Iowa Raises Rural Highway Speed Limit to 60mph Starting July 1

Iowa is increasing its default rural highway speed limit from 55mph to 60mph, effective July 1, as part of a new law signed by Governor Kim Reynolds on June 1. The legislation, Senate File 378, aims to better match modern driving realities, safety, and roadway design. Approximately 1,800 speed limit signs will need to be updated, with an estimated cost of $270,000. The law also includes a provision that protects drivers from certain licensing, insurance-rating, or policy-renewal decisions for minor speeding violations of 10mph or less over the posted limit in zones between 34mph and 61mph. According to officials, this change is not expected to significantly affect driver behavior, with some even suggesting that higher speed limits can improve safety. The new limit still seems relatively low compared to other states, such as Texas, which has a highway with a limit of 85mph, or Arizona, which is considering removing speed limits on rural highways during daylight hours.