Speed Limits Worldwide: mph vs km/h by Country
5 min read
Driving abroad means understanding different speed limit systems. Only a handful of countries use miles per hour โ the rest of the world measures speed in kilometres per hour. Here is your guide to speed limits globally.
The Conversion
1 mph = 1.609 km/h | 1 km/h = 0.621 mph
Quick trick: mph ร 1.6 = km/h (or km/h รท 1.6 = mph)
Countries That Use mph
Only these nations measure road speed in miles per hour:
- โถ United States
- โถ United Kingdom
- โถ Myanmar
- โถ Liberia
- โถ Some Caribbean islands (Bahamas, Cayman Islands)
Every other country uses km/h on road signs.
Highway Speed Limits Compared
| Country / Road | Limit | Converted |
|---|---|---|
| Germany (Autobahn) | No limit | Advisory 130 km/h (81 mph) |
| Poland | 140 km/h | 87 mph |
| France | 130 km/h | 81 mph |
| Italy | 130 km/h | 81 mph |
| UK | 70 mph | 113 km/h |
| USA (Texas toll road) | 85 mph | 137 km/h |
| USA (most interstates) | 65-75 mph | 105-121 km/h |
| Australia (Northern Territory) | 130 km/h | 81 mph |
| UAE | 140 km/h | 87 mph |
| Japan | 100-120 km/h | 62-75 mph |
Common Speed Limit Conversions
- โถ 30 mph = 48 km/h (residential streets)
- โถ 50 km/h = 31 mph (city speed in metric countries)
- โถ 60 mph = 97 km/h
- โถ 70 mph = 113 km/h
- โถ 100 km/h = 62 mph
- โถ 120 km/h = 75 mph
- โถ 130 km/h = 81 mph
Tips for Driving in a Different System
- โถ Most rental cars show both mph and km/h on the speedometer
- โถ GPS navigation can display speed in either unit โ switch to match local signs
- โถ Remember key anchors: 50 km/h in town, 100-130 km/h on highways
- โถ Speed cameras abroad have zero tolerance for "I didn't understand the sign" excuses
๐ Try our free speed converter
Open Converter โ