Toll roads

Illinois I-Pass: Only commercial vehicles need the "blue" transponder. Private vehicles, with or without trailers can continue to use the white ones. My fifth, as well as a big rental truck, all had no problems anywhere on trips from Minn to New York this past year.

Here is a map of what state accepts what system:
http://www.e-zpassiag.com/about-e-zpass/85-map

Note that Minnesota, for one, is not on there. Our system is incompatible with anyone else's (of course!) - but it is only for express traffic. You can still drive the same roads without toll, but you may be stuck in traffic a bit more.

We went with the I-Pass for trips "out East" after having our NJ EZ-Pass driven to zero by monthly fees. It pays to check each states tollway site. Sometimes they run "sales" to encourage use. We missed one that matched up to $50 for pre-depositing $$ in an account.

High Occupancy Vehicle: (quoting above poster)
A high-occupancy vehicle lane is a restricted traffic lane reserved at peak travel times or longer for the exclusive use of vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers, including carpools, vanpools, and transit buses. The normal minimum occupancy level is 2 or 3 occupants.

HOV use in Tennessee has been expanded to include motorcycles and "ultra efficient hybrid vehicles". This tripled the number of signs on limited access highways having HOV-specific signage.

Dennis M M wrote:
No monthly fee, or any other fee for that matter, on the Illinois I-Pass. It is compatible with EZ Pass for cars only.

From the I-Pass web site:
Vehicles (including their trailers) that exceed four tires and two axles, and that are traveling on E-ZPass roads, must exchange their I-PASS transponder for the compatible E-ZPass "blue" transponder available at every Tollway Customer Service Center and at select Road Ranger outlets.

My I-Pass handles our cars or the truck and trailer on IL tollways. When we head for the Northeast next summer we will exchange it for the "blue" transponder.

Actually depends on how old your transponder is. My transponder works correctly whether it's in my Jeep or in MH towing the Jeep. You should contact IPass and get one of the new much smaller transponders. They don't issue the blue one's anymore. If you have the old one, I think there is a date on it which is the replacement date. Website is not updated.

pigman1 wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

pigman1 wrote:

Some states like Maryland and NY charge different toll rates depending on whether the EZPass was issued by the local toll authority or an out of state authority.

The NY Thruway has just two rate structures, "Cash" and "E-ZPass". There are discount plans available for some RV'ers, commuters, etc., but they are not state of residence specific.

NY Thruway Toll and Distance Calculator

THe Verrazano Bridge has 2 rates, in state and out. I just got nailed last weekend for $16+ EXPass rate on an out of state CAR ONLY. I think the Throggs Neck bridge did me too, but I couldn't fully read the sign (Nut on the road cut me off). These states and toll authorities are trying to squeeze every cent out of you that they possibly can, so just be aware and bring a fat wallet. Regardless, the EZPass rate is usually always less than they charge their cash customers, so if you can get a free one it's a good deal. Of course how two trips across a bridge at $16+ can be considered a deal is somewhat questionable. Beats swimming, but not by much.

Yep, I see that... E-ZPass tags not issued by NY E-ZPass Center are charged the cash rates for the MTA bridges and tunnels. The NY E-ZPass center issues tags to anyone, regardless of residence state, so I guess it would pay for anyone out of state that uses those bridges and tunnels frequently to get one from them.

MTA Bridge and Tunnel Tolls

The wife and I moved from Florida to Tennessee over three years ago. We kept our two SunPass transponders, and recently upgraded to the new transponders SunPass was issuing. The SunPass works out well for us, we still have family in Florida, and the SunPass works on the toll roads in Metro Atlanta as well. It covers Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The SunPass people say that they are currently working on interoperability with other systems in accordance with federal law.

Dutch_12078 wrote:

pigman1 wrote:

Some states like Maryland and NY charge different toll rates depending on whether the EZPass was issued by the local toll authority or an out of state authority.

The NY Thruway has just two rate structures, "Cash" and "E-ZPass". There are discount plans available for some RV'ers, commuters, etc., but they are not state of residence specific.

NY Thruway Toll and Distance Calculator

THe Verrazano Bridge has 2 rates, in state and out. I just got nailed last weekend for $16+ EXPass rate on an out of state CAR ONLY. I think the Throggs Neck bridge did me too, but I couldn't fully read the sign (Nut on the road cut me off). These states and toll authorities are trying to squeeze every cent out of you that they possibly can, so just be aware and bring a fat wallet. Regardless, the EZPass rate is usually always less than they charge their cash customers, so if you can get a free one it's a good deal. Of course how two trips across a bridge at $16+ can be considered a deal is somewhat questionable. Beats swimming, but not by much.

Blazing Zippers wrote:
... What is HOV? ...

Either the stock symbol for Hovnanian Enterprises

or

High Occupancy Vehicle:
A high-occupancy vehicle lane is a restricted traffic lane reserved at peak travel times or longer for the exclusive use of vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers, including carpools, vanpools, and transit buses. The normal minimum occupancy level is 2 or 3 occupants.

It is a mess and to the AZ poster, yes, be glad you live in a toll free land. It is getting ridiculous when more and more Interstates are toll roads.

As to the passes, an EZ Pass will cover the NE and surrounding areas. A Sun Pass will cover FL and I think GA and SC. Those two are what you need. Dallas has toll by plate which is a pain in a rental vehicle where you get charged a so called convenience fee around $20/day to pay by plate.

Somehow, I thought this would be a mess--and IT IS! It sounds like "if you like your plan, you can keep it."
What is HOV? Maybe a stupid question to some.
We'll be the ones from Idaho with the bewildered looks on our faces. However, we will be armed and carrying Pop Tarts for emergencies.
Thanks to all that answered. Have a great holiday season and see ya out there.

pigman1 wrote:

Some states like Maryland and NY charge different toll rates depending on whether the EZPass was issued by the local toll authority or an out of state authority.

The NY Thruway has just two rate structures, "Cash" and "E-ZPass". There are discount plans available for some RV'ers, commuters, etc., but they are not state of residence specific.

NY Thruway Toll and Distance Calculator