How to pay Illinois tolls

You can pay Illinois tolls three ways: with cash at toll plazas, with an I-PASS account that charges your credit card or bank account, or with a Toll-by-Plate account that bills you by mail after you drive. Most drivers use I-PASS because it costs less per toll and moves faster through dedicated lanes. If you don't have an account, you can still drive toll roads, but you'll pay a higher rate and receive an invoice weeks later.

The Illinois Tollway operates the toll roads in the state. Their website and customer service line handle account setup, payment, and disputes. You can open an account online in about five minutes, and it takes effect within one to three business days.

Key Takeaways

  • I-PASS accounts charge lower per-toll rates and let you use express lanes; Toll-by-Plate charges a higher rate and bills you by mail after you drive.
  • You can pay tolls with cash at toll plazas, but you'll pay more than account holders and won't get a receipt showing your payment.
  • I-PASS accounts require a valid credit card, debit card, or bank account and a current mailing address in the United States.
  • If you receive a toll invoice in the mail and don't recognize the charge, you can dispute it with the Illinois Tollway within 30 days of the invoice date.
  • Toll rates vary by vehicle type and location; motorcycles and electric vehicles pay lower rates than standard cars, which pay less than trucks.

I-PASS accounts: the most common payment method

An I-PASS account is a prepaid account linked to your credit card, debit card, or bank account. You load money into the account, and each toll is deducted automatically as you drive. The Illinois Tollway charges lower per-toll rates to I-PASS holders than to drivers who pay cash or receive a bill in the mail.

To open an I-PASS account, go to the Illinois Tollway website (illinoistollway.com), click "Open an Account," and enter your name, address, phone number, email, and payment method. You'll choose a minimum balance — typically $25 to $100 — and the account activates within one to three business days. Once active, you can buy a transponder (a small device that mounts on your windshield) for $25 to $40, or you can use a video transponder that reads your license plate instead.

I-PASS accounts are tied to one vehicle at a time, but you can add multiple transponders or switch vehicles by updating your account online. If your balance drops below a set threshold, the account automatically charges your payment method to refill it. You can set up automatic refills or refill manually whenever you want.

Toll-by-Plate: paying by mail after you drive

Toll-by-Plate is a system that photographs your license plate as you drive through a toll plaza and sends you an invoice by mail. You don't need to open an account in advance or carry a transponder. The Illinois Tollway charges a higher per-toll rate for Toll-by-Plate than for I-PASS, and you'll receive a bill weeks after you drive.

If you drive a toll road without an I-PASS account and don't have a transponder, you're automatically enrolled in Toll-by-Plate. The Illinois Tollway will mail an invoice to the address registered with your vehicle's license plate. You can pay the invoice by check, money order, credit card, debit card, or bank transfer through the Illinois Tollway website.

If you receive a Toll-by-Plate invoice and want to set up an I-PASS account instead, you can do so at any time. Your future tolls will be charged to the I-PASS account at the lower rate. You'll still need to pay any outstanding Toll-by-Plate invoices separately.

Paying with cash at toll plazas

Some toll plazas still accept cash at manual toll booths, though the number of cash lanes has decreased. Cash tolls cost more than I-PASS tolls and more than Toll-by-Plate tolls. You won't receive a receipt, so there's no record of your payment if a dispute arises later.

If you pay cash and later receive a Toll-by-Plate invoice for the same toll, it usually means the toll booth didn't register your payment or the camera captured your plate before you reached the booth. Contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line to report the duplicate charge and request a refund. Have the date, time, and location of the toll ready.

Disputing a toll charge or invoice

If you receive a Toll-by-Plate invoice you don't recognize, or if you believe you were charged twice for the same toll, you can dispute it. Contact the Illinois Tollway within 30 days of the invoice date. You can call their customer service line, mail a written dispute to the address on the invoice, or submit a dispute form through their website.

When you dispute a charge, have the invoice number, the date and location of the toll, and any photos or documentation ready. The Illinois Tollway will investigate and respond within 30 to 60 days. If the charge was an error, they'll issue a refund or credit to your account.

If you have an I-PASS account and notice an incorrect charge, you can also contact customer service to review your account history. I-PASS accounts show a detailed list of every toll charged, so you can verify each one.

Toll rates and vehicle types

Illinois toll rates depend on your vehicle type and the distance you travel. Standard passenger cars pay one rate, motorcycles pay a lower rate, electric vehicles pay a reduced rate, and trucks pay a higher rate. Rates also vary by toll plaza and direction of travel.

I-PASS holders pay less per toll than Toll-by-Plate users, who pay less than cash payers. For example, a standard car might pay $1.50 with I-PASS, $2.25 with Toll-by-Plate, and $2.50 in cash for the same toll, though these amounts vary by location and change periodically.

You can view current toll rates on the Illinois Tollway website by entering your vehicle type and the toll plaza or route you're using. Rates are updated annually, usually in January.

Setting up and managing your account online

Once you open an I-PASS account, you can manage it through the Illinois Tollway website or mobile app. You can view your balance, see a history of tolls charged, update your payment method, change your automatic refill settings, and add or remove transponders.

If you move or change your payment method, update your account information as soon as possible. If your transponder is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order a replacement through your account for a fee, usually $25 to $40. If you sell your vehicle or no longer need the account, you can close it and request a refund of any remaining balance.

The Illinois Tollway customer service line is available by phone, email, and mail. Response times vary, but phone support typically answers within a few minutes during business hours. You can also find answers to common questions on their website's FAQ section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my I-PASS account in other states?

I-PASS works only on Illinois toll roads operated by the Illinois Tollway. Other states have their own toll systems with different names and transponders. However, some states participate in interoperability programs that allow certain transponders to work across state lines. Check the Illinois Tollway website for current information about which states accept I-PASS.

What happens if my I-PASS account balance runs out while I'm driving?

If your balance drops to zero, you can still drive through toll plazas. The Illinois Tollway will send you an invoice for the tolls you drove, charged at the Toll-by-Plate rate (higher than I-PASS). To avoid this, set up automatic refills so your account recharges when the balance reaches a certain amount.

Do I need an I-PASS account to drive on Illinois toll roads?

No. You can drive without an account and pay by Toll-by-Plate (by mail invoice) or cash at toll plazas. However, you'll pay a higher per-toll rate and won't benefit from the faster express lanes reserved for I-PASS holders.

How long does it take to get a refund if I dispute a toll charge?

The Illinois Tollway investigates disputes within 30 to 60 days and notifies you of the outcome by mail or email. If the charge was an error, the refund or credit is applied to your account or mailed as a check, depending on your account type and the amount.

Can I transfer my I-PASS account to someone else?

No. I-PASS accounts are personal and tied to the account holder's name and payment method. If you want to give your transponder to another driver, they'll need to open their own I-PASS account. You can close your account and request a refund of any remaining balance.