South Carolina Speed Limit

South Carolina State Speed Limits
South Carolina State Speed Laws

What is the South Carolina speed limit?

South Carolina traffic laws define the maximum speed that any motorist travelling on South Carolina roadways can legally drive. Driving over the South Carolina speed limit can result in a traffic citation, fine, license suspension, or even arrest.

South Carolina has a maximum speed limit of 35mph in urban areas. Mobile, modular, or manufactured homes cannot be transported at speeds exceeding 55mph. They cannot travel more than 10mph below the speed limit when the posted speed limit is 45mph or greater. The speed limit for unpaved roads is 40mph.

There are a total of 16 states with higher maximum speed limits than South Carolina.

SPEED LIMIT

70

South Carolina Speed Limit - Rural Freeways

The maximum speed limit on rural freeways and interstates in South Carolina is 70 miles per hour. "Rural freeways" are the sections of major highways that passing through rural and sparsely populated areas, and can safely allow faster driving. Rural highways will generally have the highest legal speed limits in South Carolina.

In South Carolina, trucks have a reduced maximum speed limit of 70 mph on rural freeways.

SPEED LIMIT

60

South Carolina Speed Limit - Urban Freeways

The maximum speed limit on urban freeways and interstates in South Carolina is 60 miles per hour. "Urban freeways" are the segments of large highways that are located within a city or densely populated area's limits, and are generally more prone to traffic congestion and other hazards.

In most cases, the freeway's speed limit will return to the rural freeway speed limit of 70 mph after the road passes through the most densely populated area.

SPEED LIMIT

60

South Carolina Speed Limit - Divided Roads

The maximum speed limit on divided roads in South Carolina is 60 miles per hour. Divided roads must have a concrete median or buffer zone separating opposite lanes, and may have one or more lanes going in the same direction.

Because the median helps protect drivers from head-on collisions, South Carolina has a higher maximum speed limit for divided roads than undivided roads.

SPEED LIMIT

55

South Carolina Speed Limit - Undivided Roads

The maximum speed limit on rural undivided roads roads in South Carolina is 55 miles per hour. This category includes most small backroads and local routes.

When these routes pass through a residential or heavily-trafficked area, the speed limit will usually drop to 30 mph or below.

SPEED LIMIT

30

South Carolina Speed Limit - Residential Areas

The maximum speed limit on residential roads in South Carolina is 30 miles per hour. Residential roads have the most potential for speed-based accidents and collisions, so residential districts tend to have the lowest speed limits with the most strict enforcement policies.

When driving in residential areas be on the lookout for school, hospital, and construction zones. These areas often have even lower speed limits, with strict enforcement and heavy fines for speeding.

South Carolina Speeding Tickets and Citations

Driving over the posted speed limit, driving too fast for conditions, or failing to obey special speed limit zones can result in a South Carolina speeding ticket, points on your license, and even a license suspension or revocation for repeat offenders.

South Carolina highway patrol officers monitor traffic using radar, speed traps, and cameras. Radar technology is not exact, and as a general rule an officer will not pull you over for exceeding the speed limit by less than 5 mph (75 mph on a rural freeway, or 60 mph on an rural undivided road). However, any speeds in excess of the posted speed limits can be considered a ticketable offence.