Full-Time RV Nomad Finds Big Hidden Expense Traveling the East Coast EZPayNY Cashless Tolls by Mail

[@susanwilson5008]

Better solution....set Google maps to avoid toll roads. Alternate roads have never let me down. Always passable. Maybe a little more distance, but saves the headache paying the toll bill. Cost of the extra gas avoiding tolls evens out. I'm all about the scenic route anyway.

[@CreativityRV]

YES!! thank you! I forgot to say that

[@vinnydabarber]

@@CreativityRV As long as Google maps are up to date right?

[@robertaj3767]

AMEN! Plus, you keep your privacy about where you are…

[@suzy1750]

Thank you, good idea.

[@highsierrasun]

Remember Charles Kuralt.? Backroads of America? That is the way to go if possible.

[@Tina.Lucille]

Just as cashless tolls started I drove thru Maryland, I didn't actually drive on the toll road but next to it. I got dinged, months later they sent me ONE bill with a late fee. I think it was a $2 toll that turned into $35. I called them, disputed it and ended up only paying the $2 on a road I was not even on. I do have an NY Ez-Pass, so if I was actually on the road it would have charged it. It's a horrible system, not only tracking our movements but gouging us to death. Thank you so much!

[@orbyjett2864]

Seems illegal, must be something we can do

[@kenstogie]

The game is rigged my friend....​@@orbyjett2864

[@nomadicam]

California finally said they couldn't drive up the tolls after non payment. I had several that went up to $200 before that. Real problem for people who don't get mail regularly.

[@KaceyGreen]

@@orbyjett2864 I've got a tracker built into my car/tow vehicle that track everything, hopefully it'd hold up in court

[@RemoteCamper]

There are videos that show single units on the sides of highways that pick up the EZ Pay system units. These do not charge you, you are just tracking you. I have seen them on roads that have no tolls. Just tracking.

[@jiml1696]

Originally from Texas so I have a toll tag that works in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. For the seventeen East Coast States, I picked up an EZ-Pass transponder in Florida. I didn't mount it, but keep it in my center console, and when needed set it on my dash. I have had no issues in over four years of travel. There is a small charge for the transponder and they have a credit card on file they use when my available balance drops below like $20. I never have to log into the account in anticipation of using the service. Great video recommending way of reducing unnecessary stress on the road.

[@JB-hz4pu]

Be ware. Toll Tag in TX reached an agreement with FL to handle charges on a Toll Tag. If you have both you may have issues. Don't know but I have turned off my Toll Tag.

[@jiml1696]

@@JB-hz4pu Thanks for the warning, I will keep an eye on it. It looks like the one you are referring to is out of the Dallas Area called NTTA. Mine is out of Houston which does not yet link to Florida, but it could happen any time.

[@quiltr141]

New York State got us too last year.

[@car2nerr]

Along with NYC avoid the Chicago skyway. Very expensive crappy road

[@MamaBaer54]

I got two bills for bridges that I went over one NY and RI. I also drove on the Maine Turnpike but they still had manned booths.

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

"the troll that lives under the bridge". LOL love that!!!

[@Roobah]

That troll living above the bridge, taking photos of you from overhead

[@Treeman1177]

Yeah she looks like a troll

[@carlapierle8623]

A few months ago my husband got a bill from the Texas Authority Toll system for $5.00 with a picture of the license plate. Keep in mind his truck is new and doesn't even have enough miles on it to have driven from Indiana to Texas and back. Anyway, even though the license plate NUMBER was the same as my husband's, the COUNTY number was different from my husband's. This is when we discovered that Indiana doles out duplicate license plate numbers as long as they're issued in separate counties. He had to make numerous calls to get this straightened out and hopefully he DID get it straightened out because my biggest fear is we'll get a monster bill as you have described. I absolutely HATE this cashless toll system because it can be RIDDLED with errors such as this.

[@TheRealdal]

That’s the stupidest thing, issuing the same license number in different counties. Boy, they never thought that out too good. People travel 😂

[@carlapierle8623]

@@TheRealdal Agree!!!

[@kitefan1]

@@TheRealdal And it's not like there is a shortage of numbers. We still have short width plates compared to the UK>

[@AcmeRacing]

Traffic camera tickets turn due process on its head. You're guilty until you can prove yourself innocent.

[@Tipperary757]

Ridiculous that have duplicate plates! Crazy.

[@Roadtripmischief]

Open Roads (TSD Logistics) now has a universal tolltag that they manage for you $20 a year plus toll charges. So you can travel wherever and know that tolls will be paid. I haven't signed up for it yet but as soon as we have travel set for the East Coast, we will set it up.

[@catlink8998]

I've had an EZ pass transponder for years. Before a trip that will involve tolls I look at the rates on my routes and get an estimate of the total & then make a deposit to my account. Have not had any issues but I don't tow anything. It's ridiculous that anyone would think you would fake an interview. You are probably the most reliably honest person who posts nomad content. I hope your friend doesn't feel uncomfortable doing the follow-up interview. Personally, I don't think those questioners deserve "proof". She shared valuable info & people can utilize it or not as they see fit.

[@kathleenbueter1272]

You are so right. It seems we live in a very nasty society these days, for everyone is opinionated regardless of the fax.

[@BlackMan614]

Exactly. I got an EZ Pass transponder thru WV Parkways for a one-time $25 deposit. Saves me so much money across the country. How do a person who travels NOT know about EZPass???

[@Beezer.D.B.]

⁠@@BlackMan614- Admittedly, I don’t travel a lot yet, but I do travel and I didn’t even know there were so many tolls in so many places!! Just the few that have recognizable names that everyone has heard of.

[@charmoneymaker4418]

@BlackMan614 Do you have to go in and add money to your account before you travel? Or do you log a credit card for them to automatically charge?

[@catlink8998]

@@charmoneymaker4418 I'm not sure if you can have automatic deposits made. I use it rarely so I keep a very low balance in the EZ pass account. So b4 a trip where I will be on toll roads I research and estimate the tolls and deposit the amount in the account. You can log when traveling but I've found tolls charged do not always show up immediately. I don't want to pay penalties so I try to make sure I have enough funds in the EZ Pass account.

[@deedieducati2272]

This is good info for ANYONE who travels in those areas with just an automobile! Always check in advance if there are toll roads along your route and if you're passing a bunch of them, write down the date & time you went through. If you're not paying attention, they could over-charge you and you wouldn't know it.

[@lindasteller]

Thanks Robin. This is great info, as I live in Oregon, where we have NO toll roads, so I was clueless. I need to fly to Michigan this summer to pick up my new home, and am sure I'd go by some tolls on the way home.

[@misshelloareyouthere]

THANKS for the toll WARNING tip.

[@kristinstauffer]

Oh my gosh! We’re doing 3.5 weeks in the northeast this summer. I hadn’t even thought about tolls. I’m so glad I saw this video!

[@wroscel]

You don't have to be a resident to buy an EZ-Pass transponder so, as others have mentioned, go ahead and get one if you're traveling through the area more than once. Some states even sell them in vending machines in rest areas where the cost is applied immediately to the account balance. Check the different states and get one with no monthly fee even if idle - also some states only provide discounts to transponders issued in their state. There is also a multi-system transponder service that the truckers use, which will be read and bill accounts all across the country.

[@bobmazzi7435]

Very accurate. PA has a discount for tolls on the PA tpk for PA EZ-Pass holders. NYC has one nasty gotcha ( at least ) where locals get charged one rate and outsiders get charged a LOT more.

[@JB-hz4pu]

Breakdown and get an EZPass transponder. Yeah you have to keep a small balance but it saves a lot of the hassles you describe plus the hassle of prepay. You also get emailed monthly statements. That said, last fall I headed south to FL from MA (with my transponder) and was totally beat up by the toll authorities. There were 2 charges on my EZPass that made it look like I was charged $54 to cross the Deleware Memorial Bridge so I went into attack mode on their customer service and all they could say was "that is the rate". Over our 3+ week spat I noticed that $40 something was to cross NJ from NYC to the bridge (outrageous price and a crime itself as that is the regular toll without fines or fees) and the bridge was $10. Some weeks later I get a notice that they did charge me the wrong rate and it should have only been $30 something to cross a small bit of NJ. Go figure. Challange any charges in the North East. Same trip I touched a small corner of DE. I get a notice that my EZPass wasn't read and I owe $6 in tolls. However, they also wanted to charge me over $75 for reading my plate and billing me. Most states charge a couple of dollars to bill your plate but not the North East. It took several weeks and my snail mailing them a lot of information to clear this issue. Get an EZPass but still scour and challenge your billings. Love your channel!

[@PuddinND]

Oh yes, I have experienced this. It was a nightmare. I now have a transponder since I know I am traveling to PA from MN on a yearly basis. It works well for me but I paid dearly through Illinois toll previously. Great informational video.

[@kellyscarborough751]

Fellow Coloradoan here! I was surprised by the tolls in PA & NJ a few years ago, too.

[@conchscooter]

Sunpass pro in Florida works across the country except a few spots - the Golden Gate and Mackinac bridges for instance! I really like having it.

[@landseavideoescapes4502]

Watching your video now on EZ pay…. I drive a Honda Civic coupe and got an EZ pay bill as a tractor trailer truck with a license plate number which isn’t mine. Photo of the horse and license was on the bill. I was not on the highway at all! Fought and got it fixed. It’s unbelievable how the toll machine “works”.

[@SpykersB]

😱 your the only utuber who's talked about this, had no idea! Haven't traveled the states yet but been planning on it. Thx! 🍻

[@karenbickel1154]

We travel to see America. We stay off the interstates and toll roads. We find all kinds of hidden gems. We only travel interstates and tolls if it is an emergency. Happy travels!

[@kitefan1]

Here in the Northeast there are not always reasonable alternative routes. There are some places where the highway/interstate was built on the older and only roads. If it's winter and you don't have excellent snow capability you need to stick to the main routes until the snow stops because the others will be less or not plowed. As a former resident of MA, I'd rather be in NH in a snowstorm. In some places you are going to sit in horrendous traffic on the side roads and bad traffic on the toll road. An example would be Mass Pike Extension and Route 9. Bring a nice playlist.

[@Road_Trip_Warriors]

Great Video Robin! We use a Garmin RV GPS and just set it to avoid tolls. We live in FL and have never paid any tolls. Sometimes when traveling to areas that you may not be familiar with, you do need to be careful that your route does not take you TOO far out of your way. So far, after putting over 17,000 miles on our rig in 1 1/2 years, we have successfully avoided the vast majority of tolls without issue (and we also avoid the issue of the huge fines imposed if we miss a payment). Safe travels!

[@M.Campbell]

Thank you for this! Question. If you pre-pay do you have to do it for a trailer and tow vehicle separately or can you list both plates on one account?

[@MsVintage61]

thanks for the info, my kids moved to Virginia and I live in CA, btw, we have a similar system in the SF Bay Area, they are everywhere!

[@DMRSIX]

Last year we took a 3 month RV trip mostly up the East Coast. I feel your pain on all the cashless tolls. We have a sticks and bricks but it took 3-4 months to get all the outrageous tolls in the mail! Did I mention we had a travel trailer? They charge WAY more for 4 axels!!!

[@mooreacrestxgardenening4979]

I've had a vehicle following behind me so close it was read as a truck and trailer, when it was only the truck. I called to contest it and evidently they could pull up video and clearly see it was just a truck. Gave me a credit no problem. We go from Texas to Florida and are able to us our toll tag there.

[@caroldeking1050]

Robin you are lucky to have a Mom mailing service. Remember her every week not just on Mother's day. Love in Sarasota❤❤❤

[@stuartriley]

I am curious if the toll roads are marked early enough to make an exit off of the highway, or roadway, to avoid the charges. Federal authorities say that roads that receive funding from the US ARE to be posted. After all we are paying our taxes to help the interstate commerce through the recent US aid packages. Maybe we should consider asking the cashless system to provide how they are (or not) using those funds from the government?

[@kitefan1]

I think it is posted. Most places they have a last exit before toll sign. But if you are in rush hour in a place you are unfamiliar with you may miss it. I think google tells you there is an upcoming toll but if I am busy watching the other vehicles I may not hear it.

[@janemuir3546]

We typically don't travel on the interstate, so we don't get these charges. Thanks for letting us know, so we will continue to avoid the interstates.

[@juliebarnett9812]

This is why i set my GPS to avoid toll roads.

[@ChristopherDavisDesloge]

Agree fully. On two occasions from CT to VA even with a transponder I got more tickets and fines than could keep up with. I decided to dispute each one pee their process. Most worked. Some continued to fine but ultimate all were reduced to just the toll which the EZ Pass had already paid. I think they know it’s broken. Especially in Maryland. Just fight and play the game. You’ll end up winning in the end.

[@colleencarr3470]

I had ez-pass but I bought the Uni-Pass ( 19 state ) transponder to help avoid this problem. This is also a pre-pay system. I think it’s sad that we have to pay $ to drive on any road since we already pay taxes. I have always thought to buy some land to have an actual address but that still doesn’t solve the problem when U R traveling.

[@bobknob8440]

We've had the problem of getting tolls from northern states when we haven't been there in years. The tolls service was sending us bills and late notices for a vehicle that was a dif color than ours but the license plate was close but dif.

[@norme2681]

I got a EZ Pass transponder from Amazon set up an account with a $50 auto reboot been happy (well as much as you can be paying road Trolls) The transponder is the cheapest rate on the east coast. You can usually check a few minutes after going through the toll to make sure it paid the toll and how much.

[@73Arland]

Wow, thanks for the heads up. We have I-Pass and it covers (supposedly) 19 states.

[@christinecancel4386]

Ohhhhhh yes, I had this same exact problem when I went to New York. Except I just had a car and I knew nothing about these types of tolls. And like u, I didn't receive these on time. I was fined 130$ for 1 of the 6 that I got. I tried to fight it, but they basically laughed at me. I never want to go back to New York. I'm glad that you shared the pay ahead method. Like normal, your videos always help me and keep me going.

[@gailjohnson6670]

Thank you for info and video. Blessings to you.

[@kitefan1]

I got dinged for twice that when I had a rental car when I was going through NYC. I knew I went through an automatic gate but there wasn't anything I could do about it.

[@jenne8180]

Robin, that is extremely helpful information! I would not have know how that works in those states so thank you!

[@denisekuenzel9465]

I’m an east coaster with an EZPass. When I traveled out west for five months, I came home to toll bills from Texas and Colorado. I used Roadtrippers to map my route ahead of time. Don’t recall being forewarned of any tolls and how to prepay or avoid them. Good info, thx

[@louisvillaescusa]

In SoCal, they don't send you a bill in the mail. It's on you to check their web site after you go on a toll road (if you don't have a paid up transponder) and pay the toll. The first letter that you get from them is a late notice with late fees.

[@KatyInNH]

Now I finally understand a NY toll charge sort of…. I got a bill saying that I had gone through a toll in NY. We had been close to NY but not in it. I think now that we must have passed through an edge of NY that had an auto toll booth. I dug into it at the time and they had a pic of our plate and it was on the correct make, mode and color of vehicle so I paid the bill. Thank you for helping me understand this nagging bill I had to pay and the knowledge for the future!

[@AcmeRacing]

We have an EZ pass because we live in Maine and we travel the I-95 corridor quite a bit. Years ago we went to Florida, which had some interoperability with EZ-Pass at the time. It's since been fixed, but at the time "Sun Pass" was a separate entity, and we got a whopping bill for a toll for taking a side trip to the FL panhandle. (In general the east coast, and the Northeast particularly, is less RV friendly than other parts of the continental US.)

[@ma1539ry]

I’m loving your hair. It’s so flattering.

[@shelleynunn4427]

It's even worse then you said. I live in Virginia. Now they haveexpress lanes where the tolls change by how bad the traffic is recently it was 15 dollars and some change. It's to keep people from using those lanes during incidents . There are also speed cameras and red light cameras that you can get ticketed at. I know Kentucky has speed cameras where some folks got hefty fines.

[@runpny]

We were just double billed by Lee County, Florida, because our EZPass was not registered in their system. It worked everywhere else in FL, but not there

[@akaTheGirls]

We purchased a SunPass transponder system when we traveled through Florida last year. You can buy them at pretty much any welcome center and do not need to be a resident of the state! The pro version costs $15 and works any place that an EZ Pass is accepted. This transponder covers all the states you mentioned in your video plus four additional states - Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma, and parts of Texas. All you have to do is keep a balance in the SunPass account and it pays the tolls as you drive, just like EZ Pass. This has worked flawlessly for us for the last year and a half as we've traveled full-time.

[@noreenn6976]

I ended up getting a bill from EZPass because SunPass did not pay an EZPass toll. It's not a perfect system but seems to work well (in FL) most of the time. Glad to hear it has worked well for you.

[@wildhorsesrvadventures]

I'm originally from NJ & was aware of the toll system. So when we started to RV (we now live in Texas) I got an EZ Pass transponder so when we head to any of those states I just stick it on our windshield. They charge me $1 every month when I don't use it, but we figure it's worth it.

[@maureenblutekraus3561]

NYC here. The late fees are a killer for sure. Im sorry you were stressing about the tolls.

[@sandragrissom4802]

Driving in Houston, got on a toll road by mistake, exited immediately within 100 feet or so and got a bill for $ 70 plus. Luckily, I was on company time, they paid. Have set my GPS to avoid tolls ever since.

[@wandamusictube]

You are saying there is a toll rd in houston that its lowest toll is 70 bucks?

[@kitefan1]

@@wandamusictube That's probably the fine for evading the toll.

[@Sixbears]

I got caught towing a boat through NY and CT and it was darn pricey. Now I only travel on toll free roads. The exception was in FL. I had to use a toll road but the cameras couldn't read my boat trailer plate for some reason. No bills from FL.

[@geegee9991]

I'm in Maine and pre-pay EZ-Pass. I check it online once a month to make sure it's topped up to $30 (I don't travel out of state very often.) You can set it up to automatically replenish your account. You save a lot if you use the pass (and don't incur any late fees!)

[@SonshineAuctions]

Come to East Tennessee, specifically Blue Ridge Parkway/Smokey Mtns, during mid October! No toll roads and some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see!

[@hammer48ful]

A number of years ago I found it cost about the same to travel from MA to Fla as to travel from the east coast to west cost because of the tolls on the east coast with a thousand miles difference in mileage.

[@kitefan1]

Gas used to be much cheaper in the Midwest also. Even after they made gas wars illegal.

[@mtnpeek6748]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It’s going to be very helpful when I go there.

[@a.swifty1081]

Great info...I thought the automation/technology would be more efficient. I'll I'll use your info when I'm in NewJersey next month! LvYa Robin!

[@reymartinez8830]

Good for you

[@andersonadilson5875]

I just traveled from the Midwest to Maine and back in a new van with dealer plates still on. I was not sure how the toll system would react so I avoided all toll roads. I drove slower on the side roads, made better fuel economy, and enjoyed the view. If you are not in a rush, slow down and take the side roads. Avoid the tolls.

[@Roobah]

Smart idea! Dealer plates would have definitely been put into a commercial category, and even more expensive. Even if it was just a passenger car.

[@Squeak61]

I was visiting friends in California and I went somewhere when I came back to my friends place they asked me where I went and they said oh no you took a toll road. I had no idea there was nothing showing it that was obvious back then. They told me to go online sure enough, I had a bill. They never notify me. To say the least I wasn’t happy about it. I forget the road now, but they said yeah that one’s kind of hidden they don’t really advertise it. All I can say is it’s in orange county towards the coast.

[@laura3930]

I lived in fla. and kept getting bills of my license plate from California! Complain to your DOT, Mayor, State Representatives and Senate!

[@ellensstory4429]

Florida has these too. We got bills for tolls and we didnt know we had even been through a toll booth.

[@thomastheys6681]

We are not big fans of traveling in the eastern portion of the United States but this is fantastic information if we do thank you so much. Thomyt

[@janetyeoman1544]

Your bill in Canada was in Ontario’s Hwy 407. Basically an easier bypass north of Toronto. Often reported as the most expensive toll road in North America. It roughly parallels Hwy 401, North Americas busiest highway. Canadians always pay more.

[@sslcfc]

When they went to EZ pass in NY years ago I quit using toll roads everywhere. Just not in that big of a hurry.

[@avlisk]

Same thing happened to me. I live in Maine. I bought an RV from Florida and had a dealer rep drive it up to me here. I got toll bills for about 6 months, with photos of my RV, front and rear, showing the plates. They just kept coming. It's been over a year now with no toll bills. It totalled around $300.

[@sammonicuslux]

Your dealer was not cool. He should have known better.

[@jenniferwagner580]

Yikes! This is good information, to pre-pay. Last summer I drove thru Dallas/Ft Worth for the first time. I noticed there were hardly any campers/motorhomes or semi's on the toll roads. I only drove on the toll roads for 3 days and when I got home I found $80 in fees! I now have a toll tag that works for Dallas/Ft Worth *and* Oklahoma so I guess those are connected by the same authority. It's good to know those states in purple are all connected by the same authority with only one website.

[@CF_in_SoCal]

I have a transponder for CA - keep in mind there are different systems Ez pass only covers certain states. Yeah I would just say avoid toll roads when you can. You can set it up online. But yeah be careful because you don’t always get billed. You sometimes have to visit the website if you don’t have a transponder. 😊

[@fatmuscle1]

We live in Maryland and generally head south into Virginia across the Nice bridge. EZPass is $4.50 for two axles, but add a Toad, and now it's $18. But, if I disconnect and drive each one over separately it's only $9. Not to mention going through New York. A few years back a local journalist, Emily Miller did a whole expose on the toll heist that local states engage in.

[@lindaferguson-muldowney2995]

Almost all nav systems have a setting to avoid tolls. While I don't always have a specific destination in mind, I will look ahead on the map and name a destination so that I can use my "avoid tolls" setting.

[@swompy5146]

Our first year out on the road we went over the Golden Gate bridge that required us to mail in the one time cost. It took 10 weeks for the bill to catch up to us. Because we did not recognize our trailer lic number or anything about the bridge, we disputed the charge until we investigated it further. We ended up paying just under $60 for the $19 bill.

[@cg60msc]

64 E and W in Chesapeake VA and Virginia Beach VA now have the above road sensors and cameras... 264 E & W Downtown Tunnel has them in Norfolk, VA & Portsmouth, VA...

[@the_fry_way]

PA turnpike. We went in as a Class A with a tow vehicle and according to the rate chart our toll should have been under $10 bucks. We were classified Level 4. (Like most of us I don't understand the toll system) We spent the night at an Oasis (rest area) we had 24 hrs to get off the turnpike is how the operator told us. When we exited she said it showed we were a Level 5 and the charge was $107!! We got switched to an 18-wheeler. Haven't been back! LOL

[@gregscharf6384]

We travel often in all the purple states on your map. EZ pass properly mounted on the car’s windshield (behind the mirror where it does not obstruct vision) works flawlessly. In our EZ pass account we include the license plate number of our travel trailer and are billed for it only when we are towing. With a credit card deposit of $40 and automatic renewal when that runs out we never have to think of it. Problem solved for all those states. Texas is another matter!

[@lethastewart4397]

You can do the exact same thing in Texas. Get a toll tag, mount it properly and connect to a credit card. I use mine multiple times a week.

[@journeythru-n-c]

We only travel in North Carolina, which does have tolls, but they are mostly in areas we'll rarely drive through most of the time...and I program the GPS to avoid tolls.

[@OverlandOne]

I have been on the road full time for almost a year and, I do not do toll roads, nor do I drive near cities. Thanks for this info as it reinforces my decisions. Safe travels.

[@JLTravels]

Yep, got slammed with fines cause of delays in mail - got EZPASS & Sunpass, but there are independent tolls too. Pain in the a**!

[@CreativityRV]

Right? Thanks! It's not just me😅

[@mollyturgess3153]

Why not just buy the ezpass if you're traveling in the Midwest to East Coast? Then you can pay as you go, not in advance.

[@JLTravels]

@@CreativityRVand SCAMMERS are texting Sunpass holders trying to get them to pay via another platform - I blocked & reported them-a month later Sunpass sent out an email about possible scammers! Ugh 😩 we have to be super diligent!

[@LeftyLinda]

​@@mollyturgess3153They did. It's right there in their comment.

[@virginiaschott4482]

I don't have ezpass, but I'm a resident, so I know how to avoid the tolls to get where I want to go. Just about every major highway with a toll in NY has another road that get's you there without tolls, but traffic lights.

[@LeftyLinda]

Thanks for this info. I'm about to travel to the NE and was a but worried that I would be forced to use toll roads extensively. Glad that's not the case.

[@virginiaschott4482]

@@LeftyLinda Just plan for extra time. IE, in Jersey, you can take Rt 9 almost the whole way up, but it will take over 6hrs where the GSP will take 4.

[@nkynightowl]

We’ve gone through this twice driving from KY to ME and it was a huge hassle bc they were transitioning so sometimes they took cash and sometimes it was EZ pay or tolls by mail. Tons of signage that seemed to conflict, 800 numbers not answered. Didn’t plan on returning anytime soon so why do EZ pay? Then bills started rolling in. Finally got it straightened out. Got the transponder, went back to ME and money taken out of account directly. Seems like glitches fixed but probably should just pay ahead of time in future. I think this video was a good idea and helpful. I’m glad we weren’t the only ones trying to figure it out. If you are not used to prepaying tolls or getting a transponder, there is a learning curve…🧐

[@divinewrath3142]

You can pick up the EZPass tag in a ton of places or have one mailed to you. It's not expensive and then you can set it to load money on whenever your account is low. As a life long NYer who travels 87 (NYS Thruway) daily I am SO glad they got rid of the toll booths! So much easier now.

[@kitefan1]

Yes, used to do the Garden State occasionally. Even with a standard shift the thing that made them awful wasn't the stopping, pitching a token or quarters and going, it was merging and resorting down to four lanes afterwards. Garden State was the worst.

[@cindystewart4282]

I have an ez pass now, but when they first started, we were traveling through MD and VA and it kept saying toll road, but we seen no where to pay. Months later we got the bill with the fine. They will usually wave the fine the first time if you call and dispute it. On another note, last summer we were traveling through VA with the ez pass and over 1 month later I got a speeding ticket in the mail. I was never stopped, just snapped a picture of my car and plate while traveling down the road. The fine was over $200, with all the charges. It's almost impossible to avoid.

[@kitefan1]

There is usually a sign, speed cameras in use or traffic signal cameras or some such. They are all over the city north of me. In Boston there are small signs, the size of a residential speed sign, that tells you all unmarked street parking has a two hour limit.

[@nvrumi]

I drug the camper to PA earlier this year (yes, in the winter) and incurred a toll. My mail service (my buddy at home checks my place for me when I'm roaming) forwarded the bill and other mail so I could review things. Like you, I paid my toll online. It was my first contactless bill for a toll. I've been roadtripping most of my life (decades) and generally avoid toll roads. The slightly higher speed is just not worth the cost. I much prefer to stay on the U.S. Highway system and on the state highways as that gives me a much better view of this wonderful country. I have probably driven on toll roads for a dozen times or less. What you've demonstrated is one of the new reasons I eschew toll roads. I generally don't travel in the east either. There's too many people. You will usually find me boondocking on the public lands in the west. The West is Best. ;) Nice job. Thanks for sharing. I'd say ignore the trolls, but I mean the Internet variety, not the bridge monster. :D

[@louisecaltagirone2466]

Robin, I love your hair, so flattering, keep it growing ❤❤

[@quash8]

Finally! Because your voices are so different I had been unable to figure out who you have reminded me of for years: Jennifer Tilly

[@BehaviorCoachNeysa]

Though I'm not a nomad, I have a van in which I traveled (NJ, NY, DE, MD) last summer. I was hit with about $500 in tolls and fees. There were no open cash booths at the first toll plaza but I noticed the toll-by-plate signs and assumed I would receive a bill. Some plazas had open booths and some did not. The upshot is that at least one of the states sent the bills for the actual cost of the tolls. The other states extorted me for a minimum of $50 per toll. Transponder or not, how is that okay?

[@corvettew.s.4360]

Wow, I am so glad to get this info . Hoping to start traveling soon

[@thefourhorsemen91]

Tolls are insidious. Always go into your phone and make it so your maps avoid all toll stations.

[@RedSpiralHandTV]

And people complain about the tolls in central Mexico...I think our two highest toll days were around $25 total for the day's drive. We paid there in pesos. Oh, and on the toll roads in Mexico your fee covers a type of road insurance where if you run out of gas, get a flat tire or have engine trouble the Green Angels will come and often handle it for free if it's simple. I think a certain number of miles of towing is also covered.

[@CaminoTurtle]

Another Solution: While it might not always work, I found at some of the exits, there are toll booths with envelopes so you can report you didn't have a pass and you can mail in a payment. Thanks for a great video. This topic is so important because it isn't always possible to plan ahead and know about toll roads. Not all alternate routes are big-rig friendly since these alternate routes may have low clearances or weight limits.

[@lisamessick4314]

Hi Robin, Tx so much, I live in upstate NY. I travel to Buffalo and Boston to see our kids often. This drives me nuts. Thank you for doing a video on the subject. Offering a solution was great!

[@badbob8394]

I had a friend that received a bill on the 520 bridge in Washington state but it was for a California license plate in the photo instead of his Washington one!

[@sammonicuslux]

We live in CT and got an EZ PASS in NY. SUPER easy to do. Find the closest EZ PASS authorized seller and get one if you live anywhere on the east coast. You can set up an automatic pay system to reload. Ours is set to $25. These are the times and I am shocked by how many seasoned travelers do not know this info! Much needed video. ALSO you may never know when you need to cross states and pay tolls so get one regardless. We had an emergency trip from CT to the Cleveland Clinic for my nephew in the ICU (16 days now...).

[@kitefan1]

I hope your nephew is getting and feeling better. When I lived in Ct and got my NJ EZ-Pass I did it through the phone and mail. Didn't need to talk to a human but it was just a sedan.

[@sammonicuslux]

@@kitefan1 After 29 days in the ICU, he is moving out of critical care to a regular room. Thank you for your well wishes. I wonder if one can still get an EZ pass through the mail. That would be super convenient.

[@jamiallen3282]

I've never been to the East Coast and don't plan on going...ever. The West is the Best, especially for scenery and weather. I'll stay put, thanks. 😊

[@BeerIndependence4All]

This has become a pet peeve of mine. They don't tell you how much the tolls are ahead of time, like the time we were suddenly surprised by a $15 toll on a bridge going into Chicago. No warning! They don't send bills in a timely manner either! We once got a letter from an attorney saying we owed a toll from PA... when we hadn't been there in over two years! They had the license number of our vehicle... that we sold two years prior as well! So it may have been legit, but I don't know. We went to PA earlier this year and took a familiar route... only to find that the 5-10 miles we were on the "expressway" cost us $15! That's way more than the gas used to drive that span and it's crazy! It didn't cost that much before... and we only went on the expressway because our GPS failed to take the "avoid tolls" route. Somebody needs to be accountable and these "systems" need to be revised... or just go back to regular manned toll booths. I suspect they won't since these states are making so much money on bogus fines. Our solution? We're taking surface streets from now on. We're in no hurry. LOL

[@MicheleHeinyScott]

I experienced the same thing when I spent a year in NJ and DC area. I would go online and pay, but then get the mail, 6 monthes later.

[@peggyj_SEO]

Great episode Robyn. Thanks for bringing attention to the Trolls = tolls. Aside from paying ahead, I'd consider taking the rural scenic route. It's sad that viewers would question your integrity about the person you interviewed about your book and her credibility and success as a 'gigg-er'. Unfortunately I've got a commitment and won't be able to attend live. Hopefully we can submit questions. Best of luck.

[@oktophx]

I understand. North Texas going through fort Worth twice was over $40. It took them 4 months to send me a bill. I missed the due date and they added another $10 for the late fee just to go through fort Worth twice was over $50. I didn't mean to get on the toll road it was a complete accident but the way they set these up they really make it where you hit those toll roads. It was cheaper to go through Austin and part of oklahoma toll roads. Then of course after the first late fee there's the threat of further actions such as suspending your license.

[@denisestarr2314]

Yes , avoid toll roads .

[@tomflinn9815]

If you're going to be traveling in areas with toll roads, the tolls are generally significantly cheaper if you have the transponders.

[@shelribelin8144]

I too live in Colorado. I use to avoid the toll roads until I ordered my ExpressToll transponder and set up my account. A few years ago, I took a two week road trip to visit my sister and attend the Hershey RV Show. The number of toll roads I drove on from Colorado to Pennsylvania and back again was crazy. Luckily, I was able to pay at each toll booth and a lot of them even accepted credit cards which was nice as I don’t like to carry a lot of cash. That being said, once I start traveling full time and before heading to the east coast, I plan on ordering an EZ Pass transponder and setting up an account in hopes to alleviate any paper billing issues. Love the Troll un the bridge reference….HAHAHAHA you crack me up. As always, great video. Safe Travels

[@shanedenmark5536]

Just get the EZPass. You get a discounted rate on tolls. They don’t mail the bill, the account is attached to a card. It pulls $25 pre-paid and deducts from that balance and reloads when your pre-paid balance gets down to $10. Also there is a blue EZPass just for towing that tells the toll readers exactly how many axles you have so it tolls properly. There was an article in the local paper talking about NYS Thruway tolls going up in price. To drive from the PA/NY state line near Buffalo to Albany on the thruway will increase from $12.47 to $18.47 by 2027 for bill by mail customers, the same route will increase from $9.59 to $10.56 for EZPass drivers. Note these are for regular passenger vehicles. If you drive in this area, get the EZPass.

[@ceciliapetrowsky2572]

We have a regular EZPass. It is great. I’ve never received anything in the mail. And like you said, there’s a discount for using it. I am absolutely shocked that Robin does not have one. However I’m curious about the blue one that you mention because we tow with our regular one and I’ve never had a problem. Have never heard of a separate one.

[@shanedenmark5536]

@@ceciliapetrowsky2572 The blue one eliminates the toll reader seeing your rig as an 18 wheeler or whatever. Allegedly it’s less expensive than towing with the regular EZPass but I haven’t done a direct comparison.

[@pamelaklemp5615]

So very glad you spoke on this subject! Thanks, too, to the Class A MOTORCOACH commentary 👏 . Husband and I have 3 travel Vehicles: A Class A MOTORCOACH, An Airstream Bumper Pull Camper, and a full size Conversion Van. Each has its advantages for certain types of travels and stays. Consideration for the roadways we'll be using changes dramatically depending on which vehicle we're traving in. Gas, mileage, maintenance, size restrictions and length of duration. But we are also INCREASINGLY CONSIDERING THE TOLLS vs NO TOLLS along with weight and bridge heights and overpasses when traveling rural roads. More and more we simply park the MOTORCOACH or Airstream in a camp and do our sightseeing strickly by using the Conversion Van to avoid the TOLLS and SURPRISE hassles.

[@martinbecklen6486]

GREAT INFORMATION.

[@tjrothausen]

Loving the hair! 😊

[@ri-imagine-life]

Pennsylvania is the worst!! I drove 3 hours on a toll road in PA and the bill was $47! No where on that road was the cost listed.

[@CreativityRV]

Well, holy crap. That sucks!

[@CreativityRV]

And you're right! The cost isn't posted anywhere! Not even online.

[@lmlowe9100]

It cost me a hundred dollars to drive 10 miles through Chicago, several years ago. I-44 through Missouri cost me $25...I paid in literal coins, scrounged from my console and the bottom of my purse...had no idea they only took cash or prepaid.

[@amberbleu1598]

Its so greasy ....