Pay Chicago tolls through I-PASS, Tollway.com, or by mail

Chicago tolls can be paid online through the Illinois Tollway's official website at Tollway.com, or by setting up an I-PASS account, which is the electronic toll collection system used on Chicago-area highways. If you drove through a toll plaza without a transponder or payment method, you can also pay the toll bill that arrives by mail. The fastest route is I-PASS because it deducts tolls automatically as you drive, but one-time payments through Tollway.com work if you only occasionally use tolled roads.

The Illinois Tollway operates all tolled highways 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/I-80), and the Chicago Skyway. Each of these routes has toll plazas where you either pay electronically or receive a bill later.

Key Takeaways

  • I-PASS is a transponder that sticks to your windshield and automatically deducts tolls as you drive, and you can set up an account at Tollway.com with a credit or debit card.
  • If you don't have I-PASS, you can pay a one-time toll bill through Tollway.com by entering your license plate number and the toll amount.
  • Toll bills arrive by mail if you pass through a toll plaza without I-PASS, and you have a set number of days to pay before a late fee is added.
  • I-PASS accounts receive a discount on every toll compared to paying per trip, and discounts vary depending on the road and vehicle type.

Set up an I-PASS account for automatic toll payments

An I-PASS account is the most common way to pay Chicago tolls. You purchase a transponder (a small electronic device) and attach it to your windshield. When you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with the toll reader and automatically deducts the toll from your account balance. You can set up an I-PASS account online at Tollway.com, by phone at 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277), or at a customer service center.

To open an I-PASS account online, you will need a valid credit or debit card, your vehicle's license plate number, and your vehicle's make and model. The transponder itself costs money upfront — the price varies, but you also receive a credit toward tolls when you purchase it. Once your account is active, you can add money to it at any time through Tollway.com, and tolls are deducted automatically each time you pass through a plaza. I-PASS customers pay a lower toll rate than drivers without a transponder.

Pay a one-time toll through Tollway.com if you don't have I-PASS

If you drove through a toll plaza without I-PASS and want to pay online before a bill arrives, you can do so through Tollway.com. Go to the "Pay a Toll" section of the website and select "Pay Now." You will need your vehicle's license plate number, the date you used the toll, and the name of the tollway. The website will show you the toll amount owed.

Payment is accepted by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Once you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number. This option is useful if you rented a car, borrowed a vehicle, or drove someone else's car through a toll plaza and want to settle the charge when ready rather than wait for a bill.

Pay a toll bill that arrives by mail

If you pass through a toll plaza without I-PASS and do not pay online beforehand, the Illinois Tollway will mail you a bill to the address registered with your vehicle's license plate. The bill will show the toll amount, the date and location of the toll, and a payment important date. You can pay this bill by mail, online through Tollway.com, or by phone.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order, include the bill stub, and mail it to the address shown on the bill. To pay online, visit Tollway.com, select "Pay a Toll," and enter the information from your bill. To pay by phone, call 1-800-UC-IPASS. If you miss the payment important date, a late fee will be added to your bill. The Illinois Tollway may also place a hold on vehicle registration renewal if the bill remains unpaid for an extended period.

Understand toll rates and discounts

Toll amounts in Chicago vary by road, direction of travel, and time of day on some routes. I-PASS customers pay less per toll than drivers without a transponder. For example, a toll that costs $2.50 for a driver without I-PASS might cost $1.50 for an I-PASS customer, though exact rates change and depend on the specific tollway.

Some tollways also offer discounts for certain vehicle types, such as motorcycles or trucks. The Illinois Tollway website displays current toll rates for each road. If you use tolled roads regularly, an I-PASS account will save you money over time because of the per-toll discount, even after accounting for the upfront cost of the transponder.

Replace or update an I-PASS transponder

If your I-PASS transponder is damaged, lost, or not reading correctly, you can request a replacement through Tollway.com or by calling 1-800-UC-IPASS. You will need your account number and the reason for replacement. A new transponder will be mailed to you, and you can usually use your account when ready while you wait for the replacement to arrive.

If you move to a new address or change your vehicle, update your I-PASS account information online or by phone. If you sell your vehicle, remove the transponder from the windshield and contact the Illinois Tollway to update your account so tolls are not charged to your old vehicle's license plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don't pay a Chicago toll?

The Illinois Tollway will mail you a bill. If you don't pay by the important date, a late fee is added. If the bill remains unpaid for several months, the Tollway may place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal, preventing you from renewing your license plates until the toll and fees are paid.

Can I use I-PASS from another state on Chicago tollways?

Yes. I-PASS is interoperable with other electronic toll systems in the Midwest, including E-ZPass used in eastern states. If your transponder is from another state's system, it will work on Chicago tollways, though you may not receive the I-PASS discount rate. Check with your home state's toll authority for details.

How long does it take to receive an I-PASS transponder after I order it?

Transponders are typically mailed within a few business days and arrive within one to two weeks. Your account is usually active when ready after you set it up online, so you can drive through toll plazas before the physical transponder arrives, though you will be charged the non-I-PASS rate until the transponder is mounted and activated.

Can I pay Chicago tolls with a prepaid card?

Most prepaid cards are accepted on Tollway.com as long as they are Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Some prepaid cards may be declined if they are not set up for online transactions. If your prepaid card is rejected, try a different payment method or call 1-800-UC-IPASS to pay by phone.

What if I was charged a toll by mistake?

Contact the Illinois Tollway through Tollway.com or by calling 1-800-UC-IPASS with details of the charge. Explain why you believe it was incorrect, and provide your account number or license plate number. The Tollway will review your claim and may issue a refund or credit to your account if the charge was in error.