Toll Road Suprise

E470 around denver uses cameras and when we asked about the tolls they told us charges would be sent to us in 30-45 days! Only toll stations we saw were on the off ramps and they too were electronic! But it only takes about 30 mines to bypass denver to get to 25 south. well spent $9 it would seem. Cost us around $10 to get into west chicago (bartlett) and another $12 to get over to Iowa on the way out. SHorter and quicker and would abe about same in gas costs to try and avoid!

paulj wrote:
Better yet, keep your vehicle registration up to date - so you get the toll bill by mail in a timely manner. It could save you significant late charges.

I mention this because increasingly toll roads and bridges use some form of electronic tolling. Dropping quarters in a toll booth basket is an old pleasure that's disappearing.

That doesn't work on California toll roads and bridges unless you have a Fasttrak account. If you don't have an account you'll will get the bill, but it will be $100 instead of $5.

Been through the toll road in Orange County CA. several times. Love the ease of use for where I go in that area. Followed a relative who hated it and wanted to show me a "short cut" that avoided the toll road. That surface street route with the stoplights, traffic and strange turns(go south, U turn then north to get to a road that had a median blocking direct access to the road she wanted to take)used more fuel, time and to me aggrivation by using surface streets to avoid a less than $5 toll. Does not make sense to me.

The Texas toll systems have a minimum total amount before you are mailed a bill. If you never reach that total, you're never billed. They are very lax with enforcement. Lately there are several news stories of unpaid bills over $50,000.

DmaxWW wrote:
Are the toll camera systems smart enough to know when you are towing and take pictures of the trailer since there isn't any way to see the tag on the truck? Course, if you hang some stuff on the back then it couldn't read that one either.

Yes! When I got my I-pass I didn't think I had to register it to the trailer because it was registered to the truck that was towing it. Had it in the truck and because the plate on the trailer didn't match what they had it didn't deduct it. They sent me a violation in the mail. That's when I called and asked about it and questioned that if they went through the trouble of looking up the plate one more click of a mouse would've saved a violation in the mail! I guess IL doesn't use common sense?

I try and avoid tolls at all costs! The only toll I'll be paying this year is on the West Virginia turnpike.

I've had a few issues with tool roads in the past. Last year we went to Dallas on one trip and then work sent me to Fort Worth on another. We used the toll roads that did not have toll booths and to this day we have never received anything in the mail. The only thing I could think of is our personal truck does not have a rear plate so if the cameras take a picture of the rear they're SOL from us. The other time I was in my Patrol truck so maybe the bills went to General Headquarters!! LOL!!
Once driving through Tulsa I missed a toll booth. I was in my car so I did get a nice notice in the mail. I called them to explain I was out of quarters and they waived the fees!!! That was nice!!

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Always have at least one roll of quarters stashed up front in case you end up on a toll road by accident.

Unused quarters can also come in handy if you encounter a casino unexpectedly....just saying....

The 3 Texas toll systems (DFW, Houston, Austin) use only toll cameras and know if you are towing or not.

Are the toll camera systems smart enough to know when you are towing and take pictures of the trailer since there isn't any way to see the tag on the truck? Course, if you hang some stuff on the back then it couldn't read that one either.

E-Z Pass for use, it saves about 50% the cost of a cash toll payment.