Learn About Maryland Toll Payment Options

Overview of Maryland's Toll System

Maryland operates one of the largest toll road networks on the East Coast. The state maintains approximately 95 miles of tolled highways, with the primary facilities including the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration toll roads. The most recognized tolled routes are Interstate 95 between the Delaware border and the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge connecting Maryland's Eastern Shore to the western portion of the state, and several tunnels beneath Baltimore Harbor.

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The Maryland toll system collected over $400 million in toll revenue during fiscal year 2023, making it a significant funding source for road maintenance and infrastructure improvements. The toll rates vary based on vehicle type and the specific road or bridge being used. For example, a passenger vehicle crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge currently pays between $3.00 and $4.50 depending on whether an electronic payment method is used, while trucks pay considerably more based on their axle configuration.

Understanding Maryland's toll payment options is important for anyone who regularly drives through the state or crosses major toll facilities. The state offers multiple methods to pay tolls, from manual cash transactions to automated electronic systems. Each option has different features, costs, and convenience levels. Some payment methods offer discounts compared to others, which can lead to meaningful savings for frequent travelers.

The Maryland toll system is designed to accommodate various driver preferences and situations. Whether you pass through occasionally or travel toll roads regularly, there are options suited to different needs. Learning about each method helps drivers make informed decisions about how to manage their toll payments.

Practical Takeaway: Become familiar with the different toll roads in Maryland and recognize which routes you use most frequently, as this will help determine which payment method makes the most sense for your driving patterns.

E-ZPass: Maryland's Primary Electronic Toll Collection System

E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system that Maryland participates in as part of a larger regional network covering the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The system uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to communicate between transponders mounted on vehicles and toll collection infrastructure. When a vehicle with an active E-ZPass transponder passes through a toll plaza, the system automatically deducts the toll amount from the associated prepaid account without requiring the driver to stop or handle cash.

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Maryland E-ZPass transponders work on Interstate 95, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the Hatem Bridge near Havre de Grace, the Nice Bridge in Southern Maryland, the Pocomoke River Bridge on the Eastern Shore, and several other tolled facilities. The system also works in other states including Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., making it valuable for drivers who cross state lines regularly. As of 2024, E-ZPass is accepted at more than 800 toll facilities across 17 states and two Canadian provinces.

Setting up an E-ZPass account requires opening an account with the Maryland Transportation Authority. Account holders establish a prepaid balance by depositing money, typically ranging from $25 to $100 as an initial deposit. As tolls are charged, the balance decreases. When the balance reaches a certain threshold, the account is automatically replenished from a credit card on file. Accounts can be managed online through the E-ZPass Maryland website, where drivers can monitor their balance, view transaction history, update payment information, and manage account settings.

E-ZPass Maryland offers a discount structure compared to paying tolls with cash. As of 2024, E-ZPass users receive approximately 20-30% discounts on most Maryland toll roads. For example, a passenger vehicle crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge using E-ZPass pays $3.00, compared to $4.50 for cash payment. Over a year, frequent travelers can save hundreds of dollars by using E-ZPass rather than cash payment.

Practical Takeaway: If you cross Maryland toll roads more than a few times per year, an E-ZPass account typically pays for itself through the accumulated discounts compared to cash payment.

Cash Payment and Toll Booth Operations

Cash payment remains an option at most Maryland toll facilities, though the state has been gradually reducing the number of toll booths staffed by attendants. Drivers can pay tolls with bills and coins at designated cash lanes during operating hours. The exact toll amount varies by vehicle type and location. For passenger vehicles on Interstate 95, tolls range from approximately $2.50 to $4.00 per segment, while the Chesapeake Bay Bridge toll is $4.50 for cash payment.

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It is important to note that toll amounts paid in cash are higher than E-ZPass rates. This price difference exists to encourage the use of electronic payment systems, which reduce traffic congestion by allowing vehicles to pass through toll plazas at highway speeds without stopping. The Maryland Transportation Authority uses this pricing structure as an incentive to move more traffic toward electronic payment systems.

Toll booth staffing and hours vary by location. Some toll facilities maintain 24-hour cash lanes, while others operate cash payment during peak traffic times only. Interstate 95 toll plazas in Maryland generally maintain at least one cash lane during business hours, but drivers should not assume that cash lanes are available at all times. During late-night or early-morning hours, cash payment options may be limited or unavailable at some locations.

The disadvantages of cash payment include higher per-toll costs, longer wait times at toll plazas during peak traffic periods, and the need to carry coins or bills. However, cash payment has no setup requirements, requires no account, and involves no technology. For occasional toll road users, cash payment may be the most straightforward option despite the higher cost.

Practical Takeaway: If you use cash to pay tolls, carry the correct change or small bills, as some booths may have limited ability to make large change during peak traffic times.

Maryland Toll Payment by Mail

Maryland provides a toll-by-mail option for drivers who do not have an E-ZPass account and do not pay with cash at the toll plaza. When a vehicle without an active E-ZPass transponder passes through certain toll facilities, an automated camera system captures the vehicle's license plate. The Maryland Transportation Authority then mails an invoice to the vehicle owner's address on file with the Motor Vehicle Administration.

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The toll-by-mail process typically takes 10 to 14 days from the time the toll was incurred until the invoice arrives by mail. The invoice displays the date of passage, the toll facility, the toll amount, and payment instructions. The toll amount charged through the toll-by-mail system is higher than E-ZPass rates but typically lower than the full cash toll rate. For example, a passenger vehicle on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge might be charged $3.75 through toll-by-mail, falling between the E-ZPass rate of $3.00 and the cash rate of $4.50.

Payment of a toll-by-mail invoice can be made online through the Maryland Transportation Authority website, by mail with a check, or by phone. Online payment is generally processed immediately, while payment by check may take several business days to be recorded. Late payment fees may be assessed if an invoice is not paid within 30 days of the invoice date. Account holders should carefully track invoice due dates to avoid penalties.

The toll-by-mail system is useful for occasional travelers or those driving rental vehicles who do not have an E-ZPass transponder. However, for drivers who use toll roads regularly, toll-by-mail is less convenient and more expensive per crossing than E-ZPass. Additionally, managing multiple invoices can become cumbersome for frequent toll road users.

Practical Takeaway: If you receive a toll-by-mail invoice, pay it promptly to avoid late fees, and consider whether setting up an E-ZPass account would be worthwhile based on how often you use toll roads.

Comparison of Payment Methods and Cost Analysis

Understanding the cost differences between Maryland's toll payment methods can help drivers make decisions that reduce their overall transportation expenses. As of 2024, the price structure reflects clear incentives for electronic payment. Using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge as an example, a passenger vehicle pays $3.00 with E-ZPass, $3.75 through toll-by-mail, and $4.50 with cash payment. This represents a $1.50 difference (50% higher cost) between the least and most expensive payment methods for a single crossing.

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For drivers who cross the