Don’t start driving 80 mph in Oklahoma because you think I said it was ok! 🙂
But, some parts of I-44 (maybe other interstates there too . . I don’t know) now have an 80 mph speed limit. Thank you, Oklahoma!
Way early this year, I had read that they were doing that and kept waiting and waiting and then decided I must have read the article wrong but last week I heard that they were beginning to change the signs to reflect the new speed limit. When I went to MO on Monday, there were no 80 mph signs but coming back yesterday, I saw a few of them, and saw several places where crews were working to change the signs.
It’s going to make it even harder to slow down to 70 when I get to Missouri but the worst is driving 75 across Texas and getting to Louisiana where it changes to 55.
I don’t speed – really . . and it felt like I was flying when I was going 80. It was raining when I first saw the new signs and I didn’t go any faster than I was already going because of the wet roads but when I got to the area past Tulsa where the speed limit was 80, I did but it felt odd. I’m sure I’ll get used to it before this move is finished.
Debi says
Ha when I drive home from seeing my kids in another state I use freeways that are 110 and 100 Klm then go on a road that is 60. That is a trap after a 12 hr drive
wanda jordan says
Well you know why the speed limit was 55 miles and hour don’t you? It was to save gas. I guess we don’t need to do that now? 80 miles and hour oh my gosh now they will drive 90. That is just way to fast to drive. You have to have worked in the medical field to see mangled bodies to know that. This is to fast to have an accident and expect to come out alive. Be safe on your travels . Just my opinion and everybody has one I know.
Judy Laquidara says
I have mixed feelings about it. Wide open spaces with not terribly traffic, if people are paying attention and not impaired, it can be as safe as 55 with an impaired or inattentive driver. The speed limit on the road that our driveway is on is 75 and it doesn’t seem too fast but through the subdivision where our new place is, the speed limit is 45 and that seem good for that area. There are a lot of factors that come into play. Two cars going 80 hit head on – not going to be a good outcome. One car sitting stopped at a red light and a car going 55 hits them from behind – not going to be a good outcome.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol seems to patrol I-44 pretty closely so hopefully there won’t be too many accidents. And, hopefully, our trips on that highway will become fewer and fewer soon. I’ve traveled that road too much already.
Liz says
The OK speed limits are 80 on the turnpikes and only in the more rural areas. On I35 & I40, they’ll be changing the upper limit to 75, again in the more rural areas. So beware when you get closer to Tulsa and OKC.
By the way, the majority of the cars I see pulled over on I35 have TX plates. And, I swear that those cars are going 85-90 mph when they passed me.
patti says
80mph is great! we often drive 3,000 mi round trip to visit family and LOVE when we hit long stretches of 80 – mostly in utah, but many open areas in other surrounding states too. beats chugging along at 75 when roads are long and straight!
Judy Laquidara says
Yes! I can’t imagine a 3,000 mile round trip. You make me feel like a wimp for complaining about 1,200 round trip.
Ruth says
When I started driving around the D.C. 495 loop from VA to MD, I didn’t drive faster than 65. But after three years, I noticed I was driving 70mph and being passed by other cars on a regular basis. Now I sometimes go up to 80mph, still being passed by other cars, BUT!!!
I have found that at 80mph I have about 3 seconds to make a choice of a lane change, not 5-8 seconds as I did at 70mph, or 8-10 seconds that I did at 65mph. That is what makes the difference for me.
Driving through Wyoming at 80mph with practically no traffic or lane changes is very easy.
Driving 55mph wasn’t to save on gas only, it was to SAVE LIVES. Because at 55mph the driver has more time to make better choices, and more chance of surviving a crash. Yet we all want to “just get there faster!”
Nelle Coursey says
I remember once when I was a kid, driving around 110 mph! I was in a hurry!! LOL Never did that again and was glad I made it safely to work! LOL I was in my 1964 Chevy 2-door! I was stylin’! Wish I still had it today!!
Rebecca in SoCal says
I think the fastest I have driven is 80 mph. I was going with the traffic here in California where the speed limit is 65! I guess it’s higher in Arizona, so that makes driving to Phoenix a bit uneven.
Susan Nixon says
Southern Texas on I-10 has been 80 for at least two years, maybe longer – I was pleased to drive it when I was coming home from Tucson a couple years ago.
moneikquilts says
We have 80 on our Interstates in SD and it works well for the rural areas. Around cities it is 65 and during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally part of our area goes to 65 instead of 75 due to the increased traffic.