Atkinson and Starr work to raise state speed limit

Salem, OR – Oregon’s speed limit is behind the times. Senators Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point) and Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro) want to bring Oregon into line with its I-5 neighbors, who both have speed limits of 70 miles per hour. 

“Oregon is the only state west of the Mississippi with highway and interstate speed limits less than 70 miles per hour,” said Atkinson. “People have to play by different rules along I-5 and in rural areas when they travel from state to state.  Business and commerce suffer as a result.”

Atkinson and Starr’s plan would increase the speed limits on Oregon’s highways and interstates to 75 miles per hour for most vehicles and to 60 miles per hour for commercial vehicles such as semi-trucks. By increasing speed limits, Oregon would be more streamlined with Washington and California to the north and south, and Idaho and Nevada to the East. Idaho and Nevada have a designated speed limit of 75 miles per hour on their highways and interstates. 

Atkinson and Starr plan to amend a bill currently before the Senate Business, Transportation and Economic Development Committee with the speed limit change.

“Oregon is the odd one out when it comes to the nation’s speed limits,” said Starr.  “By modernizing our speed limit we can increase the flow of traffic, lower commute times and fast track commerce through the state.” 

Of the 22 states west of the Mississippi River not counting Alaska and Hawaii, 19 have designated either 70 or 75 miles per hour as the speed limit on highways and interstates, with Utah, Oregon and Texas as the outliers. Utah has a designated speed limit of 80 on its highways and interstates, and Texas allows each county to set speed limits. Dallas and San Antonio have 65 as the designated speed, while everywhere else in the state is 70 or above.

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