How to pay Florida tolls

You can pay Florida tolls in three ways: with cash at toll booths, through a prepaid toll account, or automatically when you drive through without stopping. Most toll roads in Florida are managed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) or by regional toll authorities. If you drive through a toll plaza without paying, the toll authority photographs your license plate and sends an invoice to the vehicle's registered owner — you will owe the toll plus a processing fee.

The fastest and cheapest method is a prepaid account called SunPass, which is the statewide toll collection system. You can also use E-PASS in the central Florida area or Leeway in the Miami-Dade area, though SunPass works on all Florida toll roads. With any prepaid account, you mount a small transponder on your windshield, and tolls are deducted automatically as you drive through.

Key Takeaways

  • SunPass is the statewide prepaid toll account that works on all Florida toll roads and costs less per toll than paying cash.
  • You can set up a SunPass account online, by phone, or at a retail location, and the transponder arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
  • If you drive through a toll plaza without paying, the toll authority will mail an invoice to your vehicle's registered address with the toll amount plus a processing fee.
  • Cash payment is available at most toll booths, but you will pay a higher per-toll rate than SunPass account holders.
  • E-PASS and Leeway are regional alternatives to SunPass in central Florida and Miami-Dade County, but SunPass works everywhere in the state.

Setting up a SunPass account

To open a SunPass account, you need a valid driver's license or ID, a vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). You can set up the account online at sunpass.com, by calling 1-888-865-8627, or in person at a SunPass customer service center or retail location.

When you create the account, you choose how much money to load onto it upfront. The minimum varies but is typically $25 to $50. You also provide your vehicle's license plate number and vehicle information. SunPass then mails you a transponder (the small device that mounts on your windshield) within 7 to 10 business days. The transponder itself is free, though some retailers charge a small fee if you pick one up in person instead of waiting for mail delivery.

Once the transponder arrives, mount it on the inside of your windshield, usually in the upper corner. set up it through your online account or by calling customer service. You can add multiple vehicles to one account and request additional transponders for each one.

How toll rates work and what you pay

Toll rates vary by road and by distance traveled. On some roads, you pay a flat toll to enter; on others, you pay based on how many miles you drive. For example, tolls on the Florida Turnpike range from about $1 to $6 depending on your entry and exit points. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge toll is a flat rate. Exact rates change periodically and vary by road.

SunPass account holders pay a lower rate per toll than drivers who pay cash. The discount is typically 25 to 50 percent, depending on the road. If you pay cash at a toll booth, you will pay the higher rate. If you drive through without paying and receive an invoice, you will owe the cash toll rate plus a processing fee, which is usually $2.50 to $5 per unpaid toll.

You can check current toll rates for specific roads on the FDOT website or on sunpass.com. Most toll authorities also post rates at toll plazas.

Paying cash at toll booths

Most toll plazas in Florida have at least one cash lane where you can pay with coins or bills. Some plazas have moved to all-electronic collection, meaning there is no staffed booth and you must use a transponder or pay by invoice after the fact. Before you drive an unfamiliar toll road, check whether it has a cash lane.

Cash payment is slower than using a transponder because you must stop and hand money to an attendant or use a pay-by-plate machine. You will also pay the higher cash rate rather than the SunPass discount rate. If you do not have exact change, attendants can usually make change, but this slows the process further.

What happens if you don't pay a toll

If you drive through a toll plaza without paying, a camera photographs your license plate. The toll authority then mails an invoice to the address on your vehicle registration. The invoice includes the toll amount plus a processing fee. You have a important date to pay, usually 30 days from the invoice date, though this varies by toll authority.

If you do not pay by the important date, the toll authority may send a second notice and add additional fees. Unpaid tolls can eventually be referred to a collection agency or reported to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, which may suspend your vehicle registration or driver's license. Paying the invoice promptly is much cheaper and simpler than dealing with collection action.

If you received an invoice by mistake — for example, your transponder malfunctioned or you were in a rental car — you can dispute it. Contact the toll authority listed on the invoice with an explanation and any supporting documentation. Most toll authorities have a dispute process outlined on their website.

Regional toll systems: E-PASS and Leeway

E-PASS is a prepaid toll account used in central Florida, primarily on roads managed by the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Leeway is used in Miami-Dade County on roads managed by the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority. Both work the same way as SunPass: you load money onto an account, mount a transponder on your windshield, and tolls are deducted automatically.

The advantage of E-PASS or Leeway is that they may offer slightly lower rates or additional discounts on their specific roads. The disadvantage is that they only work on roads within their region. If you travel across Florida, you will need a SunPass transponder to use toll roads outside your region. Many drivers in central Florida or Miami-Dade carry both an E-PASS or Leeway transponder and a SunPass transponder for this reason.

You can set up E-PASS or Leeway accounts through their respective websites or customer service lines. The process is similar to SunPass.

Managing your SunPass account

Once your account is active, you can manage it online through your SunPass account dashboard. You can view your transaction history, check your balance, add money to your account, update your payment method, and change your contact information. Most account holders set up automatic replenishment, so money is added to the account automatically when the balance drops below a certain amount.

If your transponder is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement through your account. There is usually a small fee for a replacement transponder. If you sell your vehicle or no longer need the transponder, you can remove the vehicle from your account through the dashboard.

SunPass customer service is available by phone at 1-888-865-8627, by email through the website, or through the online account portal. Response times vary, but most inquiries are handled within one to two business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a SunPass transponder from another state on Florida tolls?

No. SunPass only works with transponders issued by SunPass or its regional partners (E-PASS and Leeway). If you have a transponder from another state's toll system, it will not work on Florida roads. You will need to set up a SunPass account and request a Florida transponder.

What if I'm renting a car and need to pay tolls?

Most rental car companies offer SunPass transponders for an additional daily fee, usually $3 to $5 per day. You can request one when you rent the car. Alternatively, you can pay cash at toll booths or drive through and pay by invoice later. If you pay by invoice, the rental company's address will receive the bill, and they may pass the charge and processing fee to you.

How long does it take to set up a SunPass account?

You can create an online account in about 10 minutes. However, the transponder takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. If you need a transponder when ready, you can pick one up in person at a SunPass customer service center or retail location, though you may pay a small fee for same-day service.

Do I need a SunPass account if I only drive tolls occasionally?

No. You can pay cash at toll booths or drive through and pay by invoice. However, you will pay a higher rate per toll than SunPass account holders. If you drive tolls more than a few times per year, a SunPass account usually saves money.

What if my SunPass balance runs out while I'm driving?

If your balance reaches zero, your transponder will not work at the next toll plaza. You will drive through and receive an invoice by mail. To avoid this, set up automatic replenishment so your account is topped up before the balance gets too low.