Speed limits
The new speed limits
New speed limits are in effect in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Slower speeds on local streets make travel safer for everyone no matter how you get around.
New speed limits
- 20 mph for local residential streets and parkways (unless otherwise signed)
- 25 mph for larger, arterial city-owned streets
- 30-plus mph for a few city-owned streets
- 30-plus mph for County and MnDOT roads (No change)
Our map shows what the speed limits will be on individual streets.
County and MNDot roads are not affected
County and MnDOT road speed limits in Minneapolis and Saint Paull will not change. Per Minnesota law, cities do not have authority to change speed limits on these streets.
Reduced speed limits at parkways
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board voted in 2021 to lower speed limits on all Park Board parkways. That change went into effect in January 2022.
Minneapolis speed and crash data
Higher traffic speeds make crashes more likely to happen. It also makes crashes more likely to end in severe injury or death. This is especially true for people walking or rolling and biking.
The risk of severe injury or death is higher for older adults. Crashes that involve speed has increased in a major way. This is especially the case with fatal crashes.
Speed is a major factor in crashes
- In Minneapolis, speeding was a contributing factor in 50% of fatal crashes in 2020 and 65% of fatal crashes in 2021.
- This is a greater involvement than previous years as well as national trends. Speeding was a contributing factor of 43% of fatal crashes in 2017.
- Nationally, it was a contributing factor in 29% of traffic fatalities in 2020.
Risk to pedestrians increase as driver speed increases
Data on speed and crash injury
- A person hit at 20 miles per hour has a 13% likelihood of suffering a severe injury or dying.
- A person hit at 30 miles per hour has a 40% likelihood of suffering a severe injury or dying.
- A person hit at 40 miles per hour has a 73% likelihood of suffering a severe injury or dying.
Background on lowered speed limits
Speed limit analysis
The speed limit changes follow detailed technical studies done by the Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul Public Works departments, respectively, to determine appropriate local speed limits as required by state statute.
The lower speed limits are in line with national trends toward lower urban speed limits to support safety. Lower traffic speeds reduce the likelihood of a crash and make all types of crashes less likely to lead to death or a life-changing injury. A person hit at 35 mph is three times as likely to die as someone hit at 25 mph.
Reducing speed limits is one of the key strategies in the Minneapolis Vision Zero Action Plan. The plan outlines key steps for the next three years to advance the City’s goal of ending traffic deaths and injuries on City streets by 2027.
Learn more
Part of a comprehensive approach to safe speeds
Given the importance of traffic speeds in supporting safety, supporting safe speeds is a priority in our Vision Zero work.
Safe speeds can vary for different types of streets based on:
- Context
- Demands
- Design
Actions that lead to safer streets
No single speed-related action alone will lead to safer speeds.
We need a combination of:
- Policy changes
- Street design
- Education
- Communications
- Enforcement
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