Most Expensive Tolls in America [+Costs by State]

There is no doubt: Owning and operating a vehicle is expensive.

American drivers spent an average of $9,761 on their vehicles in 2018. This cost includes the purchase and maintenance of a car — everything from car insurance to gasoline and oil changes.

But this figure also includes something many of us don’t often think about: tolls. Tolls can cost us serious money, especially when they are the most expensive tolls in the country and we drive them regularly.

And ignoring them can have major penalties — not just in the fines you’ll have to pay but the rise in your insurance rates as well. How do toll infractions impact insurance? Likely all insurance companies take your driving record into account. Even small infractions can raise rates significantly.

If you’re interested in factors that affect car insurance rates, check out our car insurance guide, which contains articles about numerous car insurance topics. In this article, we’ll go through all you need to know about the U.S. toll road. Some of the topics and questions that we answer are:

• What state has the most toll roads?
• How much is a toll road?
• The most expensive toll in NY
• The most expensive toll in Illinois
• The most expensive toll bridge
• The most expensive toll in the US

We’ll even link to an e470 toll calculator app to show you how to save on your trip. Toll roads add more to your general car expense and driving costs. Fortunately, there are ways for you to save money, specifically with car insurance.

The easiest and quickest way is to compare live quotes from different car insurance companies. Enter your ZIP code into our free online quote comparison tool to do just that and find the best auto insurance rates that fit your insurance needs.

Now then, ready?

What are US toll roads?

Put simply: A U.S. toll road is a road that drivers must pay to use. Toll roads can also be known as turnpikes or tollways, according to the Audiopedia video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxNyPOMVnEs

This video offers a great overview of understanding tollways. But you should also know: Toll roads can be publicly or privately owned and operated. And in some cases, they can be public-private partnerships.

Interested in the history of toll roads in the United States? Toll roads in our country may go back further than you think. The FHWA reports that “in 1792, the first turnpike was chartered and became known as the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike in Pennsylvania.”

What are the types of toll roadways?

Good question. For the purposes of this guide to the most expensive tolls across America, we’ll consider four types of tollways:

1. Toll roads
2. Toll bridges
3. Toll tunnels
4. Toll ferries

Where are the most expensive toll roads in the US?

Let’s take a look at the top five most expensive tollways by type. These are the main types of tollways according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the leading federal agency for monitoring tollways. But before we get started, you should know: tollways are often found in busy, congested areas, like the New York City metro or quickly growing parts of Florida.

Part of driving safely anywhere, but especially in such congested areas, is having the right attitude. We’ve talked extensively about how to control your bad attitude while driving, and it’s good information to keep in mind, on both tollways and regular roads.

How much do toll roads cost?

You might assume the most expensive toll roads are concentrated in one region, like the artery of highways that lead motorists into and away from New York City. But how much are tolls in NY really? The five most expensive toll roads can actually be found in a variety of states from coast to coast. Side note: the Grand Parkway toll cost did not make the list.

Here are America’s five most expensive toll roads:

1. Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway in New York, which costs drivers $1.25 per mile.
2. 17-Mile Drive in California, which costs drivers 59 cents per mile.
3. Chicago Skyway in Illinois, which costs drivers 51 cents per mile.
4. Fort Bend Parkway in Texas, which costs drivers 51 cents per mile.
5. Delaware Turnpike in Delaware, which costs drivers 29 cents per mile.

As you can see, at $1.25 per mile, Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway in New York is by far the most expensive toll road in the United States. Located in far upstate New York’s Essex County, Whiteface begins by intersecting with New York 86 in Wilmington and climbs Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks.

Read more: Delaware

Where can you find the most expensive toll bridges?

Concentrated in large urban areas, toll bridges are less common than toll roads in the United States. Here are the five most expensive toll bridges in America:

1. Chesapeake Bay Bridge toll costs (Virginia) drivers $30 round trip
2. Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (New York), which costs drivers $15 one-way
3. George Washington Bridge (New York), which costs drivers $13 one-way
4. Golden Gate Bridge (California), which costs drivers $7 one-way
5. Tacoma Narrows Bridge (California), which costs drivers $5.50 one-way

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, our country’s most expensive toll bridge, is a 17.6-mile multi-faceted construction that crosses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay to connect Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Va., to the Delmarva Peninsula on Virginia’s eastern shore.

The American Society of Civil Engineers named the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel “one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world.” You can drive with travel experts Matt and Jeff across this wonder in the video below. And as you can see in the video, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is quite a journey (coming in at just under 18 miles).

Which are the most expensive toll tunnels?

Three of America’s five most-expensive toll tunnels lead into and out of New York City. Here are the five tunnels in the United States where you’ll pay the most to drive:

1. Lincoln and Holland Tunnel in New York, which costs drivers $13 one-way
2. Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel in Alaska, which costs drivers $12 one-way
3. Fort McHenry Tunnel in Maryland, which costs drivers $8 round trip
4. Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in New York, which costs drivers $7.50 one-way
5. Queens-Midtown Tunnel in New York, which costs drivers $7.50 one-way

Also known as the Whittier Tunnel, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in North America at 2.5 miles. It connects drivers coming from the Anchorage metropolitan area to the small town of Whittier in the picturesque Prince William Sound.

As you can see in the video below, we think driving the tunnel is a cool experience, even if it will cost you $12 each way. Tunnels such as the Whittier Tunnel can take you more easily to some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Alaska’s frontier.

Which are the most expensive toll ferries?

Toll ferries in the United States are usually utilized to carry drivers and their vehicles across an otherwise unpassable body of water. The rates on these ferries are variable and usually require reservations, so if your trip requires you to use one, contact the governing agency ahead of your journey.

Transporting cars to, from, and across parts of Alaska can be extremely difficult and often requires the use of vehicle ferries. These can be pretty expensive, as you can see from the top five most costly toll ferries listed below:

1. Motor Vessel Tustumena in Alaska, which can cost drivers up to $6,943.
2. Motor Vessel Columbia in Alaska, which can cost drivers up to $5,695.
3. Motor Vessel Malaspina in Alaska, which can cost drivers up to $5,695.
4. Motor Vessel Matanuska in Alaska, which can cost drivers up to $1,987.
5. Motor Vessel Kennicott in Alaska, which can cost drivers up to $1,987.

The Motor Vessel Tustumena connects some key communities in southern Alaska, including Kodiak, Seldovia, Port Lions, and Homer. See a bit of what it’s like to ride on the Tustumena in the video above.

As you can also see in this video, toll ferries are a big part of general life in Alaska. They are especially helpful in moving bigger goods — such as vehicles, furniture, or building supplies — from place to place in the largely remote state. In a state like Alaska, it’s important to know how to winterize your car. Check out our guide to prepping your vehicle for a weather change.

Where are the toll roads located?

Does every state in America have toll roads? No. In fact, 14 of the 50 states contain no toll roads at all. These states are provided in the table below.

Most of these states can be found in the Mountain West or Southwest, which is good news if you’re planning a road trip through these beautiful regions. But what about the other 36 states?

The Federal Highway Administration, or FHWA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, divides tollways into the following four basic categories:

1. Interstate system toll roads
2. Non-interstate system toll roads
3. Interstate system toll bridges and tunnels
4. Non-interstate system toll bridges and tunnels

In the sections below, we’ll share the detailed state-by-state listing of these tollways provided by the FHWA.

How many interstate system toll roads are there?

The FHWA reports that there are 111 separate interstate system toll roads across the United States.

In the table below, you can see these roadways broken down by state or territory, name of the facility, point of origin, endpoint, interstate/route, maximum and minimum passenger vehicle fees, and cost per vehicle mile.

What state has the most separate interstate system toll roads? With seven such toll roads each, Illinois, Maine, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania are all tied for this ranking. You can also find 25 separate interstate system toll roads in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

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How many non-interstate system toll roads are there?

The FHWA reports that there are 144 separate non-interstate system toll roads across the United States. In the table below, you can see these roadways broken down by state or territory, name of the facility, point of origin, endpoint, maximum and minimum passenger vehicle fees, and cost per vehicle-mile.

As you can see in the table above, Texas has the most separate non-interstate system toll roads with a whopping 41. Florida has the second-most at 28.

How many interstate system toll bridges and tunnels are there?

The FHWA reports that there are 36 separate interstate system toll bridges and tunnels across the United States.

In the table below, you can see these roadways broken down by state or territory, name of the facility, point of origin, water crossing, endpoint, length, bridge or tunnel, maximum and minimum passenger vehicle fees, and cost per vehicle-mile.

The table above illustrates how interstate system toll bridges and tunnels are concentrated in a few states. With 15 such tollways, New York leads the nation in interstate system toll bridges and tunnels.

How many non-interstate system toll bridges and tunnels are there?

The FHWA reports that there are 116 separate non-interstate system toll bridges and tunnels across the United States.

In the table below, you can see these roadways broken down by state or territory, name of the facility, point of origin, water crossing, endpoint, bridge or tunnel, maximum and minimum passenger vehicle fees, and cost per vehicle mile.

Texas leads the United States with 27 separate non-interstate system toll bridges and tunnels, most of which can be found along the border with Mexico. The video below takes you on the trip from Brownsville, Texas, to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, over the Veterans International Bridge.

Following Texas with the highest number of separate non-interstate system toll bridges and tunnels are New Jersey with 19 and Florida with 14.

What states have the most toll road miles?

According to Easy Freight Factoring, the 11 states with the most toll road miles can be found in the table below.

The Sunshine State of Florida leads the United States in the amount of toll road miles. Considering Florida is a center of shipping, where trucks are required to take the goods that come into the state’s many seaports to other parts of the United States, the amount of toll miles here is not all that surprising.

How much are tolls by state?

We’ve covered where the most expensive tollways in the United States are, but how do toll rates differ from state to state?

In short: toll methods and costs differ tremendously by where they are located.

The table below offers a comparison of toll rates by state and regional tolling authorities according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Since the latest figures are from 2013 on this issue, chances are some things have changed. Remember: it’s always best to check with an individual toll agency when you’re about to travel on a tollway.

As you can see, Alaska has the highest average toll road rate of any state. This is not surprising given the cost of operating tollways in the largely remote region.

How do I save money on tolls when traveling?

None of us likes to spend more money than we have to. Whether you experience tollways on vacation or as part of your regular commute, let’s take a look at some ways you can save money at the tollbooth.

Don’t Pay Cash for Tolls

Most tolling authorities — the public, private, or public-private partnership agencies tasked with overseeing and maintaining our nation’s tollways — usually offer some type of discount for drivers with a transponder. But what the heck is a transponder?

A transponder is an electronic device you mount on your dashboard or windshield that contains a small radio that communicates with a tolling authority. According to TurnPikeInfo:

“An agency-issued sticker or transponder is affixed to the windshield of the vehicle, typically adjacent to the rear-view mirror, so that transponder equipment, located both in the asphalt and in overhead gantries, can read the unit’s ID number and vehicle type as the driver passes beneath the tolling gantry.”

But how do transponders save you money? These devices are typically connected to a credit card or bank account so that toll authorities can automatically deduct tolls instead of having you stop at a toll gate. These gates are typically costly, so when you use a transponder or agency-issued sticker, you save the toll authority some big bucks in operating costs.

And here’s a bonus: you save time by not having to stop at a tollbooth. Transponders work a lot like telematic technology in the car insurance industry to save you money and time. Check out our complete guide to how telematics work.

Sign Up with a Toll Authority

To get a transponder or agency-issued sticker, you will usually have to sign up with a toll authority’s toll pass program. These programs typically offer easier traversing of tollways and discounted rates. In most cases, you will be asked to connect your transponder or agency-issued sticker to a bank account or credit card.

So what programs are out there and where do they operate?

E-ZPass

E-ZPass is by far the nation’s biggest and most widely-accepted toll pass program. They operate in 17 states, including the ones listed in the table below.

E-ZPass states are mostly concentrated in the ultra-highway-congested Northeast corridor. But with so many people and shipping centers located in the region, too, it helps to have toll road options… especially toll roads that take the convenient E-ZPass.

SunPass

SunPass works in three Southeastern states, including:

1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. North Carolina

TxTag

TxTag is based in Texas but also can be used in Oklahoma and Kansas.

State Toll Authorities

Additional statewide agencies, such as California’s FasTrak, operate within the borders of states with tolls, such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, featured in the video below.

The Golden Gate Bridge, as you can see in the video above, is a national treasure for good reason. What a beautiful drive to take across the San Francisco Bay on a sunny California day.

Folks are often worried about how to deal with toll roads in a rented car. We’ll discuss this a bit in our expert advice section below, but also you should read our article 7 Things to Know Before Renting a Car to learn more.

Avoid Peak Hours

Many tollways have higher tolls during peak driving periods, usually during an area’s rush hour. In most cases, rush hour will be between 6 – 10 a.m. and 4 – 8 p.m. You can often pay less by planning to travel tollways during off-peak hours.

And if you have to drive during congested peak hours, we recommend listening to great radio shows like “Car Talk” on NPR to help you pass the time and keep you calm and laughing. We outlined some of our favorites from the Car Talk show for you to check out.

Seek Out Alternate Routes

Perhaps the most obvious way to save on tolls is to avoid toll roads altogether. Sometimes this is easier said than done, and sometimes it’s not even possible. But with mobile apps like Tollsmart, you can plan your travel around toll roads and save some extra cash. Carpooling is an option as well, as carpooling saves you both time and money.

How to Save Money on Tolls While Traveling: Experts’ Opinions

We asked a variety of industry experts to weigh in about tollways across the United States. These experts included lawyers and travel guides, transportation specialists and writers. Below is the solid advice we collected from these folks on saving money while traveling, and especially when it comes to traveling on tollways.

Charles McCool explains that “from the travel standpoint, rental car rates for tolls are particularly insidious. Use their transponder for a 25 cent toll and get dinged with a $20 surcharge. I now bring my own E-ZPass transponder for rental cars.” We asked him a few more questions.

Beyond a transponder, what is your top recommendation for travelers unfamiliar with tolls where they are traveling?
“Certainly people can ask which toll roads to avoid and alternate routes. I do that at airport info desks or to the agent when leaving the rental car area. Another great tip is to select the ‘avoid toll roads’ or even ‘avoid highways’ option on Google Maps.”

Have you noticed your customers are especially frustrated with an area or city because of tolls on their travels?
“Travelers in general are frustrated by the toll roads in Central Florida, I believe. Particularly, it seems impossible to leave Orlando airport without paying a toll, but I have definitely managed. I gave a quick tip to do so in this article, but I should probably write a whole article about dealing with tolls. I am glad your team is!”

Charles McCool, owner of McCool Travel, promotes fun, unique experiences for travelers around the world.
He has won several awards as a top travel blogger, and USA Today named him an expert in five states.

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What are the most expensive tollways across America?
“When you consider total cost divided by miles driven, the most expensive toll road in America is the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway in New York State at $1.25 per mile. Second place would go to 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, Calif. at 59 cents per mile, and the third most expensive toll road is Illinois’ Chicago Skyway, which costs 51 cents per mile.”

What commutes have the most expensive tolls?
“Commuters in Washington D.C. who may travel on a tolled stretch of I-66 can occasionally pay enormous fares. This toll road’s cost fluctuates based on demand and has reached up to $40 for a ten-mile stretch of road.”

What are the ways commuters can save money on tolls?
“Though they go by many names such as E-ZPass, Toll Tag, or Pike Pass, most states offer an automatic, electronic payment system. In addition to the convenience of driving straight through rather than stopping to pay the toll, these passes generally also offer a discounted rate on tolls.”

Where are toll roads generally found?
“Toll roads are most popular on the East Coast and the Southwest. While half of the U.S. states have no toll roads at all, some states like Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia have less than 10 miles of toll road. Meanwhile, Florida has 657 tolled miles, Oklahoma has 596 tolled miles, and New York has 574 tolled miles.”

Are toll roads a thing of the past, or are they increasing in number?
“In recent years, the amount of toll roads nationwide has grown and fares have increased. Some states that currently have no toll roads, such as Connecticut, Michigan, and Wyoming, have expressed interest in adopting the program.”

What happens if you don’t pay a toll?
“In most cases, a photograph of your license plate is taken, and you are issued a ticket and fine by mail.”

Jake McKenzie is the Content Manager at Auto Accessories Garage.
Auto Accessories Garage is a family-owned retailer of automotive parts and accessories.

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What are the most expensive tollways across America?

“The most expensive tollways in America are located in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

In New York, the Verrazano–Narrows Bridge has a $19 toll for cars and $51 for trucks. The George Washington Bridge has a $15 car toll and a $39 truck toll. The Triborough Bridge has a $12.50 car toll and a $35 truck toll.

In New Jersey, the Garden State Parkway has a $16 car toll and a $41 truck toll. The New Jersey Turnpike has a $13 car toll and a $37 truck toll.

In Pennsylvania, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission charges a $5 car toll and a $15 truck toll for the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge has a $5 car toll and a $15 truck toll.”

What commutes have the most expensive tolls?

“According to a recent study, the most expensive commutes in the United States are in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The average commute cost in these three states is $15 per day. If you live in one of these states and commute to work each day, you could be spending up to $3,900 per year on tolls alone.

The study also found that the most expensive commutes are not necessarily the longest ones. The average commute length in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are just over 30 miles. Even a relatively short commute can cost a lot of money if you have to pay tolls along the way.”

What are the ways commuters can save money on tolls?

“The average commuter spends a lot of money on tolls every year. However, there are a few ways that commuters can save money on tolls. One way to save money on tolls is to carpool with other commuters. When multiple people carpool together, they can split the cost of the tolls between them. This can save each individual a significant amount of money over the course of a year.

Another way to save money on tolls is to use a commuter pass. Many states offer commuter passes that allow people to pay monthly for unlimited use of the state’s toll roads. This can be a great way to save money for people who use toll roads frequently.

Finally, some states offer discounts for people who use certain types of vehicles that are more fuel–efficient. This can be a great way to save money for commuters looking to save on gas and tolls.”

Al Lijee is the founder of AutoLocksmiths.com.
His site provides quotes for vehicle lock and key technicians.

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“In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the local defense bar has a saying, ‘come on vacation, leave on probation.’ The most expensive mistake most folks on a road trip make is to pick up edible marijuana products in Colorado on their way to Yellowstone.

As road trippers cross state lines, they move from one legal environment to another. For folks from states where marijuana has been legal for a while, they may forget that they even have marijuana in their car.

It just blends into the background of their life. Yet Wyoming law enforcement and Yellowstone Park rangers love to ask road trippers if they stopped in Colorado and picked up marijuana. If you say ‘yes,’ expect your car to be searched.

We don’t have toll roads in Wyoming, but in Grand Teton National Park, you are required to pay an entrance fee to drive the scenic roads. However, you can also drive on through the park on the highway and not pay the entrance fee. In my experience, you’re equally likely to be stopped on a scenic road or the highway. Paying the entrance fee and driving the scenic road is beautiful, but it doesn’t mean you’re less likely to get a ticket.”

Alex Freeburg has been a Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Attorney for 10 years.
His firm, Freeburg Law, offers legal services in Wyoming and Idaho.

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How to Save Money on Tolls and Drive Legally Throughout America

Tollways — roads, bridges, tunnels, or ferries you have to pay to use — are an unfortunate part of driving in the United States.

But as Tom Cochrane wrote, “Life is a highway… I wanna ride it all night long.” Sometimes that ride can cost you some extra money beyond normal vehicle operating costs such as car insurance and regular maintenance.

But with a little knowledge, you can save money on tolls and travel more smartly, and thus, more cheaply. That’s why we created this guide: to help you learn more about the cost and breadth of tollways In the United States.

More states are turning to toll roads to improve driving conditions in their region, so it’s good to be armed with usable, easy-to-understand knowledge. And remember, our research shows that tollways are often a way for the United States to address its crumbling infrastructure issues, so knowing how to use them is key.

Part of driving legally and safely on toll roads, or any road, is having the right car insurance.

And, part of roadway safety is understanding the laws that govern where you drive. Be sure you know your rights when pulled over, as most of us inevitably do at some point.

Frequently Asked Questions: Expensive Tolls in America

Now, we’ve heard from the experts about how to avoid toll roads and we’ve presented our own findings of toll roads in this country. Let’s head to your frequently asked questions about toll roads, including an unusual question: Why is a road called a pike?

#1 – Which US state has the most toll roads?

Florida has the most toll road miles of any state in America with 657. You can find toll roads across the state and take them from the panhandle all the way to Miami. Because of this, Florida has a few different organizations that oversee the toll roads, including SunPass. The idea behind the toll roads throughout the Sunshine State is that taking them results in a much quicker trip, as there are fewer drivers on them.

#2 – How much do tolls cost?

How much are toll roads ranges from as low as 25 cents per toll booth to $1.25 for the most expensive toll road in America—the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway in New York. Oftentimes, these tolls can rack up quickly, especially if you use them frequently to commute to work or for other activities. Sometimes, state governments use the profits of toll roads to improve on infrastructure in the state.

#3 – Why is a road called a pike?

In the past, a road called a “pike” meant that this road was the main road that farmers used to transport goods. “Pike” also has other meanings, such as referring to the small sticks that stopped traffic on a road until the drivers paid a fare. This gave birth to the term “turnpike,” which eventually was turned into “toll road” to signify the roads where drivers need to pay a fee to use.

#4 – How do you pay tolls in the USA?

There are a few ways to pay tolls throughout the country, depending on the city and the state. The most commonly known one is to pay cash at a booth, after which the toll booth operator lets you through. A popular one is signing up for an account with the state’s toll agency. In these situations, you typically load a certain amount of money to your account, from which toll fares are deducted. Another way to paying is when the toll booth system takes a picture of your license plate as you drive through. A bill is then sent through the mail.

Methodology: How to Determine the Most Expensive Tolls in America

Data on the various types of tollways and their corresponding statistical data was primarily obtained from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). For each type of tollway, the FHWA provides a wide variety of information, including:

• The direction of toll collection
• The type of electronic toll collection system, if available
• Whether the facility is part of the National Highway System (NHS)
• Various financial and fee information

Our research team primarily focused on analyzing each facility by origin and endpoint, interstate or route, maximum and minimum passenger vehicle fees, and tolling costs per vehicle mile.

Additionally, we investigated individual tollway authorities, the function of each type of tollway, and the easiest ways to use transponder services such as E-ZPass or SunPass.

We also know that if you’re on this page, you’re most likely looking for car insurance. Saving money on car insurance is almost certainly a priority for you, regardless if you drive on toll roads or not.

Plug your ZIP code into our free quote tool to find the best rates personalized for your situation and needs — insurance and financial.