Thurston County, Washington

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Thurston County Washington

Public Works

Speed Limits

2026 Speed Limit Revisions

Your Traffic Engineering team is asking for public comment regarding a few proposed speed limit changes.

A public hearing has been set for October 6, 2026, for the Board of County Commissioners to hear public comment on the upcoming speed limit revisions outlined in the presentation below. You can fill out the short survey below, and we will summarize responses at the public hearing. You can also choose to attend the public hearing either virtually or in person. All the details about attending can be found here: Details for the Board of County Commissioners Meeting

Please watch the video below for more information.

To make public comment, click here: Public Comment

Proposed Changes

  • 196th Ave SW from Sargent Rd SW to Elderberry St SW: unposted 50 mph to 35 mph
     
  • Driftwood Valley Rd SE from Deschutes Dr SE to Fennel Rd SE: unposted 50 mph to 25 mph
     
  • Gallagher Cove Rd NW from Steamboat Island Rd NW to 78th Ave NW : unposted 50 mph to 40 mph
     
  • Marvin Rd SE from 19th Ave SE to Union Mills Rd SE: 40 mph to 35 mph
     
  • Waldrick Rd SE from Offut Lake Rd SE to 0.17 miles east of Chehalis Western Trail: 50 mph to 35 mph
     
  • Johnson Point Rd NE from 92nd Ave NE to Johnson Point Lp NE: 35 mph to 30 mph

All 50 states base their speed regulations on the Basic Speed Law.  "No person shall drive a vehicle.... at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent...and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property." 
The following speed limits are set by state law or Thurston County code: 

  • 25 mph in residential plats and subdivisions.
  • 20 mph in school zones.
  • 50 mph on other roads, unless otherwise established.
a traffic sign stands against vegetation, reading "speed limit: 25"
  • Speed limits between 20 and 50 mph other than those described above are established based on traffic engineering investigations.
  • The safe and reasonable limit is usually close to the speed at which 85 percent of drivers are traveling. Traffic studies have shown that accidents increase if the speed limit is set far above or below this "85th percentile speed."
  • Another important measurement, the "pace speed," is the 10 mph range in which the majority of cars are traveling. If the posted limit is lower than the 10 mph pace speed or far above the 85th percentile speed, many drivers will ignore the signs and continue to travel at higher speeds. Other drivers will heed the signs and travel near the posted limit. When cars travel at different speeds, problems such as tailgating, illegal passing and congestion arise. The gaps in traffic through which vehicles may safely turn or cross the road are also reduced. Studies show that when speeds are not uniform, accidents generally increase.
  • Most drivers travel at speeds that are comfortable for them and are influenced more by traffic and road conditions than the posted speed limit. "Before and after" studies have shown no significant changes in average vehicle speeds after posting new speed limits. 
  • Call Thurston County Public Works, Traffic Division and staff will record your service request and begin an investigation based on the principles described in this brochure. Please give us as many details as you can about the problems on the road where you are requesting a change. We want to work closely with you to clearly define and address your concerns.
  • When investigating a traffic problem, we consider not only the vehicle speeds and collision history along the road, but all the road features. These features include the grade, alignment, pavement and shoulder conditions, spacing of intersections, and the amount and type of traffic.  Often, we can improve driver and pedestrian safety without changing the speed limit. 

If our investigation determines that the speed limit should be changed, the following actions will be taken: 

•    The Traffic Division will arrange a public meeting to work toward an agreement on the speed limit.
•    Public meeting notices will be posted along the road in the area of the proposed speed change and will be sent to local newspapers.
•    The agreed-upon speed limit will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration and adoption.

To request a speed limit revision in your area, you will need to complete a service request. Once the form is submitted, staff will reach out to you for more details. The Board of County Commissioners makes the final decision to change the speed limit. 

  • Speed limits in school zones and residential areas are set by county code and cannot be changed.
  • Speed Limit revisions are presented yearly to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) for consideration and adoption. Any potential revisions received after March 31 will be held until the next calendar year for presentation to the BoCC.
  • Pursuant to RCW 46.09.455, the Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance allowing wheeled ATVs to travel on county roads with a maximum speed limit of 35 MPH by licensed drivers over the age of 16.

Thurston County promotes speed-control programs that help bring attention to the posted speed limit.  Contact Public Works for more information about this program or to request enforcement in non-residential areas.