How to pay Illinois tolls

Illinois tolls can be paid in three main ways: through I-PASS, which is the state's electronic toll collection system; by cash at toll plazas that still accept it; or through Toll-by-Plate, which photographs your license plate and sends you an invoice. I-PASS is the fastest and cheapest option — it discounts tolls by roughly 50% compared to cash rates. Toll-by-Plate charges a higher per-transaction fee but requires no account setup. If you drive Illinois tollways regularly, I-PASS saves money. If you pass through occasionally, Toll-by-Plate handles it automatically.

The Illinois Tollway system covers four main routes: the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-90), the Reagan Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), and the Illinois Tollway extension into Indiana. Most toll plazas stopped accepting cash between 2020 and 2021, so I-PASS and Toll-by-Plate are now the primary payment methods. Understanding which option fits your driving patterns helps you avoid unexpected fees and registration holds.

Key Takeaways

  • I-PASS is an electronic transponder that mounts on your windshield and cuts toll costs roughly in half compared to paying cash.
  • Toll-by-Plate reads your license plate and mails you an invoice, with no account or transponder needed, but charges a higher per-toll fee.
  • Most Illinois toll plazas no longer accept cash; I-PASS and Toll-by-Plate are now the primary payment methods.
  • I-PASS accounts require a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and a payment method, and can be opened online or by phone.
  • Toll rates vary by vehicle type and location; commercial vehicles and motorcycles have different rates than standard passenger cars.

I-PASS: The electronic toll collection system

I-PASS is a small electronic transponder that you mount on your windshield. When you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with readers and deducts the toll from your prepaid account. The system covers all four major Illinois tollways and is the most economical choice for regular drivers. The transponder itself is free, but you must maintain a minimum balance in your account. When your balance drops below a certain threshold, the system automatically charges your payment method to replenish it. Most drivers set up automatic replenishment so they do not have to monitor the balance manually.

To open an I-PASS account, you need a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and a payment method — credit card, debit card, or bank account. You can set up an account online at the Illinois Tollway website or by calling their customer service line. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will receive a confirmation email with your account number, and the physical transponder is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, mount it on the inside of your windshield, centered and above the rearview mirror, so the toll plaza readers have a clear line of sight to communicate with it.

I-PASS rates are significantly lower than cash rates. A passenger vehicle paying cash might pay $1.50 to $2.00 per toll, while an I-PASS user pays roughly $0.75 to $1.00 for the same toll. The exact amount depends on the specific toll plaza and vehicle type. Motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and vehicles with trailers have their own rate structures. You can check your balance, view transaction history, update your payment method, and adjust automatic replenishment settings through your online account at any time.

Toll-by-Plate: Automatic invoicing without a transponder

Toll-by-Plate is a system that photographs your license plate as you pass through a toll plaza and mails you an invoice. You do not need to open an account, mount a transponder, or prepay anything. The Illinois Tollway photographs the plate, looks up the vehicle registration, and sends an invoice to the registered owner's address. You then pay the invoice by mail, online, or by phone within the grace period, typically 14 days. This method is most practical for drivers who cross Illinois tolls infrequently or who rent vehicles and do not want to set up a temporary account.

The downside is cost. Toll-by-Plate charges a per-transaction fee on top of the toll itself — typically $0.75 to $1.50 per toll, depending on the plaza. This makes it more expensive than I-PASS but still cheaper than cash at most locations. If you receive a Toll-by-Plate invoice, you have several payment options: online through the Illinois Tollway website, by phone, or by mailing a check. If you do not pay within the grace period, late fees are added. Repeated non-payment can result in registration holds, which prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration.

Cash payment and remaining toll plazas

Most Illinois toll plazas stopped accepting cash in 2020 and 2021. However, a small number of locations still have cash lanes, primarily at entry and exit points on the Tri-State Tollway. Cash rates are the highest of all payment methods — typically $2.00 to $3.00 per toll for a passenger vehicle, depending on the distance traveled. If you encounter a cash-only toll plaza, you will be charged the cash rate, and no discount applies.

The Illinois Tollway has been moving toward all-electronic tolling to speed traffic flow and reduce operating costs. If you regularly drive Illinois tolls and do not have I-PASS or a rental car with Toll-by-Plate coverage, opening an I-PASS account is the most economical choice. The transponder is free, and the savings accumulate quickly — most drivers recoup the time spent setting up an account within a few trips.

Managing your I-PASS account and transponder

Once you have your transponder, proper mounting is critical. Place it on the inside of your windshield, centered and above the rearview mirror. The placement matters because the toll plaza readers need a clear line of sight to communicate with it. If the transponder is not mounted correctly, the system may not read it, and you could be charged a cash rate or receive a Toll-by-Plate invoice instead. Test your transponder at your first toll plaza to confirm it is working.

You can manage your account online through the Illinois Tollway website at any time. Check your balance before long trips, view your transaction history to track spending, update your payment method if your card expires, and adjust automatic replenishment settings. 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, though defective units are replaced at no charge. If your transponder stops working and you receive Toll-by-Plate invoices instead, contact Illinois Tollway customer service to report the issue and request a replacement.

Toll rates by vehicle type and location

Illinois toll rates are not flat — they vary by vehicle type and the specific toll plaza. A standard passenger car with I-PASS might pay $0.80 at one location and $1.20 at another, depending on the distance and the tollway segment. Motorcycles typically pay a reduced rate, roughly 50% of a passenger car. Commercial vehicles, trucks with trailers, and vehicles with more than two axles pay higher rates. The Illinois Tollway publishes a toll rate schedule on its website, organized by vehicle type and toll plaza.

If you drive the same route regularly, you can look up the exact toll you will pay and budget accordingly. If you drive different routes, your costs will vary. Rental cars are usually covered by Toll-by-Plate automatically, so you do not need to do anything — the rental company handles the invoice. Some rental companies offer optional I-PASS transponders for frequent renters, which may save money if you cross tolls multiple times during your rental period.

What happens if you do not pay a toll

If you drive through a toll plaza without paying — whether because your I-PASS balance was empty, your transponder malfunctioned, or you missed a cash lane — the system will photograph your license plate and send you an invoice. If you do not pay the invoice within the grace period, typically 14 days, late fees are added to your bill. Repeated non-payment can result in registration holds, which prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration until the debt is resolved.

If you believe you were charged in error — for example, your transponder malfunctioned or you were double-charged — you can dispute the charge through your I-PASS account or by contacting the Illinois Tollway customer service. Keep records of your transponder maintenance and account activity to support a dispute. The Illinois Tollway investigates disputes and can reverse charges if they find evidence of a system error or transponder malfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an I-PASS from another state on Illinois tolls?

No. I-PASS is specific to Illinois and works only on the Illinois Tollway system. If you have a transponder from another state, such as E-ZPass or FasTrak, it will not work in Illinois. You must open an Illinois I-PASS account. However, some rental cars come with Toll-by-Plate coverage that works across multiple states.

What if my I-PASS transponder stops working?

If your transponder is not being read at toll plazas, you will receive Toll-by-Plate invoices instead. Contact the Illinois Tollway customer service to report the issue. They can send you a replacement transponder at no charge if it is defective. In the meantime, your account will be charged the Toll-by-Plate rate plus fees until the replacement arrives.

Do I need an I-PASS if I only drive Illinois tolls once or twice a year?

Not necessarily. If you drive tolls infrequently, Toll-by-Plate is simpler because it requires no account setup. You will pay a higher per-toll fee, but the total cost over a year may be less than the time and effort to maintain an I-PASS account. If you drive tolls more than a few times per year, I-PASS savings usually justify the account.

Can I transfer my I-PASS to a different vehicle?

Yes. You can update your vehicle registration in your I-PASS account online or by phone. The transponder itself stays the same; you just change which vehicle it is registered to. If you own multiple vehicles and want to use I-PASS in all of them, you can open multiple accounts or add multiple vehicles to a single account.

What if I move out of Illinois but still drive the tolls occasionally?

You can keep your I-PASS account active even if you move. The account is tied to your driver's license and payment method, not your address. You can update your mailing address in your account so invoices and statements go to your new location. If you no longer drive Illinois tolls, you can close the account online.