Missouri is set to increase speed limits to 75 miles per hour on designated sections of its interstate highways, but Interstate 44 will not be among them. The change affects approximately 325 miles of interstate across the state, identified by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) as eligible under a new state law.
In southwest Missouri, Interstate 49 will see its speed limit raised to 75 mph across two separate sections, totaling 69 miles. The first segment covers 24 miles, extending from the Arkansas state line north to Exit 24 at U.S. Highway 60 in Neosho. The second section, spanning 45 miles, begins near Alba at Exit 56, north of Carthage, and continues northward to just south of Exit 101 in Nevada. This implementation means a 32-mile stretch of I-49, which includes the heavily traveled corridor through Joplin between Neosho and the Carthage area, will maintain its current 70 mph speed limit.
Beyond southwest Missouri, higher speed limits will also apply to specific portions of Interstates 29, 35, and 55 elsewhere in Missouri.
MoDOT has not provided a specific explanation for I-44's exclusion from the higher speed limits. However, officials indicated that their considerations for which sections to upgrade included a range of factors: traffic volumes, the amount of commercial truck traffic, crash history, the specific terrain of the roadway, its overall design, existing average speeds, and the presence of active construction projects.
Interstate 44 is currently undergoing a significant improvement initiative as part of the state's Forward 44 program. This extensive work encompasses pavement rehabilitation, the reconstruction of various interchanges, and other essential upgrades throughout southwest Missouri. This construction effort is projected to continue until 2031. Despite the ongoing work, MoDOT has not stated whether the construction activity played a direct role in the decision to keep I-44's speed limit at 70 mph.
Interstate 70 was also excluded from the speed limit increase. Transportation officials had previously announced that its speed limit would remain unchanged during an ongoing major rebuilding project. MoDOT plans to reassess I-70's speed limit once that construction work is completed.
MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger stated that the approval for higher speeds was granted only after thorough reviews confirmed that traffic could move more efficiently without compromising safety. The new speed limits are scheduled to take effect as MoDOT crews replace highway signs throughout this fall. Until these new signs are installed, drivers are required to continue adhering to the currently posted speed limits. Looking ahead, MoDOT will continuously monitor crash data on the affected highways and retains the option to revert speed limits back to 70 mph if any safety concerns arise following the change.