Car speed limits in Maryland (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: The maximum limit is 30 mph in a business district and on undivided residential highways, 35 mph on divided residential highways, 50 mph on other undivided highways and 55 mph on other divided highways; no limit above 70 mph may be set. Signed school zones can be set within half a mile of a school, with doubled fines where signed and at most 35 mph where a crossing guard is posted. Work zone camera fines are doubled when workers are present.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Built-up areasPassenger car on public roads | 30 mph (35 mph on divided highways in a residential district) [1] |
| Outside built-up areas (single carriageway)Passenger car on public roads | 50 mph [1] |
| Outside built-up areas (dual carriageway or expressway)Passenger car on public roads | 55 mph [1] |
| MotorwaysPassenger car on public roads | No limit above 70 mph may be set [1] |
| School zonesPassenger car on public roads | A school zone with its own signed speed limit may be set within half a mile of a school; where a school crossing guard is posted the limit may not exceed 35 mph during the signed hours. Fines are doubled where the signs say so (flashing lights activated, or during school hours). [2] |
| Residential streetsPassenger car on public roads | 30 mph on undivided highways and 35 mph on divided highways in a residential district. [1] |
| Roadworks zonesPassenger car on public roads | Work zone speed cameras (on roads with a pre-work limit of 45 mph or more) record vehicles at least 12 mph over the work zone limit; the civil penalty is $60 to $500 depending on the excess speed and is doubled when workers are present. [3] |
Notes
- These are statutory maximums that may be altered under the subtitle.
- Applies to undivided highways in locations other than business and residential districts. A limit above 55 mph may be set only on an interstate highway or expressway.
- Applies to divided highways in locations other than business and residential districts.
- The statute does not state one default figure for interstates; limits above 55 mph are allowed only on interstate highways and expressways and may not exceed 70 mph.
- Counties and municipalities may also lower the limit in a posted school zone to 15 mph during school hours (§21-803(b)). Speeding in a school zone set up with doubled-fine signs carries a fine of up to $1,000.
Sources
- Maryland General Assembly, Department of Legislative Services: Transportation Article, §21-801.1 (maximum speed limits) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Maryland General Assembly: Transportation Article, §21-803.1 (school zones) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Maryland General Assembly: Transportation Article, §21-810 (work zone speed control systems) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Maryland and neighbouring states
| State | Built-up areas | Outside built-up areas (single carriageway) | Outside built-up areas (dual carriageway or expressway) | Motorways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 30 mph (35 divided residential) | 50 mph | 55 mph | 70 mph maximum |
| District of Columbia | 20 mph (default) | 20 mph (default) | 20 mph (default) | 20 mph (default) |
| Delaware | 25 mph business, 20-25 mph residential | 50 mph (2-lane roads) | 55 mph (4-lane/divided) | 55 mph; 65 mph on part of Route 1 |
| Pennsylvania | 35 mph; 25 mph local residential | 55 mph | — | 65 or 70 mph where posted |
| Virginia | 25 mph; 35 mph elsewhere in towns | 55 mph | 55 mph; 60 mph where posted | 55 mph; 70 mph where posted |
| West Virginia | 25 mph | 55 mph | — | At least 55 mph |
More rules in Maryland
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 2 plants per household
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 yrs 6 mths (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 yrs 9 mths (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 · Minimum age: 16+ for Class 3
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (permit only; sparklers excepted)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Penknife without switchblade is not a "weapon" · Locking or one-handed knives: Listed weapon; sale or display is banned
- 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 (no hand use) · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, driver and front passengers · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes; police enforce only as secondary action (16+)
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Any alcohol (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.