Route 66 speed limits in 1950's?

[Loren Perry]

I'm finishing up a desert scene on my layout with a 14 foot stretch of Route 66 as the centerpiece (along with the railroad tracks, of course.) I'm down to final detailing including billboards and speed limit signs. Does anyone know what the correct maximum speed limit would be in the open desert areas of Arizona  in the mid-1950's should be? I'd guess 65 mph but would like to pin it down if possible.

[superturbine]

By 1952, America’s love affair with big cars won over, and Route 66 was rerouted to the current alignment of I-40.
 
Plan for 1.5 hrs of drive time between Kingman and Topock, plus additional time to stop, take pictures and see the sights. Speed limits range from 25-45 mph (40-72 km/h).


Leave it to your friendy UP modeler....... I guess I model a little ATSF though

Found this on a web site.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I don't think anything would be allowed above 55 for a non-devided ICC era route. My gut tells me 45 or 50.

[Loren Perry]

Looks like I'm way off the mark. 50 mph or so? For a nearly cross-continent highway? And in desolate Arizona deserts? Are we sure about that? I have lots of those beautiful CMW tractor trailers and box vans that I want to place on this famed roadway and 45 mph or below sounds a little slow for comfort.

The 25 - 45 speed limits appear to be current limits for the historic road. I've found references from individuals saying there was no speed limit back in the 1950's - just advisories to drive at a "safe and sane speed." Maybe I should just forget about speed limit signs?

Anyway, I'm using the excellent Blair Line signs for speed limits, assorted information signs, billboards, and much more.

One more question - Blair Line makes some delightful Burma Shave signs. I can't find any photos of old 66 with these signs anywhere. Were these signs limited to certain geographical areas?

[highway70]

Foud this for maxinum speed limits in the State  of Ohio:

Here is the history for the top speed limit in the state.

 •1926 - 35 mph
•1940 - 45 mph
•1941 - 50 mph
•1942 - 35 mph (x)
•1945 - 50 mph
•1958 - 60 mph
•1963 - 70 mph
•1974 - 55 mph (y)
•1987 - 65 mph
•2011 - 70 mph (z)
x - Reduced for fuel savings during World War II.
y - Reduced for fuel savings during energy crisis.
z - Change for the Ohio Turnpike only.
 
Source: Ohio Insurance Institut

While speed limits vary, I suspect most states had similar limits for similar time periods.

If the modeled portion is in or near a town, lower speed limits are likely.

[superturbine]

Ohio..... didn't know route 66??  Oh well its still good information to know

[highway70]

I referenced Ohio because it was the only state for which my quick search found a speed limit history.  While I was way too young to drive in the 50's my memory is that  speed limits in Washington, Oregon and California were about the same as Ohio's. 

Another factor is that in the 1950's (especially the early 50's) there were still a lot of pre-war cars many of which were probably were not capable of much over 50mph.

[arbomambo]

Great topic!...
I'm looking for the same informations...Route 66 makes a few appearances, across the canyon, high up the opposite ridges, on my Kingman Canyon layout, and I'd like to use a few well placed road signs...(as well as your beautiful highway guardrails, Loren!).
I can see 35-45 mph restictions along this stretch, but I'd imagine stretches, either side of Winslow, to be fairly unrestricted...
I'd like to hear more...
Bruce

[jereising]

In Illinois 1955 the highway limit was "Reasonable and proper" I got my license in 57 and by 59 it was 65.

[SkipGear]

There was no national speed limit until 1974 which came because of the energy crisis. The states set their own limit before that. Most roads had no limit posted, those that did averaged around 80mph. I have found this info in a few places.

I did find something in the 1942 MUTCD (Manual for uniform traffic control devices) about a War Emergency speed limit of 35mph signs replacing "End Speed Zone" signs for entering areas with no posted speed limit.

The 1948 MUTCD is not accessable at this time for some reason.

https://ceprofs.civil.tamu.edu/ghawkins/MUTCD-History.htm

[cfritschle]

Loren,

I am not sure how helpful this is, but US 30 in southern Idaho (a two lane road) was 60 MPH day time and 55 MPH at night.  The signs were white on top with the 60 MPH lettering in black, and black on the bottom with 55 MPH lettering in white.  The 55 MPH lettering was also reflective so that is all you saw at night.

I did travel to Arizona in 1960, and I think the speed limits were about the same as in Idaho at that time, but I cannot remember if they also had different limits for night and day.

If you can find an old movie that was shot along Route 66 in the 1950s, I bet it would show the speed limit signs.

As far as the reasonable and prudent speeds, Idaho law stated that as well.  However, it added unless otherwise posted.  I cannot remember any stretch of paved road that was not posted!

Carter

[C855B]

...I did travel to Arizona in 1960, and I think the speed limits were about the same as in Idaho at that time, but I cannot remember if they also had different limits for night and day. ...

Bingo. Memory jog. AZ also had the day/night thing, at least in '62. I clearly recall Needles to Kingman signed as 65/55, with the same reflective characteristics for the "55" portion of the sign. Vivid memories of that childhood trip in a '58 Merc wagon outfitted for camping in the car. Only problem... was it actually I-40 in the summer of '62, or still US66? I somewhat recall this stretch was already a divided highway by then, but other portions were still under construction five years later, with the full highway traffic on gravel.

[nkalanaga]

It was NOT I-40 on 1952, as the Interstate Highway system didn't exist then.
"The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (commonly known as the Interstate Highway System, Interstate Freeway System or the Interstate) is a network of freeways that forms a part of the National Highway System of the United States. The system is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who championed its formation. Construction was authorized by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, and the original portion was completed 35 years later." -Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_Highway_System

However, Superturbine may still be right, and US 66 may have already been on today's alignment. 

[GimpLizard]

Wisconsin also had the 65 day/55 night speed limits on all rural, two lane highways. Up until the national speed limit was became law. The freeways were 75 during the day, I believe. (I don't recall what they were at night.) I remember my dad being one ticked-off Polack over the NSL. 

[wm3798]

How fast would one have to go to get one's kicks?