
Total Traffic Volume & Performance in Custer County, Montana
Traffic The average number of vehicles that travel each day over any road in the road network. | vehicles per day2,274 |
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Trucks The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles. | 15.3% |
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Average travel time The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network. | 35.0 min |
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Congestion ratio The rate at which the actual travel time exceeds free-flow travel time, averaged among all roads in the network. | 10.2% |
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Drivers’ average age Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated. | 50.0 yrs |
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Drivers’ average income Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated. | $67,658 |
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A typical monitored road in Custer County, Montana sees 2,274 vehicles per day, while its 259 miles of monitored roads together handle 375,965 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈137 million per year). At 15.3%, the truck share runs above the 11.7% across Montana: about 1 in 7 vehicles.
Shorter trips than 82% of counties in Montana
Custer sees 46% lower average daily traffic volume than the state average (2,274 vehicles per day against 4,202), suggesting less demand on each road - lighter roads for freight, but less passing trade for roadside retail. Network-wide, Custer accounts for about 1.3% of Montana's statewide total of vehicle-miles. Custer carries more traffic than 69% of counties in Montana.
At 35.0 minutes, the average travel time matches the state level closely. 82% of counties in Montana have a longer average travel time than Custer's 35.0 minutes.
Congestion runs 17% lower than the state level, at a ratio of 10.2%, which means smoother traffic flow - crucial for traffic control improvement and logistics planning.
Highway vs. Non-Highway Traffic Analysis

Highway Traffic in Custer County, Montana
| Traffic | vehicles per day1,864 |
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| Trucks | 17.8% |
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| Average travel time | 35.4 min |
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| Congestion ratio | 4.4% |
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| Drivers’ average age | 56.0 yrs |
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| Drivers’ average income | $65,918 |
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A little more than half of the driving in Custer County, Montana happens on highways: 70% of all vehicle-miles. The average highway carries 1,864 vehicles per day, 20% less than the average non-highway road in the same area, which carries 2,334 vehicles per day.
With 46% of the road miles (119 miles in 82 segments), highways punch above their length, carrying 261,440 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈95.4 million per year).
That is more highway travel volume than 59% of counties in Montana.
Higher highway truck share than 65% of counties in Montana
Highway truck concentration here runs 19% higher than the state average, at 17.8%. Highways here lean toward freight, so highway access is a real asset for logistics operators.
Custer's highway truck share (17.8%) is higher than 65% of counties in Montana. By raw truck volume, Custer carries more highway trucks than 59% of counties in Montana.

Non-highway Traffic in Custer County, Montana
| Traffic | vehicles per day2,334 |
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| Trucks | 9.7% |
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| Average travel time | 34.9 min |
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| Congestion ratio | 11.0% |
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| Drivers’ average age | 49.8 yrs |
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| Drivers’ average income | $68,971 |
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Local roads carry a significant share of travel in Custer County, Montana: 30% of all vehicle-miles. A typical local road sees 2,334 vehicles per day.
Local roads make up 54% of the monitored road miles (140 miles in 552 segments) but carry less than their share of travel: 114,525 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈41.8 million per year). Trucks make up 9.7% of non-highway traffic, about 1 in 10 vehicles.
Local roads carry 46% fewer trucks by share than highways
Compared to highways, non-highway routes see 46% fewer trucks by share.
Non-highway congestion (11.0%) runs slightly lower than the state level (9% lower).
Custer's average driver income is higher than 51% of counties in Montana. 58% of counties in Montana have an older driver population than Custer.