Safe following distance by state
How far behind the vehicle in front each state's handbook tells you to stay, and when to leave more room.
By state
| State | Following distance |
|---|---|
| Alabama | The two-second rule in good conditions; four or five seconds in poor road or weather conditions or with longer vehicles. The same 2 seconds behind motorcycles, with more in darkness or rain.Source |
| Alaska | Four-second rule recommended (six or more seconds when towing or on wet/slippery roads); regulation 13 AAC 02.090 requires a minimum of two seconds. Same four seconds behind motorcycles. Pull over when 5+ vehicles are behind you on a two-lane road outside urban areas (AS 28.35.140). |
| Arizona | At least 3 seconds for most situations ('3-6 second' rule); 6 seconds or more on slippery roads and in rain; double the following distance in bad weather.Source |
| Arkansas | Two-second rule; use four seconds in some situations (PDF p. 71). At least 4-6 seconds behind a motorcycle (PDF p. 82). Four-second gap when merging (PDF p. 73). 'Four Second Sight Distance Rule' for speed vs. visibility (PDF p. 70).Source |
| California | Use the three-second rule (count three seconds after the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point); leave three seconds when merging onto a highway and behind motorcycles. Create more space when tailgated, when following motorcyclists on metal surfaces or gravel, on slippery roads, and in fog. |
| Colorado | Three-second rule under normal conditions; increase at night, on unfamiliar roads, in bad weather, and on snow and ice.Source |
| Connecticut | Three-second rule at any speed; four seconds on slippery roads, when following motorcycles, trucks/buses, when towing, in low visibility, behind emergency vehicles, near railroad crossings and on hills; at least 3 seconds behind a truck; 3-4 seconds (more in wet conditions) behind a motorcycle.Source |
| Delaware | Three-second rule at any speed; four seconds on slippery roads, behind motorcycles above 40 mph (two seconds under 40 mph), behind drivers who can't see you, when towing, in poor visibility, etc. At least four seconds behind trucks.Source |
| Washington DC | Count to 'one thousand four' (four seconds); four or five seconds in bad weather; more behind vehicles that stop often (buses, mail vans).Source |
| Florida | Minimum following distance of four seconds in favorable weather and traffic; increase it in rain, low visibility, when being passed, when towing or heavily loaded, behind motorcycles, and on an incline. Do not follow a fire truck answering an alarm closer than 500 feet. Trucks/vehicles towing must stay 300 feet behind another truck or towing vehicle (outside cities, except when passing).Source |
| Georgia | Count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two' after the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point (about two seconds); allow more distance in bad weather, construction, heavy traffic and always at night; 3-4 seconds behind a motorcycle (manual PDF p.41, p.44).Source |
| Hawaii | At least a two-second interval; you should never have less (p.67). Allow at least twice the normal following distance when rain first starts (p.75). At least 2 seconds behind a motorcycle (p.93).Source |
| Idaho | The three-second rule is the minimum; increase it several times in bad weather and at high speeds. Allow more than 3 seconds behind motorcycles. Behind snowplows, two car lengths for every 10 mph. When stopped behind a vehicle, leave room to see its rear tires on the pavement. |
| Illinois | Three-second rule in good road and weather conditions; increase it when conditions are not good. At least 3-4 seconds behind a motorcycle.Source |
| Indiana | Stay at least two to three seconds behind the vehicle ahead; allow at least three or four seconds when following a motorcycle. |
| Iowa | 3- to 4-second rule in normal traffic and good weather; beginners at least 3 seconds; 4-5 seconds at 40 mph; 6 or more seconds when slippery or the vehicle ahead blocks your view; 5-6 seconds on wet/slippery roads; at least 3-4 seconds behind motorcycles; stay at least 500 feet behind an emergency vehicle using lights and siren. |
| Kansas | The handbook is inconsistent: Section 2 (K.S.A. 8-1523, PDF p.17) says two-second rule in prime conditions and four seconds in adverse conditions; Space Ahead (PDF p.62) says a minimum of two seconds plus a second for unusual conditions; Vision Limitations (PDF p.77) says a minimum 3-second interval. Stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.Source |
| Kentucky | Minimum 4 seconds; more on slippery roads, behind large vehicles, at night/fog/bad weather, behind vehicles that stop at railroad crossings and behind motorcycles (4 seconds or more in wet conditions). Add at least 1 second at night and 2 seconds on unfamiliar roads at night.Source |
| Louisiana | 3-second rule at any speed; 4 seconds in bad weather/wet pavement and other listed situations (behind motorcycles, trailers, low visibility); behind trucks 4-5 seconds. Interstate section: at least 4 seconds, doubled in bad weather; add at least 1 second at night (2 on unfamiliar roads). |
| Maine | At least 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead; more in adverse conditions; add at least one second at night (two on unfamiliar roads); at least 4 seconds behind motorcycles. Use a four-second gap when merging. |
| Maryland | Minimum 3 to 4 seconds under ideal conditions; 4 to 5 seconds or more behind vehicles that stop often (buses, delivery vans); at least 3 to 4 seconds behind motorcycles; much more on wet, snowy or icy roads. |
| Massachusetts | Three-second rule as a minimum in good conditions; at least 4 seconds behind a motorcycle; at least 10 seconds behind heavy equipment. Tailgating fine up to $100 (p.43).Source |
| Michigan | A 3- to 4-second following distance is required, increased to 6 seconds or more at higher speeds or in bad conditions. At least twice normal in rain. At least 3-4 seconds behind motorcycles, scooters and bicycles.Source |
| Minnesota | Three-second rule in ideal conditions; four or five seconds when road conditions are poor or for longer vehicles (manual p.73). Campers/trailers: at least 500 feet behind other vehicles (p.79).Source |
| Mississippi | At least one car length for every 10 mph of speed (e.g. 5 car lengths at 50 mph, 7 at 70 mph on interstates); more behind large trucks and buses. Trucks outside business/residential districts may not follow other trucks within 300 feet except when passing. |
| Missouri | Three-second rule (PDF p. 59); about 8 to 10 seconds on snow or ice (PDF p. 65).Source |
| Montana | Three-second rule at any speed (PDF p. 74); four seconds on slippery roads, behind motorcycles, when towing, when hard to see, etc. (PDF p. 75). 'Four Second Sight Distance Rule' for speed vs. sight distance.Source |
| Nebraska | The three-second rule is the minimum; add one second for each adversity factor (rain, heavy traffic, etc.). Three or four seconds behind motorcycles. 100 feet behind working snow removal equipment.Source |
| Nevada | At least two seconds at 40 mph or less (a minimum); most instructors recommend up to four seconds; more at highway speeds or when slippery/visibility reduced. Handbook graphic: 2-4 seconds or more, commercial vehicles 5 seconds or more. |
| New Hampshire | Minimum four seconds; more on slippery roads, behind large vehicles, at night/fog/bad weather, behind vehicles that stop at railroad crossings; add at least 1 second at night and 2 on unfamiliar roads at night. At least four seconds behind motorcycles.Source |
| New Jersey | Three-seconds-plus rule; increase to four or more seconds in bad weather or on wet roads; six seconds or more on snow-covered roads. Rule of thumb: one car length (about 20 feet) per 10 mph (manual p.94-99).Source |
| New Mexico | Three-second rule at any speed; four seconds on slippery roads, behind motorcycles, with heavy loads or trailers, behind emergency vehicles, approaching railroad crossings, or stopped on a hill. Four-second sight-distance rule for speed; four-second gap to merge (manual p.23-24).Source |
| New York | Two-second rule in normal conditions; increase to at least three or four seconds in bad weather and when following large trucks (MV-21 p.47). Keep two seconds or more in work zones (p.49). |
| North Carolina | Use the two-second rule: at least two seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a fixed point and your vehicle reaching it. On the open road leave enough room for a passing vehicle to move into the gap. In rain, allow at least twice the normal following distance. On snow or ice, allow at least three times the normal stopping distance and keep extra space (handbook PDF pp. 55-56, 66, 74-75).Source |
| North Dakota | Three-second rule; four or more seconds on slippery roads, behind motorcycles or large vehicles, with heavy loads or trailers, when someone wants to pass, or behind drivers whose rear view is blocked. Double it in winter even with snow tires. At least 3-4 seconds behind motorcycles.Source |
| Ohio | Minimum of four seconds, or one vehicle length for every 10 mph (Space to the Front, PDF p.34); increase in poor visibility, on slippery roads, behind large vehicles and behind vehicles that stop at railroad crossings. Note: 'Stopping the Vehicle' (PDF p.18) says 3-4 seconds. At least 4 seconds behind motorcycles.Source |
| Oklahoma | One car length for every 10 mph, or the three-second rule; four seconds in bad weather or poor road conditions (p.44; expressway p.34). Note: the Safety Tip on p.42 says you are too close if you pass the point before counting four seconds.Source |
| Oregon | A safe following distance is 2-4 seconds; at speeds over 30 mph it should be 4 seconds or more. When stopped behind a vehicle, you should see where its rear tires meet the road (pp.26-27).Source |
| Pennsylvania | 4-second following distance on dry pavement; on wet roads slow 5-10 mph and increase to 5-6 seconds; on ice/snow leave about 10 times the normal space. At least 4 seconds behind trucks; behind motorcycles the manual's main text says the same 4 seconds or more (PDF p. 60), though its inside-cover motorcycle panel (PDF p. 2) says three or four seconds. |
| Rhode Island | Three-second rule; add one second for each imperfect condition. At least four seconds behind motorcycles. Stay at least 50 feet behind trucks if you expect the driver to see you. Drive 500 feet behind emergency vehicles. |
| South Carolina | Minimum 4 seconds; add at least 1 second at night and at least 2 seconds on unfamiliar roads at night; more on slippery roads, in fog/bad weather, behind large vehicles and vehicles that stop at railroad crossings. At least 4 seconds behind motorcycles, more when wet.Source |
| South Dakota | Minimum 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead; more on slippery roads, behind motorcycles/bicycles, large vehicles, trailers, at night (add at least 1 second; 2 on unfamiliar roads at night), etc. 4 seconds or more behind motorcycles (manual p.51, p.62, p.66).Source |
| Tennessee | Two-second rule in normal conditions; a minimum of four seconds in bad weather, at higher interstate speeds, at night and when following a motorcycle (p. 63). Section C (p. 120) says 'at least two seconds' behind motorcycles.Source |
| Texas | At 30 mph or less, at least 2 seconds in good conditions; above 30 mph, 4 seconds; more in poor conditions; 4 seconds is best practice for beginners (PDF p. 51). The Highway Driving section says at least 2 seconds, at least 4 in bad weather (PDF p. 54). 4-6 seconds behind motorcycles (PDF p. 59).Source |
| Utah | Two-second rule; increase in bad weather/poor visibility and by at least two seconds at night; at least two seconds behind motorcycles (more when wet).Source |
| Vermont | 4-second rule; more than 4 seconds in poor conditions, poor visibility, higher speeds, storms, winter, behind motorcycles and slow-moving vehicles; at least 4 seconds behind horses/animal-drawn vehicles.Source |
| Virginia | Two-, three- and four-second rule on dry surfaces: 2 seconds under 35 mph, 3 seconds at 35-45 mph, 4 seconds at 46-70 mph; add seconds in bad weather, heavy traffic, poor pavement or a vehicle in poor condition; double the following distance in hazardous conditions; extra second behind a motorcycle (double in bad weather). |
| Washington | Leave at least twice the length of your vehicle between you and the vehicle ahead (guide 5.2); more room behind motorcycles and on wet/snowy roads. The guide gives no seconds rule. |
| West Virginia | Three-to-four second rule; at least 4 seconds in darkness or rain; at least 6 seconds on ice or snow. Behind trucks: 2 seconds in dry conditions (truck chart), 4-6 seconds in wet conditions.Source |
| Wisconsin | "Four Second Following Distance Rule"; add a second for every adverse condition such as heavier traffic, rain, snow and/or ice. Check the rearview mirror every 6 to 8 seconds; look 10 to 15 seconds ahead. |
| Wyoming | Two-second rule for cars (at least two seconds for each 20 feet of vehicle length; buses 4 seconds, tractor-trailers 6). Double on wet roads, with heavy loads or at night (4 s); triple on snow/slush (6 s); quadruple on ice (8 s) (pp.75-76; Interstate p.61).Source |
More rules of the road
From each state's driver handbook or licensing agency; laws change, so check your state's current handbook.