Missouri currently posts 70 mph on rural interstates, with a new law raising the rural interstate maximum to 75 mph effective August 28, 2026.
Missouri 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 Missouri
Missouri's current maximum is 70 mph on rural interstates and freeways, including the heavily traveled cross-state runs of I-70 and I-44. Rural expressways carry 65 mph, interstates and freeways inside urbanized areas drop to 60 mph, and two-lane lettered state routes are generally limited to 55 mph. That structure is about to change at the top end: in July 2026 Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 1408, which raises the maximum on rural interstates from 70 to 75 mph effective August 28, 2026, applying only to interstate sections outside urban areas and taking effect as new signs are posted.
The 75 mph law made Missouri the latest state to match neighbors such as Kansas and Arkansas, after the House approved the measure 82 to 53. The increase is not automatic everywhere: it covers rural interstate mileage only, so urban stretches through St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Columbia keep their lower posted limits, and safety officials have warned that speed is already the leading contributing factor in Missouri crashes.
Missouri statute does not fix a single statewide residential number, so cities set their own limits on local streets, most commonly 25 mph in residential areas and lower in school zones. Within urbanized areas the state caps interstates and freeways at 60 mph, and municipal arterials typically range from 30 to 45 mph.
Automated enforcement has effectively disappeared from Missouri: a series of Missouri Supreme Court decisions in 2015 struck down local red-light and speed camera ordinances as conflicting with state law, and cities including St. Louis shut their programs down. As of 2026 speeding tickets in Missouri come from officers, not cameras, while the practical story of the year is the switch to 75 mph signs on rural interstates beginning in late August.
Enforcement
The Missouri State Highway Patrol enforces with radar, laser and aircraft spotting, concentrating on I-70 and I-44 where speeds and crash counts are highest. Speed cameras are effectively absent statewide after 2015 Missouri Supreme Court rulings invalidated local automated enforcement ordinances.
Tolerance
Missouri has no official tolerance, and any speed over the posted limit is citable. In practice patrol attention on rural interstates tends to fall on drivers well above the flow of traffic, a pattern lawmakers cited when raising the rural cap to 75 mph.
Speeding fines in Missouri
Missouri fines vary by court because most tickets are handled at the county or municipal level, with typical first-offense costs commonly landing in the low hundreds of dollars once court costs are added. Penalties and license points rise with speed over the limit, and excessive speed can be charged as a misdemeanor. Fines are enhanced in work zones when workers are present.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum speed limit in Missouri?
As of mid-2026 the maximum is 70 mph on rural interstates and freeways. Under Senate Bill 1408, signed in July 2026, the rural interstate maximum rises to 75 mph effective August 28, 2026, on sections outside urban areas as new signs go up.
When does Missouri's 75 mph speed limit start?
August 28, 2026. The change applies only to rural interstate highways such as the non-urban portions of I-70, and urban interstates through cities like St. Louis and Kansas City keep their existing 60 mph limits.
What is the residential speed limit in Missouri?
Missouri leaves local street limits to cities, and 25 mph is the most common residential figure, with lower limits in school zones. Urban interstates and freeways are capped at 60 mph by state law.
Does Missouri use speed cameras?
No. Missouri Supreme Court rulings in 2015 invalidated local speed and red-light camera ordinances, and cities dismantled their programs. Speed enforcement is carried out by the State Highway Patrol and local officers.
Speed limits in nearby states
- Illinois speed limit — interstate, rural highway, and city limits.
- Kansas 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.
- Iowa 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.