Seeking SE US Toll Highway advice

[gordon2]

Well I have avoided most toll road as long as I could.. now I need some advice for people who use the toll highways on the east coast, esp. south-east states of NC, GA and FL. Its so confusing with Sun Pass, EZ pass Quick Pass and Peach Pass. I see that most honor the others to some degree, but tell me the bottom line.. which one or more should I get to travel SE USA on few occasions (not commuting) in order to save the most money? What steps do I have to take to make sure the one(s) I get work in the other states?
thanks!

[Raz]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Well I have avoided most toll road as long as I could.. now I need some advice for people who use the toll highways on the east coast, esp. south-east states of NC, GA and FL. Its so confusing with Sun Pass, EZ pass Quick Pass and Peach Pass. I see that most honor the others to some degree, but tell me the bottom line.. which one or more should I get to travel SE USA on few occasions (not commuting) in order to save the most money? What steps do I have to take to make sure the one(s) I get work in the other states?
thanks!

In New York they eliminated cash. There is a 3 tier cost system. In state EZ pass is the cheapest. Out of state EZ pass is next but not that much cheaper than Toll by Plate where they photograph your plate and send you a bill. The last one might be the best option if available. Progress?

[gordon2]

Thanks, Raz.. that is some of the info I am looking for. But it also raises more questions.
If I go to sign up for a NY E-Zpass the web site has me choose my state.. so I assume one must be a resident of NY to get the NY version of the pass, and if you get one from another state and travel on NY toll roads you will pay more. Now I wonder, is it more for one out-of-state E-Zpass vs. a different out-of-state E-Zpass? Its quite a shell game they got going on.

But its not worth setting up a non-interest bearing account (another rip off!) in multiple states. Its beginning to look like its best to get a "Quick Pass" transponder in my state that supports E-Zpass and then just live with the fact that I have little idea how much I will be paying, or if I could have paid less somehow.

The main thing is to get what toll passes I need to travel most or all of east of the Mississippi without paying an arm and a leg for the mailed tolls.

BTW, I am all for taking the road less traveled (and less expensive), but last week I had to drive 12 hours and 13 minutes in one day.. and I would have used the much faster toll lane to shave about 30 minutes off that if I knew traffic was so heavy and I had the pass to make the toll about 35% less. Sometimes time is more valuable than money… in fact I am learning that is most of the time.

[Raz]

Its quite a shell game they got going on.

EZ pass appears to be yet another of those public-private partnerships. And you know how they work.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Raz

EZ pass appears to be yet another of those public-private partnerships. And you know how they work.

Its been a huge debate here... lots of hearings, lawsuits, etc.. IIRC they got a 50 year monopoly.. but one thing I noticed is that the terms state that if your account is not paid up then your vehicle registration can be blocked. We have seen many cases in which they made errors in billing.. and if you don't dispute, or if you do dispute and lose, then you can't get your vehicle registered? WOW!

[mary and bob]

We are NY residents so of course have the NY EZ pass. We keep an amount of money on the account, usually at least $50, by making one time payments with a credit card. When our balance gets low, $40 or so, and depending on future estimated travel we make another payment. We mostly use EZ Pass in NY, Mass, NH, and Maine. Never had a problem. What is annoying is that it took away the good toll collector jobs, and someone in the toll booth that you ask for directions or other info.

[Jon MB]

I'd suggest that you select the one that's most convenient for the majority of your travel. If you reside in the state in which you'd do most of the toll road travel, use that state on the application. If you travel more in another state consider that as your transponder's state to get the 'local' discount.
In the north east that's a big consideration because the state borders are closer so more miles may be driven out of home state.
What I appreciate is not being in line at a booth when someone ahead holds the line while getting directions.....

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

I find that having EZ Pass and Sun Pass for Florida is all I have ever needed. A few years ago I was told by an official at Sun Pass that they were working on a reciprocal agreement with EZ Pass. Apparently they are still working on it as after all this time, still nothing.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by Bill in Pittsburgh

I find that having EZ Pass and Sun Pass for Florida is all I have ever needed. A few years ago I was told by an official at Sun Pass that they were working on a reciprocal agreement with EZ Pass. Apparently they are still working on it as after all this time, still nothing.

That might be redundant now...

From FAQ here:

Can I use my E-ZPass in Florida?
As of May 28th 2021 E-ZPass can be used througout [sic] Florida.

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by gordon2

That might be redundant now...

From FAQ here:

Can I use my E-ZPass in Florida?
As of May 28th 2021 E-ZPass can be used througout [sic] Florida.

Thanks! Good to know.

[gordon2]

Morse confusing alphabet soup...
E-Pass vs E-Zpass, and what about the Uni ?

And this article implies one can get a pass from a non-resident state, and there might be an advantage to doing so. The article is outdated however, at least as far as fee(s). Other web sites also inform that you can buy a pass from a state you do not live in.

So I mostly have the toll pass thing figured out.. now to get a credit card to use with it... because I will NOT use my every-day credit card with these crooks.

[Ed in St Joe]

Originally Posted by Bill in Pittsburgh

Thanks! Good to know.

EZ Pass works in Florida. Last February had just purchased a temporary Sun Pass at the Welcome Center vending machine and was in line to get cash applied when the attendant informed us that EZ Pass works in Florida now. I was pleasantly surprised, and even more impressed that the attendant was kind enough to offer that information to those of us in line.

[dgriffin661]

Not only that, but their readers are not always accurate. I received a toll bill from New York State; never been there and wouldn't go there. Turned out their plate reader mistook an "1" for an "I". I would guess most of you know that GPS units like my TomTom will look for routes that include the fewest number of toll roads.

[Jon MB]

(not) been there, done that.
We received a 'bill/notice' from FL regarding a camera capture of "our" passing through a toll recording stanchion without an operational transponder. This was sent with photo 'evidence' of a red SUV with a seven character plate that started with the letters "MA" and five numerals. The "interpretation" was that it was a Mass registration with a five number only ID, and that set of 5 digits on a MA issued plate matched a 20 year ago trailer plate we had cancelled long ago.
We sent documentation that (at that time) Mass had no more than 6 character plates only, a 7 character plate could not have been a Mass issued tag, and that the 5 digit plate we formerly had been issued began with numerals, not letters, and thought that was the end.
We got a second letter of an additional infraction a while later and resorted to telephone call to a human to get it sorted out.

[parmm]

Originally Posted by Jon MB

(not) been there, done that.
We received a 'bill/notice' from FL regarding a camera capture of "our" passing through a toll recording stanchion without an operational transponder. This was sent with photo 'evidence' of a red SUV with a seven character plate that started with the letters "MA" and five numerals. The "interpretation" was that it was a Mass registration with a five number only ID, and that set of 5 digits on a MA issued plate matched a 20 year ago trailer plate we had cancelled long ago.
We sent documentation that (at that time) Mass had no more than 6 character plates only, a 7 character plate could not have been a Mass issued tag, and that the 5 digit plate we formerly had been issued began with numerals, not letters, and thought that was the end.
We got a second letter of an additional infraction a while later and resorted to telephone call to a human to get it sorted out.

Be glad you don't have what is called a special County Clerk plate (my county has CV, 3H, & 4H with 1, 2, or 3 digits after. My plate is 4H--) like I have here in NYS. My passenger plate use to share the same number/letter combination as "Livery" (taxi) plates in NYC. That can mean that there are two different vehicles with the very same plate number in NYS. Have not had a issue in a long time, but have gotten parking tickets from NYC in the past, when my vehicle has never been in the city. My County Clerk has always rectified the problem. I'm thinking that the state DMV has changed the NYC "Livery" plate numbers as I have not had this problem in a very long time now.

[Radar1]

We had an EZ-Pass from MA, mostly because they are free and don't have any monthly/annual extra charges (some states do). We also had 2 different FL passes since a few years ago one didn't accept the other. The MA pass does not work in GA, where we live.
We now have a UNI-PASS, which covers 19 states, including all of FL, GA, and the NE. It cost $15 on Amazon but that's the only charge other than the tolls.
If you live in one of the states that you expect to use the toll roads a lot, then it might be most economical to get a UNI-Pass for other states, and use your home pass for local driving, since some states like NY provide a discount for their own passholders.

The only issue with the UNI-Pass is that I have to go online and switch out the primary vehicle if I intend to switch tow vehicles (my trailers are already listed but you can only list one primary tow vehicle at a time unless you purchase multiple passes)

We drove through FL and hit one of those "toll-by-plate" tolls on our way to Scamp Camp, the same year we drove to Alaska. Unfortunately, the bill didn't reach our home in GA until we were already on the way to AK. And then the late penalty bill, and the next late penalty bill, etc. I don't like those toll-by-plate tolls unless you plan to be home when the bill arrives.

[gordon2]

A few of the recent posts point out the errors that the toll systems make.. that is why I have obtained a new credit card to use for my NC Quick Pass (and as a backup credit card). If they screw me over I can sacrifice the card. Its a bad system.. correction.. a collection of bad systems.

[parmm]

Originally Posted by gordon2

A few of the recent posts point out the errors that the toll systems make.. that is why I have obtained a new credit card to use for my NC Quick Pass (and as a backup credit card). If they screw me over I can sacrifice the card. Its a bad system.. correction.. a collection of bad systems.

Gordon, I am using Ez Pass NY. They have not made a mistake since I got their pass several years ago. Have it in both vehicles. No problems. And it is using my credit card to replenish my account. I must admit that I try to avoid toll roads, but still have to use them several times during the year.

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by Radar1

We had an EZ-Pass from MA, mostly because they are free and don't have any monthly/annual extra charges (some states do). We also had 2 different FL passes since a few years ago one didn't accept the other. The MA pass does not work in GA, where we live.
We now have a UNI-PASS, which covers 19 states, including all of FL, GA, and the NE. It cost $15 on Amazon but that's the only charge other than the tolls.
If you live in one of the states that you expect to use the toll roads a lot, then it might be most economical to get a UNI-Pass for other states, and use your home pass for local driving, since some states like NY provide a discount for their own passholders.

The only issue with the UNI-Pass is that I have to go online and switch out the primary vehicle if I intend to switch tow vehicles (my trailers are already listed but you can only list one primary tow vehicle at a time unless you purchase multiple passes)

We drove through FL and hit one of those "toll-by-plate" tolls on our way to Scamp Camp, the same year we drove to Alaska. Unfortunately, the bill didn't reach our home in GA until we were already on the way to AK. And then the late penalty bill, and the next late penalty bill, etc. I don't like those toll-by-plate tolls unless you plan to be home when the bill arrives.

Hi: Radar1... Here in south wet Ontario we have IMHO the most expensive toll road!!! Last two-way trip on the 407/ 412 mess ran $175.00CAN. Doesn't matter who's dollas they are, that's a lot just to get through Toronto. http://www.407etr.com
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by gordon2

A few of the recent posts point out the errors that the toll systems make.. that is why I have obtained a new credit card to use for my NC Quick Pass (and as a backup credit card). If they screw me over I can sacrifice the card. Its a bad system.. correction.. a collection of bad systems.

Well the best laid plans.. since I wrote that, my primary credit card has had a fraud charge.. the second one on that account in four months. So... again I am waiting for a replacement before I can buy something with that card.
I am locking that card when I get it, and now my back-up card is my primary card.

As for transponder choice.. once I understood the alphabet soup of tolls and sharing arrangements it seemed like a no brainer.. so today I got a transponder from my home state with the "E-ZPass" option (NC Quick Pass). Initial outlay is $27 and first use will likely be in four months.

Thanks for your comments.