How to pay tolls in Illinois
Illinois tolls can be paid three ways: through I-PASS, the state's electronic toll collection system; by mail after receiving a toll bill; or at toll plazas that still accept cash. I-PASS is the fastest and cheapest option — it deducts tolls automatically from a prepaid account as you drive, and you get a discount compared to paying by mail or cash. If you do not have I-PASS, the Illinois Tollway will photograph your license plate and send you a bill. Cash payment is available at a shrinking number of toll booths, mostly on older routes, but expect longer waits and no discount.
The Illinois Tollway operates the toll roads: the Tri-State Tollway (I-94, I-90), the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), and the Illinois Tollway extension (I-90 north of I-94). Most drivers encounter tolls on these highways when traveling through or around the Chicago area. Understanding which payment method works for your situation — whether you drive tolls regularly, occasionally, or just once — determines how much you pay and how much hassle you face.
Key Takeaways
- I-PASS is an electronic account that charges tolls automatically and costs less than paying by mail or cash; you can open one online or at a customer service center.
- If you do not have I-PASS, the Tollway photographs your plate and mails you a bill within 30 days, which costs more per toll than I-PASS rates.
- Cash is still accepted at some toll plazas but only at a limited number of booths, and you pay the highest per-toll rate.
- I-PASS accounts require a prepaid balance, which you can refill online, by phone, or at a retail location; the account is tied to your vehicle's license plate or transponder.
- Rental cars, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles have different toll rules and payment options through separate programs.
Opening and funding an I-PASS account
To open an I-PASS account, visit ipass.illinois.gov or go to a customer service center in person. Online, you provide your name, address, email, phone number, vehicle license plate, and payment method (debit or credit card). The account opens when ready, and you choose your prepaid balance — most drivers start with $25 to $100. You can also open an account by phone at 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277) or at a Jewel-Osco, Dominick's, or other retail location that sells I-PASS.
Once your account is open, tolls are deducted automatically each time you drive through a toll plaza. When your balance drops below a threshold you set (usually $10), the account automatically refills from your payment method. You can also refill manually online, by phone, or at a retail location. If you receive a toll bill in the mail instead — because your plate was not linked to an I-PASS account — you can still open an account retroactively and the Tollway will credit any overpayment.
I-PASS accounts are tied to your vehicle's license plate by default, so any driver using that vehicle benefits from the discount. If you own multiple vehicles, you can add them to the same account or create separate accounts. If you prefer a physical transponder (a small device mounted on your windshield) instead of plate-based billing, you can request one when you open your account or later.
Paying tolls by mail after receiving a bill
If you drive through a toll plaza without I-PASS, the Tollway's camera system photographs your license plate. Within 30 days, you receive a bill in the mail at the address registered with your vehicle's owner. The bill shows the toll amount, the date and location of the toll, and payment instructions. You can pay by check, money order, credit card, or debit card. Payment by mail costs more per toll than I-PASS — you pay the posted rate plus a $1 administrative fee per toll.
If you receive a bill and believe it is incorrect — for example, if you had I-PASS but the account was not linked to your plate — contact the Tollway's customer service to dispute it. You have the right to request a review, and the Tollway can adjust the bill if they confirm the error. If you ignore a bill, the Tollway can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal and refer the debt to a collection agency.
Some drivers use mail payment intentionally if they drive tolls very rarely — once or twice a year — because the cost of opening and funding an I-PASS account might not be worth it. However, if you drive tolls more than a few times per year, I-PASS saves money even after accounting for the initial setup.
Cash payment at toll plazas
Cash is still accepted at some toll plazas, but availability is limited and shrinking. The Illinois Tollway has been converting booths to all-electronic collection, so cash lanes are now available only at certain locations and only during specific hours. Before planning to pay cash, check the Tollway's website or call customer service to confirm which plazas accept it. Cash payment costs the most per toll — you pay the posted rate with no discount.
If you arrive at a toll plaza and cash is not accepted, you will be photographed and billed by mail. There is no option to turn around or avoid the toll on Illinois Tollway roads. Plan ahead by opening an I-PASS account or having a payment method ready to receive a bill.
Toll rates and discounts
I-PASS rates are lower than cash or mail rates for the same toll. The exact discount varies by toll plaza and vehicle type, but I-PASS users typically pay 25 to 50 percent less per toll than drivers who pay by mail or cash. For example, a toll that costs $1.50 by I-PASS might cost $2.00 by mail or cash. Over time, the savings add up significantly for regular drivers.
Rates also depend on your vehicle type. Passenger cars pay one rate, motorcycles pay a lower rate, and trucks pay higher rates based on the number of axles. I-PASS rates explore to all vehicle types, but the discount structure is the same — electronic payment is always cheaper than mail or cash.
The Illinois Tollway adjusts rates periodically, usually every few years. You can view current rates on ipass.illinois.gov or call customer service. If you have an I-PASS account, rate changes are applied automatically; if you pay by mail, the new rate appears on your next bill.
Special situations: Rental cars, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles
If you rent a car in Illinois, the rental company typically handles toll payment through a separate arrangement with the Tollway. Some rental agencies offer their own toll payment service, while others allow tolls to be charged to your rental agreement and billed to your credit card later. Ask the rental company at pickup what their toll policy is — some charge a convenience fee on top of the actual toll.
Commercial vehicles and trucks use a separate program called IVIP (Illinois Vehicle Image Processing), which works similarly to I-PASS but is designed for fleet operators. Motorcycles can use I-PASS at a discounted rate. If you operate a commercial vehicle or ride a motorcycle regularly on Illinois tolls, contact the Tollway directly to learn about the program that applies to you.
Out-of-state drivers who do not have an Illinois address can still receive toll bills by mail if their vehicle is registered outside Illinois. The bill will be sent to the out-of-state address on your vehicle registration. If you drive Illinois tolls frequently and live out of state, opening an I-PASS account is still possible — you provide your out-of-state address during registration.
What happens if you do not pay a toll bill
If you receive a toll bill and do not pay it, the Illinois Tollway can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. This means you cannot renew your plates until the toll debt is resolved. The Tollway can also refer unpaid tolls to a collection agency, which may report the debt to credit bureaus and attempt to collect the full amount plus collection fees.
If you believe a bill is incorrect or you have a hardship that prevents payment, contact the Tollway's customer service to discuss your options. Some situations may allow for a payment plan or adjustment, though this is handled case by case. Ignoring the bill does not make it go away and will result in escalating consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use I-PASS in other states?
I-PASS works on toll roads in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio through an interoperability agreement. If you travel to other states with tolls, such as New York or Florida, you will need a separate toll account for those states or be prepared to pay by mail. Check the toll authority's website for the state you are visiting to learn what payment methods they accept.
What if my license plate is obscured or unreadable when I drive through a toll plaza?
If the Tollway cannot read your plate, you will not receive a bill. However, this is not a reliable way to avoid tolls — the Tollway's cameras are sophisticated and can usually read plates even in poor conditions. If you intentionally obscure your plate to avoid tolls, you can be cited for a traffic violation. The safest approach is to use I-PASS or be prepared to pay by mail.
Can I get a refund if I overpay my I-PASS account?
Yes. If your I-PASS account balance is positive when you close it or if you have overpaid, you can request a refund from the Tollway. Contact customer service with your account number, and they will process the refund to your original payment method. Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days.
Do I need a separate I-PASS account for each vehicle I own?
No. You can add multiple vehicles to a single I-PASS account, and tolls for all of them will be deducted from the same prepaid balance. This is convenient if you own several cars and want to manage one account. Alternatively, you can create separate accounts for each vehicle if you prefer to track spending by vehicle.
What if I move out of Illinois but still drive tolls occasionally?
You can keep your I-PASS account open even if you move. Update your address in your account settings, and bills or correspondence will be sent to your new address. Your account remains active as long as you maintain a prepaid balance, so you can use it whenever you drive Illinois tolls.