Transcript
Episode 25: Toll Booths – How They Work and How to Avoid a Surprise Bill.
[Cold Open]
You missed the toll booth. No cash. No E-Pass. You just blew through. Are you getting a ticket? A bill? A fine? It depends… on where you are.
[Intro Music]
Opening Segment – What Even Is a Toll Booth Anymore?
Toll booths used to mean slowing down, tossing coins, maybe dealing with a toll worker. Now? You cruise under a camera and cross your fingers. Let’s talk about how modern toll systems actually work—and how they don’t all work the same.
Segment 1: The Modern Toll Booth – From Cash to Cameras
Most states now rely on overhead gantries:
• Electronic tags (SunPass, E-Pass, I-PASS, E-ZPass)
• License plate photo systems (Toll-by-Plate or Pay-by-Mail)
But that doesn’t mean the experience is the same from state to state.
UPDATED – Segment 2: Florida – Toll-by-Plate, Like It or Not
In Florida, most toll roads are fully electronic—especially in Central and South Florida. You don’t stop at a booth anymore. Instead, overhead gantries scan your vehicle.
You have two main options:
1. SunPass or E-Pass
Both are electronic transponders that deduct tolls automatically from a prepaid account.
• You get a discounted toll rate
• You can use express lanes like on I-4 or 417
• You can travel through interconnected states (SunPass works in Georgia, North Carolina, parts of the Northeast)
BUT—don’t use both.
Here’s a mistake I made that a lot of people don’t know about:
If you have both E-Pass and SunPass transponders in your vehicle at the same time—and both are active—you can get charged twice.
It happened to me. I had both for a while and didn’t realize they were each scanning. The systems aren’t smart enough to ignore the second tag—they both bill the toll separately unless one is deactivated or removed.
Pro Tip: Stick with one and deactivate the other. If you switch from SunPass to E-Pass (or vice versa), update your vehicle info on the old account or close it entirely.
2. Toll-by-Plate
No transponder? Cameras snap a pic of your plate and bill the registered owner.
• You pay a higher rate than with a pass
• Late fees rack up quickly if you miss the bill
• Out-of-state plates? They’ll still find you—eventually.
Don’t ignore Toll-by-Plate invoices. They can lead to license registration holds and collection fees.
Segment 3: Illinois – Pay Later… If You Remember
In Illinois, there’s no Toll-by-Plate billing by default. If you don’t have an I-PASS or EZ-PASS:
• You must go to illinoistollway.com within 14 days
• Enter your plate and pay manually
Forget, and it’s $3 per unpaid toll—and a few of those can trigger over $100 in fees or registration flags.
If you’re traveling, set a calendar reminder or use an app that tracks tolls.
Segment 4: Travel Smart With Tolls
Whether you’re driving across Florida or through the Midwest:
• Keep one transponder in your car—don’t double up
• Update your address at the DMV (bills go to the last listed one)
• Always check for toll charges after trips—especially with rentals or borrowed vehicles
• Use toll-road-avoidance settings if you’re not prepared to pay
Segment 5: Don’t Let a $2 Toll Become a $200 Problem
Missed tolls escalate fast.
In Florida: late fee → collections → registration hold
In Illinois: missed payment → $3 fine per toll → registration problems
If you’re unsure, check the toll authority’s site and search your plate.
Closing Segment – Tag In, or Get Tagged Later
Tolls are manageable—but only if you stay ahead. Choose your tag, know your state’s system, and treat every toll booth (real or digital) like a checkpoint, not a surprise.
Call to Action
Ever gotten double-billed like I did? Or caught someone slamming their brakes at a gantry? Tag me @masteringthecommute or head to FreewayTrafficExpert.com to share your story.
And don’t forget to check my YouTube channel for real-world toll zone footage and more smart commuter tips.
Until next time, stay clear, stay charged—and stay in your lane.