Comparison

Iowa 511 vs NDRoads

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

NDRoads

Access real-time travel information for North Dakota with interactive maps, road conditions, and weather cameras. Customize your view by adding or removing map layers and save your preferences for future use. This app provides essential details for travelers to plan their journeys safely.

Highlights
  • Interactive maps
  • Travel messages
  • Weather cameras
  • Customizable map layers
  • Saved map views
  • Saved camera filters
Features
Read full description

Welcome to NDDOT’s mobile Travel Information (511) App – ND Roads. The App is intended for use by mobile devices to view information that is relevant to the traveling public. Tap roads and icons on the map to identify features and see more information. Use the menu to add/remove map layers, save a customized view, and see the legend for active layers. Use the new Cameras tab to find cameras along common routes and regions. Please note that the NDRoads App is not to be used while driving. Features: * Interactive maps * Travel Messages * Weather cameras with multiple views * Ability to add/remove map layers as needed * Ability to save map view and extent * Ability to save camera filter and search critera * Access cameras along a common route * Simple text versions

Screenshots

Iowa 5114 screens
NDRoads4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Iowa 511 at 3.5 against NDRoads's 3.2. Iowa 511 also leads on ratings volume (602 vs 84). NDRoads's advantage is review sentiment (35% vs 27%) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Iowa 511 has 602 ratings behind it against 84, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 27% of Iowa 511's written reviews are positive against 35% of NDRoads's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, NDRoads every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Iowa 511 versus NDRoads: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIowa 511NDRoads
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (602 ratings) — better3.2 (84 ratings)
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews35.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings602 — better84
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIowa Department of TransportationNorth Dakota Dept. of Transportation

Customer experience

Iowa 511

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

NDRoads

All ratings84 ratings
Positive51.2%
Neutral7.1%
Negative41.7%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive35.2%
Neutral7.4%
Negative57.4%

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

NDRoads

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Iowa 511

No in-app purchases

None

NDRoads

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Iowa 511 free?
Iowa 511 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NDRoads free?
NDRoads is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Iowa 511 or NDRoads?
Iowa 511 is rated higher. Iowa 511 averages 3.5 out of 5 from 602 ratings, while NDRoads averages 3.2 from 84 ratings.
Do Iowa 511 or NDRoads have ads?
Neither Iowa 511 nor NDRoads shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Iowa 511 or NDRoads?
Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, and NDRoads every 3 months. Most recently, Iowa 511 was updated on September 21, 2026 and NDRoads on September 22, 2026.

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