025 bill to raise interstates to 75 mph passed the Mississippi House but died in the Senate, and a similar bill was filed again for 2026. Unless one passes both chambers and is signed, the limit remains 70 mph.
What is the residential speed limit in Mississippi?
Residential areas default to 25 mph, and school zones drop to 15 mph during posted hours — one of the lowest school-zone limits in the country. Business districts typically run 25 to 35 mph under local ordinance.
Does Mississippi use speed cameras?
No. A 2009 state law banned counties and cities from using automated cameras for traffic enforcement and ordered existing equipment removed. All speeding tickets in Mississippi are issued directly by officers.
Speed limits in nearby states
- Louisiana speed limit — interstate, rural highway, and city limits.
- Alabama speed limit — interstate, rural highway, and city limits.
- Tennessee speed limit — interstate, rural highway, and city limits.
- Arkansas 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.