How fast can you drive Interstate 5 and not get a ticket?

[Muse]

Last time I drove I-5 was 3+ years ago but hadn't driven it for 20+ years. I'm going to be driving from the S.F. Bay Area to and from L.A. next week and wonder how fast we can drive and not have to sweat getting a speeding ticket. Can I get some feedback from experienced motorists? Thanks!

 

[FoBoT]

it is a very long interstate freeway, i think it might vary from place to place

perhaps try the speed limit + 5 as a starting point, then work your way up to ludicrous speed

 

[MrScott81]

Just go with the flow of traffic, which is usually 75-80mph...as long as you're not weaving I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[anxi80]

65 is the limit, when im going to/and from work, ill get up to about 75, at the most. and even then, im checking mirrors and paying attention to my surroundings. but i have been able to get away with 90 on long stretches and spots i know (and i hope) where cops dont sit.

 

[dirtboy]

80-85 depending on the time of day. Just stay with traffic flow.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

There's alot of places where 75 is the speed limit. So you can probably get away with 90 if you're careful.

 

[oniq]

Go as fast as your car can go

 

[Vic]

I drove up to Seattle and back (from Portland) this weekend. Keep it under 10 over the limit, keep an eye out for cops, and you should be fine.

 

[johnjosh]

at what time of day are u driving?

 

[brtspears2]

70 MPH except around Valencia/Magic Mountain where it is 55 MPH.

I suggest the Hwy 58 exit, 76 Gas Station for fuel and restroom, since it's the cleanest I've found.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: johnjosh
at what time of day are u driving?

Probably starting out around 8:00 AM Saturday, returning Monday, probably also during the day.

 

[MrScott81]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
There's alot of places where 75 is the speed limit. So you can probably get away with 90 if you're careful.

are you sure about that? I thought the max speed limit in any place in CA was 70.

 

[johnjosh]

Originally posted by: scottdog81

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
There's alot of places where 75 is the speed limit. So you can probably get away with 90 if you're careful.

are you sure about that? I thought the max speed limit in any place in CA was 70.

u are correct on the 70mph limit. link

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: dirtboy
80-85 depending on the time of day. Just stay with traffic flow.

I would say thats about right. We drove to Sac. and back twice in the last 3 months.
Don't run fast alone. Be careful on clear days, the CHP uses airplanes as spotters.
Use caution when approaching rest areas and major roadside businesses as the
CHP hang out there at times. Do Not run fast off The Ridge Route dropping into
Bakersfield, far too easy to do. Truck scales are at the bottom of the hill and are
well attended by Chips.


Bring your own snacks as any decent place to eat you generally have to wait.
Be sure and check your tire pressure, including the spare.
:sun:

 

[faZZter]

You can drive 75-80 and you'll just keep up with most traffic.

 

[jacob0401]

Driving from Seattle down into LA this summer it was usually 80-90 on the longer/unpopulated stretches.

 

[XZeroII]

Whatever the speedlimit is. Duh.

 

[johnjosh]

Originally posted by: XZeroII
Whatever the speedlimit is. Duh.

if you drive at the speed limit on 5 freeway you will be run over.

 

[dethman]

try 85 max for long stretches. gone up to 130ish, but i wouldn't recommend that.

 

[Dragnov]

I go from L.A. to Bay Area like 3 times a year driving.

I usually go about ~90mph though I woudln't try my luck if I saw a cop. 85 is already testing your luck... had a cop pass me up doing that speed. Just slow down when you're in the city areas and don't weave in and out too much.

I was going about 85mph on the 80, but i let the car behind me going 90mph pass me up. Then all of a sudden a cop busted out of nowhere getting the car I let through. :Q

 

[NutBucket]

I've done 110 but from what I hear the CHP uses some all-white cars now. Much harder to spot.

 

[thomsbrain]

drive no faster than 80 if you don't want to worry about it. you're probably ok doing more than that, but if you really want to not worry, i'd stay below 80.

personally i've maintained a steady 95+ for huge stretches without issue. there were a couple times i was sure i was nabbed, but the cop always either exited without pulling me over or never left the shoulder. once i crested a hill at nearly 100 and there a cop 1/4 mile down the road sitting in the median, but he never pulled out, so who knows.

edit: i should add that i almost always use some fool in a cadillac or corvette as bait. i stick behind the fastest, flashiest car i can find and stay about a 1/2 mile back.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

The only speed guaranteed to be safe is under the speed limit. That applies to all roads, not just I-5. As a general rule, speed limit +10 is *almost always* safe on any interstate, beyond that is a crapshoot. +15 is the real danger zone, but if you run into a cop that's bored or a power-hungry rookie there's no guarantee that you won't get nailed for +5. How you drive is more important than how fast. I spend a lot of time on the road and watch a lot of traffic stops. People are FAR FAR FAR more likely to be nailed for +10 weaving or +10 tail-gating than they are to be nailed for +15 center lane. The trick is to avoid attracting attention, just stay in the center lane and match the traffic flow, you'll be fine.

 

[Ionizer86]

You can go 80-85 with no problem in the valley. It's a speedy stretch, the part from the I-5 and CA-99 junction in the south all tye way up to about Stockton.

 

[The Stigenator]

For the most part I do about base 80.. or speed of traffic. 75 is usually done, but 80 is easy..

I have done 90+ for a long time..

Be aware of Kern County = Lots of cops.. esp under the overpasses...