Are Texas drivers being price-gouged on toll roads? What to know about toll costs
The 5 p.m. traffic gridlock creates a conundrum about whether to pay $20 on a toll road and zip home or endure grueling bumper-to-bumper boredom.
Local residents have been vocal on social media about a photo of a Texas toll road that shows the price as $21.40. “How is this legal?” a person posted in a Reddit thread.
Well, it is perfectly legal. According to the Texas Tribune, there is no state law that caps the price of a toll road. In the article, an Austin resident mentioned racking up almost $600 in tollway fees.
How much are toll road prices in Texas?
According to Ecotoll, Houston has the most expensive tolls with Grand Parkway (SH 99) up to $29.47.
Dallas-Fort Worth has eight tollways that vary in cost depending on location and usage.
Dallas North Tollway (DNT): $6.06 to $9.10
DFW Airport International Parkway (time-based toll rate): $6 (zero to eight minutes), +$2 (eight to 30 minutes), +$3 (30 minutes to two hours), +$24 (six to 24 hours)
President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT): $10.39 to $15.60
Sam Rayburn Tollway (Texas 121 toll road/ 121 Tollway): $4.74 to $7.12
Chisholm Trail Parkway: $5.79 to 8.70
Addison Airport Toll Road Tunnel: $0.70 to $1.05
Mountain Creek Lake Bridge $0.70 to $1.05
Lewisville Lake: $1.39 to $2.09
How do I pay toll fees in Texas?
In Texas, you can pay toll fees in several different ways. You can choose to pay by toll tag, Ecotoll account, or toll invoice.
The toll tag is a sticker that you put on your windshield. It has a prepaid balance that allows you to pass through tolls. Even if you do not pass through tolls, you are still paying a prepaid balance.
An Ecotoll account allows you to “pay as you go.” So, rather than possibly wasting money with a tag, you can pay your toll bill from your phone and track charges.
The final way is a toll invoice, which one would receive by mail. So, if you do not have a tag or an Ecotoll account, you can still pass through the tolls. The toll roads take pictures of your license plate and mail you an invoice, which you can pay online. These are normally a bit more pricey because of administration fees.
This story was originally published October 25, 2024 at 3:34 PM.