Millions of Americans are expected to hit the road over the 4th of July holiday period. AAA predicts a record 70.9 million travelers to travel by car this holiday season. “With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest ever with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019.” If you’re one of the 70.9 million travelers on America’s highways, you may want to watch your speed, especially in the states that are known to have the most speed traps.
Following is a complete list of U.S. states ordered by speed traps per lane mile. Our list comes from MarketWatch Guides’ map of U.S. speed traps. MarketWatch compiled their list by considering the different sizes of each state’s roadway system and calculated the number of speed traps per lane mile (miles of roadway multiplied by number of lanes). See MarketWatch Guides full methodology here. We’ve also included data from the Federal Highway Administration to give readers an idea of the size of a state’s roadway system. Information on the cost of a speeding ticket in each state was taken from TopMarkFunding and TrafficTickets.com. (Note, fines may have increased since the data was collected.) And finally, to determine the total cost of a speeding ticket, one must look at its effect on insurance rates. We used Bankrate’s data from How much is a speeding ticket? to give you a rough idea of how insurance premiums can increase after even a single speeding ticket.
Overall, our findings reveal that some of the most sparsely populated states have the fewest speeding traps per lane mile. North Dakota, for example, does not have a lot of speed traps and is one of the least populated states, in addition to being one of the most sparsely populated. Delaware, on the other hand, is in the top 10 of the most densely populated states, and it’s first on our list for having the most speed traps per lane mile. (Also see the states with the worst highways.)
Do speed traps work to reduce speed? Interestingly, MarketWatch found that 30% of drivers caught speeding continue to speed, even after penalties. Read on to check out which states have the most speed traps in the nation.
Why Does This Matter?
Speeding penalties go further than the cost of the ticket. NerdWallet calculates an average insurance premium increase of 25%. Aside from cost, speeding can also lead to dangerous car crashes. (These are the US Cities Where The Most People Die In Car Crashes.)
50. North Dakota
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.01
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $35-$355 — 18th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $225
- Pct. insurance increase: 17.3% (14th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,527
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 179,369 (23rd highest)
49. South Dakota
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.01
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $85-$200 — 17th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $212
- Pct. insurance increase: 13.7% (7th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,765
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 166,098 (24th lowest)
48. Nebraska
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.02
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $25-$300 — 25th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $288
- Pct. insurance increase: 17.7% (17th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,912
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 194,080 (21st highest)
47. Montana
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.02
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$500 — 14th highest (tied)
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $367
- Pct. insurance increase: 19.4% (25th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,256
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 150,133 (19th lowest)
46. Kansas
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.04
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $30-$500 — 13th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $354
- Pct. insurance increase: 18.8% (24th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,232
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 286,087 (5th highest)
45. Mississippi
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.04
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$500 — 14th highest (tied)
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $372
- Pct. insurance increase: 21.0% (18th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,143
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 162,160 (22nd lowest)
44. Idaho
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.04
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $47-$102 — 6th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $205
- Pct. insurance increase: 18.1% (21st lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,338
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 109,059 (16th lowest)
43. Alaska
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.05
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$300 — 24th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $281
- Pct. insurance increase: 14.4% (8th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,227
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 35,908 (6th lowest)
42. Minnesota
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.05
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$170 — 9th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $396
- Pct. insurance increase: 22.5% (12th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,156
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 291,814 (4th highest)
41. New Mexico
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.06
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $25-$200 — 15th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $266
- Pct. insurance increase: 16.7% (12th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,857
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 150,747 (20th lowest)
40. Utah
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.09
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $150-$500 — 10th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $359
- Pct. insurance increase: 23.8% (10th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,869
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 102,452 (15th lowest)
39. Missouri
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.09
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $73-$98 — 2nd lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $347
- Pct. insurance increase: 17.9% (18th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,290
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 278,101 (6th highest)
38. Iowa
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.09
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $25-$625 — 5th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $247
- Pct. insurance increase: 18.8% (23rd lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,562
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 235,669 (15th highest)
37. Maine
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.10
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$200 — 14th lowest (tied)
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $193
- Pct. insurance increase: 20.5% (21st highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,134
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 46,801 (8th lowest)
36. Indiana
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.11
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $150-$300 — 24th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $315
- Pct. insurance increase: 24.3% (8th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,610
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 203,045 (20th highest)
35. Wisconsin
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.11
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $40-$300 — 25th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $217
- Pct. insurance increase: 16.8% (13th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,509
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 239,526 (14th highest)
34. Wyoming
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.11
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$200 — 14th lowest (tied)
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $584
- Pct. insurance increase: 36.9% (2nd highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,166
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 62,575 (9th lowest)
33. Arkansas
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.12
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $100-$500 — 11th highest (tied)
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $394
- Pct. insurance increase: 20.7% (19th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,301
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 204,105 (18th highest)
32. North Carolina
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.12
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $10-$250 — 21st lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $726
- Pct. insurance increase: 50.2% (the highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,172
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 229,902 (16th highest)
31. Oregon
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.13
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $115-$325 — 22nd highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $355
- Pct. insurance increase: 25.1% (7th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,770
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 161,989 (21st lowest)
30. Nevada
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.14
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $25-$1,000 — 4th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $587
- Pct. insurance increase: 21.1% (17th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $3,366
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 100,941 (14th lowest)
29. Connecticut
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.14
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $198-$560 — 6th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $373
- Pct. insurance increase: 24.0% (9th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,926
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 45,899 (7th lowest)
28. Pennsylvania
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.15
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $35-$85 — the lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $234
- Pct. insurance increase: 11.5% (4th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,274
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 252,038 (11th highest)
27. Colorado
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.15
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $115-$1,000 — 3rd highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $418
- Pct. insurance increase: 19.7% (25th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,539
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 185,827 (22nd highest)
26. West Virginia
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.15
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$100 — 3rd lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $263
- Pct. insurance increase: 16.6% (11th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,843
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 80,176 (12th lowest)
25. New Hampshire
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.17
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $50-$350 — 19th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $253
- Pct. insurance increase: 20.0% (22nd highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,515
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 33,448 (5th lowest)
24. Alabama
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.17
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $190-$300 — 23rd highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $364
- Pct. insurance increase: 19.8% (24th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,207
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 209,560 (17th highest)
23. Arizona
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.17
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$2,500 — 2nd highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $498
- Pct. insurance increase: 27.5% (5th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,308
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 146,761 (18th lowest)
22. Illinois
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.18
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $75-$2,500 — the highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $483
- Pct. insurance increase: 26.7% (6th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,289
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 306,748 (3rd highest)
21. Oklahoma
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.19
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $20-$205 — 19th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $358
- Pct. insurance increase: 17.9% (20th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,356
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 239,687 (13th highest)
20. Vermont
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.20
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$175 — 10th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $131
- Pct. insurance increase: 12.3% (5th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,192
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 29,262 (4th lowest)
19. Washington
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.20
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $108-$426 — 17th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $282
- Pct. insurance increase: 20.0% (23rd highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,692
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 168,271 (24th highest)
18. Michigan
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.24
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $90-$155 — 8th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $554
- Pct. insurance increase: 20.6% (20th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $3,245
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 256,295 (10th highest)
17. New York
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.25
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $60-$200 — 16th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $261
- Pct. insurance increase: 8.3% (the lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $3,400
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 240,827 (12th highest)
16. Kentucky
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.26
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $20-$100 — 5th lowest (tied)
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $503
- Pct. insurance increase: 23.7% (11th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,627
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 167,145 (25th highest)
15. Massachusetts
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.29
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $100-$500 — 11th highest (tied)
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $406
- Pct. insurance increase: 32.2% (4th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,668
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 77,804 (11th lowest)
14. Ohio
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.29
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $175-$235 — 20th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $219
- Pct. insurance increase: 17.3% (15th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,485
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 262,465 (9th highest)
13. Georgia
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.30
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $0-$200 — 14th lowest (tied)
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $445
- Pct. insurance increase: 21.3% (14th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,530
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 273,086 (8th highest)
12. Texas
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.32
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $185-$334 — 21st highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $168
- Pct. insurance increase: 8.3% (2nd lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,187
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 686,281 (the highest)
11. Florida
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.35
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $219-$294 — 23rd lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $586
- Pct. insurance increase: 18.4% (22nd lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $3,769
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 276,289 (7th highest)
10. Rhode Island
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.35
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $35-$335 — 20th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $292
- Pct. insurance increase: 15.5% (9th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,178
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 12,737 (2nd lowest)
9. Louisiana
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.37
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $20-$100 — 5th lowest (tied)
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $626
- Pct. insurance increase: 21.5% (13th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $3,535
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 134,135 (17th lowest)
8. New Jersey
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.38
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $100-$260 — 22nd lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $231
- Pct. insurance increase: 13.2% (6th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,985
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 85,191 (13th lowest)
7. California
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.38
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $230-$500 — 8th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $820
- Pct. insurance increase: 35.8% (3rd highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $3,111
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 396,616 (2nd highest)
6. Virginia
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.39
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $92-$183 — 11th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $304
- Pct. insurance increase: 21.1% (16th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,743
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 164,585 (23rd lowest)
5. Hawaii
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.39
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $200-$500 — 9th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $126
- Pct. insurance increase: 9.9% (3rd lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,401
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 9,804 (the lowest)
4. South Carolina
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.51
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $15-$445 — 16th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $274
- Pct. insurance increase: 17.9% (19th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,806
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 166,541 (25th lowest)
3. Tennessee
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.58
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $109-$114 — 7th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $253
- Pct. insurance increase: 17.7% (16th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $1,682
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 203,899 (19th highest)
2. Maryland
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 0.68
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $80-$530 — 7th highest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $417
- Pct. insurance increase: 21.2% (15th highest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,388
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 71,244 (10th lowest)
1. Delaware
- Speed traps per lane-mile, 2022: 1.07
- Speeding fines for CDL drivers, 2022: $100-$200 — 18th lowest
- Avg annual full-coverage insurance increase post-speeding, 2023: $338
- Pct. insurance increase: 16.1% (10th lowest)
- Avg annual full coverage premium with one speeding ticket, 2023: $2,441
- Total functional system lane miles, 2020: 14,119 (3rd lowest)
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