Most American people are used to toll roads. However, if you are not a frequent traveler, it may be a little bit confusing to work out in the states with toll roads and the preparations you need to make to avoid toll road violations. We’ve put together the most important information about which states do have tolls and which don’t, as well as toll road violation fees.

How many states have toll roads?

Though it may seem like it, not every state in the US has toll roads. Also, there are some states that only have one stretch of road, tunnel, or highway that has a toll (the example is Alaska which has a single toll tunnel called the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel). Throughout the United States, the following ones don’t currently have any toll roads:

• Arizona.

• Arkansas.

• Connecticut.

• Hawaii.

• Idaho.

• Iowa.

• Mississippi.

• Montana.

• Nevada.

• New Mexico.

• North Dakota.

• South Dakota.

• Tennessee.

• Wisconsin.

• Wyoming.

There are some states like already mentioned Alaska, that only have one toll road:

• Vermont only has tolls for vehicles that travel up to the summit or peaks of mountains within the state.

• Louisiana.

• Minnesota.

• Missouri.

• Nebraska.

• Oregon.

• Rhode Island.

• Utah.

On the other hand, there are many states with serious toll road mileage. In the table below, you will find the eleven states with the most miles of toll roads.

The most popular toll roads in the US

Wondering what the most famous and most frequently traveled toll roads in the US are? In the table below, you will find all the details, based on states and cash toll (automobile).

According to the Federal Highway Administration, the most expensive toll roads for passengers to drive are bridges and tunnels.

How do toll roads work in the US?

Toll roads, also known as turnpikes or toll plazas, are public or private roads where a fee is assessed for passage. In general, they exist to help maintain the roads and recoup the cost of road construction. The fees are collected at toll booths, toll houses, stations, and toll plazas. There are also very convenient cashless collection systems. Toll prices vary depending on location, vehicle type, and the number of axles. The amount you need to pay may also depend on the time of day and the payment method. In the US, there are three main types of tolling:

1. Open system (also called Barrier system). When you pass through the mainline toll booth, you pay a fixed time-based toll.

2. Ticket system (also called Closed system). You pay a toll based on your entry and exit toll gantry combination.

3. Distance-based system. You pay a toll based on the distance you travel on the designated toll.

There are several ways to pay a toll in the US. The most popular are:

• Transponder (it offers the most discounts).

• Cash.

• The license plate or video.

• Credit/debit card.

• Prepaid card.

When you compare the US toll roads based on fee by mile, the most expensive is Chesapeake Expressway (Virginia) – $1.05. Then, there is 17-Mile Drive (California) – 54.4 cents and Fort Bend Parkway (Houston, Texas) – 53.3 cents.

What benefits do tolls offer?

You may complain about fees while traveling through the US, but in fact, toll roads have more benefits than drawbacks. They save travel time and reduce operating costs when compared to other alternate routes. Toll roads offer a minimum standard of quality in infrastructure. When necessary, they also offer many services that facilitate traffic flow and improve safety. This is for example putting snow plows and spreaders in winter.

Experts keep saying that toll roads are essential. They ensure a free flow of traffic – this is mainly because they use technologies designed to eliminate delays. As a driver, you can pay by having monthly bills delivered to you or using an electronic transponder connected to a prepaid account which is extremely convenient. Finally, toll roads support economic efficiency. They allow vehicles to move at speeds that are fuel efficient. Summing up, we can say that tolling serves as an instrument suited to the collection of efficient prices in the use of roads.