Cargo Trailer Speed Limits By State

We've all seen it before, a truck comes flying down the road towing a trailer and then a sudden curve in the road causes swerving.  The truck goes one way the trailer goes the other way and hopefully no other vehicle was collateral damage. 

Unfortunately this is the case most every day on the roads all across the country.  What most drivers that tow trailers don't realize is the speed limit can be different if towing a trailer.  It obviously varies state by state, but it's good to know what the limits are before you head out on the open road.

Here's the full list of cargo trailer speed limits as reported by AAA

Alabama

Must be reasonable and proper.

Alaska

The maximum speed while towing a mobile home is 45 mph.

Arizona

Vehicles towing trailers or semitrailers may not exceed a rate of speed that causes lateral sway.

Arkansas

Speed limits are 70 mph on rural interstates; 55 mph on urban freeways; or as posted.

45 mph is maximum when towing house trailer.

California

Maximum speed for any vehicle towing another vehicle is 55 mph.

Colorado

Same as passenger cars.

Connecticut

55 mph where posted. Some areas 65 mph where posted.

Delaware

No trailer carrying a gross weight of load in combination with a vehicle in excess of 4,000 lbs. shall be operated at a speed over 10 mph unless equipped with suitable brakes controlled by the operator of the towing vehicle.

District of Columbia

N/A.

Florida

Unless otherwise posted, 30 mph in business and residential districts, and 55 mph at any time at all other locations. Turnpike and other designated highways 65 mph, except where posted 70 mph (minimum speed 50 mph).

Georgia

As posted.

Hawaii

As posted.

Idaho

Same as passenger cars.

Illinois

N/A.

Indiana

As posted.

Iowa

Interstate 70 mph or as posted.

Kansas

No person shall operate a vehicle towing a house trailer at a speed greater than 55 mph.

Kentucky

Same as passenger cars.

Louisiana

Boat or utility trailer, same as passenger car; house trailer, 55 mph, day, 50 mph, night for brake-equipped trailers 15 to 32 feet long, 50 mph for trailers without brakes less than 15 feet; all others, 45 mph.

Michigan

A person driving a passenger vehicle pulling another vehicle or trailer shall not exceed the posted speed limit

Minnesota

Same as for passenger vehicles.

Mississippi

55 mph unless otherwise posted.

Missouri

Same as for passenger cars.

Maine

As posted.

Maryland

Same as passenger cars.

Massachusetts

Same as passenger cars.

Montana

N/A.

Nebraska

No person shall operate any motor vehicle when towing a mobile home at a rate of speed in excess of 50 mph.

Nevada

As posted.

New Hampshire

House trailers, 45 mph.

New Jersey

As posted. No additional restrictions for car with trailer.

New Mexico

75 mph or as posted.

New York

Same as passenger cars

North Carolina

55 mph unless otherwise posted.

North Dakota

Rural interstate, 75 mph; non-interstate multilane highways, 70 mph; 2-lane highways, 65 mph, if posted. If not posted, 55 mph.

Ohio

55 mph is the maximum speed for any vehicle or vehicle combination that weighs over 8,000 lbs.

Oklahoma

N/A.

Oregon

Any vehicle towing a trailer, any camper, and any vehicle with a registration weight of 8,000 lbs. or more must drive in the right lane of all roadways having 2 or more lanes for traffic proceeding in a single direction.

Pennsylvania

As posted. Fixed maximum limits as follows: (1) rural interstate highways – 65 mph; (2) residential districts on most local highways – 25 mph; (3) urban districts – 35 mph; and (4) in other locations – 55 mph.

Rhode Island

Same as for passenger cars.

South Carolina

Manufactured, modular, or mobile homes must not be transported at a speed in excess of 10 miles below the maximum posted speed limit when the maximum posted speed limit is in excess of 45 mph, and never in excess of 55 mph.

A person driving a vehicle towing a house trailer must not drive faster than 45 mph.

South Dakota

65 mph on secondary highways except where posted. 75 mph on interstate except where posted.

Tennessee

Rural interstate, 70 mph or as otherwise posted.

Texas

Same as for passenger cars.

Utah

Same as passenger cars unless posted.

Vermont

Same as for passenger cars.

Virginia

70 mph or as posted.

Washington

Same as posted for trucks.

West Virginia

55 mph, 70 mph where posted.

Wisconsin

Same as for passenger cars.

Wyoming

Same as for passenger cars.

Puerto Rico

Same as for passenger cars according to the zone, but maximum speed for heavy motor vehicles is 10 mph less than permitted in any zone.

 

Canada

Alberta

100 km/h or as posted.

British Columbia

80 km/h on provincial highways, and 50 km/h in populated areas, or as posted.

Manitoba

90 km/h in rural areas and 50 km/h in urban areas, unless otherwise posted.

New Brunswick

80 km/h unless otherwise posted.

Newfoundland and Labrador

90 km/h and posted 100 km/h.

Northwest Territories

90 km/h or as posted.

Nova Scotia

80 km/h or as posted.

Nunavut

N/A.

Ontario

Same as passenger cars.

Prince Edward Island

80 km/h unless posted otherwise.

Quebec

Same speed as passenger cars, or as posted.

Saskatchewan

80 km/h unless posted otherwise.

Yukon

Same as for passenger cars.

Regardless of the speed limit, it's always best to err on the side of caution.  Be knowledgeable of the speed limit and drive at least 5 mph slower just to be sure.

Wheverer you are headed with your trailer, be safe and take your time.