Iowa 511

Iowa Department of Transportation

About this app

Iowa 511 is the Iowa Department of Transportation's (DOT) official traffic and traveler information app for general travelers and commercial vehicle operators. The Iowa 511 app provides statewide up-to-date traffic information for interstates, U.S. routes, and state highways in Iowa. It does not include information for county roads or city streets.

FEATURES:
• Hands-free, eyes-free audio announcements of upcoming traffic events as you travel along your route
• A zoom-enabled map with tappable traffic event icons and surrounding camera views
• Near real-time updates on winter road conditions (including surrounding states), traffic incidents, construction, truck restrictions, and road closures
• Trucker Mode with resources specific to commercial vehicle operators
• Create and manage Your 511 personalized account, including saved routes, areas, favorite camera views, and alerts via email and/or text.
• Travel time delays associated with traffic reports (look for the orange glowing icons)
• Current traffic speeds
• Traffic camera images and streaming video throughout the state. Sign up for an account to save your favorite cameras for easy access later
• Snow plow camera images and locations
• "Towing Not Recommended" events for winter storms - so you know when it's safe to have your vehicle towed from a ditch
• Real-time weather radar
• Weather stations with alerting for inclement weather
• Rest area locations and amenities
• Weigh Station Locations
• Citizen reports via Waze
• Electronic Message Signs
• Electric Vehicle (EV) charging locations

Distracted Driving
The primary responsibility of every driver is the safe operation of their vehicle. While traveling, mobile communication devices should be used only when the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. Do not text and drive (it's against the law) or use this app while driving.

We welcome your feedback on this app. Please email your suggestions, questions, or concerns to [e-mail].

The Iowa DOT's privacy policy can be found at https://iowadot.gov/policies-statements/privacy-policy
App developed by Castle Rock Associates https://www.castlerockits.com/

Ratings and reviews

Last winter '21/'22, I was able to see the plows cams and road conditions on the non-major roads. This year, I can't. I live on a rural road and hoping to be able to use those app like last year but since the app has changed to don't look at as much. Plus plow cams aren't as available to see. -edit whoever reads these reminded me that I also had been looking at my county's track-a-plow page. Oops. So I am changing my rating from a 2 to a 4.

The only thing I would add, is a past 24-hour record hour by hour And a future prediction hour by hour. This way people who drove a road early in the morning and it was awful can check the app and see what it was labeled as. Then view what its current status is and even see if the road is predicted to be cleared by the time they are going to be reusing the road. ohh and a lifetime tracker would be really cool for the plow trucks showing if they're braining, sanding/salting, or just plowing!

I use this app in the winter to check my commute route, so I haven't used it in a year. I must say, the current version's UI is awful. I don't want to use this for GPS, I want to see the road conditions with the legend visible without having to open a side window. Last year's version was much easier to use, and you didn't need to mess with it while driving. You also cannot back out of the app to close it, you have to force close it.

What’s new

DARK MODE fixed: Ever tried navigating Iowa in stealth mode and wondered, “What road am I even on?” Highway shields and street names were playing hide-and-seek when in dark mode. We told them to knock it off. They’re back.

Other stuff you’ll never see but will love: We tuned up the backend so things run smoother than fresh asphalt. No potholes here.