Maximum Speed Limits by Popular Destinations Worldwide
If you are a driver, you have probably been caught speeding at least once in your lifetime, and you undoubtedly remember exactly where you were.
Regardless of where you are relocating overseas, you would probably want to know the highest speed limit in your destination country.
SDC International Shipping has looked at the speed limits in different corners of our world.
Here’s what we found.
Highest Speed Limits by Specific Geographies
Asia
Let’s take the top destinations in Asia, like China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Maldives, Thailand, Bali, and Singapore.
In China, the highest speed limit on expressways is 120 km/h. and 100 km/h on city express roads. If you are driving in a city with one lane, then you will have to slow down to 30km/h.
When heading to Hong Kong, the highest speed limit on motorways is 70km/h and up to 100km/h on the New Territories and the West Kowloon Highway.
South Koreans wish they could enjoy roads with a speed limit of 120 km/h. By the way, they are working on that. However, the maximum current limit is 100km/h and 80-90 km/h on national and regional roads.
Meanwhile, on roads in Japan, you will be accelerating up to 100km/h. The same is for beautiful Bali. As for the Maldives, 30km/h is the maximum speed for urban and rural roads. We don’t know whether it’s because of the relaxed lifestyle or bad roads. After all, not all countries have the infrastructure to accommodate safe driving.
Finally, if you happen to be in Singapore, the highest speed limit ranges between 70km/h to 90 km/h.
Europe
You’ve probably heard about famous German autobahns which have no speed limit. Other than that, you will be driving your auto on long stretches of highway at the maximum speed of 80km/h.
Check the list below for the highest speed limits by a country.
| Country | Motorways | Residential Areas |
| France | 130 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Spain | 120 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Italy | 130 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Turkey | 110 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Germany | 130 km/h | 50 km/h |
| United Kingdom | 112 km/h | 48 km/h |
| Austria | 130 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Greece | 130 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Russia | 110 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Portugal | 120 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Croatia | 130 km/h | 50 km/h |
| The Netherlands | 130 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Sweden | 110 km/h | 30-70 km/h |
| Belgium | 120 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Switzerland | 120 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Denmark | 110/130 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Ireland | 120 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Iceland | 110 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Norway | 90/100 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Czech Republic | 130 km/h | 50 km/h |
Australia
What about Australia? Think 100 km/h is still good for the highest speed limit? Wait until you hear about Australia’s highest speed limit.
On some freeways, you can roar through the Northern Territory highway at the maximum speed of 130 km/h and 110 km/h. However, the fastest you will be going on the national highway is 100km/h.
Canada
There’s no uniform speed limit in Canada because each Canadian territory or province imposes its own speed rules. The highest speed limit is on the Coquihalla Highway in British Columbia, reaching 120 km/h.
South America
We’ll stick to the most popular countries.
- Ecuador – 110 km/h on motorways, 50 km/h urban speed
- Peru – 100 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on open roads
- Uruguay – 90-100 km/h, 45 km/h urban speed
- Colombia – 100 km/h on motorways, 60 km/h urban speed
- Chile – 120 km/h on highways, 60 km/h in cities.
- Argentina – 120 km/h on highways, 60 km/h in cities, 60 km/h in urban areas and 40 km/h in residential areas.
- Brazil – 110-120 km/h on highways, built-up areas – 50km/h.
- Bolivia – the national speed is 80 km/h
- Argentina – maximum highway speed 120 km/h, in urban areas 60 km/h.
For more information, visit Wikipedia or better contact a road transport company in your destination country.
Africa
Africa has different speed limits based on jurisdiction. For example, if you go to South Africa, the highest speed limit is 100 km/h on public roads outside cities and 120 km/h on freeways.
Information on other popular countries in Africa for expats.
- Mauritius – 100-110 km/h on highways, 40 km/h in cities
- Seychelles – 60 km/h on highways and open roads, 40 km/h in cities
- Algeria – 120 km/h on motorways, 80 km/h on a national level
- Botswana – 120 km/h on highways, 60 km/h in cities
- Tunisia – 110 km/h on freeways, 50 km/h in urban areas
- Egypt – 90 km/h on open roads and motorways 100 km/h
- Gabon – 110 km/h on freeways/rural roads, 60 km/h in urban areas
- Morocco – 80 km/h on open roads and 100 km/h on motorways, 50 km/h in cities
What is the Highest Speed Limit in the World?
According to Wikipedia, the highest speed limit in the world was found in UAE in 2018 – 160 km/h on motorways.
Yet, remember that the highest speed isn’t always good. We know how it feels when you see a 60 km/h sign on an open road. Yet, speed limitations definitely contribute to the safety of roads, reducing the number of traffic accidents.
We wish you safe travels!
