Travel

winter driving

511 road conditions
Connect to traveler information via the Web, Twitter, Facebook or mobile apps.
Track a plow - snowplow locations
Map showing Iowa DOT's snowplows.
Traffic cameras
511's interactive overlay camera maps. Search for cameras along any travel route.
Weatherview
The Iowa DOT's interactive overlay map featuring information collected from Roadway Weather Information System (RWIS), Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and Iowa DOT regional forecasts.
Winter driving safety
The Iowa Department of Transportation's goal during the winter season is to return roads to reasonably near normal winter driving conditions as quickly as possible after a winter storm.

highway construction

  • Traveler information
  • Multiyear construction project websites
  • Future projects

Traveler information

511 - Iowa traveler information
Connect to traveler information via the Web, Twitter, Facebook or mobile apps.
Major construction projects - 2017
Interactive map containing general information on projects that have the potential to cause a major impact to the traveling public.

Note: This list does not include all of the construction and maintenance projects scheduled for 2017.

Visit 511ia.org for the most current travel impacts.
511 app for iPhone
Iowa 511 is the Iowa Department of Transportation's (DOT) official traffic and traveler information resource. The Iowa 511 app provides statewide real-time traffic information. Visit Apple iTunes to get this free app for iPhone and iPad.
511 app for Android
Iowa 511 is the Iowa Department of Transportation's (DOT) official traffic and traveler information resource. The Iowa 511 app provides statewide real-time traffic information. Visit Google Play to get this free app for Android.
511 on social media
Follow the Iowa DOT on Facebook and Twitter. Follow statewide, by region or by metro area.

Multiyear construction project websites


Council Bluffs Interstate improvement project
Iowa DOT is undertaking a major project to reconstruct I-80, I-29, and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. This site has a number of resources to help you get to your destination as efficiently as possible.

I-29 Interstate improvement project - Sioux City
Get construction updates and information about the I-29 interstate improvement project in Sioux City.

I-74 Iowa-Illinois corridor
Learn more about the I-74 Iowa-Illinois corridor project.

I80/I380 Systems Interchange
Get project overview, construction updates, and other information about the Interstate 80 / Interstate 380 Systems Interchange reconstruction.

U.S. 20 construction
Construction of two additional lanes on U.S. 20 between Early and Moville began in 2014. This final 40 miles of the U.S. 20 expansion is scheduled for completion in the fall 2018. Once completed, a four-lane U.S. 20 will span Iowa. Get updated information about this project.

Future projects

Five-year highway projects interactive map
View an interactive map that shows proposed highway projects for the next five years.
Planned highway investments
View proposed highway projects for the next five years. (PDF version)
Project-related public meetings
The items posted will remain until one month after the meeting date. The official project file is kept by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Location and Environment, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010.

trip planning

  • Aviation
  • Bicycle and pedestrian
  • Cars and trucks
  • Public transit
  • Rail

Aviation

Commercial air service
Iowa generates 2.5 million commercial service passenger boardings each year. Most of this demand is served at one of eight commercial service airports in Iowa or at nearby airports in neighboring states.
Public use airports in Iowa
Iowa has eight commercial service and 101 general aviation airports that are publicly owned. An additional eight privately-owned airports are open for public use.

Bicycle and pedestrian

Interactive Iowa bike map
This mobile-friendly map includes a starting and ending address search and overlays for trailheads, water, restrooms and bike shops.
Multiuse trails
View a listing of Iowa trails five miles or longer in length.
Trails of statewide significance
In 1989 the American Hiking Society envisioned a coast-to-coast multiuse trail that would link cities, towns, wilderness areas, forests and deserts. The American Discovery Trail (ADT) extends from Delaware to California and crosses 15 states. It is designated as a national trail.
Transportation Map for Bicyclists
View the latest Iowa Transportation Map for Bicyclists online.

Cars and trucks

511 traffic and road closures
Connect to traveler information via the Web, Twitter, Facebook or mobile apps.
Iowa Byways
Bypass traffic and experience a change of pace by traveling along Iowa's scenic and heritage byways. Iowa's nine state-designated and two nationally designated scenic byways are a great way to experience Iowa's natural beauty, history and culture.
Iowa Transportation Map
View the current Iowa Transportation Map online.
Rest areas
Find detailed amenities for all Iowa Interstate rest areas.
Traffic cameras
511's interactive overlay camera maps. Search for cameras along any travel route.
Weatherview
The Iowa DOT's interactive overlay map featuring information collected from Roadway Weather Information System (RWIS), Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and Iowa DOT regional forecasts.

Public transit

Carpool/Vanpool
Find memberships and tools, carpool listings, travel listings and more at erideshare.com.
Intercity bus companies
Intercity bus service is an extremely valuable transportation resource for Iowa's citizens who do not drive or choose not to drive. This service allows them to reach destinations across the country. View online or print a map.
Iowa's Public Transit Agency Maps
The Office of Public Transit's maps and current agency locations, contact information, service area, and website links.
Mobility coordinators in Iowa
View this coordinator contact map for Iowa regions. View online or print.
Park and Ride
Park and ride lots can be used as places to park your car when connecting with car pools, van pools, and public transit. The Iowa DOT provides many state-operated park and ride lots throughout the state that are open to the public and free of charge.
Public transit agencies
The Iowa DOT may only distribute state and federal public transit assistance to public transit systems that have been duly designated as a single administrative agency (transit system). There are 35 such public transit systems in Iowa.

Rail

Iowa's passenger rail
Rail passenger service in Iowa is currently provided by Amtrak on the California Zephyr from Chicago to Oakland, Calif., and the Southwestern Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles.

maps

  • Aviation maps
  • Bicycle maps
  • Geospatial technologies
  • Motor carrier maps
  • Public transit maps
  • Rail maps
  • Road maps

Aviation maps

Heliport locations
Search detailed Iowa heliport information.
Public use airports in Iowa
Iowa has eight commercial service and 101 general aviation airports that are publicly owned. An additional eight privately-owned airports are open for public use.

Bicycle maps

Interactive Iowa bike map
This mobile-friendly map includes a starting and ending address search and overlays for trailheads, water, restrooms and bike shops.
Transportation Map for Bicyclists
View a listing of Iowa trails five miles or longer in length.

Geospatial technologies

Geospatial applications
View topics including I-Sites, Snow Plow App, and Iowa DOT Travel Information.
Geospatial downloads and Web servicess
Iowa is one of the few states with a full Linear referencing System (LRS) on all public roads and statewide LiDAR. Iowa’s LRS gives the ability to locate with many methods, like mile point, and translate from one method to another. The LRS also stores accurate traveled way centerlines of over 114,000 miles of public road.

Motor carrier maps

All systems permit city and county maps
State and interstate highways are valid routes except for restrictions listed on the bridge embargo, detour and road embargo, and vertical clearance maps.
Bridge Embargo Map
Access the bridge embargo map and listings.
Enforcement Scale Sites Map
The Office of Public Transit's interactive map featuring current agency locations, contact information, service area, and website links.
Iowa annual pavement restriction maps
Access the Iowa annual pavement restriction map and listings.
Vertical clearance map
Find vertical clearance updates, clearance log, diagrams and more.

Public transit maps

Intercity bus routes
Intercity bus service is an extremely valuable transportation resource for Iowa's citizens who do not drive or choose not to drive. This service allows them to reach destinations across the country. View online or print a map.
Iowa's public transit system
The Office of Public Transit's interactive map featuring current agency locations, contact information, service area, and website links.
Mobility coordinators in Iowa
View this map online or print.
Transit program administrators
View this map online or print.

Rail maps

Iowa rail service map
Iowa's public transit system
View the Iowa Railroad Base Map, Iowa Railroad Service Map, Chronology of Iowa's Railroad Abandonments and more.
State rail map

Road maps

Iowa Byways
Bypass traffic and experience a change of pace by traveling along Iowa's scenic and heritage byways. Iowa's nine state-designated and two nationally designated scenic byways are a great way to experience Iowa's natural beauty, history and culture.
Iowa Transportation Map
View the current Iowa Transportation Map online.
Iowa Transportation Map locations
The latest edition of one of Iowa's most popular publications, the Iowa Transportation Map, is now available at locations throughout the state.
Other road maps
Available maps include the Transportation Map, state, county and city maps, and state, county and city traffic maps.
State, city and county maps
Download state, county, and city maps. MicroStation, AutoCAD, PDF and GIS Shapefiles are also available for all Iowa counties.

safety

  • Distracted driving
  • Motorcycle rider safety
  • Safety and education
  • Safety programs
  • Seat belts
  • Statistics
  • Work zone

Distracted driving

Zero Fatalities
One in four car crashes involved distracting driving of some sort.

Motorcycle rider safety

Motorcycle crash history statistics
Find crash history statistics beginning in 1960.
Motorcycle rider education
Iowa has a quality Motorcycle Rider Education (MRE) Program administered by the Iowa DOT's Office of Driver Services. Iowa's MRE Program teaches Basic Rider Course (BRC) and the Basic Rider Course II (BRC II) of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
Motorcycle safety website
Find safety news, rider education, statistics, and links to related organizations. Home of the Iowa DOT's Motorcycle Safety Forum.

Safety and education

Bicycle and pedestrian education
The bicycle safety program is excellent for schools, police departments, parks and recreation departments, boys’ and girls’ clubs, boy scouts, girl scouts and anyone interested in promoting safe bicycling.
CarFit
CarFit was developed by the American Society on Aging in collaboration with AARP, American Occupational Therapy Association, and AAA.
Flashing yellow left-turn traffic arrows
The flashing yellow left-turn arrow signal is a new traffic management tool aimed at keeping traffic moving, increasing safety and reducing fuel consumption.
Iowa driver's education instructors
Find Iowa driver education certification courses, course locations and contact information.
Iowa law on stopping for school buses
The greatest risk is not riding the school bus, but approaching or leaving it. So, children need to be especially careful around the school bus "danger zone," which is 10 feet in front, behind and on each side of the school bus.
Legal operation of snow mobiles
For safety purposes, it is recommended that snowmobiles be operated on private property with the landowner’s permission or on trails designed by the DNR for the operation of snowmobiles.
Move over or slow down law
Not just a courtesy, it’s the law. Move over or slow down to keep everyone safe!
Rail safety
Protecting the safety of motorists, pedestrians and train passengers is an important role of the Iowa DOT's Office of Rail Transportation. Toward that goal, the office manages a number of programs and activities that encourage safety.
Road rage
There is no national definition for the term "road rage". However, it is commonly defined as a societal condition where motorists lose their temper in reaction to a traffic disturbance.
Roundabouts
In recent years, roundabouts have been used in the United States to reduce crashes, traffic delays, fuel consumption, air pollution, and construction and maintenance costs.
Rumble strips
Rumble strips are grooved patterns placed in the pavement perpendicular to the direction of travel. They can be installed either at the centerline of the roadway or on the roadway shoulder. Learn more.
Rural road crashes
Crashes on rural roads occur at more than twice the rate of crashes on state roads. Driving too fast for conditions is the number one reason for rural road crashes.
Safe Routes to School
During the past two to three decades, there has been an incredible rise in obesity and physical inactivity in children and adults. The impact on health and health-care costs is high and will continue to rise dramatically.
Winter driving
The Iowa Department of Transportation’s goal during the winter season is to return roads to reasonably near normal winter driving conditions as quickly as possible after a winter storm.

Safety programs

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
Iowa DOT collaborated with Iowa County Engineers Association to continue a safety program for the county road system under a new name, HSIP – Secondary Program. The HSIP – Secondary Program will provide a $2 million set-aside from the HSIP.
Horizontal Curve Sign Program
The intent of the Horizontal Curve Sign Program is to provide funding to counties for the purchase of curve warning and chevron signs. Funds can be used to reimburse counties for purchases of advance warning signs, advisory speed plaques, chevrons and arrows.
Iowa Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)
SHSP is a statewide-coordinated safety plan that provides a comprehensive framework for reducing highway fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads.
Overhead Flashing Beacon Replacement Program
The intent of the program is to provide funding to replace overhead flashing red and yellow beacons with stop sign mounted flashing red beacons for minor road traffic and yellow flashing beacons on the advanced warning signs for major road traffic.
Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
During the past two to three decades, there has been an incredible rise in obesity and physical inactivity in children and adults. The impact on health and health-care costs is high and will continue to rise dramatically.
Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP)
TEAP provides traffic engineering expertise to local units of government. The purpose is to identify cost-effective traffic safety and operational improvements as well as potential funding sources to implement the recommendations.
Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP)
The Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) is defined by section 761, Chapter 164, of the Iowa Administrative Code. TSIP provides safety funds to cities, counties and the Iowa DOT in three separate categories.

Seat belts

Zero Fatalities
People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash.
Seat belt medical exemptions
Exemptions to Iowa's safety belt law are allowed for certain medical reasons. Learn more.

Statistics

Crash data
Explore city, county and district data. Request data from the Iowa DOT.
Highway safety statistics
This section includes highway safety quick facts, and access to comprehensive statistics and research.
Seat belt surveys
View driver and crash statistics, and seat belt surveys beginning in 1998.
Vehicle registration statistics
View vehicle registration statistics by year, county and type.
Iowa work zone crash statistics
Current work zone crashes listed by highway system and crash severity.

Work zone

Work zone fines
Current penalties for speeding in Iowa work zones.
Work zone safety
From spring to fall, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has up to 500 road construction and maintenance work zones around Iowa. Each year, work zone related crashes result in injuries, fatalities, and thousands of dollars in vehicle and property damage.