Why do people pass me when I'm driving on I-95? How many MPH do you drive on the interstate?

Question

OK, here I am doing 75 MPH, and cars shooting past me like I'm going 35!! So, how fast do you actually drive on the interstate?

Answer 1

Political Answer i.e. Law Enforcement. You should not exceed the posted speed limit, and adjust to slower speeds if the conditions require it (rain, snow, construction zone, area of an accident, darkness, etc.)

Real answer, move with the flow of traffic at a speed YOU are comfortable with. Staying with a group of like speed drivers at a safe distance is generally OK as long as its not excessive i.e. 85 in a 55. But, don't increase to a speed at which you are uncomfortable or unable to safely control the vehicle. As long as you are at your comfortable, desired speed, if traffic is still passing you, stay in the lanes to the right and allow them to pass. Remember this, if your at 75 in a 65 and someone passes you, the cop will pull out after them, and before you, allowing you to slow down. On the interstate for everyone cop you see, theres probably two others you don't.

Answer 2

I try to go what most others are going, simply because it's also dangerous to be TOO slow, forcing people into passing.

As a rule, though, I don't like to go much more than 15 miles over the limit, certainly not 20. In a 65 zone, that would be 80, to 85 tops. Anything more is asking for a ticket, and also (depending on the state) 20 to 25 over the limit can get you aggravated speeding, which is more points, fines, etc.

So, as a rule, I go with the traffic if it's slower, or not noticeably faster, but if traffic is fast I still keep it to about 15 over the limit max when possible.

Answer 3

It varies a lot by where.

On the San Francisco Bay Bridge I drive around the posted limit, 50-55. On the suburban freeways, 45-75 depending on flow of traffic.

On desolate rural freeways with little traffic, I run 75-80, which is the posted speed and also the flow of traffic (mostly big trucks). NOBODY drives faster than 80 mph. Really. I've driven about 20,000 miles on highways like that, and only been passed twice by anyone going much over 80.

People only drive like maniacs in urban/suburban areas. Out where professionals drive, it's cool. What does that say?

Answer 4

I was told by a state trooper that anything below 10 mph over the limit is probably ticket-safe. I set my cruise at 9 mph over the limit and have been fine.
With the price of gas, I have noticed more people slowing down. I know I have, and if I just relax and not worry about all the SUV's buzzing past me, I can take it easy. Let them wreck the environment, get killed, and give their money to terrorists. Ain't my problem...I can only do what I can do.

Answer 5

I commute on 95 in Florida. I typically drive @ 73 so I can lock onto cruise control. And yes, traffic literally flies past me. Even when I used to drive 80 - 85 (before gas got so high -- and I got a speeding ticket, he he), traffic still flew past me. So I'd estimate at least half the drivers are doing 85 or better.

And to Michael S, what's driving a vette got to do with it? Does that give you a license to drive like a maniac? On days I drive my Porsche, a red one, I stick to the speed limit like glue. Sports cars are nothing but an invitation for a ticket. (And I did not get my ticket in my Porsche. I was driving my Impala that night.)

Answer 6

I drove 85 MPH from Maryland to South Carolina on I-95. Usually I just go with the flow but if you're not comfortable then just drive how fast u want to.

Answer 7

Whatever the posted limit is! If you're doing 75 and they're passing you, you and they are asking for a ticket. I don't think the State police allow 75 on the I-95 corridor. Watch your speed..And stay in the right lane, since you're not speeding.

Answer 8

I used to cruise along at 80 until fuel prices went through the roof (they still are, it's hard to afford $3.49/gal) so I've been keeping it at about 75, depending on the freeway.

But there have been times that I've been doing 90 and have had people pass me. This is prominent on I-96 going into Detroit and I-275 NB/I-96 WB going through Novi.

Answer 9

It seriously depends on the state. Virginia just loves to ticket out-of-state speeders, but GA doesn't seem to mind anything under 80. Generally, I try to maintain less than 10 mph OVER the speedlimit, but I'm risking a ticket. That's why it's CALLED a "speed limit"!

Answer 10

Sounds like San Antonio. I dive my car 75 to 80, but my MC 70 or whatever the speed limit is. People wizz by me like I'm sitting still. I am concerned about gas prices so I have slowed down. Guess they have more money than I do.