Forum Discussion

Executive45's avatar
Executive45
Explorer III
Dec 22, 2013

Tolls on toll roads

First, my rant:

Came into Orange County California yesterday and used the toll road to bypass traffic. (for those not familiar, traffic is horrendous 24/7)

Anyway, we pull up to the toll booth since it's "cash only" unless you have FasTrak and it's $14.00 for the first leg. $14.00 because I'm towing a car, so I'm considered a 5 axle vehicle. Now, if I stop just BEFORE the toll plaza and UNHOOK the car, it's only $9.00 for BOTH. Drive past the toll plaza and hook up again and I'm good to go, saving 36% !!! How does that make sense..:h Rant over...:M

My question is whether this is unique to California ONLY...:h or do other States do this as well....Thanks....Dennis

79 Replies

  • Well, thanks for the replies...guess it's not just California. I did send an email to the Toll Road people but I'm guessing I won't get a reply.

    My apologies to any of you stuck behind me last night while I unhooked my toad at the toll plaza..(Point made to the toll taker.) At least she acted like she was POed....maybe if enough of us did that, they would change their fee schedule. then again, maybe not...seems pretty simple, 5 axle COMMERCIAL vehicle, 5 axle NON COMMERCIAL vehicle....Dennis
  • I would imagine that a 6-axle commercial vehicle normally carries much more weight than an RV towing a vehicle. I'm thinking dump trucks and the such, therefore the price per axle is set for those commercial vehicles, not the RVs that come though.

    Tom
  • At least you have the option.......:B

    With my 5vr they just smile and say 'gotcha!!!'

    It's that way at tolls.
    One of the few things NOT unique to CA
  • We use our E-ZPass on the NY State Thruway with their "Motorhome Plan". We're charged the same per axle toll for our coach towing the toad as a passenger car towing a 2-axle trailer.
  • Executive wrote:
    My question is whether this is unique to California ONLY...:h or do other States do this as well....Thanks....Dennis

    Nope, I have found it all over the US of A. We (non tag axle) are charged for four axles. Car and coach are always cheaper if you go through the toll booth separately. It don't make sense but they all do it and have no separate toll fees for coaches pulling cars. I would imagine it would be the same for a car or P/U pulling a two axle trailer. It's all about the axles.
  • The Mackinaw Bridge is the same way. Cheaper to disconnect unless you have a tow dolly and they got you either way!
  • In Dallas with NTTA it's 100% for a two axle vehicle, 200% towing a 1 axle trailer and 300% for a two axle trailer.

    So my TV and TT which weigh under 14,000 lbs pays three times what my friend's Class A DP which weighs 28,000 lbs pays.

    (Yes, he doesn't hook up the toad until they get past the tollways onto the free interstates.)