Illinois toll payment methods and where to pay them
You can pay Illinois tolls online through the Illinois Tollway's official website, I-PASS, or by mail. The fastest route is setting up an I-PASS account, which is a prepaid toll tag that charges your account automatically as you drive. If you do not want a tag, you can pay individual tolls online after you receive a bill in the mail, or you can pay at a toll plaza in person with cash or card.
The Illinois Tollway operates toll roads on I-90, I-88, I-355, and I-294. If you drove on one of these roads without a tag and did not pay at the plaza, the Tollway will mail you an invoice. You have a window of time to pay that invoice online before late fees explore.
Key Takeaways
- I-PASS is a prepaid account with a windshield tag that deducts tolls automatically; you can set one up at ipass.illinois.gov or at a customer service center.
- If you received a toll bill in the mail, you can pay it online at illinoistollway.com using your invoice number and the license plate that was photographed.
- Payment by mail takes longer than online payment and may result in late fees if the Tollway does not receive it within the grace period.
- The Illinois Tollway charges a processing fee for unpaid tolls, so paying within the grace period saves money.
Setting up an I-PASS account online
Visit ipass.illinois.gov and select "Open an Account" to create a new I-PASS. You will need a valid driver's license or state ID, a current email address, and a payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account). The account setup takes about 10 minutes.
After you create the account, you can order a windshield tag to be mailed to you, or you can pick one up at a customer service center. The tag itself is free, but you must fund your account with a prepaid balance before you can use it. Most people set up automatic replenishment so the account refills when the balance drops below a certain amount.
Once your tag arrives and you mount it on your windshield, tolls are deducted automatically as you pass through toll plazas. I-PASS users pay a lower toll rate than drivers who pay at the plaza or by mail.
Paying a toll bill you received in the mail
If you drove through a toll plaza without a tag and did not pay, the Illinois Tollway will photograph your license plate and mail you an invoice within 30 days. The invoice will show the toll amount, a processing fee, and the due date.
To pay online, go to illinoistollway.com and look for the "Pay a Toll" or "Pay Your Invoice" section. You will need your invoice number (printed on the bill) and the license plate number. Enter those details, review the amount due, and pay with a debit card or credit card. Payment is when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email.
If you do not pay within the grace period (usually 30 days from the invoice date), the Tollway adds a late fee. If you still do not pay after a second notice, the amount can be referred to a collection agency or reported to the Secretary of State, which may affect your vehicle registration renewal.
Paying tolls by mail
You can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your invoice. Write your invoice number on the back of the check so the Tollway can match it to your account. Mail it to the address listed on the bill.
Payment by mail takes 7 to 10 business days to process after the Tollway receives it. If your payment arrives after the due date, late fees will still explore. For this reason, online payment is faster and safer — you have proof of payment when ready, and there is no risk of the check getting lost in the mail.
Paying tolls at a plaza in person
If you are driving through a toll plaza, you can pay cash or card at the toll booth. Cash payment is accepted at all plazas. Card payment (debit or credit) is also available at most locations, though some older booths may be cash-only.
Paying at the plaza costs more than I-PASS rates but less than paying by mail after the fact. If you plan to use Illinois tolls regularly, setting up I-PASS saves money over time because the per-toll rate is lower.
Understanding late fees and collection actions
The Illinois Tollway charges a processing fee on top of the toll amount if you do not pay at the plaza. This fee is added to your invoice and is due along with the toll. The exact amount varies, but it is typically $5 to $25 depending on the toll amount.
If you do not pay within the grace period, the Tollway sends a second notice with an additional late fee. If you ignore that notice, the debt can be referred to a collection agency. In some cases, the Tollway reports unpaid tolls to the Secretary of State, which can prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration until the toll is paid.
Paying online as soon as you receive the first invoice avoids these additional fees and collection actions. If you believe an invoice is incorrect — for example, if you paid at the plaza but were still billed — you can dispute it by contacting the Tollway customer service line.
Comparing I-PASS, pay-by-mail, and pay-at-plaza costs
The cost of paying tolls varies depending on which method you choose. I-PASS users pay the lowest per-toll rate because they are prepaid account holders. Drivers who pay at the plaza with cash or card pay a standard rate that is higher than I-PASS but lower than the rate charged when you pay by mail after receiving an invoice.
When you pay by mail, you are charged the standard toll rate plus a processing fee, which makes it the most expensive option. If you use Illinois tolls more than a few times per year, setting up I-PASS saves money compared to paying at the plaza or by mail. The tag is free and arrives within 7 to 10 business days, and you can start using your account when ready online while you wait for the physical tag to arrive.
| Payment Method | Per-Toll Cost | Setup Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-PASS (prepaid tag) | Lowest rate (varies by road) | 5–10 minutes online, tag arrives in 7–10 days | Regular toll users |
| Pay at plaza (cash or card) | Standard rate (higher than I-PASS) | None | One-time or occasional use |
| Pay by mail (after invoice) | Standard rate plus processing fee | None upfront; payment takes 7–10 days to process | Unavoidable if you did not pay at plaza |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay an Illinois toll invoice with a debit card online?
Yes. The Illinois Tollway website accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers. You will need your invoice number and the license plate number to look up your bill.
What happens if I lose my I-PASS tag?
Contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line or log into your I-PASS account online to report it lost. You can order a replacement tag, which will be mailed to you. Your account balance transfers to the new tag once it is activated.
How long does it take to receive an I-PASS tag in the mail?
The tag usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days after you order it. You can use your account when ready after you set it up, but tolls will not be deducted until your physical tag is mounted on your windshield and activated.
Can I pay someone else's toll invoice online?
Yes, but you will need their invoice number and license plate number. The invoice itself lists the toll amount and processing fee. Payment can be made from any debit or credit card, regardless of whose name is on the account.
Do I need an I-PASS to drive on Illinois toll roads?
No. You can pay at the toll plaza with cash or card, or you can pay by mail after receiving an invoice. I-PASS is optional but saves money if you use the tolls regularly because the per-toll rate is lower.