toll plaza selection on I-95 - MD to PA

[seadogjim]

Hi all,
Traveling from Aberdeen, MD to Hatfield, PA, in a class A w/toad and am wondering which toll plaza gate to choose on I-95? I know there are two toll plazas on this route on I-95 and another on the PA turnpike. Have an EZpass on the car(towd) but not on the moho so assume will have to use a "cash" lane. Also, will the EZpass pay for the car or will I have to pay cash for both the car and the moho? Any idea what the tolls will be?
Haven't taken the rig thru any toll plazas before so will appreciate advice from anyone on which toll gates to use on I-95 and and the PA turnpike(or can I just take any "cash" lane)?

Thanks,
Jim

[LuvRvn]

Our EZPass is registered in Massachusetts....when we got our 5th wheel, we had to get 2 transponders...one when just traveling with truck, and the 2nd when traveling with 5th wheel....their rules....

[seadogjim]

Lantley-Only going to PA for a few months then headed west. Hate to get an EZpass for moho since I'll only take it thru toll gates enroute from MD to PA on I-95 and once more going out the PA turnpike.

dbir-I figured the toll lanes were wide enough since I see semi's go thru but thought maybe only certain ones were designated for large vehicles. I'm in a class A so if I have to stretch little that's better than getting out!

chief camper-If I lived here I'd get a pass for both car and moho but since my stay is only a few months I hoped the one EZpass would suffice but guess not.

Thanks to all for your help. Jim

[chiefcamper]

Got our EZ-Passes through Mass last year, we live in CT, no tolls.....yet! They required me to register the pickup as a commercial vehicle because of the plates. In Ct we have "combination" plates for any vehicle over 7500lbs gvw. Mass now takes pics of all plates (no more pay tolls at all). If your EZ Pass matches the plate you are good. If it does not they send you a bill in the mail. This according to the girl that signed us up. We have four EZ Passes and they are all registered to the specific vehicle. For the truck I have one for towing and the other for just the truck. All in all it is still cheaper to have the Pass, and Mass does not charge for transponders you just have to keep a balance in the account.

[dblr]

Toll booth lanes are wide enough, I used to run UPS doubles thru all the time just watch your mirrors. In getting a ticket there are 2 spots on the Pa pike in the machines that disperse the ticket one low and one high, most of the times it senses a large vehicle and uses the top one. Do you have a class A or C motorhome? It should sense it as a large vehicle but you might have to stretch a little.

[Lantley]

seadogjim wrote:
Thanks dbir and Lantley for responding. VA EZpass said I couldn't register the motorhome on the car EZpass because it's a different class of vehicle, the moho needs a separate transponder! So, guess i'd better plan to pay cash at the toll gates.
Which brings up a couple of other questions about taking a class A moho w/toad thru the toll gates. Are all the I-95 Cash Only gates wide enough for the moho? Can I pay cash without exiting the moho and also can I reach down low enough to get a ticket entering the PA turnpike without exiting the moho? Sure would be a PITA to have to get out each time...:-(
Thanks, Jim

Why are you reluctant to register the MoHO. EVen if it requires a separate account. Is it cost prohibitive? Cash lines are a pain.
I prefer EZ pass for the convenience vs. waiting in line.
The cost is ultimately is just part of the price to use the interstates in a MoHo.

[seadogjim]

Thanks dbir and Lantley for responding. VA EZpass said I couldn't register the motorhome on the car EZpass because it's a different class of vehicle, the moho needs a separate transponder! So, guess i'd better plan to pay cash at the toll gates.
Which brings up a couple of other questions about taking a class A moho w/toad thru the toll gates. Are all the I-95 Cash Only gates wide enough for the moho? Can I pay cash without exiting the moho and also can I reach down low enough to get a ticket entering the PA turnpike without exiting the moho? Sure would be a PITA to have to get out each time...:-(
Thanks, Jim

[Lantley]

seadogjim wrote:
Well Lantley, now you have me wondering if I should move the transponder from the car to the motorhome because when I called VA EZpass they said I couldn't register the moho on the same transponder as the car but needed another one for the moho.
You mentioned "tag reader", is that the camera at the toll gate that takes the pic as you go thru? If that pic would see the rig and assess the proper toll that's great but I sure don't want to pay a penalty fine to boot!
I'm new to all this, what do y'all think?
Thanks, Jim

In the old days the transponder was charged and there was no check to determine if the vehicle it was used with was registered with EZ pass.
We now have license plate readers that can scan a license plate and check the database to ensure vehicle is registered.
Your MOHO will have to be registered in the EZ pass database to avoid being penalized. As long as the MoHo has a valid Ez pass account you'll be fine.

[dblr]

The wife says that each vehicle NOW needs to be registered to the ez pass account, even a trailer, but we still just move the transponder to which vehicle we are using. We have 2 transponders on our account and use them between 4 vehicles with only one that tows our 5th wheel.
Getting on the Pa. turnpike from 476 they have normal lanes that are both got tickets and ez pass but they have a high speed lane in the center that you move thru at highway speed, but you have to get back to the right to get to the east west turnpike, it's not really bad I used to do it with a tractor trailer without a issue.

[seadogjim]

Well Lantley, now you have me wondering if I should move the transponder from the car to the motorhome because when I called VA EZpass they said I couldn't register the moho on the same transponder as the car but needed another one for the moho.
You mentioned "tag reader", is that the camera at the toll gate that takes the pic as you go thru? If that pic would see the rig and assess the proper toll that's great but I sure don't want to pay a penalty fine to boot!
I'm new to all this, what do y'all think?
Thanks, Jim

[seadogjim]

thanks dbir and z_g. I'll try moving the transponder from the car to the motorhome and see if they charge me correctly for both the motorhome and the car. Can I merely put the transponder on the dash of the moho up near the windshield for it to register, or does it have to be actually stuck on the windshield glass?
Also, I'll be traveling on the PA turnpike(both I-476 and the main I-76) and I know it's system is to get a ticket when you get on and pay when you exit. But does it also have EZpass lanes you can just drive thru or do I need to stop and get a ticket?
Thanks to all for the great help and advice.
Jim

[Lantley]

Now that tag readers are in play it is not as simple as moving transponder from one car to another. All vehicles must be registered on the EZ pass account otherwise a violation will be issued.

[z_g]

I am in md... Use ezpass for vehicle towing trailer... When I see my bill statement they always seem to figure out how to charge Me..

[dblr]

Mine in De. is the same pass for all my vehicles, but we have always just went and used it not matter and was always billed correctly or sent something in the mail, then all we did was send them the transponder# and then they took it out of the account.
On 95 I would stay on the right lanes where the trucks seem to go, sometimes the lanes are a little wider, depending where you are getting on in Pa. ( I assume on 476) look for the EZ Pass only lane it is towards the left and high speed so I believe 2 lanes each way.

[jerryjay11]

I am sure you'll either be charged or they'll send a letter for you to anti up.