Comparison

UDOT Traffic vs Iowa 511

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

UDOT Traffic

Access real-time traffic conditions, road hazards, and weather information for Utah roadways. View interactive maps, camera feeds, and electronic sign messages to plan your travel.

Highlights
  • Interactive traffic map
  • Real-time traffic conditions
  • Accident and hazard alerts
  • Road weather information
  • Traffic camera feeds
  • Electronic sign messages
Read full description

The UDOT Traffic app provides commuters and travelers with mobile access to information for Utah roadways from the Utah Department of Transportation's Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). The available information includes: 1) A zoomable, scrollable map-based display 2) Current traffic conditions on Utah's freeways and major surface streets 3) Accidents, road construction activities, and other hazards 4) Special events that affect traffic (sports events, etc.) 5) Current road weather conditions and road weather forecasts 6) Seasonal road closure status 7) Closed-circuit television (CCTV) traffic camera images 8) Electronic roadway sign messages UDOT's Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) uses technology to save lives, time, and money. It is a computer-controlled system designed to monitor and manage traffic flow on freeways and major surface streets. System components include CCTV cameras, electronic roadway signs, traffic speed and volume sensors, pavement sensors, and weather sensors.

About

Iowa 511

This app provides real-time traffic and traveler information for Iowa's interstates, U.S. routes, and state highways. It offers hands-free audio announcements, a zoomable map with traffic event icons and camera views, and updates on road conditions, incidents, and closures.

Highlights
  • Hands-free audio announcements
  • Zoomable map with traffic icons
  • Real-time road condition updates
  • Trucker Mode
  • Personalized account for saved routes
  • Traffic camera images and video
  • Weather radar and alerts
Features
Read full 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 not recommended" events for winter storms • Real-time weather radar • Weather stations with alerting for inclement weather • Rest area locations statewide • 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 511Feedback@iowadot.us. 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/

Screenshots

UDOT Traffic4 screens
Iowa 5114 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Iowa 511 at 3.4 against UDOT Traffic's 1.7. Iowa 511 also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (27% vs 13%). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Iowa 511 holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 1.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 625 and 605 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of UDOT Traffic's written reviews are positive against 27% of Iowa 511's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

UDOT Traffic ships an update every 3 months, Iowa 511 every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
UDOT Traffic versus Iowa 511: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUDOT TrafficIowa 511
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.7 (625 ratings)3.4 (605 ratings) — better
Positive reviews12.5% of reviews26.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings625 — better605
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size152 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUtah Department of TransportationIowa Department of Transportation

Customer experience

UDOT Traffic

All ratings592 ratings
Positive11.5%
Neutral6.8%
Negative81.8%
Written reviews168 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral10.7%
Negative76.8%

Iowa 511

All ratings604 ratings
Positive58.9%
Neutral6.5%
Negative34.6%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative66.7%

User reviews

UDOT Traffic

From 625 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Useful features
  • 👍 Improved interface
  • 🚀 Helpful alerts and notifications
  • 👍 Comprehensive information

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
  • 👎 Confusing and unintuitive interface
  • 👎 Lack of useful information
  • 🐛 Unreliable camera feeds
  • 👎 Difficult to navigate

Iowa 511

From 605 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app for driving
  • 👍 Helpful for winter driving
  • 👍 Useful for seeing road conditions
  • 👍 Loved the camera features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Cameras not working
  • 🐛 App freezes/crashes
  • 🐛 Inaccurate road condition reporting
  • 🤔 Confusing new layout

Bugs and requests

UDOT Traffic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezes when trying to view cameras
  • Map doesn't load properly, shows entire US instead of Utah
  • Alerts and notifications not working as expected
  • Inconsistent performance across devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Bring back old version with simpler functionality
  • Improve camera coverage and reliability
  • Add more detailed traffic and incident information
  • Make the app more user-friendly and intuitive

Iowa 511

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Cameras not loading
  • Map not showing any information
  • App locking up when trying to use layers
  • Road condition data not updating in real-time

Requested features

3 requests
  • Include tow ban information with expiration times
  • Improve map legend and visibility of road conditions
  • Bring back old app design

In-app purchases

None

UDOT Traffic

No in-app purchases

None

Iowa 511

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is UDOT Traffic free?
UDOT Traffic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Iowa 511 free?
Iowa 511 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, UDOT Traffic or Iowa 511?
Iowa 511 is rated higher. UDOT Traffic averages 1.7 out of 5 from 625 ratings, while Iowa 511 averages 3.4 from 605 ratings.
Do UDOT Traffic or Iowa 511 have ads?
UDOT Traffic shows ads; Iowa 511 does not.
Which is updated more often, UDOT Traffic or Iowa 511?
UDOT Traffic ships an update every 3 months, and Iowa 511 every 2 months. Most recently, UDOT Traffic was updated on November 6, 2026 and Iowa 511 on November 6, 2026.

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