Oregon posts 65 mph on most interstates, with 70 mph for cars on rural eastern sections of I-84 and I-82, and 55 mph on undivided two-lane highways.
Oregon 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 | 65-70 |
About speed limits in Oregon
Oregon's statutory interstate maximum is 65 mph, but since 2016 the state has allowed 70 mph for passenger vehicles on designated rural sections, chiefly I-84 east of The Dalles and I-82 near the Washington line, plus stretches of US 95 and US 20 in the southeast. Trucks over 10,000 lbs are held to lower limits on those same sections, creating a deliberate car-truck speed split. West of the Cascades, including the entire I-5 corridor through Portland, Salem and Eugene, 65 mph remains the ceiling, and urban freeway segments in Portland drop to 50-55 mph. Undivided rural highways default to 55 mph unless a speed zone order says otherwise.
Oregon is a basic rule state: ORS 811.100 requires a speed that is reasonable and prudent for conditions, and the posted number is treated as prima facie evidence rather than an absolute ceiling in some contexts. In practice courts almost never accept an above-the-limit speed as prudent, so drivers should treat posted limits as hard limits. The basic rule cuts the other way too — you can be cited below the limit in fog, ice or heavy traffic.
Business districts carry a 20 mph statutory speed, residential districts 25 mph, and school zones 20 mph when children are present or lights flash. Portland has used its authority to lower many neighborhood greenway streets to 20 mph under its Vision Zero program, so assume 20 mph on residential Portland streets unless signed otherwise.
Oregon expanded automated enforcement with HB 4109, effective June 2024, which lets any city in the state operate fixed speed safety cameras — previously the authority was limited to about ten municipalities. Portland runs the largest program, with 15 fixed speed cameras and 16 intersection cameras operating by the end of 2024, and the city reports crashes down 43% at camera sites.
Enforcement
Oregon State Police patrol the interstates with radar and lidar, while cities increasingly rely on fixed speed cameras — Portland, Beaverton, Medford and others operate photo enforcement, and any Oregon city may now install fixed cameras under 2024 law.
Tolerance
Portland's fixed cameras issue citations at 11 mph or more over the posted limit, which is a reasonable guide to the practical margin. Troopers on I-5 and I-84 are known to stop drivers at smaller margins during targeted patrols.
Speeding fines in Oregon
Oregon uses presumptive fines by violation class: roughly $115 for up to 10 mph over, $165 for 11-20 over, $265 for 21-30 over, and $440 for more than 30 over, with amounts doubled in school and work zones. Exceeding 100 mph is a special offense carrying a presumptive fine over $1,100 and a mandatory 30-90 day license suspension.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum speed limit in Oregon?
The maximum is 70 mph for passenger vehicles, posted on rural eastern sections of I-84 and I-82 and parts of US 95 and US 20. Most interstates, including all of I-5, are capped at 65 mph, and trucks face lower limits on the 70 mph sections.
What is Oregon's basic rule law?
ORS 811.100 requires drivers to travel at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions, regardless of the posted number. It means you can be cited for driving too fast in rain, fog or ice even while under the limit, and posted limits function as the ceiling in normal conditions.
What is the residential speed limit in Oregon?
Residential districts carry a statutory 25 mph limit and business districts 20 mph. Portland has lowered most of its residential streets to 20 mph, and school zones are 20 mph when children are present.
Does Oregon use speed cameras?
Yes. Since June 2024 any Oregon city may operate fixed speed safety cameras. Portland has the largest program with 15 fixed speed cameras plus intersection cameras, and citations are typically issued at 11 mph or more over the limit.
Speed limits in nearby states
- Washington speed limit — interstate, rural highway, and city limits.
- California speed limit — interstate, rural highway, and city limits.
- Idaho speed limit — interstate, rural highway, and city limits.
- Nevada 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.