How Fast Can a Mobility Scooter Go?
Mobility scooters provide an alternative for adults who struggle to walk long distances, but how fast do mobility scooters go? Before buying a mobility scooter, it's important to know the range of speeds and operating ranges available to ensure that you choose the model that will best meet your needs.
Maximum Speed for a Mobility Scooter: Slow to Fast
The maximum speed of a mobility scooter ranges from around 3 miles per hour for basic models to 18 miles per hour for road-ready scooters.
At our Denver, Colorado showroom, we stock mobility scooters with speeds between 3 and 14 miles per hour. Four miles per hour is considered the average speed for a mobility scooter.
At What Speed Do Mobility Scooters Normally Drive?
Now you know how fast mobility scooters go. But how often would you drive at 14 mph compared to, say, 5 mph?
In the United States, mobility scooters are generally allowed to drive at walking speed on the sidewalk and in parking lots, which is 4 miles per hour.
On trails, you can go a bit faster. In California, for example, you can drive at 5 miles per hour on trails.
When driving a mobility scooter indoors, the speed limit is typically 2 miles per hour and even slower when entering and exiting restrooms.
These speed limits are designed to protect pedestrians and prevent accidents. In Australia, one woman required a total hip replacement after being hit by a mobility scooter on the sidewalk in 2016, so it's important to abide by these limits. In fact, mobility scooters come with a speed limiter to stop them from going faster than the legal limit.
Driving Mobility Scooters on the Road
The exception to the rule is mobility scooters designed for on-road use. The fastest mobility scooters in our range—driving at speeds up to 14 miles per hour—are meant to be driven on the road when driving at top speed.
Depending on your state laws, you might need to register a fast mobility scooter (one that drives at speeds greater than 5 miles per hour) as a recreational vehicle and pay a small licensing fee. For safety, you should wear a helmet and drive on the side of the road rather than in the flow of traffic.
How the Speed of Mobility Scooters Compares to that of Electric Wheelchairs
Speed is one factor to consider when deciding between an electric wheelchair and a mobility scooter. Most electric wheelchairs go at 4 to 6 mph. Especially fast models that can reach speeds up to 8-10 mph.
The reason electric wheelchairs don't go as fast as our fastest mobility scooters is that they don't have the same stability for fast driving (due to their shorter length) and are often used indoors.
How to Choose an Electric Scooter Based on Speed
When choosing a mobility scooter, think about where you'll be using it, how far you need to go, and how fast you want to get there. If you mainly need to get to places within a few blocks of your home, average mobility scooters that drive at 4 mph are usually more than enough. If you want to use the scooter in place of a car for driving to the other side of town, consider a scooter with faster speeds and a longer operating range.
It's also important to keep personal factors in mind. A driver with excellent eyesight and fast reaction times might feel more confident driving a fast mobility scooter than someone with compromised vision or whose reaction times are slow. Don't take risks when it comes to safety. It's better to go "slow and steady" than to risk an accident.
Our Fastest Mobility Scooters
To get you started, here are two of the fastest mobility scooters that we stock in our Denver, CO retail store. Please note that fast doesn't always equal a long operating range or high weight capacity. It's important for all of the specifications of a scooter to be right for your needs before you purchase or rent a motorized scooter.
Pride Baja Raptor 2 3-Wheel Scooter
The Baja Raptor is our fastest mobility scooter with three wheels, boasting a top speed of 14 mph. This solid, sports-style scooter has an impressive weight capacity of 400 lbs and an operating range of up to 19 miles at 400 lbs at full speed and up to 31 miles at 220 lbs when traveling at low speed. This motorized scooter is ideal for driving on the side of the road and getting where you want to go—fast!
EV Rider Vita Monster 4-Wheel Mobility Scooter
The Vita Monster is our fastest 4-wheel scooter with a top speed of 11.5 mph. It can be used as a recreational scooter for all-terrain driving, and it can also help with your everyday outdoor mobility needs. This strong electric scooter has a weight capacity of up to 250 lbs and can drive up to 28 miles on a single charge. Pneumatic, all-terrain tires increase comfort and traction when driving outdoors.
Factors That Affect Mobility Scooter Speed
While the fastest mobility scooters are capable of reaching the maximum speed stated in the specifications under ideal conditions, they won't always reach these speeds. Several factors alter the speed at which you’ll realistically drive.
Terrain
On rough or uneven terrain, mobility scooters don't drive as fast as they do on smooth, even surfaces. As well as affecting your maximum speed, rough terrain also shortens your total mileage and battery life. If you're looking for a mobility scooter for outdoor use, consider a heavy-duty scooter with all-terrain tires.
Weight
Speed is also affected by how much weight the electric scooter is carrying. The Pride Zero-Turn 10, for example, will go up to 7.3 miles per hour when carrying 200 lbs of weight and up to 7.7 miles per hour when carrying a lighter load. The operating range likewise increases from 15.9 miles at 7 mph and 400 lbs to up to 21.2 miles at 7 mph carrying 200 lbs of weight.
Battery
Mobility scooter batteries vary in size and power. Generally, upgrading the battery will increase the speed as long as the speed limiter doesn't hold it down.
Weather and Incline
Mobility scooters will go faster with a backwind and when driving downhill. Conversely, a headwind or incline will tend to slow you down.
Find the Right Mobility Scooter Speed for You
The good news when it comes to purchasing a mobility scooter is that there is a wide range of models with various speeds and operating ranges. In our own range of mobility scooters, we have medical scooters for light use as well as recreational scooters for heavy use in a range of colors and tiller styles.
Whether you opt for a walking-speed scooter or a faster mobility scooter for use on the road, the most important thing is that you feel safe driving it and that the scooter meets your day-to-day needs.