Boston Toll Roads

Boston is famous for its wealth of museums. From the Museum of Fine Arts to the Old State House, everyone will find something interesting here. The city is one of the most historical vacation destinations in the US. It has amazing architecture, unique history, as well as delicious food. Commonly known as ‘Beantown’ because of its famous baked beans, Boston is a place you cannot miss out on while traveling across the US.
Are there toll roads in Boston?
Boston is part of the well-known Massachusetts Turnpike. The toll road is called the Pike or the Mass Pike. It starts near Logan International Airport at the eastern border of Boston and then becomes part of the New York State Thruway. Simply speaking, Massachusetts connects Boston with the major cities of Springfield and Worcester. The toll facility is operated and maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. It is 138 miles (222 km) long, being the longest Interstate Highway in the entire state. Massachusetts Turnpike was opened in 1957 and two years later, it was designated as part of the Interstate Highway System. Today, it’s the state’s major east-west highway and a great connection to Logan International Airport.
Are there any toll bridges in Boston?
On top of one toll road, Boston also has one toll bridge – the Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge. The bridge, formerly Mystic River or Mystic/Tobin Bridge, spans over two miles (3 km) from Boston to Chelsea over the Mystic River. The bridge is the largest in New England. It was opened to traffic in 1950, replacing the former Chelsea Bridge. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation maintains the bridge. It carries US Route 1 three lanes of traffic on two levels. Today, the Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge experiences approximately 85,000 vehicles per day.
Toll tunnels in Boston
There are currently three toll tunnels serving Boston:
Ted Williams Tunnel. It’s a highway tunnel carrying part of Interstate 90 from South Boston toward the eastern terminus at Route 1A. Also known as the Williams Tunnel, was the first major link constructed as part of Boston’s Big Dig. It was opened in 1995 but only for authorized commercial traffic. Ted Williams Tunnel was opened to all traffic in 2003. It is 2,575 m long. It collects tolls in both directions through the E-ZPass electronic toll collection system.
Callahan Tunnel. The official name of the tunnel is the Lieutenant William F. Callahan Jr. Tunnel. It carries traffic from the North End to Logan International Airport and Route 1A in East Boston. The facility is owned and maintained by the MA Department of Transportation. It accepts E-ZPass for the toll. Residents of certain Boston codes are entitled to a discount.
Sumner Tunnel. A road tunnel that carries traffic in one direction from Logan International Airport and Route 1A in East Boston. It was opened in 1934 and at the beginning, it carried traffic in both directions. Since 2016, this toll facility has been cashless.
How much are tolls in Boston?
In the table below, you will find complete information about toll rates for the Boston toll bridge and three toll tunnels. Toll rates are for 2-axle vehicle owners.
Toll facility | Toll rate (E-ZPass) | Pay by plate toll rate |
Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge | $1.25 | $1.55 |
Ted Williams Tunnel | $1.75 | $2.05 |
Callahan Tunnel | $1.75 | $2.05 |
Sumner Tunnel | $1.75 | $2.05 |
Note that all the above-mentioned toll facilities are all-electronic. No cash payments are allowed.
How to pay tolls in Boston
All toll roads in Massachusetts are cashless. The easiest way to pay tolls is to use the E-ZPass system. Once you pass the toll plaza, sensors scan the transponder tag mounted to your windshield. You don’t have to stop at the booth, the toll amount is automatically deducted from your account balance. You can add money to your balance online (one-time payment) or set up automatic replenishment.
A great way to manage your tolls is to use a mobile app. One of the most user-friendly ones is Uproad available on both Android and iOS. To make sure you calculate toll rates properly, you should use an online toll calculator. It will also help you choose the quickest and most cost-effective route.