This page delivers traffic analytics for Des Moines County, Iowa. Our metrics are calculated with multi-sourced, cross-verified data from real-world mobile and sensor networks, and averaged for Des Moines County, Iowa among 280 road miles divided in 3,206 segments. Our metrics go beyond simple volume counts to provide actionable insights on traffic intensity, congestion, commercial vehicle flow, and network performance with highest possible granularity (average segment length is 462 ft). Whether you are evaluating a new retail location, planning logistics routes, or assessing infrastructure needs, this data helps you move from assumptions to certainty.
Data sourced from TrafficZoom's proprietary analytics platform.
The average number of vehicles that travel each day over any road in the road network.
2,897
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
8.0%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
30.8 min
Congestion ratio
Congestion ratio
The rate at which the actual travel time exceeds free-flow travel time, averaged among all roads in the network.
8.1%
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
50.7 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$69,387
Our data indicates an estimated average traffic volume of 2,897 vehicles per day in Des Moines County, Iowa that results in 639,860 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈234 million per year). The traffic stream is comprised of an average of 1 truck for every 12 vehicles. Typical time spent behind the wheel per trip is 30.8 minutes, which already accounts for delays at signals, intersections, and congestion.
Analytical insight
When compared to the Iowa state averages: Des Moines sees 5% lower average daily traffic volume than the state average (2,897 vehicles per day against 3,042), suggesting less demand on each road - a critical factor for logistics and site planning. Network-wide, Des Moines accounts for about 0.8% of Iowa's statewide total, at 639,860 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈234 million per year). At 30.8 minutes, the average travel time is 7% lower than the state level. At 29% lower than the state level, the 8.1% congestion ratio signals smoother traffic flow - crucial for traffic control improvement and logistics planning. Des Moines carries more traffic than 88% of counties in Iowa. Its average travel time of 30.8 minutes is longer than 11% of counties in Iowa.
Highway vs. Non-Highway Traffic Analysis
Highway Traffic
Traffic
Traffic
The average number of vehicles that travel each day over any road in the road network.
4,301
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
10.9%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
32.4 min
Congestion ratio
Congestion ratio
The rate at which the actual travel time exceeds free-flow travel time, averaged among all roads in the network.
10.1%
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
50.5 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$69,501
A significant volume of traffic in Des Moines County, Iowa utilizes the highway network. The average highway carries 4,301 vehicles per day, 59% more than the average non-highway road in the same area, which carries 2,711 vehicles per day. That average covers 88 highway road miles divided in 375 segments (average segment length 1,233 ft), together carrying 324,972 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈119 million per year). Trucks constitute 10.9% of highway traffic.
Analytical insight
At 10.9%, highway truck share is 32% lower than the state average, marking Des Moines as a primarily local traffic hub - underscoring the importance of local access for logistics operators. By truck concentration, highways here outrank 10% of counties in Iowa. By raw truck volume, Des Moines carries more highway trucks than 7% of counties in Iowa.
Non-highway traffic
Traffic
Traffic
The average number of vehicles that travel each day over any road in the road network.
2,711
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
5.1%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
30.6 min
Congestion ratio
Congestion ratio
The rate at which the actual travel time exceeds free-flow travel time, averaged among all roads in the network.
7.8%
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
50.8 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$69,281
The non-highway road network in Des Moines County, Iowa supports a substantial volume of traffic. The average non-highway road carries 2,711 vehicles per day, 37% less than the average highway in the same area, which carries 4,301 vehicles per day. That average covers 193 non-highway road miles divided in 2,831 segments (average segment length 359 ft), together carrying 314,888 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈115 million per year). Trucks constitute 5.1% of non-highway traffic.
Analytical insight
Non-highway roads carry a truck concentration that's 53% lower than the highway network. At 29% lower than the state level, the non-highway congestion ratio of 7.8% signals easier movement on local roads. Des Moines's overall average travel time exceeds 11% of counties in Iowa. Des Moines's average driver income exceeds 26% of counties in Iowa. Des Moines's median driver age is higher than 56% of counties in Iowa.
Time-of-Day & Seasonal Patterns
Analytical insight
In Des Moines County, Iowa, the peak hour concentrates about 7% of the day's traffic.
Traffic Flow Profile Comparison
Metric
Des Moines
Iowa
Average
Difference
Traffic
2,897
3,042
-4.8%
Truck % (Total Traffic)
8.0%
11.0%
-27.0%
Truck % (Highway)
10.9%
16.1%
-32.3%
Avg. Travel Time
30.8 min
33.0 min
-6.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
The average daily traffic volume is calculated at 2,897 vehicles per day, providing a baseline for daily operations and site assessment.
Des Moines carries more highway trucks by raw volume than 7% of counties in Iowa, at roughly 469 per day.
Drivers on Des Moines roads have a median age of 51 years, and the median household income of the neighborhoods trips originate from averages $69,387 - useful context for retail siting and customer profiling.
The average travel time for drivers is 30.8 minutes, offering a standard metric for commute and delivery route planning.
Weekday peaks occur between 7:00 AM and 12:00 PM in the morning and between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM in the evening - about 68% above the daily average.
Trucks account for approximately 8.0% of the total traffic mix across all road types, with a significantly higher concentration of 10.9% on highways.
Approximately 26% of highway traffic and 4% of non-highway traffic consists of vehicles whose trip originates outside Des Moines County, Iowa. This indicates that a portion of highway traffic is regional pass-through, while local roads are more representative of resident and commuter activity.
Data Sources & Methodology
The data presented on this page is derived from TrafficZoom's proprietary analytics platform, which aggregates and normalizes information from multiple sources, including:
Mobile device location data (anonymized and aggregated)
