If you are traveling on the highways and state roads of the United States, you have to pay tolls in many regions. We explain where you have to expect to pay for roads, bridges, and tunnels and how tolls work in the USA.
Driving is an integral part of the American lifestyle, and a self-determined round trip in a rental car is one of the best ways to get to know the land of opportunity.
The United States of America is home to the largest road network in the world. Around 6.4 million km of highways, roads, and express lanes as well as thousands of tunnels and bridges are spread across the country and enable millions of vehicles to move around every day.
In order to maintain and expand the extensive network, many US states levy tolls on busy stretches of road. Back in 1795, the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike in Pennsylvania was established as the first American toll road. In the following centuries, more and more roads became subject to tolls, and tolls became an integral part of the transportation infrastructure in the USA.
There are currently around 8,000 km of toll roads in the USA. The toll bridges, tunnels, and sections (often called parkways or turnpikes) are mainly located in or near large cities. Unfortunately, there is no standardized procedure for paying tolls in the USA. Different states use different systems.
If you want to explore the USA in a rental car, you definitely need to inform yourself in advance whether there are toll roads in the area where you are traveling and which systems are used.
When booking a rental car in the USA, you will need a credit card with a sufficiently large credit limit for the rental deposit. However, a travel credit card will not only be a practical vacation companion for car rental, but also facilitate hotel bookings or your shopping sprees.
Depending on where you are in the USA, you will encounter different toll systems. Sometimes, you also have two or more options for paying the toll.
In some regions of the USA, you will still find traditional toll stations where you can pay with cash. Here, you don't need any technical devices or customer accounts, but only a little change. One disadvantage, however, is that traffic jams and longer waiting times can easily occur during busy times.
Tolls are not paid directly at toll booths without cash payment, also known as cashless tolling. When a vehicle passes the toll station, this is recorded using a transponder or by photographing the vehicle's license plate. The invoice is then sent to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Electronic toll systems such as the E-ZPass in the North East of the USA or the SunPass in Florida are becoming increasingly popular. The toll costs are automatically recorded via a transponder that is attached to the windshield of the vehicle. The owner of the transponder usually creates a customer account with the respective operator, through which they can pay the toll charges.
Are you asking yourself which toll system is suitable for your next trip to America? We present the toll regulations in the most popular vacation regions.
The vacation paradise of Florida has an excellent road network, and the warm climate of the "Sunshine State" makes driving a car or motorcycle twice as much fun. But at the same time, Florida has more toll roads and bridges than any other state. Almost 1,200 km of roads are subject to tolls.
The most important toll roads and bridges in Florida include:
There are several ways to pay tolls in Florida. On some routes and bridges, there are still traditional toll booths where you can pay the toll directly in cash. At other locations, however, only electronic payment is possible.
The preferred toll system for residents and people who frequently travel through Florida is the SunPass system. For this, you need an electronic transponder (approx. $ 20) and you have to create a personal SunPass account. Once you have charged your account with an amount of your choice and activated the transponder, you can drive through Florida's toll stations in Express Lanes without having to stop. Another plus: the SunPass program not only saves you a lot of time but also gives you a 25 % discount on the regular toll.
Alternatively, you can also use the toll-by-plate procedure in Florida, where a picture is taken of your license plate, and you receive an invoice later.
There are a lot of toll roads in the densely populated New England states of the USA. New York City's toll bridges and tunnels are particularly notorious. Some of the best known are:
New York is one of the 16 states in the North East of the USA that use the E-ZPass. The electronic toll system works with the help of a standardized transponder that is attached to the vehicle. A major advantage of the E-ZPass system is that you can use it not only in New York State but also in most of the surrounding New England states. In addition, E-ZPass owners pay 30-50 % less than users of the other toll systems.
If you do not have an E-ZPass, you can pay the toll in New York via the "Tolls by Mail" system or the "Pay Toll Now Account". With "Tolls by Mail", invoices are sent by post to registered vehicle owners. The "Pay Toll Now" service makes it possible to set up a short-term account with a license plate and a credit card and is ideal for anyone who is only in the USA for a short time and is using a rental car.
Regardless of the system used, all lanes of the New York toll booths can always be used. There are no lanes specifically designated for the E-ZPass system.
California has relatively few toll roads. In the entire state, you only have to pay a toll on five state roads and eight bridges. While the toll roads are mainly located near Los Angeles and San Diego, you will find the bridges in and around San Francisco. These include:
Most toll routes in California are billed via the electronic FasTrek system. Only on State Route 125 can you also pay your toll in cash. FasTrek and alternatives such as one-off payment or the Ecotoll app are also available for the bridges in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Do you dream of exploring the United States in a rental car or camper van? Perhaps a tour to the natural wonders of the most visited national parks in the USA or to the most beautiful autumn colors on an Indian summer road trip? If so, you need to factor in the cost of tolls in the USA when preparing your journey.
In some cases, the rental cars are equipped with transponders. Other rental car companies charge the fees after recording the license plate number.
There are different regulations when it comes to paying tolls. It is important to compare the offers thoroughly before hiring the vehicle so that you get the best deal for your travel plans.
Many providers have a daily toll service package that covers all toll charges incurred within a day. Please note that the same daily rate is also charged for days on which you do not use toll roads.
Other providers charge you exactly the toll fees that are accumulated during the entire rental period of the vehicle. As a rule, an additional processing fee is also due here.
A road trip through the USA is an unforgettable adventure, but it also requires thorough preparation. With these five tips on tolls in the USA, you'll be well-prepared for your trip:
Do you still have questions about tolls in the USA? Then take a look at our FAQ:
There is no standardized system for tolls in the USA. Accordingly, the costs also vary depending on the region, vehicle type, and payment method.
According to data from tollguru.com, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has the highest toll in the USA. It costs more than $ 0.25 per mile to drive there. From one end to the other, you'll pay around $ 119.
The cheapest toll in the USA can be found at the Boulevard Bridge in Virginia. You pay $ 0.35 to cross the bridge.
Whether intentional or not: if you pass a toll station without paying the toll, you will have to pay a fine, which is usually significantly higher than the regular price.
There are different systems used for collecting tolls in the USA. In 16 US states in the Northeast and Midwest, the E-ZPass system is utilized. These include Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia. Furthermore, the E-ZPass is implemented in and near the city of Orlando, while the rest of Florida uses a different system.
In Illinois, especially in the Chicago region, there are numerous toll booths, many of which are exclusively cashless. The E-ZPass system and the I-Pass system are used for electronic toll collection. However, it is also possible to pay later by post.
The US state of Washington has several toll bridges and tunnels, which can be found mainly near Seattle. Some toll booths only work electronically. You can use the Good To Go! system here.
Are you in the process of organizing your round trip through the USA? Then take a look at our other guides! Here you'll find useful tips for your vacation:
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!