How to Navigate Tolls While Driving a Rental Car
Paying tolls during your travels in a rental car is often inevitable, but there are ways to minimize the additional fees that can come with using toll services. In July, the Central Florida Expressway Authority, based in Orlando, introduced an innovative program that offers free temporary toll passes for travelers who rent cars at Orlando International Airport. This initiative allows travelers to download an app, register with their credit card, and receive a toll pass in the form of a QR code. This QR code can be conveniently displayed from the rearview mirror of the rental vehicle.
These temporary toll passes enable users to bypass the hefty fees typically charged for using a rental car company’s toll transponder, which is the small electronic device that is usually affixed to the car’s windshield. According to the Expressway Authority, this program is the first of its kind in the United States and may serve as a model for similar initiatives in other travel destinations in the future.
Additional Tips to Avoid Toll-Related Fees
While the Orlando program is a significant step forward, there are other strategies travelers can employ to avoid inflated car rental bills due to toll-related surcharges:
- Check for Local Toll Apps: There is no universal toll-pay app that monitors all roads across the United States. Some apps may only be applicable to personal vehicles rather than rentals. However, several apps can facilitate toll payments in various regions. For instance, GoToll allows users to pay tolls on highways in states such as California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia. Another option, Ecotoll, covers significant portions of California, Texas, and the Northeastern region of the country.
- Utilize Your Own Toll Pass: If you have a personal toll transponder, you might consider bringing it along on your trip. However, it is crucial to verify which brands offer service in the area you will be traveling. For example, if you own an E-ZPass, which is accepted in approximately 17 states throughout the Midwest and East Coast, you do not need to modify any details regarding your rental car in your personal E-ZPass account. Conversely, other toll brands may require you to register your rental car with your account within a designated timeframe.
