If there were no speed limits on the interstate highways...

[Scottwax]

How fast would you drive and why? How would your type of vehicle and gas mileage affect your decision?

 

[Scottwax]

My car is very comfortable in the 80-85 mph range and still gets decent mileage. I got in with a pack of cars once on I-40 in eastern Arkansas that was averaging 90-105 mph or so for around 60-70 miles. Made excellent time, but those speeds can be exhausting when you have slower traffic to deal with.

 

[fisher]

I would not to drive like a retard all the time but I like the 71 -75 spot.I do lots of higway driving aand I find the car gets better gas at that speed for some reason.But I might be wrong!All aroud it 's in a comfortable zone at that speed.be sides my car cuts out at about 107 or so,that sucks but what can you do!

 

[thevolvoguy]

145. Because, thats where my speedo stops.



Granted, I only get about 5-6mpg at 5500rpm.

 

[switerajaya]

I could comfortably drive 100 mph, I believe. I've looked at the HUD and have creeped to 90 without realizing it. Driving the 405 fwy here in So Cal, south of South Coast Plaza by John Wayne Airport, it's a virtual racetrack out there.

 

[dru85]

well i have taken the bimmer up to 125 mph... it feels like its riding on air... the car belongs in an autobahn...



yes i know im an idiot for driving that fast:nixweiss

 

[Lynn Matthews]

Depends on traffic since I live in So Cal, but when they can most drive at 90+ (Hey, was that Brad in his Corvette?) and I have no problem with passing them. The 59 Caddy (with the 454 BB Chevy) is comfortable and drives like a big powerful cloud anyway. It almost drives itself.



Lynn

 

[samiam513]

i'd be doin 90...



I drive an interstate in the early morning, and early afternoon. I only see about 30 cars on myy 35 mile drive... it's 3 lanes each direction the whole way too!

 

[BoxsterCharlie]

Ideal conditions, 110 to 130 or so. Faster is too stressful for long periods of time because it demands so much concentration. Night or rain, 60-80.



I generally find people don't alter their speed according to conditions. I cringe when a minivan passes me in the rain at 80 mph. Smart drivers know their traction envelope.

 

[imported_garyo]

Good road conditions during the day: 115 or so. My car is just stuck to the road at that speed.



As BoxsterCharlie says driving conditions are everything.

 

[AMP01]

I'd say 90-100 is my favorite zone in my 7. I have taken it up to 130 or so when the govener kicked in and stopped the acceleration. At 130 it felt smooth as about 90.



It really all depends on the amount of traffic and the other drivers on the road at that time.



Cheers,

My Black 7 Series

 

[TortoiseAWD]

I wouldn't be able to give specific number . . . I'd drive the speed I felt comfortable with given the current conditions and capability of my vehicle. In good conditions in my WRX, probably 80-85. Which, as it happens, is close to the measured 85th percentile speed of interstate highways . . .



Tort

 

[blackMB]

I work in Atlantic City and have a round trip 120 mile trip daily. I throw the cruise control on 72 the whole way. I find I get the best gas milage and it is just fast enough that the state police don't hassle me.

 

[jonw440]

When I had my 1983 Porsche 911SC (3.0 ltr) it would just "hunker down at 80+ and be very happy at those speeds. I felt safer at 100 MPH in that car than I do at 70 in my truck .

My 68 Roadrunner is a completly differant story. 90MPH in a straight line but when a corner is coming up.... thats another story:scared

 

[imported_dookiebob]

I wouldn't be able to give specific number . . . I'd drive the speed I felt comfortable with given the current conditions and capability of my vehicle. In good conditions in my WRX, probably 80-85. Which, as it happens, is close to the measured 85th percentile speed of interstate highways . . .



Tort

I drive my WRX comfortably to about 110-120. After 120, it starts to get a little bit scary. I do have STi struts/STi lowering springs, so that definitely helps in the stability department. And since I have a VF34 (upgraded) turbo under the hood, getting to 120 is cake



-Bob

 

[Scottwax]

Pretty high speeds! I'd still stay between 80-85 though, especially on real long trips-unless everyone else was going faster. When you are the fastest driver, it gets very tiring after an hour or so.

 

[wizardofahs]

hmm.... I think i'd have to say about 30... because even if there wasn't a limit the dang highway project up here (T-Rex) has traffic jammed up all over the place. Doesn't help going 90+ when you'd just run into the guy infront of you....

 

[boywonder]

Ideal conditions, 110 to 130 or so. Faster is too stressful for long periods of time because it demands so much concentration. Night or rain, 60-80.



I generally find people don't alter their speed according to conditions. I cringe when a minivan passes me in the rain at 80 mph. Smart drivers know their traction envelope.

Agreed. Add SUVs who blow past me in snow at 60+



In my case, the Maxima likes 75-110.

 

[Accumulator]

It would, of course, all depend on what I was driving and the road/traffic/weather conditions. Post an actual number? Let's just say well into triple-digits. That response relates to the S8 and a clear lane. That particular car hits its "natural rhythm" at a much higher speed than, say, the A8 or the (stock) WRX. In our "normal" cars, I usually find that "rhythm" around 80-90 or so. Some (good) GT's on the other hand, are a bore until you're REALLY flyin' low, one of the reasons I don't own one any more.

 

[meGrimlock]

I say 80-85 mph. At 85 my tach is at 3500 or so, and the engine is still pulling vacuum. If I go any higher than that, the turbo spools up trying to push the car against aerodynamic forces, and gas mileage goes to crap (compared to the 30 mpg I get at 80). Of course if it is a nice road with good pavement and some nice twisties, I might dabble in the triple digits for a few miles.