What is the speed limit standard for national highways?
2 Answers
Speed limit standards for national highways: The speed limit for national highways passing through cities is 40 to 60 kilometers per hour, while the speed limit for national highways connecting cities is 60 to 80 kilometers per hour. National highways refer to major trunk roads with national political and economic significance, including important international highways, national defense highways, roads connecting the capital with the capitals of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, as well as roads linking major economic centers, port and station hubs, commodity production bases, and strategic locations. Inter-provincial expressways within the national highway system are constructed, maintained, and managed by specialized agencies approved by the Ministry of Transport. China classifies highways into five levels: expressways, first-class highways, second-class highways, third-class highways, and fourth-class highways. The differences in road conditions between the eastern and western regions are largely determined by China's topography, which is higher in the west and lower in the east, with more plains in the east and more mountains in the west, in addition to the influence of economic development.
I always pay close attention to speed limits when driving on national highways because they ensure safe driving for everyone. The standard speed limit on most national highways is between 60 and 80 kilometers per hour, but this isn't absolute. For example, near highway entrances or in mountainous areas with many curves, the limit might drop below 60 km/h; while in sparsely populated suburban sections, you might occasionally encounter limits of 80 or even 100 km/h. In practice, I keep an eye on roadside signs—those blue signs with white text are the most reliable. Don’t rely on navigation apps for predictions, as temporary adjustments can happen quickly due to weather changes or roadwork. Adhering to speed limits has many benefits: avoiding fines and penalty points, extending tire lifespan, and saving fuel. After several long-distance trips, I’ve noticed lower accident rates when speed limits are reasonable. I recommend new drivers get into the habit of checking signs frequently, as speeding isn’t just dangerous but also prone to causing traffic congestion. Overall, national highway speed limits are flexible and vary by location—safety should always come first.
