California interstate speed limits

[Tom_Barb]

What is the legal speed limit for a motor home with 2 axels not towing on I-5?
State normal speed limit is 55 except where posted other wise. Car speed limit not towing is 70 on I-5, can a M/H run 70MPH too.

[mena661]

Some are making this complicated when it's simple. 55 when towing, whatever the posted limit is when not towing.

[JohnnyT]

Tom/Barb wrote:
What is the legal speed limit for a motor home with 2 axels not towing on I-5?
State normal speed limit is 55 except where posted other wise. Car speed limit not towing is 70 on I-5, can a M/H run 70MPH too.

The restrictions in California has to do with towing. If you are not towing then its the posted speed limit.. If towing then the speed limit is 55.

JohnnyT

[deandec]

In California, your motor home is actually a "Housecar". Same rules as cars.

[Doug_and_Cassi_]

Having spent 33 years on CHP a motor home can go what the car speed limit is including 3 axle motor homes. Hook a small trailer to any motor home and speed limit becomes 55. Even a m/c towing a small trailer is limited to 55 mph.

A 3 axle commercial truck is limited to 55 as are school buses of any size, SPABs, too.

SPAB = school pupil activity bus.

[camperdave]

ScottG wrote:


Your post is right on the money Bill.
I've tried towing at 55 in Ca. but it's just way too dangerous. I set the cruise at 65 with trailer and still have people changing lanes and being surprised by my "slow" speed.
At 55 you are an obstacle to everyone on the road.
Running at 65 has not caused me any problems and I've even had CHIP's pass me at times.

This is not my experience (and 100% of my towing is in California). I tow at 55-58 mph and have never had an issue. No one has ever flipped me the bird, I've never been yelled at, I don't leave a wake of carnage behind me. :R In fact, it is my experience that running at 55-58 puts me right in line with a lot of the truckers.

I could pull faster, but my mileage drops off sharp at over 60, and I'm just not in that much of a hurry. When passing, I'll bring it up to 70 or so just long enough to pull by, then move back over and slow back to my cruising speed. Pay attention, don't cut people off, let the faster guys go on through when you can, and all is good.

Fwiw, I saw some of the signs this weekend that said "trucks with three axles or more, and any vehicle towing, 55mph max" and had the same question as the OP, wondering if that would apply to tag-axled motorhomes. It is a very confusing sign, imo.

[ArchHoagland]

I've run at 65 to 70 on I5 in the Los Angeles area, whatever speed the traffic was moving at while I am pulling a toad. The rest of the state I'm at about 55 to 60.
I ran side by side with a CHP last year at 65 to 68 and have had several CHP pass me, again while I was pulling a car.

I believe they don't want the flow of traffic to be interrupted and as long as you stay with the flow and don't change lanes a lot they are happy. Pulling you over in 6 lanes of traffic would create a massive traffic jam.

I checked with the CHP and when not pulling something you use the posted speed limit. When you are pulling something use the 55 speed limit.

[robatthelake]

I just try to stay in My own space. If the Transport Trucks are flowing along I try to maintain the same speed,neither gaining or losing them .

The Car drivers can do whatever the heck They like!

[Mr_Mark1]

I drive/tow in California quite often and I stick between 55-59 mph. I've never been pulled over and I stay far to the right as possible. If there are four or more lanes, I might hang in lane #2 as to avoid merging traffic.

Speaking of merging traffic, my experience driving in most all states is that people DO NOT know how to merge. On occasion, my air horns will wake them up. Especially in California when I'm driving between 55-59 mph, the mergers should accelerate as their speed limit is 70 mph. They slowly drive up and don't even look to see if there is any traffic. So, if I can't get over, they either have to speed up or wait until I get by. I just hope that they know I have a tow vehicle and not merge too soon!

MM.

[gone2dadesert]

click here

[Rollnhome]

Lived in California all my life. Motorhome not towing is allowed to drive the posted max speed. FYI any vehicle towing (forget about commercial trucks) the max speed is 55. Except for Sammy Hagar he can't drive 55.

[Ozlander]

OP said nothing about tag axles and said NOT towing.

[D_E_Bishop]

I too questioned the 55MPH for vehicles with three axels or more, so I contacted the Calif, Hwy. Patrol, the answer was ,"A MoHo with a tag axel is classified the same as a tour bus or a transit bus, posted speed limit for two axel vehicles".

I use I-5 for transit when heading for Oregon or coming home and find that 58 to 62 is great for us with the towed. I am sort of running the average speed of semi's and RVs with tow vehicles or TVs and trailers. I am seldom in a hurry so more than 70 to 80 is silly to me and under 60 is my sweet spot.

As far as the problems are caused by slow passers, I don't know. Could be or it could be the 75 plus drivers and not the slow vehicles. I accelerate when passing if needed but some semis just can't accelerate with heavy loads and then slow down again. I have noticed recently that a lot of recreational vehicle towers driving in the #1 lane or other restricted lanes at very high speeds. This past weekend traveling on the 1 and 101 a lot of folks pulling trailers going 65+ and in the wrong lane and no CHP around. Seems here in CA the CHP is non-existent other than in big cities and on holidays so folks are willing to take a chance.

[doc_brown]

Towing 55, no tow the flow of traffic. Personally, without a tow I never exceed 62 - what's the hurry? Also watch your lane when towing if more than two lanes on the highway.

[mowermech]

I would recommend that you call any CHP office and ask the question. Be sure to accurately describe your vehicle.

[Bill_Satellite]

A tag axle does not reduce the speed limit. Look at all the tour buses flying by at 70!
However, any vehicle towing anything reduces the speed limit to 55 in areas where the post speed limit is higher.