Someone explain how EZ pass works to me

[erin1715]

Is there a recurring fee for an EZ pass or do you just pay for the amount that goes on the pass? Their website is not that clear and they have a few different plans.

We will be driving from upstate NY to Philly airport in 2 days and I was thinking of getting an EZ pass to avoid the slowdown at the tolls, but I'm confused about how it works.

 

[wilkeliza]

Is there a recurring fee for an EZ pass or do you just pay for the amount that goes on the pass? Their website is not that clear and they have a few different plans.

We will be driving from upstate NY to Philly airport in 2 days and I was thinking of getting an EZ pass to avoid the slowdown at the tolls, but I'm confused about how it works.

There are different versions of EZ Pass. The 2 biggest differences are prepaid where you load a certain amount onto your account and tolls draw off of that. It appears that the EZ Pass discount is available by using this plan. A standard one requires at least 25 loaded. The second type is Pay Per Trip in which the card on file is charged once per a day based on the tolls you entered. I don't believe this plan has any discount but not sure.

 

[PatMcDuck]

We use EZ Pass, and also use SunPass in Florida. We have EZPass attached to a CC. The thing with EZpass, is that they always have some of our $$, they are always ahead. As soon as it drops to $25 or something, they zap you back up, with a charge that varies based on past usage. For us it has been as low as $25 and as high as $75 (when DH was commuting far and paying more in tolls).

With SunPass, I put $$ on the account, I just bring it up to $20 before a trip. So they also have my $$ in advance, lol.

 

[piccolopat]

If you are getting it in NY, there shouldn't be an extra fee on top of the actual tolls. That's not the case in NJ where a monthly fee also applies. Having a credit card attached to your EZpass is easiest since you can set up a replenishment schedule. We replenish ours when the balance goes below $15. Just remember to update your credit card info if the info changes. We forgot once and NJ hit us with a $50 fine.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

You don't have to get your state's EZ Pass...you can get one from any of the states that offer them. See the fees and details here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-ZPass

I have had them from Delaware, Massachusetts, and Virginia all while living in Washington DC. States change their overall pricing scheme occasionally, and when they have instituted fees I've given it back and gone to another state.

You just have to weigh whether or not the discounts offered by the state where you use tolls the most outweigh the fees that state charges. Usually if a discount is offered on some particular toll, you have to be part of that state's EZ Pass system to get the discount.

 

[cranbiz]

If you plan to drive on the EZPass system and the Florida system, think about the NC Quick Pass. It's accepted on all EZPass roads AND all Florida toll roads. Not sure about local discounts but NC extends the e-toll discount to any transponder.

 

[erin1715]

I really only plan to use this maybe once a year, so I don't want to pay for any monthly fees, etc.

I really wanted to pay a one time fee with an EZ Pass that was loaded and if there is a balance have it just carry over so I can use it when I need it. I'm still confused about whether or not that is possible.

Seeing as though we will be leaving for the airport tomorrow, I would have to purchase a pass from a local retailer and I don't know what options they have either.

 

[cranbiz]

Yes, it's possible to pay the one time fee for the transponder and load it with prepaid tolls. I currently have a MA EZPass and live in NC. There is no monthly charge (yet) and I use it here in NC and when we go back and forth to MA. I probably use it 3 months a year in total. There was a time that i had not used it for over a year.

Looks like NY, NJ and PA charge a $1 a month service fee. You may be best to pay cash this trip and apply for a transponder from a state that does not charge the account fee. I know that NC does not charge a monthly fee either. The prices differ for transponders depending on type and if you need to move it to another vehicle. $20 gets you the standard transponder and it requires a $25 pre payment.

Use of Transponders Outside of North Carolina

NC Quick Pass is now compatible with E-ZPass, SunPass and Peach Pass facilities. The NC Quick Pass sticker transponder will not only work in NC, but also on all SunPass and Peach Pass accepted facilities. Additionally, the NC Quick Pass hard case transponder will work in NC, and where SunPass, Peach Pass and E-ZPass transponders are accepted.
North Carolina toll roads are now also accepting E-ZPass and SunPass transponders as a form of payment on the Triangle Expressway, as long as the vehicle license plate is registered on the E-ZPass or SunPass account.

 

[erin1715]

Yes, it's possible to pay the one time fee for the transponder and load it with prepaid tolls. I currently have a MA EZPass and live in NC. There is no monthly charge (yet) and I use it here in NC and when we go back and forth to MA. I probably use it 3 months a year in total. There was a time that i had not used it for over a year.

Looks like NY, NJ and PA charge a $1 a month service fee. You may be best to pay cash this trip and apply for a transponder from a state that does not charge the account fee. I know that NC does not charge a monthly fee either. The prices differ for transponders depending on type and if you need to move it to another vehicle. $20 gets you the standard transponder and it requires a $25 pre payment.

Use of Transponders Outside of North Carolina

NC Quick Pass is now compatible with E-ZPass, SunPass and Peach Pass facilities. The NC Quick Pass sticker transponder will not only work in NC, but also on all SunPass and Peach Pass accepted facilities. Additionally, the NC Quick Pass hard case transponder will work in NC, and where SunPass, Peach Pass and E-ZPass transponders are accepted.
North Carolina toll roads are now also accepting E-ZPass and SunPass transponders as a form of payment on the Triangle Expressway, as long as the vehicle license plate is registered on the E-ZPass or SunPass account.

Thank you! This was extremely helpful. I think we will just pay tolls in cash for this trip and look into getting one in the future.