Iowa 511 vs NDRoads
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/
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.
- Interactive maps
- Travel messages
- Weather cameras
- Customizable map layers
- Saved map views
- Saved camera filters
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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
Verdict
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
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 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.
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.
| Parameter | Iowa 511 | NDRoads |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (602 ratings) — better | 3.2 (84 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 26.7% of reviews | 35.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 602 — better | 84 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Iowa Department of Transportation | North Dakota Dept. of Transportation |
Customer experience
Iowa 511
NDRoads
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
Iowa 511
No in-app purchases
NDRoads
No in-app purchases






