A proposal to increase Iowa’s default speed limit is moving back through the Legislature after previously clearing the Iowa Senate.
Senate File 378, which would raise Iowa’s default speed limit from 55 miles per hour to 60 miles per hour, passed the Iowa Senate in 2025 on a 36–12 vote. The bill is now receiving renewed consideration in the Iowa House of Representatives, where lawmakers have scheduled a subcommittee meeting on Monday.
Under current law, Iowa’s default speed limit is 55 mph unless a different speed limit is specifically established in statute or posted by transportation authorities. Senate File 378 would increase that default to 60 mph.
The change mostly affects rural highways and roads where no specific speed limit has been designated. Most commonly traveled roadways would remain unchanged. Interstate highways would still be set at 70 mph, divided highways at 65 mph, while residential districts and school zones would remain 25 mph.
The 55 mph standard dates back to policies adopted during the 1970s national speed limit era and no longer reflects modern driving conditions, according to advocates of the bill.
The legislation also allows transportation agencies to temporarily update speed limit signs with overlays or stickers approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation rather than immediately replacing every sign affected by the change. Those temporary updates could remain until signs are replaced on their normal maintenance schedule.
Penalties for speeding would remain the same under the bill.
Republican Representatives Megan Jones and Brent Siegrist will serve on the subcommittee along with Democrat Rep. Daniel Gosa.
