NJDOT Lowers Speed Limit to 35 mph on Interstate and State Highways Beginning Sunday

TRENTON – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Acting Commissioner Joe Bertoni has issued an Emergency Traffic Regulation Order that temporarily lowers all posted speed limits to 35 miles per hour on Interstate and State highways in New Jersey starting at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, January 25. The speed limit reduction applies to:

• All Interstate highways in New Jersey
• All U.S. and State highways in New Jersey
• The New Jersey Turnpike
• The Garden State Parkway
• The Atlantic City Expressway

The speed limit reduction is being made out of an abundance of caution based on the forecast for heavy snow, ice, and strong winds statewide. Winter weather is expected to begin early Sunday morning, January 25 and continue into Monday, January 26, which could make driving conditions treacherous throughout the state.

Starting at 12:01 a.m., January 25, 2026 and in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-98.9, this Emergency Order temporarily lowers all posted speed limits above 35 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour on state and interstate highways and will be in place until further notice. State and interstate highways with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less will not be affected by this Traffic Regulations Emergency Order.

All motorists are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel on Sunday and Monday.

Commercial Vehicle Travel Restriction

The Emergency Traffic Regulation Order to reduce the speed limit to 35 mph is in addition to the Commercial Vehicle Travel Restriction announced yesterday, January 23. The commercial vehicle travel restriction also will begin at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, January 25 and will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:

• I-76 (entire length)
• I-78 (entire length)
• I-80 (entire length)
• I-195 (entire length)
• I-280 (entire length)
• I-287 (entire length)
• I-295 (entire length)
• I-676 (entire length)
• NJ Route 440 (both directions from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287)

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:

• All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order - Amended)
• Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
• Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
• Recreational vehicles
• Motorcycles

This restriction DOES NOT apply to:

• The New Jersey Turnpike
• The Garden State Parkway
• The Atlantic City Expressway
• Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food. For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order - Amended.

Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm – DO NOT PARK ON SHOULDERS.

NJDOT is coordinating with all state and regional transportation agencies to ensure the most effective response to the storm. In order for NJDOT and our regional and local transportation partners to safely and efficiently clear roadways of snow, motorists should avoid driving unless you are an essential employee needed for emergency response. If you must drive, motorists are advised to:

• SLOW DOWN
• Always STAY CLEAR of plowing and spreading trucks. If they are behind you, let them pass
• DO NOT pass between trucks that are in a plow formation
• Leave early and allow extra time
• Leave a safe following distance between vehicles
• Use caution on bridges and ramps
• If you are driving and road conditions deteriorate, PULL OFFsomewhere safe and wait it out
• Be patient and use caution
• Keep an emergency kit in your car with a cell phone charger, water, snacks, blanket, and other items. See the NJ Office of Emergency Managements web site for more information: http://ready.nj.gov/plan-prepare/winter.shtml

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT's traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information