Speed Limits and Expressway Speeds

Key points

1. Controlled access highways: 75 mph, unless otherwise posted.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “STATE SPEED LIMITS UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED Controlled access highways 75 mph”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 41

2. Turnpikes: 80 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Controlled access highways 75 mph Turnpikes 80 mph Undivided State Highways 65 mph”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 41

3. Undivided state highways: 65 mph; county roads: 55 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Undivided State Highways 65 mph County roads 55 mph”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 41

4. Highways in state parks or wildlife refuges: 35 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Highways within state parks or wildlife refuges 35 mph”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 41

5. School zones on highways outside a city, when properly marked: 25 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “School zones on any highway outside of a municipality in a properly marked zone 25 mph”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 41

6. Cities and towns can set their own speed limits.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Under state law, cities and towns can set their own speed limits.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 41

7. On an expressway, drive between the minimum (usually 40 mph) and maximum (55 to 75 mph) limits.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Drive between the minimum (usually 40 mph) and maximum (55-75 mph) speed limits.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 33

8. If your car cannot keep at least the minimum speed, do not use the expressway.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “If your car is not in good condition or if you can’t or don’t want to drive at or above the minimum speed limit, don’t use the expressway.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 33

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Oklahoma practice test

1. 1. Unless otherwise posted, what speed limit applies to highways within Oklahoma state parks or wildlife refuges?

   1. 25 mph
   2. 45 mph
   3. 35 mph
   4. 55 mph
   Show answer

   35 mph. The state speed table assigns 35 mph to highways within state parks or wildlife refuges under normal conditions. The 25 mph option is the listed figure for properly marked school zones outside municipalities. Forty five mph is not the manual's default for this setting, and 55 mph is associated with county roads. Before relying on the table, check for a posted limit and consider weather, traffic, visibility, and road surface under the Basic Speed Rule.

2. 2. On an Oklahoma expressway, what should a driver do if the vehicle cannot maintain the posted minimum speed?

   1. Use the expressway anyway and drive on the shoulder
   2. Do not use the expressway
   3. Drive in the left lane below the minimum
   4. Stop in the entrance ramp
   Show answer

   Do not use the expressway. The manual advises drivers not to use an expressway when the vehicle is not in good condition or the driver cannot or does not want to travel at or above the minimum speed. The shoulder is not a substitute travel lane, and moving left does not cure an unsafe pace. Stopping on an entrance ramp creates another hazard. Check the vehicle and choose a route suited to its condition before entering a limited access highway.

3. 3. What is the maximum speed limit on Oklahoma turnpikes, unless otherwise posted?

   1. 70 mph
   2. 75 mph
   3. 65 mph
   4. 80 mph
   Show answer

   80 mph. Oklahoma's speed limit table lists turnpikes at 80 mph, undivided state highways at 65 mph and county roads at 55 mph. The number is a maximum for ideal conditions, and the manual says to carefully observe and obey all posted speed limits, since cities and counties can post lower limits. Rain, fog, heavy traffic and darkness all call for less than the posted figure.

Source: the Oklahoma Driver Manual, Chapters 6 and 7: Expressway Driving and Speed Limits. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.