
Total Traffic Volume & Performance in Deer Lodge County, Montana
Traffic The average number of vehicles that travel each day over any road in the road network. | vehicles per day2,197 |
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Trucks The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles. | 17.0% |
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Average travel time The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network. | 32.2 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. | 8.2% |
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Drivers’ average age Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated. | 51.6 yrs |
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Drivers’ average income Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated. | $61,661 |
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Our data shows 2,197 vehicles per day on the average road in Deer Lodge County, Montana, and 298,401 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈109 million per year) across its 115 miles of monitored roads. Trucks are 17.0% of traffic, more than the 11.7% across Montana.
Shorter trips than 89% of counties in Montana
Deer Lodge's average daily traffic volume is 48% lower than the state average - 2,197 vehicles per day against 4,202 - suggesting less traffic load per road - less drive-by exposure for retail, but easier access for deliveries. Network-wide, Deer Lodge accounts for about 1.0% of Montana's statewide total of vehicle-miles. By volume, Deer Lodge's 2,197 vehicles per day outpaces 65% of counties in Montana.
At 32.2 minutes, the average travel time is 11% lower than the state level. On travel time, Deer Lodge runs shorter than 89% of counties in Montana.
Congestion runs 33% lower than the state level, at a ratio of 8.2%, which means smoother traffic flow - fewer delays make delivery windows more reliable.
Highway vs. Non-Highway Traffic Analysis

Highway Traffic in Deer Lodge County, Montana
| Traffic | vehicles per day5,808 |
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| Trucks | 23.4% |
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| Average travel time | 43.4 min |
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| Congestion ratio | 14.0% |
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| Drivers’ average age | 49.3 yrs |
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| Drivers’ average income | $75,042 |
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A little more than half of the driving in Deer Lodge County, Montana happens on highways: 58% of all vehicle-miles. The average highway carries 5,808 vehicles per day, 197% more than the average non-highway road in the same area, which carries 1,953 vehicles per day.
With 25% of the road miles (29 miles in 35 segments), highways punch above their length, carrying 172,077 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈62.8 million per year).
The most highway trucks of any county in Montana
At 23.4%, highway truck share is 56% higher than the state average. That marks Deer Lodge as a major freight corridor, where highway access is what logistics operators compete on.
98% of counties in Montana see a lower highway truck share than Deer Lodge's 23.4%. Deer Lodge also moves the highest raw count of highway trucks in Montana, at roughly 1,388 per day.

Non-highway Traffic in Deer Lodge County, Montana
| Traffic | vehicles per day1,953 |
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| Trucks | 8.2% |
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| Average travel time | 31.4 min |
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| Congestion ratio | 7.8% |
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| Drivers’ average age | 52.0 yrs |
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| Drivers’ average income | $57,694 |
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Local roads carry a significant share of travel in Deer Lodge County, Montana: 42% of all vehicle-miles. On the average non-highway road, that comes to 1,953 vehicles per day.
Spread over 86 miles and 519 segments, 75% of the road network, local roads carry a lighter load per mile: 126,325 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈46.1 million per year). The truck share on non-highway roads is 8.2%.
Drivers from lower-income areas than 69% of counties in Montana
The concentration of trucks on non-highway roads is 65% lower than on highways.
The non-highway congestion ratio of 7.8% is 36% lower than the state level, suggesting more efficient local mobility than the state average.
Trip origins here have lower average income than 69% of counties in Montana. The driver population here skews older than 56% of counties in Montana.