Are RVs Allowed on Toll Roads?

Written by Jeff Campbell in RV Laws Last Updated April 22, 2021

Are RVs Allowed on Toll Roads lg

Traveling in an RV is a great way to see the country. Unfortunately, you are likely to find many toll roads on your route, and sometimes the toll booths have low clearance. This has some people wondering, are RVs allowed on toll roads?

Here’s what I’ve learned from traveling the country in my RV:

Most RVs are within the height restrictions of toll roads and are fully allowed to drive on them. But if you drive a Class A RV or a Fifth Wheel, choose the widest toll lane as some lanes with toll booths may be too narrow.

Also, expect to pay more based on weight and the number of total axles, but electronic toll devices are available that work nationwide and often offer a reduced rate.

In this article, I’ll talk about the height and width restrictions of toll lanes. I’ll also talk about common toll rates and how you get your bill when there is no toll worker to take your payment.

Just keep reading for everything that you need to know about toll roads while traveling in your RV.

How much do toll roads cost in an RV?

The average toll for an RV is approximately $70 but falls to $50 if an electronic toll pass is used. Tolls on toll roads are based on the distance driven, the number of axles, and/or weight. And an RV towing a car will often be more costly than if each was driven separately.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike, for example, will charge you by all of these and the distance you travel on the road.

Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike vary widely between passenger cars and larger vehicles. But thankfully, they have this toll calculator online so you can calculate how much your toll will be before you get there.

They also have a printable fee chart.

Most RVs weigh under 26,000 pounds. This means you can expect to spend anywhere from $10 to $200, depending on when you get off the turnpike.

Of course, if you are towing a car behind your RV, your rate may go up, depending on the total weight. Towing a vehicle behind your RV also increases the number of axles.

If you have an EZ Pass or SunPass, you can get a discounted rate.

There are a variety of toll calculator options online. You can calculate tolls for just about any toll road you will encounter on your route before heading out.

You can also set your GPS to avoid toll roads. It may take you out of the way a bit, but you won’t have to worry about accumulating a bunch of toll fees.

Is there a height limit at toll booths in an RV?

The minimum clearance on all U.S. interstates is 13’6”. This includes toll roads. But there are some Class A RVs that exceed that.

The average Class C motorhome is about 10 feet tall.

The average Class A motorhome is between 13 and 14 feet tall. So, if you are driving a Class A motorhome, you should be very sure of your height if you are going under a canopy.

If you are unsure, or if your RV is taller than the canopy, most toll booths will have a dedicated lane without a canopy. Usually, it is on the far-right lane.

This is another good reason to check tolls and toll booths before you get there.

Because if there isn’t a dedicated lane for taller vehicles, you’re going to have to choose a different route. It would be a giant pain to get to a toll booth just to have to figure out how to turn around because you’re too tall.

If you’re here, you obviously know that RV stands for recreational vehicle.

But not all RVs are motorhomes. A motorhome is a motorized recreational vehicle. Non-motorized RVs are towed behind a vehicle like a truck, SUV, or even a car.

To read more about the differences between RVs and motorhomes, check out this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Is there a universal toll pass I can use for my RV anywhere?

RV Toll pass works on almost all U.S. toll roads that use electronic toll devices. E-Z Pass currently works on most toll roads in 33 states, including both states on coasts and most in between.

RV Toll Pass is an easy-to-use electronic toll device that is tied into nearly every toll road in the U.S. (not a paid endorsement). There is a monthly service fee of $14.99 that you pay only during the months that you actually incur toll charges.

This is great if you like to stay in one place for a long period of time.

You don’t have to worry about renewing a service. And you don’t have to worry about service fees when you aren’t using the device.

CLICK HERE to check out their coverage area.

If you are traveling the Midwest or Eastern states, a less expensive option may be an E-ZPass. With an E-ZPass, there is no service fee.

You just load money into your account with cash or credit, install the transponder in the windshield, and your account will be debited the appropriate toll amount.

Easy Peasy. And if you don’t have a credit card, you can replenish your account with cash at the toll booth.

Do I pay a higher toll if my RV is towing a car?

Yes, towing a vehicle behind an RV will result in a higher toll, as it adds weight and axles. However, disconnecting the car before the toll booth and driving both through separately is often less expensive.

If your RV is towing a car, it is going to cost more.

But unhooking your car before you get to the toll road is not only inconvenient, but it can be dangerous, too. If you use an electronic toll device, you can get a discounted rate. You may have to have a separate device on the RV and on the tow vehicle.

Yes, you’ll be charged for both, but with the discounted rate, you may actually save money over paying the cash rate.

Usually, if you have an electronic toll device for both your car and your RV, like RV Toll Pass, you only need to put it on your RV.

Just make sure that the car tag is included on your RV account. If this is the case, make sure to disable the transponder for the car so that it doesn’t get billed twice.

Check with your electronic toll service to be sure of the proper procedure.

How do other states know where to mail my RV’s toll bill?

In the case of automated toll booths, they will take a picture of the RVs’ license plate. They then send the bill to the address associated with the license plate. So always ensure the vehicle registration mailing address is UpToDate to avoid late fees.

All it takes is a clear picture of your license plate, and you’ll get a bill. It may be a month or two later, but you will get a bill.

If you are considering purchasing an RV to live in full-time, consider a Class A for traveling and a fifth-wheel for longer stays at one campground.

If you like to change locations frequently, a Class A motorhome paired with an electronic toll device makes for a nice living and easy travels.

On the other hand, if you plan to stay put at one location, a fifth wheel has lots of room and options. It also has the benefit of being able to unhook from your vehicle for daily driving.

To read more about how to buy an RV to live in, check out this recent article. Just click the link to read it on my site.

Universal Toll Pass?!? (Full Time RV Quick Tip!)

Did I answer everything you wanted to know about whether RVs are allowed on toll roads?

RVs are allowed on toll roads. Just use the widest lane possible and leave minimal space on the driver’s side.

You don’t want to be that guy that can’t get your RV through an 11-foot (or bigger) throughway.

Pay attention to the route you’re taking. If you plan ahead, you will know which lanes are the widest and how much the associated tolls are.

If you are on the road a lot, consider getting an EZ Pass or SunPass for discounted rates.

Photo which requires attribution:

Still photo was taken from video – Rv Life: Trouble on the road | Travel Mistakes | Fulltime Rv Living by Liz Amazing is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped, edited, and had a text overlay added.

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