Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for adjusting access node scanning based on the velocity of a wireless communication device. In a particular embodiment, a method provides scanning for a first wireless access node to determine a received power level and comparing the received power level to a threshold power level. If the received power level exceeds the threshold, the method provides exchanging communications with the first wireless access node. The method further provides determining a velocity of the wireless device and adjusting the threshold power level based on the velocity. The method further provides scanning for a second wireless access node to determine a second received power level and comparing the second received power level to the adjusted threshold power level. If the second received power level exceeds the adjusted threshold, the method provides exchanging communications with the second wireless access node.