Maryland tolls can be paid through E-ZPass, a prepaid account, or cash at certain locations — and the method you choose affects how much you pay and how quickly you can move through toll plazas.

Maryland operates toll roads on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and several other highways. If you drive these routes regularly or occasionally, you have three main ways to pay: E-ZPass (an electronic toll collection system), a prepaid toll account without E-ZPass, or cash at toll plazas that still accept it. E-ZPass is the fastest and usually the cheapest option because it lets you drive through toll lanes without stopping, and most toll agencies offer a discount on the toll amount itself.

Key Takeaways

  • E-ZPass is an electronic account that lets you drive through toll lanes without stopping and typically costs less per toll than paying cash.
  • You can set up E-ZPass through the Maryland Transportation Authority website or through a regional E-ZPass office, and the transponder attaches to your windshield.
  • If you don't want E-ZPass, you can pay tolls by mail after driving through, though this method usually costs more and takes longer to process.
  • Cash is accepted at some Maryland toll plazas, but the number of cash lanes has decreased, and you should check ahead before relying on it.
  • Your E-ZPass account can be linked to a credit card, debit card, or bank account, and you can set it to replenish automatically when the balance drops below a certain amount.

How E-ZPass works in Maryland

E-ZPass is a radio-frequency transponder — a small device about the size of a matchbox — that you mount on your windshield. When you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with a reader, and the toll is deducted from your prepaid account automatically. You never stop, never hand over cash, and the transaction takes seconds.

To set up E-ZPass in Maryland, you go to the Maryland Transportation Authority website (mdta.maryland.gov) or visit an E-ZPass service center in person. You'll need a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). The transponder itself is usually free or costs a small deposit that you get back if you return it later. Once your account is active, you can add money to it online, by phone, or through automatic replenishment, which charges your payment method whenever your balance falls below a threshold you set.

E-ZPass discounts vary by toll location. On the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, for example, E-ZPass users pay less than cash payers. The exact savings depend on the toll plaza and your vehicle type (cars, motorcycles, and trucks are charged differently). You can see current toll rates on the Maryland Transportation Authority website before you set up an account.

Paying tolls without E-ZPass

If you don't have E-ZPass, you can pay tolls by mail. After you drive through a toll plaza, the Maryland Transportation Authority photographs your license plate and sends you an invoice. You then pay by check, credit card, or debit card through the mail or online. This method works, but it costs more — tolls paid by mail are typically higher than E-ZPass rates — and the bill can take one to two weeks to arrive.

Some Maryland toll plazas still have cash lanes, but they are becoming less common. Before you plan to pay cash, call the Maryland Transportation Authority customer service line or check their website to confirm that cash is accepted at the specific toll plaza you'll be using. If you do pay cash, have exact change ready, because some plazas no longer make change.

Setting up automatic replenishment on your E-ZPass account

Automatic replenishment means your E-ZPass account adds money to itself when the balance drops below a level you choose. For example, you might set it to add $25 whenever your balance falls below $5. This keeps you from running out of funds and getting charged the higher mail-pay rate.

To set up automatic replenishment, log into your E-ZPass account on the Maryland Transportation Authority website, go to your account settings, and select the replenishment option. You'll choose how much to add and at what balance threshold. The charge appears on your credit card, debit card, or bank account statement within a few business days. You can change or turn off automatic replenishment at any time.

What happens if your E-ZPass account runs out of money

If your account balance reaches zero while you're driving through a toll plaza, your license plate is photographed and you receive a bill by mail. This bill is charged at the higher non-E-ZPass rate, which costs more than if you had maintained a balance. You'll have a grace period to pay the bill — usually 30 days — before late fees are added.

To avoid this, set your automatic replenishment threshold low enough that you rarely hit zero. If you do receive a bill for a toll you drove through, you can pay it online through the Maryland Transportation Authority website or by mail. Once you pay, your E-ZPass account is active again for future tolls.

Using E-ZPass across state lines

One advantage of E-ZPass is that it works on toll roads in other states. If you have a Maryland E-ZPass account and drive through tolls in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, or other E-ZPass member states, the toll is deducted from your Maryland account. You don't need separate accounts for each state.

The toll rates and discounts vary by state and toll plaza, so the amount charged depends on where you're driving. Your Maryland E-ZPass transponder works the same way everywhere — it communicates with the toll reader and deducts from your account. This makes E-ZPass convenient if you travel between states regularly.

Replacing or updating your E-ZPass transponder

E-ZPass transponders last several years, but they do eventually wear out or stop working. If your transponder stops reading tolls correctly, you'll start receiving bills by mail instead of having tolls deducted from your account. You can order a replacement transponder through the Maryland Transportation Authority website or by calling their customer service line. There is usually a small fee for a replacement.

If you change vehicles, you'll need to move your transponder to the new vehicle or order a new one. The transponder should be mounted on the windshield in a specific location (usually the upper driver's side) so the toll reader can detect it. If you mount it incorrectly, tolls won't be deducted and you'll receive bills by mail instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my E-ZPass transponder in a rental car?

Yes, you can move your transponder to a rental car for the duration of your rental. Make sure it's mounted in the correct location on the windshield. When you return the rental, remove the transponder and reinstall it in your own vehicle. Some rental companies charge a fee if they discover a transponder mounted on their car, so it's best to remove it before returning the vehicle.

What if I lose my E-ZPass transponder?

Contact the Maryland Transportation Authority when ready and report it lost. They can deactivate the old transponder so it can't be used fraudulently and order you a replacement. You'll pay a replacement fee, usually around $10 to $20. Until the new transponder arrives, tolls will be charged at the mail-pay rate if you drive through toll plazas.

How do I check my E-ZPass account balance?

Log into your account on the Maryland Transportation Authority website using your username and password. You can also call their customer service line and speak to a representative. Your balance updates within a few hours after you drive through a toll plaza, so you can see your recent transactions and current balance anytime.

Do I need a separate E-ZPass account for each vehicle I own?

No, you can have one account and move the transponder between vehicles. However, if you want to use E-ZPass in multiple vehicles at the same time, you'll need to purchase additional transponders and link them to the same account. This way, tolls from all your vehicles are deducted from one balance.

What if I dispute a toll charge on my E-ZPass account?

Contact the Maryland Transportation Authority customer service with details of the toll you're disputing — the date, time, and toll plaza. They can review the transaction and investigate whether the charge was correct. If there was an error, they can refund the amount to your account. Keep records of your trips so you can reference them if you need to dispute a charge.