When planning a US road trip your GPS might tell you that there are tolls along your route. Some states choose to help fund their Department of Transportation with toll roads. The cost of using these roads contributes to their upkeep. can
Most states have a transponder system, a device that you install in your car that communicates with the toll equipment. The device is connected to your bank account and automatically pays your tolls without stopping at a manned booth. The other option is to pay cash to a manned or unmanned booth when you drive through the toll, most often with coins.
It can be confusing to approach a toll, because the cost is often not posted and the signage is often confusing. If you have installed the transponder device, lanes equipped for those automatic payments will be marked.
If you need to pay cash your lane may be marked FULL SERVICE, or EXACT CHANGE. After the Covid-19 health crisis, many states changed their process for accepting cash payments.
How can I calculate tolls on a trip?
If you like to be prepared, you should map your highway driving ahead of time and identify any toll roads.
Your navigation software will tell you that you are facing toll roads, but will not tell you the cost. Use TollSmart, a free app, to map your trip and evaluate any tolls along the route.
There is no other way to simply see the toll cost of your trip.
Use their software to map your route, then set aside the appropriate cash in an envelope in the car, or in your purse. You can face large fees for not paying a toll, so keep this money separate from other spending money.
Continue to run the app if your route changes, they can alert you of cheaper routes if one is available.
Many tolls no longer accept cash, so unless you plan to get the electronic transponder, avoid the tolls to avoid fees for driving through without the transponder.
These routes will be noted in the TollSmart app, plan to avoid these highways or to register an electronic responder.
This chart on TollGuru lists each state and which transponder they use. The chart also includes information about which states are accepting cash.
If you will be driving through many states, the transponder may not be logical. While many states on the East coast accept E-ZPass, it is not accepted nationwide, and it will become impractical to stop in each state to set up a transponder because you will likely only use it once or twice.
If you are planning an East coast US road trip, E-ZPass is worth the time to set up. They are accepted all along 95, the major highway connecting Florida to Maine.
You can use a road trip planner, like this one, to write down the cost of the tolls along your route and be prepared with cash.
Can Google Maps calculate tolls?
Google Maps will show any toll roads along your route, but it will not calculate the cost. It does not display individual toll prices or the total cost of the trip. Drivers should use a separate app to calculate toll costs. Failure to pay will result in fees, so plan ahead to avoid this.
The best app I have found is TollSmart, they can even recommend cheaper routes! It is clunky to use both apps at once, but it can save you significant money. I use TollSmart when I am driving in the city and Google Maps to do the big planning.
Can WAZE calculate tolls?
WAZE will alert you of any toll roads along your route, and give you an estimated cost of the tolls along the route, but they do not report congestion based tolls. WAZE does not give exact numbers as some toll prices change seasonally or even hour by hour, but it is good estimate for planning purposes.
I have found that most experienced road trippers prefer to use WAZE to navigate in real time, their data seem to be the best.
Many tolls do not display the cost until you reach the booth, so using an app like WAZE, you can see the amount due before you arrive at the booth.
Does Roadtrippers calculate tolls?
Roadtrippers does not alert you of toll roads or allow you to plan a trip avoiding tolls. You can change settings to avoid highways, but not tolls. Roadtrippers is designed to help its users discover interesting destinations along their route, and is not great for navigation.
I know most families use Roadtrippers to get inspiration and discover new stops along familiar routes. WAZE or Google Maps gives information about toll roads, but if you really want all the detailed information a dedicated app like TollSmart or TollGuru will help you plan toll costs.
Which States have tolls on highways?
29 of the 50 states have toll roads, and the number is growing.
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Former
How do you pay toll roads in the US?
As a general rule, toll roads can be paid with cash, by a previously registered electronic transponder or by licence plate video. When you are approaching a toll, signs will direct you to a lane for transponder, such as E-ZPass, Full Service or Cash. If you do not have exact change, choose a Full Service booth.
When you approach a toll booth marked for full service, there will be an attendant at the booth to make change for you. They may accept your bills and toss coins into the coin accepter, which is a large funnel attached to the side of the booth. This will trigger the swinging arm to raise, allowing you to pass through the toll.
Unfortunately, every state has a very different toll system. I spent my childhood taking frequent east coast road trips, and the system there is very standardized. You can pay with a standard transponder, the E-ZPass from Maine to Florida. When traveling further west the toll systems are more varied, sometimes even differing in each state.
What are the different toll passes?
There is no nationwide toll pass system in the United States, there are 27 different systems that are used on the 13 toll road systems. These passes overlap and many are accepted in multiple locations.
- E-ZPass
- SunPass
- TxTag
- National Pass
- K-Tag
- PikePass
- Downbeach Express Pass
- QuickPass
- PeachPass
- E-Pass
- I-Pass
- RiverLink
- ExpressPass
- TollTag
- EZTag
- PalmettoPass
- CPass
- O-Pass
- LeeWay
- NexpressToll
- NMPass
- MacPass
- Good To Go
- GeauxPass
- FreedomPass
- FasPass
This list seems wild to me, so I dug a little deeper and found out that Congress attempted to create a more seamless pass system in 2012, which resulted in the National Pass, but it is not accepted universally.
National Pass is accepted in 17 states, but has not solved the toll road problem for road trippers.
Which states accept E-ZPass?
E-ZPass is the most widely accepted electronic transponder and is accepted in 17 states.
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- North Carolina
- Kentucky
- Florida
What states accept SunPass?
SunPass, Florida’s electronic toll transponder can also be used in Georgia and North Carolina. There are plans to expand to more states, but until then, get the E-ZPass. EZ-Pass is accepted by all east coast states, including Florida.
There has been attempts to create a more broadly accepted electronic toll transponder, including the passing of a law in 2012. Despite these efforts, there are 13 different toll road systems and many more electronic toll payment systems nationwide.
Can I pay a toll with a debit or credit card?
Each toll location accepts different forms of payment. To find out if a toll along your route accepts debit and credit card payment, you must research each individual toll you will encounter. An increasing number of toll roads use cashless systems that only accept electronic toll transponders.
If you drive through a toll without paying, a camera will take a picture of your licence plate and send you a letter detailing the violation and your payment amount. Some states apply a large fee, while for some you must just pay the original toll amount.
What happens if I can’t pay a toll?
Not paying a toll is called evading a toll. Each state has a different process for pursuing individuals that drive through a toll without paying.
If you drive through a toll without paying out of state, you can still receive a letter containing a fine. Some states will not allow you to renew your registration without paying toll fees.
Here is a handy chart with all the information I could find about which states charge a fee for non payment of a toll.
| State | Fee? | Notes |
| Alabama | Unclear | Alabama has toll roads, and they accept |
| Alaska | No Toll Roads | |
| Arizona | No Toll Roads | |
| Arkansas | No Toll Roads | |
| California | $2 for Southbay Expressway, no fee on FASTRAK roads | You can pay most violations here at the FASTRAK system. |
| Colorado | $5-70 | Missing a toll will result in a $5 charge, but if you pay late or end up in court the fees can add to $70 for one missed toll. Colorado tolls do not accept cash. |
| Connecticut | No Toll Roads | |
| Delaware | Yes | If a violation letter is mailed, there is an administrative fee, but it will be waived for first offenders. |
| Florida | $2.50 | When your violation letter arrives, it will include fee. |
| Georgia | $25 | You will pay $25 per violation |
| Hawaii | No Toll Roads | |
| Idaho | No Toll Roads | |
| Illinois | No Fee | Payments can be made online of missed toll amounts |
| Indiana | Not Clear | Pay-by-Plate system is available and non payments can be settled online |
| Iowa | No Toll Roads | |
| Kansas | Yes | There is a separate rate paid by any drivers who fail to pay the toll, it can be found here. |
| Kentucky | Not Clear | Pay-by-Plate system is available and non payments can be settled online |
| Louisiana | Unclear | In Louisiana they will mail a violation if you fail to pay the toll, but they accept all forms of payment and have a clear explanation of their process here. |
| Maine | Unclear | Payments must be made by mail. There is no online system for toll violations in Maine. |
| Maryland | $25-50 | The fees are especially high in Maryland for missed tolls, that fee is applied to each missed payment. There was even a scathing opinion piece written on the subject. |
| Massechuets | Unclear | Mass is an E-ZPass state, so there are many online options to settle any unpaid tolls. If you fail to pay your tolls in Mass, they can hold your vehicle registration! |
| Michegan | $25 | Online payment available. |
| Minnesota | Unclear | Online payment available, E-ZPass and IPass accepted |
| Mississippi | No Toll Roads | |
| Missouri | $3 per toll | This is a new, much lower fee, but cannot be waived |
| Montana | No Toll Roads | |
| Nebraska | Unclear | There is only one toll road in the state, it is $1 for a car, and $2 for larger vehicles. |
| Nevada | Unclear | There is only one toll road in NV and it is outside a state park, the Valley of Fire. It is a unique situation, there is a breakdown of fees at the bottom of this list of things to do. |
| New Hampshire | $1.50-25.00 | If the toll is paid within 30 days you will be charged $1.50, but after than the fee becomes $25 |
| New Jersey | Yes | If a missed toll is paid within 48hrs, there is no fee, but a late fee will be applied after that grace period. |
| New Mexico | No Toll Roads | |
| New York | Yes | You can pay unpaid tolls with a toll slip within 7 days to avoid a fee. Unpaid tolls are changed 30% plus $2 per missed toll. |
| North Carolina | $6 | You will be changed $6 if you do not pay your missed tolls quickly. If you are sent a 3rd invoice you will incur a civil penalty of $25. |
| North Dakota | Unclear | An online payment system is available. |
| Ohio | Yes | Ohio uses a closed toll system. If you do not pay, or do not have a transponder, you will not be allowed through, so you will have to talk with an employee, they can send you a violation if you must pay later plus an administrative fee. |
| Oklahoma | Yes | $25 for first violation$50 for second violation$75 for third violation |
| Oregon | Yes | $25 plus an administrative fee |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | $25 plus the cost of the toll. PA holds your vehicle registration if you fail to pay tolls. |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $5 per axel to be paid within 14 daysFines are high for evading tolls in Rhode Island. |
| South Carolina | Yes | $25 plus the cost of the toll |
| South Dakota | No Toll Roads | |
| Tennessee | No Toll Roads | |
| Texas | Yes | Up to $250 per missed toll. Texas treats nonpayment of tolls as a criminal offense. |
| Utah | Yes | The toll system in Utah is an HOV express lane. Violating the HOV rules can result in a fee up to $337 |
| Vermont | No Toll Roads | |
| Virginia | Yes | Virginia has open and closed toll roads, failure to pay the toll will result in a violation mailed to your home with an administrative fee. There is a missed toll payment site where you can pay the toll before the violation is mailed and avoid the fee. |
| Washington | Yes | No fee if paid within 14 days, $5 for second bill, $40 per missed toll plus cost of tolls and administrative fees if not paid within 80 days. |
| West Virginia | Yes | If you cannot pay a toll in West Virginia you may request an unpaid toll slip, to be paid within 15 days, if a violation is mailed after that time there are administrative fees and non payment fees. |
| Wisconsin | No Toll Roads | |
| Wyoming | No Toll Roads | |
| Territories | ||
| American Samoa | No Toll Roads | |
| Guam | No Toll Roads | |
| Northern Mariana Islands | No Toll Roads | |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | $100 for missing a toll payment. Tourists in rental cars should discuss the policy for toll payment in depth. If you rent the transponder, do not also pay cash at the toll. |
| U.S.Virgin Islands | No Toll Roads | |
| Districts | ||
| District of Colombia | No Toll Roads | You will likely encounter tolls in Virginia or Maryland when traveling in DC, you can use EZPass in both states. |
At the time of writing, this information is the most accurate I could find, and even then sometimes the policy is unclear. If you need to settle a toll dispute, you may need to call the state department of transportation.
If you are traveling in Puerto Rico you may need a translator!
Can I use E-ZPass in a rental car?
Often rental agencies have the option to include a transponder with your rental car. There is a daily fee for the use of the transponder, plus the cost of the toll, which will be billed to you in the weeks after you return the rental car.
Make sure that you know the price of the tolls along your route, to be able to judge if the cost of renting the transponder makes sense. You can use an app like TollSmart or WAZE to determine the cost of tolls for your trip.
If your trip covers multiple days and you will only be passing through one or two tolls, it is likely not worth the cost.
If you use your own personal E-ZPass in a rental car and your funds are inadequate, the violation will be sent to the rental agency, and you will be charged administrative fees by the rental agency along with any applied by the state!
I found this summary of each of the major company’s policies to be very helpful.
Helpful Apps
Traveling in the United States means passing through several states and the various toll paying systems are challenging. If you are planning a road trip, it is worth your time to install a dedicated app to help you navigate the toll system.
This is especially true if you are going on an extended road trip where toll cost could be significant.
Navigation apps like Google Maps and WAZE are very helpful and they provide limited toll information, but toll apps will give you much more information.
TollSmart
TollSmart was the first app designed to let drivers calculate toll cost.
If you want ALL the bells and whistles, this is the app for you.
With TollSmart you can calculate the cost of tolls on your trip, or you can use their products to create a list of tolls and their costs during your trip, that way if you need to pay when you return you will have a very accurate record.
TollSmart can tell you which transponders work in which states and at which booths, allowing you to be completely prepared for a cross country road trip.
International travel? TollSmart is a great investment, it works in 19 European countries. It also covers every toll in Mexico, US, and Canada. They are expanding into more and more countries.
They also cover express lanes and congestion zones, something other apps do not do. These tolls can change by the hour or based on the volume of cars using the roadway.
The app is available for iOS and Android, as well as their website which can be used for planning from your desktop. The developers are continuing to update and improve the app.
If you are traveling by car this summer, use this service.
TollGuru
TollGuru is a newer app with a lot of exciting functionality.
TollGuru allows users to calculate toll and fuel costs for trips all over the world. The developers are UK based and that is where the app seems to be most accurate.
TollGuru has complete information for travelers in USA, Canada, Mexico and India. They also allow truck drivers to route legal routes for clearance and hazmat.
This seems to be a sleeker app with fewer bugs than TollGuru. Users love that it can work in vertical and horizontal mode and more free features than TollSmart.
This is an amazing app with lots of incredible features. It has more options for re-routes and allows users more choices for prioritizing cost or speed while planning their trip.
This is the best app for trucks and other large vehicles to plan toll costs.
USATolls
USATolls is an app used to calculate the cost of gas and tolls. They can calculate the cost of tolls for cars, busses, RVs and trailers.
USATolls can also help you calculate toll costs in Colombia, Brazil and Chile.
It is a newer app, and I hope it will be improved with better functionality in the future.
I would not recommend this app in its current level of development.
Wow, tolls are a complex aspect of planning a trip. I remember my mom and dad digging around in the cup holders when we were approaching all the tolls as we drove from Virginia to Maine every summer. It was my mom’s job to count the quarters.
I am glad that as my family travels we will have lots of tools to make those toll stops painless.
