511 Virginia is the Virginia Department of Transportation’s official traveler-information service for checking current traffic speeds, incidents, road conditions, construction, lane closures, traffic cameras, weather-related hazards, truck routes, evacuation routes, and estimated travel times. Use the live map below before driving on I-95, I-64, I-81, I-66, I-495, I-77, or other major Virginia highways.
Information shown by Virginia 511 can change quickly. Refresh the map before departure and recheck conditions during longer trips when it is safe to do so. Never operate the map or mobile app while driving.
Open the Official 511 Virginia Map in a New Tab
The embedded VDOT application is displayed in portrait format because its interface does not support a landscape iframe. If the live map does not display, use the official map link above. Some browsers, privacy extensions, or website security settings can prevent an embedded map from loading.
What Is 511 Virginia?
511 Virginia is VDOT’s statewide road and traveler-information system. It helps drivers see what is happening on Virginia roads before choosing a route or beginning a trip. The service is available through the official website, mobile applications, and the 511 telephone number.
The system is designed for current travel decisions. Unlike a static highway map, it can display changing conditions such as congestion, crashes, disabled vehicles, work zones, lane restrictions, road closures, winter weather, and other reported hazards.
VDOT describes Virginia 511 as a way to know what is on the road before you go. However, the map remains an information resource rather than a guarantee that a route is safe or open. Conditions can change between updates, particularly during severe weather, major crashes, flooding, wildfire activity, or emergency evacuations.
What You Can Check on the 511 Virginia Map
- Traffic speed: Identify road segments with normal, slower, or heavily congested traffic.
- Incidents: Review reported crashes, disabled vehicles, emergency responses, and other disruptions.
- Road conditions: Check reported roadway conditions, including weather-related problems.
- Construction: Find scheduled roadwork, maintenance, lane restrictions, and work zones.
- Traffic cameras: View available VDOT camera feeds or recent camera images.
- Travel times: Compare estimated travel times on supported corridors.
- Road closures: Look for full closures, ramp closures, and major restrictions.
- Weather layers: Review available precipitation, warning, and weather information.
- Truck routes: Display routes and information relevant to commercial vehicles.
- Evacuation routes: Identify designated routes while still following current emergency instructions.
How to Use the 511 Virginia Traffic Map
- Open the official map and allow it to load fully.
- Search for a city, highway, interchange, or destination.
- Select the layers relevant to your trip, such as traffic speeds, incidents, cameras, construction, or road conditions.
- Zoom in to distinguish between nearby incidents and determine the affected direction of travel.
- Select an incident or camera marker to review the available details and last-updated information.
- Check alternate routes before leaving, particularly when a major interstate is delayed or closed.
- Refresh the information shortly before departure.
When checking an incident, pay attention to the roadway direction, nearest exit or mile marker, number of affected lanes, and update time. An incident reported on I-95 North may not affect I-95 South in the same way.
511 Virginia Traffic Cameras
VDOT traffic cameras help travelers visually assess congestion, visibility, precipitation, and general roadway conditions at supported locations. Camera availability is especially useful around Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, the I-81 corridor, and other busy interchanges.
A camera image has limitations. It shows one viewpoint at one moment and may not reveal ice, flooding depth, hazards beyond the frame, or conditions several miles away. Camera feeds can also be temporarily unavailable because of maintenance, communications problems, weather, or equipment issues.
How to Find a VDOT Camera
- Activate the camera layer on the Virginia 511 map.
- Zoom toward the highway or metropolitan area you want to check.
- Select a camera symbol near your route.
- Confirm the camera name, roadway, direction, and location.
- Compare more than one camera when evaluating a longer corridor.
Major Highways to Check on 511 Virginia
I-95 Virginia Traffic
Interstate 95 is Virginia’s primary north-south interstate through Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Petersburg, and toward the North Carolina border. Congestion can be significant around the Washington metropolitan area, the Springfield Interchange, Fredericksburg, and Richmond.
Check both general-purpose and express-lane conditions where applicable. Traffic patterns, reversible express-lane direction, incidents, and dynamic tolling can affect route choices.
I-64 Virginia Traffic
I-64 connects the mountains and Shenandoah Valley area with Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, Hampton, and Norfolk. Travelers should check conditions around Richmond and the Hampton Roads bridge-tunnel network, where incidents or heavy demand can create substantial delays.
I-81 Road Conditions
I-81 runs through the Shenandoah Valley and Southwest Virginia. It carries substantial commercial and long-distance traffic. Crashes, work zones, mountain weather, and limited nearby alternate routes can produce extended delays. Check incidents well beyond your immediate location before entering the corridor.
I-66 and Northern Virginia
I-66 connects the Shenandoah Valley and western suburbs with Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Commuters should review current congestion, incidents, express-lane information, and connections with I-495 before departure.
I-495 Capital Beltway
The Virginia portion of the Capital Beltway serves Fairfax County, Tysons, Alexandria, and connections to Maryland. Check the inner-loop or outer-loop direction carefully because an incident may affect only one side.
I-77 and Southwest Virginia
I-77 crosses mountainous terrain in Southwest Virginia and includes the East River Mountain Tunnel near the West Virginia line. Fog, snow, ice, wind, crashes, and tunnel-related restrictions can affect travel.
Hampton Roads Bridges and Tunnels
Hampton Roads travelers should check 511 Virginia before using major water crossings. Important corridors include the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on I-64, Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel on I-664, Downtown Tunnel, Midtown Tunnel, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
A crash, disabled vehicle, construction operation, marine opening, flooding issue, or heavy demand can cause queues that spread well beyond a tunnel entrance. Review cameras and travel times on both the crossing and its approach roads.
Virginia Road Conditions During Snow and Ice
During winter weather, use the road-condition layer along with traffic cameras, National Weather Service information, and VDOT announcements. Conditions can differ significantly by elevation and region. A road that appears wet in a city may be snow-covered or icy at a mountain pass.
Do not assume that an unmarked road is clear. Reporting and map updates may lag behind rapidly changing precipitation. Delay travel when authorities advise people to stay off the roads.
Flooding, Hurricanes, and Evacuation Routes
Coastal storms and heavy rainfall can affect low-lying roads, bridges, tunnels, and approaches in Hampton Roads and other parts of Virginia. The map may show closures and evacuation routes, but travelers must follow current instructions from emergency-management and law-enforcement agencies.
An evacuation-route layer identifies designated corridors; it does not mean every displayed route is currently open or appropriate for your location. Follow the route and timing specified in the official evacuation notice.
511 Virginia Mobile App
The official VDOT 511 Virginia Traffic app is available for mobile devices. It provides access to traffic cameras, incidents, road conditions, travel times, construction, and other traveler information.
Configure the app before driving. If information must be reviewed during a trip, pull over in a safe and legal location or ask a passenger to operate the device.
Can You Call 511 in Virginia?
Yes. Travelers can dial 511 for Virginia traveler information. Telephone availability and features can depend on the calling network and location. Calling while driving can still be distracting, so use hands-free operation where lawful or stop safely before making the call.
Why Virginia 511 Information Can Change
- A crash may be cleared or lanes may reopen after the latest report.
- Traffic congestion can build or dissipate within minutes.
- Camera feeds may be delayed or temporarily unavailable.
- Snow, ice, flooding, fog, and wind conditions can change between reporting points.
- Emergency closures may occur before every map layer has refreshed.
- Construction schedules can change because of weather or operational needs.
Treat the displayed update time as an essential part of the information. When safety is involved, confirm conditions through more than one official source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 511 Virginia free?
The official website and app can be accessed without purchasing a subscription. Standard mobile data, telephone, roaming, or carrier charges may still apply.
Does 511 Virginia show live traffic?
It provides current or near-current traveler information, including traffic speeds, incidents, cameras, and road conditions. Individual layers and reports may have different update times.
Does Virginia 511 show road closures?
Yes, reported closures and restrictions can appear on the system. Confirm emergency and local-road closures with the responsible locality when necessary.
Are VDOT traffic cameras live?
Many camera locations provide live or frequently refreshed views, but availability and refresh behavior can vary. A camera should not be treated as a complete assessment of roadway safety.
Can I check I-95 road conditions?
Yes. Search for I-95 and enable traffic-speed, incident, camera, construction, and road-condition layers. Check the direction and nearest interchange for each report.
Is 511 Virginia an emergency service?
No. Call 911 for an immediate emergency. Virginia 511 is a traveler-information service and should not replace emergency dispatch or instructions from public-safety officials.
Official Sources
This guide is based on the official 511 Virginia traveler-information service and the Virginia Department of Transportation travel and traffic resources. Use official sources for current road conditions, incidents, lane closures, and emergency travel information.