Florida’s Turnpike System is one of the most developed in the US. It’s maintained through toll revenues collected from motorists. Toll rates are in most cases based on the number of axles a vehicle has, as well as the distance of the trip. You can pay tolls electronically which is the most convenient option. The preferred method is of course SunPass.

What is SunPass?

SunPass is a transponder tag that allows drivers to pay tolls in Florida. It is valid for toll roads, express lanes, and toll bridges. This electronic toll collection system was created in 1999 by the FDOT’s (the Florida Department of Transportation’s) Office of Toll Operations. SunPass uses windshield-mounted RFID transponder tags – every time you pass through a SunPass toll plaza, the relevant toll rate is deducted from your SunPass account. You don’t need to stop at the toll booth, everything works fully automatically.

SunPass enables you to save an average of 25% on your tolls. Also, using SunPass means less hassle no matter what toll road you drive because the tolls are charged automatically from the prepaid toll account. There are two popular types of SunPass transponders – the SunPass Mini and the SunPass PRO.

How does SunPass work?

To make your SunPass transponder tag work, you need a tag mounted on the windshield of your vehicle. When you have a transponder tag installed, and your SunPass prepaid account is activated, time to maintain a minimum amount – currently, you should establish an opening account of at least $10. When you have a certain amount of money available in your SunPass account, you can pass through SunPass-equipped lanes without stopping. Toll charges are electronically and automatically deducted from your account.

SunPass transponder tags can be easily transferred between vehicles. SunPass allows you to travel on toll roads, bridges, and managed lanes. When you use the pass, you will always pay the lowest toll rate in Florida. You can also use the pass in other states such as Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Kansas, and parts of Texas. SunPass is compatible with some other passes such as E-Pass and LeeWay. Note that SunPass is not compatible with E-ZPass.

Where to buy SunPass

There are many ways to purchase SunPass. You can buy it in the following places:

• Retail locations – There are thousands of retail locations in Florida. Among the others, you can try CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, and Publix. Make sure you also install a mobile application to activate your SunPass account.

• Walk-in centers.

• The SunPass Customer Service Center. You can call the center to purchase and activate your transponder tag. It will be mailed to you within 4-5 business days.

• Online at sunpass.com.

To charge your account you can enroll in Easy Pay or just manually add funds using your credit or debit card. You can also call the SunPass Customer Center to add funds over the phone. Finally, there is a super-convenient option – cash replenishment. Your SunPass account is replenished automatically whenever needed.

How much is SunPass?

The SunPass Mini transponder costs $4.99 plus tax. The SunPass PRO transponder costs $19.99 plus tax. Both transponders allow drivers to have tolls electronically deducted from a prepaid account. Maintaining the SunPass account is free of charge – the only maintenance cost you pay is replenishing your balance.

What is the difference between SunPass and SunPass PRO?

SunPass PRO is a more expensive version of SunPass. It’s valid in Florida, Georgia, and all 17 states where E-ZPass is accepted. SunPass PRO can be purchased online via the SunPass website, over the phone, or in person, e.g., at various convenient retail locations in Florida. On the other hand, a standard SunPass toll tag works across three states only (Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina). If you are wondering which one – SunPass or SunPass PRO – you should choose, think of where you plan to travel. If you have to drive within Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, choose a standard SunPass toll tag – it’s enough for your needs. If you want to visit other East Coast states, you should consider a SunPass PRO.

SunPass or E-PASS?

Both work across all the toll roads, bridges, and express lanes in Florida. However, they are issued by different agencies. SunPass is issued by the State Department of Transportation. On the other hand, the E-PASS is issued by the Central Florida Expressway Authority. In most cases, people who live near the Orlando region prefer E-PASS. People who leave other regions choose SunPass. It’s also worth mentioning that the E-PASS sticker is free of cost, whereas the SunPass sticker costs $4.99. The SunPass portable device costs $19.99 and the E-PASS one – $14.95. Finally, E-PASS offers discounts for frequent users and extra discounts on CFXway, and the SunPass account doesn’t offer any discounts based on the frequency of usage and no extra discount on CFXway.

Can you use SunPass in a rental vehicle?

Yes, you can use your SunPass transponder tag in a rental vehicle. You just need to add the rental vehicle and license plate information to your account. Don’t forget to remove those details from your SunPass account and the transponder tag when you return your rental vehicle, though!