Despite the fact that we’re in the year of our Lord 2026, Iowa’s rural highway speed limits have remained capped at a tortoise-like 55 mph (89 km/h). Starting July 1, that number becomes 60 mph (97 km/h). It’s not much, but it firmly puts Iowa among a growing number of states that have nudged speed limits upward to better match the realities of modern driving, safety, and roadway design.

 

The change comes through Senate File 378, which Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law on June 1. The legislation amends Iowa’s default speed limit statute, raising the statewide default for vehicular traffic from 55 mph (89 km/h) to 60 mph (97 km/h) unless a different restriction is posted.