Help With Toll Roads

[mradamsr]

Going on a trip in July from Des Moines thru Ohio. Interstate 80 all the way. I t appears that Indiana & Ohio are toll roads on I80. As I have never dealt with tolls since I started RVing, I would appreciate any advice you can offer. Such as, do you get charged every time you exit and enter.
We plan on doing an overnight somewhere in Indiana and not sure how it all works. A friend suggested a Illinois I-Pass which is supposed to be good in all 3 states we will be going thru.
Thanks in advance.

[skigramp]

The tollway passes certainly simplifies travel on tollways.

I bought my first tollway pass (different system) last year ... it made things so much simpler because you just keep right on rolling through toll stations and exits. In some situations the actual charge is cheaper for passes than paying cash at the booth.

[jzick]

You will get charged each time you enter and exit. Toll transponders are more convenient and, in some cases, save a little money. The biggest issue I have with toll roads, other than the cost, is that many of the toll booth lanes are narrow and a bit tricky to get through safely with a large rv. Many toll stations have a wide lane for trucks to use - I try to use those when possible.

[Selah]

Toll roads are not a big deal, just a PIA. The toll lanes I have been through have been plenty wide enough, they look narrow when you first approach them but as you get to them you'll find there is more room than you thought.

[JMonroe]

By all means, if you can, get ahold of an IPASS. It will make the trip so much more pleasant. No stopping every so many miles (I used to see a LOT of accidents at toll booths - very dangerous places) and jzick is right, unless there is a special extra wide truck lane, negotiating the narrow toll booth lanes can be nerve racking.

Our trips south (through the Chicago area) from Wisconsin became so much less stressful once I finally got the pass.

[Moonrover]

I can relate to the pucker factor situation at toll plazas. A dozen booth lanes all exiting into a bottleneck of anxious travelers. I prefer to be in the far right lane so at least I don't need to worry about cars sneaking up on the right blind side when I'm trying to watch merging on the left. Truck lanes are usually on the right anyway. Unless there is a sign that says no RVs in truck lanes, I'm using the truck lanes.

[Tom3205]

Without the I PASS, Illinois charges DOUBLE... Both for truck and trailer, or motorhome and toad. Don't know about Indiana or Ohio. Also, Illinois charges a higher rate for primetime vs. non prime. However I 80 in Il. is only a short distance for tolls. West of Chicago area, no tolls all the way to Des Moines. In Indiana you get a "ticket". No stopping until you get off. If you lose the ticket you pay the max....

[FleetMan]

Unless you need the features a toll road provides, I'd suggest I-80 theough the Chicago area, pay the toll and when in Indiana, go south on I-65 to US 30 and take US 30 across IN and OH to the area you want to get to. Good road, yes, some traffic but no tolls.

[Alldaughters]

Just got a new one just go online to ezpass. Illinois is not like Indiana where you have to stop at each toll. In Illinois you just drive through. I know you can either order these online or in Illinois you buy them at Jewel foods and for Indiana either at rest stops or cvs.

[Tom3205]

I-PASS and E-ZPass

I-PASS and E-ZPass can be used interchangeably and are accepted in 15 states by 25 toll agencies. Rates and discounts are set by individual facilities. Please visit their websites through the E-ZPass facilities page for specific information.
Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority
Burlington County Bridge Commission
Delaware Department of Transportation
Delaware River and Bay Authority
Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission
Delaware River Port Authority
Illinois Tollway
Indiana Toll Road Concession Company, LLC
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Maryland Transportation Authority
Maine Turnpike Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges and Tunnels
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
New Jersey Turnpike Authority
New York State Bridges Authority
New York State Thruway Authority
North Carolina Turnpike Authority
Ohio Turnpike Commission
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority
Skyway Concession Company
South Jersey Transportation Authority
Virginia Department of Transportation
West Virginia Parkway Authority Keep in mind that toll rates on the E-ZPass system tend to be higher than those on the Illinois Tollway. Please ensure that you have sufficient funds in your account a minimum of 48 hours prior to traveling out of state, and remember to check your balance frequently. If you use automatic balance replenishment to add funds to your I-PASS account balance, make sure your credit/debit card information, including the expiration date, is accurate. Refer to the Customer Service Chart for ways to check your balance and replenish your account.
I-PASS users do not need to register with E-ZPass, and E-ZPass users do not need to register with I-PASS in order to use the other system. As always, make sure the transponder is properly mounted and your account information is current. Keep in mind it may take up to 48 hours for out-of-state roadways to update your I-PASS account.
*The Indiana Toll Road Concession Company - the private company that operates the Indiana Toll Road and the Skyway - passes on a 3-cent-per-transaction fee to all I-PASS customers using the Indiana Toll Road and Chicago Skyway.
*The Indiana Toll Road Concession Company is also charging I-PASS customers $1.00 surcharge for improperly mounted transponders. The surcharge will be added to the standard toll charge on your account statement.

[Hooligan]

Info on the Ohio Turnpike, we used it last year, no hassle. Picked up ticket entering and paid getting off. Does have E-Zpass. Service plazas have overnight parking for RV's, elec and water, dump station. Overnight charge but none for parking during the day...Service Plazas | Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission

[mradamsr]

Thanks to all for the advice, I will take it all to heart.

[DSL417]

If only CO and FL would join the system...one "pass" nationwide...what a concept.

Of course it is much more of a moneymaker to send you a ticket for the toll charge plus an admin fee of $5 to $10...6 months later you find out about it from a collection agency.

Crooks!

[MattC]

We use Street Atlas. It marks the toll roads and we do our level best to by-pass them. Across both Ohio and Illinois that is largely possible. Illinois has one section that is tough to avoid, but Ohio is easy.
OK, you aren't on freeway all the way, but we run 55-60 all the time anyway. The other roads are much nicer scenery.

Matt