Paying Tolls when traveling

[arcaguy]

I also just returned from the Hershey show and have vowed never to put tire to the Pennsylvania Turnpike ever again. Roughly $40.00 from the Ohio line to Harrisburg. Never again! On the return trip I went up to I-80 and didn't give Pennsylvania one red cent. As far as Michigan goes the only toll road I'm aware of is the toll for the Big Mac. Not sure how much it is, but whatever it is it's too much.

[grindstone01]

Originally Posted by arcaguy

I also just returned from the Hershey show and have vowed never to put tire to the Pennsylvania Turnpike ever again. Roughly $40.00 from the Ohio line to Harrisburg. Never again! On the return trip I went up to I-80 and didn't give Pennsylvania one red cent. As far as Michigan goes the only toll road I'm aware of is the toll for the Big Mac. Not sure how much it is, but whatever it is it's too much.

I crossed the Big Mac last week and the toll was $8 for a pickup and fifth wheel. Mich doesn't have toll roads but they have there share of rough unmaintained roads. I also will drive out of my way to avoid a toll, even if it breaks even on fuel cost.

[Itchytoe]

I try to avoid toll roads. The whole idea of paying for the privilege of driving on the state's special road is absurd. Tolls get really high when you are towing a trailer or driving a big RV. When I'm in the north east, I just keep some cash on me. Typically $20s. I'm not going through the hassle of trying to get exact change for the booth attendants. They can make change.

[twinboat]

That's correct. The height sensor sees more then 7 feet over the front tires and your a big rig.

Pickups and cars with trailers and 5ers don't get doubled charged because they don't set off the sensor.

I tried to explain to the toll collector that I was sitting in a motor home but I just got that stare as she repeteded the amount I owed.

You can get a MH transponder but you need to mail in a copy of your registration. Of course you will need a NY account.

Originally Posted by Jim.B1

Just returned today from an 8 day trip to the Hershey RV Show and travelled through New York State and Pennsylvania to get there.
I was surprised to find that NY Thruway actually "doubles" the toll change if your RV is over 7' tall.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Jim.B1

Just returned today from an 8 day trip to the Hershey RV Show and travelled through New York State and Pennsylvania to get there.
I was surprised to find that NY Thruway actually "doubles" the toll change if your RV is over 7' tall.

With all due respect, although the tolls for "high vehicles" are more than for vehicles under 7'6" it is overly simplistic to say that the tolls are "doubled". Vehicles are classified by the number of axles and their height (over and under 7'6"). Tolls for vehicle on specific routes can be found here: https://wwwapps.thruway.ny.gov/tollcalculator/

[docj]

Originally Posted by Itchytoe

The whole idea of paying for the privilege of driving on the state's special road is absurd.

Toll roads have existed about as long as there have been wheeled vehicles. There are many toll roads around the country that provide the user with unmatched convenience. That convenience can be either speed or route or both. When that convenience is important to me I pay the toll. If you don't want to pay to cross a bridge and are willing to drive the extra miles that might be required, that's your right.

[R.Wold]

Another consideration is your rig size. When I was driving a class C the toll cameras at the entrance to a toll road would read the coach as a big rig and Id have to open the door and stand on the running board to reach the ticket. In a class A its not an issue.

[Itchytoe]

Originally Posted by docj

Toll roads have existed about as long as there have been wheeled vehicles. There are many toll roads around the country that provide the user with unmatched convenience. That convenience can be either speed or route or both. When that convenience is important to me I pay the toll. If you don't want to pay to cross a bridge and are willing to drive the extra miles that might be required, that's your right.

I agree with you completely. Toll roads are often extremely convenient. I just disagree with the idea of taxing people extra just for using certain helpful roads. We already pay taxes to build roads. Nobody should have to pay a second tax to use the roads they've already paid to build.

[Dav L]

Originally Posted by Itchytoe

I agree with you completely. Toll roads are often extremely convenient. I just disagree with the idea of taxing people extra just for using certain helpful roads. We already pay taxes to build roads. Nobody should have to pay a second tax to use the roads they've already paid to build.

Aren't you assuming that all roads are built using tax dollars? I believe some roads (the toll ones) many were built anticipating the revenue from the tolls.

[Itchytoe]

Originally Posted by Dav L

Aren't you assuming that all roads are built using tax dollars? I believe some roads (the toll ones) many were built anticipating the revenue from the tolls.

Yes, I am assuming that all roads are paid for through taxes. That's the only way government entities get money. Public roads are built by local, state, or federal governments, which means they are funded by our taxes. Even toll roads are paid for before you ever get the chance to drive on them. No company would provide the materials or labor to physically build the road without getting paid.


You are undoubtedly correct in that toll roads are built in anticipation of the tolls, but they aren't funded by those tolls because the tolls aren't paid prior to the road being constructed.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by docj

With all due respect, although the tolls for "high vehicles" are more than for vehicles under 7'6" it is overly simplistic to say that the tolls are "doubled". Vehicles are classified by the number of axles and their height (over and under 7'6"). Tolls for vehicle on specific routes can be found here: https://wwwapps.thruway.ny.gov/tollcalculator/

He may have made that assumption because, while using the NY StateThruway, you can get a toll ticket at the entrance and it displays the charges to each exit..

When you get off your exit, the toll is double of what the printed rate is.

That's with a 2 axle, over 7'.6" high vehicle.

Been there done that.

[grindstone01]

Originally Posted by Dav L

Aren't you assuming that all roads are built using tax dollars? I believe some roads (the toll ones) many were built anticipating the revenue from the tolls.

Indiana I-80 is a classic example of tax payer rip off. It was built with tax $$, then sold toll/maint off to a private company in 2007 with no rebate to the tax payers. Now the road is in bad shape and will need a (tax payer rebuild, just my prediction).

[chiliman]

We just don't drive on toll roads - too much money and in most cases I have already paid taxes for them (Interstates as toll roads really grinds my gears).

The additional miles does not bother me. The cost is certainly less than the toll in most cases for us and we aren't in any hurry anyway.

Just my .02.

[vermilye]

Originally Posted by Itchytoe

I try to avoid toll roads. The whole idea of paying for the privilege of driving on the state's special road is absurd. Tolls get really high when you are towing a trailer or driving a big RV. When I'm in the north east, I just keep some cash on me. Typically $20s. I'm not going through the hassle of trying to get exact change for the booth attendants. They can make change.

The problem for me is some states (such as MA) have dumped their toll booths and rely on in vehicle transponders or cameras. If you don't have a transponder, they charge almost double to process from your plate & mail you a bill. If I don't get home to find the bill, there is often a late fee. The good news is I'm shooting 50 50 for MA - they charged me for the trip going west, but never got around to sending a bill when I returned.