Speed Limits
Va. Code 46.2-870 — 55 unless posted, 70 on signed interstates, and reckless at 20 over or past 85
| The road | The maximum, unless otherwise provided |
|---|---|
| The roadInterstates and other limited access divided highways, highways of four or more lanes, and state primary highways | The maximum, unless otherwise provided55 miles per hour |
| The roadOther highways, for cars, buses, pickups and motorcycles | The maximum, unless otherwise provided55 miles per hour |
| The roadOther highways, for trucks, and for vehicles towing another vehicle or a house trailer | The maximum, unless otherwise provided45 miles per hour |
| The roadInterstates and multilane divided limited access highways where signs are posted after a traffic study | The maximum, unless otherwise provided70 miles per hour |
Speed alone can be reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Driving 20 miles per hour or more over the applicable limit, or over 85 miles per hour regardless of the limit, is reckless driving. So is exceeding a reasonable speed for the conditions at the time, whatever the posted limit. Reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Sources for this section (4)
- Va. Code 46.2-870 — Maximum speed limits generally
- Va. Code 46.2-862 — Exceeding speed limit
- Va. Code 46.2-861 — Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions
- Va. Code 46.2-868 — Reckless driving; penalties
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.