Driving in the United States you will encounter a whole range of speed limits. Although they are variously enforced with some county police strictly enforcing the limit while others tacitly permit you to drive considerably above the speed limit. In some places, the speeding fine may be little more than a slap on the wrist, while in others, the book may be thrown at you.
Generally speaking, the speeding limits are higher west of the Mississippi River (although one rather surprising exception is that the highest speed limit is quite slow in Alaska).
Here are America's states, territories, and counties with the highest and lowest speed limits.
10 Fast: Texas - Maximum 85 Miles
Well, okay, most of the State of Texas is maximum 75 miles per hour - typical for the western half of the lower 48, but Texas does boast the highest speed limit in the country.
Texas is the only state to post an 85-mile per hour speed limit, and it can be found on a 40-mile stretch of the Texas State Highway 130 running from Austin to San Antonio. Also, it's a toll road, and you will have to pay $6.17 to use it one way.
9 Slow: Midway Atoll - 15 Miles
Perhaps Midway is best known for the famous Battle of Midway - a massive aircraft carrier battle of World War Two between the United States and Japan. But it could also be famous for something else — a speed limit of 15 miles — the lowest maximum speed limit in the United States (including its territories).
Today the Midway Atoll has a tiny population of around 40 people and is the only part of the Hawaiian archipelago not part of the State of Hawaii.
8 Fast: Idaho - 80 Miles
Actually, Idaho isn't alone here, a bunch of states, including Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming all have stretches of highway signposted at 80 miles per hour.
Most of these states have low population densities and so can comfortably permit motorists to enjoy higher speed limits safely.
7 Slow: American Samoa - 30 Miles
Located in the stunning and tropical South Pacific, American Samoa has the second-slowest speed limit of any US state or territory. It has the slowest speed limit of any such jurisdiction that also actually has a meaningful population and road network.
In American Samoa, you will be limited to a mere 30 miles per hour. American Samoa has been part of the US since 1899 and has a population of 46,000 and is noted for having the highest enlistment rates into the US military of any place in the US.
6 Fast: Michigan And Maine - 75 Miles
Basically, none of the eastern half of the United States (including the Midwest) permit anything above 70 miles per hour anywhere. But Michigan and Maine have two curious exceptions.
Maine permits speeds of up to 75 miles for much of the Interstate 95 (I-95) north of Bangor, while Michigan has around 600 miles of freeways at 75 miles per hour.
5 Slow: Wake Island - 40 Miles
This lonely island is an unorganized, unincorporated territory belonging to, but not a part of, the United States. Only a few military and such personnel are to be found here with a population of around 100 at any one time.
Wake Island does not have a permanent population, and it is actually dominated by the air force base there. In fact, it is the air force that administers the island.
4 Fast: Everywhere Else West Of The Mississippi - 75 Miles (Except California And Oregon)
Almost all other states west of the Mississippi River have maximum speed limits of up to 75 miles per hour. Notable exceptions to this include California and Oregon - both with 70 miles maximum.
Many of these states are more sparsely inhabited than their east of the Mississippi counterparts. They all have long sections of highways cutting through largely inhabited wilderness.
3 Slow: Guam/Northern Mariana Islands - 45 Miles
Guam has a population of around 170,000 people and actually has a decent road network. However, you won't find a place on this remote island where you are permitted to drive faster than 45 miles per hour.
The Northern Mariana Islands similarly limit motorists to 45 miles per hour. One of its main islands, Saipan, is most well known for the amphibious landing and fierce fighting of the US Marines to take the island during WW2.
2 Fast: Hawaii - 60 miles
Hawaii gets a special mention here as it has the slowest maximum speed of any state in the USA. With a maximum speed of 60 miles - even on its highways and the relevantly large and sparsely inhabited Big Island, so don't expect to get around too quickly.
Still, distances in Hawaii are rarely great, so even limited to 60 mph you won't take too long to get to your destination. It's Hawaii anyway, just relax.
1 Slow: US Virgin Islands - 55 Miles
The US Virgin Islands has a top speed of only 55 miles, so don't expect to drive around these Caribbean Island paradises too quickly. The US Virgin Islands has a population of around 100,000 and are the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing vacation.
One interesting trivia of the US Virgin Islands is that they were purchased from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million. They were then renamed - they were previously known as the Danish West Indies.
In summary, the US territories have the lowest speed limits in the US while the plains, Rockies, and desert states tend to have the highest speed limits.