Virginia has three main ways to pay tolls: prepaid accounts, pay-per-trip at a booth, and automatic license plate reading

Most tolls in Virginia are collected on the Interstate 66 corridor (I-66 inside the Beltway), the Dulles Toll Road, and the Pocomoke Bridge. You can pay tolls three ways: set up a prepaid account that charges your credit card or bank account as you drive, pay cash or card at a toll booth when you cross, or let the system photograph your license plate and bill you later. Which method works best depends on how often you use tolled roads and whether you want to avoid stopping.

The state's toll system is run by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), depending on which road you use. Understanding which agency manages your road and which payment method you choose will save you time and money — some methods offer discounts that others do not.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia's main tolled roads are I-66 inside the Beltway, the Dulles Toll Road, and the Pocomoke Bridge, each with different payment systems and discount structures.
  • A prepaid account (E-ZPass or a MWAA account) typically offers a 10 to 25 percent discount compared to paying per trip at a booth or by license plate.
  • If you do not set up an account, the system will photograph your license plate and send you a bill by mail, but this method costs more per crossing.
  • You can set up an account online in minutes with a credit card or bank account, and the account works across multiple Virginia roads and in other states.

E-ZPass accounts for I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road

The Dulles Toll Road and I-66 inside the Beltway both use E-ZPass, a regional prepaid system that works in Virginia and 16 other states. You buy a small transponder (a device that mounts on your windshield) and link it to a prepaid account. As you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with the reader and charges your account. The transponder costs between $25 and $35 one time, and you can reload your account online or by phone whenever the balance runs low.

E-ZPass accounts offer a discount of 10 to 25 percent off the per-trip rate, depending on the road and time of day. On I-66, tolls are higher during rush hours and lower during off-peak times, and E-ZPass holders pay the discounted rate automatically. You can set up an account through the E-ZPass Virginia website or by calling 1-888-324-8866. The account takes about five business days to set up after you order the transponder.

If you move out of state or sell your vehicle, you can transfer the transponder to a new account or vehicle. If you lose or damage the transponder, you can order a replacement through your account for a smaller fee than the original.

MWAA accounts for the Dulles Toll Road

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) also offers its own prepaid account for the Dulles Toll Road as an alternative to E-ZPass. This account works only on the Dulles Toll Road, not on I-66 or other roads. You set it up online at the MWAA website with a credit card or bank account, and tolls are charged directly to your payment method as you drive. There is no transponder to buy or maintain.

MWAA accounts offer a 10 percent discount compared to paying by license plate. The account is faster to set up than E-ZPass (usually active within one business day) and requires no hardware. However, the discount is smaller than E-ZPass offers, and the account only works on one road. If you use both I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road regularly, E-ZPass is usually the better choice.

Paying by license plate or at a toll booth

If you do not have a prepaid account, Virginia's toll system will photograph your license plate as you pass through and send you a bill by mail. This method requires no advance setup — the system automatically captures your plate number and the state vehicle registration database matches it to your address. You will receive an invoice in the mail within two to three weeks, and you can pay online, by phone, or by mail.

License plate billing costs more per crossing than a prepaid account. On I-66, a single crossing can cost $1.50 to $4.00 depending on the time of day, compared to $1.35 to $3.00 with E-ZPass. If you cross the same toll road more than a few times per month, a prepaid account will save you money even after the transponder cost.

Some older toll plazas still have staffed booths where you can hand cash or a card to an attendant. These booths are becoming less common as Virginia moves toward all-electronic tolling, so do not count on finding a booth. Check the specific road's website before you drive if you plan to pay cash.

Pocomoke Bridge tolls and payment

The Pocomoke Bridge, which crosses from Virginia into Maryland on US Route 13, has its own toll system separate from I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road. You can pay tolls at the booth with cash or card, or set up a prepaid account through the Pocomoke Bridge Authority. The prepaid account offers a small discount and works only on this bridge.

If you cross the Pocomoke Bridge regularly, a prepaid account is worth setting up. If you cross it only occasionally, paying at the booth is simpler. The toll amount varies by vehicle type (cars, trucks, motorcycles), so check the bridge's website for current rates before you travel.

Setting up and managing your account

To set up an E-ZPass account, visit the E-ZPass Virginia website or call 1-888-324-8866. You will need a valid credit card or bank account, your vehicle's license plate number, and your home address. Order the transponder online and it will arrive in five to seven business days. Once it arrives, mount it on your windshield inside the rearview mirror, set up it through your online account, and add funds. You can reload your account anytime online, and most accounts allow you to set up automatic reloading so you never run out of balance.

To set up a MWAA account, go to the MWAA website, enter your payment method and vehicle information, and your account is usually active within one business day. You do not need to order anything or wait for hardware to arrive.

If you have questions about your account or a charge you do not recognize, contact the customer service number for your account type. E-ZPass customer service is available by phone and online chat, and MWAA has a phone line and email support. Keep your account information updated, especially if you change your address or phone number, so you receive bills and notices on time.

Disputing a toll charge or fixing a billing error

If you believe you were charged incorrectly or crossed a toll road but received a bill you did not expect, contact the toll authority that issued the bill. For E-ZPass charges, call 1-888-324-8866 or log into your account to review your crossing history. For MWAA charges, contact MWAA customer service through their website. For Pocomoke Bridge charges, contact the Pocomoke Bridge Authority.

When you contact them, have your bill or invoice number ready, the date and time you crossed, and the amount charged. The toll authority can look up the crossing in their system and explain the charge. If the charge was an error, they will issue a credit to your account. If you believe the charge was correct but disagree with the toll amount, you can request a review, though toll rates are set by law and cannot usually be waived.

If you receive a bill for a crossing you did not make, report it when ready. Provide the toll authority with proof that you were not in Virginia on that date (such as a credit card statement showing a purchase in another location at the same time). The authority will investigate and remove the charge if they determine it was incorrect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same E-ZPass account in other states?

Yes. E-ZPass works in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and several other states. Your Virginia E-ZPass transponder and account work on tolled roads in all these states without any changes. Discount rates vary by state and road, so you may pay a different rate in another state, but the transponder itself works everywhere.

What happens if I do not pay a toll bill?

If you do not pay a toll bill within 30 days, the toll authority will send a second notice. If you still do not pay after 60 days, the debt may be referred to a collection agency, and your vehicle registration may be suspended until the bill is paid. The toll authority can also place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. It is better to contact the toll authority if you cannot pay and ask about a payment plan.

Do I need a prepaid account if I only cross tolls once or twice a year?

No. If you cross tolled roads very rarely, paying by license plate is simpler and cheaper than buying a transponder. You will receive a bill by mail and can pay it online. A prepaid account only saves money if you cross tolls frequently enough that the discount covers the transponder cost.

Can I use E-ZPass if I rent a car in Virginia?

No. E-ZPass is linked to a specific transponder and vehicle registration. If you rent a car, you cannot use your personal E-ZPass transponder. The rental car company may have its own tolling arrangement, or you will be billed by license plate. Ask the rental company about their toll policy before you drive.

How do I know which toll road I am on?

I-66 inside the Beltway is clearly marked with green signs that say "I-66 Toll" as you approach the tolled section. The Dulles Toll Road is also marked with toll signs. If you are unsure whether a road is tolled, check the Virginia Department of Transportation website or use a GPS app that shows toll roads. Most modern GPS and mapping apps highlight tolled routes so you can plan ahead.