Speed Zones

In Oregon, speed zones are established either by statute (statutory speed), or through an engineering and traffic investigation (designated speed). State statutes give Oregon motorists the following statutory speed limits.

15 mph - Alleys and narrow residential roadways
20 mph - Business districts, school zones and some residential
25 mph - Residential districts, public parks and ocean shores
55 mph - Some open rural highways; and trucks on some interstate highways
60 mph - Trucks on some interstate; and open rural highways
65 mph - Passenger vehicles, light trucks, motor homes and light duty commercial vehicles on some interstate highways; some open rural highways; trucks on some interstate highways;
70 mph - Passenger vehicles, light trucks, motor homes and light duty commercial vehicles on some interstate highways

See Oregon Revised Statute 811.105 and 811.111 for more details on statutory speeds.

Speed Zone Brochure

Frequently Asked Questions

Speed Zone Standards

American law follows the basic idea that most people are reasonable and laws exist to control the few who are unreasonable or inconsiderate. The posted speed zones follow the same idea.

How does ODOT determine the posted speeds?

Studies performed in Oregon and throughout the United States serve as the basis for how we establish speed zones. These studies show that traffic moving at a speed reasonable for the road and weather conditions results in fewer crashes. Drivers are more patient because a reasonably uniform speed allows progress with less passing, less delay, and fewer rear-end collisions.

Reducing the posted speed helps the problem, right?

While many people believe that lowering posted speeds will mean fewer crashes, but studies do not prove this.

Studies show drivers become frustrated by unreasonably low speeds. Frustrated drivers are more likely to engage in unsafe driving practices, which actually cause more crashes. Some motorists may try to make up time by taking a shortcut through residential or other areas that are not suited for higher speeds and increased numbers of cars.

Oregon Speed Zone Standards

State statutes give Oregon motorists the following speed zone standards:

15 mph - Alleys, narrow residential roadways
20 mph - Business districts, school zones and some residential
25 mph - Residential districts, public parks, ocean shores
55 mph - Some open and rural highways; trucks on some interstate highways
60 or 65 mph - Trucks on some interstate and open rural highways
65 or 70 mph - Passenger vehicles, light trucks, motor homes and light duty commercial vehicles on some interstate and open rural highways

Posted speeds override these statutory standards.

The Basic Rule

All travel on public streets and highways is subject to the "basic speed rule."

What is the basic speed rule?

The basic speed rule states that a motorist must drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent at all times by considering:

Other traffic.
Road and weather conditions.
Dangers at intersections.
Any other conditions that affect safety and speed.

In other words, drivers are expected to use good judgment in selecting their speed.

How do you violate the basic speed rule?

The basic speed rule does not authorize a driver to exceed the posted or statutory speed limit. If a motorist is charged with violation of the basic speed rule, the posted or statutory speed limit becomes the primary evidence that he or she exceeded the basic speed rule. In this case, it would be up to the motorist to prove that he or she was driving in a reasonable and prudent manner for the conditions.

A person can also drive below the posted speed and violate the basic speed rule. For instance, if there is ice or snow on the roadway, a driver can be traveling less than the speed limit posted and still be traveling faster than is reasonable and prudent for the conditions.

Speed Limits

In addition to the basic speed rule, some roadways in Oregon have specific speed limits.

Speed limits do not authorize speeds higher than those required for compliance with the basic speed rule.

Conversely, the basic speed rule does not authorize speeds higher than those established as speed limits.

Changing a Speed Zone

Resource Materials

Requests from Cities or Counties

If a city or county thinks the speed for a particular street or highway should be changed, it can make a request to ODOT for a review and investigation.

Submitting a Request:

Cities and counties may submit requests to ODOT via our online request form. Once received, we initiate an investigation to determine if a speed zone should be changed.

Additional documents may be submitted by replying to the automated acknowledgement email received after submittal.

Investigation Considerations:

ODOT's regional traffic engineering staff conducts an investigation using nationally-accepted traffic engineering standards and procedures. Factors we will consider include:

Crash history.
Roadside culture.
Traffic volumes.
Roadway alignment, width and surface.
Motor vehicle speeds.

A major factor in establishing speed zones is consideration of the 85th percentile speed. This is the speed at or below which 85 percent of the vehicles are traveling. This is used as an indication of the speed most drivers feel is reasonable and safe.

Investigation Results:

When our investigation is complete, we prepare a report, with photographs, detailing the existing conditions and proposed changes. The report is sent to the city or county for review.

If the city or county agrees with the recommendation, the new speed zone is established.

If ODOT and the local road authority cannot reach agreement on the setting of a speed zone, the speed zone request is referred to the Speed Zone Review Panel. The panel is comprised of representatives of the Oregon Transportation Safety Committee, the Oregon State Police, the Association of Oregon Counties, the League of Oregon Cities, and ODOT.

The panel hears ODOT's recommendations and testimony from the local road authority and makes the final decision.

It is the responsibility of the road authority to install new speed zone signs.

Requests from Private Citizens

Regarding city streets or county roads: Please contact your local jurisdiction.

Regarding state highways outside of city limits: Please email ODOT's Traffic Roadway Section at ODOTSpeedZoning@odot.state.or.us requesting a review.

Work Zone Related Speed Zoning

Work Zone Speed Reduction Request, Form 734-2874

Contact The Traffic Engineering Services for assistance: 503-986-3573.

Interstate Speeds

With the exception of temporary construction or emergency speed zones orders, all speed zones on interstate highways in Oregon (I-5, I-82, I-84, I-105, I-205 and I-405) are set by statute (ORS 811.111) at 65 or 70 mph for passenger cars, unless otherwise directed by OAR 734-020-0011.

A recommendation for setting speed limits on interstate highways in Oregon can be found in:

Report to the Oregon Transportation Commission: Recommendation for Setting Speed Limits on Interstate Highways in Oregon, Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel, September 2004
Impacts and Issues Related to Proposed Changes in Oregon's Interstate Speed Limits, Portland State University, September 2004

Interstate Truck Speeds

In 2017 ODOT performed an engineering study on the impacts associated with increasing truck speeds on interstate highways. Information about this effort can be found on the Interstate Truck Speeds page.

Speed Zone Orders Online

Online Copies of Speed Zone Orders

Current designated speed zone orders and engineering and traffic investigation reports statewide.

Making the Most of Your Search

When you get to the search page there's a few things to know in order to help you find your document:

This database only holds the most recent order or investigation report for a road.

Contact our speed zone specialist if the current order does not cover the section of road you are looking for, or if you are looking for an old order.

The search function identifies data that exactly matches your criteria.

You don't have to fill out everything to get what you're looking for. For example, you enter "Main" for road or highway name. The system will identify orders in which the word "Main" is all or part of the road name, i.e. Westmain, Main, or Quartermain. However, misspelling your search term will impact your results. For example, no records will be found for "Main" if the term was entered as "Mane."

Start with a simple search.

We suggest you keep your first search simple by using only one or two terms. You can always refine your search by adding terms to focus on what you want.

Narrow your search.

The more data you fill in, the fewer records the system will return. If you find there are too many "Main Streets" in the state, consider narrowing the search by adding a term to another field such as city.

Broaden your search.

The less data you fill in, the more records the system will return. For example, if you're looking for a speed zone for a city street without success, remove any entry in the "City" field. In this way, you may find the speed zone order was issued when the street was still outside city limits. If you're not sure if a street is within city limits, try leaving the city and county fields blank. You may want to see all the speed zone orders in one city. Just fill in the city name and leave the other fields blank.

Avoid Abbreviations

With exception of directional designation, i.e. north, south, we spell out all words, such as street or avenue. Searching for "Main St." will bring zero results. Revisit your search terms to ensure no abbreviations are used to maximize your results.

For streets with a directional designation, we use the first initial(s) for directions in street names such as "S Main Street" or "1st Street NE."

Can't find the speed order for the road in question?

If you are unable to get results on a search for a street and if you've double-checked your spelling, it is possible there is no designated speed zone order on that road.

One common explanation is the road operates under a statutory speed limit, such as a 25 mph residential speed zone. Statutory limits do not require speed zone orders and we do not maintain a record of these in our database.

Need help?

If you're having problems locating a speed zone order or having other issues with this service, email our Speed Zone Specialist for assistance.

Training Program

Training classes in conducting speed zone investigations are offered periodically to local agency personnel.

Contact the Traffic Section

4040 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, MS5

Salem, Oregon 97302

Phone: 503-986-3568

Fax: 503-986-3749

Email the Speed Zone Team