Turnpike tolls

Dusty_Star · 10-10-2022, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altavia

Looks like you could use a visitors toll pass:

Visitor Toll Pass - Welcome

Florida Finally Gives Tourists a Way to Avoid Rental Car Rip-Offs on Cashless Roads | Frommer's

This looks like a fantastic solution - Thank you!

Bay Kid · 10-10-2022, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

i have had a Sun Pass since they first came out for business/pleasure travel. The mini with suction cups is very convenient versus the EZ pass with a more permanent velcro window attachment.

If you will only be using a toll rfid in FL, i would get the SunPass mini, if you will driving the east coast, I would get the EZ pass. EZ pass is good from Boston to Miami

So my EZ pass I use in Virginia will work on Florida toll roads?

Jameson · 10-10-2022, 07:27 AM

I used something called a Visitor Toll Pass when I was in your position. It's a tag that hangs on the rearview mirror. You can find info at visitortollpass dot com. I picked up the tag at a spot next to the baggage area. A lady was there to help. After we got our rental car if I remember right we took a picture of the car and registered it before we left the garage. I think they have a sensor on your way out of the airport that also then confirms your car info. You return the tag on your way out of town. It was far cheaper than dealing with the rental companies version of this.

BTW I don't think it is available at Tampa, just the Orlando airport.

gobuck827 · 10-10-2022, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

So my EZ pass I use in Virginia will work on Florida toll roads?

Yes. It used to only be valid on the FL turnpike but I just read on their web site that it is accepted @ the toll roads administered by the Central Florida Expressway Authority now.

Dusty_Star · 10-10-2022, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

So my EZ pass I use in Virginia will work on Florida toll roads?

Here is a link to a map that shows where you can currently use your EZ Pass, in brief it is most of the eastern United States. For some of the greyed states like Connecticut & South Carolina they are grey because they don't have any tolls. I think I read that Congress wanted all states to be compatible by ... 2016. That didn't exactly happen, but I think they are still working towards that goal. I think California is still one of the outliers. E-ZPass Group - About E-ZPass

Dusty_Star · 10-10-2022, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

Here is a link to a map that shows where you can currently use your EZ Pass, in brief it is most of the eastern United States. For some of the greyed states like Connecticut & South Carolina they are grey because they don't have any tolls. I think I read that Congress wanted all states to be compatible by ... 2016. That didn't exactly happen, but I think they are still working towards that goal. I think California is still one of the outliers. E-ZPass Group - About E-ZPass

I forgot to mention SunPass works in all of the EZPass compatible states.

Bill14564 · 10-10-2022, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

I forgot to mention SunPass works in all of the EZPass compatible states.

I believe Maryland is E-ZPass only, SunPass will not work there.

SunPass Pro, which is a combination of SunPass and E-ZPass, will work in Md, but not a basic SunPass.

Drrichross · 10-10-2022, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Footer

The Sunpass Mini works only in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. EZPass and IPass (Illinois) work everywhere but Georgia. Sunpass Pro works everywhere.

Order by mail whichever one is better for you and add the rental car license plate to your account for the time you are in Florida.

Just male sure you remove the rental plate from your account when you leave. I forgot to remove it once and 3 weeks later got about $20 taken out of my account because someone else was traveling all over the state in that rental car. Luckily it texts you when money gets taken out.

clasyldynpa · 10-10-2022, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLonzo

Thanks in advance for any insight on using the toll roads! I’ll be getting a rental car at the Orlando airport in November and driving to the Villages. My research shows it would be about $8 in tolls round trip via Turnpike. In addition, the rental car company charges about $4/day for each day the SunPass transponder is used.

Because I won’t be using the turnpike much during my stay, I’m wondering if I can decline use of the car rental company’s SunPass and just pay cash? (I'd rather not use 'Toll-by-the-Plate'). Do the toll booths (Exits 259 and 304) accept cash? Or would it be cost effective to get my own SunPass Mini account ($4.99) just for the month I’ll be there? Are there extra ‘daily’ charges to use this?

(note: Last time I visited, I got a surprise bill for tolls from the rental car company for $85 – just trying to avoid that this time).

Download the app Waze and specify when destination addresses, No Tolls, you won’t need the sun or E-Z pass. Plus it is a pleasant drive on those back roads.

Dusty_Star · 10-10-2022, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I believe Maryland is E-ZPass only, SunPass will not work there.

SunPass Pro, which is a combination of SunPass and E-ZPass, will work in Md, but not a basic SunPass.

You are correct, I have the SunPass Pro & it works, sorry I keep forgetting the mini.

NavyVet · 10-10-2022, 11:01 AM

My transponder (the one with suction cups) came with a protective foil bag.

Bill14564 · 10-10-2022, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

You are correct, I have the SunPass Pro & it works, sorry I keep forgetting the mini.

We have one of each. I always forget to check if we're carrying the right one when we travel north....have been lucky so far.

Miekies · 10-10-2022, 11:15 AM

If you choose to get the Sun Pass make sure you register your rental to it. There is a section for rental cars. Just putting a pass in the car will still result in a up charge because they run license plate to verify its on the account

DAVES · 10-10-2022, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Cash is no longer accepted on the turnpike from Orlando to the Villages, it is either SunPass/E-Pass/EZ-Pass or toll-by-plate.

You can probably use side roads to avoid the Turnpike if you want.

There are no daily charges for your own SunPass. If you will be coming back I would do that. Better to pay SunPass for the device and carry some small balance for a device you will be able to use again than give more money to the rental company.

I would suggest they call SunPass surely they are not the only one with this issue.
I BELIEVE they tie your credit card to your Sun Pass account and they keep it filled. We do not carry a balance on our credit card. Beware, I know someone who with a trip etc exceeded his credit limit on the card. They tried to add to his
Sunpass balance and it would not work on his overspent card. I do not know the resolution. Fines for not paying the toll etc.

DAVES · 10-10-2022, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drrichross

Just male sure you remove the rental plate from your account when you leave. I forgot to remove it once and 3 weeks later got about $20 taken out of my account because someone else was traveling all over the state in that rental car. Luckily it texts you when money gets taken out.

What ever happened to simple. E-Z pass? EZ to get the dirty end of the stick?