Tolls while traveling across the US

[ThomasandMaliaV]

Hello, we will be traveling across the US to Maine from Wi. next year and going through quite a few states. We are unsure how to address the tolls we will encounter. Please advise what is the best way to pay along the way. Thank you! ( our first big trip! ) Malia and Tom Virant

[Tsharrison]

In 2015 I drove down to the first service area on the tri-state toll way(I live in Racine Wi) to get an ipass for both my motorhome and auto. They gave me an ezpass for the motorhome and the account was set up so their system knows if I'm towing the car or if it's just the motorhome and charges my account accordingly. The ipass is just for the car when we drive down to Illinois. If I'm towing the car with the motorhome then the ipass is wrapped in foil so I don't get charged twice. This setup worked on all the ezpass toll ways we've driven on.

The tri-state around Chicago is as nice as ride as any interstate I've ever driven. In April I drove the tri-state from i55 to the Wisconsin border between 3 and 4:30 pm at my normal cruising speed in my 36 foot Country Coach with the toad.

[golf_bears]

We go to NH from WI every couple of years. We take I94 all the way to Port Huron in MI. Then cross into Canada all the way to Montreal. Then drop down into VT. The only tools are around Chicago on 94 and the bridge into and out off Canada. Probably about a total cost of $40. Has worked for us for some 50 years. We use USA dollars (cash) all the way.

[memtb]

cross21114 wrote:
Be careful in Colorado. We came south on I-25 into Denver and got on I270 to I70. Found out we were on a toll road after we were already on it - no warning at all. Pulling a single axle trailer behind my SUV. Got a bill in the mail a month later. Don't remember how much the toll was but do remember begin totally shocked at the amount (and I am from Maryland where we have a bunch of tolls).

Experienced the same thing, and with a three axle trailer the toll (a true meaning of "highway robbery")was IMO outrageous! If at all possible Colorado will never see a dime of my money again.

[CA_Traveler]

OMG E-470 from 25 to 70 is $44.40 for 5 axles. Very high rate IMHO.

[CA_Traveler]

cross21114 wrote:
Be careful in Colorado. We came south on I-25 into Denver and got on I270 to I70. Found out we were on a toll road after we were already on it - no warning at all. Pulling a single axle trailer behind my SUV. Got a bill in the mail a month later. Don't remember how much the toll was but do remember begin totally shocked at the amount (and I am from Maryland where we have a bunch of tolls).

Were you on E-470? It seems to get a lot of negative posts. The posts claim it's marked. My cousin suggested I be aware of E-470 and did not use it.

[Veebyes]

I have reached a point of believing that I will burn more fuel trying to avoid the tolls than to take the easy route & pay the toll.

There are a few unavoidable tolls that are short & the cost high. These are highly annoying.

[CA_Traveler]

On another topic: Last summer we used the Seattle toll bridges (no toll collector) w/o a device and never got a bill for our AZ license.

[cross21114]

Be careful in Colorado. We came south on I-25 into Denver and got on I270 to I70. Found out we were on a toll road after we were already on it - no warning at all. Pulling a single axle trailer behind my SUV. Got a bill in the mail a month later. Don't remember how much the toll was but do remember begin totally shocked at the amount (and I am from Maryland where we have a bunch of tolls).

[CA_Traveler]

A little off topic but I have a single FasTrak transponder for the San Francisco Bay bridges. The axles are counted and billed accordingly. The MH and toad are registered and the bill for either one or towing the toad have always been accurate. Registering the vehicles should insure that if the FasTrak doesn't work for some reason the billing will be correct based on the license plate picture.

The Golden Gate bridge has NO toll collectors and your options are FasTrak, pre or post pay. Toll is collected south bound only. Visitors can go online to pay or wait for a bill - don't know how overdue bills and penalties are resolved if you wait for the bill and arrive home months later.

[cross21114]

Anyone know how you handle a toad with EZPass? Are all 4 axles counted as as a vehicle or if you also have EZ pass in the toad are they considered 2 separate vehicles?

[Steve_B_]

Bmach wrote:
I have had the ny e-z pass for about 15 years and have used it while towing and not towing and it chargers the right amount each.

I'm just wondering how you know why the "right amount" is? Do you have a rate schedule with/without the trailer or drive the same route with/without and compare? I received a "blue tag" this week to use while towing. I do hope that NYS will update their information on the EZPass website. They only have centers downstate to go to for information.

[jplante4]

I just got my EZPass statement. The last trip across the Tappan Zee bridge costs $14.25. I guess they're trying to pay for the new span before it's completed.

[Bmach]

I have had the ny e-z pass for about 15 years and have used it while towing and not towing and it chargers the right amount each.

[jerryjay11]

In Delaware we have an EZ Pass for each vehicle class and to pull a camper trailer or boat trailer all we have to do is add those trailers and tag information to our account and the camera at each toll will charge accordingly. Presently I have only a single class, but a transponder for my truck and the wife's car. That way I don't forget to take it.

Also avoid the Washington bridge toll and high traffic by taking RT 287 to the Tappan Zee Bridge. Adds a little time but is worth getting out of any traffic jam through NYC, though there is a toll for the bridge going east. Takes you to the other east of NYC.

Or if you have a RV GPS unit set your preferences for non-toll highways as I have done for traveling West across country. I've used this preference setting on a trip from RI to central PA and avoided tolls without adding an unacceptable amount of time.