What is the maximum speed limit on Chinese highways?
2 Answers
China's highway maximum speed limit: 1. 120 kilometers per hour. 2. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law": Article 78 Highways shall indicate the driving speed of lanes, with the maximum speed not exceeding 120 kilometers per hour and the minimum speed not less than 60 kilometers per hour. On highways, the maximum speed for small passenger vehicles shall not exceed 120 kilometers per hour, other motor vehicles shall not exceed 100 kilometers per hour, and motorcycles shall not exceed 80 kilometers per hour. 3. For two lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed of the left lane is 100 kilometers per hour. For three or more lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed of the leftmost lane is 110 kilometers per hour, the middle lane is 90 kilometers per hour, and the rightmost lane is 60 kilometers per hour. 4. If the speed indicated by road speed limit signs is inconsistent with the above lane speed regulations, drive according to the speed indicated by the road speed limit signs.
Having driven on China's highways for many years, I find that the maximum speed limit for passenger cars is generally 120 kilometers per hour, but it's not set in stone. There are significant variations depending on the section—for example, mountain tunnels or steep slopes often have a 100 km/h limit, and urban entry/exit points may also require reduced speeds. Different vehicle types follow different rules; large trucks are capped at 100 km/h. From my personal experience, the Jingzang Highway gets extremely shaky at high speeds during strong winds, so speed limits ensure safety. Speeding penalties are severe: exceeding 20% results in 6 penalty points and a 200 RMB fine, with more serious consequences for accidents. Before every trip, I check speed limit signs—following the rules avoids fines and saves lives. Rain or snow demands extra caution; I slow below 80 km/h for peace of mind. In short, 120 is the ceiling, but adjusting flexibly to road conditions is the key driving principle.
