I was thinking of getting a Sun Pass this winter while down in Florida. I checked out the state's website and you can get them pretty much anywhere with a $10 minimum amount put onto the card. Last winter we only used a toll road in the Miami area once and did the thing where they took a photo of our plate. The charges and administration fee came to $5 for that one-time trip, which I thought was a bit high. For those experienced with the Sun Pass how much money do you put on the pass? How often do you use it? We will be down there for about 2 months and some routes do have toll roads on them, especially the route from just south of Crystal River down to Tampa and also around the Orlando area. I understand that once you're finished with your trip you can obtain a refund the anything left on the card.

I have the removable unit with suction cups that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle, cost 25.00. I put thirty dollars in my account and have it set to add 20.00 when the balance drops below 10.00. Like the conventicle.

I bought the one that once you put it on the window, you can't remove it without loosing the money you put on it. I put $25 on it and used about ten. I just bought a new truck so I lost the balance. I am not going to get a new one, since I don't use it that muchJack L

We also have the removable suction cup kind, set to add money in $20 increments. We make both car and RV trips to FL, three or four times a year to vacation and see friends & family. It's flexible - you can add or subtract vehicles to the account online as needed. The website lists places where you can purchase either type, sticker or removable, such as grocery stores. I think it takes 24 hours to activate, at least for the removable one.The main reason I like Sunpass is that the turnpike headed south to avoid Miami & I-95 no longer has toll booths, at least some parts, so the only options are a Sunpass or a mailed bill. It can take weeks for the bill to come and we might be off on another long trip by the time it turns up.

We only used the Sun Pass to avoid I-95 on way to and from Miami area. There is a map on their website that shows the toll plazas and amounts. You can use it to see how much you'll need if you know the route you'll be traveling. You can get the permanent stick on pass from the website, they'll mail it to you.

I have had the $4.99 permanent SunPass on my truck for the past several years. I set it up to replenish the amount at $25 when it gets below $10. It works well and is very handy in the Tampa/St.Pete area. I go on the website every now and then to see how much is left in my account and to see where I've been. :)Barney

Florida Sun Pass | Good Sam Community

michelb
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013
GoPackGo wrote:
michelb - I realize this may be too late but . . . These little transponders used to come in a bag that looked like it was made out of an aluminum foil type of material. If you put the transponder in there it will not be able to communicate with the sensors at the toll booths, saving you from the double charge.

Tim

Thanks for the info but I have the 'mini sticker transponder' (non-removable). I just didn't peel the whole backing off so I'm able to take it off and put it back on the windshield.

Also in my post above, I said that you buy them for $10 but it looks like they are $4.99 on the SunPass website.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Nov 27, 2013
michelb - I realize this may be too late but . . . These little transponders used to come in a bag that looked like it was made out of an aluminum foil type of material. If you put the transponder in there it will not be able to communicate with the sensors at the toll booths, saving you from the double charge.

Tim
michelb
Explorer
Nov 27, 2013
I think up until last December, the Mini's were essentially free (you'd buy them for $10 but get a $10 credit) now you have to actually pay $10 for them. That said, the convenience alone makes it worth it although we pretty much only use it when driving through Orlando. We don't use ours tons so ours automatically refills to the minimum amount (I think it might add $10 whenever we get under $10)

The minis are designed to only be used for one car but I've only pealed the corners off not the whole sticky backing and was able to switch it or remove it from the vehicle. We have one in our mh and one in the tow vehicle and if you don't remove it, you will be double-charged through tolls (although you just have to call them and they'll correct it)

As far as the post above asking if it can be used WV, VA, PA and NY, I don't believe it can. I believe those use EZ Pass not SunPass and I don't think they are compatible.
Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Nov 27, 2013
I will definitely get one. Thanks for all the information on the topic.
tplife
Explorer
Nov 27, 2013
If you're only going south of Miami, it's easier to just pay the bill when it comes from the State. It's not like there's a big savings or anything. Now when in Puerto Rico, it's a must to keep you out of the long, long, long, long cash line ! :)
Cooksonthego
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
For those of you who have the "mini" and trade vehicles.... you can get a new sunpass and have the balance swapped to the new one. DW just traded her car and we moved the balance from her old sunpass to her new one. We even forgot to get the ID # off the old one :S and the folks at sunpass customer service were able to get her old one shut off and the new one activated. :B

Sunpass makes traveling Florida much easier!!
GoPackGo
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
I've lived in Florida now for about 15 years (Orlando). Sunpass was the first thing I got when I moved down here. It's really a no-brainer. Either sit in the cash lanes on SR 417 or drive by and wave. I am still astonished at the number of cars with Florida plates sitting in the cash lanes.

Lots of places to get them including Publix Supermarkets (make sure to pick up a Key Lime pie while you're in the store - Best $8 you will ever spend).

My advice is just do it. There is no reason not to. Avoid the hassles. The money doesn't expire. And I believe you still get a cheaper rate on at least some toll roads if you use a Sunpass instead of cash.
kedmonds
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
I have been told that the passes work on the ez pass system all the way
up thru WV, VA, PA and NY. Is this true?
wingsfan20
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
We just swapped our old removeable transponder with battery with new one with RFI chip. Only difference is you do not get beep when you pass through reader. If you pass through ez pass toll booth you can see it does register. We have both the truck and fifth wheel listed on account. System seems to know when the trailer is attached. Last week when we were travelling on FL turnpike we were charged for the truck only rate when we went back and forth to Homestead race track from where we had parked 5th.

I have it set for auto replenishment when amount gets down to $50.00. Good to hear about NC. not sure where they have toll roads, but will have to remember to hang transponder on windshield when there.
Followin__the_s
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
We have the one with the suction cups so we can use it on the car or the MH. We are in the Orlando area so we use the Sun-Pass on the toll roads and for parking at the airport. Very useful for the six months that we are down here. We put money in automatically at $20 increments. We bought ours at a CVS Pharmacy.

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