Speed Limits Adjusted on Interstate 94 in North Dakota Badlands

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The North Dakota Department of Transportation is making changes to speed limits along Interstate 94 through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park region. Previously, the entire stretch was 80 mph, but was reduced to 70 mph in certain curvier sections. After receiving public feedback, officials have decided to return most of those areas back to the higher 80 mph limit, with just one section west of the Medora exit remaining at 70 mph.

Why it matters

Speed limits on major highways are an important balance between driver safety, traffic flow, and environmental factors. The Badlands region of North Dakota features dramatic landscapes that require lower speeds in some areas, but the state transportation agency is responding to public input to optimize the speed limits for the conditions.

The details

The North Dakota Department of Transportation previously lowered the speed limit from 80 mph to 70 mph on certain curvier sections of Interstate 94 through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park area. However, after receiving complaints from the public about the reduced speeds, officials re-evaluated the roadway and decided to return most of those 70 mph zones back to 80 mph. The lone exception will be a stretch just west of the first Medora exit, which will remain at 70 mph.

• The entire stretch of I-94 through the Badlands used to have an 80 mph speed limit.
• The speed limit was reduced to 70 mph in certain curvier sections at an unspecified prior date.
• After receiving public feedback, the DOT re-evaluated the speed limits in early 2026.