No Speed limit in Montana?

[btsclan]

I live in seattle and will be making a trip over to montana soon. I know that in the late 90's there was basically no speed limit on montana highways during daylight hours and safe conditions. I am want to know if it is still like that. From my research on line I have found that technically there is a speed limit now but has anyone driven through montana recently.

Either way when I am there speed limit or not, if I see a group of cars cruising at triple digit speeds I will jump on in behind them . I've driven on the autobahn and cruised upwards of 140mph for a long trip and would love to do that again but on US soil.

So has anyone driven in montana recently that can give me some insight on if there is a speed limit or not during safe daylight hours?? Thanks!

 

[Tylerb59]

I heard there are increasing restrictions so I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't any spots to open it up legally.

Same story with the Autobahn, fewer areas on the highway to increase speed as volume increases although they have variable speed limits.

 

[IICrazy]

even if you get pulled over you just pay in cash right then

 

[94v6GT]

even if you get pulled over you just pay in cash right then

so if you cant pay do they haul you off? sounds like moscow to me

 

[orangewhiner]

I wnet through there about 9 months ago and the speed limit is 75mph for cars and 55mph for big trucks. There are some areaes that I would definetly open it up! There are nice sweeping curves, wide lanes, low traffic. But at night I would be extremely careful b/c of the animals.

 

[Crzyhrse]

It's been 75mph as long ago as 2003 when I moved out here from the midwest. But yeah I remember when my parents would go out to Wyoming to visit friends and they said their was no speed limit in that state either 10 years ago or so.

 

[mikevm78]

75 is the limit. I got tagged for 92, cost me $40 on the spot, got tagged for 86, cost me $20 on the spot.

If you pay on the spot he basically throws the ticket away, if not it gets processed.

Oh and they have day and night tickets, dont get a night ticket.

 

[94v6GT]

75 is the limit. I got tagged for 92, cost me $40 on the spot, got tagged for 86, cost me $20 on the spot.

If you pay on the spot he basically throws the ticket away, if not it gets processed.

Oh and they have day and night tickets, dont get a night ticket.

so they take bribes!

 

[Mossberg]

so they take bribes!

Sounds like Mexico.

 

[bigcat]

It's been 75mph as long ago as 2003 when I moved out here from the midwest. But yeah I remember when my parents would go out to Wyoming to visit friends and they said their was no speed limit in that state either 10 years ago or so.

wyoming has always had a speed limit.

 

[hungrymonkey]

I went through Montana in 1998. I pegged my civics speedo at 135, and was passed by another car.


BTW, stock civics are very sketchy at those speeds


I would normally not drive like that, but I was stationed in South Dakota and had just left on emergency leave. My father was having open heart surgery the next day and his condition was not looking good. I made the drive in time to see him in the hospital before the surgery, which thankfully was successful.

 

[fastang2k1]

I'd get a radar detector. You never know where a trooper might be hiding. Look for aircraft patrol as well.

 

[Crzyhrse]

wyoming has always had a speed limit.

Hhmm, maybe they had no speed limit back then in that baron stretch of I-90 in South Dakota. From Sioux Falls to Rapid City their aint squat. It's 75 now though.

 

[Steel Steeds]

I was born and raised in Montana, and get back there a couple times a year since moving to the NW. So, here's my advice:

The limit is 75, but the cops will utterly ignore you if you're under 85 (except in construction zones, inclement weather, etc.). You don't have to pay in cash, Montana does not have any system for "points" or any other records for moving violations. Pay in cash and be on your way, or send it in later. Same result. Just be nice to the officer, you DON'T want him to upgrade the ticket to "basic rule" or reckless, or some other more expensive version, which they will do if you piss them off.

On long straight stretches of road, at least 50 miles out of a larger city, let 'er rip. The numbers may be different now (though probably not by much), but 10 years ago there were 80 highway patrol cars to cover the entire state. MT is a big state. Less than half of those cars were on duty at any given time, and mostly patrolling around the cities.

The city to watch out for is Helena. Way more HiPo's there than any other city, given that it's the capital. Billings is probably second, and I-90 in general has the highest probability of a cop showing up. I never ran a radar detector, I just paid my $5 and went on my way. Yes, back in the good old days, a speeding ticket was $5. I got lots of them. Now it's more, but still less than any other state I've ever been ticketed by!

How do I know all these details? My uncle was the head of the Montana Highway Patrol. He's retired now, and having the same last name never once got me out of a ticket. But, it didn't matter since the tickets were so cheap.

Have fun!

 

[Tylerb59]

Great writeup!