Methods and systems are provided for vehicle speed planning based on timing of traffic lights. In an exemplary embodiment, a disclosed system includes one or more sensors of a vehicle; a transceiver; and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to obtain vehicle sensor data pertaining to operation of the vehicle. The transceiver is configured to obtain traffic light data with respect to a plurality of traffic lights along a path or roadway on which the vehicle is travelling. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors and to the transceiver, and is configured to at least facilitate: determining a desired control of movement of the vehicle based on the vehicle sensor data, the traffic light data, and one or more optimization criteria pertaining to the vehicle; and taking a vehicle action based on the desired control of movement of the vehicle.