When the energy crisis began in 1973, the Federal government proposed lowering the speed limit to 50 MPH for cars and 55 MPH for trucks and interstate buses in order to conserve fuel. The higher speed for trucks and buses would have placed them in the left lanes of controlled access highways, potentially creating hazards for other motorists. Of course, states would have to implement the speed laws through legislation, or by emergency proclamation by the governors.

New York State was one of the first states to adopt the lower speed limits, and by late November 1973, the state enacted a maximum 50 MPH limit on all highways for cars, trucks and buses. New York City followed suit, lowering the routes with a 55 MPH limit to 50 MPH. On high speed controlled-access routes, linear speed limits were gradually lowered about one mile from their signal-controlled termini.

On January 1, 1974, President Richard Nixon signed the National Maximum Speed Limit (NMSL) into law. This legislation established the 55 MPH national speed limit, and penalized any state that allowed speeds above 55 MPH. In early 1974, New York State raised the state maximum from 50 MPH to 55 MPH, but New York City did not restore the 55 MPH limits on routes previously posted.

If you have additional information or corrections, please forward this information to me at ande264@erols.com.

Bronx River Parkway

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: New York City-Westchester County border to Sprain Brook Parkway

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: Sprain Brook Parkway to Kensico Dam Plaza (northern terminus)

Cross County Parkway

EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND: Applied to unreconstructed sections (west of Bronx River Parkway)

EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND: Applied to reconstructed sections (east of Bronx River Parkway)

Cross Westchester Expressway

EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND: New York State Thruway (I-87) junction to EXIT 12 (I-95 / New England Thruway)

Garden State Parkway Extension

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: New Jersey-New York State border to New York State Thruway (I-87 and I-287) junction

Hutchinson River Parkway

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: New York City-Westchester County border to EXIT 15 (Cross County Parkway)

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: EXIT 15 (Cross County Parkway) to New York State-Connecticut border

Interstate 684

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: Applied to completed sections

New England Thruway

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: New York City-Westchester County border to New Rochelle toll plaza

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: New Rochelle toll plaza to New York State-Connecticut border

New York State Thruway

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: New York City-Westchester County border to Yonkers toll plaza

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: Yonkers toll plaza to EXIT 15 (NY 17), excluding Tappan Zee Bridge

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: Applied north of EXIT 15 (NY 17)

Palisades Interstate Parkway

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: New Jersey-New York State border to Bear Mountain traffic circle

Saw Mill River Parkway

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: New York City-Westchester County border to EXIT 13 (Farragut Avenue)

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: EXIT 13 (Farragut Avenue) to I-684 junction (northern terminus)

Sprain Brook Parkway

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: Applied to completed sections

Taconic State Parkway

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: Kensico Dam Plaza to Saw Mill River Parkway junction

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: Applied north of Saw Mill River Parkway

NYSDOT Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices:

• Setting the Limit (Rules governing speed limits in New York State)

• The Roads of Metro New York


• The Crossings of Metro New York


• The Exits of Metro New York


• The History Index

Speed limit information provided by Ralph Herman and Doulgas Andrew Willinger. Route shields and speed limit signs provided by Ralph Herman.