Virginia toll payment happens through one of three systems depending on which road you use

Virginia operates tolls on specific highways and bridges through three separate programs: E-ZPass (used on the Dulles Toll Road, Leesburg Pike, and some northern Virginia routes), Toll-by-Plate (automatic billing by license plate on the Pocahontas Parkway and I-66 inside the Beltway), and SunPass (used on the Midtown Tunnel in Norfolk). Which system you use depends entirely on which road you drive. You do not choose between them — the road determines the payment method. If you drive on multiple toll roads in Virginia, you may need to set up accounts with more than one system.

The fastest way to pay is through a prepaid account with the system that covers your road. Without an account, you will receive a bill by mail weeks later, and late payments trigger penalties. Setting up an account takes 10 to 15 minutes online and costs nothing to open.

Key Takeaways

  • E-ZPass covers the Dulles Toll Road and northern Virginia routes; Toll-by-Plate covers I-66 inside the Beltway and the Pocahontas Parkway; SunPass covers the Midtown Tunnel in Norfolk.
  • You can pay tolls through a prepaid account, by mail after receiving a bill, or by renting a transponder — prepaid accounts avoid late fees and give you the lowest per-toll rate.
  • E-ZPass transponders cost $25 to $35 and can be used in 17 states; Toll-by-Plate requires no equipment and charges your registered vehicle owner's address automatically.
  • If you do not have an account and drive a toll road, you will receive an invoice by mail within two weeks, and payment is due within 30 days.
  • Rental car companies typically charge a daily fee ($3 to $5) if you use a toll road, so setting up your own account before renting can save money on frequent trips.

E-ZPass: The transponder system for northern Virginia toll roads

E-ZPass is the prepaid transponder system used on the Dulles Toll Road, Leesburg Pike, and several northern Virginia routes. A transponder is a small electronic device you mount on your windshield that communicates with toll readers as you pass through. When you drive through a toll plaza, the reader deducts the toll from your prepaid account balance automatically.

To set up an E-ZPass account, visit the Virginia E-ZPass website (ezpassva.com) or call 1-888-324-9377. You will need a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). The transponder itself costs $25 to $35 depending on the type you choose. Once you order it, the device arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days. You mount it on your windshield inside your vehicle, and it is active as soon as you receive it.

E-ZPass transponders work in 17 states along the East Coast and Midwest, so if you travel frequently outside Virginia, the same device works on toll roads in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and other states. This makes E-ZPass useful even if you only occasionally drive Virginia tolls.

Toll-by-Plate: Automatic billing for I-66 and the Pocahontas Parkway

Toll-by-Plate is an automatic billing system that charges tolls to the registered owner of your vehicle based on your license plate. You do not need a transponder or prepaid account — the system photographs your plate as you pass through the toll plaza and sends an invoice to the address on your vehicle registration. This system is used on I-66 inside the Beltway (between I-81 and the Dulles Toll Road) and on the Pocahontas Parkway near Richmond.

If you own the vehicle, you will receive a bill by mail within 10 to 14 days. Payment is due within 30 days. If you do not pay within 30 days, a late fee of $10 is added, and the debt can eventually be referred to a collection agency. If you rent a vehicle, the rental company is billed and typically charges you a daily fee ($3 to $5) plus the toll amount when you return the car.

You can set up a prepaid Toll-by-Plate account to avoid the mail billing cycle and late fees. Visit the Virginia Toll-by-Plate website (virginiatollbyplate.com) or call 1-888-391-8655 to create an account. You will need your license plate number, vehicle registration, and a payment method. Once your account is active, tolls are deducted from your prepaid balance automatically, and you receive a monthly statement by email or mail.

SunPass: The Midtown Tunnel toll system in Norfolk

SunPass is the toll system for the Midtown Tunnel in Norfolk, which connects downtown Norfolk to the eastern shore. Like E-ZPass, SunPass uses a transponder mounted on your windshield. You can set up an account through the Midtown Tunnel website (midtowntunnel.com) or by calling 1-877-MIDTOWN (1-877-643-8696).

A SunPass transponder costs $25 and arrives within 5 to 10 business days. Once mounted, it deducts tolls from your prepaid account as you pass through the tunnel. If you do not have a transponder, the system photographs your license plate and sends a bill to your vehicle's registered owner within two weeks. Payment is due within 30 days, and a $10 late fee applies if you do not pay on time.

SunPass transponders are specific to the Midtown Tunnel and do not work on other toll roads in Virginia or other states, so they are only useful if you regularly drive that tunnel.

What happens if you drive a toll road without an account

If you drive through a toll plaza without a transponder or prepaid account, the system photographs your license plate and records the toll amount. Within 10 to 14 days, an invoice is mailed to the address on your vehicle registration. The bill shows the toll amount, the date and time you passed through, and the toll road name. Payment is due within 30 days.

If you pay within 30 days, you owe only the toll amount. If you do not pay within 30 days, a $10 late fee is added to your bill. If you do not pay after 60 days, the debt may be reported to a collection agency, and additional collection fees may explore. Some toll programs also suspend vehicle registration renewal until the debt is paid, so ignoring a toll bill can eventually prevent you from renewing your license plate.

This system is convenient for occasional drivers but expensive for regular commuters. If you drive a Virginia toll road more than once a month, setting up a prepaid account saves money because you avoid late fees and often receive a small discount on the per-toll rate.

Prepaid account discounts and how to fund your account

Prepaid accounts with E-ZPass and Toll-by-Plate offer a small discount on each toll compared to paying by mail. The discount varies by road and toll amount but typically ranges from 5% to 15%. For example, if a single toll costs $2.50, paying by mail, you might pay $2.50, but with a prepaid E-ZPass account, you might pay $2.15. Over time, these discounts add up, especially for daily commuters.

To fund your account, you can use a credit card, debit card, or bank account. Most systems allow you to set up automatic replenishment, which means when your balance drops below a certain amount (usually $10 to $25), the system automatically charges your payment method to refill your account. This prevents your account from running empty and incurring late fees. You can also manually add funds whenever you want through the website or by phone.

Check your account balance regularly through the website or mobile app. Most systems send email notifications when your balance is low, but it is your responsibility to may support funds are available before you drive.

Renting a car and toll roads: What to know

If you rent a vehicle in Virginia and drive a toll road, the rental company is billed through the Toll-by-Plate system. The rental company then charges you a daily fee (typically $3 to $5 per day) plus the actual toll amount when you return the car. This fee is in addition to your rental rate and can add up quickly if you drive tolls multiple days.

To avoid this fee, you can set up your own E-ZPass account before renting the car and ask the rental company to use your transponder instead of their Toll-by-Plate billing. Some rental companies allow this; others do not. Call the rental company in advance to ask whether they permit customer transponders. If they do, bring your E-ZPass transponder with you and mount it on the rental vehicle.

If the rental company does not allow customer transponders, you have no way to avoid their toll charges. In this case, budget for the daily fee and toll costs when planning your rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same E-ZPass transponder on all Virginia toll roads?

E-ZPass works on the Dulles Toll Road, Leesburg Pike, and northern Virginia routes, but not on I-66 inside the Beltway or the Pocahontas Parkway (which use Toll-by-Plate) or the Midtown Tunnel (which uses SunPass). If you drive multiple toll roads in Virginia, you may need accounts with more than one system.

What if I move out of state but still drive Virginia tolls occasionally?

E-ZPass transponders work in 17 states, so your account remains active even if you move. You can update your address on your account and continue using the same transponder. For Toll-by-Plate, your account is tied to your vehicle registration address, so update your registration when you move to may support bills are sent to the correct address.

Can I get a refund if I overpay my toll account?

Yes. If your prepaid account has a balance remaining when you close it or if you overpay, you can request a refund through the website or by calling customer service. Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account.

What if I do not receive a toll bill in the mail?

Check your vehicle registration address on file with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. If the address is incorrect, toll bills may be sent to the wrong location. You can update your address through the DMV website. If your address is correct and you still did not receive a bill, contact the toll system directly (E-ZPass, Toll-by-Plate, or SunPass) to verify whether a bill was issued.

Do I need a transponder if I only drive Virginia tolls once or twice a year?

No. Occasional drivers can straightforward pay by mail when they receive an invoice. However, if you drive tolls more than once a month, a prepaid account saves money through per-toll discounts and eliminates the risk of late fees. The transponder or account pays for itself within a few months for regular drivers.