Question on speed limits in New England States

[rrarthur]

Hello, I just came back from a ride in the north east. when traveling in the states south of Pennsylvania the back road speed limits are usually 55mph. but when traveling north or Pennsylvania I found they were typically 35-45mph in the back roads. Paved not gravel. Did I just choose the "wrong" roads to ride, or do they keep them lower speeds due to the wild life (bear, moose, deer....)? Any insight would be helpful to my next set of trip planning.

 

[Sierra1]

It's similar here in Texas. There are "county roads" (CR), and "farm to markets" (FM). Both are basically "back roads" and paved. CRs are generally 40mph and FMs are 55/60mph. Many times they appear identical. And, statistically, the "back roads" have more crashes. For a multitude of reasons; but usually H.U.A. is the root cause.

 

[steve68steve]

Speed limits frustrate me because they're so unreasonable. There's a flat, straight, road near me with little traffic and very few houses which can't even be seen from the road. Speed limit 35. There's no reason it can't be 50.

In PA, the speed limits in rural areas are pretty flexible. Everyone generally runs 15mph over and there aren't enough police to enforce otherwise. In small towns you might get trouble, but if you're going to speed thru a town you probably deserve it.

 

[Madhatter]

revenue generators ...…

 

[Checkswrecks]

I think you are seeing New England conservatism but as steve68steve wrote, it's quite normal to run 15 over.
fwiw, Maryland and most of the East Coast highway police are using laser and don't have much sympathy beyond 5-10 over. Do 20 over (iirc) in Virginia and go to jail.

 

[Sierra1]

.... Do 20 over (iirc) in Virginia and go to jail.

WOW!! Not only will you not go to jail, in Texas, but you can even keep it off of your record. Only if you exceed 25mph over posted will the ticket go on your record. And, in west TX, 80mph is the posted limit on I-10.

 

[rrarthur]

OK here is one for the Texas crowd. I keep seeing the twisted sisters come up as fantastic riding. Is it all that it's cracked up to be, and what are the speed limits around the hill country on the twisted sisters.

 

[Madhatter]

the toll road from Austin to seguin is 85 mph limit

 

[Madhatter]

twisted sisters or three sisters as we know it ( from 10 to 30 mph as it is curvy , carrot has ridden it and that's what he says ) I have yet to find my way out there to give it a go..... lots of Harleys crotch rockets to navigate around …. week days less crowded …..

 

[Sierra1]

....I keep seeing the twisted sisters come up as fantastic riding. Is it all that it's cracked up to be, and what are the speed limits around the hill country on the twisted sisters.

The only roads that I like better, are in the mountains of SoCal, up by Julian, and Borego Springs. But the "Sisters" and many other roads in that area are wonderful. Speed limit is 40mph, with cautionary yellow reduced limits that Madhatter referred to. Mr rrarthur, just go down I-35, west on I-10 to Kerrville and get a motel. In the morning, head west on TX-27 to TX-39. 39 is a good warm up. When you get to US 83, take a left, and go to Leakey. Leakey is the bottom right corner of the "Sisters". You then have a choice....north on 336....or west on 337. You won't be disappointed.

My sons and I went on a weekend that had a good chance of rain. We got lucky....no rain....and nobody on the road because of the threat of rain.

 

[steve68steve]

WOW!! Not only will you not go to jail, in Texas, but you can even keep it off of your record. Only if you exceed 25mph over posted will the ticket go on your record. And, in west TX, 80mph is the posted limit on I-10.

I recently drove across north Texas on rural roads and there was a cop sitting in nearly EVERY small town blasting speeders.

The limit would be 65 or 70 (IIRC), then rapidly step down to maybe 25mph. Right at the beginning (or end) of the slow zone there was a cop about 75 percent of the time. Saw LOTS of people pulled over.

 

[Sierra1]

It's going to happen, but it's not exclusive to Texas. I've driven in many states, that have exactly what you're describing. In Texas, the way it's SUPPOSED to work, the limit will only drop by 15mph at a time. Then there's SUPPOSED to be a minimum distance before it can make another drop. I've learned to pay close attention to the speed limit sign(s) when going into small towns; anywhere.

 

[HeliMark]

OK here is one for the Texas crowd. I keep seeing the twisted sisters come up as fantastic riding. Is it all that it's cracked up to be, and what are the speed limits around the hill country on the twisted sisters.

No. I rode it last year, and for me, it wasn't worth it. Okay(ish) curves, but the road is crap. Really bad shape, enough to keep any speed down. The only way I figure it has a good reputation, is the people that say it is great is the restaurant at one end with the souvenirs glorifying it, and riders that have never been out of the state of Texas.

 

[Sierra1]

I will have to agree with "crappy roads". One of the first things I noticed that when I moved down here was that they use "chip seal" for many roads. Throw down some oil, then sprinkle some gravel on it, and consider it done. Some results are better than others. If you are unlucky enough to visit before a refresh to the surface, HeliMark is right. Our roads are one of the main reasons I went with the Tenere; roads, or the lack of them, are not an issue.

 

[patrickg450]

I think you are seeing New England conservatism but as steve68steve wrote, it's quite normal to run 15 over.
fwiw, Maryland and most of the East Coast highway police are using laser and don't have much sympathy beyond 5-10 over. Do 20 over (iirc) in Virginia and go to jail.

YEP

 

[bamajoe]

Hello, I just came back from a ride in the north east. when traveling in the states south of Pennsylvania the back road speed limits are usually 55mph. but when traveling north or Pennsylvania I found they were typically 35-45mph in the back roads. Paved not gravel. Did I just choose the "wrong" roads to ride, or do they keep them lower speeds due to the wild life (bear, moose, deer....)? Any insight would be helpful to my next set of trip planning.

In Alabama any secondary paved road that speed limit isn't posted it's 45mph ... I just figured that was common everywhere

 

[jbrown]

I really dislike unenforced speed limits. When it's customary to go 10 mph over, it seems like an invitation for selective enforcement. Almost everyone is breaking the law, so there is always a reason to pull someone over if am officer wants to. I'd like reaonable speed limits that are universally enforced.

 

[rrarthur]

So it seems like a fall trip to Texas hill country will be a nice way to get a last ride in with a bit warmer weather. And its funny, up here in Minnesota and Wisconsin the back two lane roads are 55mph unless otherwise posted. And for anyone looking to travel to Minnesota....In my opinion Minnesota isn't worth a trip up here, we don't have the good roads to ride. Wisconsin has the Driftless area that is pretty good, but doesn't compare to the other states I have visited. My favorite riding areas have been Colorado, Idaho, Arkansas, Black Hills, Carolina's and Virgina. Great feedback on the question, and thanks for the heads up on 3 sisters road condition, it helps set expectations. Similar to Arkansas Pig Trail hwy 23. it's twisty and fun, but they really need to re-surface the road, as it's in pretty bad condition.

 

[Cycledude]

Texas Hill Country-Three Sisters I’ve been there a bunch of times and yes it is some of the best riding in Texas.

But I believe the entire southwest quarter of Wisconsin is much better riding than the three sisters area.

 

[Checkswrecks]

So it seems like a fall trip to Texas hill country will be a nice way to get a last ride in with a bit warmer weather. And its funny, up here in Minnesota and Wisconsin the back two lane roads are 55mph unless otherwise posted. And for anyone looking to travel to Minnesota....In my opinion Minnesota isn't worth a trip up here, we don't have the good roads to ride. Wisconsin has the Driftless area that is pretty good, but doesn't compare to the other states I have visited. My favorite riding areas have been Colorado, Idaho, Arkansas, Black Hills, Carolina's and Virgina. Great feedback on the question, and thanks for the heads up on 3 sisters road condition, it helps set expectations. Similar to Arkansas Pig Trail hwy 23. it's twisty and fun, but they really need to re-surface the road, as it's in pretty bad condition.

There's a lot of good roads in WV, PA, and the New England states. Maine, Vermont, and NH can be a blast.