What the I-73 toll is and who has to pay it

Interstate 73 is a highway that runs through North Carolina and South Carolina. The toll section — officially called the Greensboro Urban Loop — is a 10-mile stretch near Greensboro, North Carolina, that opened to traffic in 2022. If you drive this section, you owe a toll payment to the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, the state agency that operates the road.

You pay the toll whether you live in North Carolina or are just passing through. The toll amount depends on the vehicle type and time of day you travel, with rates ranging from a few dollars for passenger cars to higher amounts for trucks. If you do not pay within a set window after driving the toll road, late fees begin to accumulate on top of the original toll.

Key Takeaways

  • The I-73 toll near Greensboro, North Carolina, is collected by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, and you can pay online, by phone, or by mail.
  • You have a grace period after driving the toll road to pay — usually around 10 days — before late fees are added to your bill.
  • If you drive the toll road regularly, a prepaid account lets you pay a discounted rate per trip instead of paying full price each time.
  • Unpaid tolls can result in vehicle registration holds and collection actions, so paying as soon as you receive a notice is important.

How to pay your toll online

The fastest way to pay is through the North Carolina Turnpike Authority website. Go to ncturnpike.org and look for the toll payment section. You will need your license plate number and the date you drove the toll road. The site will show you the amount owed and let you pay by credit card or debit card in real time.

Online payment is processed when ready, and you receive a confirmation number right away. Keep this confirmation for your records. If you are unsure of the exact date you drove the road, you can search by license plate number, and the system will show all unpaid tolls linked to that plate.

Paying by phone or mail

You can also call the North Carolina Turnpike Authority directly at their customer service line to pay over the phone. A representative will look up your account by license plate number and process your payment by credit card or debit card. This method takes a few minutes but does not require you to navigate a website.

If you prefer to mail a payment, send a check or money order to the address listed on any toll notice you received. Include your license plate number and the date of travel on the check so the payment is matched to the correct account. Mailed payments take longer to process — typically one to two weeks — so this method is slower than online or phone payment.

Setting up a prepaid account for regular drivers

If you drive the I-73 toll section regularly for work or commuting, opening a prepaid account saves money. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority offers discounted per-trip rates for account holders compared to the full toll price charged to drivers who pay after the fact. You fund the account in advance, and each trip automatically deducts the discounted amount.

To open a prepaid account, visit the Turnpike Authority website or call customer service. You will link your vehicle license plate to the account and choose a payment method to fund it. Once the account is active, tolls are deducted automatically each time you drive the toll road. You can set up automatic reloading so the account refills when the balance drops below a certain amount, or you can manually add funds when needed.

What happens if you do not pay on time

If you do not pay within the grace period — typically around 10 days from the date you drove the toll road — the North Carolina Turnpike Authority sends a notice to the address on file with your vehicle registration. This notice includes the original toll amount plus a late fee. The late fee is usually a flat amount added to the bill, though the exact fee varies.

If you ignore the notice and continue not to pay, the debt can grow. The Turnpike Authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration, preventing you from renewing it. In some cases, unpaid tolls are sent to a collection agency, which can report the debt to credit bureaus and pursue collection actions. Paying as soon as you receive a notice stops these consequences from escalating.

Disputing a toll charge

If you believe you were charged incorrectly — for example, if you did not actually drive the toll road or if the amount seems wrong — you can dispute the charge. Contact the North Carolina Turnpike Authority customer service and explain the issue. Have your license plate number and the date in question ready.

The Turnpike Authority will review your dispute, which may involve checking traffic camera footage or toll collection records. This process can take several weeks. While your dispute is being reviewed, you may still receive notices about the unpaid toll. If your dispute is upheld, the charge will be removed and any late fees will be waived. If the dispute is denied, you will be responsible for paying the original toll plus any accumulated late fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the I-73 toll?

The toll amount depends on your vehicle type and the time of day. Passenger cars typically pay a lower rate than trucks or commercial vehicles. Rates may vary slightly, so check the North Carolina Turnpike Authority website for current pricing, or call customer service for the exact amount owed on your account.

Can I get a refund if I paid a toll by mistake?

If you paid a toll in error — for example, you paid twice for the same trip — contact the North Carolina Turnpike Authority with your confirmation number and explanation. They will review the transaction and issue a refund if the error is confirmed. Refunds are typically processed back to your original payment method within one to two weeks.

What if I rented the car when I drove the toll road?

The toll notice goes to the registered owner of the vehicle, which is the rental company. The rental company may pass the toll charge to you as a separate fee on your rental agreement or bill. Check your rental contract to see how tolls are handled. If you were charged incorrectly, contact the rental company first, then the Turnpike Authority if needed.

Will an unpaid toll affect my credit score?

An unpaid toll by itself does not show up on your credit report. However, if the debt is sent to a collection agency and remains unpaid, the collection account can be reported to credit bureaus and will hurt your credit score. Paying the toll and any late fees before it reaches collections protects your credit.