Name: Iowa 511
Rating: 3.18594 (441 reviews)

User Reviews for Iowa 511

3.19 out of 5

441 Ratings

2 years ago, Kdhoov

New isn’t always right

The old 511 app at least let you look at a glance-you knew what all the roads were like. then you could narrow down to the ones that you would be on-which would usually be a secondary road. now you don’t even have that option of looking and deciding which way to go-because all you get our main roads. At least, that is what I have found the last few days. The destination is nice;but even if you put it in the Fort Dodge hospital and it gives you an option to pick one address-it still says no. maybe I need to play with it more??

2 years ago, bosco1956

Ia511.

New format is not easy foolproof way to get current Winter Road Conditions. User is required to “drill down” and expand screens. Prior edition could be saved to my phone Home Screen for instant access to conditions.

6 months ago, I'mOutWanderingAround

Thank you!

This is one of the things I love about living in Iowa. Four seasons are wonderful, but the havoc that can be played by mother nature is sometimes terrifying. 511 takes the guesswork out of the dangers of driving during storms. The video cameras show real time footage of road conditions on all major thoroughfares. It's one thing too read that roads are partially covered, but it's another much better thing to actually see the condition of the road. A picture is worth 1000 words!

2 years ago, JParr1754

Updates

The app was simple before (no compliants). The recent updates are fantastic! Now the app feels modern. I didn’t realize you can see recent updates specific to camera/area if you “view location” and scroll down—nice! Kind of miss the ability to go from camera to camera within (or while) the camera is being displayed.

6 months ago, mbqlove

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!

6 months ago, gypsy angel 41383

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!!

2 years ago, IowaStinks

Change is not good

Your change on the app is for the worst! ! The old App was much better. Would like to go back if I could! I don’t need that location to show up every time I use it. If I’m traveling in Iowa I don’t need the location to be on the front screen! I don’t see how to cancel it off the screen, if you can! Harder to navigate! Needs a lot of changes!

2 years ago, scarrick50220

New look, same great app!

I use this app mainly for winter driving so hadn’t noticed the upgrade. After checking it out, I’m just as pleased with it as before. It works great for me, am using an iPhone 13 Pro Max. Thanks Iowa DOT and keep up the good work.

2 years ago, oversize hauler

New 511 App

This change and updated app is a complete JOKE! Trying to see road conditions and construction information is a complete pain. Have to pan in too far to see anything. Was much easier when you could see it as a whole state or at least region. Now to see it you have to zoom in so far to get things to show up that you only get a 5 to 10 mile stretch of road at a time.

1 year ago, Hawk-ize

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

7 years ago, jdblulu

Used to work great

I got this app for winter driving information. Ever since the last update that is the information I cannot get on the app. Some of the time the option is available in layers but if you click on any other option (like plow information) it disappears and you have to completely reload the app to get it back. The app is useless if you can’t get the information you need when you need it most.

2 years ago, AttackB

Very good

I will be a dissenter with all the negative reviews on this app. I found it very easy to use and the different layers are awesome. I accessed a few cameras and played the live feed without any issues. Will definitely keep this app handy for any travels access IA.

2 years ago, 511not

Road cameras

I used to really like this app I could look at the cameras and see what the weather is doing out on the roads that I have to drive so I know how to prepare or what I’m getting into when I go out on the roads now I can’t get the cameras to come up at all. really dislike the way stuff has been redone and you can’t look at nothing. not knowing what the roads are like in the winter time is not fun.

3 years ago, Nena Dailey

Doesn’t work correctly

I have deleted and re added this app a few times and it still doesn’t work correctly. I chose plow location and I get the message that there are no active plows. Except there are because my husband has the same phone and app and his shows the winter driving and plows. Makes no sense.

2 years ago, SadieSnicks

Difficult

I want your old road conditions map/information back. This new 511 site is very complicated when all you want is road conditions. Why do you make it so difficult? You are trying to pack too much overall DOT information into what used to be very easy to use. Please bring the old 511 back!

2 years ago, Beckett0622

New updates make app useless

This used to be an app I used all the time for years but the update for this year is useless for me to check alternate routes to see the road conditions- which do differ in our area. In addition it puts a heavy blue line through the route it wants me to take and I cannot alter it or click on the roads to see conditions

2 years ago, Darth Hawkeye

Terrible Design

The old app was way better. Can’t see any road conditions on the map unless you zoom in quite a bit. No legend on the map, have to go through menus and scroll to find what type of weather conditions. The legend used to be visible on the bottom of the map for easy identification. Not a fan.

2 years ago, Gramma Rose

Map

The old app was very easy to use. Made it harder to use. No ledge d so I don’t know what color means what on the road conditions.

2 years ago, Amtrekman

Broader view road conditions fixed

The bug with seeing statewide conditions has been fixed (Nov. 16, 2022) — my rating goes to 5 stars!

2 years ago, IndyAli22c

Horrible since update….

I used this app for years. Since the update it’s horrible and freezes up every time I use it. Why did you change a good thing?? Very disappointed as I travel for work everyday and counted on this app. Would gladly update my review if this app would ever start working again.

1 year ago, Mary_Jones07

Too many layers

It’s helpful to see road conditions and traffic speeds but I have to unselect and reselect the boxes for it to show every time I open the app.

6 months ago, missybulldog18

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.

2 years ago, Secan3

Inefficient

I find this updated version of the old 511 to be cumbersome to use. It seems harder to check road conditions. In addition, I can open menus, but the often do not close. I have to shut down the app, reopen, and start over.

2 years ago, super verse

Screen locks up

The layout has good ideas but locks up when trying to use the different layers. Have tried everything to get it to work with no improvement.

6 years ago, Jayrob3648

Can’t personalize a trip

The app itself isn’t bad, but when logged in and trying to edit favorites, it says update failed. I can’t store my favorite destinations or get the custom trip report as advertised. Deleted and re downloaded and still have issues.

5 years ago, 4Wheeling Drifts

Great WHEN it works...

I use this for Iowa winter driving. Recently the winter driving does not show up at all. One hour commute to work on county highways and now it only works half the time. Last season I never had a problem. Hope they get it fixed.

2 years ago, Dangottschalk

New update is an improvement but broke road conditions

A+ on the refreshed app but if it’s not broke don’t fix it. This new version completely broke road conditions. If your not super zoomed in road conditions won’t display. Pretty pointless when that’s the main purpose of the app…

1 year ago, 3?74?’mlfz

Does not properly reflect road conditions

I think the past reporting of road conditions have been good. Lately, the app has been way off. Roads have been horrendous which I would consider pink or purple but were reported green or seasonal. Very incorrect in my opinion. I don’t trust it anymore

7 years ago, critiquent

Difficult to find winter driving

Like the other reviewer said, it’s hard to find winter driving. This is the main reason to use the app. Also the pop ups confirming if I’m a driver or not are annoying. Take a note from Waze and use the accelerometer to determine if I’m actually moving or not.

2 years ago, W2JAX

WHY DID YOU RUIN THIS APP?

I had to give you 1 star because I couldn’t give you 0. It locks up immediately after opening when trying to add layers to know information of the state road conditions as I travel all over the state for work. YOU A TO BE THE BEST APP! I wanted other states to follow suit. PLEASE FIX YOUR APP! Thanks.

2 years ago, Joeylee76

Hit and Miss

More times than not this is very inaccurate information.

6 years ago, shueyban

511 Iowa

I love this app. Just wish it had cameras to low flooding areas. Where the Raccoon and Des Moines river meet. Along the Des Moines river and Raccoon river. Walnut Creek, South Skunk George Flagg Road, Water Works Park, Fluer Drive, Merle Hay Road and Johnston. Airport, etc

2 years ago, CiBeMe

Freezes

When I try to select options in layers or click on a symbol so it will provide more information, the app freezes and I have to restart my phone to get it to open again.

2 years ago, cher174

What wrong with the new app?

All I’m seeing on the new 511 is a street map, what happened to the winter driving map? Awful wish you would have left it alone, looks like google maps. I use it mainly for winter driving now it’s useless to me

2 years ago, iowawinter

Slow to load

The most important part of the 511 is the road condition portion and for whatever reason, my roads don’t load and I have tried to adjust the levels multiple times.

2 years ago, forgetthis stupidapp

Not user friendly

On the old app, I could see the entire state at a glance and determine what’s normal. What’s icy with snowy covered now you have to go searching for it. I’m going to be deleting this app because it is not user-friendly.

2 years ago, T3508

Winter driving

The red and pink are pretty close in shade and difficult to tell the difference unless they are right next to each other

2 years ago, oldie but goodie 1952

Updated map not as good

I preferred the last version of this app. This new one I have to keep messing with to get an overview of road conditions. It was so simple before.

5 years ago, MrJayITGuy

Needs updated for Xs Max

Great app but needs updated for X series iPhones and then for Xs Max screen size The app doesn't know how to handle “the notch” and overlaps the top icons

2 years ago, farmsll

Bad

Do not like show how the road are it takes me for every to find out and I still haven’t not like the old app you could just look at the color of the road

5 years ago, rifleman300

Add It!

Very informative. Cameras of actual conditions very useful. Combine with Waze—and be ready for anything on the roadway.

2 years ago, Joey V Italiano

Worst app!

It locks up and freezes from the start you can’t even use it! Just put the old one back on, it works! At least you can use the 511 truck app, it works fine.

2 years ago, Deb1950

Freezes Up

I just downloaded the new app and every time I try to open the app it freezes up. I hope you fix this before winter because right now it’s useless.

2 years ago, Iowa Driver

To much clutter

The old App was better. Keep it simple. I don’t want to zoom in to see what the road conditions are like in an area. I like being able to see the entire state color-coded.

2 years ago, Mahjonglover

Map doesn’t show any information

The map won’t update to show road conditions or any of the other features. Yes I have logged in.

6 years ago, icijean

Very useful app in winter

I love this app in winter and also in summer. Works best at home with WiFi to see cam pics.

2 years ago, pipe wrench head

511 iowa map

Don’t care for the new update! Can’t see what the roads are for the entire state! Don’t like that you have to zoom in in order too see road conditions!! Don’t like it!!

2 years ago, Iowa Eve

Do not like new 511

I want the old version of 511. New version does not work when I need it to. Why fix old version when it wasn’t broke. Won’t update and cameras don’t work.

5 years ago, YinMnBlueOrchids

Great to see photos!

It’s super helpful in the winter to see what the roads look like. Snow plow cams were a genius idea.

2 years ago, Gunneratg

Buggy

App won’t let me look at traffic cameras or message boards. It just shows a blank grey screen when doing so

Description

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 prohibited (tow ban) events for winter storms • Real-time weather radar • Weather stations with alerting for inclement weather • Rest area locations statewide including real-time truck parking availability at rest areas and select private truck stops along I-80, and portions of I-29, I-35, I-235, and I-380. • Weigh Station Locations • Citizen reports via Waze • Electronic Message Signs NOTE: Continued use of GPS running in the background can decrease device battery life. 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 [email protected]. The Iowa DOT's privacy policy can be found at https://iowadot.gov/policies_and_statements/privacy-policy App developed by Castle Rock Associates https://www.castlerockits.com/