The Essentials

Rental Cars and Toll Roads

It’s become a rental car driver’s nightmare — cashless systems on America’s highways, electronic tolls, and the challenge of paying them.

 

Two thirds of the toll booths in America are cashless, and drivers are automatically charged when they pass through.

 

But then, how do you pay? Sometimes you can pay online — signs near toll plazas show the website, if you can slow down enough to write it down.

 

But often, you’ll get a bill in the mail.

 

And what if it’s a rental car? That’s when the problems begin. You won’t get the bill because the rental car company does, and then you get hit with a higher bill, or worse, late payment penalties.

 

Before renting a car, check with the company to see if you can also rent a transponder that routes the tolls to your credit card.