The states with the fastest and slowest drivers in the U.S.

Celeste Polidori
May 30, 2025

The results of a study showed that less populated states are more likely to have higher average long-distance driving speeds.

The United States has strict regulations regarding speed limits. On average, the maximum speed limit is approximately 69 mph, although it can reach up to 70 mph in many jurisdictions. These limits vary by state and local regulations. Despite the potential legal and safety consequences, many drivers pay little attention to these limits.

A study conducted by MoneySuperMarket identified the states with the fastest drivers in the country. To achieve this, data from the Google Maps routing API was used to analyze average driving times for long-distance trips between major cities in each state. The data was collected at different times of the day and on various days of the week to provide an accurate representation of average driving speeds across the United States.

The states with the fastest drivers in the U.S.

The MoneySuperMarket results showed that less populated states are more likely to have higher average long-distance driving speeds. This could be due to lower traffic levels, which make it easier to maintain higher speeds for extended periods. According to the study, high average speeds in urban areas are typically seen in states with wider roads that allow for a greater flow of vehicles.

With average speeds ranging from 71.8 mph to 68.1 mph, the states with the highest average driving speeds in the U.S., according to the study, are:

Wyoming – 71.8 mph
Idaho – 70.5 mph
South Dakota – 70.4 mph
New Mexico – 70.0 mph
Florida – 69.4 mph
Arkansas – 69.3 mph
Alabama – 69.3 mph
Kansas – 68.8 mph
North Dakota – 68.5 mph
Michigan – 68.1 mph

In addition to analyzing U.S. states, the researchers at MoneySuperMarket also evaluated the countries with the fastest and slowest drivers in the world. The results showed that U.S. drivers are among the fastest globally, with an average long-distance driving speed of 68.1 mph, while drivers in other countries average around 63 mph.

The states with the slowest drivers in the U.S.

States with the lowest long-distance average speeds tend to have high levels of traffic or unstable weather conditions. In these states, average speeds range from 58.7 mph to 49.9 mph—more than a 10-mph difference compared to Wyoming, the fastest-driving state. According to MoneySuperMarket, these are the states with the slowest drivers in the U.S.:

New Hampshire – 49.9 mph
Vermont – 52.8 mph
Maryland – 54.7 mph
Mississippi – 56.2 mph
Rhode Island – 56.4 mph
Alaska – 56.5 mph
Connecticut – 57.4 mph
West Virginia – 58.2 mph
California – 58.4 mph
New York – 58.7 mph

Overall, the remaining states maintain average speeds ranging from 63 to 66 mph, placing them below the national average in the United States.

The states with the fastest and slowest drivers in the U.S.

The results of a study showed that less populated states are more likely to have higher average long-distance driving speeds.

The states with the fastest drivers in the U.S.

The states with the slowest drivers in the U.S.

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