Driving thru Texas
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Vail Arizona
Driving thru Texas
I will be driving to San Antonio from Tucson in a few weeks. In Arizona I can set my cruise control at 8 over the speed limit and not get a ticket.
What's the standard in Texas?
What's the standard in Texas?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 248
Likes: 7
From: San Diego California
I am curious to know this too. I'll be driving my Z06 out to Austin in November for the F1 USGP at COTA.
This will be my first long distance road trip with this car too, and I'm looking forward to it.
This will be my first long distance road trip with this car too, and I'm looking forward to it.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg Pennsylvania
If you're coming to San Antonio on I-10 just stick with traffic, the pack is usually traveling 90-100ish. Just make sure you're not the pack leader or traveling by yourself. If by yourself than ~5mph over is all I'd do between El Paso and San Antonio because the speed limit is already 85 I believe. Once you get closer to San Antonio it drops down to 75mph and watch out for the Texas state Trooper cars that sit right where the speed changes. Not sure if you've ever seen a Texas DPS vehicle but the car is black and the hood and truck are white. Travel safe and enjoy the Lonestar State. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 51
From: Georgetown TX
Try posting this on the SW Forum here and I'm sure you'll get some interesting opinions. I have travelled much over the years and lived in central TX for almost 3 and have never been anyplace where traffic laws are more strictly enforced...(almost gestapo like). The good news is that the posted max speed limits are HIGHER here than many areas (85 mph on SH 130 between Austin and SA). I have noticed that most Texans do not exceed posted limits by more than 5 mph. Hope this helps
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
for the most part use YOUR HEAD & DON'T BE THE RABBIT.
folks tend to drive faster outside of town, just stay with traffic. like everywhere else, if you are the only car keep it under 80 or 9 under the limit, although last year when outside of Austin for the GP, I got pulled over for doing 80 in a 75 and got a warning.
folks tend to drive faster outside of town, just stay with traffic. like everywhere else, if you are the only car keep it under 80 or 9 under the limit, although last year when outside of Austin for the GP, I got pulled over for doing 80 in a 75 and got a warning.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Be especially careful anywhere near Van Horn. Speeding tickets are their primary source of revenue.
On the return trip, watch for the limit to drop from 80 to 70 somewhere around milemarker 100.
Be aware that Texas speed limits are slower at night and the local police are the ones who determine when it becomes night.
signed: A West Texas financial supporter
On the return trip, watch for the limit to drop from 80 to 70 somewhere around milemarker 100.
Be aware that Texas speed limits are slower at night and the local police are the ones who determine when it becomes night.
signed: A West Texas financial supporter
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,433
Likes: 3,624
From: Commerce Texas
The I-10 corridor you will be driving has speed limits in places up to 80 mph, other sections 75, others still, 70, but, for the most part 75 to 80 mph is the norm on the Western-most portions of I-10.
In general, 5 mph over you'll be okay...
Native Texan - 120,035 miles on my C6
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Throughout most of Texas that statement is no longer true.
The I-10 corridor you will be driving has speed limits in places up to 80 mph, other sections 75, others still, 70, but, for the most part 75 to 80 mph is the norm on the Western-most portions of I-10.
In general, 5 mph over you'll be okay...
Native Texan - 120,035 miles on my C6
The I-10 corridor you will be driving has speed limits in places up to 80 mph, other sections 75, others still, 70, but, for the most part 75 to 80 mph is the norm on the Western-most portions of I-10.
In general, 5 mph over you'll be okay...
Native Texan - 120,035 miles on my C6
Arizona resident with 112K on my '08. At least 6K while driving it in Texas.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,044
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From: TX
Nighttime speed limits went away last year, I believe. One speed limit 24/7 now!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Naples FL
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Why would someone be an idiot for driving 100? If someone wants to drive 100,150, 200+ I say go for it hammer down. If they get caught then they can blame no one but them selves.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg Pennsylvania
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
Try posting this on the SW Forum here and I'm sure you'll get some interesting opinions. I have travelled much over the years and lived in central TX for almost 3 and have never been anyplace where traffic laws are more strictly enforced...(almost gestapo like). The good news is that the posted max speed limits are HIGHER here than many areas (85 mph on SH 130 between Austin and SA). I have noticed that most Texans do not exceed posted limits by more than 5 mph. Hope this helps
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/sout...t-plate-3.html post #58.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville, GA
I just went over to Austin from Atlanta....went over on I20 and came back on I10...while in Texas I saw many cops working traffic...I normally set cruise at 5-10 over...didn't have any problems....I know you are interested in TX but fwiw I did not have any problems anywhere between ATL and Austin.....
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
You will be looked at in Texas a lot since you don't have a front plate. Watch out driving across NM though as the NMSP pulled me over in my wife's 300C for doing 5 over near Farmington. He said I was doing 11 over although I had my cruise set to 5 over. He also said he didn't "lock" my speed in his radar. I was screwed since he knew I couldn't fight it.
NM state law says anything over 76 is a ticket also.
8 over is pushing it. Until that NM ticket I always cruised at 5 over in my last 30 years of driving. You can drive right by them at 5 over in Utah and Idaho and they won't even move.
NM state law says anything over 76 is a ticket also.
8 over is pushing it. Until that NM ticket I always cruised at 5 over in my last 30 years of driving. You can drive right by them at 5 over in Utah and Idaho and they won't even move.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
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From: Springfield MO
I typically drive 3-5 over and my last speeding ticket was in 1966. I've found that the time you save doing 8 over can quickly be lost when parked on the shoulder getting a sermon and receiving a warning. Even if you don't get pulled over, the time gained by driving 500 miles at 8 over vs 3 over gains you 36 additional minutes to watch TV in your motel room. Not something I like to do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,992
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From: Naples FL
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I typically drive 3-5 over and my last speeding ticket was in 1966. I've found that the time you save doing 8 over can quickly be lost when parked on the shoulder getting a sermon and receiving a warning. Even if you don't get pulled over, the time gained by driving 500 miles at 8 over vs 3 over gains you 36 additional minutes to watch TV in your motel room. Not something I like to do.
Yeah but it depends who your in that motel room with.
