List of vehicle speed records
The following is a list of speed records for various types of vehicles. This list only presents the single greatest speed achieved in each broad record category; for more information on records under variations of test conditions, see the specific article for each record category. As with many world records, there may be some dispute over the criteria for a record-setting event, the authority of the organization certifying the record, and the actual speed achieved.
Land vehicles
| Category | Speed | Speed | Vehicle | Operator | Date | Certifier | Refs |
| Land speed record | ThrustSSC | Andy Green | 15 Oct 1997 | FIA | - | ||
| Wheel-driven | Vesco Turbinator II | Dave Spangler | 14 Aug 2018 | SCTA | - | ||
| Piston-engine | Challenger 2 | Danny Thompson | 12 Aug 2018 | SCTA | - | ||
| Motorcycle | Ack Attack | Rocky Robinson | 25 Sep 2010 | FIM | - | ||
| Diesel-powered | JCB DieselMax | Andy Green | 23 Aug 2006 | FIA | - | ||
| Electric-powered | Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 | Roger Schroer | 19 Sep 2016 | FIA | - | ||
| Production | Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ | Andy Wallace | 2 Aug 2019 | TÜV | - | - | |
| Steam-powered | Inspiration | Don Wales | 25 Aug 2009 | FIA | - | ||
| Wind-powered | Horonuku | Glenn Ashby | 24 Feb 2023 | FISLY | - | ||
| Human-powered | AeroVelo Eta | Todd Reichert | 17 Sep 2016 | International [Human Powered Vehicle Association|IHPVA] | - | ||
| Solar-powered | Sky Ace TIGA | Kenjiro Shinozuka | 20 Aug 2014 | GWR | - | ||
| Tracked vehicle | modified M113 APC | Carl May | Jul/Aug 1979 | US Army | - | ||
| Radio-controlled car | Black Knight | Anthony Lovering | 4 May 2016 | GWR | - | ||
| Radio-controlled car | RC Bullet | Nic Case | 25 Oct 2014 | GWR | - |
| Category | Speed | Speed | Vehicle | Operator | Date | Certifier | Refs |
| On ice | Audi RS 6 | Janne Laitinen | 9 Mar 2013 | FIA | - | ||
| On the Moon | Apollo 17 Lunar Roving Vehicle | Eugene Cernan | 11 Dec 1972 | - | |||
| On Mars | Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity | Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with semiautonomous control | Jul 2004 | GWR | - |
Rail vehicles
| Category | Speed | Speed | Vehicle | Operator | Date | Certifier | Refs |
| Rocket sled | Super Roadrunner | / USAF | 29 Apr 2003 | - | |||
| Maglev rocket sled | / USAF | 4 Mar 2016 | - | ||||
| Rocket sled | Sonic Wind No. 1 | John Stapp / USAF | 10 Dec 1954 | - | |||
| Maglev train | SCMaglev L0 Series | Central Japan Railway Company | 21 Apr 2015 | GWR | - | ||
| Wheeled | TGV POS V150 | Eric Pieczac | 3 Apr 2007 | - | |||
| Propeller-driven | Schienenzeppelin | Franz Kruckenberg | 21 Jun 1931 | - | |||
| Steam-driven | LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard | Joseph Duddington and Thomas Bray | 3 Jul 1938 | - |
Aircraft
Aircraft speed records are based on true airspeed, rather than ground speed.Spacecraft
In order to unambiguously express the speed of a spacecraft, a frame of reference must be specified. Typically, this frame is fixed to the body with the greatest gravitational influence on the spacecraft, as this is the most relevant frame for most purposes. Velocities in different frames of reference are not directly comparable; thus the matter of the "fastest spacecraft" depends on the reference frame used.Because of the influence of gravity, maximum velocities are usually attained when a spacecraft is close to its primary body: either just after launch, at a point of closest approach, or during the early stages of atmospheric entry.