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Advisory speedUnited States

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of United States. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
United States

6. Advisory speed

An advisory speed is a recommended speed for a particular road section or hazard rather than a legally imposed maximum speed. It may be shown near bends, junctions, steep gradients, roadworks or other locations where a lower speed can help drivers negotiate the road safely.

Drivers should treat an advisory speed as guidance for safe driving conditions and should travel even more slowly when weather, visibility, traffic or road conditions require it. A separate legally binding speed limit must still be obeyed.

Advisory speed
Warning for steep grades and sharp curves with an advisory speed of 25 mph. (Utah, United States)
Wikimedia.org • LeeAnne Adams • CC BY
Is a US advisory speed a posted legal maximum?

No. The Federal Highway Administration distinguishes a non-regulatory advisory speed for a feature such as a sharp curve or exit ramp from a regulatory speed limit. US road speeds are normally expressed in mph.

🔗 highways.dot.gov • FHWA — statutory, posted, advisory and special-condition speed limits

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 — relevant signs/markings; device standard, not state law

How are US advisory speeds selected?

They are generally based on an engineering study of the road’s design, operation and conditions. The number gives guidance for the relevant feature; it is not a compulsory minimum or a guarantee that the same speed is safe in bad weather.

🔗 highways.dot.gov • FHWA — statutory, posted, advisory and special-condition speed limits

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 — relevant signs/markings; device standard, not state law

Does a US advisory sign authorise driving above the legal limit?

No. A regulatory maximum remains applicable, and safe-driving rules depend on the state. Choose a lower speed when a hazard or conditions require it. The advisory number’s status does not remove those obligations.

🔗 highways.dot.gov • FHWA — statutory, posted, advisory and special-condition speed limits

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 — relevant signs/markings; device standard, not state law

1 United States 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Speed limit 5 Minimum speed 6 Advisory speed 7 Bike path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Tunnel 10 Bridge 11 Speed bump 12 Toll road 13 One-way traffic 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Road narrowing 22 Pedestrian crossing 23 Railway crossing 24 Mandatory direction 25 Turn prohibition 26 School area 27 Crossing animals 28 Slippery road 29 Rockfall 30 Aircraft 31 Curve 32 Chevron 33 Wrong-way driving 34 Roadworks 35 Height limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Pedestrian lights 42 Road markings 43 Bike box 44 Speed feedback 45 Driving licence 46 Traffic mirror 47 Emergency telephone 48 Cycling route 49 Parking 50 No parking 51 No stopping 52 Parallel parking 53 Park and ride 54 Kiss and ride 55 Disabled parking 56 Traffic management 57 Reversing 58 U-turn 59 Carpool 60 Detour 61 Uncontrolled crossroad 62 Ramp 63 Exit 64 Horse riding 65 Emergency exit 66 Runaway truck ramp 67 Oversize load 68 City limit 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Axle weight limit 72 Licence plate 73 Charging station 74 Flooding 75 Dip 76 Horse 77 Local traffic 78 Pedestrian 79 Cyclist 80 Motorcycle 81 Truck 82 Bus 83 Police 84 Ambulance 85 Police signals 86 Gravel road 87 Pothole 88 Median strip 89 Public property 90 Path 91 Particulates 92 Air pollution 93 Interchange 94 Rush hour 95 Filling station 96 Road code 97 Two-way traffic 98 Passing lane 99 Street gutter 100 Road debris ...