Minnesota 511 - Real-time traffic info & alerts

Minnesota 511 serves as the traveler information platform managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. 

The 511MN application offers real-time traffic updates across Minnesota's highways and interstates, featuring:

- Audio alerts about traffic events while you are driving, allowing for hands-free operation

- A zoomable map with icons for various events that can be selected

- Near real-time information regarding winter road conditions, traffic incidents, and road closures

- Updates on roadwork and construction activities

- Information on travel delays linked to traffic reports (indicated by orange glowing icons)

- Current speed data for traffic

- Access to roadside camera images and live video feeds

- Weather information related to road conditions

- Images from snow plow cameras

- Locations of rest areas, including real-time truck parking availability at some state-operated facilities

- Messages displayed on electronic roadway signs

Please be aware of Minnesota’s regulations concerning wireless communication devices used in vehicles.

Wishing you a safe drive!

Note: Using GPS continuously in the background may significantly reduce your battery life.

Navigation Tips for Using Minnesota's 511 Phone Services

Thank you for using Minnesota's 511 Traveler Information phone service. The following tips will help you successfully navigate through the voice-activated phone system. 511 is an automated system and you will interact with a computer-generated operator.

ROUTE INFORMATION ON 511: The 511 system is managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and only includes reports for interstates and highways within the state of Minnesota. If you are looking for 511 information from a nearby state, please select the third menu option, by saying "Transfer to nearby States' 511".

GETTING STARTED: Dial 511 from your landline or wireless phone within Minnesota. If you are calling from outside Minnesota's coverage area, or if your phone service provider does not participate in the 511 effort, you will need to dial 1-800-542-0220. This is a toll-free number.

WELCOME MESSAGE: You will hear a welcome message once you are connected. The system operator will then announce several options for you to choose from. If you know the request option you want, you can interrupt the welcome message with your request.

MENUS:

The Minnesota 511 phone service is organized with a main menu where callers can navigate to request options; including Road Reports, Truck Driver Info, Transfer to Nearby States' 511, Help, or Feedback. Once you confirm a request, you must wait for the system operator to complete results before asking for more information, or navigating to another menu.

REQUEST CHOICES:

Say "Road Reports"

To hear reports about a highway, city, county or a trip between two cities. For example:

To hear reports about a numbered highway or interstate, say"Information for Interstate I-90 West".

To hear reports about a city, say "Tell me about traffic in St. Cloud".

To hear county reports,ask "What is happening in Hennepin County?"

To hear reports for Minneapolis to Duluth, say "Give me traffic between Minneapolis and Duluth".

Road reports include road closures, serious accidents, major road construction, extremely poor pavement conditions, and other events that significantly impact traffic.

Say "Truck Driver Info"To learn about size and weight limits, roundabouts, and reports about a highway, city, county, or a trip between two cities. For example:

To hear size and restrictions only, say "size and weight restrictions only".

To hear restrictions and events, say "all reports".

To hear reports on a numbered highway or interstate, say "Information for Interstate I-90 West".

To hear reports on a city, say "Tell me about traffic in St. Cloud".

To hear county reports, ask "What is happening in Hennepin County?".

To hear reports for Minneapolis to Duluth, say "Give me traffic between Minneapolis and Duluth".

Road reports include road closures, serious accidents, major road construction, extremely poor pavement conditions, and other events that significantly impact traffic.

Say "Transfer to nearby states' 511" To navigate to a nearby state鈥檚 511 phone system. The system operator will list nearby states and ask you to key in the associated number to complete the transfer outside of Minnesota's 511 phone system. Transfer options include:

1 Wisconsin

2 Illinois

3 Missouri

4 Nebraska

5 South Dakota

6 North Dakota

7 Iowa

Say "Feedback"

To offer feedback about the Minnesota 511 system. This option will allow you to leave questions and comments about the system. At the tone, leave your comments on the 511 system, and then press pound (#) to confirm you are done. The system will confirm your message after you select press the pound (#) key.

CONFIRMING YOUR REQUEST: Each time you select a route number using your voice, the 511 system operator will ask you to confirm your selection by saying "yes" or "no. If you select a route number matching more than one highway (such as a state route and an interstate), the 511 system operator will ask you to confirm which route you want.

GETTING HELP: Say "help" when you are at any menu prompt for instructions on how to use 511.

VOICE - ACTIVATED: You can speak to make requests while using the 511 phone system. The voice-response system uses advanced technology to interpret your commands. For example, you can request reports for Highway 52 by saying "Highway 52". There may be some instances when the caller's speech cannot be understood. You will be returned to the main menu to try the request again. If you are having difficulties, try using the 511mn.org website or mobile app.

LACK OF RESPONSE: If you don't respond to the system operator, or if it doesn't understand your voice commands, you will be returned to the main menu. If you are having difficulties, try using the 511mn.org website or mobile app.

USING YOUR WIRELESS PHONE: Information regarding road and traffic conditions can be a valuable tool for travel decisions, like delaying a trip or taking another route. Motorist safety is MnDOT's number one priority. MnDOT encourages hands-free operation of your wireless phone while driving. That means pulling off at a rest area, fueling station, restaurant, or other location to make your call. (Parking on the shoulder of an interstate highway for non-emergency purposes is illegal in Minnesota.)