Nacogdoches, Believe it or Not, You Can Drive 65 on the Loop

Most of the time, you hear complaints about drivers going too fast in and around Nacogdoches. However, that's not always the case. In fact, I get stuck behind people going too slow on the loop fairly regularly. Remember that Sammy Hagar song, "I Can't Drive 55"...? Sometimes it feels like people driving in Nacogdoches have reworded it to "I Only Drive 55"...

A Big Part of the Loop Has a 65 MPH Speed Limit

Lots of people are under the impression that the entire loop around Nacogdoches has a 55 MPH speed limit. That's not actually true. The western portion of loop 224 - AKA Stallings Drive - has a bit higher speed limit.

The portion of the loop that runs from South Street all the way to where the loop intersects itself, by the TA Express and CC's Smokehouse has a 65-MPH limit. That means that you can give the gas pedal just a bit more pressure and speed up your vehicle a bit.

Make Sure You Know Where the Speed Limit Changes

So, while it is legal to drive 65 on that long stretch, you have to make sure you know where to slow down to 55. If you turn east at the TA Express that I mentioned earlier, the speed limit is 55, but it actually drops down even more - to 50 MPH - as you pass in front of Lowe's and doesn't go back up to 55 until after you pass Walmart.

From there, it's 55 MPH all the way until you get back to South Street again.

One More Thing to Consider - Construction Zones

The one other thing to consider about the speed limits on the loop is the large construction zone, where they're working on the new interstate connection. The speed limit definitely drops below 55 there. Don't forget, if you're speeding there, the traffic fine is doubled, so be sure and slow down.

These are just some things to keep in mind. Just do the speed limit. You'll be fine.