This page delivers traffic analytics for Hardin County, Iowa. Our metrics are calculated with multi-sourced, cross-verified data from real-world mobile and sensor networks, and averaged for Hardin County, Iowa among 364 road miles divided in 3,282 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 586 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.
1,358
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
13.1%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
32.1 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.
6.0%
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
50.4 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$68,159
Our data indicates an estimated average traffic volume of 1,358 vehicles per day in Hardin County, Iowa that results in 555,110 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈203 million per year). The traffic stream is comprised of an average of 1 truck for every 8 vehicles. Typical time spent behind the wheel per trip is 32.1 minutes, which already accounts for delays at signals, intersections, and congestion.
Analytical insight
When compared to the Iowa state averages: Hardin's average daily traffic volume is 55% lower than the state average - 1,358 vehicles per day against 3,042 - suggesting less traffic load per road, a critical factor for logistics and site planning. Across the whole network that adds up to 555,110 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈203 million per year), roughly 0.7% of Iowa's statewide total. The average trip takes 32.1 minutes, 3% lower than the state level. At 47% lower than the state level, the 6.0% congestion ratio signals smoother traffic flow - crucial for traffic control improvement and logistics planning. By volume, Hardin's 1,358 vehicles per day outpaces 31% of counties in Iowa. On travel time, Hardin runs longer than 28% 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.
3,597
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
19.7%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
66.6 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.
8.2%
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
45.0 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$74,243
A significant volume of traffic in Hardin County, Iowa utilizes the highway network. The average highway carries 3,597 vehicles per day, 172% more than the average non-highway road in the same area, which carries 1,322 vehicles per day. That average covers 56 highway road miles divided in 51 segments (average segment length 5,820 ft), together carrying 230,494 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈84.1 million per year). Trucks constitute 19.7% of highway traffic.
Analytical insight
The concentration of trucks on highways (19.7%) is 22% higher than the state average for similar road classifications. This indicates Hardin serves as a significant freight corridor. For logistics operators, this validates the importance of highway access. By truck concentration, highways here outrank 74% of counties in Iowa. Hardin's highway truck count is higher than 57% of counties in Iowa, at roughly 708 trucks per day.
Non-highway traffic
Traffic
Traffic
The average number of vehicles that travel each day over any road in the road network.
1,322
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
8.3%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
31.6 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.
6.0%
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
51.3 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$66,661
The non-highway road network in Hardin County, Iowa supports a substantial volume of traffic. The average non-highway road carries 1,322 vehicles per day, 63% less than the average highway in the same area, which carries 3,597 vehicles per day. That average covers 308 non-highway road miles divided in 3,231 segments (average segment length 504 ft), together carrying 324,616 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈118 million per year). Trucks constitute 8.3% of non-highway traffic.
Analytical insight
The concentration of trucks on non-highway roads is 58% lower than on highways. The non-highway congestion ratio of 6.0% is 46% lower than the state level, suggesting more efficient local mobility than the state average. Overall, average travel time here is longer than 28% of counties in Iowa. Hardin's average driver income exceeds 21% of counties in Iowa. 49% of counties in Iowa have a younger driver population than Hardin.
Time-of-Day & Seasonal Patterns
Peak Traffic Windows
Weekday peaks:
AM peak 7:00 AM–12:00 PM and PM peak 3:00 PM–7:00 PM, with volumes reaching approximately 76% higher than the daily average.
Weekend traffic:
Weekend volumes run about 0% above weekday levels.
Seasonal Fluctuation
Busy season:
June–August is the high season, with volumes +9% versus the annual average.
Lowest month:
January is the quietest month, with volumes -22% versus the annual average.
Analytical insight
In Hardin County, Iowa, the peak hour concentrates about 7% of the day's traffic, and seasonal swing is mild at +9% in high season.
Traffic Flow Profile Comparison
Metric
Hardin
Iowa
Average
Difference
Traffic
1,358
3,042
-55.4%
Truck % (Total Traffic)
13.1%
11.0%
+18.5%
Truck % (Highway)
19.7%
16.1%
+22.2%
Avg. Travel Time
32.1 min
33.0 min
-2.7%
Frequently Asked Questions
The average daily traffic volume is calculated at 1,358 vehicles per day, providing a baseline for daily operations and site assessment.
Hardin carries more traffic than 31% of counties in Iowa, averaging 1,358 vehicles per day.
Traffic volumes are typically 9% higher during June–August. Volumes drop to their lowest levels in January, averaging 1,056 vehicles per day - a 22% decrease from the annual average.
The average travel time for drivers is 32.1 minutes, offering a standard metric for commute and delivery route planning.
Trucks account for approximately 13.1% of the total traffic mix across all road types, with a significantly higher concentration of 19.7% on highways.
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 76% above the daily average.
Approximately 52% of highway traffic and 10% of non-highway traffic consists of vehicles whose trip originates outside Hardin 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.
Drivers on Hardin roads have a median age of 50 years, and the median household income of the neighborhoods trips originate from averages $68,159 - useful context for retail siting and customer profiling.
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)
