Iowa 511 icon
Iowa 511 App: Real-Time Road Insights for Safer Travel

by Iowa Department of Transportation

3.3
IOSTravel
This app delivers up-to-the-minute updates on Iowa's road conditions, particularly during winter weather. Designed to help drivers navigate safely, it provides live camera feeds, plow locations, and traffic alerts. A powerful tool for anyone commuting or traveling through the state.

Detailed Review

Developed by the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Iowa 511 app serves as a dedicated resource for monitoring road conditions across the state. It positions itself as a practical solution in the travel app niche, focusing specifically on Iowa's unique weather challenges and infrastructure. The app integrates real-time data from official sources, offering a centralized platform for drivers to make informed decisions before and during their journeys. Core features include an interactive map displaying road conditions with color-coded indicators for issues like ice or snow coverage, live video feeds from highway cameras, and tracking of snowplow locations. Users can set up personalized alerts for specific routes, receiving notifications about accidents, construction, or weather-related closures. This functionality is particularly useful for checking conditions on major interstates and rural roads, where visibility and safety can vary widely. In real-world scenarios, the app proves valuable during winter storms, allowing commuters to verify road status before heading out. Parents of young drivers, for instance, use it to assess safety for inexperienced family members, while businesses rely on it to adjust schedules during severe weather. The interface supports quick checks with minimal loading times, though some users note that the color legend for road conditions isn't always intuitive, requiring a brief learning curve. User feedback trends highlight widespread appreciation for the app's reliability in hazardous conditions. Reviews indicate that features like real-time alerts have helped drivers avoid accidents and delays, with one user reporting it enabled them to reschedule appointments during a tow ban. However, a minority of users mention that recent updates have made navigation slightly less straightforward compared to older versions, citing the lack of a clear legend for map colors as a drawback. Overall, the Iowa 511 app excels in providing critical, timely information that enhances road safety, especially in winter. Its strengths lie in accurate data and useful alerts, though minor usability issues could be addressed to improve the experience for all users.

Key Features

  • Real-time road condition maps with color-coded alerts for snow, ice, and other hazards, helping drivers plan safer routes.
  • Live video feeds from highway cameras allowing visual verification of road conditions before travel.
  • Snowplow tracking feature showing active plow locations to anticipate cleared roads during winter storms.
  • Customizable push notifications for traffic incidents, construction, and weather updates on selected routes.
  • Interactive map with zoom and pan capabilities for detailed views of specific areas or highways.
  • Access to tow bans and emergency alerts to avoid unsafe driving conditions and legal issues.

Why Users Love It

Real-time winter road updates
Live camera visual verification

Perfect for: Iowa residents and travelers who need reliable, up-to-date road condition information for daily commutes or long trips.

Screenshots

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User Reviews

scubasin
Jan 4, 2025

SO helpful during the winter to see the road conditions and where the plows are at. Thanks! Great for winter SO helpful during the winter to see the road conditions and where the plows are at. Thanks!

missybulldog18
Jan 18, 2024

I love this app! Just moved to Iowa and not used to snow or the road conditions that follow. This app gives great insights about the roads and has great functionality. Awesome App I love this app! Just moved to Iowa and not used to snow or the road conditions that follow. This app gives great insights about the roads and has great functionality.

gypsy angel 41383
Jan 14, 2024

This app sent me alerts in real time this week and it saved me time and grief not once but several times! I was informed of major traffic conditions that caused accidents and resulted in tow bans across in my local area. I was able to inform my clients to stay home instead of attempting to drive to my office, and they were grateful that I cared enough to reschedule. A+ 511 thank you!! Saved me from tragedy This app sent me alerts in real time this week and it saved me time and grief not once but several times! I was informed of major traffic conditions that caused accidents and resulted in tow bans across in my local area. I was able to inform my clients to stay home instead of attempting to drive to my office, and they were grateful that I cared enough to reschedule. A+ 511 thank you!!

mbqlove
Jan 14, 2024

Thank you all so much for this app! We have young drivers and it is so helpful to know when the roads are safe for everyone in our family. A lot of work has gone into this app and we really appreciate it!! I’ve seen many recommend it, on an ISU parent page as well, for students traveling back after winter break…lots of people praising the app! Thank you! Thanks IA DOT! Thank you all so much for this app! We have young drivers and it is so helpful to know when the roads are safe for everyone in our family. A lot of work has gone into this app and we really appreciate it!! I’ve seen many recommend it, on an ISU parent page as well, for students traveling back after winter break…lots of people praising the app! Thank you!

Hawk-ize
Feb 23, 2023

Great website, easy navigation, great location information. I grew up in Iowa and now work for Washington DOT. The winter information gives a great snapshot of road conditions. Be safe and give the roadway workers space Iowa DOT Great website, easy navigation, great location information. I grew up in Iowa and now work for Washington DOT. The winter information gives a great snapshot of road conditions. Be safe and give the roadway workers space

App Details

Developer

Iowa Department of Transportation

Platform

ios

Rating

3.3

Last Updated

12/1/2025