If you’re a frequent traveler on toll roads, bridges, or tunnels, you might be wondering: Do you save money on tolls with E-ZPass? Whether you’re commuting daily or taking a road trip, tolls can add up quickly.
In this blog, we’ll explore how E-ZPass works, its cost-saving potential, and how it compares to traditional toll payment methods, with a special focus on how the system operates in states like Pennsylvania, where people often use “EZ Pass PA.”
What is E-ZPass & How Does it Work?
Before we dive into the question, Do you save money on tolls with E-ZPass?, it’s important to understand what E-ZPass is and how it works.
How E-ZPass Works?
- Affix a transponder – Stick an E-ZPass sticker on your car’s windshield.
- Recharge your account – Make a cash deposit into the E-ZPass account via a bank or send money through a credit card.
- Go through the toll lanes – When you come close to the toll booth, an amount is automatically deducted from your account after scanning your E-Zpass.
- Recharging the account is an automatic process – When you pass a particular toll gate, the prepaid amount due for that gate is deducted from your account.
Now that we have an understanding of how E-ZPass functions, let us see together if it really makes a difference in terms of cost.
Yes, You Can Save Money on Tolls With E-ZPass
To put it plainly, yes, E-ZPass is a great way to save money on tolls. Many states, Pennsylvania included, have E-ZPass discounts when compared to paying without the pass. But what is the actual figure? How much of the toll do you end up paying? Let’s explore the savings in more detail.
1. Discounted Tolls for E-ZPass Users
*It is a lot easier for Members to Enjoy the Benefit of Discounted Tolls on Tolls. E-ZPass has gained many drivers’ goodwill in its deals all around America. It offers 10% – 25% discounts on the toll as the E-ZPass is used instead of cash. To further clarify, for instance remember:
- EZ Pass PA Discount: On the other hand, If you have an E-ZPass in Pennsylvania, your payments at the toll booths will be cut down by as much as 60%.
- New York: Likewise discounts are found in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia among many other states.
This just emphasizes that if the aim is to save some money while still using the roads, an E-ZPass is a smart decision. The real question then becomes, do you save money on tolls with E-ZPass? For a large number of drivers, the answer is most definitely a yes without a doubt. This goes out especially to those drivers who frequently find themselves using toll roads.
How Much Can You Save on Each Toll?
The specific amount saved varies by location and depends on the toll road, bridge, or tunnel being crossed, but the table provided below should give you an idea of how much you are likely to save using E-ZPass:
| Location | Toll in Cash | E-ZPass Toll Rate | Percentage Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Turnpike | $6.50 | $5.50 | $1.00 (15%) |
| EZ Pass PA (PA Turnpike) | $10.00 | $7.00 | $3.00 (30%) |
| Throgs Neck Bridge (NY) | $9.00 | $7.50 | $1.50 (16%) |
| Bay Bridge (MD) | $6.00 | $4.75 | $1.25 (21%) |
It’s evident from the above savings that they can be huge. The savings are substantial for users of the PA Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike when making longer journeys. So, do you save money on tolls with E-ZPass? Absolutely, if you’re driving on any of these toll roads.
2. Avoiding Extra Fees
One more option for savings is to avoid extra fees that many cash-paying drivers encounter. The surcharge on cash tolls on many toll roads further increases the cost. These extra charges are not applicable to E-ZPass users. This is how things work:
- Additional Processing Fees Specifically for Some Toll Facilities: There are cash-only drivers and when they need an attendant to assist them for a manual toll collection, some facilities incur extra charges.
- Charged for Delay at the Toll Payments Booth: Cash payments can cause you to have a longer wait. This is particularly true during busy hours. In certain routes that require strict deadlines, such delays can result in added costs. But E-ZPass makes that problem moot.
The answer to the ultimate question then is: ‘Do you save money on tolls with an E-ZPass?’ Quite simply yes, as these added and unnecessary costs cease to exist if one gets an E-ZPass.
3. Convenience and Time Savings
The ability to say one is running late and flying past all traffic by seamlessly use toll lanes without stopping is priceless, particularly hard working individuals who are working through rush hours.
- More Time for Other Things: Simply easing through the toll gates saves you time which translates to money looking at the bigger picture (for instance, costs incurred in traffic congestions).
Savings in both time and cost – especially toll costs – is what makes using E-ZPass worthwhile for those who are avid travelers. So, the answer to the question posed in the first paragraph is – yes, you do save money on tolls with E-ZPass!
Additional Benefits Beyond Saving Money
Along with cost benefits, there are many other benefits that are provided by E-ZPass that should definitely be considered:
- Easy Online Management: A customer can do almost anything related to their E-ZPass accounts online from checking up on renewals to viewing account balance, and even setting up auto recharge.
- Widespread Network: E-ZPass operates in 17 states which means that it will be highly beneficial for people who regularly use toll roadways in different states.
E-ZPass also eliminates the need to carry loose change especially for long distance commuters, which makes toll payments too easy.
Which makes it easy for people moving between states to use the same payment option throughout, easing the question on whether or not do you save money on tolls with E-ZPass? – the answer is a yes more or less, and the other added benefit is that it works everywhere.
Conclusion
So, do you save money on tolls with E-ZPass? The answer is generally yes. With discounts, avoiding extra fees, and saving time by bypassing cash lanes, E-ZPass provides great value for frequent travelers. While there might be a few situations where you won’t save as much or might even pay more, the overall benefits usually outweigh these concerns.
