This page delivers traffic analytics for Mellette County, South Dakota. Our metrics are calculated with multi-sourced, cross-verified data from real-world mobile and sensor networks, and averaged for Mellette County, South Dakota among 82 road miles divided in 298 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 1,450 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.
594
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
14.7%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
55.2 min
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
49.1 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$56,513
Our data indicates an estimated average traffic volume of 594 vehicles per day in Mellette County, South Dakota that results in 43,850 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈16.0 million per year). The traffic stream is comprised of an average of 1 truck for every 7 vehicles. Typical time spent behind the wheel per trip is 55.2 minutes, which already accounts for delays at signals, intersections, and congestion.
Analytical insight
When compared to the South Dakota state averages: Mellette sees 81% lower average daily traffic volume than the state average (594 vehicles per day against 3,156), suggesting less demand on each road - a critical factor for logistics and site planning. In total volume terms, its road network carries 43,850 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈16.0 million per year), about 0.2% of South Dakota's statewide total. At 55.2 minutes, the average travel time is 70% higher than the state level. By volume, Mellette's 594 vehicles per day outpaces 15% of counties in South Dakota. Its average travel time of 55.2 minutes is longer than 98% of counties in South Dakota.
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.
941
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
15.4%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
42.0 min
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
49.1 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$57,453
A significant volume of traffic in Mellette County, South Dakota utilizes the highway network. The average highway carries 941 vehicles per day, 183% more than the average non-highway road in the same area, which carries 333 vehicles per day. That average covers 27 highway road miles divided in 128 segments (average segment length 1,120 ft), together carrying 25,659 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈9.4 million per year). Trucks constitute 15.4% of highway traffic.
Analytical insight
At 15.4%, highway truck share is 14% higher than the state average, marking Mellette as a significant freight corridor - underscoring the importance of highway access for logistics operators. 69% of counties in South Dakota see a lower highway truck share than Mellette's 15.4%. 10% of counties in South Dakota see fewer highway trucks per day than Mellette's roughly 145.
Non-highway traffic
Traffic
Traffic
The average number of vehicles that travel each day over any road in the road network.
333
Trucks
Trucks
The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles.
13.6%
Average travel time
Average travel time
The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network.
65.2 min
Drivers’ average age
Drivers’ average age
Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
49.4 yrs
Drivers’ average income
Drivers’ average income
Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated.
$54,580
The non-highway road network in Mellette County, South Dakota supports a substantial volume of traffic. The average non-highway road carries 333 vehicles per day, 65% less than the average highway in the same area, which carries 941 vehicles per day. That average covers 55 non-highway road miles divided in 170 segments (average segment length 1,698 ft), together carrying 18,192 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈6.6 million per year). Trucks constitute 13.6% of non-highway traffic.
Analytical insight
The concentration of trucks on non-highway roads is 12% lower than on highways. 98% of counties in South Dakota see shorter overall travel times than Mellette. Trip origins here have higher average income than 12% of counties in South Dakota. 46% of counties in South Dakota have a younger driver population than Mellette.
Time-of-Day & Seasonal Patterns
Analytical insight
In Mellette County, South Dakota, the peak hour concentrates about 7% of the day's traffic.
Traffic Flow Profile Comparison
Metric
Mellette
South Dakota
Average
Difference
Traffic
594
3,156
-81.2%
Truck % (Total Traffic)
14.7%
10.3%
+42.7%
Truck % (Highway)
15.4%
13.6%
+13.6%
Avg. Travel Time
55.2 min
32.5 min
+70.1%
Frequently Asked Questions
The average daily traffic volume is calculated at 594 vehicles per day, providing a baseline for daily operations and site assessment.
Mellette carries more highway trucks by raw volume than 10% of counties in South Dakota, at roughly 145 per day.
Approximately 29% of highway traffic and 14% of non-highway traffic consists of vehicles whose trip originates outside Mellette County, South Dakota. 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 Mellette roads have a median age of 49 years, and the median household income of the neighborhoods trips originate from averages $56,513 - useful context for retail siting and customer profiling.
The average travel time for drivers is 55.2 minutes, offering a standard metric for commute and delivery route planning.
Trucks account for approximately 14.7% of the total traffic mix across all road types, with a significantly higher concentration of 15.4% on highways.
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)
