Toll roads are so firmly established in the life of Americans that many initially take them for granted.
After my article: “Is Sunpass only for Florida Residents?”
Many of my readers were sending me the questions about what will happen if I don’t pay a toll road, about fines and what they get and I am sure that they will be interested in learning about this topic now.
And my experience of many miles of car travel across different states will be useful and help future travelers feel more confident on the toll roads of the United States.
Today is my short story about how toll road system works in the USA đźš—.
Toll Roads in the USA
At the moment, toll roads (this includes passages on bridges and tunnels) exist in 35 states.
The total length of such roads exceeds 5,000 miles.
As a rule, toll roads are built in or around large cities, tolls are levied on long bridges and tunnels that cannot be easily bypassed.
On the other hand, according to the law, every toll road must have an alternative.
Of course, the alternate road will not be so good and fast, but then you will not have to pay a toll.
Now, all toll roads are, as a rule, high-speed highways with at least 2 lanes in each direction and a dividing strip or a concrete barrier between oncoming flows.
The same applies to tunnels and bridges, which are especially numerous on the east coast of the United States, in the vicinity of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and other cities.
Whenever possible, I try to avoid toll roads, but sometimes it turns out to be “more expensive for myself”, because an alternative road will be longer and slower, with more difficult terrain, traffic lights and smaller towns along the way.
Toll roads have fewer entrances and exits, so they are more passable, they rarely have traffic (except because of the weather or an accident).
Many paid highways are equipped with service plazas (they can have different names, for example, oasis, service area, service plaza, etc.), where you can not only relax or go to the toilet, but also fill up the car and refresh yourself.
I noticed that the price of fuel and food there is somewhat higher.
Even McDonald’s on the New York Thruway is 3 times expensive!
Can you Drive Through Tolls and Pay Later in Florida?
No.
You have to be careful with Toll Road in Florida and other states.
The fact is that cars that are passing through these lanes are recorded by photo / video cameras and their numbers are checked against the base of issued passes.
If you do not have such a pass and you drove along this lane, then in the best case (if you have a rented car), the bill will come to the rental office, which will write off this toll from you + take some money for their work.
In the worst case, you will receive a fine in 2 days of up to several hundred dollars.
Nuances about Toll Roads
There are some nuances that can be useful.
Fares (tolls) may vary depending on the time of day, day of the week.
For example, if you drive through the point on Wednesday for $1.25 and take $1.25 with you on Saturday, you can get into an awkward situation when you find out the fare is $2.
This most likely will not affect tourists traveling in passenger cars, but nevertheless, the size of the tolls depends on the size of the vehicle.
Keep in mind that a number of points do not accept bank cards, there will be a warning about this long before the point : a sign with CASH ONLY.
Signs inform about the approach to the toll payment point long before the point itself.
Moreover, they will warn you that this is the last exit before paying, so that you can leave the highway and take a detour, if paying is not in your plans🤔.
Many states have “passes” for fast travel through points.
In Florida, for example SunPass, in New York –E-ZPass, etc.
For the owners of these passes, there are special lanes where there are no barriers and, accordingly, there is no need to stop and pay.
What Happens If you Miss a Toll in Florida in a Rental Car?
You will get a big fine later.
In Florida, in the Miami area – you have a choice – to go on a toll road or not.
For example, on the famous Interstate 95 (I-95), moving in the same direction, a couple of lanes are disconnected into high-speed (toll) lanes where everyone passes by while those who did not pay are stuck in traffic.
In other states, most often there is no alternative, driving through some parts in Illinois – you like it or not, you pay when you drive up to Chicago.
Sometimes you can choose a route with a navigator with free roads, but the road can be so boring.
A couple of bucks saved is not worth such a bore when for money you drive through beautiful cities and bridges.
Often, GPS navigators by mistake take to toll roads, but you don’t notice and pass, and as a result you will get big financial losses.
Therefore, when the toll station is in front of you, and the navigator leads you not to the barriers, but to the lanes allocated for prepaid travel, switch your GPS off and go to the CASH ONLY signs.
If you plan to frequently travel on toll roads/tunnels/bridges, it makes sense to ask for this pass when you pick up your car (although, as a rule, they will impose it on you anyway).
This pleasure costs from $ 7 per day, depending on the city / state.
How do I pay an Unpaid Toll in Florida?
After receiving a Toll Enforcement Invoice, you can make a payment online at SunPass.com.
All the necessary details will be listed on the invoice.
How do I know if I Owe a Toll in Florida?
For this go to the SunPass website.
Find Invoice Inquiry page, and there is an option to look up due tolls by putting your plate number and zip code of the registered vehicle.
You know, the question of having SunPass or not having a paid installation in a car is very individual.
If you rent a car, then of course it’s more convenient for them that you don’t know anything and don’t ask, so in case of what they will make their money from you.
But if you show your route and have your questions ready, they will explain to you what is more convenient for you.
But it is best not to bother, but to ask questions of the company from whom you rent a car.
