Renting a car through Alamo at TPA. Best way to pay tolls?

[Sandi]

I am flying in to TPA to visit an aunt for a couple of days before heading to WDW. I'll return my car to the Car Care Center at WDW after I check into the Swan. Unfortunately the free Visitor Toll Pass that you can get at MCO is not an option at TPA. I live in Michigan, so I don't have a transponder and don't want to buy one. I have the Illinois Tollway app, but that doesn't appear to work in Florida. I'm kind of resigned to paying Alamo's $4.95/day fee for each day I have to pay a toll, but am looking for advice from any of you who might have a better/cheaper option for me. Many thanks for your advice.

 

[EACarlson]

I am flying in to TPA to visit an aunt for a couple of days before heading to WDW. I'll return my car to the Car Care Center at WDW after I check into the Swan. Unfortunately the free Visitor Toll Pass that you can get at MCO is not an option at TPA. I live in Michigan, so I don't have a transponder and don't want to buy one. I have the Illinois Tollway app, but that doesn't appear to work in Florida. I'm kind of resigned to paying Alamo's $4.95/day fee for each day I have to pay a toll, but am looking for advice from any of you who might have a better/cheaper option for me. Many thanks for your advice.

You can get an Illinois IPass that works in FL, would save you half price on tolls in both FL and IL, can be used on the Indiana Toll Road and the Ohio Turnpike. I believe Alamo uses Plate pass, so you could theoretically just pay the toll online before it gets to PlatePass and not pay any extra Alamo charges. Could also go out of your way to not drive on toll roads.

 

[OKW Lover]

I am flying in to TPA to visit an aunt for a couple of days before heading to WDW. I'll return my car to the Car Care Center at WDW after I check into the Swan.

You won't encounter any tolls between TPA and the Swan.

 

[Sandi]

You won't encounter any tolls between TPA and the Swan.

That's terrific news. Thank you. I'm just not sure where my aunt will want to go when I'm with her. Seems like my risk is pretty limited though. Thanks again.

 

[sam_gordon]

Will you ever possibly be going to Florida again? If so, why not buy your own transponder? We did that 10+ (?) years ago and still break it out when we know we'll be driving (whether renting or driving our own). Yes, it's a little high up front cost, but works in multiple states. https://www.sunpass.com/en/about/pro.shtml

 

[SteveH]

@Sandi I was just coming to say the same thing that @OKW Lover said, I've made the run a couple of times. If you use navigation app like Waze you can set it to route you and avoid toll roads too.

 

[Sandi]

Will you ever possibly be going to Florida again? If so, why not buy your own transponder? We did that 10+ (?) years ago and still break it out when we know we'll be driving (whether renting or driving our own). Yes, it's a little high up front cost, but works in multiple states. https://www.sunpass.com/en/about/pro.shtml

I go often, but rarely rent a car. Should I find we rent cars more, it's certainly something I'll consider. For this trip, I will only have the car for 3 days and it looks like I may not have any tolls.

 

[Stratman50th]

You could consider using the SunPass app. It’s a prepaid toll option for Florida, and you can set it up without needing a physical transponder.

I've never seen this? I use the app to register the cars and load money onto the transponders. How does it track cars without transponders, toll by plate?
We use Sunpass PLUS by the way and live in Florida.