Illinois tolls are collected by the Illinois Tollway, and you can pay them in real time at toll plazas, through an I-PASS account, or by mail after receiving an invoice

The Illinois Tollway operates toll roads in the Chicago metropolitan area and northern Illinois. When you use these roads, you owe a toll — the amount depends on your vehicle type and how far you travel. You have three main ways to pay: with cash or card at a toll plaza, through an I-PASS transponder that charges your account automatically, or by mail if you miss the toll booth and receive an invoice later.

Most drivers choose I-PASS because it costs less per toll than paying at the booth and moves traffic faster. If you do not have I-PASS and pay cash or card at the plaza, you pay the full rate. If you drive through without paying and do not have I-PASS, the Tollway photographs your license plate and sends you an invoice in the mail — this costs more than either other option.

Key Takeaways

  • I-PASS is a prepaid account with a transponder that charges tolls automatically and costs less per toll than paying at the booth.
  • You can open an I-PASS account online, by phone, or in person at a customer service center, and it takes about five to seven business days to receive your transponder.
  • If you receive a toll invoice in the mail, you can pay online, by phone, or by mail, and late payment adds a penalty fee.
  • Rental car companies, commercial fleets, and out-of-state drivers can all use I-PASS or pay tolls at the booth without a permanent account.
  • The Tollway offers discounts for low-income drivers and payment plans for people who fall behind on invoices.

Opening and funding an I-PASS account

To open an I-PASS account, visit the Illinois Tollway website (illinoistollway.com), call 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277), or visit a customer service center in person. You will need a valid driver's license or state ID, a current address, and a payment method — a debit card, credit card, or bank account. The account itself is free to open.

When you open the account, you choose how much money to load onto it. This is your prepaid balance, and tolls are deducted from it each time you use a toll road. You can set up automatic replenishment, which adds money to your account when the balance drops below a level you choose. Most drivers set it to refill when the balance reaches $10 or $20. You can also manually add money anytime through the website or by phone.

After you open the account, the Tollway mails you a transponder — a small device that attaches to your windshield. It typically arrives within five to seven business days. You cannot use I-PASS until you receive and activate the transponder. Once it arrives, you activate it through the website or by phone, and it is ready to use immediately.

What I-PASS costs and how much you save

I-PASS tolls are lower than cash tolls on the same roads. The exact savings depend on which road you use and your vehicle type, but I-PASS users typically pay 20 to 40 percent less per toll than drivers who pay cash at the booth. For example, if a cash toll is $2.00, an I-PASS toll on the same stretch might be $1.20 to $1.60.

There is no monthly fee for I-PASS, and you only pay when you use a toll road. If your account balance drops to zero, you can still drive through toll plazas — the Tollway will send you an invoice for the tolls you owe. However, paying by invoice costs more than either I-PASS or cash, so it is better to keep your account funded or set up automatic replenishment.

The Tollway offers a low-income discount program that reduces I-PASS tolls by 50 percent if you meet income limits. You must reapply each year. Contact the Tollway directly or visit their website to learn about current income thresholds and how to enroll.

Paying tolls at the booth without I-PASS

If you do not have I-PASS, you can pay cash or card at toll plazas. Most plazas have both attended lanes (with a toll collector) and unattended lanes with card readers. You can use a debit card, credit card, or cash in the attended lanes. Unattended lanes typically accept cards only.

Paying at the booth costs more per toll than I-PASS. This option works if you use toll roads rarely or are visiting Illinois temporarily. If you use toll roads regularly, opening an I-PASS account saves money over time, even accounting for the time it takes to receive your transponder.

Paying a toll invoice by mail

If you drive through a toll plaza without paying and do not have I-PASS, the Tollway photographs your license plate and mails you an invoice. The invoice includes the toll amount plus a processing fee. This is the most expensive way to pay tolls. The invoice arrives within two to four weeks of the toll transaction.

You can pay an invoice online through the Tollway website, by phone at 1-800-UC-IPASS, by mail, or in person at a customer service center. Payment is due within 30 days. If you do not pay by the due date, the Tollway adds a late fee and may report the debt to a collection agency.

If you receive an invoice and do not think you owe it — for example, because you believe you paid at the booth or your transponder should have worked — you can dispute it. Contact the Tollway with your evidence, such as a receipt or credit card statement showing payment. The dispute process typically takes two to four weeks.

Payment plans and help if you fall behind

If you have unpaid toll invoices and cannot pay the full amount at once, the Tollway offers payment plans. You can set up a plan by calling 1-800-UC-IPASS or visiting the website. A payment plan spreads your debt over several months, and you continue to pay tolls normally while making plan payments.

If your account has been referred to a collection agency, you may still be able to work out a payment plan. Contact the Tollway directly before the debt goes to collections, as options are more limited once that happens. The Tollway also has a hardship program for drivers facing financial difficulty; contact them to discuss your situation.

Using I-PASS with rental cars and out-of-state vehicles

If you rent a car in Illinois, the rental company usually offers I-PASS for an additional daily fee. You can decline and pay tolls at the booth or by invoice instead, but the rental company fee is often cheaper than paying invoices later. Ask about I-PASS when you pick up your rental.

If you are visiting Illinois from out of state and plan to use toll roads, you have two options: pay cash or card at toll plazas, or open a temporary I-PASS account. A temporary account works the same way as a regular account but is set up for a shorter period. You can open one online or by phone before your trip.

Commercial fleets and businesses can also use I-PASS through a commercial account, which offers additional features like detailed reporting and higher discount rates. Contact the Tollway's commercial services department for information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I drive through a toll plaza without paying and do not have I-PASS?

The Tollway photographs your license plate and mails you an invoice within two to four weeks. The invoice includes the toll amount plus a processing fee, making it the most expensive way to pay. You must pay within 30 days or face late fees and possible collection action.

Can I use someone else's I-PASS transponder in my car?

No. I-PASS transponders are registered to a specific vehicle and account. Using someone else's transponder is considered toll evasion. Each vehicle needs its own transponder, though one account can manage multiple transponders.

How long does it take to receive an I-PASS transponder after I open an account?

The Tollway typically mails transponders within five to seven business days. You cannot use I-PASS until the transponder arrives and you activate it. If you need a transponder faster, some customer service centers may have them available for immediate pickup.

What if my I-PASS transponder stops working?

Contact the Tollway to report a malfunctioning transponder. They will send you a replacement at no charge. While you wait for the replacement, you can pay tolls at the booth or by invoice. If tolls were charged to your account incorrectly due to a broken transponder, you can dispute them.

Do I have to use I-PASS, or can I always pay at the booth?

You can always pay tolls at the booth with cash or card if you do not have I-PASS. However, booth tolls cost more than I-PASS tolls. If you use toll roads regularly, the savings from I-PASS typically outweigh the cost of opening an account and waiting for your transponder to arrive.