The most popular payment electronic toll road systems in the USA are E-ZPass (Eastern States), iPass (Illinois), SunPass (Florida), K-Tag (Kansas), PikePass (Oklahoma), and others.
As a rule, most transponders work on the vast majority of toll roads, but there are exceptions.
For example, I own EZPass transponders with which I can travel all over the US East Coast, including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia, but my system will not work in Florida or Oklahoma, and I will have to search for other payment methods.
Another payment method is cash, which can be collected by road workers (toll attendants) or accepted at the terminal using a “cash acceptor” for bills (usually $1 and $5) and a special funnel for coins.
In Pennsylvania, some time ago, they allowed us to use credit cards.
Some exits from toll roads are only for cars with transponders and do not offer alternative payment methods.
If you drive there without a device, then a letter will be sent to the vehicle registration address asking you to pay a fine.
I myself used the following method more than once (for example, in the vicinity of Chicago): I drove along the express line for transponder owners and in the evening went to the toll road website and made a payment (indicating the type of car, license plates, and toll collection point).
So I saved time and paid with a credit card. I don’t know if it’s safe to do it every time, but it worked for me without any problems.
Thus, the presence of an electronic transponder is the easiest and most economical way to travel on toll roads.
Owners of such “tags” pay less; usually the savings are about 1/3 of the fare for cash.
For my cars (1 transponder for 2 cars) and truck, I chose the EZ-Pass because most often I travel to states where this system is accepted.
So, let’s figure out together what kind of EZPass exists.
Types of Electronic Toll Collection Systems
Most US toll booths today use an electronic toll collection system as an alternative to cash payments. Examples of this are the EZPass system used on most toll bridges, toll tunnels, and toll roads in the eastern United States, south to Virginia, north to Maine, and west to Illinois;
Fast Trak in California
SunPass in Florida
Pikepass in Oklahoma;
Texas TxTag (and in Texas, EZ Tag in Houston and TollTag in Dallas);
GeauxPass in Louisiana, as well as the Georgia Peach Pass and Cruise Map
Many toll roads have open tolls, eliminating the need to stop at toll booths.
What is E-ZPass Express in Virginia?
E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system used on most toll roads, bridges, and tunnels in the northeastern United States, south of North Carolina, and west of Illinois.
E-ZPass Express is an electronic toll collection system where drivers can use express lines to bypass congestion.
On some roads in Virginia, express lanes are organized, which transponder owners can drive into; this allows you to avoid traffic jams in the “free” right lanes.
In the same way, HOV lanes (high occupancy vehicles) or express lines work; these lanes are designed for cars with 2, 3, or more passengers. Buses and motorcycles are also allowed to move there. Trucks are not allowed to enter.
How Much is E-ZPass Express in Virginia?
As for E-ZPass Express, it can vary from 6 to 10 dollars, depending on what direction you will be traveling.
To check the exact price, go to this website,Express Lines, then click on the access points to see detailed maps of Express Lanes. Enter your route entries and exits, and you will get an estimated trip price.
As standard E-ZPass transponders, they are sold in retail establishments throughout Northern Virginia.
An on-the-go transponder costs $35, which includes a $15 prepaid toll balance for usage right away in Virginia and a $20 prepaid toll balance if the transponder is linked to an account.
Then the device must be registered in your name, indicate the type of car where it will be used, and be tied to two sources of money.
I specified two credit cards from which money is withdrawn as soon as the account balance drops below $10. Replenishment occurs at $35.
On the EZ Pass website, you can see all the toll roads and print an “invoice” which is very convenient.
There is a site called TollSmart that will allow you to accurately calculate how much it will cost you to travel on toll roads. Just enter your starting point and destination, and it will calculate the toll cost.
E-ZPass for Trucks
The “commercial” EZ Pass, for trucks, works approximately the same way.
You just can’t buy it. You must first register the car and link it to a credit card or bank account, and then a transponder will be sent to you.
True, the amounts here are no longer easy. The minimum deposit amount is $500 for a single truck (and $200 if you open an account for a company with a fleet of several trucks), which is charged as soon as the balance drops below $100.
Some states have much lower limits; Pennsylvania is one of the most inconvenient states here.
E-ZPass vs. UNI
There are 19 states that accept Uni, including even those where E-ZPass is accepted.
Uni transponders can be used on all Florida express lanes, including those marked “SunPass Only” and I-4 Express lanes, and even express lanes in the other 19 states where Uni works.
No wonder people prefer UniPass.
What States use Unipass?
Here is a list of where Unipass works in the USA, on all toll roads and most bridges:
- Florida (including express lanes)
- Maryland
- Rhode Island
- Indiana
- Georgia
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Minnesota
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Kentucky
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Maine
- West Virginia
- New York
- Ohio
Conclusion
You need to get an E-ZPass if you drive on toll roads on the east coast and on Orlando Expressway Authority toll roads.
And that’s it; it will not work in other parts of Florida.
As for EPass, it is accepted on toll roads in Florida.
The roads where SunPass, E-Pass, or LeeWay are accepted are interoperable. You can use any of these passes.
You can get Unipass, which will make your life even easier as it is accepted in 19 states and even on expresslines.
Most often, I drive on such toll roads in the states of Pennsylvania (Interstate 76, 276, PA-43, PA-66), Ohio (Interstate 76/80), and West Virginia (Interstate 77/64).
The longest of these roads is the Pennsylvania Turnpike, an expressway between New Jersey (at its eastern terminus in Philadelphia) and Ohio (where the road continues as the Ohio Turnpike and then the Indiana Turnpike in Indiana, respectively).
The length of the road is 360 miles. Full payment one way for a passenger car: $51.85 cash and $37.03 transponder..
Do you see the difference NOW?