This page delivers traffic analytics for Iowa. Our metrics are calculated with multi-sourced, cross-verified data from real-world mobile and sensor networks, and averaged for Iowa among 31,612 road miles divided in 331,993 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 503 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.
3,042
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
11.0%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
33.0 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.
11.4%
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
46.0 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$83,199
Our data indicates an estimated average traffic volume of 3,042 vehicles per day in Iowa that results in 83,534,366 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈30.5 billion per year). The traffic stream is comprised of an average of 1 truck for every 9 vehicles. Typical time spent behind the wheel per trip is 33.0 minutes, which already accounts for delays at signals, intersections, and congestion.
Analytical insight
When compared to the US national averages: Iowa sees 56% lower average daily traffic volume than the national average (3,042 vehicles per day against 6,986), suggesting less demand on each road - a critical factor for logistics and site planning. In total volume terms, its road network carries 83,534,366 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈30.5 billion per year), about 1.1% of the national total. Journey times here (33.0 minutes on average) closely track the national level. Congestion runs 39% lower than the national level, at a ratio of 11.4% - smoother traffic flow - crucial for traffic control improvement and logistics planning. 2% of states nationwide see less traffic than Iowa's 3,042 vehicles per day. 42% of states nationwide have a shorter average travel time than Iowa's 33.0 minutes.
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.
7,289
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
16.1%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
40.8 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.
20.2%
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
46.5 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$84,670
A significant volume of traffic in Iowa utilizes the highway network. The average highway carries 7,289 vehicles per day, 156% more than the average non-highway road in the same area, which carries 2,847 vehicles per day. That average covers 4,935 highway road miles divided in 14,548 segments (average segment length 1,791 ft), together carrying 37,295,667 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈13.6 billion per year). Trucks constitute 16.1% of highway traffic.
Analytical insight
At 16.1%, highway truck share is 23% higher than the national average, marking Iowa as a significant freight corridor - underscoring the importance of highway access for logistics operators. Iowa's highway truck share (16.1%) is higher than 88% of states nationwide. 24% of states nationwide see fewer highway trucks per day than Iowa's roughly 1,174.
Non-highway traffic
Traffic
Traffic
The average number of vehicles that travel each day over any road in the road network.
2,847
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
6.9%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
32.7 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.
11.1%
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
45.9 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$82,573
The non-highway road network in Iowa supports a substantial volume of traffic. The average non-highway road carries 2,847 vehicles per day, 61% less than the average highway in the same area, which carries 7,289 vehicles per day. That average covers 26,676 non-highway road miles divided in 317,445 segments (average segment length 444 ft), together carrying 46,238,700 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈16.9 billion per year). Trucks constitute 6.9% of non-highway traffic.
Analytical insight
Non-highway roads carry a truck concentration that's 57% lower than the highway network. The non-highway congestion ratio of 11.1% is 39% lower than the national level, suggesting more efficient local mobility than the national average. Iowa's overall average travel time exceeds 42% of states nationwide. Iowa's average driver income exceeds 40% of states nationwide. Iowa's median driver age is higher than 50% of states nationwide.
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 71% higher than the daily average.
Weekend traffic:
Weekend volumes run about 16% below weekday levels.
Seasonal Fluctuation
Busy season:
May–July is the high season, with volumes +7% versus the annual average.
Lowest month:
January is the quietest month, with volumes -15% versus the annual average.
Analytical insight
In Iowa, the peak hour concentrates about 7% of the day's traffic, and seasonal swing is mild at +7% in high season.
Traffic Flow Profile Comparison
Metric
Iowa
United States
Average
Difference
Traffic
3,042
6,986
-56.5%
Truck % (Total Traffic)
11.0%
9.3%
+17.8%
Truck % (Highway)
16.1%
13.1%
+23.2%
Avg. Travel Time
33.0 min
33.3 min
-0.9%
Frequently Asked Questions
The average daily traffic volume is calculated at 3,042 vehicles per day, providing a baseline for daily operations and site assessment.
Iowa's highway truck share of 16.1% is higher than 88% of states nationwide.
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 71% above the daily average.
Drivers on Iowa roads have a median age of 46 years, and the median household income of the neighborhoods trips originate from averages $83,199 - useful context for retail siting and customer profiling.
Trucks account for approximately 11.0% of the total traffic mix across all road types, with a significantly higher concentration of 16.1% on highways.
Traffic volumes are typically 7% higher during May–July. Volumes drop to their lowest levels in January, averaging 2,597 vehicles per day - a 15% decrease from the annual average.
The average travel time for drivers is 33.0 minutes, offering a standard metric for commute and delivery route planning.
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)
