Iowa 511 vs 511 Wisconsin
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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/
511 Wisconsin
Get real-time traffic and route personalization information for your travels. Plan your trips, check traffic speeds, and stay informed about road conditions before and during your journey.
- Traffic information
- Route personalization
- Trip planning
- Commute improvement
- Travel condition updates
Read full descriptionHide full description
511 Wisconsin is a free app that provides traffic and route personalization information. Call 511 or visit 511WI.gov to get all the information you need to make smart traveling decisions, check traffic speeds or plan a trip. 511 will help improve your commute and keep you informed about travel conditions both before you leave the house and while you are on the road.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Iowa 511 at 3.5 against 511 Wisconsin's 1.8. Iowa 511 also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months) and review sentiment (27% vs 4%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Iowa 511 holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Iowa 511 has 602 ratings behind it against 81, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Iowa 511's written reviews are positive against 4% of 511 Wisconsin's.
Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, 511 Wisconsin every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Iowa 511 | 511 Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (602 ratings) — better | 1.8 (81 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 26.7% of reviews — better | 4.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 602 — better | 81 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 16.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 105 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Iowa Department of Transportation | IBI Group |
Customer experience
Iowa 511
511 Wisconsin
User reviews
Iowa 511
From 602 App Store ratingsWhat 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
511 Wisconsin
From 81 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Live cameras are helpful
- 💡 Navigation ability (though not highly valued)
Room to improve
- 👎 Difficult to use for quick checks
- 👎 Constantly asks for destination
- 👎 Outdated interface
- 👎 Inaccurate road conditions
- 👎 Removed ice/slippery condition updates
Bugs and requests
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
511 Wisconsin
Reported bugs
8 issues- Radar legend overlaps toggle, gets stuck
- Route feature doesn't work
- App switches screens on its own every 10 seconds
- Server connection error
- App blocks data/forces location tracking
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Cannot get app on iPad
- Login issues
- Weather radar runs too fast and doesn't pause
Requested features
12 requests- Improve ease of use for quick checks
- Allow quick look at traffic cameras without destination
- Reintroduce ice and slippery condition updates
- Fix radar legend overlap bug
- Make winter road condition colors thicker/brighter/more legible
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Allow selection of counties for alerts
- Bring back the old app's functionality
- Allow use on WiFi-only devices
- Fix login issues
- Allow users to decline notifications/tracking
- Improve accuracy of real-time road conditions
- Allow pausing of weather radar
In-app purchases
Iowa 511
No in-app purchases
511 Wisconsin
No in-app purchases







