Georgia Speed Limits – National Speed Limits in Georgia

In Georgia the rural interstates are posted at the maximum speed limit of 70 mph (113 km/h). Sections of Interstates passing through a municipality or metropolitan area with a population over fifty thousand are posted as high as 70 mph (113 km/h), such as I-95 through Brunswick and I-85 in Gwinnett County. Most urban interstates, however, still remain at or below 65 mph (105 km/h). I-285 in the Atlanta area is posted at 65 mph (105 km/h) – with variable speed limits on the north portion.

I-95 and I-16 through suburban Savannah – the 65 mph (105 km/h) limit on I-95 is only for a 1 1/2 mile section in the vicinity of the I-16 interchange, I-16 from the interchange with I-75 in central Macon eastbound past Exit 2 is at 65 mph (105 km/h), and I-185 in Columbus remain at 65 mph (105 km/h), while the Downtown Connector and portions of I-20 in Atlanta are posted as low as 55 mph (89 km/h). Most non-interstate freeways such as GA-400 and the Athens perimeter highway, are posted at 55 to 65 mph (89 to 105 km/h).

Four-lane arterials and expressways can be posted as high as 65 mph (105 km/h). However, Dillon’s Rule enables counties outside municipalities to keep four-lane GRIP corridors at 55 mph (89 km/h). However, in recent years, US 1 between Augusta and Wrens raised the speed limit to 65 mph (105 km/h). Other rural four-lane highways with a 65 mph (105 km/h) include portions of US 441 near Irwinton, US 25 between Augusta and Statesboro, State Route 88 between Sandersville and Wrens, State Route 16 between Griffin and I-75, much of US 341 between Brunswick and I-75, and much of US 82 in South Georgia.

Two-lane state roads by default are posted at 55 mph (89 km/h). County maintained roads will rarely post any roadway above 50 mph (80 km/h) in middle & south Georgia, 45 mph (72 km/h) in north Georgia. Both in the Atlanta area, Ronald Reagan Parkway is posted at 50 mph (80 km/h) as a county maintained freeway and Sugarloaf Parkway is posted at 55 mph (89 km/h) along its new eastern freeway portion.

Inside the municipality, speed limits are generally posted at 35 mph (56 km/h) while it is 25–30 mph (40-48 km/h) in the downtown area.

All roadways maintained by the Georgia Department ​of Transportation that are subject to speed limit reductions are given advanced notice with signage that says “REDUCED SPEED AHEAD”. Furthermore, GDOT has a policy of doing 5 to 10 mph (8 to 16 km/h) increments but never higher than 10 mph (16 km/h).

Georgia is one of few states with anti-speed trap laws passed in the late 1990s. Speed violations less than 15 mph (24 km/h) over the speed limit will have no points assessed. Fines are not assessed for motorists going less than 10 mph (16 km/h) over the speed limit. In 2009, Georgia introduced the “Super Speeder” law, which adds an additional speeding fine of $200 for motorists convicted of traveling 75 mph (121 km/h) or more on a two lane or undivided road and 85 mph (137 km/h) or more on a divided highway.