Car speed limits in Alberta (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: The standard maximum is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on municipal roads and 100 km/h on provincial highways outside urban areas. School and playground zones are 30 km/h at set times. Speeding fines are doubled when construction workers or a stopped roadside vehicle with flashing lights are present.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Built-up areasPassenger car on public roads | 50 km/h maximum on a highway within an urban area [1] |
| Outside built-up areas (single carriageway)Passenger car on public roads; Provincial highways outside urban areas | 100 km/h is the standard limit on a provincial highway outside an urban area, unless a different limit is prescribed under section 108 [1] |
| Outside built-up areas (single carriageway)Passenger car on public roads; Municipal district and other listed roads (for example forestry roads, highways in improvement districts and Indian reserve highways held by the Crown in right of Alberta) | 80 km/h maximum on highways under a municipal district or Metis settlement, on a provincial highway within a city and on the other roads listed in s 106(b) [1] |
| MotorwaysPassenger car on public roads; Provincial highways outside urban areas | 100 km/h standard maximum on a provincial highway outside an urban area [1] |
| School zonesPassenger car on public roads | 30 km/h in a signed school zone on school days, 8:00-9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 3:00-4:30 p.m., and 30 km/h in a playground zone from 8:30 a.m. until one hour after sunset every day. Municipalities may change the hours by bylaw; where flashing yellow lights are used, the limit applies while they flash. [2] |
| Roadworks zonesPassenger car on public roads | Speeding fines are doubled when construction workers, or a stopped roadside vehicle with flashing lights, are present; the doubling can apply even without signs saying so. A lower maximum speed may be posted for a highway under construction or repair. [3] |
Notes
- A provincial highway located within a city has an 80 km/h standard limit instead. The Minister or a road authority may prescribe a different limit under s 108.
- These are standard maximums. The Minister may prescribe a different limit on a provincial highway, and a road authority may do so on its own roads, under s 108.
- The Act has no separate motorway category. This is the standard maximum for provincial highways outside urban areas, which the Minister may change under s 108.
Sources
- King's Printer, Province of Alberta: Traffic Safety Act, RSA 2000, c T-6 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Alberta King's Printer: Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, Alta Reg 304/2002 (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of Alberta: Roadside worker safety (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Alberta and neighbouring provinces and territories
| Province or territory | Built-up areas | Outside built-up areas (single carriageway) | Outside built-up areas (dual carriageway or expressway) | Motorways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 50 km/h | Passenger car on public roads, Provincial highways: 100 km/h (standard) Passenger car on public roads, Municipal and other roads: 80 km/h | — | Passenger car on public roads, Provincial highways: 100 km/h |
| British Columbia | 50 km/h | 80 km/h | — | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Saskatchewan | Posted limit; 80 km/h if unsigned | 80 km/h | — | Posted limit; 80 km/h if unsigned |
| Northwest Territories | 50 km/h | 90 km/h | — | — |
More rules in Alberta
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal within limits (18+) · Growing at home: Yes, up to 4 plants per home
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (Class 5-GDL, after 12 months as a learner) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 14, with a supervisor aged over 18
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Power bicycle: a cycle, not a motor vehicle · Minimum age: 12 (consent if under 18)
- Fireworks
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.00 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% (3-day suspension) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero; 30-day suspension
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.