Tolls and Transponders

If you’re anything like us, seeing a sign that says “Toll Road Ahead” usually isn’t the highlight of the trip.

As more states turn to toll roads to help fund their highway systems, keeping track of the different toll programs has become more complicated. For those of us who travel through several states each year, it can mean signing up for multiple toll systems, maintaining separate accounts, and trying to remember which transponder works where.

If you don’t have the correct transponder, you often end up waiting for a bill in the mail. If you’re traveling for an extended period, that can sometimes lead to late fees or additional charges before you even get home.

Recently, a friend told me about a nationwide toll transponder offered through Open Roads.

I’ve written before about Open Roads and their fuel discount program. Now they also offer a toll transponder that is accepted by toll agencies across the United States.

Another benefit my friend mentioned is that, depending on the toll authority, some roads offer discounted toll rates when using the transponder.

The cost to get started is $36.

That includes:

• $25 credited to your toll account.
• $10 for the transponder.
• $1 for taxes.

The account is linked to your credit card, and the annual service fee is $24.

I’ve already started the sign up process and plan to put the transponder to the test during our travels this spring.

We currently carry both a SunPass and a Texas Tag, but the idea of having a single transponder that works nationwide certainly appeals to us. If it performs as advertised, it will simplify one more part of planning a long RV trip.

I’ll report back after we’ve had some real world experience with it.

My thanks to Bob and Liz for passing this information along and for continuing to follow the blog.