How to Avoid Tolls: A Beginner's Guide

Effortlessly streamline driver and delivery management with the eLogii route optimization software.

We all know the frustration. You're on the road, making good time towards your destination, and then... a toll road.

Ugh! The toll not only delays you and eats into your budget but is just plain annoying.

For those managing teams of delivery drivers, tolls are an unfortunate reality of their daily routes.

They can also impact your business's bottom line.

Many states in the US implement toll roads where drivers pay fees akin to taxes for road usage. These tolls contribute to funding new road construction and the upkeep of current roadways.

In summary, toll roads serve important purposes. Yet, the expenses associated with tolls can accumulate and impact your business finances.

This is particularly significant for individuals whose livelihood depends on driving, such as truck drivers.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), on behalf of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), has researched to determine the impact of toll roads on truckers.

Their findings reveal that trucks shell out a staggering $4.2 billion annually in toll fees.

That's a hefty sum!

If you operate a delivery-focused business, whether it's an eCommerce store or a logistics company, toll roads can also affect your operations.

How can we assist our delivery team in avoiding the burden of toll roads and reducing our business's transportation costs?

We'll detail strategies for avoiding toll roads and address common questions on this topic.

Is the effort to avoid toll roads worthwhile?

Various types of toll roads operate in different ways, but they all have one common feature: they need payment.

Ideally, we aim to steer clear of toll roads entirely.

Before delving into how we can achieve that, let's provide a quick overview of the three types of toll systems:

• Barrier system or open toll system: Payment involves a fixed, time-based toll each time you pass through a main toll booth or toll plaza to access a roadway.
• Ticket system or closed system: Toll payment is determined by your entry and exit points within the toll area. Examples include the New Jersey Turnpike, New York State Thruway, and Kansas Turnpike.
• Distance-based system: Toll charges are calculated based on the distance traveled along the toll road.

The method of paying tolls depends on the facility.

Some locations accept cash, while others allow payment by credit card.

Additionally, electronic toll pass systems like E-PASS, E-ZPass, Good To Go!, FasTrak, and SunPass are available. Yet, their usage is typically limited to specific areas.

For instance, SunPass is operational in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia, while FasTrak is limited to California, including the San Francisco Bay Area where the Golden Gate Bridge is a well-known toll road.

Modern toll booths are equipped with cameras to track activity. If a vehicle runs a toll without paying, a photo of the vehicle, including its license plate, may be captured.

The consequence? A ticket.

Not something anyone wants to deal with!

If you manage a team of delivery drivers that occasionally come across tolls, accumulating tickets can lead to significant costs.

Ultimately, this translates to reduced earnings for your business.

In summary, attempting to evade tolls is not a worthwhile try.

But there are ways to avoid tolls. We can potentially have our drivers take alternative routes to avoid toll roads.

Now, let's discuss how you can do this using Google Maps.

Avoiding Tolls Using Google Maps

Google Maps provides real-time traffic information. It considers construction, traffic flow, road closures, and toll roads.

When you input a destination into the mobile app, you can instruct it to avoid toll roads, helping you save money.

Here's the process within the mobile app:

1. Install the Google Maps app if you haven't already. You can find it on the Google Play store (for Android) or the Apple App Store (for iPhone).
2. Launch the app. It will automatically show your current location using GPS satellite technology.
3. Enter your desired destination into the search bar at the top of the screen.
4. Select “Directions” (the blue button at the bottom).
5. Tap the three vertical dots located next to “Your Location” at the top of the screen.
6. Next, select "Route Options."
7. Toggle the "Avoid tolls" option. You can also adjust other settings on this screen, such as avoiding ferries or highways.
8. Return to the main Google Maps screen.
9. Tap the blue "Start" button located in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Now, Google Maps will provide you with a toll-free route.

If you prefer to plan a route on your computer instead of using a mobile phone, you can use the desktop version of Google Maps at maps.google.com.

Here's how you can do it:

1. Visit maps.google.com

2. Enter your desired destination into the search bar at the top left corner of the screen.

3. Click "Directions" and enter your starting point. The tool will begin suggesting options as you type.

4. Click "Options," located below the starting point and destination fields.

5. Check the box next to "Tolls." Then click "Close."

6. You'll see a new route without tolls displayed.

(Also, take a look at our article on using Google Maps for trip planning in 2024.)

Toll road FAQs

While avoiding toll roads can be beneficial, there are situations where it may not be workable.

For instance, if you focus on speed over convenience, you might choose a toll road for a quicker route.

Since eliminating tolls from your driving experience is unlikely, it's essential to grasp the fundamentals of toll roads and their operation.

This is especially true if toll roads affect your business operations, such as managing a delivery team.

In such scenarios, toll roads can significantly impact last-mile delivery and capacity planning.

Below, we provide answers to common questions about toll roads in America.

Paying Tolls: Cash and Electronic Methods

Some toll facilities accept cash payments, while others do not.

If cash is not accepted, it's advisable to have an electronic payment method such as a credit card or a locally accepted electronic pass available.

Are Toll Roads Present in Every US State?

No, toll roads are not found in every state. As of 2024, toll roads exist in 35 states.

If you plan to drive across many states, it's recommended to research each state's toll road information beforehand.

Universal Compatibility of Toll Transponders

No, toll transponders are not universally applicable.

An electronic toll pass system that functions in one state may not be compatible with toll systems in other states.

Overview of Common Toll Transponders and Their Coverage

Here's a summary of popular toll transponders and their operational regions:

• E-Z Pass: Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.
• SunPass: Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. (SunPass Pro can also be used anywhere E-Z Pass is accepted.)
• FasTrak: Exclusive to California.
• TxTag: Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Which US State Has the Highest Number of Toll Roads?

Florida boasts the highest number of toll roads among all US states.

The state has 734 miles of toll roads, with a significant part located in Orange County, particularly in the Orlando area.

Do Toll Prices Fluctuate?

Toll prices can vary based on location and circumstances.

For instance, many toll roads put in place "congestion pricing," where tolls are higher during peak hours or busy times.

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration describes how this operates.

Toll rates may also increase due to factors such as inflation.

To get the current toll rates in advance, you can check online.

Many toll roads, including the well-known New Jersey Turnpike, provide toll rate information on their websites.

Managing deliveries? Easily identify optimal routes with eLogii

Toll roads can escalate transportation expenses, particularly for businesses with frequent deliveries.

Learning how to bypass toll roads using tools like Google Maps can assist in lowering costs and simplifying logistics.

Providing your drivers with training using the steps above is a smart business decision and can optimize material supply handling.

Additionally, you can enhance your drivers' efficiency in making speedy deliveries by utilizing a tool like eLogii with the teams option.

eLogii calculates the most efficient sequence of delivery stops for drivers, enabling them to navigate routes swiftly.

Moreover, eLogii offers extra features to simplify your delivery process. These settings include setting delivery time windows and providing real-time updates to customers.