E-ZPass. Should have done this year's ago

Davydd · 04-02-2015, 12:15 AM

We make frequent RV trips to Indianapolis and Washington, DC every year. That always entails driving around or through Chicago and to get to DC across Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania on toll roads. They all use E-ZPass as do just about the whole northeast of the United States. While on the Ohio Turnpike I picked up a transponder at at service plaza and finally got around to activating it. Let me tell you, it is and ain't easy. First, all the states give information out for their own residents and assume you are a daily commuter. Information for out of staters is practically nonexistent. Ohio just suggest you contact your state. My state of Minnesota has no toll roads and no one to contact. Secondly, they just say the transponder is for passenger vehicles and to contact them for commercial vehicles. Not a word on vans or RVs.

I took a flyer on Ohio simply because I could buy the transponder for $12 conveniently, their sign-up was easy online and they have a reasonable 75 cent per month service charge. They automatically reload your account from your charge card in $25 increments. The Indiana site was uncontactable when I tried and Illinois was confusing. So, I signed up with Ohio. Then when I checked my account it said passenger vehicles less than 7,000 lbs, 2 axles and 4 tires. Wha!!!! I have six tires but am legally 6,999 lbs (before conversion). Also, when driving, we are a passenger vehicle. One vexing problem we have always had in every state was inconsistent charges from toll booth to toll booth and really never knew what we had to pay. So, I called and asked if I was legal with the transponder I bought and registered. They said no problem. They can detect what vehicle you have as you pass through and charge accordingly. So I said, OK, and left it at that.

No longer do we have to carry exact change for the coin toss in booths. No longer do we have to guess what our charges are, fumble around and have money ready for the toll booth collector. No longer do we get shuttled off to the far right off the main freeway to pay. No longer do we have to wait in long lines to pay. Just drive right through. Love it. I don't care what they charge. I just want that time saving convenience. It was a pleasant and smug drive home yesterday and today through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Every time the gate automatically went up felt like a win.

booster · 04-02-2015, 12:43 AM

Great thing the passes, and they are usually a lot cheaper than the cash price, something like 1/2 sometimes, I think. We got ours for the east/south trip last year and burned through over $50 worth.

There is one advantage to getting the Illinois pass (I think it is Ipass), as it covers all the EZ Pass roads, and also the stuff in Illinois. I think the EZ Pass only works on one or two of the Illinois tolls. I am sure others who have traveled more in those areas would know if there are other differences.

We ran into several areas where you could not pay with cash, so you were out of luck if you wanted to go on that road, unless you just accepted the mailed bill and huge price.

gerrym51 · 04-02-2015, 12:50 AM

ez pass mass residents transponder free

Davydd · 04-02-2015, 01:05 AM

I believe Illinois IPass and E-ZPass are one and the same as far as use goes. On some they had the IPass/E-ZPass combined signs. We had no problem coming through today. We also went across the sky bridge on E-ZPass. I'll check my account tomorrow and see what transpired for costs. Saving money was not my criteria but that would be a nice benefit. I can afford the tolls but I found myself always plotting and looking for routes around toll ways even if they were longer in distance. I just hated to the toll booths. You can be in a van and the ticket comes out the lower slot where you have to practically climb out the van window to get it.

Davydd · 04-02-2015, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerrym51

ez pass mass residents transponder free

You can spend time going through all the different states to see what kind of deal you can get. The Ohio one was at a service center on the toll road and in hand and the sign up online made it instantly usable. A lot of states you had to sign up and wait for a transponder to arrive at your home. That was impossible for us since we were on the road when we decided to pull the trigger.

I read through some of the states' criteria and how they classified your RV and it was confusing. Also, as I mentioned I got charged differently at toll booths in the same state on the same road subjectively. I assume once you have a transponder you might get more consistency and I assume the states will honor each other on that. Or, like the person told me on the phone, they can determine your vehicle automatically. This is all new for me and I am curious to find out how it works.

This last trip we had E-ZPass tolls in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. It wasn't until Monday I activated it and used it in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois yesterday and today.

mikes47 · 04-02-2015, 02:01 AM

Thanks for that information, David. Makes one ponder ... should I join the E-ZPass crowd.

wincrasher · 04-02-2015, 02:28 AM

E-Zpass is great because you can use it in so many states. But if you got to Florida it doesn't work. You either get a Sun-Pass or just use the lane where they send a bill to the tag's address. Some places on the turnpike down to the keys there were no lanes to use money - just the Sun=Pass or the photo your tag and send you a bill. It's a bit more expensive that way - around $2 on $8 worth of tolls each way.

Davydd · 04-02-2015, 02:29 PM

Mikes47,

I think Michigan is like Minnesota. You don't have E-ZPass in your state so you are free to pick another source. Ohio, as I mentioned, was very easy. Every service center rest stop has a place right inside the door selling the transponders and you could sit down on the Internet with your computer or tablet and sign up right there.

FredA · 04-02-2015, 02:49 PM

We do the same drive that David did many times per year and enjoy the same feelings. But we found about the pass many years ago. So we have had more pleasure out of it.

We did have one problem. Our bank issued an new credit card due to a fraud alert and the state did not automatically pick up the change. Our pass had been issued by Indiana. On a trip through Chicago we went through a bunch of the high speed lanes that do not have gates. So we did not know we had a problem.

A few weeks after we got back we had a bill from Indiana for $370, for the toll and a fine. We did get it resolved and only needed to pay the tolls. So if you have a pass and have a major change to the associated credit card, I suggest you check your account and update the card info.

Davydd · 04-04-2015, 02:19 PM

There is a definite benefit to having an E-ZPass transponder other than convenience. I just reviewed my bill online from driving from Cleveland through to Wisconsin on the toll roads. The total charges were $16.95. Paying at the toll booths normally cost around $20 + or - just getting through and around Chicago. Yep, should have done this year's ago.

Boxster1971 · 04-04-2015, 02:39 PM

I have both an EZ-Pass and a Sun-Pass with auto load from my credit card. If you have your card cancelled by your bank you need to change to the new card. There is no way the pass agencies know your new card info after the old card is cancelled by your bank. They do know your expiration date on the card and if you have an online account associated with email they will send you a reminder to update your credit card info when it expires.

- - Mike
2013 Airstream Interstate from 2012 Sprinter 3500 tall & long

avanti · 04-04-2015, 02:51 PM

The PA Turnpike plans to make E-Z Pass mandatory by 2018:
http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia ... atory.html

Davydd · 04-04-2015, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

I have both an EZ-Pass and a Sun-Pass with auto load from my credit card. If you have your card cancelled by your bank you need to change to the new card. There is no way the pass agencies know your new card info after the old card is cancelled by your bank. They do know your expiration date on the card and if you have an online account associated with email they will send you a reminder to update your credit card info when it expires.

- - Mike
2013 Airstream Interstate from 2012 Sprinter 3500 tall & long

This is not uncommon. If you have any running accounts through places like Amazon.com, Apple iTunes, Camping World, etc. you will run into this. It is a pain in the A but not a big deal since it is now easy to go online and update. Sometimes it can be to your benefit if you signed up to any automatic renewal accounts and want to drop them. It is often easier than trying to close out on your own since they all make it extremely difficult to do so.

Sailordive · 04-09-2015, 07:39 PM

Their website suggests a neighboring state but there are none close to Georgia. There is no monthly fee as long as you don't request a paper statement. They do not charge a transponder fee and refill with your credit card at $20. As far as classification we originally obtained it for our car using the car classification then transferred it to the Sprinter by updating online. We have used it all over the NE and occasionally a state will adjust the toll to Van or RV but most just charge the car rate. The most unpredictable is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and their rate depends on whether they can see they dual rear wheels or not. You can take care of the request online and receive it in the mail in about 2 weeks. http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/ ... tions.aspx

If you travel in Texas I would also recommend the Texas Toll Tag https://csc.ntta.org/olcsc/

mikes47 · 04-09-2015, 10:06 PM

So, the wife and I made a sight-seeing tour out of getting an EZ Pass. We decided to take the long way home from Grand Rapids ... went south to the Indiana Toll Road and picked up the pass then left the turnpike to do some country driving. Visited some very nice Metro Parks along the Maumee River. Almost stayed the night but the very nice ranger really insisted on enforcing the dawn to dark park hours. "There's a way to spend the night," he said, "but you have to rent that little cabin there." I guess, if we had paid to rent the cabin, he would have allowed us to stay in our B ... we didn't take him up on the offer. Thanks, again, David, for the suggestion.

Mike · 04-13-2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avanti

The PA Turnpike plans to make E-Z Pass mandatory by 2018:
http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia ... atory.html

Mental note: Avoid PA Turnpike in all future travels. In fact, avoid PA.

MobileCabin · 08-05-2015, 02:27 AM

I am considering the EZ PASS. As I fill out the NJ form I am not sure what to select. The registration shows Roadtrek as the make. The EZ PASS does not give the option. Does one select MB? Then is it really pre-upfitted mass (<7000) or current that is much more?

Thanks

Davydd · 08-05-2015, 02:42 AM

I'd go with pre-upfitted <7000 Mercedes Benz Sprinter. The states claim the cameras can pick out what you will be charged. If so go in with the minimum. The Ohio form made no distinction when I signed up. I should add you are a personal passenger vehicle and not a commercial vehicle. That could make a difference too. If they don't like what you submit I would leave it up to them to correct you. Don't volunteer any more than you have to.

gerrym51 · 08-05-2015, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MobileCabin

I am considering the EZ PASS. As I fill out the NJ form I am not sure what to select. The registration shows Roadtrek as the make. The EZ PASS does not give the option. Does one select MB? Then is it really pre-upfitted mass (<7000) or current that is much more?

Thanks

when you fill out online it is not a direct entry. it's just an electronic form. i was sent an email back asking some clarification questions. you are an over 7000 pound van

Davydd · 08-05-2015, 12:57 PM

The Mercedes Benz raw EB 3500 cargo van as originally delivered and titled was listed as 6,999 lbs. That is what was on my chassis title. Upfitted it comes in over 9,000 lbs for most all Sprinter Bs.

You buy an EZ-Pass in several states and they are all different in criteria or questions and classifications on the forms. I live in Minnesota and chose to buy the Ohio pass. Pick the most advantageous for you. Like I said, they will correct you if need be and each state will bill you based on what their cameras pick up. Before EZ-Pass and paying at the booths, the classifications and charges were terribly inconsistent but most times I was charged no more than what passenger cars were charged.

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