Last winter, I rolled into Florida for a road trip down to the Keys.
Bright sunshine, open highway, palm trees flying by—it was perfect.
Then I hit my first toll plaza and realized I had zero idea how to pay without a SunPass.
I’d heard horror stories about massive fines and rental car fees, and for a second, I panicked.
But here’s what I learned: you can absolutely use Florida toll roads without a SunPass, though not all accept every payment method.
It’s totally doable, and once you know the system, it’s actually pretty simple.
Let me walk you through exactly how it works.
What Happens When You Drive Through Without SunPass
So here’s the deal.
TOLL-BY-PLATE is the payment option for drivers without SunPass or other compatible transponders.
When you cruise through a toll point, overhead cameras capture your license plate, and an invoice gets mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner, consolidating tolls over a 30-day period.
It’s automatic.
You don’t have to stop, you don’t have to do anything in the moment—just drive through.
The registered owner receives a Toll Enforcement Invoice with a $2.50 administrative charge added to each billing period.
And here’s the kicker: TOLL-BY-PLATE customers generally pay a higher toll rate than SunPass customers.
So yeah, you can do it, but you’ll pay a bit more for the convenience.
When I got my first invoice in the mail about three weeks after my trip, it listed every toll I’d gone through.
Honestly?
It was way less stressful than I thought.
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Cash Payment—Is It Still an Option?
Good question.
At cash booths, you pay the toll and can get change; at unmanned cash booths, you’ll need exact change in coin.
But here’s the thing: cash is disappearing fast.
Many Florida highways no longer offer a cash payment option to motorists.
Roads that don’t currently accept cash include the Florida Turnpike from exit 1 to 47, State Road 953, 924, 878, 876, 874, 821, 618, 91, the homestead extension, and some portions of I-75 and I-92.
So if you’re planning to rely on cash, you need to check ahead of time which roads still take it.
I tried finding a cash booth on the Turnpike near Miami and couldn’t—it was all electronic.
My advice?
Don’t count on cash unless you’ve confirmed your specific route accepts it.
How Much More Does Toll-By-Plate Actually Cost?
Let’s talk money.
SunPass customers save an average of 25% on tolls compared to TOLL-BY-PLATE.
In some areas, the difference is even bigger—E-PASS rates are 50% lower than Pay By Plate rates in Central Florida.
So if a toll costs a SunPass user $1, you might pay $1.25 to $2 using Toll-By-Plate, plus that $2.50 administrative fee per billing cycle.
For a quick weekend trip?
Not a huge deal.
But if you’re driving around Florida for a week or two, those extra charges add up fast.
I spent an extra $30 on my five-day trip just by not having a transponder.
It’s not the end of the world, but it stung a little when I saw the invoice.
🗼 I Wrote a Book About My Japan Travel Catastrophes!
Before I landed in Tokyo, I thought I was the “Final Boss” of international travel. Spoiler alert: I WASN’T. 😅
🚅 I boarded the wrong Shinkansen and ended up in THE WRONG CITY. I confused locals with my “expert” bowing that was more awkward than accurate. I accidentally stumbled into a high-stakes Kendo practice thinking it was a tourist show. Sound like something you’d do?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Japan” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my cringe-worthy mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, LIFE-SAVING tips on etiquette, transport, money, and hidden gems that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of confusion.
What If You’re Renting a Car?
Rental cars are a whole different animal.
Most major rental companies offer programs where tolls and service fees are automatically charged to the credit card used to rent the vehicle.
But rental company fees can be brutal—some charge daily fees plus per-toll charges.
I’ve seen people pay $50 in “convenience fees” for $15 worth of tolls.
Visitor Toll Pass offers no service fee and charges the lowest electronic toll rate on Florida toll roads, and it’s available at Orlando International Airport for travelers picking up and dropping off rental vehicles there.
If you’re flying into Orlando, that’s a solid option.
My hack?
Bring your own SunPass if you have one, or grab a cheap transponder at a drugstore before you start driving.
It’ll save you a ton compared to rental company programs.
Using Out-of-State Transponders
Here’s some good news if you’re driving down from another state.
E-ZPass or LeeWay are compatible statewide, offering lower rates than Toll-by-Plate.
Georgia’s Peach Pass and North Carolina’s NC Quick Pass are accepted, but you’ll need to use the clearly marked SunPass-only lanes.
I’ve got friends who drove from North Carolina with their Quick Pass and had zero issues.
Just make sure your transponder is properly mounted and your account has funds in it.
The SunPass Pro transponder works in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and other states wherever E-Z Pass is accepted.
If you do a lot of road-tripping up and down the East Coast, that’s the one to get.
What About Florida’s Express Lanes?
Express lanes are different from regular toll roads.
They’re designed for faster travel during rush hour, and the tolls can change based on traffic.
The thing is, TOLL-BY-PLATE cannot be used on Florida Managed Lanes—drivers must have a SunPass or another Florida-accepted transponder.
If you accidentally enter an express lane without a transponder, a picture of your license plate will be taken, and you’ll receive a notice about the unpaid toll.
I almost made this mistake on I-95 in Miami.
The signs aren’t always super clear, and before I knew it, I was merging into an express lane.
Luckily I had borrowed a SunPass from a buddy, but if I hadn’t, I would’ve gotten hit with a violation notice.
Just be really careful and watch for signs that say “SunPass Only” or “Express.”
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Invoice?
This is where things get serious.
Failure to pay for using a toll facility may result in a referral to a collections agency or imposition of a Vehicle Registration Stop.
Unpaid invoices trigger a second notice, followed by collections, additional fees, and potential vehicle registration stops, and Florida law treats unpaid tolls as moving violations.
That means your license could get suspended or your registration blocked until you pay up.
I’m not trying to scare you, but this isn’t something to ignore.
If you get an invoice, pay it within 30 days.
Set a reminder if you have to.
It’s way easier to pay $20 now than deal with collections and legal headaches later.
Should You Just Get a SunPass?
Honestly?
If you’re spending more than a day or two in Florida, yes.
SunPass saves about 25 percent on tolls and you won’t have to stop at cash lanes.
The SunPass Pro is $14.95 plus tax and is removable; the SunPass Mini sticker is $4.99 plus tax and permanently attaches to windshields, and both require a $10 minimum balance to activate.
You can buy one online or at over 3,100 retail locations including Publix, CVS, Walgreens, and at all Turnpike service plazas.
I grabbed mine at a Publix on my way out of the airport on my second Florida trip.
Took five minutes, and I activated it online while sitting in the parking lot.
From that point on, tolls were seamless—I just drove through and forgot about it.
For less than $20 upfront, you save money and a ton of mental energy.
My Personal Tips for Stress-Free Toll Travel
After a few trips through Florida, here’s what works for me.
First, always check your route ahead of time using the SunPass toll calculator online.
It’ll show you exactly which roads have tolls and how much they’ll cost.
Second, if you’re renting a car, decline the rental company’s toll program and bring your own transponder or use Visitor Toll Pass if you’re flying into Orlando.
Third, keep an eye on your mail if you’re using Toll-By-Plate—don’t let those invoices pile up.
And finally, if you’re driving in Miami or Tampa during rush hour, be extra careful about express lanes.
Those “SunPass Only” signs are easy to miss when you’re focused on traffic.
One wrong merge and you’re stuck with a violation.
🗼 I Wrote a Book About My Japan Travel Catastrophes!
Before I landed in Tokyo, I thought I was the “Final Boss” of international travel. Spoiler alert: I WASN’T. 😅
🚅 I boarded the wrong Shinkansen and ended up in THE WRONG CITY. I confused locals with my “expert” bowing that was more awkward than accurate. I accidentally stumbled into a high-stakes Kendo practice thinking it was a tourist show. Sound like something you’d do?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Japan” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my cringe-worthy mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, LIFE-SAVING tips on etiquette, transport, money, and hidden gems that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of confusion.
Alternative Options: E-PASS and Uni
SunPass isn’t your only choice.
E-PASS is accepted on all toll roads in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina—everywhere you see E-PASS, SunPass, LeeWay, Peach Pass, and NC Quick Pass signs.
Uni, a product of Florida’s E-PASS, lets you travel nonstop through 18 states with just one toll account, including Florida, Maryland, Rhode Island, Indiana, Georgia, Delaware, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maine, West Virginia, New York, and Ohio.
If you’re a serious road-tripper, Uni is clutch.
One transponder, works almost everywhere on the East Coast and beyond.
I’ve been thinking about getting one for my next big cross-country drive.
It’s a little more upfront cost, but the convenience factor is off the charts.
What to Do If You Get a Surprise Invoice
So you get home from your Florida trip and there’s a toll invoice in your mailbox.
Don’t freak out.
The vehicle’s owner is invoiced for tolls every 30 days, plus a $2.50 administrative charge.
You can pay online through the SunPass website, by phone, or by mailing a check.
The invoice covers tolls incurred over a 30-day period, plus the administrative fee.
Just make sure you pay before the due date to avoid a second notice and extra fees.
If you were driving a rental car, the invoice might go to the rental company instead, and they’ll charge your card with their own fees added.
That’s why I always recommend handling tolls yourself if possible—you have way more control and it’s usually cheaper.
The Bottom Line
Can you drive through Florida tolls without SunPass?
Absolutely.
TOLL-BY-PLATE works as a payment option when you don’t have SunPass or other compatible transponders, and you’ll be sent a bill for the toll plus a service fee.
It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s there if you need it.
For short trips, it’s totally fine.
For longer stays or frequent visits, grab a SunPass or E-PASS and save yourself money and hassle.
Florida’s toll system isn’t as scary as it seems once you understand how it works—you’ve just gotta know your options and plan ahead.
Safe travels, and enjoy those sunny Florida highways.
