Monitor Iowa Traffic in Real-Time
Access 1200+ live traffic cameras across Iowa. Our interactive map provides real-time access to live street feeds and intersection cameras throughout Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport. View real-time conditions and road-level views on I-80, I-35, the Des Moines metro, and corridors statewide from Iowa DOT and 511 feeds.
VIEW IOWA CAMERAS →Iowa Camera Coverage
Iowa DOT and 511 provide extensive traffic camera coverage across the state's 115,064-mile roadway network, which includes 8,896 miles of state-owned primary routes. In 2024, there were 351 traffic fatalities on Iowa roads—a decrease of 27 from the previous year—with approximately two-thirds of all crashes occurring in rural areas. In addition to highway monitoring, users can access live street feeds and road-level views along major surface arterials like Fleur Drive in Des Moines and First Avenue in Cedar Rapids to check for localized gridlock. These road-level views are essential for navigating around surface street snow removal and university events during winter blizzards or holiday surges.
Des Moines Metro
420+ cameras
I-35, I-80, I-235, and surface routes across the state capital and suburbs including West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Urbandale.
Cedar Rapids
280+ cameras
I-380, US-30, US-218 covering eastern Iowa's hub and surrounding communities.
Davenport / Quad Cities
220+ cameras
I-80, I-74, I-280 with Mississippi River crossings connecting Iowa and Illinois.
Sioux City
170+ cameras
I-29, US-20, US-75 at the tristate junction of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Council Bluffs
110+ cameras
I-80, I-29, US-6 at the Missouri River crossing into the Omaha metro area.
Major Iowa Corridors
I-80: Coast-to-Coast Main Artery
I-80 is Iowa's busiest route, spanning 306 miles from Council Bluffs to the Quad Cities. It carries massive cross-country freight traffic, and the truck percentage is among the highest on any interstate segment nationally. Key sections include Council Bluffs to Des Moines, through the Des Moines metro, Iowa City, and the approach to the Quad Cities.
Winter closures are common along I-80 as flat terrain offers no wind breaks, creating sudden whiteout conditions from blowing snow. The Des Moines metro section sees daily congestion, while the Iowa City stretch backs up on University of Iowa football Saturdays.
I-35: Minnesota to Kansas City Corridor
I-35 runs 218 miles through Iowa, connecting the Minnesota border to Missouri. It passes through Ames (home to Iowa State University) and the Des Moines metro. The exposed prairie sections are especially dangerous in winter, with blowing snow creating zero-visibility conditions frequently.
Ames experiences major traffic surges on Iowa State football Saturdays in fall. The southern approach to Des Moines sees daily commuter congestion.
I-380: Cedar Rapids Corridor
I-380 connects Iowa City to Cedar Rapids and continues toward Waterloo, covering 72 miles through eastern Iowa. It serves as the main connector between the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, and Cedar Rapids' manufacturing and business centers. The I-380/US-30 interchange in Cedar Rapids is the busiest point on the route.
I-29: Missouri River Valley
I-29 follows the western border for 151 miles from South Dakota through Sioux City to Council Bluffs. It carries traffic between Kansas City and Sioux Falls and is susceptible to flooding from the Missouri River, particularly in spring.
I-74: Quad Cities Connector
I-74 covers just 5 miles through Iowa but serves as a critical Mississippi River crossing at Davenport, connecting to Illinois and the rest of the Quad Cities metro.
Check Iowa Highway Conditions
Monitor I-80, I-35, and every major corridor across Iowa with live camera feeds before you drive.
VIEW IOWA CAMERAS →Des Moines Metro Area
Des Moines (215K city, 700K metro) is Iowa's capital and largest metro. The average commute time in Iowa is one of the lowest in the nation at approximately 19.5 minutes, though metropolitan congestion and winter weather can impact these figures significantly.
Key Metro Routes
- I-235: Downtown loop forming a 14-mile arc through Des Moines with daily rush hour congestion
- I-35/I-80 Junction: Southwest Des Moines mixing bowl and one of the state's busiest interchanges
- US-69: North-south through the metro serving the Ankeny corridor
- Hickman Road: Major east-west surface route through suburban development
- University Avenue: West Des Moines artery with retail corridor congestion
Rush hours (7-9 AM, 4:30-6:30 PM) create I-235 slowdowns. Construction season from April through October compounds delays across the metro.
Other Major Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids
Eastern Iowa's hub (133K city, 270K metro) is a manufacturing center along the I-380 corridor. The 2008 Cedar River flood reshaped parts of the city. The I-380/US-30 interchange is the busiest in eastern Iowa.
Davenport (Quad Cities)
The Iowa side of the Quad Cities metro (380K multistate region) sits at the I-80/I-74 junction along the Mississippi River. Bridge crossings into Illinois create regular congestion, compounded by Arsenal and casino-area traffic.
Iowa City
Home to the University of Iowa (33K students), Iowa City sits along I-80 at Exit 244. Football Saturdays in fall create massive traffic surges, and the Coralville commercial strip generates daily traffic.
Ames
Iowa State University (30K students) drives traffic patterns in Ames along the I-35 corridor. Football Saturdays impact I-35 and US-30. Research park development adds weekday commuter traffic.
Sioux City
Tristate junction city (IA/NE/SD) on I-29 along the Missouri River. Meatpacking industry traffic creates moderate congestion patterns.
Waterloo / Cedar Falls
Located at the I-380/US-20 junction, this metro includes the University of Northern Iowa and manufacturing traffic along US-218.
Save Your Iowa Route
Build a custom route across Iowa and save it to monitor cameras along your commute or road trip path.
BUILD YOUR ROUTE →Iowa Traffic Challenges
Iowa interstates close during blizzards multiple times per winter. Flat terrain means no wind breaks, creating instant whiteout conditions. Being stranded on I-80 in a blizzard is life-threatening. If cameras show blowing snow or low visibility, do not travel. Always carry emergency supplies: blankets, water, food, and a phone charger.
- Winter Weather: Blizzards close interstates frequently, with blowing snow creating whiteout conditions on flat terrain
- Wind: Constant prairie winds bring high-profile vehicle restrictions, especially on I-80
- Truck Volume: I-80 carries massive cross-country freight with a very high truck percentage
- Agricultural Traffic: Harvest season (fall) brings slow farm equipment and grain trucks on highways
- Limited Alternatives: Rural areas have few alternate routes when interstates close
- Ice Storms: Freezing rain can paralyze the entire state, typically January through February
- Flooding: Missouri and Mississippi rivers flood I-29 and eastern routes periodically
- Wildlife: Deer collisions are extremely common on rural routes, especially at dawn and dusk
Seasonal Patterns
Winter (November - March)
- Frequent interstate closures due to blizzards and ice storms
- Blowing snow on flat terrain creates sudden zero-visibility conditions
- I-80 closes multiple times per winter, stranding cross-country travelers
- I-35 exposed prairie sections are especially dangerous
- Always monitor cameras before winter travel and carry emergency supplies
Spring (April - May)
- Flooding risk along the Missouri River (I-29), Cedar River (I-380), and Mississippi River (eastern Iowa)
- Construction season begins with lane closures statewide
- Planting season brings farm equipment on roads
- Severe weather including tornadoes can impact travel
Summer (June - August)
- Peak construction season with perpetual I-80 work zones
- RAGBRAI (bike ride across Iowa, late July) impacts rural highways
- Iowa State Fair (mid-August, Des Moines) creates I-80/I-35 traffic surges
- Generally best weather for travel
Fall (September - October)
- Harvest season brings grain trucks and farm equipment on all highways
- Football Saturdays (Iowa and Iowa State) create I-80/I-35 gameday traffic
- Deer hunting season increases wildlife collision risk
- Early winter weather possible by November
Critical Bottlenecks
| Bottleneck | Details |
|---|---|
| I-35/I-80 Junction (Des Moines) | Southwest metro mixing bowl, daily congestion |
| I-235 Downtown Des Moines | Rush hour slowdowns, limited capacity |
| I-80 Council Bluffs | Omaha metro approach, Missouri River bridge |
| I-80 Iowa City | Exit 244, university traffic, gameday gridlock |
| I-80 Quad Cities | Approach to Illinois, Mississippi River crossing |
| I-35 Ames | University exits, gameday traffic |
| I-380 Cedar Rapids | US-30/US-151 interchanges, rush hour |
Essential Routes to Monitor
Key Iowa Routes
- I-80 Entire State — Main cross-country artery, winter closure risk, constant construction
- I-35 Des Moines to Missouri — Exposed prairie, blowing snow, wind hazards
- I-29 Missouri River Valley — Flooding risk, winter weather exposure
- I-235 Des Moines Loop — Rush hour congestion, ongoing construction
- I-380 Cedar Rapids — Regional connector, daily commuter traffic
Iowa Travel Strategy
Always check cameras and weather before winter travel. I-80 cross-country travelers should monitor the entire route since blizzards close sections with little warning. US-30 parallels I-80 as a slower alternative, and US-20 offers a northern option. Avoid Iowa City and Ames on fall football Saturdays.
Related Resources
How many traffic cameras are available in Iowa?
TrafficVision.Live aggregates 1200+ live traffic cameras across Iowa from Iowa DOT and 511 systems, covering all major interstates, metro areas, and key routes statewide.
Where can I find Iowa street feeds?
You can access live Iowa street feeds and road-level views through our interactive map. We aggregate feeds from Iowa DOT and local authorities to cover major intersections in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport.
Are Iowa traffic cameras free to view?
Yes. All Iowa traffic cameras on TrafficVision.Live are available 24/7 at no cost on both desktop and mobile devices. The feeds come from public Iowa DOT and 511 camera systems.
How do I check Iowa road conditions in winter?
Use live traffic cameras to visually confirm road and visibility conditions before traveling. Focus on I-80, I-35, and other interstate cameras to spot blowing snow, ice, or closures. Cameras update in real time and are especially valuable during blizzard warnings.
What is the busiest highway in Iowa?
I-80 is Iowa's busiest highway, carrying massive cross-country freight traffic across the state's full 306-mile width. The Des Moines metro section and the I-35/I-80 junction see the heaviest daily volumes.
When are Iowa roads most dangerous?
Winter months (November through March) bring the highest risk, with blizzards, ice storms, and blowing snow closing interstates multiple times per season. Fall harvest season also increases hazards with slow farm equipment and grain trucks on highways.
Ready to View Iowa Street Cameras?
Access 1200+ live camera feeds and city street feeds across Iowa. Check road conditions, plan around winter weather, and monitor your route in real time from America's crossroads.
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