
Total Traffic Volume & Performance in New Hanover County, North Carolina
Traffic The average number of vehicles that travel each day over any road in the road network. | vehicles per day11,960 |
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Trucks The percentage of the total traffic volume composed of heavy vehicles. | 5.2% |
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Average travel time The average time of travel averaged among all vehicles traveling on the road network. | 30.7 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. | 28.0% |
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Drivers’ average age Average age of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated. | 46.1 yrs |
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Drivers’ average income Average income of residents in the geographic areas where the vehicle trips originated. | $84,738 |
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Our data shows 11,960 vehicles per day on the average road in New Hanover County, North Carolina, and 4,535,826 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈1.7 billion per year) across its 379 miles of monitored roads. Traffic here is mostly passenger cars: only 5.2% trucks, against 8.7% across North Carolina.
Busier roads than 99% of counties in North Carolina
At 11,960 vehicles per day, the average monitored road in New Hanover carries 89% more traffic than the state average of 6,332, suggesting more demand on each road - heavy exposure for roadside retail, and tight road space for deliveries. Network-wide, New Hanover accounts for about 1.7% of North Carolina's statewide total of vehicle-miles. 99% of counties in North Carolina see less traffic than New Hanover's 11,960 vehicles per day.
At 30.7 minutes, the average travel time matches the state level closely. 73% of counties in North Carolina have a longer average travel time than New Hanover's 30.7 minutes.
At 51% higher than the state level, the 28.0% congestion ratio signals more pronounced congestion - peak-hour routing and delivery windows need real slack here.
Highway vs. Non-Highway Traffic Analysis

Highway Traffic in New Hanover County, North Carolina
| Traffic | vehicles per day21,233 |
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| Trucks | 6.7% |
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| Average travel time | 32.5 min |
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| Congestion ratio | 42.0% |
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| Drivers’ average age | 46.5 yrs |
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| Drivers’ average income | $81,797 |
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Highways carry about half of all travel in New Hanover County, North Carolina, 46% of vehicle-miles. The average highway carries 21,233 vehicles per day, 102% more than the average non-highway road in the same area, which carries 10,503 vehicles per day.
With 31% of the road miles (119 miles in 1,136 segments), highways punch above their length, carrying 2,066,282 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈754 million per year).
82% of counties in North Carolina move less traffic on their highways.
Lower highway truck share than 97% of counties in North Carolina
The concentration of trucks on highways (6.7%) is 44% lower than the state average for similar road classifications. Highways here carry mainly commuter and local trips, with little through freight.
New Hanover's highway truck share (6.7%) is lower than 97% of counties in North Carolina. By raw truck volume, New Hanover carries more highway trucks than 56% of counties in North Carolina.

Non-highway Traffic in New Hanover County, North Carolina
| Traffic | vehicles per day10,503 |
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| Trucks | 3.8% |
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| Average travel time | 30.5 min |
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| Congestion ratio | 25.8% |
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| Drivers’ average age | 45.9 yrs |
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| Drivers’ average income | $86,933 |
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Local roads carry about half of all travel in New Hanover County, North Carolina, 54% of vehicle-miles. The average non-highway road carries 10,503 vehicles per day.
Local roads make up 69% of the monitored road miles (261 miles in 7,234 segments) but carry less than their share of travel: 2,469,544 vehicle-miles traveled per day (≈901 million per year). Trucks make up 3.8% of non-highway traffic, about 1 in 26 vehicles.
Drivers from higher-income areas than 90% of counties in North Carolina
Compared to highways, non-highway routes see 43% fewer trucks by share.
At 46% higher than the state level, the non-highway congestion ratio of 25.8% signals more friction on local roads.
Trip origins here have higher average income than 90% of counties in North Carolina. New Hanover's median driver age is lower than 81% of counties in North Carolina.