Last Updated on May 31, 2026 10:30 am
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Transportation has launched a major overhaul of DriveNC.gov, the state's go-to website for traffic alerts, road closures and travel conditions.
The web address stays the same, but the platform behind it has been completely rebuilt — and for the first time, there's a free mobile app.
The new system went live on May 27, replacing technology that NCDOT first deployed in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd in 1999.
What's new for drivers
The overhauled DriveNC.gov adds several features that weren't available on the old system, including:
- Custom email alerts for any route or area drivers choose
- A live look at what's currently displayed on overhead digital highway signs
- Live video feeds from 1,100 traffic cameras across the state
There's also a new free app — called “DriveNC” — available for both iPhone and Android devices. It's the first time NCDOT has offered a mobile app for traveler information.
When visitors land on the updated site, a “New Features” tab in the top navigation walks through how to use the new tools.
Existing email subscribers must resubscribe
One catch: anyone who had subscribed to email alerts under the old system must sign up again under the new platform.
That includes media outlets, emergency responders and members of the public who relied on the old subscription service for closure notifications.
Automatic alerts that DriveNC.gov sends to commercial mapping services such as Waze, Apple Maps and Google Maps will continue uninterrupted.
Built after Hurricane Floyd
NCDOT created the original DriveNC.gov in response to Hurricane Floyd, which devastated eastern North Carolina in September 1999. For more than a quarter-century, it has served as the agency's primary public channel for road information.
“For more than 25 years, our current system has reliably served travelers across North Carolina,” said Kelly Wells, traveler information engineer for the department's Traffic Systems Operations Unit. “This new platform will provide even greater capabilities to support our travelers and our partners.”
In 2025 alone, more than 34,000 incidents — including crashes, lane closures, road construction and storm-related impacts — were logged into the system. Approximately 1.4 million people visited the site, generating about 2.2 million page views.
Researchers and transportation planners also use the system's incident archive to study traffic patterns on state-maintained roads.
How to access it
- Website: DriveNC.gov
- Mobile app: Search “DriveNC” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
- To resubscribe to email alerts: Visit DriveNC.gov and follow the prompts
