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

[JustinR32]

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.

What you said. I once blasted from Harrisburg to Hazleton on I-81 at about 100 mph with the top down, about an hour of driving. When it was over I wanted to go to bed, I was so beat. 85 is comfortable, 90 is OK, over 90 everyone else is too slow and you have to pay too much EXTRA attention. It's not SPEED that kills, its SPEED DIFFERENTIAL that kills.





Tom

 

[WrxRob513]

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

ditto.



:xyxthumbs

 

[WrxRob513]

Quickest I've gone on the public highway here in the UK is 170mph in my BMW M3 CSL.

Ben

:bow You are a god. Awesome car!

 

[jnmttu]

I would probably stay in that 80-90 range most of the time if given the choice. Actually, on my drive to work, that is about the average speed of traffic. When I was going to school in west Texas and driving home to Dallas, the roads would often be straight and flat for 10 miles at a time. I would kick it up to about 110 then.

 

[NeonLights]

I've had my '96 DOHC Neon up to 137 mph (rev limiter in 4th gear, wouldn't climb in 5th gear) and my '01 Neon ACR up to 128 mph and still climbing (different 5th gear). For me it would depend on weather conditions, traffic, and time of the year. From March through October I typically run summer performance tires on my Neons and would gladly cruise at 100-110 mph if the law allowed it. As it is now though, I often hit 85-90 mph on the way to work on the freeway (I work nights, less traffic). The biggest danger for me travelling at high speeds would be a collsion with a deer. During the warmer months, I'll usually see at least a couple of dead deer each week on the 10 mile stretch of freeway I drive nightly.



For the colder months when my Neons wear all-season tires or if I'm driving our Freestyle or my wife's Lebaron around, I'd probably keep it down to 85-90 mph if the weather allowed.



-Keith

 

[rockstar_style]

65-70mph



Mainly because of gas prices going up...I get significantly better mileage (3mpg) going 65 than going 72mph in my '00 Accord coupe (V-6). Plus, I think people that go 10+ over posted limits are idiots who put other people's lives in jeopardy. I'm not sure if they're wound up too tight or if they don't know how to manage time, that's my take on it.



Plus, I like the reduced stress of going slower and making other people move over for me. Yeah, I'm that guy.

 

[Hocus]

I lived in Germany for 11 years and got used to high speed cruising. I said 80 - 90 as that's where I feel most American made cars perform well. I have exceeed that a few times, though. Call me crazy, but you haven't lived until you've driven a mini-van at 143 on the autobahn.:shocked

 

[PhilS]

Mainly because of gas prices going up...

Wait until you have to pay $6 for a gallon... Or just move to the UK for that privilege.

 

[RuffRyder]

I figure if I used to be able to cruise on I-95 regularly in my old (now dead) '94 Eclipse, it would have easily done 110, so now I'd probably due about a buck-20 (120 mph). But I've got really good reflexes.

 

[2000]

does any one really drive the speed limit anyway? I know in Chicago its traffic that dictates how fast you go just as much as the signs.

 

[eddieg]

I say 85+ around Boston, on highways. Probably hit 90 to 100 on longer trips. I think not much would change if you removed speed limits. People drive at the speed they feel like. Who has EVER slowed down if your highway goes from 65 speed limit to 55mph? you slow down if it starts curving, not because some sign says so, and you shouldn't BE driving if you don't slow down without a sign telling you.

 

[Scottwax]

does any one really drive the speed limit anyway? I know in Chicago its traffic that dictates how fast you go just as much as the signs.

That is why the safest roads are those set using the 85th percentile. No enforcement just surveying speed for a while. They then set the speed limit at what 85% of the drivers are driving at or slightly below. The more people going the same speed, the safer the road is and the cops could concentrate on those going way above or below the limit.



Of course, it is easier for cities to just set an artificially low limit and rake in revenue instead.

I can't believe this thread is still going!

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

I lived in Germany for 11 years and got used to high speed cruising. I said 80 - 90 as that's where I feel most American made cars perform well. I have exceeed that a few times, though. Call me crazy, but you haven't lived until you've driven a mini-van at 143 on the autobahn.:shocked

:shocked

 

[SilverLexus]

"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."



So true Boxster Charlie.