This toll road is a 65 km paved section between Austin and Seguin. Its 85 mph (137 km/h) speed limit has been in place since 2012. Thanks to its higher speed and lower traffic density, SH-130 is becoming an ideal testing ground for many self-driving vehicle companies.

Kavout, the concessionaire operating SH-130, is developing a next-generation truck stop designed to manage autonomous trucks. This facility will feature high-power electric vehicle charging and specialized docking requirements. Companies such as Einride, Aurora Innovation, and Waymo are already operating self-driving vehicles or plan to do so in the near future on this highway.

A speed limit sign for 85 mph (137 km/h) on Texas Highway 130. *Photo: Google Maps*

The state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will begin accepting applications for commercial autonomous vehicle permits in May. These permits are for Level 4 and Level 5 self-driving vehicles, where human intervention is minimal or not required.

Currently, most autonomous transport companies still operate with safety drivers on board, and fully driverless cargo operations remain limited. However, SH-130's distinctive speed limit offers a unique opportunity that no other highway in the US provides.

The road serves as a real-world laboratory for testing how autonomous trucks operate at speeds most states still consider too high. This practical application is crucial for advancing autonomous driving technology.

An autonomous truck from Einride, a Swedish company specializing in electric and autonomous vehicles. *Photo: Einride*

For over a decade, Texas 130 has been recognized as the fastest highway in the US. Soon, it could also become the smartest, or at least the most automated, road in the nation.

Across the US, most states regulate maximum highway speed limits at 55-75 mph (88-120 km/h). A few states, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, Nevada, and Utah, have slightly higher limits of 80 mph (129 km/h). In 2012, Texas and Utah were the only two states with 129 km/h speed limits.

By My Anh (based on Carscoops)