80mph texas speed limit on Interstate 10

Texas recently increased her speed limit on some rural roads to 80mph–the fastest speed limit in the nation (Montana and Nevada used to have no limit on certain roads, but it was recently reduced). For approximately thirteen years (1974–1987), no speed limit in the United States exceeded 55mph. According to Wikipedia, the 80mph limit puts it just 1 kilometer less than the recommended speed on the Autobahn.

Have you seen these new signs yet? The one I am familiar with is just outside Comfort on I-10 as you head West. Apparently, Texas is now considering increasing that to 85mph, effectively putting it in Autobahn territory. Since most people tend to drive 5-10mph faster than the speed limit, will we soon be able to drive nearly 100mph on the rural highways? That would put us at the same cruise speed as some small aircraft.

Recently, I began to think of ways to move out and live full time on the property I just purchased in the Texas Hill Country. I have a great job in a bad location–Lackland Air Force Base, the South side of San Antonio. I did some tests and it currently takes me about 1.2 – 1.3hrs to drive from Lackland AFB to the property. My boss is pretty flexible and will eventually allow me to telework some days as well as do the 4 day work week (10hr days), but these new speed limits do make the move more feasible as it would save me around 10+mins of commute time.

I guess I won’t be driving my old Jeep on those 80mph roads–it shakes pretty bad once you hit 75mph….