AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 22, 2026
MoDOT Announces Interstate Speed Limit Increases
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is set to increase speed limits on specific segments of rural interstate highways. This change comes after a recent state law authorized select stretches to move from the current 70 mph to a new 75 mph limit.
Review Process for Speed Limit Changes
MoDOT conducted an in-depth review before selecting highways eligible for the increased speed limit. The evaluation included traffic patterns, truck volumes, crash history, roadway design, terrain, construction activity, and the actual speeds at which drivers were traveling. Segments were only selected if they met the agency's safety and engineering standards.
MoDOT Director Highlights Safety
"We can move people and traffic efficiently at higher speeds without sacrificing safety," said Ed Hassinger, MoDOT Director, as he announced the changes. Despite the increase, Hassinger emphasized that the state's interstate system was not designed for speeds significantly above 75 mph. He urged all drivers to maintain safe driving habits, including wearing seatbelts, staying alert, and never driving under the influence—regardless of the posted speed limit.
Implementation Timeline and Monitoring
Although the decision to increase the speed limit has been made, the change will not be immediate. MoDOT crews plan to spend several weeks replacing existing speed limit signs with the new 75 mph signs. Until the new signs are posted, the current 70 mph limit will remain in effect. The department will continue to monitor crash data on the affected highways and may revert segments to the previous speed limit if safety concerns arise.
Affected Interstate Segments
MoDOT published a detailed map of the impacted routes on its website. The higher speed limit will apply to the following stretches of rural interstate highways in Missouri:
- I-29: Exit 56 in Andrew County to about 2.5 miles south of the Iowa border (64 miles)
- I-35: Northern Cameron city limit to about 4 miles south of the Iowa border (55 miles)
- I-49:
- Arkansas border to Exit 24 (24 miles)
- Exit 56 to just south of Exit 101 in Nevada (45 miles)
- I-55:
- Arkansas border to mile marker 16.6, just south of the I-155 interchange (17 miles)
- Mile marker 19.8, just north of MO 84, to mile marker 64.9 at the Rte. AA bridge (45 miles)
- Mile marker 70.5, just north of Rte. HH, to mile marker 86.6, just south of Rte. PP (16 miles)
- Mile marker 106.4, just north of Exit 105, to mile marker 164.9 at the Jefferson County line (59 miles)
Continued Focus on Traffic Safety
The missouri transportation agency stated it will closely monitor all routes where the speed limit is increased. The possibility remains that segments could revert to 70 mph if future data reveals safety concerns.
What Drivers Need to Know
The speed limit update will not be official until new signs are installed. MoDOT urged drivers to obey posted limits and continue prioritizing safety, particularly as speed limit signs are replaced. The higher limits are confined to specific stretches of rural interstate highways that underwent a comprehensive traffic safety review.
Source: missourinet.com.
