Speed Limit Laws

Iowa
Drivers must obey posted speed limits, which can range from 20-70 miles per hour. Where no special hazard exists, the following speeds are maximum limits:

• 20 miles per hour in any business district
  
• 25 miles per hour in any residence or school district
  
• 45 miles per hour in any suburban district
  
• Notwithstanding any other speed restrictions, the speed limit for all vehicular traffic shall be 55 miles per hour.
  
• Reasonable and proper, but not greater than 55 miles per hour at any time between sunrise and sunset, and not greater than 50 miles per hour at any time between sunset and sunrise, on secondary roads.
  
• Notwithstanding any other speed restrictions, the speed limit for all vehicular traffic on fully controlled-access, divided, multi-lane highways including the national system of interstate highways is 70 miles per hour. However, the cities may establish a lower speed limit upon highways located within the corporate limits of a city. A minimum speed also may be established on the highways if warranted by traffic investigations.
  
• Any kind of vehicle incapable of maintaining a speed of 40 miles per hour shall be prohibited from using the interstate system.
  

Not complying with Iowa’s speed limit laws can result in a citation, which can cost you between $43.20 and $135.60 (including court fees), or even more for speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

Minnesota

Drivers must obey posted speed limits, which can range from 10-70 miles per hour. Where no special hazard exists, the following speeds are maximum limits:

• 70 miles per hour on Interstate highways outside the limits of any urbanized area with a population of greater than 50,000
• 65 miles per hour on non-Interstate freeways and expressways
• 65 miles per hour on Interstate highways inside the limits of any urbanized area with a population of greater than 50,000
• 55 miles per hour in locations other than those specified in this section
• 30 miles per hour in an urban district or on a town road in a rural residential district
• 25 miles per hour in residential roadways if adopted by the road authority having jurisdiction over the residential roadway
• 10 miles per hour in alleys

Fines

• Not complying with Minnesota’s speed limit laws can result in a citation, which can cost you on average between $105-$215 (including court fees).
• Fines are doubled in work zones and school zones
• Speeding over 100 miles per hour - Drivers traveling at 100 miles per hour or more are subject to a six-month revocation of their driver's license
• 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit - Motorists speeding 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit will be subject to a surcharge ($25 or equal to the fine, whichever is greater).

AAA Minnesota/Iowa believes that the public interest in facilitating the flow of traffic under conditions of highway safety will be best served by the basic rule that motor vehicles should be driven at speeds, which are reasonable and prudent under existing operating conditions.