Comparison

Iowa 511 vs Minnesota 511

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

Head to head
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/

About

Minnesota 511

Access real-time traffic and road condition information for Minnesota highways. Get audio alerts, view maps with event icons, and check winter road conditions, incidents, and closures. Includes camera feeds, construction updates, and rest area information.

Highlights
  • Real-time traffic information
  • Audio notifications
  • Interactive map with event icons
  • Winter road conditions
  • Road closures and incidents
  • Roadwork and construction updates
  • Camera images and live video
Features
Read full description

Minnesota 511 is the Minnesota Department of Transportation's traveler information resource. The 511MN app provides statewide, real-time traffic information for Minnesota highways and interstates, including: - Hands-free, audio notifications of traffic events while you drive - Zoom-enabled map with selectable event icons - Near real-time updates on winter road conditions, traffic incidents, and road closures - Roadwork and construction - Travel time delays associated with traffic reports (look for the orange glowing icons) - Current traffic speeds - Roadside camera images and live video capabilities - Road weather information - Snow plow camera images - Electric vehicle charging locations - Rest area locations including real-time truck parking availability for select state-run rest areas - Electronic roadway sign messages Learn about Minnesota's Law on wireless communication devices in vehicles at https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=169.475 The MnDOT privacy policy can be found at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/information/disclaimer.html#privacy Drive safely! Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

Screenshots

Iowa 5114 screens
Minnesota 5114 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Iowa 511 at 3.5 against Minnesota 511's 2.5. Iowa 511 also leads on review sentiment (27% vs 17%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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, 3.5 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 602 and 1.6K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Iowa 511's written reviews are positive against 17% of Minnesota 511's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Iowa 511 versus Minnesota 511: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIowa 511Minnesota 511
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (602 ratings) — better2.5 (1.6K ratings)
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews — better16.5% of reviews
Number of ratings6021.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.6
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIowa Department of TransportationMinnesota Department of Transportation

Customer experience

Iowa 511

All ratings602 ratings
Positive59.1%
Neutral6.5%
Negative34.4%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative66.7%

Minnesota 511

All ratings1,417 ratings
Positive30.4%
Neutral6.8%
Negative62.8%
Written reviews103 reviews
Positive16.5%
Neutral5.8%
Negative77.7%

User reviews

Iowa 511

From 602 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

Minnesota 511

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Live time camera, plow camera views, accidents, road conditions, traffic all in one app
  • 👍 Well organized, lots of information to help plan safe traveling
  • 👍 Roadworthiness at one's fingertips
  • 👍 Good resource, access to all these cameras

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App can't remember password
  • 🤔 Unclear road condition legend, missing explanation of color codes
  • 🤔 Difficult to navigate, not user-friendly for older users
  • 🐛 Cameras don't work, app crashes, issues with updates
  • 🤔 Incomplete and not up-to-date, missing major road conditions and closures

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

Minnesota 511

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App can't remember password
  • Cameras don't work, app crashes
  • Issues with updates, app not functioning properly
  • Incomplete and inaccurate road condition information

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add road condition legend and explanation of color codes
  • Improve user interface and navigation, make it more intuitive
  • Provide more accurate and up-to-date road condition information
  • Add option to view future road closures and construction projects
  • Improve coverage of major roads and highways

In-app purchases

None

Iowa 511

No in-app purchases

None

Minnesota 511

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Iowa 511 free?
Iowa 511 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Minnesota 511 free?
Minnesota 511 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Iowa 511 or Minnesota 511?
Iowa 511 is rated higher. Iowa 511 averages 3.5 out of 5 from 602 ratings, while Minnesota 511 averages 2.5 from 1.6K ratings.
Do Iowa 511 or Minnesota 511 have ads?
Neither Iowa 511 nor Minnesota 511 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Iowa 511 or Minnesota 511?
Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, and Minnesota 511 every 2 months. Most recently, Iowa 511 was updated on September 21, 2026 and Minnesota 511 on September 20, 2026.

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