When you use a toll road in a rental car, the rental company will pay the toll on your behalf and then charge you, plus significant additional fees. The best way to avoid these fees is to use your own transponder (if compatible) or proactively sign up for the rental company's toll pass service. Ignoring tolls is not an option, as automated systems will always catch the rental car's license plate.
Rental companies primarily use two systems. The first is an automated toll service, where your rental is equipped with a transponder. Every time you pass a toll, the system records it. You'll be billed for the actual toll amount plus a daily "convenience fee" for every day of your rental—even days you don't use a toll road. These fees can add up quickly.
The second is video tolling. If your car doesn't have a transponder, cameras photograph the license plate. The rental company pays the toll and then charges you, often at the highest possible "video toll" rate, plus an even larger administrative fee per toll.
The most cost-effective method is often to bring your own transponder, like an E-ZPass, and use it in the rental car. Check with both the transponder provider and the rental company for compatibility and any rules. Alternatively, you can proactively enroll in the rental company's flat-rate toll package at the counter. This usually gives you unlimited toll usage for a fixed daily fee, which can be a good value if you plan extensive toll road travel.
| Rental Company | Primary Toll Service Name | Daily Convenience Fee (Approx.) | Per-Toll Admin Fee (Video Toll) |
|---|
| Enterprise | PlatePass | $4.95 - $5.99 | $15.00 |
| Hertz | TollPass | $5.49 - $6.99 | $15.00 |
| Avis | e-Toll | $3.95 - $5.99 | $15.95 |
| Budget | e-Toll | $3.95 - $5.99 | $15.95 |
| National | PlatePass | $4.95 - $5.99 | $15.00 |
Always ask about the toll policy at the rental counter and clarify the fees. The key is to make a decision before you hit the road, as the passive, automated option is almost always the most expensive.
