Iowa 511 vs Minnesota 511
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
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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/
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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 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.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Iowa 511 | Minnesota 511 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (602 ratings) — better | 2.5 (1.6K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 26.7% of reviews — better | 16.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 602 | 1.6K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 40 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Iowa Department of Transportation | Minnesota Department of Transportation |
Customer experience
Iowa 511
Minnesota 511
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
Minnesota 511
From 1.6K App Store ratingsWhat 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
Iowa 511
No in-app purchases
Minnesota 511
No in-app purchases






