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Pennsylvania Default Speed Limits

Default speed limits where no sign is posted: residential, urban, rural, school zones, and interstate maximums.

Speed Limit Residential Default

25

Source: 75 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3362(a)(1.2): "25 miles per hour in a residence district if the highway: (i) is not a numbered traffic route; and (ii) is functionally classified by the department as a local highway." Added by Act 151 of 1998. The limit is conditional and must be posted per Sec. 3362(b)(1); a residential street that is a numbered route falls under the 35 mph urban-district limit instead. Verified Aug 2026

Speed Limit Urban Default

35

Source: 75 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3362(a)(1): "35 miles per hour in any urban district." Not effective unless posted, per Sec. 3362(b)(1), which requires posting at the beginning and end of each speed zone and at intervals no greater than one-half mile. Last amended Mar. 19, 2014 (P.L.361, No.23). Verified Aug 2026

Speed Limit Rural Default

55

Source: 75 Pa.C.S. Sec. 3362(a)(2): "55 miles per hour in other locations." Freeways where PennDOT has posted a higher limit run at 65 or 70 mph under Sec. 3362(a)(1.1). Last amended Mar. 19, 2014 (P.L.361, No.23). Verified Aug 2026

School zone (mph)

15

Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 2: School Zone Signals / Chapter 3: Posted Speed Limits Verified Aug 2026

Interstate maximum (mph)

70

Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3: Posted Speed Limits Verified Aug 2026

Right on red allowed unless posted?

yes

Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 2: Signals (Red, Yellow and Green Traffic Lights and Arrows) Verified Aug 2026

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