# Caltrans QuickMap

> California real-time traffic, road conditions, and alerts from the source. (iPhone/iPad app by California Department of Transportation.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltrans-quickmap/id1193696577 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [California Department of Transportation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1193696576)
- Category: Navigation, Travel
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.19/5 from 206 App Store ratings · 121 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.6 · 28 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2017-01-18
- Data updated: 2026-08-23
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltrans-quickmap/id1193696577/reviews.md

## What is Caltrans QuickMap?

Know Before You Go: QuickMap puts real-time California traffic data straight from Caltrans in the palm of your hand — so you can plan smarter, avoid delays, and drive with confidence.

What's on the map:
- Freeway speeds and congestion
- Live traffic cameras and snapshots
- Lane closures and CHP incidents
- Chain controls and snow plows
- Changeable message signs
- Border wait times
- Safety roadside rest areas, Park & Ride lots
- Commercial vehicle information including:
-- Weigh stations and Escape Ramps
-- Terminal/Service Access Ramps
-- Overweight Corridors and California Truck Networks

Auto-refresh will refresh data every 3 minutes unless a different refresh interval is selected in the settings screen. Manual refresh is also available via the refresh button at the bottom right of the map.

Enable Geotargeted Notifications to receive alerts about road closures near you — even when the app is closed. Note: If you choose to enable Geotargeted Notifications, this app will monitor your location in the background and alert you (via a Push Notification) to State Highway System road closures occurring near you. Continued use of background location may decrease battery life.

Questions or something not looking right on the map? We want to hear from you — reach us at quickmap@dot.ca.gov.

## Key features

- Real-time freeway speeds
- Traffic camera snapshots
- Lane closure alerts
- CHP incident reports
- Highway information display
- Geotargeted notifications
- Customizable map preferences

## What do users think of Caltrans QuickMap?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🗺️ Comprehensive real-time road condition information
- 📹 Live traffic camera views for visual verification
- ⛓️ Accurate chain control location tracking
- 🚔 CHP incident and activity updates
- ❄️ Essential for winter mountain driving safety
- 🚛 Valuable for commercial truck drivers
- 📍 Displays freeway message signs in real-time
- 🔄 More detailed than Google Maps/Waze for CA roads
- 🆓 No advertisements
- ⚡ Stable performance when working properly

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes on launch
- 📹 Camera feeds non-functional or display only still images
- ⏰ Information updates lag significantly behind actual conditions
- 🔍 Search functionality completely non-functional
- 📍 Inaccurate or missing road closure information
- 🖱️ Difficult UI with small, hard-to-click icons
- 🔄 Stale closures remain on map indefinitely
- ⚠️ Intrusive warning popup on app launch
- 🗺️ Limited geographic coverage outside major areas
- 📱 Incompatible codec for iPhone video playback
- 🔗 Clustering of map icons obscures individual details

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes immediately upon opening
- App closes itself even when not driving
- Camera feeds display error (play button with slash)
- Search feature completely non-functional
- Location and refresh buttons stack on iPhone XR
- App redirects to FAQ page during navigation
- Inconsistent camera functionality (works sometimes, not others)
- Tap on road closure symbols returns incorrect nearby locations
- Chain control symbols not displaying on iPhone app
- App crashes during major storms when most needed
- Codec incompatibility prevents video playback on iPhone

**Most requested features**

- CarPlay compatibility
- Live video streaming for cameras instead of still images
- Terrain and satellite map view options
- Ability to zoom and pinch camera images
- Larger, more visible map icons
- Customizable saved map regions with memory
- Weather radar layer integration
- Customer service request submission within app
- Hazard reporting interface in-app
- Direction indicators for road signs before opening
- Freeway speed data display instead of color bands
- Extended coverage to other US states
- Last update timestamp visibility
- Clickable explanations for all map symbols
- Fire perimeter information on fire layer

## Recent user reviews (10 of 121)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltrans-quickmap/id1193696577/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Not overly happy about the changes

*2026-06-16, version 3.6.1*

I liked it when the traffic was color coded so you could immediately see how heavy traffic was

### 4/5 — Great App by Caltrans

*2026-06-10, version 3.6.1*

Love the new features and updates.  I really wish they keep improving it.

### 1/5 — No traffic anymore

*2026-06-09, version 3.6.1*

Since their rebrand, they haven’t been able to show traffic levels. Which is the only reason for the darn app… accident? What’s the traffic status then??? All other apps show traffic, how can this one not?

### 1/5 — Live traffic disabled for weeks.

*2026-06-02, version 3.6.1*

Live traffic has been disabled for weeks now. This app has become worthless.

### 1/5 — Mobile app broken

*2026-06-02, version 3.4.8*

Like the title says, the mobile app used to be a life saver but the new switch to the new style is broken. I loved the old version as it would save me time. This new version does not report traffic and that is the whole reason I use the app. My tablet version is the old version and it still works. Why???

### 5/5 — Daily User

*2026-06-02, version 3.6.1*

The traffic layer is very useful. Lots of useful information.  I use it daily.

### 3/5 — 2026May, broken traffic layer

*2026-05-31, version 3.6.1*

Unable to show traffic layer

### 3/5 — They refuse to update

*2026-05-28, version 3.6.1*

Loved and used this app regularly until their latest update 2 weeks ago that won’t allow us to look at traffic as well. It keeps saying they are working on it but they are not! It is annoying and super lame

### 2/5 — Fix the traffic overlay!

*2026-05-27, version 3.6.1*

It has been two weeks! C'mon Caltrans, do better!

### 2/5 — was a great map now not so good, to much eye candy

*2026-05-27, version 3.6.1*

traffic doesn't work, want a quick look at what's going on and you have to zoom and lose your point of reference to see info, then click on the pin to find three or four items listed, then click again on another pin to to get the info. makes it a pain to use. Just went by an fatality accident 45 min ago still not listed on the map under chp. to many clicks to get any thing done. go back to the old code.

## Frequently asked questions about Caltrans QuickMap

### What information does Caltrans QuickMap provide?

Caltrans QuickMap provides real-time traffic information for California, including freeway speeds, traffic camera snapshots, lane closures, CHP incidents, and highway information. It also displays details on chain controls, snow plows, border wait times, rest areas, and truck facilities.

### How often is the traffic data updated?

Traffic data on the map is updated every few minutes. Users can manually refresh the latest data using the Refresh button within the app.

### Is Caltrans QuickMap free to use?

Yes, Caltrans QuickMap is a free application. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements.

### Can I get alerts for road closures near me?

Yes, if you enable Geotargeted Notifications, the app will monitor your location in the background and alert you via push notification about State Highway System road closures occurring near you.

### What devices is Caltrans QuickMap compatible with?

The description does not specify exact compatibility details, but it is designed as a mobile application, implying compatibility with common iOS and Android devices. Continued use of background location services may affect battery life.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.6.1 — 2026-05-09

- This maintenance release allows Caltrans to disable the traffic layer remotely while working to resolve issues with the layer.

### 3.6.0 — 2026-04-16

Live camera feeds now available — tap any camera icon with a red dot to see streaming video.
Auto-refresh keeps your map current automatically — customize the interval in Settings
Search moved to the top of the map for faster, easier access
Travel Alerts now appear as a slide-down banner at the top of the screen
Marker grouping reduces map clutter so you can find what you need faster
Refreshed icons make the map cleaner and easier to read

### 3.5.0 — 2026-01-13

Added District Boundaries and Overweight Corridor Routes.

### 3.4.8 — 2024-08-03

Fixed Commercial Vehicle layer selection issue.

### 3.4.7 — 2024-07-31

Added Park & Ride Lots layer.
Removed Waze layers.

## Apps similar to Caltrans QuickMap

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [California Road Report](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/california-road-report/id366746980) | 4.7 (7,122) | Free | Navigation |
| [CAT Scale Locator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cat-scale-locator/id1444140745) | 4.1 (12) | Free | Navigation |
| [California 511 Road Conditions](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/california-511-road-conditions/id1493127975) | 4.7 (1,689) | Free | Navigation |

## More apps by California Department of Transportation

- [HeliPlates](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heliplates/id1262922778)
- [CT Service](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ct-service/id1356206727)

All apps by California Department of Transportation: https://appshunter.io/developer/1193696576

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-23.*