In the United States, several highways, bridges, and tunnels are toll roads, especially around major cities and popular tourist regions.
Unlike Canada, toll roads are much more common in the United States, and payment systems are now mostly electronic.
If you are traveling by car or RV, it is important to understand how toll systems work in order to avoid unexpected charges during your American road trip.
Western United States
Good news: in the Western United States, the vast majority of highways and roads are free.
California
Many toll systems in California are now fully electronic and operate using license plate recognition (“Toll-by-Plate”).
However, some roads around Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego are toll roads, including:
- Route 125 (San Diego)
- Route 73 (Newport Beach)
- Route 241
- Route 261
- Route 133
Colorado / Denver
Around Denver, E-470 is an electronic toll highway.
There are generally no traditional toll booths and fees are automatically associated with the vehicle through:
- a transponder;
- or license plate recognition.
However, it is possible to avoid this route by using local roads.
Florida & Louisiana
Florida has several toll highways, particularly around:
- Miami;
- Orlando;
- Tampa;
- Fort Lauderdale.
You will frequently encounter:
- “Toll Roads”;
- “Turnpikes”;
- or paid express lanes (“Express Lanes”).
Most systems now use SunPass, Toll-By-Plate, or a similar electronic toll system.
In Louisiana, some bridges and highways may also require tolls, but toll roads are much less common than in Florida.
Eastern United States
Toll roads are most common in the Eastern United States.
States such as:
- New York;
- New Jersey;
- Massachusetts;
- New Hampshire;
- Maine;
… widely use toll highways, tunnels, and bridges.
In general, when you see terms such as:
- Turnpike;
- Parkway;
- Bridge;
… it often means that a toll is nearby.
Please note: Many roads now use the electronic E-ZPass system and no longer accept cash payments. The system automatically scans:
- the vehicle’s license plate;
- or the vehicle transponder.
Rental vehicles and toll fees
When driving on an electronic toll road with a rental car or a rental RV, toll charges are generally sent directly to the rental company.
The rental company will then recharge both the toll amount and additional administrative fees. These fees can sometimes be significant depending on the rental provider.
Before departure, we recommend checking:
- whether your rental company offers an unlimited toll option;
- whether a transponder is included;
- and whether additional administrative fees may apply.
Practical tips
- If you wish to avoid toll roads and toll bridges in the United States, use Google Maps or Waze to select routes without tolls;
- Unlike a few years ago, many American toll roads no longer accept cash payments: keep a valid credit card handy;
- Watch for signs such as: Toll Road, Express Lane, Turnpike, E-ZPass, Toll-by-Plate.
America’s roads are waiting for you! Discover our road trips across the United States by car or RV.
