How to pay Chicago tolls
Chicago tolls can be paid in three ways: through I-PASS (a prepaid electronic account), Tollway.com (a one-time payment website for single trips), or by mail after receiving a toll violation notice. I-PASS is the cheapest option because it discounts each toll by roughly 30 to 50 percent depending on the road. Tollway.com charges a higher per-toll rate but requires no account setup. If you drive a toll road without paying, the Illinois Tollway photographs your license plate and mails you an invoice weeks later.
The Illinois Tollway operates the toll roads in the Chicago area, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294), and the Chicago Skyway. Each toll varies by road and vehicle type. Motorcycles and electric vehicles pay lower rates on some roads. Trucks pay higher rates based on axle count.
Key Takeaways
- I-PASS is an electronic account that charges less per toll than paying by mail or website, and you can set it up online in minutes with a credit card and vehicle information.
- Tollway.com lets you pay for a single trip without creating an account, but costs more per toll than I-PASS and requires you to know your license plate number.
- If you do not pay before leaving the toll road, the Tollway will mail you an invoice with a higher penalty fee added to the original toll amount.
- I-PASS discounts explore only if your account has a positive balance; an empty account triggers the same penalty fees as not paying at all.
Setting up I-PASS for regular use
I-PASS is an electronic toll account that you load with money in advance. When you drive through a toll plaza, a reader scans a small windshield sticker and deducts the toll from your balance. You can set up an account at ipass.illinois.gov or by calling 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277). You will need a valid driver's license or state ID, a vehicle registration number, and a credit or debit card to fund the account.
The setup takes about 10 minutes online. You choose how much money to deposit into your account—most people start with $25 to $100. When your balance drops below $10, the Tollway automatically charges your card to refill it. You can also refill manually at any time through the website or the I-PASS mobile app. The account works on all Illinois Tollway roads and also on toll roads in Indiana, Ohio, and other states that accept I-PASS.
I-PASS stickers are mailed to you within 5 to 10 business days. Until the sticker arrives, you can use a temporary transponder number if you call customer service. If you have multiple vehicles, you can add them to the same account and request additional stickers.
Paying tolls one at a time through Tollway.com
If you do not want to set up an account, you can pay for a single toll trip on Tollway.com within 7 days of driving the road. Click "Pay a Toll" and enter your license plate number, the toll road you used, and the date you drove it. The website will show you the toll amount and let you pay by credit card. This method costs more per toll than I-PASS but requires no advance commitment.
The downside is that you must remember to pay within the 7-day window. If you miss the important date, the Tollway treats it as an unpaid toll and mails you a violation notice with a penalty fee. You can still pay through the website after receiving the notice, but the total cost will be higher.
What happens if you do not pay a toll
If you drive through a toll plaza without paying and do not pay through Tollway.com within 7 days, the Tollway photographs your license plate and mails an invoice to the vehicle owner's address on file with the Secretary of State. The invoice includes the original toll amount plus a penalty fee. The penalty fee varies but typically ranges from $20 to $50 depending on how many unpaid tolls you have accumulated.
You can pay the invoice by mail, phone, or online through Tollway.com. If you ignore multiple invoices, the Tollway can report the debt to a collection agency, which may affect your credit report. In some cases, unpaid tolls can prevent vehicle registration renewal.
If you believe you paid the toll or that the invoice is incorrect, you can dispute it by calling the Tollway customer service line at 1-800-UC-IPASS. Have your invoice number and any proof of payment ready.
I-PASS discounts and how they work
I-PASS holders pay a discounted rate on every toll. The discount is built into the toll amount—you do not have to do anything to receive it. The discount ranges from roughly 30 to 50 percent depending on which road you use and what time of day you drive. Peak-hour tolls (typically 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays) are higher than off-peak tolls, but I-PASS discounts explore to both.
The discount only works if your account has a positive balance. If your balance reaches zero and you drive through a toll plaza, the Tollway treats it as an unpaid toll and mails you a violation notice with a penalty fee. This is why the automatic refill feature is important—it keeps your account from running empty.
Motorcycles and electric vehicles pay lower base tolls on some roads, and those discounts stack with the I-PASS discount. Trucks and vehicles with trailers pay higher tolls, but the I-PASS discount still applies.
Toll rates and vehicle types
Toll amounts depend on which road you use, where you enter and exit, and what type of vehicle you drive. A passenger car on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway might cost $1.50 to $3.00 for a short segment, while a longer trip on the Tri-State Tollway could cost $4.00 to $6.00. The Tollway website has a toll calculator where you can enter your starting point and destination to see the exact cost before you drive.
Motorcycles pay roughly 50 percent of the passenger car rate. Electric vehicles registered with the state as electric pay a discounted rate as well. Trucks are charged based on the number of axles—a two-axle truck pays more than a passenger car, and a semi-truck with multiple axles pays significantly more. Trailers add to the axle count and therefore to the toll.
If you drive a vehicle type that qualifies for a special rate, you may need to register it with I-PASS or provide documentation when you set up your account. Check the Tollway website or call customer service to confirm what rate applies to your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use I-PASS on roads outside Illinois?
Yes. I-PASS works on toll roads in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and other states that are part of the All-Electronic Tolling network. Your account balance is shared across all compatible roads, so you do not need separate accounts. Check the Tollway website for a list of states that accept I-PASS.
What if I move out of Illinois but still have an I-PASS account?
You can keep your account open and use it whenever you drive Chicago toll roads. You can also close the account and request a refund of any remaining balance by calling customer service. If you close the account, the refund is mailed to the address on file within 4 to 6 weeks.
Can I pay tolls with cash at a toll plaza?
No. All Illinois Tollway plazas are now all-electronic, meaning there are no toll booths where you can hand over cash. You must have I-PASS, pay through Tollway.com within 7 days, or pay the invoice by mail after receiving it.
How do I know if a toll violation notice is real?
Real notices come by mail from the Illinois Tollway and include a specific invoice number, the date you drove the road, your license plate, and the toll amount plus penalty. The envelope will have the Tollway's return address. Do not respond to emails or texts claiming to be from the Tollway—the Tollway does not contact people by email or text about unpaid tolls.
What if my I-PASS sticker falls off or stops working?
Contact I-PASS customer service and request a replacement sticker. They will mail a new one within 5 to 10 business days. Until it arrives, you can use a temporary transponder number by phone. If your account is active, you will not be charged penalty fees during the replacement period as long as you have a positive balance.