New bill increases speed on Missouri interstates

MISSOURI(KBSI) – Missouri drivers will soon be able to drive a little faster on rural highways and interstates.

This comes after Missouri’s Governor, Mike Kehoe, signed Senate Bill 1408, the bill had a lot of support from local representatives.

Senate bill 1408 was sponsored by Senator Jamie Burger State Senate District #27 and handled by John Voss Representative for district #147 Missouri House of Representatives signed by Governor Kehoe on Monday July 13, 2026. Senator Burger shares what led him to push for the speed increase.

 “One thing is we travel to Memphis quite often to see the Memphis, Grizzlies going to play basketball and as you leave Benton, you’re heading South on interstate 55 and the speed limit 70, and you get into Arkansas and it really goes to 75. The flow of traffic seems to be getting better. You don’t have traffic; it’s stretched out further. Things seem to be getting there in time. That’s something we need to be at” says Senator Burger.

Under the bill the speed limit will go from 70 to 75 only on Missouri freeways and interstates where the interstate signs now say 70, will go to 75. 

Representative Voss saying that with advancements in technology in vehicles such as crash prevention and lane assist, he believes 75 is a safe ideal speed for Missourians traveling.

 “I think it gives Missouri drivers the option to legally drive at 75 miles an hour. This is not requiring anyone to drive that speed of course, we should all follow the road conditions and our abilities, but it just provides the opportunity for folks to drive a little bit faster. Again, using modern technology and the advances in cars, I believe, warrants, this kind of a proposal” says Representative Voss. 

The new speed limit will become active on August 28, 2026.