Virginia Raising Speed Limit on Rural Interstates to 70 Mph

The rural speed limit on five more Virginia interstate highways will rise to 70 miles per hour from 65 mph by the end of the year, bringing 61% of Virginia’s interstate miles to the higher speed limit.

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) made the announcement Oct. 20 after a traffic and engineering study by the Virginia Department of Transportation determined which stretches of Interstates 64, 66, 77, 81 and 95 are safe for the higher speed.

Rural parts of Interstates 85 and 295 already have the 70-mph speed limit.

The higher speed limit in “less populated areas of the state will help Virginians arrive at their destinations quicker and safer and will speed the delivery of goods and services throughout the commonwealth,” McDonnell said in his announcement.

State transportation officials said it will take six to eight weeks to post the new speed limits on the various interstate sections. McDonnell said the work will be completed by the end of the year.