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What speed is the slowest I can legally and safely drive on the freeway?
I hate spending money at the pump, and while I do have a pretty efficient vehicle ('01 Honda Civic 5-Spd SOHC VTEC), I'd like to keep gas spending to a minimum. I typically drive 59 MPH (when my tachometer reads 2800 RPM) on the furthest right lane. I went over to FuelEconomy.gov and used their little calculator and discovered I could potentially save upwards of $0.52/gallon if I reduce my speed 10MPH. So how slow is illegal and potentially dangerous? My (informal) understanding is the highway speed should be +/- 10MPH of speed limit.
I understand people will get pissed off, but I've gone 80MPH and people still passed me in a hurry, so regardless of what speed I drive, I'm subject to pissing someone off. I've also come across people who also drive slower than I do as well. I can't control what other people do, and most of all, changing my habits based on other people's poor habits will probably increase the risk of an accident. And the reverse is also true, I get royally pissed when people merge onto the highway at 35-40MPH instead of 60, or when people merge last second, or don't wait their turn/follow right of way, which makes traffic during rush hour worse for everyone else, all of these I see daily with only a 10mi commute. Again, I can't change what other people do.
The best I can do is stay out of people's way via the slow lane, which I already do. If you want to drive 75 in the slow lane, that's a personal problem; there are 2-4 lanes to the left to drive faster.
However,
6 Answers
- BarryLv 68 years agoFavorite Answer
I think 45 is the legal minimum freeway speed in many areas. Sometime it is posted as that. You will actually burn more fuel at that speed than by driving 50-55, which is where the efficiency is optimized for most cars. It really doesn't start to slope down until you pass 60 mph, so you will probably see barely any savings by going slower than your current 59. If you drive more than 10 mph below the speed limit, you are definitely a hazard and should be running your hazard flashers, in my opinion. You don't save money by getting into an accident.
- Anonymous8 years ago
I agree with the others going too slow is dangerous in many ways, get hit by a speeding and distracted driver, making others mad and provoking road rage. plus there is no way you will save that much money. but to answer your question the maximum and minimum speeds are usually posted 45 i think is the minimum in most places. slower than that and you can get a fine for impeding traffic....
- tanja3703Lv 68 years ago
As a frequent highway driver I say with honesty, If you don't drive the speed limit at least, stay on the side roads. 10 mph under the limit is really annoying and you will find many upset with you or road rage inclined. This causes more accidents and the repairs will cost way more than the fuel you save.
- ?Lv 78 years ago
Driving 50 ISN'T going to save you that much. I have no idea what you read, but the average car is going to be fine at 59. They were designed for going 55, which is why that was the national highway speed for awhile.
- DashLv 78 years ago
Anyone traveling less than the speed limit is subject to being in a road rage incident . It pisses people off which could translate to a very dangerous situation.
